Traveling for less than one hundred dollars per month is an absurd budget. If you think about it from a western point of view, that’s not even enough money to pay rent for a week, so how is someone suppose to live on that for a month abroad? I don’t know, it’s almost incomprehensible, but I met a few people doing just that. They weren’t dirty, grimy, or shifty westerners though. They were usually travelers from countries with a lower income level than in the West. They of course want to travel too, so they had to get creative with their budget and work as they go.

Those that have tried to meet this budget tell me that they never want to travel any other way. When you must earn money and cut corners to get by, you get to know the locals and the culture at a more intimate level and experience things in a whole new way. Learning to travel for less than rent may be the new way of traveling.

If you’re not looking to be this budget crazy, read over my post about general budgeting and saving (coming soon…)

5 Tips to Travel for Less than $100 a month budget:

• Hitch hike. Use caution and know your area, but bus and air travel are one of the biggest expenses while traveling. If you can avoid it, don’t pay it. Hitch hiking is also a great way to meet locals and sometimes earn a free meal.

• Couchsurfing. A great website that allows you to sleep at local houses in exchange for a little work or nothing at all. It’s a great way to meet locals and learn about the city more deeply.

• Work Exchange and Volunteering. There are a lot of dumb pay-to-volunteer opportunities out there. Avoid these. Sites like HelpX.net and WorkAway.info are great ways to find real volunteer and work opportunities that allow you to exchange your time for a room and board or maybe a paycheck. You’ll be teaching English, rebuilding communities, working in hospitality, doing labor, etc, and you’ll be getting to know the area, the people, and the volunteers for longer periods of time and making longer lasting connections. This is a must on a tight budget, covering hostel costs and food is covering 90% of a tight budget.

• Negotiate and Haggle. It’s so obvious, but haggle for everything. The price is almost always negotiable, and you’ll be surprised how much you can save by simply asking. Pennies turn into dollars and dollars turn into serious savings.

• Don’t Drink. Alcohol is the biggest waste of money on a tight budget. A local meal in Thailand costs less than a dollar, but the national beer costs $2. Go out at night and drink some tea instead, and you’ll rally to the break of dawn.

Finding an actual job is worth noting but may be too obvious. There are jobs all over southeast Asia for travelers and expats, especially in cities. Many travelers find work teaching English or working at a hostel, but other professional jobs exist as well if you’re not picky about location. With the small earnings you make, you’ll be able to easily travel on weekend and vacations without dipping into the original budget. Australia also offers one year working visas to many countries, and this is a very popular way to travel and work simultaneously.

For more budget tips, see LINK TO COME SOON

Find more advice on budgeting and saving money, see these sites.

• Reddit – /r/showstring
• Rick Steves – Thrifty 50 Travel Tips
• NOMADasaurus – 10 Tips For Sticking to Your Travel Budget
• BeMyTravelMuse – What 6 Month Traveling in SE Asia Cost Me

The post Travel Budgeting 103 — 5 Tips to Travel for Less Than $100 a Month appeared first on Quarter Life Excursion.

What do you take? What is expendable? These were the questions that troubled me the month before leaving on our trip, but I think I’m finally ready to go. Take a look at the list below, and maybe you’ll notice something I forgot (fingers crossed that it isn’t too important), or maybe something you forgot. Overall, this post goes into detail with what I decided to take to Southeast Asia.

[Updated!] I’ve returned from six months abroad, and I have learned a lot about packing light. I’ve gone through, edited, omitted, and added a few things here and there. After getting some true experience on the road, I’m confident that my final pack is perfect for backpacking tropical areas. If you’re going to colder climates, pack a few more layers.

The Backpack:

I was able to get everything I needed into a 55L two compartment backpack, and all my gear combined is under 25 lbs. I’ve made the carry-on requirements and I’m stoked.

My backpack of choice is the Osprey Farpoint 55. It is a two bag system, a day pack (15L) and a carry-on, suitcase-style pack (40L), that zip together for easy travel. The bag opens completely, easily revealing all of its contents when needed, and the straps tuck away, leaving a slim suitcase that travels well. I thought I’d need a bigger bag, but everything ended up fitting in here no problem, and it’s within the carry-on limits. This will save me time and money on buses, trains, and planes.

The Gear:

Everything I brought is in this photo (except my cell phone). I hope someone can use this photo later to double check there own pack and make sure they have everything.

If you want to know exactly what I’m bringing, I’ve labeled and explained everything in the rest of the post. I can’t recommend any of this gear 100%, but I’m about to put it all to the test, and I’ll let everyone know how it holds up at the end. [Update: I’ve added and removed gear in the list below with reasons.]

What to Pack for Southeast Asia!?

(Click the image and let it load for more detail) (An index is at the bottom of the post.)

Clothes:

From what I’ve heard, you can buy anything once you get there, but I also heard that if you’re gonna spend good money on anything, it should be good clothes to start your journey. Southeast Asia is gonna be warm and humid, so I’m bringing light clothes that wick moisture well. I’m not too worried about the cold, but I did bring a few extra layers. My goal here was to create 2 or 3 outfits that can rotate in and out, backpacking style.

