#hiking up a mountain and finding a perfectly clean public toilet with heated seats in japan

[anguilliforme]

the people who write weeb-adjacent articles praising japanese culture never mention the insane quality of public toilets in japan

[tipsy-focusing]

Items can vary from person to person when it comes to living it rough.

Some enjoy the comforts that come from home, like pyjamas, a toilet, ample lighting, enough space to stand up straight in, being able to keep out the creepy crawlies, having all these kinds of utensils from the kitchen that you just couldnt do without.

And that’s perfectly acceptable. If you have the room/budget for it.

For myself after many years of camping, I can definitely say its taught me to be a little more open to the natural world and not to fear it as some people do. I dont have the space to have my own private it toilet but that’s cool I’m fine with using public toilets or ducking out into the scrub. I’m okay with wearing the same pair of pants for a couple days in a row. Letting loose on some of your riturals can be hard and a little uncomfortable but it can lead to less worries and more focus on what you’re really out here to enjoy.

” there’s nothing better than sitting around a fire, with a beer, with people you love and just enjoying what’s around you.”

From as young as I can remember my family have always been the adventurous type and would be out in the Australian bushland every other weekend; whether thats all of us together or one of us.

I believe its safe to say that from the years of camping next to/on riverbeds, lakes, beaches, on mountains where puddles would freeze over night, places only 4WD vehicles can acess, deserts, dense bushland; you just name a place on the east coast of this country and there’s a high chance that I’ve been through it at least once. I don’t mind getting a bit dirty, or finding a few critters next to my seat.

My family has gone through fazes of different tents, different cooking methods, trying out some form of ‘glamping’ with a camper trailer that fully set up; looked like we we were building the next skyscraper. There was a point where it took a boat to get to specific spots.

I’m not fussed if it’s pouring down with rain and I’m stuck under a tarpaulin with some friends. It’s always felt like a learning experince or just an experince in itself that I will forever remember

To me there’s nothing better than sitting around a fire, with a beer, with people you love and just enjoying what’s around you. Hanging out, having the occasional deep conversations, it feels like it really brings a group of people very close.

Starting with the kitchen.

Starting in my ‘oh so small’ cabinet kitchen you would think that there is just not enough storage. But here is what I can fit and what I find useful for two people:

2 heat resistant cups *perfect for any drink at camp from wine to tea

Heat safe plastic plates and bowls – 2 of each

Cutlery for 2 *knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons

1 small and large knife that come with a slip on cover

Paint scraper *sounds odd but it’s perfect for cleaning hot plate BBQ’s

Tongs both long and short *long is great for getting things out of the fire

Bottle and can opener *try and find a tool that does both

Wooden spoon

Silicone spatula/scraper

Large serving spoon

Collapsable bowls * one for mixing and one that it sized well for dish washing

First Aid Box *doesnt need to be in the kitchen area but thats where it easily accessible

Scrubbing brush

Steel wool

Space saver measuring

cups

Re-usable shopping bags for those who are trying to be eco friendly

Paper towel and tin foil *wouldn’t reccomend tea-towels as they require washing and drying which isnt ideal if you’re constantly on the move

Portable Butane Gas Stove with replacement gas cartridges

Non-stick 26cm frying pan with high walls and a lid

Fire safe Billy Can or Camping Pot for Non-Australians

Dish detergent

Baby wipes/ Wet Ones

From observing what my family has used in the past and what I’ve used for myself, these items seem to do the job well and are very practical.

The smaller AND larger extras.

For items that are used on the regular like hand soap, shower toiletries, flashlights/torches, pencils, books, water bottles, sunscreen, hair ties, dog leads, quick fix tape; from doing a little research it was found that clipping a multipocket organiser on the back of car seats makes really efficient storage for these types of things.

I also have two flat fold-out chairs, these are great chair for saving space inside. A folding table can be really usefull when you’ve set yourself up to stay for a few days and allows

you to expand your space outside of your home on wheels. Now while this isnt necessary,

but since I had the spot for it; a beach umbrella is perfect for those days on the coast or at a lake to enjoy sitting out of the sun next to the water *even in it!*. A roll of Paracord, a

tarpauline, tent pegs, two or three tent poles are also great for making a covered outdoor spot from the doors of your van. Other people would just get an awning but my challenge is to not look like a Camper Van from the outside.

But when it comes to clothes and enterainment stuff like fishing/hiking/whatever outdoor activity gear. It’s really up to the user and what they plan on doing while on their trip. For me I still have storage under the bed where I would keep clothes, miscellaneous items like bluetooth speaker, dog water bowl, dog food, dog cooling mat, shoes, straps, vest for paddleboarding, water. You can have endless possiblities when it comes to these things.

However unlike the people who travel in their Sprinter Vans; my storage space is very limited so I’m reduced to carrying items that can lay flat.

Now for my bed, a handy note I learned from a fellow Vanlifer was that a combination of regular medium density foam matress with a 5-7cm thick memory foam layer makes up for a very comfy bed *and I’m a side sleeper*.

What you can see in above is that for the design of the bed I’ve cut the matress into two pieces. This allows for the two pieces to make an L-shape which replicates that couch feel.

But keep in mind like i mentioned eariler if your budget it tight all these items will add up in weight. This will then add up to how much fuel you put in your tank in a week.

I’d just like to mention these true words of Edwin Way Teale –

“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.”

The main focus when it comes to picking out your tools and utensils, is to really think how practical each item is.

In the famous words of my father –

“Lay out all the things you think you might need. Now… leave half of that behind at home. You likely wont use it anyway”

So for anyone who’s new to the whole outdoor experince and is new to the Van Life, I hope that my shared experience of useful tools in the van help shed some light in the darkness. I’m sure some of these thing may change for me in my future but for now that is what I need.

I’m aware that the interior may not look aesthetically pleasing like all those other vans you find on intstagram, but what mine is – is practical and I’m quite content with that.

Cheers!

Did you like the information from this? Continue to follow this blog to learn more about how I make life a bit easier when I’m out in my Camper.

From experience this is what I'm happy to travel with. Items can vary from person to person when it comes to living it rough. Some enjoy the comforts that come from home, like pyjamas, a toilet, ample lighting, enough space to stand up straight in, being able to keep out the creepy crawlies, having all these kinds of utensils from the kitchen that you just couldnt do without.