Backpacking for Beginners:
Backpacking Safety

The goal of this article is to get you prepared as early as possible, and make you aware of possible hazards.

Remember: No matter how small your budget is, you`re rich compared to the locals.

• Before you go, talk about your plans with your family and friends. Reassure them that you`re aware of the possible risks in Asia.

  Keep in touch with them during your trip as well. Use e-mail or sms, and tell them where you`re heading next and for how long. If you`re travelling with someone, make sure you give them their names and phone numbers in case your folks can`t reach you.

• Be extra careful the first weeks after you`ve arrived your destination. During this time, you`ll be jet lagged, tired and probably not in a travelling mood yet.

Your Belongings

Backpacking For Beginners

If you`re carrying your backpack, and you need to go to the toilet ask your travel companion to keep an eye on it. Even fellow travellers steal from each other (sadly). Don`t ever leave your belongings unattended.

Put your camera in your daybag, don`t hang it around you.

Copy your pictures to discs and store it in your backpack, or a hotel safe. If your daybag gets stolen, you`ve at least made copies. Losing pictures/great memories is one of the worst scenarios (in my opinion)... You can buy a new camera, but not new memories.

Don`t wear jewellry or watches that are expensive, or look expensive. If thieves think it`s expensive they will rob you anyway, even though it just cost you five bucks.

Be careful if anyone knocks into you on the street -- check if all your belongings are safe and secure.

Food and Drinks

Your Money

Don`t pull out loads of cash bills on crowdy places.

Watch out when purchasing an item: when you get your change, check if the bills are taped, old, dirty, torn etc. Old bills might be hard to use as payment for later purchases.

Your Room

Avoid rooms on the ground floor, if possible. Keep your bags away from the window. Not all doors and windows are secured properly at the guest houses. Use one of your padlocks to secure the room if possible.

In big cities, take note of the address to your guest house or hostel. Ask the staff if they can translate the address to their native language. This way, any driver should be able to take you there, and locals will be able to point you in the right direction if you`re lost.

Always leave your room key at the reception. If you lose it (theft or accident), you`ll be charged for the loss. You don`t need to worry about it when you`re out (remember when the reception opens and closes!)

Orientation

If you think you`re lost, STOP!

Sit down, relax and don`t panic. Look out for landmarks and the position of the sun to orientate yourself. Don`t start moving until you work out where you are.

Crime

Call your embassy as soon as possible, if you get arrested or get in trouble with the police. The embassy will send a representantive, and offer advice on how to obtain legal assistance.

However, the embassy will have little sympathy if you`re caught trafficking or possessing drugs.

Ask to see some identification if you`re suspicious of anyone who says they`re a police officer and asks for a large sum of money, information or to search your room or your possessions.

Here's the ultimate rule to safe backpacking for beginners: Never let anyone you don`t know carry your backpack/daybag (without your supervision). I`m afraid that many innocent travellers have been caught with narcotics in their bags, even when they didn`t know about it or didn`t have anything to do with it.

It's always difficult to prove that you didn't try to smuggle the drugs that was hidden in YOUR bag. If you were the police, wouldn't you automatically think that you're guilty? (And be honest when answering)

Missing Persons

If someone you know goes missing in foreign territory, please contact your Foreign of Affairs.

The consulates/embassies have a duty to assist their citizens, in our case, finding the person.

A tip is to register your travel to your embassy when you arrive in a new country. If you're an American traveling in Thailand, seek the US embassy in Bangkok.

Registration is usually free, easy to do and you can register online.

So spending a couple of minutes to do it, is kind of a life "insurance."

You're done with Backpacking for Beginners -- Safety, where do you want to go next?

Click here to read about money safety.

Here are some useful tips for solo travellers.

Thinking of NOT buying an insurance? Read my article about insurance,and I`m sure you`ll change your mind after reading it!

Return from Backpacking For Beginners to Backpacking Tips Asia.