• Hat [3] – Critical for staying out of the sun. Energy levels after a day with and without a hat is significant.
• Outdoor Pants (2 Pair) [5]
  • Both rugged and one nicer (or at least cleaner) pair for city night life. Don’t bring jeans to a tropical climate. Trust me. They’ll sit at the bottom of the bag, weighing you down.

• Sandals [6] – Leave the heavy sandles at home unless you have bad feet. Light and quick is key.
• Walking/Trekking Shoes [8]
  • I looked for a blend of comfort, aesthetic, and tough and found these.
• Polarized Sunglasses [20]
• Long Sleeve Light Jacket [25]
• Synth Underwear (4 Pair) [26] – Laundry days will be few and far between so buy some underwear that doesn’t stink after a day of use.
  • Exofficio
• Watch [28] – Waterproof with basic functions.
• Down Jacket [42]
  • Wait for a sale, and you can get the REI Revelcloud at a good price.
• 3 Shirts [43]
  • 2 Synth, 1 Cotton T (Sleepy time)
• Belt [53]
• Socks (4 Pairs) [54]
• Athletic Shorts [63] – Sleepy time.
• Swim Trunks [64]
• Permethrin [99] – I don’t know if this stuff works, but the mosquitoes weren’t as bad as I expected.

Electronics / Entertainment:

I’ve broken it down to what’s needed to take pictures, blog, and keep myself sane. After the trip, I regretted a few items. For example, a goPro is awesome, but carrying any camera around besides my phone was a total drag. Besides the occasional dive, the goPro never made it out of my pack.

• Small BlueTooth Speaker [8]
• GoPro [16] – Besides the occasional water day, the goPro never made it out of the bag. I was 100% content with my phone camera.
• POV GoPro Strap Mount [15] – No GoPro, no mount, but this thing is a super handy POV camera and a sturdy out-of-pocket holster.
• SD Card Adapter [17] – Never made it out of the bag.
• MoleSkine Notebook [18] – An awesome way to remember your trip is to immortalize it in a daily dairy. Just some quick bullet points to solidify the highlights, the people, and the best experiences. You’ll be able to look back years later and remember it all over again.
• iPad [19] – I’ve decided to leave the laptop behind in favor of an iPad. The liability and anxiety of carrying a fragile / expensive laptop isn’t worth the small amount of remote work I may be able to find during these first few months traveling.
• Portable Battery [21] – A must have if you’re carrying/using electronics on the move. It saved us every week when we were back where we shouldn’t be and in need of GPS. The battery I linked is the best  balence between size, weight, and charge I could find.
• Universal Plug Adapter [22] – Buy one with USB ports so you can leave the wall adapters at home.
• NOMAD ChargeKey (MicroUSB) [23] – The perfect compliment to the portable battery. Also available with a Lightning Cable (iPhones)
• GoPro Tripod [35] – An awesome tool if I wanted to bring my goPro again. Set up good photos, time lapses, or use it as a nice handle.
• NOMAD ChargeClip (MiniUSB/GoPro) [36] – An awesome tool if I were to bring the goPro again.
• Charge Cables [37]
• Book [39] – Make it a good one and leave the travel book at home. This is the 21st century.
• Head Phones [40]
• Dice (Liars Dice!) [50]
• Cards (Spades!) [51]
• Phone (Not Pictured) [58] – I’m taking my phone, but ditching the service. Wifi, coupled with apps like What’s App and Maps.Me is just enough for me to communicate back home and navigate around. Check out my post about using a phone abroad and the best apps for backpacking! And ALWAYS get a good case.

Necessities:

I might be bringing some of these things out of camping habit, but you never know.

• Silk Bag Liner [1]
  • Sleeping Bag vs Liner: From what I can tell, it’s never going to get much colder than 60F in Thailand and most of SEA. That combined with bare bone hostel accommodations, and my desire to eliminate unnecessary gear made me ditch the sleeping bag in favor of a nice silk sleeping bag liner. I got mine (Item 1) from JagBag and it’s awesome. I already did a couple nights with it while visiting friends. Basically, it’s just enough to keep you comfortable and bed bug free.
• Draw String Bag [2] – Buy a dry bag once you’re there. It’s the same thing but safer.
• Osprey Farpoint 55 Backpack [4] – See first section, but just to say it again, this backpack is awesome! Fits everything comfortably and packs light. Not to mention, it counts as a carry on!
• Head Lamp [10] – Buy this as soon as you can. They are beyond convenient, so much so you’ll never want to use a normal flashlight again. Hands free is the way to be.
• Bug Spray [11] – REI has THE BEST all natural spray. It smells good, and it worked better for me than 100% deet (and it didn’t melt my clothes). I’ll die with stuff on.
• Iodine Pills [13] – For water purification in a pinch.
• Backpacking Towel [14] – Light weight and drys quickly. Just don’t forget it at the first hostel.
• Hydration Bladder [27] – Since I had to buy bottles every time I needed drinking water, it never made sense to use the bladder. I would not bring it next time.
• Doxycycline (Malaria Pills) [31]
• Lighter [32]
• Map (Southeast Asia) [41] – With Maps.ME app and the internet, this never made it out of the bag.
• Mini Flash Light [47] – Just in case, they are very handy in a pinch
• First Aid Kit (See Section) [59] – The minimalist kit needs Neosporin, bandages, drugs, superglue, duct tape, and hand sanitizer.
• Passport [60] – Protect this at all costs.

