We've gotten several requests for some of the more logistical information behind this trip - some out of curiosity, some looking for references for a future trip - and decided that, since we have it, we might as well share it. We have benefited immensely from many online resources, including other blogs from similar travelers, so it's exciting to think we might be able to repay some of what we've gained. If there is more that we're missing, let us know so we can add it in! Without further adieu, the nitty gritty details...
BUDGET
A more detailed budget may still be in the works, but for now you can get the gist of it from the top part of this little infographic about the whole adventure.
Our route in map form can be found HERE
(opens in a new window)
Gear
Our goal before leaving for a year long trip was to go as light and lean as possible. This was in part because it’s easier to carry and less expensive to check through flights. It was also partly because, in addition to just not really needing all that much stuff, we were given some sage advice by friends who’d set out before us: if you have a big rucksack, you’ll fill it – if you have a small rucksack, you’ll fill it. We also had to plan a little broadly given that we were going to be in all climates and also working on farms along the way.
We’re not much fans of branding ourselves, nor are we getting paid or sponsored by any companies, so anything mentioned specifically below is only because we really truly love it. If you’re curious what something specific is, drop us a line!
Casey
- 38 Liter pack with raincover
- 1 small travel purse
- 1 stuff sack grocery bag
- 1 warm, compressable jacket
- 1 rain jacket
- 3 bras (1 sport, two regular),
3 pairs of underwear - 2 pairs of ankle socks,
2 pair of med. socks - 1 black tank top/swim top,
1 swim bottom - 3 short sleeve shirts, 1 long sleeve wool shirt, 1 long sleeve cotton shirt, 2 tank tops
- 1 knee-length travel skirt,
1 cotton pencil skirt (acquired in Vietnam), 1 cotton dress - 1 pair jeans, 1 pair work pants,
1 pair lightweight pants (adjustable, ankle to mid-calf) - 1 pair leggings
- 1 pair sleep/yoga pants
- 1 wool sweater
(donated in Amsterdam) - 1 lightweight cardigan
(acquired in Amsterdam) - 1 pair slip on shoes,
1 pair work/trek shoes,
1 pair walking sandals - 1 hat (donated in Nepal)
- 1 pair sunglasses
- 1 big mid-weight scarf
(shipped home from Nepal),
1 thin scarf (acquired in Istanbul) - 2 bandanas (headband, sweat mop, dust protection)
- 1 winter hat (acquired in Nepal)
- 1 small, quick dry towel
- 1 sleeping bag
- 1 sleep sheet
Casey Toiletries/First Aid
- Razors
- Solid shampoo bar
- 2 Reusable/washable
underwear liners/pads - Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Coconut oil (best moisturizer, refilled twice in Thailand)
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Collapsible mini-brush
- Hair cutting scissors,
comb, straight razor (acquired
in Scotland) - 1 small First Aid kit (bandaids, ace bandage, antiseptic cream)
- Immodium
- Cipro
- Malaria drug
- Bug repellent
- Advil
Eli
- 42 Liter pack with rain cover
- 18 Liter daypack
(acquired in Nepal) - 1 pair jeans,
1 pair work pants,
1 pair trousers (that became shorts in Nepal) - 1 pair sleep shorts, 1 pair shorts (acquired in Turkey)
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 pair work/trek shoes,
1 pair small sneakers,
1 pair sandals - 4 pairs underwear
- 4 pairs socks
(2 large wool, 2 small) - 3 pairs cotton socks acquired and killed during farm work
in Scotland - 1 long sleeve wool shirt,
1 long sleeve cotton shirt,
1 long sleeve button up shirt - 1 wool zip up sweater
(sent home from Germany) - 4 tshirts
- 2 kerchiefs
- 1 homemade cycling cap
- 1 soft-shell jacket
- 1 rain jacket
- 1 winter hat, 2 bandanas
- 1 small, quick dry towel
- 1 sleeping bag
- 1 sleep sheet
Eli Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Razor, spare blades,
shave cream - Bar soap
- Dental floss
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Cipro
- Malaria drug
Shared Goods
- Digital SLR camera, spare memory cards, case,
polarizing lens, charger - iPad, camera connector, charger
- Power plug adapter
- iPod mini, two pairs headphones and a splitter
- 2 stainless steel water bottles
- Journals, sketchbook
- Pens, watercolor pencils, sharpie, pencil, sharpener,
glue stick - Pocket knife
(acquired in Poland) - Rubber bands, small roll
of duct tape - 1 travel sewing kit
- 1-4 books (fiction, nonfiction, guide) in trade-in rotation
- 2 watches (1 with alarm)
- Pack locks
- 2 headlamps
- Earplugs and eye mask
- 1 wallet each,
1 shared money belt - 1 suction cup clothesline
- Laundry soap sheets
- Nail brush
- Bungee and velcro straps
for securing packs as
checked baggage - 2 crochet hooks (acquired
in Vietnam)
Shared Documents
- Passports
- Immunization records
- Driver’s licenses
- Student ID’s
- Debit cards
- Copies of passports
and passport photos - Power of attorney forms
- Health Insurance paperwork
- Thumb drive with digital copies of all of the above documents
RESOURCES
We're by no means experts on how to do this traveling thing, but we've found the following sites to be particularly helpful. Some are maybe geared more towards our interests, but they've all helped shape our experiences for the better in some way or another.
In General…
Couchsurfing – an amazing community of people worldwide, ready to share their couch, spare bed, or just a bit of knowledge – good for the budget, obviously, but tenfold bonus in what it adds to the experience
- WWOOF – Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, volunteering in exchange for room and board – learning, making friends and again, exponentially increasing the meaningfulness of the experiences in a place
- Workaway – like WWOOF but with a broader focus (ie. not just farming) and a little more web 2.0 savvy, as well as one membership for worldwide access
- AirBnB – a bit pricey sometimes, but with some great deals to be found for non-hotel accommodations
- Kayak – consistently the best flight search (also with a great mobile app)
- Skyscanner – runner-up for some great flight price-hunting. Always best to get second opinions on flight prices anyway.
- Wikitravel – better (and more up to date) than guidebooks more often than not
- XE Currency Converter – up to the minute exchange rates worldwide
And Location Specific…
- StickyRice – the Hanoi Street food bible
- Nancy Chandler Maps – Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Hanoi…every detail
- Use It Maps – tons of cities around Europe, done by locals
- Reykjavik Grapevine – what’s happening in Reykjavik, in English
- Bangkok Art Map – …as the name implies…
- Everything Budapest – maybe not everything you could possibly want to know about Hungary’s capitol, but pretty close
- Poet’s Corner Hostel – not only was this little hostel in Olomouc, Czech Republic the best of our entire trip, but they also have a pretty stellar resources page that covers the surrounding countries and then some
More to come as we cull the archives and discover new ones…