But this adventure can lead to a disaster if you are not well-prepared. The following is a basic list of precautions every solo backpacker should know.

Double check your pack. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies: food, first-aid kit, extra clothes, etc.

Inform local authorities and your friends of the area you intend to hike. Tell them also your expected date of return.

Bring a cellphone. You'll never know when an accident can occur and you might need to call for help.

Make sure your compass is working and that you have the latest map of the area.

Pack as light as possible. You'll be going alone and there would be no one to help you carry the load should you come upon a misfortune.

If you're planning to spend the night outdoor, make sure your tent is in tip-top shape. Carry a can or bottle of insect repellent to protect you from the nasties.

Above all, make sure that you are capable for such an endeavor. If you haven't tried backpacking for miles, go only as far as necessary. If it's your first time in the area, conduct a reconnaissance a day or two before your actual hike. Familiarize yourself first with the terrain.

 

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For anyone who's ever lived in Manila, the first thing that registers with that place is chaos. Traffic, overcrowding, pollution, not escaping the fact that there's a mall within a one-kilometer radius of each other that could cause all of the aforementioned whenever there's a weekend sale going on.

 

Oh yes, welcome to the Philippines' bustling 76 million-manned capital.

 

But people who have been searching for a different, more homey kick may be pleasantly surprised that not everything you seek costs an arm or a leg (or both!). In this age of disposable gadget satisfaction, nothing can beat fun living at the barest essentials. Have you strolled in a park lately?

 

Here's a little guide on how to achieve that "natural high" without spending a lot. For the travelers, this is for you. For native Manileños, do open your eyes.

 

 

Get Some Air

 

The Rizal Park, our national landmark, can be one for starters -- ingest in a little heritage. But the Roxas Boulevard area is a vast expanse of land that you can spend an entire day doing whatever you want. You can exercise with the resident fitness group, ride a bike, read a book, see the boats sailing, have a picnic, go over to the gardens. Along the way you can see the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex where a lot of shows events happen, the Quirino Grandstand where there's a occasional gathering or two, and of course, the Manila Bay where the most beautiful sunsets can be viewed.

 

Kick the Water

 

There's the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and the Ultra Pool with a 10-lane Olympic pool, and the Makati Aqua Sports Arena with the 8-lane Olympic pool. All are well-maintained and clean -- not bad for public pools, huh? They are open every day (except Mondays).

 

Sitting Pretty

 

Well, there's not much calorie-burning involved here, but you've got to hand in the effort of beating the traffic! There's the Pasig River Ferry, which was just launched in 2007, for the purpose of easier transport (and some sight-seeing). It takes passengers to different drop-off points such as Escolta, Intramuros and Guadalupe. Smooth sailing ahead with air conditioning, and you'll get to see magnificent structures like the Malacañang Palace (the Presidential residence and office) and the Greek-inspired Manila Post Office. Although the more eye-opening could be the stark poverty you'll encounter as you go along the river.

 

 

Connect with Animals

 

You don't have to be a kid to be able to enjoy going to the zoo. The landmark Manila Zoo bevys an assortment of animals, like the lions, monkeys, hippos, giraffes, zebras ("Madagascar" for real!), elephants, rhinos, snakes, eagles, and more. There is also the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center on Quezon Avenue, and in there is a mini-zoo where you can see rescued and confiscated wildlife like pythons and hawks.

 

Commune in Green Spirit

 

The La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City is not just any other park -- it's a lush sanctuary in the middle of the metropolis. There's green everywhere, and you can breathe in smog-free air as you follow up a trail of trees, shrubs, and flowers. There's also a small duck pond, a mini-forest trail and an exercise trail. Something to escape in.

 

Go Bird-Watching

 

Meanwhile, avian aficionados will be astounded with the breadth and variety of birds flocking in the city -- the Philippines is a favorite destination of migratory birds, and you'll often see them in the early morning and late afternoon. The best places to go birding are: The University of the Philippines' National Institute of Geological Science in Quezon City; Fort Bonifacio American War Memorial in Taguig, and the Tambo Mudflats in Parañaque. People who'd like to view the birds much closer can go to Avilon Zoo in Rizal (a 2-hour bus ride from Manila), which features a plethora of our feathered friends in all colors, breeds and sizes. The zoo also has many other animal species -- common and rare, so bring in the kids for a great educational experience! (Personally, this is my favorite.)