Toiletries:

• Disposable Razor [12]
  • Allowed on the plane. I checked.
• Deodorant [29] – Bring a full size, you’ll never find normal stick deodorant in SE Asia.
• Sunscreen [30] – Bring what you can. It’s no cheaper there, and most brands include a whitening powder.
• Toothbrush [44]
• Soaps [45] – You’ll end up buying full size bottles if you’re there for more than a month. Leave the travel bottles at home, and bring what you can.
• Common Pills [46]
  • Vit C, B12, Advil, Melatonin
• Toilet Paper [55] – Carry this on you, ALWAYS. Code browns can become frighteningly real, and bathrooms never carry toilet paper for you.
• Hand Sanitizer [56]
• Toiletry Satchel [57] – Such a great and convenient purchase. You can be in and out of shower in minutes since everything is always ready.

Other:

• Packing Cubes [7] – Awesome for bag organization. It seems tedious, but it’s way faster in the long run.
• Bug Net [9] – Never used it.
• Extra Waist Buckle [24] – Just in case the apathetic bus driver or airline smashes yours.
• Rope (30′) [33] – Drying laundry, tying off boats, making improvised fixes, a rope is a priceless item.
• Sink Plug [34] – Better idea: Use a plastic bag from a grocery store for laundry, and you’ll be able to agitate all your laundry at once.
• Travel Pouch [38] – Passport security.
• Carabineers [48] – Just like a rope, it has a thousand uses. Take a couple.
• Locks [49] – Take two or three, and maybe some metal wire. $10 for security is worth not getting things stolen. Thiefs look for opportunity, so simple security is usually enough to deter them.
• Pen [52]
• False Wallet [61] – Still a good idea, but I never used it.
• Sleeping Eye Cover [62] – This and the ear plugs are MUST HAVES. On trains and buses, in hostels, around construction or noisey neighbors, where ever, a comfortable eye cover and ear plugs make all the problems go away while you’re trying to sleep.
• Ear Plugs [Not Pictured] – Good sleep is priceless.

A few notes:

Purchased once I arrived: These things are amazingly useful and cheap to buy once you’re there. No need to by one at home, you’ll find the same thing for a better price on the road.

• Dry Bag – Priceless during a short hike or any time water my be a factor. Beat it up. Get it wet. Never worry about your gear or about the bag. They are designed for abuse, even the cheap ones.
• Sarong – Guy or girl, this is priceless. It’s a towel, a blanket, a cover, a shoulder cover for mosques, or anything else you may think of. They can usually be bought for a few dollars at a night market.
• Umbrella or Pancho – Leave the rain gear at home, they are to hot for the tropical climates. There may be two days a year where you may want it, but the rest of the year, an umbrella is perfect for keeping you dryer and happier. If the rain is too bad or horizontal, buy a pancho for a few dollars. They are quite convenient, and they cover your backpack too!

Leave it at home: I brought a lot of things I didn’t need. Review the lists above and notice the items I crossed out. I’m not bringing those next time. I didn’t use them or they weren’t as useful as I thought. Either way, I’ll save the weight next time.

Another perspective: No one agrees on this topic, so check out a few other views on the topic of packing.

• Basics with details: travelindependent.info and worldlynomads.com
• Female perspective: dontforgettomove.com and herpackinglist.com

First Aid Kit:

When I was First Responder certified, some of my first questions had to do with making a good first-aid kit. I didn’t find much help in pre-made kits, so I had to get some advice and make my own. For those interested, here’s what I think is always good to have on hand:

(Disclosure: I’m not a doctor, EMT, or paramedic. I’m a WMI first responder, nothing more. This kit could always have more and better supplies, but this is what I’ve deemed necessary to have on hand at all times.)

The Kit:

• Ace bandage
• Alcohol Wipes
• Athletic tape
• Band Aids
• Burn Cream
• ChapStick
• Clear Bandage
• Drug: Antibiotic (Cipromyosin)
• Drug: Anti-histomine (Benodryl)
• Drug: Diareaha (Lopermide)
• Drug: Pain Medicine (Alive)
• Drug: Heart Burn (Tums)
• Drug: Stomach (Pepto) [Bring Extra]
• Drug: Sugar (Honey)
• Duct tape
• Floss
• Gauze
• Gloves
• Hand Sanitizer
• Irigation Syringe
• Lighter
• Mole skin
• Nail clippers
• Neosporin (not pictured)
• Note card
• Pen
• Pocket Knife
• Sterie Strips
• Tincture of Bynzoine
• Triangle bandages
• Tweezers

Pack Index:

