A Long Awaited Big Backpacking Q&A

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It's been a LONG time since I've done a travel Q&A so today is the day! I asked on Instagram for your questions and here are my answers!
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ABOUT ME🙋🏻‍♀️
I'm Christianne, a solo traveller, vlogger and entrepeneur from Surrey, UK. I spend half my time exploring new places around the globe with my backpack, and the other half creating videos about my experiences, what I'm packing, solo travel advice, money budgeting tips and anything else in relation to my backpacking lifestyle.
Get to know me more here - www.backpackingbananas.com/about
FAQ's
How do you afford to travel? - I now earn a full time living through creating these KZbin videos, affiliate links, selling digital products and my clothing line. I used to simply just work any temporary job I could find to save up to travel! I budget the money I earn meticulously to reach my savings goals using www.backpackingbananas.com/pr...
Is travelling solo safe? - I would argue the answer is almost always yes! As long as you use your common sense and you follow your own government's guidelines about travelling in that country. I have made several videos on backpacking safety on my channel.
Do you have plans to settle down? Yes, I'm currently saving to purchase my first property in the UK and I'd love to have children one day. I doubt I'll ever live a completely 'conventional' lifestyle by society's standards though, as I often have my own preferred way of doing things.
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[@chriswilliamson590]

I am 47 and still backpacking. Love it.

[@BackpackingBananas]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@elkay4475]

Please start blogging would love to watch

[@chriswilliamson590]

@@elkay4475 hi, I do travelling about 2/3/4 times per year. I couldn’t keep up with the amazing pace like all the others. Also I am quite introverted and travel is very much a solo thing. I have used travel to move away from a lot of toxic life problems such as work, family and relationships. My content wound not be really interesting but thanks though 😀😀👍🏼

[@whereverchlogoes]

I only discovered you a few months ago but you’re incredible and an inspiration to me. You’re also so empowering for women ❤️I’ve only done a few short European solo backpacking trips but I can’t wait to do more! Question: are you able to link your reversible swimsuit from your Thailand videos? I love it!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks! The swimsuit was from O’Neill quite a few years ago so I don’t believe they’d sell it anymore ❤️

[@coritravels]

Hi there! Prana has some nice reversible swimsuits! (not affiliated with them just remembered and thought I'd chime in)

[@colesilber7890]

AHHH I'm so excited for you and all of your plans!!

[@meganbull8708]

Thank you for answering my question Christianne☺️ I’m a long time subscriber, but newly scuba certified and excited to plan some international dives. *fingers crossed if you do a dive retreat*

[@pernillewarren8134]

Love all of your videos. Thank you for sharing

[@holliejane3605]

You’re beautiful Christianne! So excited to go to Thailand for my honeymoon and follow in your footsteps. I’m there for 3 weeks so I hope I can get as much in as possible! All your videos are high quality, so informative and really awe-inspiring. Can’t wait for your next set of videos!

[@anne-lauredevirgille3477]

Love love love your videos! Truly inspiring! I understand you'll be in Europe soon, that would be awesome to meet you if you plan on coming to France or Switzerland 🤗 anyhow, enjoy Perth ☀️☀️

[@sannelambert579]

I first saw you when I was planning my first trip since the pandemic started. We went to Puerto Escondido (first time) Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen in March. We have been to Mexico several times ( I agree with you about Tulum) and were in Playa del Carmen on March 18, 2020. It's interesting times. I've been watching your Columbian series lately (and bought your map) planning on a short stop there in November. Thanks so much for the inspiration. You're very brave!

[@tsangyman]

I'm literally in Thailand, Chiang Mai right now because of you.

