Last year, Christina, a 24-year-old backpacking enthusiast, saw her trip to the temple in the Uluwatu monkey forest turn into quite an adventure. “I took some fruits to feed the monkeys because I wanted look-at-me-I’m-feeding-a-monkey shots. But pulling the fruits out of my bag at the temple was a big mistake. The monkeys descended on me like a swarm and grabbed whatever they could – my shawl, fruits, camera. I used to think this kind of stuff happens only to other people! I lost my camera. Luckily, I had a backup of my photos and insurance covered the cost of the camera. I didn’t get any monkey-feeding pics but I did get a funny story I never tire of telling.”
Sounds familiar? Losing your stuff on the go is hardly uncommon. But it turns out to be a lot more stressful when all your belongings are packed in one bag resting on your back.
Any serial backpacker will tell you that backpacking is the most liberating form of travel. Fewer items to take care of means more mind space to explore your inner and outer worlds. But travel – be it backpacking, luxury or adventure – needs adequate planning.
‘Eat, pray, love, fret’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?