• [1]          Silk Bag Liner
• [2]          Draw String Bag
• [3]          Hat
• [4]          Osprey Farpoint 55 Backpack
• [5]          Outdoor Pants (2 Pair)
• [6]          Sandals
• [7]          Packing Cubes
• [8]          Walking/Trekking Shoes
• [9]          Bug Net
• [10]       Head Lamp
• [11]       Bug Spray
• [12]       Disposable Razor
• [13]       Iodine Pills
• [14]       Backpacking Towel
• [15]       POV GoPro Strap Mount
• [16]       GoPro
• [17]       SD Card Adapter
• [18]       Notebook
• [19]       iPad
• [20]       Polarized Sunglasses
• [21]       Portable Battery
• [22]       Universal Plug Adapter
• [23]       NOMAD ChargeKey (MicroUSB)
• [24]       Extra Waist Buckle
• [25]       Long Sleeve Fleece
• [26]       Synth Underwear (4 Pair)
• [27]       Hydration Bladder
• [28]       Watch
• [29]       Deodorant
• [30]       Sunscreen
• [31]       Doxycycline (Malaria Pills)
• [32]       Lighter
• [33]       Rope (30′)
• [34]       Sink Plug
• [35]       GoPro Tripod
• [36]       NOMAD ChargeClip (MiniUSB/GoPro)
• [37]       Cables
• [38]       Travel Pouch
• [39]       Book
• [40]       Head Phones
• [41]       Map (Southeast Asia)
• [42]       Down Jacket
• [43]       3 Shirts (2 Synth)
• [44]       Toothbrush
• [45]       Soaps
• [46]       Common Pills
• [47]       Flash Light
• [48]       Carabineers
• [49]       Locks
• [50]       Dice
• [51]       Cards
• [52]       Pen
• [53]       Belt
• [54]       Socks (4 Pairs)
• [55]       Toilet Paper
• [56]       Hand Sanitizer
• [57]       Toiletry Satchel
• [58]       Phone (Not Pictured)
• [59]       First Aid Kit (See Section)
• [60]       Passport
• [61]       False Wallets
• [62]       Sleeping Eye Cover
• [63]       Athletic Shorts
• [64]       Swim Trunks
• [99]       Permethrin

The post What to Pack for Southeast Asia? – Backpacker Packing List [Updated] appeared first on Quarter Life Excursion.

Our goal was to try everything on the brochure we were handed day one. (This is the compressed version.)

There were more than 20 dishes listed out that Penang was known for.  We almost made it through them all, and most were delicious!

In addition to all of the amazing food and drinks we consumed, we also had the opportunity to wonder around the city and check out all of the street art that is painted.

One day we were there, we made it out to the other side of the island where the national park is located.  We took a long (hot) hike to a lighthouse that gave us an amazing view of the coastline. We were also able to meet up with one of our friends from our island volunteering session! It was extremely hot during the hike, but the view at the end was worth the walk.

Most days were spent waking up early (usually between 6-7), walking around  to grab some breakfast and check out the street art, hiding in the A/C during the afternoons, then heading back out for dinner and more wandering.  It was too hot to be out in the heat of the day.

A couple of times throughout our stay, we ended up busing over to the mall to watch new releases. We couldn’t pass up $2.50 movies in a nice theater with winter cool A/C!

All in all, Penang was a great city that we enjoyed wandering throughout, slamming food, basking in A/C, and people watching.

Best,

Danielle and Grant

The post Penang – Food, Food, Food! appeared first on Quarter Life Excursion.

It was an easy ferry ride over and we reached the campground nestled in its own cove south of the main resort beach area. No dock, just jump off the front of the boat. Private beach: check. A pirate and Malaysian flag, hand painted signs all over the place, several bamboo structures, and tons of friendly people greeted us as we made our way to the reception counter.

We met the other volunteers (including a Danielle from California…this was about to get confusing) and the owners who all seemed like incredibly laid back people. We were given the rundown: the cafe and bar has to be manned, tents and bathrooms need to be cleaned, and labor needed to be completed. Easy. In exchange for our time, we were fed and housed for free for a month. Kickass!
 We learned that the couple who we would be replacing slept in the treehouse, which is also where we would be staying. It came equipped with three of the most massive geckos I had ever seen (later to be named Ali, Mercury, and Falsto).

In addition to geckos, there was much more wildlife walking, flying, or swimming around our campground. Giant monitor lizards, sea eagles, stingrays, and black tipped reef sharks were things that we saw daily. Vipers, territorial monkeys, and sea turtle tracks on our beach were special sightings. I had to continue to remind myself that we were staying in a rainforest, because some of these sightings became so commonplace. Turtles and amazing snorkeling: check and check.

We learned more about the island as we explored around. Long beach is a fairly dirty, party beach where nightlife (including crappy house music) can be heard well into the early morning. It makes for great sunrises though, as it is east-facing. Coral bay, on the west side of the island is a bit classier with nicer eating and resort options. We would walk over to coral beach for milkshakes and wifi as needed. Our beach was a 25 minute walk south of coral bay, on a beautiful path leading through the rain forest. This island is unique in the fact there is not a single car, truck, or vehicle of any kind on it. Boat taxis are plentiful however, and many times we could hear tourists screaming as the drivers tend to go as fast as possible between point A and point B. The fishing “village” on the south tip of the island, is is more like a local town.

