More: How to get “Off the Beaten Track”
This is a follow up to my post last week about getting off the beaten track. It’s a cliche I know but there are simple and effective ways to do it, below is a list of what has worked for me or people that I’ve met along the way. Whatever the outcome I always find that if you try to travel like this at all times then you will naturally find yourself off the beaten track having the time of your life without even meaning to…
1. Loose the Ego:
- Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself, or take yourself too seriously.
- Have a go at everything, and if you get it wrong, then be prepared to have a good laugh at yourself.
- Don’t expect that because your from the west (or not) that you deserve a higher standard than a local person.
2. Get Around like the Locals:
- Get away from the tourist buses and use local transport.
- Find your own means of transport be it a Motorcycle or even a bicycle.
- Try walking!
3. Bin the Guide Book:
- Ask the locals for advice or directions.
- if you don’t know how much something should cost then you are not really getting the idea, immerse yourself in the culture and learn something.
- Explore by yourself then, if you have to, go back and use a guide book to fill the gaps.
4.Learn the Lingo:
- At least try to learn more than “Hello” and “Thank you”.
- Your attempts may be wrong and even make everyone laugh, but it will always be appreciated.
- Practice at every opportunity.
5. Pack Light:
- Your backpack is like an anchor… If it weighs 50kg then you seriously limit your options.
- Be done with a bunch of western luxuries you don’t need and wont miss.
- Enjoy the richness of a simple life.
6. Live like a Local:
- Use home stays or Couchsurfing.org where possible.
- Adjust your budget to match a typical local wage.
- Learn what’s important to the local culture (religion, places, people) and go appreciate it.
7. Eat at Local Places:
- It can be daunting sometimes but wander into a local restaurant or go to a food stall.
- Don’t be put off by a foreign menu… Get stuck in!
- Try the local specialities – expand your experience and your belly.
What’s your take?
If you have any ideas or experiences… Share them, with me and everyone else. What worked for you and what didn’t I’d blooming love to know!…
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i do agree with all of your points especially th efirst one
-Best
Travellingrants
.-= travellingrants´s last blog ..Hemkund Sahib-In the lap of Mountains =-.
I like to use a guidebook AND ask the locals – don’t want to ever miss any key sites, but for restaurants etc I always try to get a few local recommendations (then check them out in the guidebook)
I use hospitality club rather than Couchsurfing & I use it to meet up with local folk when I’m there maybe for a drink or meal, but not necessarily stay with them (my days of sleeping on a lumpy sofa are over)
.-= Heather on her travels´s last blog ..More than the pyramids – a grand tour of Egypt’s Museums =-.
Hey Heather, Thanks for your comment!
You’ve got some new info to me there too, it was good to meet you last night at the Lastminute thing… Shame it was soooo loud though, didn’t get much chance to really talk… Next time!
Some very good points! Walking is also a must. I’ve found so many cool places, that I would have never noticed had I been on a bus or subway!
.-= Ryan Cowles´s last blog ..Taking a Train Across the Country – Part One =-.
I couldn’t agree more Ryan, walking has so many advantages over any form of transport especially in a city. I love walking until I get lost then just grab a cab back.
Great suggestions here. I wrote a post on this recently: http://gomadnomad.com/2009/09/01/getting-beyond-the-backpacker%E2%80%99s-scene/
Brilliant and simple ways to go off-the-beaten track! I naturally travel this way, even tossing maps and following my intuition or ‘inner GPS’. Every day can be a wide-eyed adventure!
.-= Sonya´s last blog ..5 Travel Ebooks You’ll Love =-.
Like the part about trashing the guide book. Most rely quite a bit on it, but the locals can often be your best guide book.
.-= Spencer Spellman´s last blog ..Lions, Tigers, and (Polar) Bears Oh My! Asheboro Zoo =-.
Exactly! Guidebooks have a time and a place and can be very very useful but many travellers do rely on them a bit too much, which in my opinion is missing the point somewhat!
I find that learning the “lingo” is extremely important to me. Not only is it appreciated from the locals, but it makes me feel as though I’m not intruding so much. :X
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Change is Never Easy =-.
I couldn’t agree more, I think it’s important to put the shoe on the other foot… How would you feel if it was YOUR country. I think everyone would appreciate if tourists and travellers at least had a go at speaking to them in their native tongue:p
There are some great points here (going to link to this on my blog!)
.-= Natalia´s last blog ..It’s booked! =-.
Great points. They all seem so logical to us, yet so many ‘travelers’ seem to fail to heed much of this advice.
I know…. Time and time again I see it but what can you do even the holy bible guide books they carry around tell them the same thing… I think it’s got a lot to do with confidence too
I love this article! Everything you said is so true! We bought a motorbike in Hanoi and for 2 months made our way down to Saigon. It was the best thing we ever did!
Also, many a time have we been sitting at a local eatery and not sure what was on the menu-one time in laos we got given tripe soup!!
great article once again!
Tripe soup!!! Wow that’s a bit scary! I think I would have had a go though.
Yeah I’m completely converted to finding your own transport and going at it that way, some of the best experiences I’ve ever had have been on a road to a destination as opposed to the actual destination itself… Cheers Elise!