On the Road

On the Road, is a classic book, by Jack Kerouac, which was recently made into a film. (Click on film trailer)

I'll leave it up to you to decide, which is better. I love this quote from the book;

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”

Perhaps you have to be a little bit mad to travel, leave everything that is familiar, and go to foreign lands. However, it's the interesting people, perhaps mad people, that you meet along the way that makes it so rewarding. Too often we just move within our little box at home, and we miss out on what is going on in this big world. I believe that travel broadens the mind, opens up new possibilities, and stirs the imagination.   It's good to read travel books for inspiration, and a different angle on places that you have visited.

What's your favourite travel book?

Packing for the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James, Spain) - First invest in a good backpack

The Golite Jam 70L ultralight backpack

Due to some downsizing in my life, I am changing my usual, some would say, luxurious mode of travel, to become a man of the people. That's right I'm getting down and dirty, and backpacking. Actually, I really like hiking and camping. There is a freedom in knowing that everything that you need to survive is on your back. Fortunately now days we have new modern light weight equipment, that eliminates a significant portion of the weight I had to hump around in Boy Scouts, and with other groups.

Even better, today we have Ultralight Backpacking. This technique involves carrying the minimimum of weight, and is a much more pleasant way to backpack. 

I'm taking The Golite Jam 70 litre pack (pictured above - click on the link to go to their website) to do the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This pack weighs only 880gm. Unbelievable for a 70 litre pack. But, it includes the following features:

•Double-Wishbone™ hipbelt with quick-access zippered stretch pockets

•Removable foam back pad

•High-void meshes on back panel and shoulder harness

•ComPACKtor™ system reduces volume via easy to use anchor/strap system

•Large front organization pocket

•Side stretch water bottle/accessory pockets

•Side compression/accessory attachment straps

•Twin ice axe loops and handle straps

•Internal hydration sleeve

•Cinch and roll-top closure system with top compression strap

•Load lifters control and transfer weight closer to the body (Jam 70 and 50 only)   I already had the Golite 50 Litre, but I've upgraded to the 70 Litre pack just so I can fit in all my electronics. I think they call this Flashpacking. So, now I'm a Ultralight Flashpacker.  
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Form follows function. So, the first step to packing for a trip, is to work out what you will be doing, and where you are going. As I will be backpacking for five days I will need a backpack, and as a result I'll leave my wheeled luggage at home. The size of the backpack will depend on what you want to bring with you 'on the road."
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In conclusion I recommend Ultralight backpacking and Golite equipment in particular, however there are many great manufacturers, particularly in the United States. I order most of my equipment from the United States on the internet, and ship direct, or via a shipping agent.   In my next blog posts I will go into more detail about what gear I will be bringing, and more information on The Comino, and Spain.  
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Further reading:  
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Ultralight Backpacking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking

Upcoming trip to UK and Spain featuring the Camino de Santiago

In May I will be travelling  to the United Kingdom and Spain. In Spain I will undertake a pilgrimage in the form of the Camino de Santiago to the great cathedral at Santiago.  This is my first pilgrimage, and completion of the Camino will earn a certificate of Indulgence.

I will also visit Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and possibly the Basque country, before returning to Australia at the end of June.

Last time I was in the UK I was very sick, so I'm a little apprehensive. First time to Spain though.

Preparation for this trip involves downloading a Spain travel guide to my Kindle, watching the movie, The Way, on the Camino (Way of St James apostle), and reading my sister's travel guide on the Comino.

What could possibly go wrong?