Our days would be spent snorkeling, hammocking, hiking, exploring, kayaking, or relaxing as wanted.

A couple of times we made it to the fishing “village” for breakfast (always before 8 AM to snag local prices).

We also spent a day scuba diving, which is always awesome. One spot had horrible visibility so we spent the duration of our time diving through underwater caves. It was a lot of fun. The day we spent kayaking was great because we could spot good snorkeling areas as we were cruising over them.

Another highlight was putting up a volleyball net on our beach so we could play in the evening (the daytime was way too hot). While there, an Italian couple that were patrons-turned-volunteers, spent all day preparing for homemade pizza night (cheese included). We all ate way to much that night. They also taught us how to make homemade pasta and gnocchi!

And we ended up seeing the bioluminescent plankton! Check. Apparently, it is always in the water but there is so much light pollution on other beaches on the island it is impossible to spot elsewhere. For 4 or 5 nights in a row, around the new moon, we grabbed snorkel gear and headed to the beach. It was incredible to see the little bits of light spiraling around our moving body parts. The light from the stars in the sky and ocean were almost interchangeable. It was also hilarious to see grown adults flailing around as much as possible to disturb the plankton into glowing bright. Shouts of “You’re a wizard, Harry” were screamed. We were surprised to see fireflys floating through where the rainforest hits the beach. We were surrounded by points of light in the sky, ocean, and air around us. It was one of the most magical things I have seen.

Even though my days weren’t spent doing all that much, I still found myself wishing there was more hours in every day. The volunteers, patrons, and owners of the place were all really great people to talk to and I often spent an entire day sitting in the cafe chatting with whoever was down there. Rainforest Campground is beautiful, and attracts beautiful people in return. It wasn’t uncommon to hear about folks deciding to stay with us after wondering down to our beach randomly, or extending their stay by a week or so once they see what the place has to offer. We had so many laughs there as well as deep conversations about internal struggles, politics, and dreams. One of the volunteers led beach yoga sessions in the mornings. One patron painted a beautiful mural in our cafe. People were often seen meditating on the beach. Our place was magical. I’m going to miss Rainforest quite a bit. 

But, it was time to move on after a month. I feel grateful to have the memories I will take home from this place.  Hopefully we will meet again, Rainforest.

Danielle and Grant

The post Perhentian Island – Volunteering, Snorkeling, and Geckos appeared first on Quarter Life Excursion.

Kota Bharu is a little dull compared to some of the other places we had visited. Day one we attempted to walk through a few museums that we had researched in advance, only to find them completely closed. So instead, we wandered around the city to see the sights and people watch. We did find a delicious lunch restaurant and enjoyed being the only westerners at the tiny place we were eating at. Eventually, we made it back to our hostel to relax before more food!

We made a few hostel friends and ended up tagging along to the night market.  The food was alright, but the appeal of the night was chatting with fellow travelers who were out as long as we had been. The guys we met had similar interests and a love for traveling that we felt as well. We would soon notice more and more how different the westerners were in Malaysia. As a Muslim country, Malaysia attracts a different sort of person than any other southeast Asian country we had visited so far. I think the way alcohol is frowned upon (or completely banned depending where you go) is one of the main factors.  We hardly found the ‘partying type’ in Malaysia, which was fairly refreshing after a handful of obnoxious people we met on the trip at various points (the worst were the ones in the same dorm as you with no regard for the time of day, night, or level of noise they were making). Most traveling folks we met in Malaysia had more love for experiencing people or the culture than than a night out on the town. It was one of the appeals of the country.

The owner of the hostel were staying at was a really nice local guy and ended up inviting us to a beach barbecue with his friends the following day.

He supplied cheese-filled hotdogs (“what westerners eat”, right?) along with some Malaysian dishes made by his mom that were more to my taste.  While there, we chatted with the locals and learned a lot about the Malaysian culture.  Something that surprised us was the amount of racism that Chinese Malaysians felt from some of the Malay citizens as well as the government. On a lighter note, we also learned that it is illegal in the state we were in to buy or sell any sort of alcohol.  Apparently, the beer they were passing around comes from Thailand because it is cheaper/easier to cross the boarder than to find it elsewhere in Malaysia. Crazy.

All in all, it was the people that made Kota Bharu special for us.  The city did not have much to offer in terms of activities or sights, but the people we met were all so nice and friendly that I enjoyed my time there immensely. If you do go there, however, look up the cultural shows. They are quite cool apparently, but are only on certain days of the week (days we weren’t there unfortunately).

Onto our next volunteering opportunity: a month hanging out on a resort island. It’s gonna be rough… heh. Until then!

Regards,

Danielle and Grant

The post Kota Bharu – Markets, BBQs, and Photoshoots appeared first on Quarter Life Excursion.

I wish I had the money to dive there, but we didn't. Instead we enjoyed two days of non-stop diving throughout the other two islands, and it was a stellar experience. We'll be back for Sipadan, one day.