 

 

 

Certainly, there are other places to visit and things you can do while in Manila. But if you're on a budget, why not try these? Let's make it worth your while!

Sta Travel

On STA Travel you can select the continents your interested in traveling to and create a RSS feed of cheap flights that fly to those continents. This site is geared towards student travelers who don't have rigid schedules to adhere too and is a great opportunity to find good deals. You may not know you wanted to visited Paris, but for $490 round trip, how could you not?

Art of Travel

"How To See The World... On $25 A Day On Less!" This website, written by a veteran traveler, is a great resource for how to save money, how to pack, what not to take, where not to go and how to get by on the cheap, you must see this website.

AirNinja.com

Air Ninja is a great flight finder, the way the engine works is you can input your city, and destination and Air Ninja shows you only discount Airline Carriers who fly to and from these locations. Air Ninja only shows discount carriers, so if you can't find a discount carrier going to where you want, you may be forced to book through Travelocity or other brokers.

OneBag

To quote the website "The art and science of traveling light" This website is a great resource for anyone traveling, no matter where your going or for how long. And not just tips on packing but what to bring, what to wear and how to get around. Even the veteran traveler can learn why not to bring cotton towels and the many uses of a clothesline.

Hostels.com

The ultimate database of hostels worldwide. You can book through their website and read reviews. Nothing beats staying in Tokyo for $13 a night.

Couch Surfing Project

Listings of free places to stay all over the world. FREE. Yes FREE. This is great for travelers looking to cut cost. Don't worry about ending up in a undesirable situation, you can do your research of the places you'll be staying. This is also a great way to see the real hot spots of a country and not just the touristy locales.

Fare Compare

Fare Compare allows you to search numerous air ticket sales websites at once and compare them easier than going to each site and imputing your search in over and over.

Big Apple Hostel, New York City, USA

Conveniently located just off Times Square in Manhattan, its location really needs no more explanation. The Big Apple Hostel provides dorm rooms as well as private rooms with shared bathing facilities and is within walking distance of numerous Broadway Theaters, The Empire State Building, Central Park, and The Rockefeller Center. Kitchen facilities, a common room, and backyard barbeque area are provided and laundry services can also be arranged. A wonderful atmosphere is provided from both travelers and the fantastic management which is at your service day and night. Rates are reasonable and start at $39US.

Hostal Miralva, Madrid, Spain

Located in the heart of Madrid on C/ Valverde, a short walk from Gran Via, Hostal Miralva is a quaint little hostel which has recently been refurbished. A choice of shared and private rooms is available with the same choice being available for bathroom amenities. All rooms provide a safe, wash basin, and television. It is within walking distance of most of the important Plazas including Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles. The hostel is family run and they are extremely welcoming and very helpful. If you are looking for peace and quiet however, this may not be the place for you as restaurants located in the vicinity provide a lot of noise into the wee small hours. Prices for Hostal Miralva start at around 20 Euros for shared rooms and increase to around 30 Euros for a private.

Yellow House, Rome, Italy

Although situated at Via Argonauti 14, a little further out of the center city than other hostels, Yellow House is a 1 minute walk from the Rome underground Metro system and so easy access to all attractions is not hard. On arrival, you may think you are staying in the ghetto for all the graffiti around and it can be very hard to find once off the Metro. But fear not, it is a safe neighborhood and the graffiti is only due to the mass of students living in the area which coincidently provides a pretty good night life. The staff are young, ex-travelers who have stayed on to run the place for the owner and they provide a very real and comprehensive list of things for you to do in Rome. A choice of shared and private rooms is available and shared bathrooms are your only option. Breakfast is provided and a safe is available for important documents. Prices are cheap, starting at around 22 Euros. So if you're looking for something a little different, quirky, and with a great atmosphere, this is the place for you.