[@bethmeredith]

Congrats on the new niece. You look healthy and happy and I hope you enjoyed your time in Australia and I will be awaiting the Australia series. Take care and be safe . xx

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Beth ❤️❤️

[@colette-tj2gk]

Really interesting to hear your answer to this question about social awkwardness and boundary setting while travelling. I prefer to do my sightseeing and stuff alone because I want to be totally immersed and also because I have chronic fatigue and chronic pain, and the way I need to pace a day or excursion would be very limiting to most people, or I'd end up pushing beyond my own limits and making myself really unwell and miserable. If I want to do a night out I'd have to completely rest all day (lying/sitting down) and probably the next day too. But I also do really love meeting people and socialising, even partying(!) when I have the energy! I guess I kind of worry about being seen as hot and then cold with people when I enforce my boundaries but I guess if people aren't compassionate about it they aren't worth it anyway!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Totally! If people don’t respect your boundaries, they’re not someone you want to be friends with. When you’re travelling solo, you are your main priority and we shouldn’t feel guilty for doing things at our own pace and what is best for us 😊🙌🏼

[@beaw.3918]

just gotta say it - thank you for always choosing which sponsors you decide to work with so mindfully! it really shows good character and it's not lost on us :) xoxo

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you ❤️❤️ this is very important to me!!

[@rozemarijndegreeuw7528]

So funny how Thailand was the first country you backpacked and after 9 years you went back. I also went in 2013 there for my first ever far away trip with my parents. After over 9 years I will go back soon 😍

[@RaahilAbhay]

Good info 👌🏾 thanks for making this

[@BackpackingBananas]

❤️❤️❤️

[@NickyDunn]

Hiya, Great Q&A. Have a great week.

[@rachelpatey1407]

You said my name right! I'm so surprised 😂 thanks for answering my question 😊

[@ethancasey6744]

i tested positive on arrival in thailand, currently isolating, on day 4 now. the “hospital” is actually a hotel and my room is quite nice, double bed large tv etc. my insurance also covers everything so i’m living for free currently. could be a lot worse but still unfortunate. testing again tomorrow, hopefully i can get out soon

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh that’s great to hear you haven’t been popped in a hospital! I have heard much worse stories 😅 I’m glad to hear your experience is not so bad 😊 hope you get out soon!

[@M_Lopez_3D_Artist]

thought they got rid of that testing thing in thailand? strange

[@jomontanee]

@@M_Lopez_3D_Artist It starts in May.

[@jomontanee]

Hug you tight Ethan. Please keep up high spirit. The whole Thailand waiting for you!!

[@M_Lopez_3D_Artist]

@@jomontanee glad i already had it in Jan so won't have to worry about that happening to me

[@MillaExplores]

I love a good Q&A! 😍🥳

[@billmccaleb7481]

Great Q & A!

[@cryptolife77]

Great Q&A, Oh, Did I hear summer travel in Spain, Let's go.....That's what I'm talking about.....Can't wait......

[@BackpackingBananas]

Me neither! 🥳🥳

[@BANGTEEZ_IN_YOUR_AREA]

Would love to see you do some part of Africa travel vlog!! So many beautiful gems there too 😍😍

[@LisaEicholtz]

Geat tips... I don't backpack anymore because I am 60 but I do still like to travel! Great video I enjoy all your videos even though I do not backpack anymore.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Lisa 🥰🥰

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

Only recently discovered your channel, love the content

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thanks Phil 😊

[@markfoley3923]

I still think of myself as a backpacker/independent traveler even though I am in my late 50's. Its the style of travel I prefer because it costs less money but I get to see and do more, as well as spend more time really immersed in the cultures I visit. We call it "Flashpacking", however, because we might choose private accommodation instead of hostel dorms and more posh transportation, and splurge on fancy food sometimes, just like you mentioned around 14:03 in the video. Cheers.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yesss love this!

[@Charlies1Lyf]

Thanks for your input Mark. I am in my mid 50s and looking to dip my toes into backpacking/independent traveling. I see myself traveling very similar to your style. I have always been curious if there are groups in their middle ages.

