Before hitting the North Pole

My final plane home

8:10am. Gentle waves meeting the shore set a rhythmic ambience to the room. A cruise ship sounding its horn complements the coastal soundscape. The horn becomes more frequent. Faster it echoes, bringing a sense of urgency. It becomes louder. Louder still. The waves are gone, the horn is morphing into a buzzer. It has become a nightmare. Oh, no, its just my alarm. The last morning-alarm that I will be hearing on a different continent for some time.

Yep that’s it, the end date of my trip has arrived. I’m currently getting a little sauced somewhere over the North Pole and so many people are sleeping through this free booze train plane, while I’m taking advantage while I can. I even see Santa boozing down below. So I thought it would be a good time to write a post.

I didn’t know what to expect before venturing on this trip. That’s not totally true, I had expectations but the majority of them were proven wrong which I’m stoked on. I overuse strong descriptor words as well as its hard to put it into a sentence how much I enjoyed this trip, but I’ll try. At first I didn’t really see how travelling/backpacking could be addicting, I was enjoying it at first, no doubt, but after a bit it really clicked with me. Its like the lifestyle of post-secondary but on the road. You are constantly meeting new people, are always doing something new and gaining (I think anyway) a bit of an education along the way.

Near the start of the trip I came to the conclusion that for me I can really see amazing sights: landscapes, buildings, cities, museums, etc. But its the people you meet that really makes the trip. I never got tired of hearing about people’s stories, what their goals are, their passions, their fears, their reasons for traveling — quite the opposite actually, I would really look forward to them. Its talking about me that I would want to quickly get through. I know that’s a shock that me, a perfect and humble man would get tired of hearing awe and admiration over myself but no its true, I did.

Things I’d recommend:

Go out on the first night when you arrive at a hostel. Best way to meet people and have some good stories for the next day. You can sleep when you’re on the road or during official siesta time (highly recommended)

Put yourself out there. Do it.

Try not to beat yourself up when you’re overtired, stressed and went on the wrong bus to who knows where. Its all part of the adventure.

Over-budget for the trip. I’m normally pretty frugal and save lots at home *cough*cheapass blame the Scottish genes*cough* but you’ll have less worries if you can treat yourself more often.

Write a journal or at least do what I did which was half a dozen point notes on what I did, where, who, food, etc.

If tired of taking pics/video, continue to take pics/video. A shitty shot of something is better than an imaginary amazing shot of something. Hot damn I’m deep.

Pack light. I JUST barely had to use my small day pack as checked luggage along with my big pack.

Things I wouldve done differently:

Write a less shitty blog. Haah! I think its lack of redeeming qualities makes it charming.

Only pack one pair of grandpa pants. These non-wrinkle, non-stain slacks are comfortable but paired with sneakers they make me feel like that weird kid on the playground that would just run around by himself, longing for friendship and acceptance but only receiving glares and cringes. Please someone play with me..
Oh uh, and replace one with another pair of jeans. I picked another pair up a couple days ago and I feel normal again. But oh sweet goodness my backpack is full.

Brought a low profile decent looking shoe. Depending on space this was a hard one to cut out.

And for next time:

Stay longer in some places. I felt like this is a common trend among friends and people I’ve met, for the first big trip to do a whirlwind tour (which I’m very happy I did) and next time I will spend more time in less places. I loved learning phrases in different languages especially since I was in the slavic speaking Balkans for so long, that I would love to do even longer in a single country and learn a bit more!

So where’s next? Maybe UK and Baltics or just the Baltics – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania? Or maybe Baltics and Scandivialand? Somewhere around there is what I’m feeling. But that may change, it’ll be a while before I hit the skies again. At leeeast until January 1. 😉

I plan to post photos and more indepth advice on cities/countries for those that are interested in visiting the same places in the coming weeks, since I find some online resources completely false, like the language guides especially. Made me look a fool a couple of times. Which isn’t too different from normally, but if I can avoid it I try to.

I hope this blog was mildly interesting over the last couple months, it was a good basket for me to throw in a shallow overview of what I did in a place pretty easily so I can look at it later, and if it entertained then all the better. I’m excited to look through all of my photos from my camera, its been a while since I’ve seen some of them.

A video dripping in Rocky-esque montage inspiration will come shortly as well. Back home tonight on Friday (double party night!?) and then back into the swing of things on Monday which I’m excited for!

May the road always rise to meet you fellow travellers and friends 🙂 its been a fun few months.

Unlike Ponyboy, some things can’t stay gold forever. This is the sad tale of my flip flops. No! They were more than flip flops. They were a statement, a statement that no matter how run down and bleak it all may seem, a little bit of positivity and bandage tape can go a long way. Or at least I thought.