Three Little Pigs Hostel, Berlin, Germany

A former hospital building in the heart of Berlin is just the place for a fantastic, pink painted, hostel. Located right beside Potsdamer Platz at Stresemannstraße 66, the Three Little Pigs gives you access to possibly the best area in the German capital, within walking distance of the Holocaust Memorial, The Berlin Wall, and the Brandonburg Gate. As well as its own bar for socializing with other travelers, the Three Little Pigs provides both shared and private rooms, shared bathrooms, kitchen facilities, buffet breakfast, and internet access. Safes are located in most rooms and the staff are busy, but welcoming and helpful. Bike hire and free city tours are also available. Prices range from 13 Euros to around 35 Euros and are worth every cent. So if you're not freaked out by sleeping in an eerie but refurbished old hospital, this is definitely for you.

Hotel Namaskar, Delhi, India

Although not technically speaking a hostel, Hotel Namaskar provides a once in a lifetime experience for all budget travelers. Situated in the heart of Old Delhi and in the chaos of Paharganj, Hotel Namaskar is an experience to savour. Rooms are small, cell like, concrete blocks but offer a character second to none. A number of rooms don't have windows and air conditioning is non-existent. Most rooms have their own bathroom (squatter toilets and a bucket for washing), however some rooms do share and provide a Euro toilet and shower. A safe is located at the hotel foyer along with bottled water, toilet paper, and some food items for sale. The service provided by the staff is very welcoming. They will go out of their way for you. Little, quaint balconies and a wonderful view from the roof are features unique to Hotel Namaskar as is the fantastic, local coffee shop at its front door. Prices start at around a measly 600 rupees.

D & D Inn, Bangkok, Thailand

Right in the budget, young people, tourist mecca, that is Kao San Road, sits the D & D Inn. Not the most budget of the hostels you will find on this chaotic street, it provides more of a hotel feel than a hostel feel with the exception of the steady mass of 20 something's moving through its doors. A multi storied building; you will find shared or private rooms, shared and private bathrooms, as well as a rooftop swimming pool, massage facilities, a/c, and internet access. What more could you ask for? Right downstairs on the street is your link to anywhere in the city but you might spend a couple of days lapping up the shopping on Kao San first. Prices start at around 600 baht and is well worth your dosh.

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse, Singapore

Right in Singapore's bustling heart at 490 North Bridge Road, and on the second floor, you will find Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse. Giving you shared and private room options, the hostel also provides free internet, laundry services, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. As well as great service the Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse is a short distance from some of Singapore's best spots including Orchard Place for your shopping fix, Raffles Hotel for a rather expensive Singapore Sling, and a range of inexpensive street restaurants which are fantastic. Prices start very reasonable at around 28 Singapore Dollars. A great place to stay for its location and affordability.

Bumbles Backpackers, Queenstown, New Zealand

Only a 300m walk from downtown Queenstown on Cnr of Lake Esplanade & Brunswick Sts, Bumbles Backpackers provides travelers with a choice of dorm and private rooms, communal bathrooms, kitchen, and outdoor living areas, and sensational panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The managers are very welcoming and helpful and will provide you with information on a mass of tourist adventures including skiing, bungy jumping, jet boating, as well as Queentown's fantastic music and nightlife. Stay at Bumbles for an affordable $28NZ.

For definite but affordable fun in El Nido, here are some tips for you in getting there, going around and getting away from this awesome place.

How to Get There

There are regular bus trips going to El Nido from San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa near the New Public Market off the National Highway. Make sure to wake up very early in the morning because the first bus leaves at 6am while the last bus leaves at 7:30am. It's better to reserve your seat a day or two before so you are assured of a better seating location. Fare is P300 but be prepared for a long (8 hours) bumpy, rocky and adventurous ride.

You can also hire a van for P12,000. If you want to fly directly from Manila, Mora Air Services Inc can fly you and your friends or your family to El Nido for P10,000 and pick you up again when its time to come home to Manila.

For people who come from other parts of Palawan like Taytay, Sabang or Port Barton, there are boats you can hire to go to El Nido for P1500 per person. But we don't recommend this for three reasons. First, you are sure to get wet, second, you will miss the great sights along the way, and third, there's nothing like a rough adventure trip on the roads leading to El Nido. Believe me, you wouldn't regret taking the bus.

