Whilst in Indonesia I have been keeping a close eye on the types of people I have met and seen along the way. Whilst this is ultimately stereotypical and at times verging on sexist, I've written it as observation and meant to offend anyone.
The young backpacker brigade: these are the folk with a carefree attitude who have yet to tackle on the stress and strains of real life. Usually pre or post university and are on a big trip through South East Asia and often onto Australia, some of which are continuing the trip around the world. These folk are tempted in by the free shot, the party cruise and on the go adrenaline activities.
The pre-married couples: these are on the trip of a lifetime as a prelude to married life. I've witnessed a few arguments between such couples which indicates all may not end happily ever after. Evenings they spend at romantic beach side restaurants pausing between mouthfuls of dinner to stroke each others hair.
Upscale holiday makers: usually 30+ some things who can afford to do things in style. As with anywhere in the world you can pay for 5* ultimate luxury. The honeymooners fall into this category and behave like the pre-married couples without the arguments (all being well).
The lads groups: these are usually found flexing muscles on the beach by day and manfully trying to outdo each other at the bar on an evening. Usually one of the group has horrendous sunburn. It is almost a given that one or all of them will sit on top of the boat (with shirt off) during inter island trips.
The career solo travellers: These are the career minded folk who have to travel alone due to all their mates been married etc. These are usual cash rich but time poor and cram as much in as possible in the misery annual leave allowance work gives them.
The girls groups: usually hang around in groups of 3-4 girls and can be the subject of the prey from the 'lads groups'. Often one will have an injury of some sort from a motorbike accident (that said since first writing this I have come across plenty of lads with motorbike injuries also).
The retirees: these are the folk that have worked hard for a living and are wanting to stretch out their pension living in a country where money goes a long way.
The rebooters: people like myself who decide there is more to life than work, work and more work. I'm travelling on this trip to recharge my batteries, give myself time to think, get my appetite for work again. I'd put others that work tremendously hard for 9 months of the year and then down tools and get away for a quarter avoiding the worst of the UK weather in this same bracket.
In addition to people watching I've been on the luggage watch also. I was sat waiting for a speedboat/yacht to take me from the Gili Islands back to Bali and I witnessed some horrendously inappropriate luggage and it started to wind me up (maybe the lack of sleep from the night before).
Most people will be using a medium sized rucksack which are great for throwing on your shoulder and getting on the move quickly.
Some take the rucksack too far and have far to much stuff with them. They have enormous backpacks stuffed to the brim with a load more attached to the outside of the pack. Worse still some insist on the two pack (front and back) strategy.
The sport direct specials that drag along behind you. OK if you only need to take them to the airport then your hotel room and deposit it there for a couple of weeks and repeat the process in reverse on the way home. These are far from ideal for travelling and island hopping.
Most inappropriate for travelling to Indonesia are the large Samsonite hard plastic cases that have wheels that go in all directions and are extremely easy to push through an airport. Not so easy however through sand and particularly unsuitable when having wade ashore from a boat. These usually require taxi from door to door.
My bag (North Face Base Camp Duffel) isn't that practical for long distance walking as my back sweets but it is comfortable, to carry, practical and looks the business.
So come on folks if your investing all this money on a trip of a life time (and will be on the move), invest a little more and get a decent (or more appropriate) bag, one which can be carried as a holdall or as a pack on your back.
My biggest tip of all would be not bring too much stuff. I've brought 11kg (including net book) and that is too much. Laundry is very cheap and you can always hand wash from time to time.
When I get home I'll look into getting one of the smaller NF duffel's for future trips. I will try and get away with hand luggage only. You save on airfare (budget airlines) and can easily carry it around looking for cheap accommodation.
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