Travels with my laptop

Photo by BigGolf

Unless you’ve been freelancing for a while, chances are that at some point you’ll need to tell your boss and the people you work with that you’re leaving. Your colleagues may be surprised at your decision to travel - some may think you’re mad to be throwing away the security of a regular pay check, but most will probably admit that you’re doing what they always wish they had. You may even inspire a few to follow your example and leave on an adventure of their own.

When preparing to leave your job it’s important to plan for the least disruption to the people around you as possible. If you hate your job and can’t wait to throw the towel in, it may be very tempting to disappear overnight or tell your boss exactly what you think of him before you leave but you never know when you might need that reference. Being sensitive to the needs of the company you work for may open doors for you in the future - you may even be offered the chance to work remotely or come back to your job if things don’t work out. It pays to be professional, however excited about your trip and fed up with your current situation you may be.

Ensure you give your manager plenty of warning that you’ll be leaving. You may only have a 4 week notice period or less, but giving a longer notice period will allow them more time to find a replacement for you, start planning to distribute your workload to other members of the team and generally prepare for your departure.

Explain your reasons for leaving. Your boss may be shocked that you’re giving up your job for such a frivolous reason or they may be pleased that you’re leaving in order to ‘live the dream’ rather than because you can’t stand working there and can’t wait to leave. If your decision to leave was prompted by other reasons that made you unhappy in your job then you should take the chance to explain this in a fair and balanced way. It may be hard to remain objective but getting angry and leaving on a bad note will only burn bridges and possibly make things difficult for you in the future. Choose your phrasing carefully - “Recently I’ve not been finding my work challenging and feel it’s time for me to make a change” sounds better than “I’ve been getting really bored and I can’t take it any more!”

Be professional. It may be tempting to start winding down once everyone knows you’re leaving but if there’s work to be done, make sure you finish it properly before you leave. Do a proper handover with your colleagues or replacement before you finish working and consider writing up a handover manual that can be referred to when you’re gone.

Be flexible. You need to be prepared for the possibility that you may be offered an incentive to stay. Don’t be too suprised if you’re offered a payrise or a sabbatical. Take time to consider these offers before you turn them down or snap them up - will a payrise really make your job bearable enough to stay for a year? Will you be content with travelling for six months and then returning to your job? On the other hand if your travel plans aren’t set in stone, it may be worth staying a little longer if this will enable you to save a lot of money - it will come in handy when you have no regular income!

And finally… try not to gloat too much. your colleagues will soon get sick of hearing how you’ll be sitting on a tropical beach in a few months time!

If you’re still lacking courage, try reading Penelope Dullaghan’s story of how she resigned from her day job to become a freelance illustrator - very inspiring for those of us still chained to a desk!

Photo by MC MasterChef

What you pack for your trip will depend on where you’re going, the type of places you’ll be staying (hotels/hostels/camping) and the activities you plan on undertaking. A packing list for a trekking trip through the Amazon rain-forest will look very different to a list for a beach holiday in Thailand.

In any case, the most important thing to remember when packing for any trip where you’ll be doing a fair amount of travelling is to keep it light and minimal. You may have heard the rule to lay out everything you plan to take and then ditch half of it - nice idea but I’ve never found this to be possible in reality. Much better to start out realistically, pack light and if you’re not sure whether or not to bring a particular item, it’s probably best to leave it. You can pick most things up on the road anyway.

Write down everything you want to take and then cross it off your list. This stops you from packing unnecessary items that you might unconsciously sneak in at the last minute and prevents you from forgetting anything. I loathe packing and am renowned for leaving it until the very last minute - this has resulted in some rather disappointing oversights, such as forgetting my camera when I went to China. An extra half hour or so making a definitive list is well worth the effort.

Following is a generic packing list for a backpacking trip that you can use to base your own list on. Tailor it to your own requirements and try to resist the temptation to put three times as much clothing in - you’ll only regret it later!