To have so much sentimental value in flip flops might be concerning, but other travelers seem to share my enthusiasm. My zebra beauties were already reaching the end of their lives before I even left home, and I think it was in Croatia when they really fell apart, it was heartbreaking. Using McGuyver like ingenuity I put them back together with bandage tape and little shame. This did two things. First, it didn’t do much in terms of structural support. And two, it gave them character. Especially with all the random hostel hair stuck to the tape. In Zabljak they developed a strong odour. This scent was a cross between Buckley’s and mold. I don’t think they dried properly. This is when I started to quarantine them on the outside of my bag. Was I ashamed? No. Was I embarrassed? Yes.

When I hit Tirana they thought I was checking out early, so the merciless cleaning lady peered into this vile and rotten bag of filth, saw the clumps of hair stuck to the tape that were starting to pulsate and banished them to the garbage. Not the ceremonial end to the tale that I wanted to tell to my grandchildren, but sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way.

Oh and just another note, no matter how comfortable you are in a hostel, don’t leave your things unattended. A nice girl left her laptop on her bed for not longer than 30-45 minutes and in that time it was swiped. You’d think other backpackers are all in the same boat and wouldn’t steal, but unfortunately there’s some pretty scummy people no matter where you are.

RIP Lucy and Rita.

Bobsled track in Sarajevo

I’m just over halfway through my trip and I think I’ve gotten a little smarter. I’m definitely still dumb in areas, but I think I have a better handle of things than I did a month ago. Here are some tips in no order, just as they come to me.

Buses
buses have been a great, and often the necessary way to move through the Balkans. But there are some things to know or that may help.

– seat number (listed under Sjediste if in a south Slavic speaking country) doesn’t usually matter here. Just sit wherever, and unlike me, try and sit on the side with the view. Right now I have a great view of rocks to my left and the Adriatic is across the aisle behind some Russian’s heads.

– bus terminal (Peron) is the same thing, check the bus sign and ask the driver or ticket usher, because it won’t/can’t always park where the ticket sometimes says

– have a rough idea of how long the trip will be, same goes for trains. Some train stations and seemingly all bus stations are poorly signed, you don’t want to get off at the wrong stop

– if you put a bag under the bus (which you’ll often have to pay a dollar for) make sure its the first thing you grab when you get off. I’ve almost forgotten my bag, which I blame it on the stress I endured on the tumultuous bus ride on the way back to Kotor from Zabljak. Yeah that’s it.

Trains
I haven’t been on too many trains, but this is my experience:

– seat number matters here, you often pay extra to reserve it. They will have little cards outside the cabin door that says if its reserved or not, use that as evidence if someone stubborn doesn’t want to move from your seat in the train car full of british bebs

– as before pay attention to signs and time as the announcements are garbled and all spoken in a language that isn’t English

– keep your eye on your bag, don’t leave it unattended. If you sleep, somehow keep it on you so no one can snag it. Only if you’re in a cabin full of aforementioned British girls can you leave it on your seat for a minute

Other

– if you need to use the laundry service that’s offered by a hostel, do it as soon as you arrive. When they say it’ll be done to when it’ll actually be done doesn’t always line up. Better be safe than have a backpack full of wet clothes. Also check to make sure all your clothes are there, socks are easy to be left behind!

– if you get pick of a bed at a hostel, claim it by throwing the sheet on it. Rakija makes top bunks difficult to navigate but they do make me feel 19 again*

Basically be proactive, use your head as best you can and pay attention to all details. This is something I hope I’m getting better at! But most important is to be able to roll with the punches. Life is no fun without a little bit of challenge. Adapt and don’t let a mistake bum you out!

I’ve officially been on the road for 2 weeks and since I’m on a bus I have some time to give packing tips. Although I think I’m getting worse, my bag seems fuller than it did when I started..

I may add things to this post as I remember them. And don’t complain about the lack of list organization, I normally charge hundreds for my advice. Embrace it.

