Thread: A worrying trend

Many moons ago, backpacking was exactly that. Packing a bag, putting it on your back and buggering off somewhere. Over the years, the backpacks got bigger, newer and greater in number. An evolutionary trend that has resulted in some huge monstrosities. The parasitic backpack had reached its evolutionary zenith. The size and weight of the monster was rendering the host wearer useless, pulling them off balance and leaving said host on their back, flailing around like a dying beetle. This was no good for the symbiotic relationship, so the cunning backpack spawned "the chestpack", to be worn in tandem in order to remain upright. Add to this ensemble a couple of matching holdalls, one for each arm, and the modern day backpacker is born. It is an evolutionary dead end though, because this new breed is prone to combusting. Not spontaneously, but on the end of my lighter. The next time i can't get off the train because some backpacker,chestpacker, holdall twat manages to wedge themselves solid in the narrow doorway, i will seriously contemplate setting fire to the bags turd.
Anyroad up, first post, so go easy on me, only kidding.
Can anyone tell me or hazard a guess as to the contents of all this baggage????

laptop.
complete set of lonely planets books
17 changes of clothes
2 digital cameras plus about 73 lens and zoom attachements
half a dozen paperbacks
sleeping bag
condoms
drugs
guitar
fanny pack
hiking boots
kitchen sink
binoculars
spare wallet
chess set
ludo game
spare box of matches in a sealable plastic bag
2 litre water bottle
last weeks KFC
mobile phone and charger
wollen jumper and hat
mosquito net

Thats the smaller chestpack accounted for. What about the big bag??

That contains the 20kgs of class A drugs that have been slipped in at an airport.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

Thats the smaller chestpack accounted for. What about the big bag??

fuck knows.

Maybe only torch the small bag then

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

What about the big bag??

The big bag contains a small boy from the Phillipeans, who comes in very handy to park the ol feet on whilst sipping on a spy and reading the alchemist in a 150bt bungalow on the beach.

It was inevitable given increasing affluence and reducing travel costs, but the mass 'backpacker market' of today is mainly kids on their gap year, or taking some time year off- hardly backpackers in the traditional sense who knew how to travel light, and the benefits thereof.

They carry way too much crap, which is both a hindrance to them and other travellers. And they think a full moon party in Phangnan is exotic travel- as indeed it was, 25 years ago. Even the Packs they carry are a form of fashion item.

Still, as long as they keep massing at their favoured 'exotic' destinations that still leaves plenty of relatively unspoilt places left for others of us to enjoy. Few popular tourist destinations interest me any more.

What's this guy got then ?



Hang on, I might have sussed it.
To save baht he sleeps in his backpack.
The large pack is a folding bedroom

Thetyim, that is a funny picture. The bloke i got stuck behind had him and his belongings stashed neatly away in the chestpack.

Packed lunches, cakes and his favorite crisps packed by his mummy.

Whine whine whine. They're leaving their home country and trying to see a little bit of the world around them. Your parents said exactly the same things about you that you're saying about them. Why don't you grow up and stop fucking moaning - either that or buy the pipe and slippers and become your own father. Miserable cunts.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

laptop. complete set of lonely planets books 17 changes of clothes 2 digital cameras plus about 73 lens and zoom attachements half a dozen paperbacks sleeping bag condoms drugs guitar fanny pack hiking boots kitchen sink binoculars spare wallet chess set ludo game spare box of matches in a sealable plastic bag 2 litre water bottle last weeks KFC mobile phone and charger wollen jumper and hat mosquito net

How could you forget about good old vegemite KW .....?

Never leave home without it!

Welcome With-whatever. Pay never no mind to these boys. Just have fun. And welcome to Teak Door.

welcome to teakdoor

welcome...two weeks into his rtw trip the guy with the big one will remember the important stuff he forgot to pack, and at the end of his rtw trip he'll realise most of the stuff he's been humping around was never used.

Maybe it's a customs scam. Arrive at a border with drugs at the bottom of the bag, just before closing time. Quick bag search .............erm, maybe not.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

Can anyone tell me or hazard a guess as to the contents of all this baggage????

No idea but i do enjoy trying to trip them up when i come across one

I admit to a few directions "mistakes" with the odd backpacker. All part of the experience.

new age 'flash-pack' comes with built in mini bar

If youve got the balls then just go with the smallest bag possible. Carry only what you need for a 3 day rotation getting shit washed on the 2nd day and that leaves you carring f all. i.e 3 t shirts and a pair of camo boardies, a towel (not that nessasary) and your wash kit.

I do it now because I never go away for more than a week but it always amazes back packers at the airport train or bus that you meet when they say "we'd better grab our bags" and I say "this is it"

Then before you go just buy a big ass bag at mbk and fill it with stuff to take home.

You can always buy shit when you get there if your on a tour or traveling. I remember when I first came here and was going on treks and tours and everyone else would say "where's you bag" and i'd just buy or hire it at the destination, saves getting sweaty for no reason.

You can always tell a beaten man by the size of his daysack. The wife carries shit all!

Backpackers die.




Keell I wanna keeell.
I wanna eat dead burnt bodies.
Keeell, keeeell!!!

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Keell I wanna keeell. I wanna eat dead burnt bodies. Keeell, keeeell!!!

Arlo???