Gear, stuff and tools!

My backpack

In order to make my trip a success I need to prepare well and get myself some decent gear! To begin with a proper backpack! The backpack I got is from the brand 'Lowe Alpine' which - so I've been told - is one of the best brands on the market for backpacks! It costed me quite a few euro's (more than I estimanated) but I figured I can not take the risk to get a cheap-ass backpack which will ripp or tear apart the first month of my trip! Sooo, a high quality backpack it is than, it contains 65 L of storage, which can be extended with an extra 10 L in case I run out of storage! (which a highly doubt that will happen since it can fit a baby elephant).  My backpack comes with a handy raincover, adjustable backsystem and plenty of storage compartments! Nice!

Camera equipment!

Than I got this other item, which I think will be my most important 'weapon' during my trip! A slick compact photo camera! Needless to say, no backpacker would go without a camera! Since I only have a ´regular´ compact camera, running on batteries and making pictures of average quality, I decided I needed a better one than that! So I started looking for an awesome camera and my eye fell on the Panasonic Lumix Traveler Cam TZ-8! It is perfect for a traveler, since it's light, compact and includes many cool features like HD-movie recording, 'wide angle' - and 'panoramic' shot options. The first few pictures I took with this cam were from my motorbike and they were from 'stunning' quality! Can't wait to test it on the awesome scenery of Russia and Siberia!

As I said, I already got a camera, but I will be using this one as a 'spare' camera or when Im going to a club or party and don't want to mess up my beloved Lumix. It's always wise to have a back-up! And last, I borrowed my dad's 'dive camera'. This is a basic compact camera from Canon, with a plastic cover which makes it possible to operate it under water up to a depth of 30 m! Great for my dive adventures in Thailand and Philipines!

My little netbook (10 inch)

In order to keep my 'followers' updated of all the things I'm doing, I decided I needed a laptop as well. It is handy to write some blogs or notes while I'm on my way, instead of hoping and waiting to find an internet café on the route. I will be using my laptop not only for updating my blog ofcourse. It also comes in handy to store my pics, browse the Internet, google highlights and to-do's of all the amazing places I will visit, watch a movie during boring trips and keep in touch with people back home over skype and msn! However, I didnt want a large laptop, cause it weighs too much and is too big to carry around all the time. So I bought a small netbook which has all the things I had in mind for a 'travelers' laptop. Small, compact, light and build-in features like webcam, microphone, usb slots and a digital cardreader! Sweet shizzle!

Traveler's Diary

My sister bought me this great 'travelers diary' for my last birthday. I will definately use this during my trip. It will help me remember everything I have done, all the people I have met and all the events that have happened. Nice and handy gift. Thanks sis!

Part of the tools!

Also I got myself a set of 'mc gyver tools'. I've got them from dealextrame.com and are quite handy for my trip. I got 2 headlights (which you wear on your head :-) ) so I will be able to browse through my backpack with two hands in the middle of the night with proper vision. Also I got a pocketknife with tools, 2 travel adaptors, an usb solar charger, an inflatebale sleeping pillow, earphones and earplugs.

Basic sleeping gear!

My sweet friend Kara gave me this ultra compact sleeping back. It hardly use any space in my bag, weighs less than a freakin' towel and will be darn handy when it comes to dirty beds in hostels or sleeping in the open air! Thanks a lot babe!

Basic medical equipment

Medical equipment is something I hope I won't be using that often. Besides some basic things like bandages, patches, disinfectants and paracetamol, I also got my malaria medicine which I need to take every week to prevent myself getting sick as a dog of the malaria in the different parts of the world.

I got 1000 of these babies!! LOL

And last, but not least, my awesome 'business cards' of my site! I got 1000 of those babies and I'm spreading them among everyone who shows even the slightest interest in my trip! I give them to friends and family but also to people I will meet during my trip! Call me crazy, call me nacistic, or call me an attention whore... I dont care :P!! It's far more better than 'oh yeah, wait get me a pencil I'll write you down my blog or facebook, so we can keep in touch.... Oh nooo I dont have a pencil, fuck gotta go my train is about to leave... too bad. Well hopefully we ran into eachother again sometimes'. And there goes another interesting opportunity to expand a network of worldwide friends and relations!

You people get the point right?