Thailand: packing for year

As requested here is (clothes aside) what I'm taking to Thailand. This was prepared thinking that I will live at least a year in a tropical country, next to a lake and a jungle. Also I will be leaving the country at least every 3 months to renovate my visa.

It's hard to plan for a whole year but clothes wise you take less than for a holiday because you'll be washing it or buying local products that are even cheaper in Asia. It's the rest that takes up space.

In case the photo isn't very clear, here is a list:

• 1 Nikon D40 + waterproof Crumpler bag + 1 extra batery + 1 usb cable + 4 giga memory card + battery charger.
  

• 1 tripod - this tripod was bought thinking that I will walk around with a backpack so it's the most pratical and not absurdly expensive I could find.

• 1 DEET impregnated mosquito net (it is a malarial area).

• 1 Lafuma sleeping bag - in the school I'll have a bed however for the traveling around, staying with couchsurfers, or hostels a sleeping bag is very useful. In Russia I slept on a sleeping bag for the duration of my stay. Also I'm prepared for a guest. This is the lightest sleeping bag there is, ideal for the heat of Asia and for carrying around.

• 1 waterproof Thailand map - a nice xmas present.

• 1 basic first aid kit - Mostly for cuts, bruises and twisted wrist or ankle.

• 1 swimming suit - Eat your heart out.

• 2 pairs of flip-flops + 1 pair of trekking sandals - one for walking, one for the bathroom, one for walking around the house.

• 1 microfiber towel - it's super absorbent, ideal for backpackers. I've had this one for more than a year, even took it to India. Once in Thailand I'll get a local one and use this one exclusevely for traveling.

• 40$ - Forty Dollars - In case of emergency or in need of paying a bribe, dollars are always handy.

• 1 pencil case holder - I always need a pen plus I'll be a teacher now.

• 2 mosquito repelents - one with DEET, one natural.

• 1 padlock - I can strap my suitcase to the bus/train, I can lock it in the hotel etc

• 1 waterproof document/paper holder. Does rain season ring a bell?
  

• 1 passport case - after seeing my passport bend strangely in Russia I bought this little hardcase.

• 1 raincover for my backpack

• 1 pocket knife

• 3 compression sacks - I'll have a lot more space in my suitcase and bag, especially good for dirty laundry.

• 1 secret pocket for money and documents.

• 3 pacsafe locks, 1 with combination

• 10 envelopes

• 4 copies of my passport - to be spread around my stuff and myself.

• 1 toiletry eagle creek bag - with a mirror and that I can hang up anywhere.

• 1 blues harp - I sooo need to practice.

• 5 notebooks

• 1 little bag/wallet

• 1 hat (with UV protection, I didn't even know it existed).

• 1 Astérix agenda

• 1 old laptop - the screen doesnt even stand up for itself. Good for pictures, teacher stuff as tests and activity sheets, for my music, for watching a film when I'm bored and to go to the Internet.

• 1 north face backpack - it will glued to me all times since it will have my documents, money, camera etc

• 1 cheap Nokia phone that will have a Thai SIM card + charger

• 1 dynamo flashlight - it doesn't need batteries nor electricity, you just wind it up.
  

• Others: lots of pens/pencils, some teacher stuff such as activities books/sheets, a deck of cards, trekking biscuits (with high energy level for when my stomach cramps up or when I'm trekking), some books, my little personal pharmacy (stomach, flu stuff), vitamins (I'll be living a vegetarian lifestyle)
  

• Clothes: I haven't prepared this part yet but I have a general idea:

• 2 pairs of light trousers, one becomes a pair of shorts
• 2 pairs of shorts
  
• 1 pair of sport shoes
  
• 12 t-shirts, some are super light and absorb sweat
  
• 16 pairs of underwear and socks
  
• 1 pair of sunglasses
  
• 1 jacket for the evenings
  
• 1 waterproof jacket
• 2 skirts
  

And before you ask, no, I am not rich (I wish! - I'd travel a lot more!), some of these things like the backpack, clothes etc I had already since I do move around quite a bit. Stuff like the mosquito net I bought for my trip to India (also the same vaccines) and the rest I bought thinking of Thailand. I worked for the last two years thinking I should save for travelling. It also helps that Asia is a cheaper continent than Europe (for the most part). The most expensive thing will be having to leave the country every 3 months, with new visas, airline tickets, a hostel if I can't find someone to host me, buying my own food as opposed to eating at the school etc

I'm not complaining, I chose to do volunteer work but have a look at the "help out section", I don't just ask for money but also goods, as well as a place to stay while traveling, a meal etc I'm also prepared to work for that money, if you're hosting me I can cook and clean, if you're in another country I can be useful via email. Just have a look. Even a shout-out if you're in the area (or not) is included in the help out section. You can also donate books or buy waffels to help the library I'm setting up for the Baan Unrak school.

