Continuing the ABC of Backpacking Series – KLM
This time I explore the letters K L and M. If you have any that you would like to add, then please leave in the comments below the post. It will be interesting to see how many we can come up with.
K for Kilometre Post
KM Post in Sibuyan Island, Philippines
Many countries have these markers along the roads. I like to look out for these along the road and countdown the distance to my destination. They are particulary helpful when walking or hitchhiking to know how far you have to go.
Make a note of the KM post number and remember it as a guide to returning to the same place in the future. They really do help.
K for Knapsnack ( Kit Bag )
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, And smile, smile, smile………. ( from a 1st WW popular song )
From the dictionary ……. Originally a German word from the 1600’s …… A canvas, nylon, or leather bag for clothes, food, and other supplies, carried on the back by soldiers, hikers, etc.
Now we refer to them as Backpacks or Rucksacks
K for Kitesurfing
One of those water sports that are popular in a number of places around the world. I like to try different sports and learn different skills when travelling and this one is on my list.
Have you tried Kitesurfing yet?
K for Knowledge
Make sure you do your homework before leaving or setting out so you know what to expect. Read up on the Basics, like Culture, Language, Food, Transport, Currency and make sure you understand. For example…. I read a blog post not long ago where the Blogger didn’t know she had to take her shoes off before entering a Buddhist Temple and was thrown out by the Monks ……. This in my opinion is one of the basics you need to know.
So make sure your mind as well as your Backpack is well equipped for your journey
L for Laptop
One of the essential devices for travellers these days who like to work on the move.
What Laptop do you travel with? Do you prefer Windows or Mac?
Let us know in the comments below.
L for Learning
L. Learning.. It is often one of the most important parts of travelling, learning about new cultures, learning about new languages, foods, people, destinations etc. ( Thankyou to Anne of wonderluhst.net for this suggestion)
L for Leaving
A great way to learn about your country is to leave it.” -Henry Rollins
They say that the hardest step is the first one and it’s so true, but after a while it becomes easier and easier to leave. You become an expert in packing in 20 minutes and heading out. For some reason I have found that my head and shoulders becomes lighter when i close the door behind me. I enjoy leaving and heading out into the unknown.
On the other hand, just remember that even though you are leaving there could be those you leave behind. They are the ones that will feel ” your leaving ” more than you.
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
L for Life
When writing the story of your life, dont let someone else hold the pen – Harley Davidson
Life is the Train, not the Station …… Paulo Coelho
It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life) – Bon Jovi
Life is the Train, not the Station …… Paulo Coelho
L for Local
Interact with Local People, Visit the Local Markets, Taste the Local Food
The best way to find out about a place is by talking to those who know it best. The Local People. Taking time out and talking to the locals can make your trip more special. They know of places you won’t find on a website or blog and let you in on secrets only the locals know.
Every place has its own speciality food. Eating street food is one of the best ways to learn. Its usually cheap and many times you can try a sample before you buy. Stay away from those International Junk Food chains and Eat Local.
Find out where the Local Market is and when it is open. Support Local Traders who rely on you for their income. Buy your souvenirs there, Bargain with them, have a laugh and a joke and practice your language skills.
Buy Local instead of the increasing the profits of the Big Faceless Chain Stores that are the same everywhere.
L for Long Way Home
Once you set out on the road you never know where you are going to end up. Travel slowly and take the Long Way Home 🙂
M for MAP
I love maps because on them you are just inches apart from your destination – Manārah Hāl
Forget your Google maps…….. Nothing can beat a paper map. Treat yourself to a real map, spread it out on the table and plan your next trip. There is nothing better than reading a real map, following the lines of a road or river with your finger and seeing what towns and villages they pass through.
A map is a guide to helping you find your way. Each place you visit has many secrets hidden amongst its streets. Get a local map of the place you are visiting and walk its streets to discover what lies hidden.You could discover street art, abandoned buildings, fascinating neighbourhoods with cafes and street performers, anything is possible.
A map can only guide you to your destination, but it can’t show you what you can see on the way.
