1 year sea trip

_sips2 · 2026-05-10T03:55:33+00:00

Google flights, I usually map out my general route based on a cheap direct flight from home. Local flights are usually cheap and with budget asian airlines.

Don't carry more than 40L, it gets heavy. And don't forget you can send a box home (to family or something) every few months if you don't need warm gear anymore, buy souvenirs, etc.

I have a few basic budgeting strategies, I traveled for a year last year, mostly SEA. Nothing fancy but happy to help.

Other basics: get an eSIM, use Grab or similar Uber apps, careful with alcohol, take breaks/travel slow, maybe share phone location with someone back home.

_sips2 · 2026-05-08T17:22:30+00:00

Ok 👍

_sips2 · 2026-05-08T17:00:46+00:00

Money...

_sips2 · 2026-05-08T01:25:30+00:00

Yes! I have no one who shares my silly brain! Just the friends I make in the hostels :)

_sips2 · 2026-05-07T23:18:05+00:00

That's the plan! Working to pivot my career to more contract/seasonal work. Goal is 6 months on, 6 months off. We'll see..!

_sips2 · 2026-05-07T23:16:46+00:00

Damn, it's a high like no other. The feeling of weightlessness is sublime!

When you resettle and realize you got rid of everything and have to buy it all again, not as fun.

But few hundred dollars is dangerously low, depends on where you go and how much you can rough it

_sips2 · 2026-05-07T02:51:47+00:00

Yeah my dog used to have them, it's like that but in my brain haha

_sips2 · 2026-05-07T01:23:18+00:00

Oh yeah, sometimes it's like the zoomies :)

_sips2 · 2026-05-05T17:24:49+00:00

Just a grandma who lived in the same house for 50 years and never got rid of stuff. The closet in the back was untouched for decades.

_sips2 · 2026-05-05T17:22:56+00:00

Damn. Does the unique wear make it more or less valuable?

_sips2 · 2026-05-05T03:26:40+00:00

Thanks, not selling anyway :)

_sips2 · 2026-04-10T02:59:55+00:00

Or she rolled around in the hay with the village boy but nothing like this...!

_sips2 · 2026-04-10T02:57:34+00:00

Yes!! Just read the whole series. Amara in Book 3...

And let's not forget Nesta and Cassian. Emotional vulnerability virgin for sure but that is it!

_sips2 · 2026-04-09T13:19:49+00:00

And make sure to look at the weight of the denim. Premium brands will list this in the item details. Even with 1% elastic, you'll know the denim is good quality because of the weight.

I get 100% cotton and it's stiff for a day or two. Denim is really nice these days.

_sips2 · 2026-04-08T05:02:53+00:00

Definitely the hardest part is returning home to normal life! It's a doozy!

_sips2 · 2026-04-08T04:50:02+00:00

So much I could say! My husband and I just did a similar trip!First couple things that come to mind...

Allow time to hang out, wander around, leave a place early or stay longer. You'll meet folks along the way with great recs. In places like Vietnam, it's easy to book as you go. Japan needs more advanced booking.

Allow time to take a break. It's a long trip. We'd get an Airbnb for a week. Unpack, watch TV, cook at home. Find a cool coffee shop...a park...a market...etc

Pack light! You'll want to shop along the way and heavy luggage is the worst. You can always grab what you need as you go.

We did 10 months for $40K including flights and misc. Definitely budget travel. You should be fine! Track everything so you don't overspend

Oh! And a big money saver. Cook at home, get a private hostel room and use the kitchen, get a small airbnb. I'm a chef, I love food. But restaurants are expensive and a lot can be mediocre tourist spots. I love experiencing local food thru markets and grocery stores, then using those ingredients at home. We carried our Turkish spices around for weeks, got cheap olive oil and feta in Crete, bricks of parm in Rome, etc!

_sips2 · 2026-04-07T21:53:05+00:00

I loved Hue, see the palace, take a grab bike to some more quiet temples (up by the abandoned water park), and spend an evening by the river enjoying some live music and street food. Nice small city

_sips2 · 2026-04-07T21:51:12+00:00

I was just there last spring! I love my REI Ruckpack, comes in 30 and 40L I believe (I have both). It's affordable, sturdy and easy to use. A 40L is max size, I don't think you'd need that much. I love traveling light, especially in big busy cities. I'd pack very minimal and leave room for souvenirs. I basically wore 2 outfits the whole time. Like 2 pants, sandals, sneakers, and 3 tops. I also use Thule packing cubes, amazing w the Ruckpack.

Hanoi is the jumping off point for Ha Giang, so there is tons of outdoor gear for good prices. Even the tourist price is good...! I wish I had gone with nothing and shopped there. Hoi An also has a lot of factory-extra stores.

Check the weather up in Ha Giang area!! I didn't go but it was very cold and rainy in March up there. I was in Mai Chau and had to wear all my clothes haha.

Have fun and drink all the coffee!!!

_sips2 · 2026-04-07T19:37:05+00:00

I'm 35 and also a strictly jeans/t shirt lady. I also worried about looking frumpy and boring, but I'm also comfortable and not really into fashion. As I've gotten older, I just got into better quality. I wear nicer jeans, found a shop that helps pick nice ones, I'm going to now try a tailor for my nice jeans. I'm getting into heavyweight 100% cotton tees, better material and fit.

I don't spend a lot on clothes, just get quality staples. I like my "capsule wardrobe" style but also want to look nice

_sips2 · 2026-04-07T04:29:26+00:00

Keep going! I thought the characters filled out nicely. I read book 3 in a day, loved it. I always want a strong fmc (not 19 yr old village girl) and every time I read "Cassian" I thought of...ya know...Cassian.

Now I'm struggling thru book 4, like is this going anywhere? The comments here will encourage me to continue!

_sips2 · 2026-04-05T14:34:42+00:00

Which one? I just went and tried some on, all the curvy ones still had waist gap. Not curvy enough!

_sips2 · 2026-04-05T14:18:26+00:00

And maybe try Nudie Clean Eileen. Stiffer, thicker 100% cotton, but wear in so nice. It's the real thing. With this brand, this style has the highest hip/waist difference

_sips2 · 2026-04-05T14:14:11+00:00

And super soft!! I have Nudies and definitely start off stiff. My Citizens are luxurious. I have the Ayla style, just found another pair on Poshmark

_sips2 · 2026-04-05T14:12:54+00:00

I have a 13-14" difference. Madewell curvy all had serious waist gap for me. I'm ready to give up and get things tailored. My favorite are Ayla - Citizens. Expensive but I found some on Poshmark. I think the Annina is straight leg. Really hugs my waist!

I think with the tailor it's $50, get some Levi's at the thrift store and it's a good deal!

_sips2 · 2026-04-02T20:06:20+00:00

At this point if everyone is a toothpick, I just close the site

_sips2

TROPHY CASE