Things to Do

El nido is really a typical and quiet Filipino town that thrives mainly on tourism and fishing. These days, it's hard to see El Nido without a single tourist; some of them already started their own businesses around the town, from lodging houses to restaurants. Everyone seems to know how to speak English even though their words are limited and like every Filipino, everyone has a ready smile to give you.

There are a number of activities to do in El Nido that can last you two weeks without getting bored. Because of our short stay, we only managed to do the usual tours but if you have more time to spend, we suggest that you make the most out of your trip here.

There are three basic island hopping tours around the Bacuit Bay called Tour A, B and C which go around the islets of Small and Big Lagoons, 7 Commando Beach, Secret and Hidden Beach and Helicopter Island. A tour can cost from P650 per person to P1800 if you are renting a boat. For groups of 4 to 6, it will be more economical to hire a boat to take you around the Bacuit Archipelago for one whole day, at least you have a say of where you want to go. Don't book at the first restaurant that will offer you tour packages. Chances are they are more expensive and time limited. Walk around the town to survey other tour operators where you can bargain prices. With the tour comes snorkelling so reserve your fins, masks and goggles a day before, each cost P100.

Mang Edgar, the boatman we hired offered swimming with the sharks along with the basic tours, so don't forget to check him out. Blame it to my memory lapse for forgetting his number, but you can just look for the signage ISLAND HOPING near a small coffee shop in Rizal St.

For the more adventurous, you can also go kayaking around the islets. A whole day of kayak rentals costs P700 and if you can't keep up with the rowing for one day, they also rent it for half a day at P450. Fishing and wind surfing is also available for P800 to P1200.

El Nido Boutique and Art Cafe arranges the said activities plus rock climbing and other things to do. You can reach them at 09204469135 or email them at elnidoboutique@yahoo.com.

Dining

If you are booked to go to El Nido this summer, don't expect a Boracay-like party place unless you are staying in one of the expensive resorts at Miniloc or Lagen Island. But El Nido doesn't lack good food or good drinks anyway at a price that wouldn't rob your bank accounts.

Squidos Restaurant

Our favourite French diner place in the area, Squidos is a modest little hut in the main street, made of thatched roof and bamboo. Unbelievably though, the food is scrumptious and at a very low price. The owner cum manager and waitress is a Filipina married to a French guy who is also a very good cook.

We love their chocolate crepe, two pieces of crepe filled with generous serving of chocolate inside and laden with chocolate syrup outside. And it is for only P90. It was so good that when we went back to Manila, we had to search all the coffee and crepe shops for something similar but we just couldn't find any. Also don't forget to try their Rosti with Cheese (P150), Coq Au Vin (P280) a typical French dish similar to our own adobo but cooked with red wine and their Mushroom Omelette (P80). You would love it as much as we do.

Aplaya Restaurant

Just beside the Boat Association hang out area near the beach, Aplaya is a budget friendly restaurant serving Filipino food. Although the food is not as delicious as Squidos, the restaurant serves dishes worthy (and even above) what you paid for. We had a big tuna, which can be good for two to three persons, for only P150. Aside from its affordable food, you have a very nice view of the sea since it is actually situated on the beach. The downside is you have to move your table further up during high tide if you don't want your feet to get soaked. The staff is very friendly also.

Coffee Shop

For the best espresso in town for only 35 pesos, drop by at the Coffee Shop every morning. You can watch the town wake up and the shops open while enjoying the breeze from the ocean and the smiles from the little boys and girls in the street.

Accommodation

Since we didn't have much time to spare, we decided to stay at the first hotel suggested by our English friend Maz Murphy, the Four Season Hotel, which is alright for its air-conditioning, television, clean and safe rooms and very friendly staff. All for P700 on a lean season rate.

There are also lodging places that rent for the same price with a beach front view. Just scout the place first for a better bargain.

Take Off Magazine Summer Issue 2008

It proves not to be a good decision however as I sleep in a little too long which means that when I do finally get to the Mother Teresa House, my American guides are gone and so I am going to have to negotiate the journey to Howrah, which is on the opposite side of Kolkata, alone. I also miss my banana, bread and chai for breakfast which makes me doubly annoyed.