[@nanwithabackpack]

Hi really enjoy your vlogs. Please can you recommend a mask and snorkel set for backpacking. 😃

[@beccajanestclair]

I'm 42. My husband is 51 and we found back when I was still under 40 but he was over 40 that there were some hostels that wouldn't allow him to stay because he was over 40, so we haven't even bothered looking now that I'm also over 40. But we do make use of interrail passes and just book cheap apartments or hotels.

[@Hayley-tx3jx]

absolutely love your videos!! You have the best personality you seem so fun and down to earth. I have a question (to anyone reading) would you advise travelling with a MacBook? I want to go backpacking for a few months in SE Asia and then onto Australia to do my working holiday. If I was only going backpacking I wouldn’t take it, but once I’m in Australia I plan on staying for a year or two, and need my laptop to work. I don’t want to buy a new one as it’s only a year old and has my work on it. I’m just so worried about it being stolen/ broken. Any advice would be appreciated 😊

[@stevenponte6655]

Hi and welcome to Australia! You are lucky, the Sydney weather has been great (its been raining so much before) I only recently discovered your channel. Its great stuff. Just a point about older backpackers, I am 47 and still stay in hostels. While I do look young, nobody really cares. Even recently in Tokyo, I was the first person everyone asked to join them when they were heading out. As long as you have a friendly non-creepy vibe, nobody cares!. Although keeping up with them and backing up after big nights out was challenging. :)

[@APieceofCake]

Great to know that! 🤩

[@Juudje90]

Love your video’s! Have you ever had problems with the weight of your backpack, while traveling with only handluggage?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Not really, I always check the airline rules and make sure I’m within limit😊

[@demetridoes]

Any advice for riding a scooter for the first time abroad? Is there a course you have to do in the country? Thanks!

[@lydiaannwells5919]

I cannot find the 40L eagle creek ANYWHERE and desperate for it! Any ideas? Also can you take a 40L as hand luggage? Hope you’re well🤍🤍

[@liesjj111]

Loved the boy toy toy boy ending xD

[@matthewgaler6544]

Is your sisters dog a Bichon Frise x Poodle.. Aka , Poochon?…aka ‘it’s a designer dog Dad. We have one the same age. Loyal, clever ,non malting n rapid!.. your trip looked great Christianne . Stay safe n stay dreamy💥

[@BackpackingBananas]

He’s a toy cavoodle 🐶

[@abbasali-uh1hu]

❤

[@calvinguist16]

you'll definately live with me in Sabah, Malaysia)

[@Wanneeeesz]

can we just take a moment to notice how AMAZING those eyes are for real hahahahaha. Great content (y)

[@manuelpinzon9854]

You broke my ♥

[@majasmagic6483]

Hi do you use just phone or professional camera on your travels?

[@tesshardie3765]

I'm leaving for Thailand in July for 2 months at the beginning of a 6 month + backpacking trip so your series could not have come at a better time for me! I am learning so much and getting so much inspiration so a big Thank You! I'm looking forward to your spending video and excited to see where you go next!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Wooo 🥳🥳 spending video coming next week! 🙌🏼

[@OutdoorsWithJesss]

Hey what visas and things do u need to apply for ,

[@OutdoorsWithJesss]

What did you do about the visas and Thai pass there’s so much confusing information ?

[@allysonflak2202]

A bit of a random question- What is the name and artist of the 'met you out on a Sunday' song that you played at the end of your video? I've heard it on some of your other videos and like it. I want to listen to the whole song, but I can't find it.

[@tree_hugger6921]

I think it's amazing that your able to get enough money to buy a house even while travelling (I know you work while travelling but still)

[@THEEnfantTerrible]

Seeing the questions about age and people thinking early 20’s and late 20’s or even 30’s is laughable. 😂. I am 47 years old and learning Spanish with the goal of backpacking South America in my late 40’s. 😎 You all have NO IDEA how much life you have to live.

