Travel Items & Habits That Actually Improved My Life in 2023

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Karaoke Microphone - amzn.to/3tFaCMI
Airfly (Bluetooth headphone adapter) - amzn.to/3NLG7eD
Shower caps - amzn.to/3tJAt6b
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My water bottle holder - amzn.to/48IMOXg
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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.
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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.backpackin...
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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[@BackpackingBananas]

Get an exclusive Surfshark deal! Enter promo code BACKPACKING to get up to 6 additional months for free at surfshark.deals/backpacking

[@canadiangreeneyes]

I've done the bottom bunk request for at least the last year and a half, and it's been stellar. Such a game changer. You've also inspired me to finally give esims a try haha.

[@BackpackingBananas]

So nice when you know you can head straight to that bottom bunk 🤩

[@lucilasandoval3084]

I so hear you on "buying fruits" my last couple of trips have been hectic and I'm usually at the end of it when I realize I haven't eaten even an apple.

[@BackpackingBananas]

It’s soooo easy to forget!

[@hannahj4430]

Great video! You've inspired me to finally do my first solo backpacking trip through Europe (from Australia) in a few months. Can you please do an updated travel scratch map video? The whole video I could see that the Northern Territory hasn't been scratched off yet and I'd love to see a summary of where else you've been recently :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

You’re so right, I desperately need to update my scratch map!!

[@kendra.farrugia]

Noted a couple of these down 📝cheers!! First official backpacking trip coming up this year, can't wait to experience and vlog it 🫶 - If you have any travel vlogging gear recommendations, would love to see that xx hope the new year's treating you well ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

A GoPro is a travel vloggers best friend 🤌🏼

[@faizad6758]

Wishing you a year filled with new hopes, new joys, and new beginnings and Happy new year!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you Faiz! Happy New year to you too ☺️

[@MsIsetan]

Some e-sims don’t support tethering, which means that you can’t use your data for your iPad or laptop.

[@alma.andtheocean5799]

Ca´n´t believe it, but actually I have literally 12 hours before I leaving home for a nearly 6 weeks surf travel to Ecuador and I have swoped my "big Backpack" to a small suitcase with wheels 💙, I think my back will be happy, so just the tech back pack left.. Thank you for that tip ✌

[@andreabellag2597]

any recommendation on travel insurance for a backpacking trip to south east Asia?? (not sure for how long I will stay)

[@hatartalan341]

Christianne, you have helped me so much over these years you have no idea. You helped me with my Colombia trip and many many other adventures. Thank you, have a happy New Year!

[@BackpackingBananas]

My pleasure 🥹 happy new year ❤️

[@drwigglechin]

These are some of the most thought out and amazing travel hacks I've ever seen on youtube! Hope 2024 treats you great!

[@veterantraveler]

Happy New Year! It’s been a joy watching and learning from you over the years.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Happy new year 🥰🙏🏼

[@nenssssi]

You were the one who convinced me to get a suitcase haha. 😄 I’ve travelled 90% of the time with a carry on backpack but the older I get, the more essentials I want to pack with me (for example my own scuba gear). And when I go to an African overland tour, I need to bring a sleeping bag etc. with me, so a carry on is not an option for me on a trip like that… So I got Osprey Sojourn in 60 liters and I absolutely love it. 😄 Surely I will still use my carry on backpack on shorter one climate travels.

[@christopherpaul9319]

The Osprey Sojourn is the wheeled carryon size backpack 🎒? I’m about to buy one and use it with personal item backpack 🎒 so if/when can’t use the wheels (going up stairs etc) I’ll put the larger/heavier backpack 🎒 on and carry the smaller/lighter personal item backpack 🎒. Make sense?

[@majidzargar2660]

I like ❤one thing about u,that u keep urself happy always whatevr is the situation. Always protect ur self and b happy.

[@BackpackingBananas]

🥰🥰

[@mapsandfootprints]

I've always been too stubborn to bring a power bank with me, but the one you have looks like a game changer 😍 I've been influenced!

[@BackpackingBananas]

It really is a game changer! I don’t even mind carrying around the extra weight because I know I will always use it!

[@janehughes581]

Three have deal for £10 a month where you can roam in over 70 countries including Europe and the USA. I've used it alot on my 16 month Americas trip. Also, when I've had to use local SIMs I have a dual SIM phone so can easily receive those pesky verification messages. My husband tried an e SIM but it is a bit more expensive. Hopefully e SIMs are gonna get cheaper though!

[@BackpackingBananas]

I do hope eSims become a bit cheaper! 🙏🏼

[@IsabelJones69]

I've been trying to recommend the shower cap hack to some other travel KZbinrs (2 to be exact), I don't do it myself because I don't travel very often, but I think it is one of the best hacks ever because you don't want dirty clothes. I also told my brother about it and for our Bahamas trip, he put some shoes into a clear plastic bag to keep them clean.

