Backpack Moments
A Blog About Long Term Backpacking, Budget Travel, and Unforgettable Experiences
I’m Simon the Backpacker
Being a backpacker is about having memorable experiences without breaking the bank.
I bet you want that too. You’ve come to the right place!
I create travel guides that include logistics, planning, saving money, and travel inspiration for backpacking across Asia and beyond.
I don’t sugarcoat places and I only recommend what’s worth it.
By a backpacker for backpackers, welcome to Backpack Moments.
Destinations
Southeast Asia
Central Asia
Caucasus
Middle East
Beyond
Latest on the Blog
My latest guides, tips, and posts. I hope they are as entertaining as they are informative!
Onward Ticket: When Do You Need One And How To Get It?
You go to check in for your flight and hear: “Do you have a return[…]
How to Choose an Awesome Hostel?
The hostel is the backpacker’s sanctuary. Picking a good hostel can be the difference between[…]
How To Quickly Check If You Need a Visa
Open any Facebook travel group and you will see way too many visa-related questions. While[…]
Are eSIMs Worth It? (and when not to bother)
eSIMs have taken the world by storm, and more and more travelers are using one[…]
How To Find Cheap Flights (+ Practical Tips)
If you’ve pledged not to fly – kudos! Our kids will thank you for having[…]
8 Interesting Things to Do inside Kutaisi, Georgia (2024)
Kutaisi has a pretty original mix of landmarks: Compared to the other 2 big cities[…]
How to get from Yogyakarta to Bali overland (2024)
Traveling between Yogyakarta and Bali is common as both are very popular destinations. While there[…]
Rainy Season in Java: What to Expect?
Java has only two seasons: dry and rainy. While the temperature throughout the year is[…]
Şanlıurfa Travel Guide: What to do in Abraham’s Birthplace (2024)
You’ve probably already googled it and got the answer “Ur of the Chaldees”. I did[…]
Check out these
Cool Destinations
top destination of 2024
Timor Leste
Who even visits Timor Leste? Not many, that’s for sure. But I did and let me tell you – it’s an incredible country with a huge potential to become the next Bali. Or more!
But I hope it doesn’t. East Timor’s charm is in its pristine nature, the unspoilt beaches and the incredibly warm and friendly people.
It’s firmly in my top 10 countries in the world!
My Most Detailed Guide
Java
Java island, home to 160 million people doesn’t get enough hype. However, anything you can find on Bali, you can also find on Java and then some!
Java has huge busy cities, ancient temples, cute beaches, exhilarating waterfalls, growling volcanoes, authentic culture, delicious food, and lovely people.
Here’s the best 2-weeks itinerary about places to visit between Jakarta and Bali.
Off-the-beaten path
IRAQI KURDISTAN
This place is simply amazing!
The region has all the bad reputation, but is actually pretty safe and the Kurdish people are one of the most welcoming and hospitable in the world!
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in Iraqi Kurdistan!
I swear I don’t always have such messy hair, my beard isn’t usually so weird, although my hoodie is a goodie.
If you see me wearing the same clothes in pictures from different countries, it’s because as a backpacker these are the only clothes I have (I hate buying new things if the old still works!)
My Life Moto
Collect Moments, Not Things.
I have been traveling full time for a while now. Everything I own fits inside my backpack.
I don’t buy magnets, keychains, postcards, or other memorabilia because I have nowhere to store them!
I collect moments instead. Fleeting, pleasant and not so pleasant, serene and loud, intimate and exhilarating.
Thus was born the name: Backpack Moments.
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,
To gain all while you give,
To roam the roads of lands remote,
To Travel Is To Live“
Hans Christian Andersen said that and I couldn’t agree more.
I only blog about places I’ve personally visited and all content is written by me without the use of AI.