So, as I only have until next Thursday before my flight home from LA (I arrive back in Hobart Nov 28th!) I'm currently relaxing by the Panamanian seaside (Bocas del Toro). It is a well known fact that you haven't really been travelling unless you come home with a super awesome tan and too many hippy things tied to your writes and ankles. So I'm spending my days busily trying to conform.
A few tips for backpacking by the beach:
- Headscarfs are essential. They help to give you that hippy/ traveller/ I'm so confident look, whilst also hiding your greasy/ salt watery hair. Score!
- Bracelets. Muy importante! especially when travelling in developing countries. don't be an amature and travel with empty wrists. It looks like you've come right off the plane, which is not cool. What you're trying to go for is the 'I've been travelling all my life look'.
- The tan. Soooo necessary! You really don't look like you've been travelling unless you come home with a good tan. And I mean a few shades darker than you would possibly ever go at home. So you'll have to share your time wisely between actually seeing stuff in the local area and laying on the beach. I found that you have to be creative on the beach if the clouds come over or the wind is blowing too much to enjoy lying down and reading.
- or alternatively you can just hang out with really white people. It makes you look way darker, so therefore way more traveller like. I personally tend to go with both these tanning options. ;)
Yes, there are many unwritten travelling rules. These are just some beachside starting essentials. Any other hot tips?










