I manage to catch the correct bus by finding the stop I got on at yesterday and have the most entertaining ride. My rickety old bus is hurtling towards a round-about intersection and I'm thinking that we are going faster than normal (which is pretty fast considering what normal is), and out of the corner of my eye I notice another bus coming towards the intersection from the right, also travelling ridiculously fast. A game of "chicken" springs to mind at this point and I'm starting to get a little scared. Two buses flying towards each other and I'm thinking, are we going to stop? Oh we stop alright, inches before smashing into the other bus and this creates chaos and wrecks havoc with some of the passengers. The guy beside me has flown towards the windscreen as he is in the only seat on the bus that has no rail in front of it, right at the front. He stops himself by grabbing the nearest rail and grazing his arm. I turn to see what has happened behind me and two ladies are rubbing their foreheads after smashing them on the rail of the seat in front of them and there are people strewn everywhere. Insane!

After numerous wrongs turns on my winding walk through the chaotic morning back streets of Howrah, I make it to Shishu Bhavan on time and uninjured. I'm pretty stoked about life in general. My tasks today include hanging copious amounts of washing out and just having fun with the children. While hanging washing out, I see one of the girls who is 8 years old and obviously not at school today. She is writing in some kind of book and so I go over and see what she's doing. I find out through her limited English and my poor attempts at speaking Bengali, that she is doing her homework. I ask her to teach me a few words and so we practice a few common nouns in each others language and have some laughs. After I'm shooed away by one of the sisters for stopping the youngster from doing her homework, I reflect on how different our cultures and lives are and feel privileged to have been involved in hers even if for only a few minutes.

After finishing at the orphanage for the day I head back to the Mother Teresa House for the nativity play rehearsal, and then a fantastically tasting paneer curry from Zurich's Café. I think about the life I have and the lives of the children at Shishu Bhavan and how different we are.

After disembarking the Konkan Express from Mumbai at Margao in South Goa, get a prepaid taxi from right outside the station and head for Margao Residency, a better than budget hostel/hotel in the centre of Margao. The hostel has a selection of dorm or private rooms and will cost you between 800 - 1200 rupees depending on the season. They provide a laundry, internet, shop, and restaurant within the hostel as well as restaurant within walking distance nearby. Margao is the unofficial capital of South Goa and is situated so that all major amenities are reachable in a very limited time.

Tip: South Goa is the quieter area of Goa and so good for families, older travellers, or people looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

12pm

Head right across the road for a late breakfast at Longuino's. They have a great selection of food on their menu including Indian, Chinese, and European dishes and a number of dishes have a strong Portuguese flavour to them as the Portuguese were the first colonisers of this area. Your first Kingfisher of the day wouldn't go astray either as you have just come off a long overnight train journey.

1pm

Grab an auto-rickshaw and head 5mins out of town to Colva Beach where your first taste of sun, surf and sand can be experienced. Everything "beachy" is situated here including fantastically warm surf, lazy beach shack restaurants with menus to make your mouth water, and budget surf shops for your well deserved shopping fix.

Tip: As with most of the beaches in the state of Goa, if you are there in the quiet period of the year (July-August), the fisherman will have been out for their catch and any fish that are not wanted are just thrown over the side, making swimming a little unpleasant. You will also find that some of the beach restaurants will be closed until the busy season (November-January).

2pm

Grab a taxi and ask the driver to take you the spice plantation in the town of Savoi Verum which is 10km north of the City of Ponda and about a half hour taxi ride from Margao. Here you will experience a traditional Indian welcome, lunch, a tour of the plantation including explanations of the cashew fruit, vanilla, and other spices, and an Indian Elephant experience. You will be expected to pay a fee to tour the plantation which is around 500 rupees and they almost expect you to buy some sort of herbal remedy at the conclusion of the tour.

4pm

Using your same taxi and driver, head for Old Goa to experience the religious sector including visiting the numerous old churches and the body of St Francis Xavier whose remains are almost perfectly preserved for your viewing pleasure. Once you've paid your respects, head into the Old Goa Museum and experience the history of the Portuguese colonialists and the founding of the state of Goa.