To get to Mabul, our destination island, we took a bus and found ourselves sitting in the stairwell of a crowded bus for the second time. Why are these things always so crowded? After landing in Semporna and noting the sketchy vibe, we shipped out to Mabul to stay with a dive center called ScubaJunkie.

Mabul is the island where “macro-diving” or “muck diving” was invented. Although the visibility is mediocre, the reef is brilliantly colored and it hosts an array of intricate and beautiful small species. It's common to see cuttlefish, octopus, turtles, sea horses and nudibranchs. The island is also home to a population of sea gypsys. Many of these nomadic village people don't have a citizenship with any country and vary between living on the island and in the sea.

ScubaJunkie turned out to be an awesome company for reasons beyond the dives. To start, they have created a turtle hatchery and emergency rescue center, with hope to offset the human impact on the beaches. Next, they host weekly beach clean ups, and they have started to get the village involved in helping and learning about the environment, littering, and sustainable fishing. The dive center refuses to serve local fish until the villagers fish sustainably. Also, they give out and collect biodegradable trash bags from the villagers so they can stop littering directly into the ocean, and hire local help. Finally, they do their part to create awareness about the fall of the shark populations (10% left) and banning shark fin soup.

On to the diving… One word: Awesome!

I apologize in advance, we didn't take pictures. We didn't want to fiddle with a camera, composition, and angles, so we selfishly enjoyed all of it to ourselves.

We dove through reefs, walls, drop offs, artificial reefs, and sandy bottoms. We dove in the morning, afternoon, and even the night. We were basically alone (besides the dive master) the whole time. We explored coral and navigated underwater village reefs. We swam through schools of barracuda and watched cuttlefish hunt. We found moray eels thicker than me, and spotted octopus, squid, porcupine fish, orangutan crabs, and frog fish. It was great.

On the side, we played volleyball with the locals, took saltwater showers (no fresh water taps on the island), talked about future dives, and ate.

On the way out we enjoyed some delicious food from Semporna and finally took a fresh water shower. Now, back to KK and then the peninsula!

Grant and Danielle

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Everything I wrote about, I wrote from experience. I invite all the readers to continue the discussion and comment with there own tips, tricks, knowledge, experience and stories.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AHEAD OF TIME

This is the basics. Make sure you understand all of this before you leave, so you aren’t caught off guard.

• Credit cards are rarely accepted anywhere except the airport (within SEA specifically): After 6 months of travel, I don’t even need one hand to count the number of physical stores I used my credit card in. I never used it. I still needed it though. The credit card is great for flexing its benefits when buying plane tickets, booking hostels on your phone, and at the airport before you can find a currency exchange. It can also act as an ATM card in a pinch.
• Most cards charge a hefty foreign transaction fee: Up to 3%, I hear. These fees will break you down if you are not careful. Luckily, many cards advertise themselves as travel cards, with no foreign transaction fees, and do not have these fees. Shop for your credit card wisely and keep this in mind. See my card suggestions at the end for a good example.
• Every ATM charges fees: ATM fees in SE Asia vary from $3 – 10. With the steep fees, most people are stuck between sucking it up and paying it often, or carrying loads of cash on them in each country (that is not recommended for obvious reasons). There is one exceptional bank that will refund you all ATM fees that are charged. Schwab, and its excellent free checking/investor account, saved my girlfriend and I over $300 in ATM fees after six month. More information about this account can be found at the end of the article.
• The banks will shut down your account if you don’t tell them you will be traveling: Don’t forget to call them. Should only take 2-10 minutes depending on the bank.
• Cards expire: No duh, but don’t forget to check.
• Don’t expect to find an ATM right when you get to a new country. Be ready and have about $50 in USD stashed in your pack for emergencies, and a bit of pre-exchanged local currency ready.

How a card can fail and why you need more than one:

Three stories summed up in a sentence each:

• The ATM charged me but I didn’t get any money, and now my bank shut my card down for suspicious activity. Always keep receipts for cancelled and failed transactions. Try to always visit an ATM that is attached to the associated bank. Frequently check your account, especially after a strange interaction with an ATM. Remember that a credit card can act as an emergency debit card (cash advancing), but try not to use it since there are commonly extra fees involved.
• The bank was hacked, and now they sent me a new card, but obviously I’m not home anymore. Note: They will send you a new card to an international address if you can wait it out and know where you’ll be.
• I’m an idiot, and didn’t check my expiration date. It happened to me, and I’m not proud of it.

These are three damn good reasons to carry an extra credit and debit card from a different bank on the side when traveling. Stash them deep in your bag for safety. They weigh nothing and if you ever need them you’ll be stoked that you brought them.

Saving money on fees and beating the system:

Foreign transaction fees: There are dozens of banks and creditors that offer cards, for free, without foreign transaction fees. Find one! 3% is a lot of money to be paying on a long trip that is tight on funds.

ATM fees: Unless you’re using the Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account, you’ll likely be paying ATM fees at every ATM you see. Beat these fees by withdrawing large sums of money at ATMs. Balance the risk of carrying cash with the cost of the ATM, but I usually took out 10-14 days worth of cash ($200-500) and split it between my bag and my wallet.