• Backpack - try on several and find the one that is most comfortable for you when it’s full. Decent backpacks are expensive and it’s really not worth skimping here if you want to save your back and your sanity. The smaller the better really (so you’re not tempted to pack more to fill it!) - somewhere in the region of 40 - 60 litres, depending on your personal requirements, is probably about right.
• Clothing - if you can afford it, go for the specialist travel or outdoor activity clothing that is made from tech fabrics. They are quick drying, wick sweat away from your body, wrinkle-resistant and some even provide UV and mosquito protection. In general, stay away from cotton (jeans in particular) as it takes forever to dry and once it gets sweaty it stays sweaty and smells. Not really what you want in a tropical climate. Your clothing list might looks something like this:
  • 2 x t-shirt, or 1 t-shirt and one short sleeved travel shirt
  • 1 x tank/vest top
  • 1 x shorts
  • 1 x long trousers
  • 1 x skirt (for girls)
  • 1 x long-sleeved top
  • 1 x micro-fleece
  • 1 x light waterproof jacket
  • 1 x pair socks
  • underwear
  • swimsuit
  • sarong (can be used as a towel, to sit on, as a skirt, shoulder-wrap and multitude of other uses)
  • 1 x pair walking sandals
  • 1 x hat or bandanna.
• Toiletries - bring small bottles and replace them as you go along. Lush make several varieties of shampoo and shampoo/conditioner bars which are great for travel as they are lighter than bottles and last for ages. Don’t forget sunscreen and use a high factor - don’t underestimate the sun when you’re near the equator. Baby wipes are useful on plane journeys and when you don’t have access to a shower. Don’t bring your entire makeup kit, whatever you do - I guarantee you won’t use it. Put everything in ziploc bags and find a decent toiletries bag with a hook. Bring tweezers and a small pair of scissors. Vaseline works as lip balm and to prevent blisters.
• First aid kit - band-aids, bandage, antiseptic cream, antihistamines, paracetamol, bite-relief cream, diarrhoea medicine, water purification tablets, malaria pills, tiger balm.
• Essential documents - money, tickets, passport! Also visas, insurance information, useful and emergency phone numbers and a copy of your itinerary. Take photocopies of everything and leave them with a friend or relative or keep a virtual copy in your email inbox.
• Daypack - bring a small pack that you can fit a water bottle, guide book and a few other items in and use as hand luggage on planes.
• Travel towel - specialist travel towels are light, fold down small and dry quickly.
• Silk sheet sleeping bag - light, comfortable and protect you from dodgy-looking hotel beds. You can get them cheap on ebay.
• Torch - for finding your way in the dark and reading in hostel dorms.
• Pocket knife - you don’t need one with a million different tools - a small blade, bottle opener, corkscrew and can opener should cover most eventualities.
• Clothes line - you can buy special travel clothes lines with hooks or suckers to attach to the wall and twisted cord so it’ll hold your clothes without pegs. Or just bring a lenght of nylon cord.
• Lighter and candle - for power-cuts and setting fire to things.
• Mosquito net and coils - needed if you’re camping or staying in basic accommodation in rural areas.
• Plug adaptor - essential for items below…
• Gadgets - camera, mp3 player and laptop if you plan to work from one while you’re travelling. You may also want to bring a mobile phone but get a local sim or use it only in emergencies unless you have money to throw away on huge phone bills.
• Books - travel guide for the first country you’re visiting. Ditch it or swap it when you leave. Do the same with a reading book.
• Travel journal - write about your travels, sketch, collect tickets, jot down email addresses of people you meet. Get artistic - a physical journal is much nicer to look back at than a blog. Have a look at the moleskinerie flickr group or read Everyday Matters for some inspiration.
• Miscellaneous items - superglue, duct tape and sewing kit for fixing things, Ziploc and supermarket plastic bags, ear plugs, cheap watch with alarm, money belt.

Photo by Swiv

You’ve planned your route, bought your ticket and you’re all set to go but even the most carefree souls will have some preparation work to do before they can hop on that plane. It’s best to write a checklist of things that need sorting out at least three months before departure - six months would be better if you’re particularly organised. This way you can make sure everything is sorted before you go and you won’t be rushing around panicking in the last few weeks. The list below isn’t definitive but it will give you a starting point for your own list, whatever your circumstances.

1. Passport and visas - make sure that your passport will be valid for at least six months by the end of your trip - many countries won’t let you enter if your passport is due to expire. Make a list of the countries you’re visiting and check their visa requirements. Remember there will be a fee for your visas and this should be accounted for in your trip budget. Visa application can be a lengthy process so don’t leave it until the last minute!
2. Vaccinations and medical requirements - visit your doctor or local travel clinic for advice on vaccinations, anti-malarials and other medical considerations. The NHS fit for travel website (geared towards UK citizens but useful information for everyone) will give you an idea of what to expect in each country. If you’re in the UK, be aware that not all vaccinations will be available on the NHS and you could easily be looking at a few hundered pounds to get a full course. It’s best to arrange your vaccinations well in advance - some courses, eg. the Hepatitis B vaccine, take six months to complete. Visit your dentist for a checkup too.
3. Insurance - take out a specialist round the world or backpackers insurance policy. Make sure you have enough cover for cameras, ipods and laptops. If you’re going to be doing any extreme sports (and this is more likely than you may think once you’re travelling!) make sure you’re covered for that too. There are various comparison sites that will help you to find the best policy to suit you - try moneysupermarket for a start.
4. Leaving your home - if you own your home, decide if you’re going to sell it or rent it out while you’re away. If you rent, find out how much notice you need to give and put a reminder note in your calendar. If you’re sharing with housemates, give them plenty of time to find a replacement for when you leave. You’ll also have to make arrangements to either put your belongings into storage or sell or give away as much as you can before you go.
5. Pets - ask around friends and family for anyone willing to take care of your pets while you’re away. Remember that looking after an animal while you’re away for a year is a big commitment and you may not have a lot of volunteers, so start looking early. If you’re stuck you could try advertising in local classifieds. Use your local animal shelter as a last resort - their main priority is stray and abandoned animals and being put in this environment is likely to stress your pet. Make sure your pet is healthy and up to date with vaccinations before you leave.
6. Job - check your notice period and decide when to let your colleagues know you’re leaving. It will usually be appreciated if you give a longer notice period so that a replacement can be arranged before you leave, but don’t do this if your boss is likely to fire you on the spot! Try not to make everyone sick with your constant talk of travels (difficult I know!).
7. Money - work out a rough daily budget for each country so you’ll know when you’re overspending and can cut back before it’s too late. Think about how you’re going to access your money while you’re away and maybe set up a new account or apply for a new credit card. Ideally you should be using a card that won’t charge you for spending abroad. Take two credit cards if you can - they’re useful for emergencies if nothing else and it’s always good to have a spare.
8. Stock up - make a list of everything you’re taking with you (I’ll be writing a post on packing soon). Keep an eye out in outdoor and travel shops for items on sale. Buy things gradually over a few months and you won’t be rushed into buying expensive and unsuitable items at the last minute.
9. Tieing up the loose ends - remember to pay all your final bills, cancel your phone contract, stop your direct debits, change addresses for bank accounts etc. to your parents or a friend’s address, make sure everyone knows you’re leaving and how to contact you.
10. Have an amazing leaving party and enjoy your trip!