Tip: Touts, beggars, pick-pockets and sellers are in abundance in Old Goa so if that's your cup of tea, bring lots of cash for plenty of souvenirs and make sure your personal belongings are secure.

7pm

Get your driver to drop you off at Bogmalo Beach in the north part of South Goa. This beach is very quiet and serene and a great place to just relax. Head for one of a number of beach restaurants and order Goan sausage with a Cashew Feni (strong cashew flavoured nip) to wash it down. Then cleanse your body in the tropical waters after dinner before making your way back to Margao.

Tip: Payment for your taxi driver for the afternoon may be a bit of trial and error. You will most likely find that he will ask you to name a price for him. Think about other trips you've taken in India and compare it with the distance you have been and then depending on your service, give him a decent tip also. Remember, he has given up other fares for the afternoon to guide you around the state. 1500 - 2000 rupees plus a tip would probably be sufficient.

9pm

Take your well deserved beauty sleep for the night at Margao Residency and prepare for another hectic day tomorrow.

Tip: If a night-cap is needed before hitting the hay, pick yourself up a bottle or two of the famous Goan Port (fortified wine). This can be found at one of a bunch of liquor stores in Margao and is well worth your while.

6am

After an early morning wake up call, head upstairs to Margao Residency's hotel restaurant Preethi Classic, which serves pretty decent coffee for India and great milky, sugary tea.

7am

Take your pick of one of many cabs right outside the hotel doors and make your way to the exciting, exhilarating North Goa beach of Anjuna. Here you will find arguably the best beach in the state of Goa. Again, beach restaurants and sun, surf and sand are in abundance and if you're looking for a pretty well designed henna tattoo, this is your place. Plenty of stalls have been erected for your shopping pleasure and be sure not to miss the world famous Anjuna Markets which run in the high season usually only on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. Here you can find the real Indian shopping experience with fruits and vegetables, clothing, jewellery and all sorts of Goan treasures at your disposal.

Tip: On your trip up from Margao, keep a close eye out for elephants which can be seen from the roadside, usually with their owners, completing tasks as if you were living a century ago.

Tip: Accommodation in Anjuna is very easy to find with plenty of places on or in the vicinity of, the spectacular and relaxing beach.

Tip: The night life in and around Anjuna is fantastic with plenty of clubs, pubs and beach parties to satisfy your soul and arouse your senses.

There are plenty of other places to visit in the state of Goa which have not been mentioned because you wouldn't be able to fit it all into 24 hours which is what this article is based around. Some other things you might like to see or do on your trip could be:

• Hire a scooter and guide yourself around the state. These are pretty cheap to hire for a day, around 300 rupees, and can be organised at your hotel. However, fairly easily to get lost and the roads rules don't seem to apply in India at times remember.
• Visit Panjim, the capital city of the state of Goa. Here you can take an entertaining cruise on the river and it's a great place to replenish your cash money as it's one of the only places in Goa with a Thomas Cook money exchange.
• Visit Calangute Beach which is the other hot spot beach in Northern Goa. Like Anjuna, it's where a lot of the Goan action happens. Don't miss it.

For more information and experiences on Goa, have a fascinating read of Rask Balavoine's piece A Different Goa or Krish's piece Unforgettable Trip to Goa.

Peace.

Hostels are key. Get a hosteling card. HiUsa.com has great resources for international and domestic hostels. Most hostels I stayed in were very accommodating, you may have to sleep in a 28 person room, but if you like to travel, this isn't a problem, your never there but to get some shut eye. Hostels are also flexible about dates and some are flexible with prices!

Many nights I slept in train stations and bus garages. I'm not advocating this for everyone but I traveled with a friend and Japan is a very safe country. The best way to do this is to pack light and put your backpack behind you, lock it with a zip tie or combo lock and put a strap around your wrist so no one can pull anything out while you sleep.