[@j-bow.mylife97]

Hi there. I started following you when you were in the beautiful 🇵🇭. I note when diving you do not wear gloves or a steamer wetsuit. I’d strongly recommend gloves if doing a rope descent/ascent due to the risk of getting nasty cuts from sea life making its home in the rope. Also a steamer in case of jellyfish or brushing a coral. All tips from my experiences…. 😬. 😎

[@BackpackingBananas]

Oh wow! I’ve never seen anyone dive with gloves before and don’t even know what a steamer is 😅😅 I’ll have to look into these things! 😊

[@ahillvfr]

I always used to keep a pair of gloves in my BCD pocket as you are correct there are some hazards in places you don’t expect them. And believe me a cut at 30 meters plus makes your blood look a greenish sort of colour 😝 they are a definite when diving in a rusty old wreck too 🤿

[@j-bow.mylife97]

@@BackpackingBananas - a steamer is a wetsuit with full length arms and legs, a 'shorty' is the type with short arms and legs. I have no idea why a steamer is called that, the shorty is self explanatory. Great vlogs. Are you planning to go back to the Philippines anytime soon?

[@DiverseMindset]

Hello, hope all is well. I have a question about where you learned your editing for you videos and what camera 🎥 you working with or recommend? 🤔 thanks 😊 again for sharing. Saludos

[@BackpackingBananas]

I mainly use the DJI pocket 2 for vlogging now 😊 I learnt to edit literally just by practicing ! Finding KZbin tutorials to learn new tricks!

[@DiverseMindset]

@@BackpackingBananas that’s a cool looking device. First time I see one of those, I will definitely check it out. Thanks again! You are the best 😌

[@lillyfisher3986]

Hi Christiean I would love to go on a hiking trip to snowdon,I am looking for a hiking backpack but I am on a budget can you recommend any or any specific sizea I will be taking another bigger bag for my clothes

[@matthewgaler6544]

Hi Lilly… you probably only need a day pack. Whilst it’s nice to have a top brand , there’s really no nead. I have v nice Arcteryx day pack n also a cheap mountain warehouse jobby , which , to be perfectly honest is near on as good. That’s 10 X cheaper!. Sports direct also do day packs for maybe £18. When you do do Snowdon check out the near by village of Betws -Y -coed , they have loads of outdoor shops. When you hike the mountain a good route is the Pyg track going up and the Miners trail coming down. Have fun 💥

[@Rosie-iy2bv]

I would love to travel around Asia and live as a digital nomad. However, I'd want to do it with somebody, someone I could create a spiritual, yoga, nomad, travel blog/youtube with and build our own presence as well as our presence together. I have lots of experience and a background in marketing and basic web design and building, but I don't know how to find somebody who similarly wants to travel, document and build a business together.

[@maeve9677]

😍

[@rickybobby1055]

Thanks for the video

[@nhannah8009]

I'm going solo backpacking for the very first time in September to Australia. I wanna stay there for about 2 months and then go to see the Philippines and Indonesia for another 3 months. Would you recommend me to solo backpack for about a month in New Zealand as well will I most likely get lonely in so much of nothing except of nature or ar there as many hostels and backpackers around as anywhere else?

[@lauratwaroch8632]

Hi Hannah! Just saw your comment and we have such similar plans! I had the exact same idea with New Zealand and didn't know if it was a good idea either but I think I'll go through with it after all! Any chance you wanna chat about your plans? I feel like it might be helpful exchanging ideas!

[@nhannah8009]

@@lauratwaroch8632 hey Laura, I would very much like to yes! Do you have maybe like an instagram or something similar?

[@bente4543]

Was the 40 liter backpack enough?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Totally!

[@chefevilee9377]

Have you heard about the new Airbnb? You take care of peoples animals and water their plants etc. For exchange in doing these services you get to stay in their houses all around the world.

[@user-bt9kr5tu3m]

That sounds cool, like it’s actually created by Airbnb?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Sounds more like house sitting!

[@chefevilee9377]

@@user-bt9kr5tu3m I don’t know who is created by? But it’s a brand new thing. I just saw the first commercial on KZbin the other day, lol!

[@shovalzohar4802]

hope you will visit israel one day !!