Have you travelled in the area? Tips are welcome!
Have you travelled extensively in a certain area or country? Again, tips are welcome.
Any comments or questions: email or comment.

Madeira: party and hike

After partying until 3 in the morning we woke up early to go to one extreme of the island and hike for more or less 10km. Everyone was tired and sleepy. Leen was reacting to the previous dinner (it was either the mushrooms or the cheese) and vomited before the walk even started. It was a sign. Kids, if you feel sick on the morning you're supposed to walk more than 20 metres, stay at home. After not even 1km we had to go back to the car because she couldn't do it. Here are some photos of what we managed to see:

what did we do while everybody else hiked? Well, Leen vomited and I tried to sleep, I read about the walk I wasn't doing and then decided I was bored.The hike was in Portela, close to Machico in case you're wondering. Can't tell you much about it except that everyone loved it.

Madeira: rain

I think some of you cursed me after I mentioned going to the beach on our first day of holidays because it then rained for 8 straight days. A lot more than we are used to at this time in Madeira.The rain and fog made us behave a bit stangely.

For those unfamiliar with rain on a island let me just say that even your waterproof backpack has a limit. As such our little tourist stores are prepared with raincoats or ponchos.

Maggie and her younger sister come out of the fog to join us for lunch. They said they were not tired, just old...

Madeira: hiking in Rabaçal

I haven't been able to write a lot since we haven't stopped for a minute but I hope the pictures make up for it.

We went up to the Rabaçal area and did a short hiking until 25 Fontes and Boca do Risco.

It's an amazing area however we are all still exausted. For the first time in a long time I did a walking tour with a lot of tourists. I hope it's an exception.

The birds were quite social, that was a nice surprise.

Some trees and plants in this region are centenary. And the whole forest mostly only exists in Madeira.

This sooo makes all the walking worth it...

Going home before going away

As some of you might know I'm from Madeira (Portugal). What you might not know is that it's been a couple of years since my last visit. Money is short so when faced between visiting a country I didnt know and going back home I chose adventure, novelty, excitement and the fact that it would take me 2h to get there or just a short train ride. But this December I am going home. I am going to Madeira AND I'm taking some foreigners as well, one Belgian, one Bulgarian, one Turk and two 'Lisboners', ok, so mainland Portugal is not foreign but they will all be tourists on an island that I will perhaps not recognize, perhaps I will be more of a tourist than them while looking for my childhools building and routes. I just hope the food and the mountains are still the same. The rest will be taken care of by my camera. I plan to eat like a savage, trek around the valeys and enjoy the fireworks. Should I get a travel guide or something?

Living in Latvia

I arrived in Valmiera in December and in the empty streets all I saw were crows (creepy crows) and lots of snow. After seven months working as a volunteer in a youth center I couldn't stand snow anymore; I was in love with apple pancakes, trekking by the river Gauja; I had litres of vodka in my system (I recomend cramberries'vodka and honey vodka) and I was left with a renewed sense of belief in myself and in that strange universal language of gestures and sounds that got me out of trouble one too many times.

Riga is not you expect, especially the old town. After seven months I was still not tired of its tiny, labirintic streets, of seing women with mini-skirts when it was minus 29 degrees, of its wonderful food... I also enjoyed having a whole hostel for me on more than one occasion and less having a fat snoring Brit on the bed next to me.

For the night life you have to search a bit more than in Western cities but you do find it. I somehow ended up in a undergroung heavy metal club after asking for a beer so keep yourself ready to go in a moment's notice.

Summer was actually very warm (28-30 degrees) and there were so many flowers everywhere, storks, birds singing, I could hardly believe it was the same country that gave me minus 35 degrees. And it's true what they say about the people's reactions to sun, every is much nicer during the summer.

Latvia has so many hidden charms that can dazzle the visitor as well as a few insanities I have only - at least so far - encountered in Eastern Europe. Make sure your luggage is covered by your insurance or wrap it in duck tape is my main advice...