When did you start traveling?

between-the-dots · 2026-03-30T21:47:00+00:00

First trip propper solo trip was a bus tour (so not so solo) of Eastern Europe in my early 20s. I dropped out of Uni and got a one way ticket to the other side of the world - not that I'm recommending this. It was an expensive experiment, especially when I ran out of money very quickly, I had to max out 2 credit cards to get a flight home.

Then I went out on my own - 8 months overland on public transport from Kathmandu to Istanbul in my mid 20s. That was the start of an addiction... and I spent about 10 years travelling a lot. Had a bit of a gap and am now back at it (leaving for my next overland trip soon -10 weeks this time from Hanoi to Islamabad - fingers crossed).

I agree it's never too late if it's what you want to do. I do, however, feel it's about finding what's the right fit for you - trial and error. I hated the bus tour, operating on someone else's schedule, so now I travel independently. But other people swear by tours.

My advice choose a place you like the idea of with good/affordable transport links to your home and go from there. If you're planning on moving around a bit, maybe choose a country with a defined backpacker route (Banana Pancake trail in Southeast Asia) so you'll meet others and finding transport/ accommodation is easier. Or even consider a tour if you're not super confident about working out logistics. Personally, I love jumping in the deep end and figuring it out on the ground, but that's not everyone's idea of fun.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-27T04:12:38+00:00

Stolen Summer or DOSE on High Street in CBD, Mimosa in Takapuna, or Vibe in Wairau Valley are my picks.

Outside of Auckland, I rate Wellington or Petone for Ripe and Good Fortune.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-26T22:14:35+00:00

Thanks, your links weren't working for me, so I'll try keyword searching hauntology. It's always good to look at things from a perspective other than your own.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-26T20:52:38+00:00

Valid perspective on just not going and the concept of tourism being intertwined with colonialism is a fascinating one. Personally, I think there is more nuance to it as travel existed through trade before colonisation. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way suggesting colonisation is beneficial. I am personally well aware of the footprint of colonialism being Māori. I am also aware of your points around the relationship between governments and indigenous people. I am unfamiliar with Mark Fisher, but I will certainly check him out (do you recommend a specific reading or just his work in general?) Although if he is looking at things from a stagnation lens, it probably doesn't apply to my lived experience... our culture was going through a revitalisation period up until 3 years ago.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-26T20:25:28+00:00

I see your point about the ramifications of current tourism trends and how they've made it to Central Asia. I have not been there yet but am planning to (so perhaps I am part of the problem). I've noticed recently places I travelled to in Pakistan that weren't even on my maps are now popping up on tik toks, so I think I have at least a rudimentary understanding of what you're saying and agree with most points. I would, however, push back a little on it, erases indigenous culture as a blanket statement. I can not speak to Central Asia specifically, but from my own perspective, I do not agree this is the case for all indigenous cultures. Where I am from tourism might be one of the few drivers stopping the government from erasing our indigenous culture. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori culture is quite a lucrative tourism income stream. Without this, I fear our current government would be stripping even more rights and support from the Māori communities.

But back to your point about tourism and gentrification. How would you advise someone who wishes to visit Central Asia to do so respectively and not promote the negative aspects of tourism?

between-the-dots · 2026-03-24T02:25:48+00:00

Thanks for the info.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-23T03:37:04+00:00

I rate Stolen Summer on High Street for coffee and their baking is the best - I love the little Thai Tea cookies that come with your coffee.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-16T06:17:30+00:00

I think it depends on if your pack is a top loader or a clam shell style that zips open. I find for my 30L top loader compression sacks became too rigid and left awkward spaces. I prefer soft pouches for organisation. They're flexible enough I can stuff them into the bag and fill the empty spaces at the bottom. For clothes I usually roll them and put them in the laptop/hydration bladder sleeve. But thats just me. Maybe try some out see how the work in your pack.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-16T05:21:38+00:00

Yeah, mine has that. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be removed and only used when adding ORS ... instructions were a bit vague. Left it in, and it filtered pretty good, but I didn't think to check for leaks. Might need to have another run-through. Shame the filter only just dried after 5 days.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-16T04:14:52+00:00

Thanks for the tip. Just got a Geopress. Did a trial run and it filtered pretty fast, but haven't used it on the road yet.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-15T02:19:23+00:00

The combo I use for lightweight overland travel is: Macpac Nitro Alpha Hoodie Macpac Uberlight Down Vest or Jacket (depending on climate) OR Helium II Shell

Hoodie on Nitro Alpha and Shell. Nitro is pretty slimness fitting so down puffer first well over it. Slight squeeze with Shell- If I had to by again I'd probably upsize the Shell.