Cash back and rewards cards: Most credit cards come with a 1% cash back on certain purchases. Some cards, come with even better deals, with cash back percentages reaching over 3% in certain categories. Even better cards sweeten the deal buy offering decent sums of money (in reward points) if you spend enough money or keep the card long enough. The Barclay Arrival Plus, I’ll talk about below offers 40,000 points (about $300) if you spend $3000 in the first three months. If you can meet these demands and still make the payments, it’s almost free money.

My cards:

These three cards combined, have earned and saved me over $600 in a year of travel and preparation.

Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account:
I didn’t think to look at a brokerage firm for a checking account, but this account has been a god send. No ATM fees! Excellent customer service! No foreign exchange fees! This one of a kind account will eventually become the backpacker’s standard.
Pros: Refunded ATM fees. No foreign exchange fees. Market price exchange rates. Excellent customer service. Short hold times. Decent web and app platforms.
Cons: Transferring money from a main account at another bank wirelessly takes about 5 business days. Physical banks are few and far between in the states. Hopefully there is one near you. Initial set up may need to be done in person. This is an old school bank.

BofA TravelRewards Card:
Standard card with no foreign transaction fees. Visa. My back up card. No pros, no cons. Super standard.

Barclay Arrival+:
Awesome card with an excellent set of perks, especially the initial rewards offer. No foreign transaction fees. The first year is free, but after that, you need to pay $95/yr, so don’t forget to cancel the card before the year is up.
Pros: 2% Cash back. No foreign transaction fees. Cash advances available (at cost). MasterCard. Huge 40,000 point reward offer. Good customer service. Free for first year.
Cons: $95/yr after first year (remember to cancel it). Not Visa. Needs decent credit to get approval.

Additional links for credit card research:

• Nerd Wallet – for side-by-side card comparisons.
• The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas – Travel Independent
• The Best Travel Credit and Debit Cards – Thrifty Nomads – International Options!
• Prepaid Debit Cards in 2018 – Overview of available prepaid debit cards available at the moment.

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1. Almost all apps operate perfectly on Wi-Fi only. The exceptions being calls and text, of course. Read my other post, Best Backpacker Travel Apps for Free, for the best travel apps. They are all offline or Wi-Fi based.
2. GPS still works without service and without data.
3. Bring a plug adapter with USB ports to make your life easy, and bring an external battery for extra life in a pinch.
4. The camera in your Galaxy or iPhone is just as good as any point and shoot camera. Save yourself the weight and leave the little camera at home.
5. International plans are available from major American providers, but they are generally expensive (additional $40/month).
6. There are international data providers in the region you’re traveling. If your phone is unlocked, you just need to change SIM cards and pay a new company. Most are pay as you go, have no contracts, and are very cheap! Do the research and find the right company for you.
7. New regional data plans and SIM cards can be brought after you arrive in the country from a huge variety of stores. They are super cheap.
   1. Example data plan: Malaysia, CELCOM company, XPax Magic SIM card, 2.5 Gb/month of 4GLTE service plus text and calls from a Malay number for $10/month plus $2.50 for the SIM card.
8. Most cell phones, especially new 4G phones, come unlocked now including all iPhone 5’s and 6’s. This means you can easily put in a SIM card from an international provider.
9. As of 2014 and the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, all phones that have been paid for must be unlocked by the carrier on request. Many companies now ask you to pay for the phone in installments over time so they can get around this.

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Even though we don’t want to have a data and phone plan abroad, that doesn’t mean we should ditch the phone entirely. This is the 21st century and a thousand little convenient tools can all be used with the smart phone. With a proper tool kit of apps on your phone, you’ll find yourself surprisingly prepared for travel anywhere.

Below are the best apps to make traveling easier and better.

Maps.ME: [Offline Maps]  #1 Must have backpackers app. This off-line map/GPS app was a godsend in every country we visited. Not only were we navigating busy cities like a local, we were following trails, finding lesser known attractions, and spotting emergency toilets like a pro. All the locations on the app are crowd-sourced, you can add locations of your own or simply add and share personal locations with their simple interface and tools.

Google Translate: [Universal Translator] There are no good offline translate apps. Google Translate at least allows you to save a list of your favorite translations for offline reference. Do the research on Wi-Fi in the hostel and you’ll be butchering the language to the local’s amusement in no time. If you want an offline app, consider a basic English to Other dictionary app.

XE Currency Exchange: [Updated exchange rates] Don’t get screwed, reference this app. Of course this app does not work offline, since rates change everyday, but it’ll keep the old data saved for reference till you do fond Wi-Fi. Set up your preferences to view the currencies you’ll be using and refresh. Easy.

Hostelworld: [Hostel and hotel booking] Comparable to Agoda, AirBnb, Hotels.com and Booking.com, but I found that Hostelworld had the best rates, the easiest interface, the most reasonable options for a backpacker, and the best and most honest rating system. Hostel with 8.0 rating and less than $10/night? Sold.

