The Checklist That Does Not End

As Lao Tzu mentioned, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Preparation is the first single step of my Cold Journey, a journey of a thousand miles.

Sure backpacking is fun. But a considerable amount of work is needed before the enjoyment starts. 先苦后甜. Thats what it is all about. Though the preparation is a long and tedious one, I enjoy doing it as it gets me excited and makes me look forward to the trip even more than before.

However, it is often not known that the preparation could sum up to a significant amount and it depends mainly on the countries that you are visiting. For your information, I had already spend more than $1000 just on the preparation phase. YES, over $1000 even before I start my trip, and this amount EXCLUDES the air ticket. Well, those are the necessaries, so I would say that it is well spent.

If you think that backpacking is easy, well think again. Just as you thought that you are about to be finish putting on ticks to the items on your checklist, the last item on the list does not seems to appear any sooner. Seriously, I mean there are really tons and tons of things to settle prior to departure and it all takes up lots and lots of time.

Firstly, you will have to make sure that all the necessary documents are in place. If you are travelling to a country which requires you to apply for a visa, you will then have to make sure that you know the date of your arrival and the number of days you will spend in that country. You will also have to decide whether you need a single entry, double entry or multiple entires visa. Overstaying might gives you legal issues. Applying for a visa does not mean you will be issued one. It is all up to the host country.

Thing will be even more difficult if that country requires you to have a letter of invitation before they will allow you to apply for a visa. For that, you will have to get someone in that country to send you the invitation letter and with it, you can then go to the embassy for your visa application. Again, applying for one does not gaurantee you one.

However, the most difficult thing about getting a visa is when the country that you are visiting has no embassy in Singapore. You will then have to work out a way on how to get your hands on one.

If you are intending to drive in that country, you will also have to apply for an international driving license and make sure that that country recognise it. Ofcourse, other documents would include your passport, flights etc.

Secondly, you will have to decided on what to bring and what not to bring. It is usually advisable to keep valuable items to the minimium. In the case if your backpack get stolen, what you lose at most would be some clothings. The longer your trip, the more difficult it is for you to pack. Say for example if your route brings you through extreme climates like those of summer as compared to winter, do you want to bring both summer and winter clothings? or do you prefer to buy them along the way?

Summer clothings are usually much easier to pack and carry as compared to thick and bulky winter wear. Usually people would bring along old tshirts so that they can throw these tshirts away along the way. As such, the backpack gets lighter and lighter too, and toward the end of the trip you will have space for some souvenirs.

Thirdly, you will need to worry about the money. Ofcourse it is not safe to carry all the money you need throughout the whole trip with you. Credit cards, atm cards, travellers cheque etc are good alternatives. But what if the country is so undeveloped that these are of no use at all? Then do you want to carry hard cash with you?

Fourthly, you will need to take the time to visit into consideration. Some of the places are more attractive to go in winter then in summer but it would also mean that some other attractions that only operates in summer and now closed. Decide on what you want to see and then choose the right season to go.

Fifthly, you will need information about the places that you are visiting. This would mean a whole lot of research and reading to do.

Then there are many other things to take into consideration like accomodations, transportations within travel, travel insurance, vaccinations, and so on........

Yes, the list is long. It could take anytime between days, weeks or even months to plan and it is especially true if it is a long trip. But I guess if you are really into it, you will definately enjoy the whole process right from the start. Well, at least I did.

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