The Joys of Camping

Part of my early childhood comprises sweet memories of my camping adventures. During my secondary school days, I used to be in the Youth Cadet (known as 'Kadet Remaja' in Malay language) and camping was made a compulsory annual activity to train us to be 'tough'.

During our annual camping event, we would camp at the field behind our school, right on top of a hill slope, with a lovely river beside it and lots of monkeys (including papa, mama and baby monkeys)!

I always looked forward to the camp every year because it was a really fun activity. We had several competitions during our annual camp including drama play, singing, marching, cooking competitions as well as base games. An activity that we never miss out on during the camp nite (usually after midnight!) was the 'ghost story telling' session. This was of course not allowed by our teachers, but we had the session without them knowing! (cheeky, aye?) When all the teachers were asleep, we would normally sneak into one tent and on the torch light (hiding under a blanket) and tell the ghost stories.

Remember me mentioning about the papa, mama and baby monkeys near the place where we normally camp? Well, the hilarious thing was that the monkeys actually came to steal our food during the camp (they even knew how to use a plastic bag to steal our stuff!). They also pressed the siren, causing us to run hurriedly to the assembly area, thinking that it was the teacher that called us to line up. One time when they did that, I was in the toilet halfway bathing...Imagine how soapy my body was when I rushed to the assembly area!

All those were the sweet memories of my camping adventures that I couldn't erase from my mind right until today...and that's for sure!

Camping is an inexpensive way of travelling. Most often, you do not need to pay for lodging. All you need is a good tent, camping bag, food, etc. to set you off to a wonderful camping adventure. People pay a lot of money going to escape vacation areas just to get close to nature. Why not turn to a camping activity instead if you are low in budget?

These are the things that you need to take along with you if you decide to go camping. If I have missed out anything, please feel free to leave a comment and give tips to other travellers who want to go camping. 

Things to bring for your camping trip

1) Tent

2) Sleeping bag

3) Sulphur (to ward off snakes)

4) Salt (to ward off leaches)

5) Enough food supply

6) Enough clothes (don't forget your underwear!)

7)Toiletries (bath soap, toothpaste etc)

8) Cooking equipments (pots, pans etc)

9) Charcoal for cooking or a barbeque pit and also matches/fire lighter

10) Clothes rack (to hang your wet clothes)

11) Guitar/mp3 player (if you want music)

12)A good book to read in case you get bored

13) Mosquito repellent

14) Bucket (for bathing and washing clothes)

15) Enough clean water supply

*Please conduct enough survey on the place before you choose to camp there. If you're camping in the jungle remember to bring along your compass, or you'll be bound to get lost! It helps to get a camping guide if you want to camp in the jungle.

Things to avoid when camping

Camping near rivers, waterfalls, sea during rainy seasons...The water may overflow when the heavy downpour comes along!

I guess that's all. Hope you've learnt something from my post! Happy adventure!