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Thread: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

  1. #1
    mermaidnz
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    WWW anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    just wondering if anyone here has done the "big OE" as its called down here. where basically, you pack a massive backpack with crap,and wing it around the world,working as you go?

    i guess its a bit of a culture for aussies and nzers to do this after finishing university,or even high school. we all bugger off overseas ( braindrain) usually to the UK for 2 years working visa, but many often just do asia,europe, and i think a few would venture to the states,altghough its not as common.

    do americans do this kinda thing too?


    me and my boy are planning the biggest mission next year, im so excited!!!
    ( back to aussie jan-march, UK working /dancing march-sep, all of asia sep-dec, then accross to south america jan-march)

    im just hunting for backpacks and sleeping bags on the net now. i cant wait! ive decided this coming year `05 HAS to be a good one to make up for all the shit i went trhu this year ( what with my boob falling out etc lol)


    back to the point.
    anyone else been backpacking? roughing it?

  2. #2
    Senior Member northy's Avatar
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    WWW Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    yeah MMNZ i have done the OE thing.... best thing ever

    the most important thing thing i can say to you is backpack and weight.

    get a top quality backpack with an internal frame and fully adjustable strapping (spend the money and get a good one) remember this thing is gonna be on your back for a long time. the good ones will also have a detachable "day pack" so that you will not have to buy another .

    once you have your pack, pack it with what you think are the essential items. once you have the "essentials' be ruthless and 1/2 it . once you have done that, wear your back pack and walk up and down a staircase for 1/2 an hour, this will simulate a days treking with you pack, and you will realise it is still to heavy. keep removing items until you can do the 1/2 hour of stairs without swearing about the weight of the [email protected]%$ing backpack, then you should be right.

    there is sooooooo much more advice i could give but it would just overwhelm you. send me an email if you want to know more

  3. #3
    God/dess RoseDelight's Avatar
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    Default Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    Yep, I backpacked across Europe when I was 17. I loved it! It's a great experience! I hope I get to do it again sometime.

    Good luck on your travels, Stay safe!


    --Georg Christoph Litchenberg



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    God/dess MrChristopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    all i ever take when i leave the country is my backpack. and it fits in the over head bins on planes so no need to check any luggage! i've done the romp around europe but could only stay for a little over 3 weeks, as my son was staying with my folks. made some great friends that first time, and we still stay in touch and hang out when i'm over there...oh and we always have a place to crash, in several different countries. have a blast!

    oh and i second the post about weight of your pack. they get crazy heavy really quickly. bring absolutely only what you NEED. and the detatchable daypack thing is excellent also for when you have a place to stash your big pack in the daytime and you want to romp around a bit. oh, and get some smooshy cozy insoles for your shoes!
    waffles are just pancakes with little squares on them.

  5. #5
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    Yup, I've done the Europe backpack thing multiple times.

    Next, S. America to Aus and NZ. I am hoping to do this next north hemisphere winter. But I want to save enough money not to have to work in S. America since earnings are so low. Call it Kat's Motorcycle Diaries..except I have no sympathy and will still be a capitalist when I'm done

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    New Zealand before South America!!!

  7. #7
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
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    Default Re: anyone here backpacked/done the OE?

    Why before? I was going to just start rolling south......

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

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