M for Memories
Memories are what we have left after completing something, whether they be good or bad. I can find no better way to describe Memories than the following from Nomadscribblings :-
“I want to make memories all over the world.” Memories that are as innocent as an infant’s giggle, as fun as a roller coaster ride, as simple as standing by the roadside and blowing soap bubbles in the air. Memories that form when you meet strangers, memories that come from overnight journeys in a train’s coach, memories that begin when you offer a cup of chai to the stranger on next seat. Memories that make you feel lost in the labyrinths of time
M for Mountains
The Mountains are Calling Is this the feeling you get whenever you see one? For me they are an open invitation to challenge myself and climb to the summit. The view from the top is fantastic which makes the effort spent in getting there very worthwhile.
They say that when climbing a Mountain, you should take the pace you usually walk at, halve it and then halve it again. Its not a race to the summit but a challenge that you should be enjoying.
What Mountains have you climbed recently? Let us know in the comments below
M for Music
Music helps pass the time on many a long bus or train ride, waiting at an airport or just to chill out relaxing on a veranda someplace while taking in the view.
Music can help your moods and create happy memories when you relate a certain tune to a place or person.
Load up your music list on your ipod or mobile with your favourite songs or create your own youtube list of favourites to listen to while catching up with your blog at a co-working centre.
Here is a list of 30 of my favourite Travel Songs
Next time I will be exploring the letters N O P Q
Do you have any ABC’s to add to this series so far. I am interested to hear of any you have thought of.
SILVERBACKPACKER
Essential Travel Guides
The ABC of Backpacking – KLM
This is a series on the ABC of Backpacking. You can catch up on any you have missed below.
ABC of Backpacking – ABC
Please Note – All blog post photos on Silverbackbacker.com are of a lower quality to enable faster loading and save you data. If you would like to buy or license higher quality copies of any of the photographs you can email us at silverbackpackertravels@gmail.com
All photographs and content on this website remain the property of Silverbackpacker.com. Images may not be downloaded, copied, reproduced or used in any way without prior written consent.
Print purchases entitle the purchaser to the ownership of the image but not to the copyrights of the image which still remain with Silverbackpacker.com even after purchase.
Follow Silverbackpacker for more of his Travels
Facebook @silverbackpacker | Instagram @silverbackpacker
Twitter @silverbackpaker | Pinterest @silverbackpaker
Audere Est Facere – Silverbackpacker.com – To Dare is To Do
Affiliate Disclaimer: Links on this website may be affiliate links that could result in us receiving compensation when you purchase a product or service from that link. You do not pay any extra fees for these items. This helps us to keep this website going. Thank you for your support.
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |Cookie Statement © All Rights Reserved
Thanks for sharing your KLM thing. This really a big help especially for the new bees traveller.
I love this idea.. How clever! I think M for Milestones would be a great one to add. There are so many milestone you can make whilst travelling. Great list!
This ABC’s of backpacking is such a good idea! My favourites in this edition would be Learning, Leaving and Memories! 🙂
It’s so true that leaving your country for a long time makes you like it more.
L for Lists ? There is always a list with all our trips, a list of things to do, not to do, to pack, there can be a lists for the lists of lists 🙂
M for Money? I know someone has already mentioned it in the comments but felt the need to reiterate it. You need money to travel.
M for Money, there’s nothing you can do without it… and traveling is quite expensive 🙂
Nice post series idea by the way.
I love kilometre posts! Here in Germany they’re everywhere which I wasn’t used to from Canada. But they’re fun and sometimes so random, like all of a sudden “14 745 kms to Timbuktu”!
Hi Dave, this abc of backpacking is a brilliant idea. I make sure I have a LIST of what I want see and do when I go to travelling whether it’s a new or an old destination.
I can’t travel without music! I go crazy when my mp3 player runs out of battery. Thanks for the post!
I can understand you very well.I am the same Hannah 🙂
These are good letters of the Alphabet – when reading your post it brought back memories of my Camino – looking out for the kilometre signs counting down from 800 to Santiago! Music I listened to on my ipod to keep me sane and encourage me, mountains and the numerous ones I trekked across and memories that to this day are so vivid they make me almost cry because I miss the journey so much!
I’m happy that you could relate to the post Samantha. I will be walking the Camino this year. Ive already got my playlists ready 🙂
I think I might have an addition to L. Learning.. It is often one of the most important parts of travelling, learning about new cultures, learning about new languages, foods, people, destinations etc.
Very nice blogpost!
I agree Anne. Thankyou for the suggestion. I’ll add it 🙂 We must learn something new everyday otherwise we would stay in the same place and not improve ourselves .