[@amiejaneleavitt]

Great video. Ps... The sunspots can be removed through proper laser treatment. I have a doc friend in Gdansk at a day spa who does excellent work if you're ever interested. The treatment she gave me took away a sunspot in one treatment that no other previous treatment could touch! And now i wear spf and hats all the time too haha

[@FindingNina]

Thankyouu so helpfull!! I am going on my first backpacking trip to Australia next month, very excited and ofcourse a bit nervous about it🙈🥰

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayyy! Ahh you will smash it. Exact same time a year ago I was heading to oz!

[@adventureswithmegan]

Ooh the Airfly plug in thing looks great! Will save my ears on the long hauls ✈️

[@BackpackingBananas]

How good is it!!

[@LadyMul]

E-sims are great and not as expensive vs effort spent getting local sim. That water bottle is huge! Also as a veggie I always travel with nuts just in case i don’t find decent Protein

[@americafarias6448]

Vitamin C helps remove those spots!! I've seen the difference myself! give it a try (:

[@BackpackingBananas]

Ah I was using vit c for a while but then stopped. I should get back on it!!

[@iblamethai]

love it. btw, what's some of the best things you've learned growing your channel since you have been doing it for a while

[@heysoph.9]

Where is your Broad brim hat from? I have been looking for a cute one recently

[@BackpackingBananas]

I got it from ASOS a couple years ago! The brand is called New Era ☺️

[@filibusterfirework74]

I was wondering how you were managing without doing the eSIM method all this time and this makes a lot more sense now you explain it, but glad you have finally let yourself pay a bit more for the connivence of the eSIM now

[@BackpackingBananas]

Finally caved into the boujee eSim club 🙈

[@MollyHowieson]

Hey hey, happy New Year!!! Despite having flown countless times, do you ever get nervous before a flight, or does that not even cross your mind anymore? I'm flying from Canada to Europe later this year, and I don't travel as frequently as I used to, but there is a part of me that's mildly nervous. 😅

[@BackpackingBananas]

Happy new year ☺️ Sometimes I get excitement nerves but I’ve never been a nervous flyer, it really doesn’t cross my mind!

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Thanks for the tips!! Hope all is well, hope you had a good Christmas and happy new year to you too

[@BackpackingBananas]

Pleasure 🥰🥰

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@BackpackingBananas can I ask where you got your hat from please

[@christopherpaul9319]

Why not keep the carryon wheeled backpack 🎒 and also take the personal item backpack 🎒? That way when you can’t use wheels and have to carry up steps etc then you can put the larger wheeled backpack 🎒 on your back and carry the smaller backpack 🎒. Make sense? Please let me know bc I’m about to buy the wheeled backpack 🎒 for this very reason. Thank you 🙏. I appreciate your time and input.

[@prizzy56]

Maybe I misunderstood the part with the eSIM but why don’t you get an eSIM for your UK provider and keep buying cheap(er) physical sims in the countries you travel in? 🤔

[@BackpackingBananas]

My UK provider doesn’t have this (yet) ☹️

[@cressidaonthego]

I use e-sims and they are amazing !! May I ask how does the AG1 taste like ?

[@BlendedHugs]

yay! new video! 🙌 thanks for sharing these useful information 💯

[@BackpackingBananas]

Pleasure 🙏🏼❤️

[@sasha730]

The text conformation as an Australian is so annoying. Even if I leave my Australian sim in, I have no coverage anywhere else (in Europe) so no matter what I can’t get the text. So frustrating!!

[@arjayneyra]

these are all so relatable! love it!

[@BackpackingBananas]

🥰🥰🥰

[@theonewithoceane]

oh i love this video! so excited for this new year! i’m actually going on a whv in australia in a few months and that was kind of rushed decision but at the same time it’s been years i’ve been waiting for this! so i finally wanted to go shop your incredible bumbag and saw that it was sold out and just wanted to know if it would be back soon??? thank you for your answer!!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hello lovely! Oh that’s exciting! Sometimes the best decisions are the impulsive ones 😍 ahh sadly the shop is not running atm, I hope to have it back up and running by the end of the year but it will be a while ☹️

[@theonewithoceane]

@@BackpackingBananas thank you so much for your answer!!! i am sad to hear that but i’ll try and get it when it is available again, i think it’s worth it even a little late!! thank you again!!!

[@caoimhedavitt9977]

Heyy! What hybrid suitcase have you used? And would you recommend? Thanks

[@BackpackingBananas]

I used the Osprey wheeled fairpoint backpack 36L last year! It was good but I hardly used the backpack straps at all so wish I had just brought a suitcase lol

[@gabyganja]

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO TRAVELED WITH A KARAOKE MICROPHONE

[@jusmasoni]

love your videos! what type luggage do you recommend for thailand? backpack o carry on and a small backpack?