Bank and Credit Card apps: Get them, use them, love them. It’s easier and faster than the web for checking on your finances. Read our post on credit cards and banks for useful travel tips (coming soon).

Hangouts Dialer: [Free Wi-Fi dialer] Call anywhere in the United States or Canada for FREE using Wi-Fi. No mutual friendship required. I couldn’t believe it either when I heard it. This app saved me when I needed to call my banks and possible employers who didn’t have WhatsApp

WhatsApp: [$0.99 to call or text any contacts] Texting and Calling between mutual friends on WhatsApp. Super convenient and super easy.

Dropbox: [Photos and file sharing] A must have for backing up photos and videos on the go. It’s also a great way to share high res photos with friends all at once by simply sending them a link. (I’ve recently heard that Google Photos is making this even easier, more organized, and more accessible.) Dropbox is also great for sharing media files like movies and music.

AirAsia App: [Flights] It is the worst app to work with but if you’re flying around SE Asia on a dime, you’re most likely gonna be flying AirAisa. Fortunately, the app works better than the mobile site, so be glad about that. Also, always check AirAsia’s direct rates before booking through any third party for the same flight.

Kayak and Skyscanner: [Budget flight finder] Besides AirAsia itself, these are the two apps with the best deals on airfare consistently.

Google Keeps: [Notes and bucket lists] Write down names, emails, and notes in a second. Our memory is crap, but if it’s written down, it’s forever. Google keeps isn’t the best notes app in many categorizes, but its simple, online, offline, and sharable.

Facebook: [Friends and relationships] Maybe you’re trying to get away from social media, but 98% of travelers have one and it’s the easiest way to keep in touch with travel friends.

Spotify: [Music] If you can afford it, you can have all the music you need saved offline for listening on the go.

Podcast Addict: [Podcasts and music] Podcast are a great way to spend a long bus ride. Try listening to RadioLab, Hardcore History, Serial, or Dirtbag Diaries. There’s a podcast for every taste if you Google it.

Play Books: [Paperless Books] Googles basic eReader app is perfect for reading .epub or .pdf files on the go. It even includes a great internal offline dictionary. Books are heavy and phones use battery, so it’s good to have a book in both categories. Nothing is sadder than ten hours on a bus without a book.

If anyone wants to suggest more apps, post them in the comments. It’s a great feeling when you find a good app to make life so much easier.

Other sites for travel apps:

• 10 Best iPhone Apps for the Outdoors
• 20 Travel Apps You Should Never Be Without
• 21 Best Damn Travel Apps for Backpacking
• 15 Best Free Travel Apps for Backpackers

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Palms, palms, palms, and more palm trees. We noticed this from the plane as well. Unfortunately, a huge amount of primary forest has been decimated in the last century for palm oil. It's unfortunate to see and everyone hopes to see progress begin moving back in the right direction. As green as the palm plantations are, they don't support diverse life. The only reason the area we are visiting next, the Kinabatangan River, is such a hot spot for wildlife enthusiasts and birders, is because the river and the small protected forest that borders it is all the forest that is left in the area.

Apparently actions are being taken to protect the area and land is being bought back slowly, so we hope for the best. This area was really nice, and, true to it's reputation, packed with wildlife.

We arrived to our accommodation in the afternoon and after seeing our awesome dorm, we went for tea and immediately found a Yellow Ringed Cat Snake. It was a little juvenile and wound its way around a flute hung for decoration. After this and a donut, we left for the first river cruise. On the first cruise we saw two hornbill species, proboscis monkeys, long tail makaks, silver leaf langers, king fishers, snake eaters, egrets, herons, and crocodiles. The amount of wildlife we saw was unreal and it was made infinitely better by the local guide who was spotting and IDing everything in a heartbeat.

Dinner was delicious that night, especially since it was the first times we had beef in a few weeks. Later, geckos rained down from the sky.

The next morning started early and was full of crocodile spotting. Apparently no one with half a brain swims in this water because these crocs are big and probably hungry.

Next, we enjoyed breakfast and a day trek through the limited forest. We spotted stick bugs and fresh water otters and tracks, scat, and sounds for many local mammals. We even heard a wild elephant. The guide was so nervous he started beating on the roots of every tree we passed, so we never spotted him. At the lake at the end of the hike, we were warned not to swim in the water. Besides crocodiles, the area was packed with the little feeder fish that are normally seen cleaning tourist feet on the side of the road in Bangkok. Normally a fun and ticklish activity, this lake had so many that it was kind of a hazard. Ha. Imagine being slowly nibbled to death.

The new guide for the day was kind of a bore, but at the end of the second afternoon boat ride, we spoted a wild Orangutan! She was a huge silhouette in the distance, watching us as the sun set from the top of the canopy. After seeing her, I completely understand why the big foot myths exist, and why 'orangutan' means 'man of the forest'.

The next morning revealed a few more hornbills, monkeys, and crocodiles. After that, we were of to Semporna and Mabul to dive with ScubaJunkie for the next three days. So stoked!

Thanks for reading. I wish I had a SLR to take proper photos during this last leg of the trip, but my phone pictures will find their way to Dropbox eventually.

Regards

Grant and Danielle

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