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.
Latest on the Blog
My latest guides, tips, and posts. I hope they are as entertaining as they are informative!
3 Days in Yogyakarta Itinerary: The Perfect First-Timer Route
Yogyakarta (often called Jogja) is one of the most rewarding places to visit in Indonesia.[…]
12 Best Yogyakarta Tours: Borobudur, Merapi, Jomblang & More
Looking for the best tours in Yogyakarta? Whether you want to watch sunrise at Borobudur,[…]
Kawah Ijen Blue Fire Guide: Sunrise Hike, Crater Lake & Travel Tips
Kawah Ijen is one of the most extraordinary volcanic landscapes in Indonesia, located on the[…]
How to Visit Mount Bromo Without a Tour (DIY Sunrise Guide)
Mount Bromo is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks of Java. Wait, I’ll double[…]
Is Jakarta worth visiting? The harsh truth is a big NO!
If there ever was a city I disliked more and more with every visit, it’s[…]
The Perfect 10-day Morocco Itinerary (Cities, Desert, Coast)
When travelers visit Morocco, their stay is normally between 7 and 14 days. The average[…]
Alcazar Cabaret – A candid review of ladyboy shows in Pattaya
I don’t think there’s a place more synonymous with ladyboys than Pattaya, Thailand. It’s not[…]
The Best Travel Insurance for Backpackers? An Honest Review of SafetyWing!
We, backpackers, have a reputation for being carefree and easygoing. Those who have never hopped[…]
Sailing In Komodo National Park: Are 3D/2N Tours Worth It?
Sailing on a traditional boat, seeing the famous endemic Komodo dragons, snorkeling meters away from[…]
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.