[@BackpackingBananas]

If you don’t have a laptop, then just a bumbag and 40L(ish) backpack would be perfect! If you have a laptop then I’d take a laptop/valuables backpack + small suitcase (carry-on size)

[@helenrees5536]

I'm hoping to do an Australian working holiday later this year or next. I'd assumed I'd take my backpack that's been everywhere with me and that I have a love/hate relationship with but suddenly I'm like oh I could just take a suitcase instead 😆

[@BackpackingBananas]

You totally should! Honestly, no shame

[@leesaw6]

I’m def getting AirTags this year lol… last time I traveled with my hydro flask I absolutely hated it Hahhaa it’s just too annoying to carry

[@BackpackingBananas]

I do know what you mean about the hydro flask! I found it SO much easier with the carrier though and then really loved having it

[@haxter3]

Awesome video Christianne 😊👍👍

[@michandy1954]

Does anyone know of a good 30000mAh+ power bank that ships to Australia? I leave in a couple of weeks!😅

[@michaelspltwrng]

would you be able to comment on any vaccines you got for thailand, if any? I plan to go in march and was wondering if I should get any

[@BackpackingBananas]

I haven’t been vaccinated for Thailand in like 10 years but I think I would have got some ages and ages ago. Best to Google and ask your travel doctor!

[@michaelspltwrng]

@@BackpackingBananas oooh okay thank you! tbf I'm just worried about rabies and the japanese encephalitis - those vaccines are so expensive and not sure if most people get or not

[@ema-b1h]

Hair hete is best

[@ambersiyin]

Why didn’t you switch your British number to eSIM instead? Then you can just buy SIM card where ever you go?

[@BackpackingBananas]

I feel like I asked this question to my network provider and they said it wasn’t something they offered ☹️ in the future hopefully!

[@philybrowne8239]

Can you use surf shark for phones in china?

[@danielapuentes732]

Will you go to colder countries this year??

[@BackpackingBananas]

I don’t have any plans to but never say never 😅

[@vivarockstar]

Lol I hate top bunk too haha...good tips!

[@hannahd79]

Super helpful!!

[@BackpackingBananas]

I’m so glad 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️

[@MackPacking]

Great tips!! Almost to 200K subs!!!! Woohoo 🎉

[@BackpackingBananas]

So close!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🥳🥳

[@hollydavid69]

Hello Christine!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hi! 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@callana9852]

I watch this all excited like I'm going to go on some more trips...but I'm pregnant with a toddler lol. Oh and I can see you haven't scratched the top end of northern territory off your scratch map yet.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hahahaha this is so funny because you wouldn’t believe how many pregnancy and motherhood videos I watch despite not even having a boyfriend 😂😂

[@callana9852]

@@BackpackingBananas 🤣

[@Tashas_Travels]

E-sims are great but so expensive and not worth it, really.

[@kmarshall-xn4on]

I do agree they are expensive but if it gives me peace of mind, I think it’s worth every penny

[@mavenwander2374]

Much better to convert the British SIM to an eSIM and still get physical SIMs while traveling

[@joooo5754]

​@@mavenwander2374 brilliant idea! As soon as I read your comment I requested an esim replacement

[@dennisspackman7147]

As noted in the video it really helps with the secondary verification that is increasingly required with credit card use when travelling. I find it’s really inconvenient paying with cards and the secondary code can’t be used to complete transactions as when changing SIM cards from the one your card company means you can’t pay with that card. Better off keeping your home phone sim which is linked to your credit cards, bank accounts and many other apps so you can still access and use these when travelling and get a eSIM for the countries you are visiting.

[@user-qz7im7xr6k]

Hi christianne nice vedio, how are you

[@TheYasminThing]

Yay! Have been looking forward to your new uploads

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yayyy ❤️❤️ lots more coming this month!

[@carlabottazzi]

Backpacking Bananas going on Suitcaising Bananas 😂

[@BackpackingBananas]

😂🙈

[@user-qz7im7xr6k]

Nice ❤, how are you

[@KALIMANVAGO]

Hola bonita. Cuándo regresas a México?

[@BackpackingBananas]

Abril! 🥳

[@hanb2173]

I can imagine Esims would make life easier but you do need to have a more updated phone :/

[@Davejono2]

Hello hny 2024 lets get it

[@BackpackingBananas]

Wooop 🥳

[@rocha2333]

So this is now a sales channel! Marketing marketing

[@BackpackingBananas]

The most recent 3 videos on my channel (and majority of other videos on my channel), there is no sponsor or promoted items, maybe you will prefer those 🫠

[@lroberts3329]

Travel hack! Take two phones! One if one gets lost and one for all your British things like bank and everything. If you're a bit boujie! ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

I would fear that I lose them both at the same time 😂😂

[@MrMountain707]

Don't buy AG1. It is way overpriced.

[@jean-pierresteenberg]

We know what you're doing, stop embarrassing yourself with those thumbnails

[@BackpackingBananas]

Lol what? What’s embarrassing about the thumbnail of this video?

[@jackeddemon]

Kareoke microphone? And we’re supposed to take you seriously 🤡

[@BackpackingBananas]

I’m being dead serious about that one 😂😂

[@jackeddemon]

@@BackpackingBananasyou’re a joke