When traveling around the country, save money by taking buses instead of trains. A great method if your only traveling a few hundred miles is to take an overnight bus, while saving money on a hostel for that night and awaking at your destination. I went from Osaka to Tokyo on an overnight bus costing $50, and saving an extra $15 by not spending it on a hostel.

Remember when staying in a hostel to bring a small combination lock for your locker. Make sure you lock things up when your not in your room, even if you are using the showers.

While you lodge, instead of spending money on washers and dryers bring a small clothesline and hand wash your clothes in a sink and let them dry on a clothesline in a bathroom or outside, depending on hostel and time of year.

My friend only brought 2 pair of boxer briefs with him, he would take a shower with one pair on, then let them dry while wearing the other pair during the day, and repeat this every day. Might sound weird but he always had clean boxers and saved room on packing!

View the rest of this series on my $2000 trip to Japan, with tips of lodging, travel packing, and eating.

Safe Travels.

When it comes to finding the cheapest ticket, check all the travel websites first, like Kayak, Travelocity, Orbitz, StudentAirfare, Hotwire and so on. Begin to do some more research now that you have a base price and range.

Check airline websites directly, bypassing the bulk sellers of tickets, sometimes you can save a couple hundred dollars by going directly to United Airlines website for example. Ultimately I found the cheapest airfare through a travel agent, booking the flight for $630 round trip, total.

I flew Chicago to San Francisco to Osaka, previously I've flown direct O'Hare to Tokyo for around the same price.

To make some extra cash while traveling, when you get to the airport, go to the gate and ask the attendant how well sold the plane is. Airlines typically overbook 5% or so depending on flight. Put yourself on a list for overbooking, so if the flight is overbooked you give up your seat for someone else, get a couple hundred dollars in cash, a night in a nearby hotel and usually fly out the next morning. You can't beat this, if you do it on the way there and back you can pocket some extra cash, sometimes up to $200 each way.

One last tip, when searching for a flight avoid the summertime, it's always busier, pricier, and slower. Fly in downtimes and check for flights with crazy layovers. I saw flights to Tokyo that had a 20 hour layover in Rome. This may not be for everyone but you get a cheaper flight and enough time to run around Rome for a day.

View the rest of this series on my $2000 trip to Japan, with tips of lodging, travel packing and eating.

Safe Travels.

The Colorado Rockies are ideal for such an apparently aimless venture, because their small pockets of wilderness are easy to escape when you need to resupply or want a day or two in town. Usually, though, a little more planning is required. Guidebooks, maps,Web sites,DVDs, CDROMs, and magazine articles can all provide information on where to go. A Web search with Google is a good place to start. Once you've selected an area, you can obtain up-to-date information from the land managers-the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or state forest or park services.

There is no such thing as too much information. The problem is sorting out what is useful from what is irrelevant. Information on water sources may be unnecessary in wet coastal mountains, but it's critical in the desert. The Internet can quickly overwhelm you with masses of information. Start to sift through it though, and you'll find that much is not of value for your hike. Consider whom the site is aimed at; often it's not hikers. Many Web sites are updated regularly, some daily. Up-to-date local knowledge is still important, however. Nothing beats talking to someone who hiked over that ridge last week or drank from that spring yesterday. In really remote areas like the Yukon, local knowledge is invaluable. On my walk through that area, I changed my route several times based on information from locals.

For the initial route planning I use small-scale (1:250,000) maps covering large areas before purchasing the appropriate topographic maps and working out a more detailed line. DeLorme's Atlas and Gazetteer volumes-one for each state of the United States-and similar volumes are excellent for an overview of an area.Mapping software can be used too, though I find it easier to plan routes on a large paper map than on a screen, probably because I've had years of practice.When planning I'm always aware, however, that cross-country routes may be impassable or that a far more obvious way may show itself, so I don't stick rigidly to my prehike plans. It's easy to draw bold lines across a paper map, carried away by the excitement of anticipation, without considering the reality of trying to walk the route.

One of the big problems with planning a hike of more than a few days is resupplying. For popular trails like the Appalachian and the John Muir, there are regularly updated lists of facilities like post offices and grocery stores. There are even companies that will ship food parcels to you.Hikers may be rare or even unheard of in other places, however, so it's always best to write and ask about amenities.