This is a random collection of musings from my first full week of travel. It feels like I’ve been on the road for about a month already, but suspect it’s a bit like summer: the first few days linger deliciously, time then passes like time-travel in a sci-fi film, and suddenly it’s time to go back to school again.
Travel light
First and foremost, I’m glad I packed light – it makes checking-out quick, and travelling much more pleasant. Also, when you arrive in a place, it’s not so obvious you’re a newbie. Most of the other packs I’ve seen make my back ache in sympathy.
Missing items
I haven’t found anything I’m missing yet, although I didn’t predict I’d need two outfits a day – it’s so hot that when you get back late afternoon, you need to shower and change before dinner. I’ve invested in some “Thai pants”: ankle-length, cotton, one-size-fits-all (and, for once, it seems to) trousers that will hopefully stop the mozzies having a field day with my legs. My lightweight camping mug would also be useful, and wouldn’t have added much weight/space as I could stuff things inside it.
Be organised
With four dry bags and a few pockets in my backpack, I’m really disciplined about where I store everything. Just throwing it into the main pack is tempting, but I need to know where everything is and be able to find it quickly.
Suncream
Superdrug Solait Baby Factor 50 suncream is seriously impressive. My soft Scandi skin (thanks, Mum 🙂 ) burns easily, but one application lasts all day, despite sweating profusely. A bit worrying that supplies are already getting low…
Chains
Chains: the chains attaching my wallet and phone to my bumbag are genius, though I say so myself (and thanks to Mum for making them for me 🙂 ). They not only stop me accidentally leaving them places, they deter any would-be thieves – it’s pretty difficult to nick any of my stuff without going through me first 😉 Oh, and on the Kwai bridge, someone next to me dropped their phone. We all held our breath as it wedged itself into the gap (just!) instead of falling through. No such worries here. And I don’t constantly worry whether I’ve got my phone like a usually do – the psychological relief is as important as the security aspect.
Dining
No problems with food so far – it’s served piping hot, so if anything’s survived, it deserves to! Also, they don’t clear your plates until you’ve actually gone, so it’s a more relaxing experience. And they’ve sussed spoon design:
Anti-hassle strategies
Walking down the pavement in the opposite direction to the oncoming traffic reduces the number of times drivers beep and shout “tuk-tuk?” at you. A t-shirt with the slogan “No tuk-tuk required” in various languages would be a best-seller.
Massage prices
These are the same all over the area. Sensible.
Smoking
Allowed in restaurants, it’s not actually a problem as it seems not many people smoke, and those who do deliberately sit on the “outside”. It’s appreciated, folks 🙂 Might be different in the bars, I guess – can’t comment 😉