This is what I brought:
3x pants (2 stain/wrinkle resistant grandpa slacks and 1 pair of raw denim (take up less room))
2x shorts
3x tshirts
1x longsleeve (very thin)
1x oxford shirt (doesn’t look too bad when all wrinkly)
2x gun show exhibitions (man tanks)
4x skivvies
4x socks
Cable with lock (small TSA bag lock with cable used for lockers and can tether my bag to the bed if necessary — not a lock and key one, don’t want to lose the key)
Combination lock for bigger lockers
2 outlet adapters for the countries I’m visiting and I actually picked up a voltage converter as well with adapters built in. Very handy and protects my electronics.
Travel insurance – probably a good idea. Print off copies and store them in your wallet, bag, wherever
Make sure to call your credit card company and inform them of your travels
CDN flag patches – Gotta rep my country with pride! (The glue on ones don’t stick too well, I sewed mine on afterward)
Pack of cards is a good way to pass the time/drinking games
Check for any vaccinations you might need
Shoes – I wish I had a nicer pair/casual for nights out but I don’t want to haul them around at all
1x flip flops for shower
1x sandals – might be redundant but its MY LIFE OK
Small first aid kit – very happy I have this, within two weeks I’ve cut my feet twice
Dry-fast pack towel – it folds up into nothing
Cinch bags – helps separate my things. One for chargers, cables, etc. One for health stuff (wipes, first aid), one for little electronic things (SD cards, flashlight, etc), and one to separate my underoos and socks
Money belt – I keep copies of passport, travel insurance and my credit card in here. Some sketchier places I’ve put my passport in there, but when I go out I leave my passport locked up. Some say to keep it with you at all times but my issue is when I go out and happen to go to the beach or wherever, then its nice to know you’re not leaving it in the open
Small day pack – there was a pic of this one from the post a week ago. Very handy when out being a super tourist SD Cards for camera
Extra camera battery
Hand sanitizer
Universal Sink Plug – use one of those rubber jar opener – thanks dad for that one (this can be used for washing clothes)
Baby wipes – because I’m a baby and I like to stay clean
Imodium or some other preventative porcelain-crushing drug
As said before make copies of your passport, both soft and hard.
Check if your bank offers free international withdrawal from ATMs. I got one with my bank. As well as change your PIN to a 4 digit code if you haven’t
Plastic bags are invaluable. You can store wet things, dry things, soft things, hard things, big things, small things. Seriously supeeeer handy. A guy I met separated his groups of clothes in plastic bags, makes it easy to find your things!
Garbage bags
Rain poncho

Some tips:

Roll your clothes like you roll a towel. It saves space and they won’t wrinkle as bad

Try to be consistent in where you put your things, makes it easy to find them and pack up.

Don’t put things in the paper bills part of your wallet. Its a good way to lose a postcard that many friends have signed and a train ticket to Zagreb. For example.

The only things I wish I brought are:

A jacket/warmer shirt/light sweater or jumper as the brits say (seriously they’ve colonized every hostel I’ve been at. So so cheeky)

Painkillers/cold meds – I’m fighting through the last part of a cold, thankfully the first day I was sick I was bunked up with two German pharmacists who hooked me up with strange medicine that worked! Sorry mom for accepting drugs from strangers 🙁
Now I’m slogging back delicious Croatian cough syrup. This stuff tastes like green tea. Delicious.

Sunscreen I swear has been the most expensive purchase of my travels, it rivals my plane tickets. Croatians apparently don’t burn like a paper-white bearded Canadian vampire. I’m glad I don’t either. Though it wouldve been good to bring some with me.

That’s all I can think of for now. Enjoy some pics from Zadar 🙂

P.S. I miss granola bars.

uncle Owen and Aunt Beru live here now

Breakfast by the Adriatic

Near the Sea Organs, solar powered light show

After less than a week of traveling solo for the first time, I’ve had a variety of new experiences and I thought I would pass on things that I do so that it might be useful for others! I’m by no means an expert at all (hell I thought it was called the 16th Chapel in the Vatican only until a couple years ago).

In no particular order here are my tips:

• Stay optimistic but prepare for the unlikely! Prep in your mind what you’d do if you lost everything including your passport, so you don’t freakout if it happens (I hope I don’t have to experience this!)
• Use your phone for useful apps, and check out what’s out there in the app store, but I wouldn’t rely on your phone for everything! I have a BlackBerry so it doesn’t have a ton (like 4) of good apps, but the ones I’ve seen on other phones with a mo’ bettah app selection is really cool. Write down addresses, flight/train/bus details, things to see, maps (download maps so they can be used offline) Technology doesn’t cooperate all the time
• I leave my phone in the locker at the hostel when going out at night. I would be super bummed if I lost it, and I don’t find it worth it for a few blurry night pics 😉
• Memorize maps or jot down streetnames/directions. Its what I’ve started doing, navigation doesn’t come easy to my ol’ brain so by doing this I think I’m getting better, plus it helps you not look like such a tourist (i.e. a target for pickpockets) by having just a palm-sized notebook in your hand versus a huge map.
• keep your stuff locked up in the hostel when away or sleeping. Chances are slim of theft but its better to be safe
• keep everything together when at a hostel, don’t spread out. I like to mark my territory by sprawling out with my things but if I did that here there’s a good chance I’d forget something
• try to first say hi or excuse me in the local language where you’re going. Although I have absolutely butchered and maimed Czech, I tried
• be weary of drinking with big germans. Makes for a world of hurt the next morning

On the bus to Budapest now. So far the countryside looks surprisingly canadian.

Daypack on right and regular pack on left

Majority of my things on this trip