[@lizziesimpson16]

I know you have previously done videos on your working holiday in Australia and New Zealand. But could give me some advice/information on getting a visa for both. I was planning on working in New Zealand for 6 months, but I am thinking about splitting my time between Australia as well. I am only 20 so do you think it is financially worth it, or do you think I should just commit to the one place, and one longer-term job. Then potentially do a separate trip to Australia in the future.

[@BackpackingBananas]

I’d commit to one if I were you 😊 then you can enjoy the whole year and make the most of it! And then you have the whole other one to do another time

[@lizziesimpson16]

@@BackpackingBananas Thankyou so much! 😚

[@synthiasadia4423]

You look beautiful 😍😍😍

[@link2299]

2:35 careful, this is a very serious misconception of buying vs renting. Buying is not just investing in an asset, you lose opportunity costs, taxes, maintenance, interest, major repairs. Often a single major repair can negate a decade of buying being better. My personal opinion now, when you are young, it is not a good idea to buy, unless you have copious amounts of money, in which case, it doesn’t matter one way or the other. Personally, I bought when I was 25, I got what I could afford, but unless you’re in a stagnant industry (which you’re not doing KZbin) your income can easily double, triple, 4x, or more by the time you are 28, 30, 35. Personally, my income is already 2x of when I was 25, and I’m only 28. I bought too early I ended up settling with a big costly mistake.

[@boristheblade209]

Did you ever upload the muay thai video? If so, what is the title please?

[@miniscarlie]

Forgot to ask on the last vid- did you already know how to ride a moped?

[@BackpackingBananas]

I did, yeh 😊 I actually learnt back when I was in Thailand in 2013!

[@miniscarlie]

Amazing thank you, I keep hearing that people go travelling and just hop on a bike with no experience and it’s freaked me out haha! I’m so sorry to ask ANOTHER question but I’m really struggling to find the answers in my own research. When getting a new SIM card in every country, do you have to change your mobile number every-time? Thank you soooo much!

[@MishkaTravels]

@@miniscarlie of course, every SIM card you get will have a different (local) mobile number

[@harry..2473]

Is it cheaper to get Thai baht in uk or Thailand

[@daveyirving6390]

Without a doubt Thailand. Maybe exchange a few quid uk, say £100. Just to get you started when you arrive,(taxi,food etc)

[@BackpackingBananas]

Just make sure you have a debit card with no exchange fees 😊 then it’s very easy to get money out of the atm’s in Thailand with no international fees (just remember to click that you DONT want the local bank exchange rate)

[@harry..2473]

@@daveyirving6390 thanks I got 40 baht exchange here is that good?

[@harry..2473]

@@BackpackingBananas thankyohb

[@chelseabrassington29]

@@BackpackingBananas What debit card do you suggest for travelling abroad?

[@ItsTylerGood]

are you wearing contacts? your eyes look insanely beautiful

[@oumsovandeth6019]

i like u anyway your video so cool from cambodia

[@mr90s48]

How refreshing to hear somebody young buying a house and not complaining they are priced out of the market. I pretty much did the same as you are doing I bought my first house at 25 then backpacked Australia the next year. Got the travel bug in Australia and haven't been able to shake it off since.

[@frawldog]

🍌

[@marguiWaterland]

Dear human that's reading this, we may not know each other, but I wish you all the best in life!✨

[@bartrandsnappy]

You’re lovely and bouncy. Great to see you bouncing back! 👍

[@stangoodvibes]

if you go to Rottnest and decide to bike around the island, hire an electric bike instead of a normal bike. Trust me, it's FAR better 😁

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hahaha I have biked around Rottnest many a time and have never tried the electric but I feel like I NEED to now 😅

[@stangoodvibes]

@@BackpackingBananas yeah I'm actually a keen cyclist (and took my mountain bike to every island in Thailand last year) but that wind on Rottnest! No fun...unless you go sailing past everyone else grovelling up a hill in a strong headwind, while you're barely peddling. Then it's fun 😅