Photo by Frabuleuse

Great things happen when you just decide you’re going somewhere, buy a plane ticket and worry about it later. My favourite method for buying tickets is to sing to myself “La la, I can’t hear you”, as I type my credit card no. in, which works suprising well to silence my ’sensible’ side.

However when planning a round the world trip or a multi-stop ticket, a little planning is well advised to ensure you make the most of the time and money you have available to you (of course if someone offers you a free one-way ticket to china tomorow, you should take it, run and don’t look back!)

1. Think about where you want to go - write up your dream list. It might not be practical to do everything in one trip but it’s a starting point for a more structured itinerary. My dream destination was Tibet so I started planning my rtw trip with a starting point of Tibet and Nepal. At the time I booked my ticket, the political situation in Tibet meant travel there was impossible. So I started thinking about other alternatives and ended up booking an overland trip through India to Nepal - even though India was somewhere I’d never considered before. Now it looks like I might be going to India and Tibet - a bit of brainstorming away from your dead-set destinations could make wonderful things happen! If you’re stuck for a bit of inspiration, try a few hours browsing around the lonely planet website or some travel blogs - I can recommend Solbeam and Me-Go for a start.
2. Think about how long you want to travel for - you might not have a clue but it helps to have a rough idea - a couple of months? a year? longer? are you taking a career break and coming back to your job or are you trying to escape the rat race for good? Are you going to visit the top destinations of the countries on your list and move on or do you want to settle in and get the real feel of how it is to live somewhere and maybe stay put for a month or more? Not an easy thing to decide until you get there maybe but it will affect…
3. How much money do you need? It’s very helpful to work out a rough daily budget for the places you intend on visiting before you leave and then you’ll know how much you need to save up before you go or how long you can stay in each place before your money starts running out. You can always top this up by working as you go along if necessary but trust me, you won’t be a happy bunny if you end up spending all your money 3 months into a year long trip! Your daily budget will depend on where you are and how extravagantly you’re living. You can get by in Southeast asia on a few pounds a day if you’re staying in the cheapest accommodation, eating street food and only enjoying the nightlife occassionaly. On the flipside, if you’re staying in average hotels in Europe, going out most nights and eating in restaurants, you could easily spend £100 a day (Tip - don’t go to Iceland if you’re on a budget!)
4. When do you want to leave? - this is dependent on several factors:
   • The places you’re going: It’s best not to visit India during the Monsoon season or The Caribbean during Hurricane season, so try to factor this into your plans when you’re deciding on your itinerary.
   • Your committments before you leave: This may be work or personal related. I had several things I wanted to be in the UK for, such as a friend’s wedding, before I left on my trip. You may also be restricted by rental contracts and various other things. Make sure you take these all into consideration and plan a realistic leaving date.
   • The amount of money you need to save: work out how much you can save per month. Take your total rough trip budget, as calculated above and divide it by your monthly savings - this is how long you’ll need to save until you have enough money. If this seems too long, you can speed it up by making more money! See my previous post for some ideas.
5. Decide on your route - once you’ve worked out where you want to go, when you want to be there and how long you can afford to stay there, you should have a rough idea of your route. It’s best to put your stops in one direction around the globe, as zigzagging back and forth can add a lot to the price of your tickets. Your travel agent will be able to advise you on different variations of route and you may be able to add in a few extra stops for around the same price ticket.
6. Buy your ticket - Get a few different quotes before you go ahead and book. There are several companies specialising in RTW tickets and you will probably get wildly differing quotes. STA Travel are a popular company for RTW travel and have lots of offices so it’s easy to go in and talk to someone face to face. Don’t assume they’ll be the cheapest though! Trailfinders is another popular company, offering a range of RTW tickets. Remember that the cheapest ticket may not always be the best deal - check that you can change your dates while you’re travelling and if there is a charge for this. You may want to arrange overland trips to coincide with your flight times and it will be easier to do this through one company that can arrange both. I booked my ticket through a company with Travel Nation and I’ve been very happy with them so far - they’ve dealt with all my queries quickly, sorted me visas and accommodation, incorporated my slightly unusual route and saved me several hundred pounds on my ticket.