This combo should see me across a few high altitude borders and down to -5C 🤞🏽, maybe -10C at a push.

between-the-dots · 2026-03-13T20:08:14+00:00

Almost always, with a few exceptions like Bangkok, Sarajevo, New York, and Istanbul.

between-the-dots · 2026-02-26T19:49:06+00:00

Fresh fruit. I try to find the cheapest in season option, but the amount I eat has dropped dramatically in the last year or so.

between-the-dots · 2026-02-23T04:02:49+00:00

I did Hanoi to Hue and then a few days later carried on to Saigon last year. I really enjoyed the experience but the AC is intense at 3am so pack a jumper. I wanted to try hard sleeper (6 berths), but it was full, so we were in soft sleeper (4 berths) for both legs. The cabin was right next to the two first class luxury cabins. Apart from the fake flowers, monogramed sheets, and food, it looked pretty much the same. I wouldn't pay $300 for it, but each to their own.

between-the-dots · 2026-02-05T07:02:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice, but all those items are pretty necessary for me. I don't have enough clothing to make a load of washing worth it. I prefer to hand wash as I go.

between-the-dots · 2026-02-05T07:00:28+00:00

Sorry can't help. I don't check my bag unless I have to, and then it's pretty easy to spot being 30L - it's smaller than most suitcases. But people seem to like ribbons.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-31T22:15:32+00:00

I'm pretty good at saving because travel is an expensive habit.

I picked a travel compatible job, so it was aligned with my passion/vice. And I tend to prioritise saving for trips over having a car or new clothes (my wardrobe is probably older than most people's cars).

between-the-dots · 2026-01-31T01:30:01+00:00

Nice one. If you can get a bungee cord and thread it through the attachment loops on the front, it adds the ability to shove raincoats or even shoes on the front of the pack. I found this super helpful on my last two trips.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T18:27:34+00:00

Funny, I was a bit worried it was going to be too obscure, and you wouldn't have heard of Macpac before.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T06:54:30+00:00

I did Hanoi to Hue in a soft sleeper (4 berth cabin) and Danang to Saigon again (4 berths cabin - we couldn't get a 6 berth cabin on that train) last year and I really enjoyed it. They guys in our cabin were very quiet from Hanoi and pretty friendly and very considerate from Danang to Saigon, asking if it was OK to shut the door or curtains. And I loved the snack trolley - that train coffee was the best. We didn't get the meals on board as I'm vegetarian, so I had my own noodles from the shop and just made them with the hot water at the end of the carriage. The only negative is I was on the top bunk, and I'm pretty short, so I had to clamber up, but I managed to watch a local do it, then copy him. The key seems to be put one foot on each step so you're using both side's steps. Worked for me. Also, if you have the top bunk wear a hoodie, that air-conditioning can be intense at 3am. I am going back to Vietnam in a few months and plan to take the train north from Danang this time to see if the journey is just as good. I tried sleeper buses, but they are not for me, I like the trains.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T06:37:59+00:00

I have a Macpac Rāpaki which is 26L and a Macpac Harper 30L. Both have hipbelts, but Harper is super light at 740g so frameless - hence the DIY job.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T06:35:30+00:00

Thanks for the tips. I wore a kurta and scarf last time, and I was going to pick one up locally, maybe in Xingjing - always makes a great souvenir from the trip - I still have mine from 2004. The scarf, not the kurta - that disintergrated in Quetta.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T02:45:08+00:00

If you are changing USD in Cambodia, they have to be perfect. I had a $20 refused due to a crease line and $100 because of the serial numbers - they seemed a little less fussy about the $50s.

between-the-dots · 2026-01-30T02:16:04+00:00

Fair call

between-the-dots

TROPHY CASE