Hitchhiking in my own country
© Petrina Thong
Exploration

9 Tips for the Newbie Hitchhiker

A hitchhiking guide according to Petrina Thong.
Written by Michelle Lim
4 min readPublished on
Hitchhiking is not a concept most Malaysians are familiar with, although it is commonly practiced in most parts of Asia. Most of us are uncomfortable with the unpredictable nature of hitchhiking (no boarding pass? No way!) and pretty much afraid to leave our comfort zones.
Not Petrina Thong. She spent the last year hitchhiking her way back to Malaysia from Sweden. “Often, the notion of hitchhiking is a lot more unnerving than the action itself,” she says. “From my experience, most of those who have picked me up genuinely wanted to help out; a small percentage were crude, but none with intent to harm.”
If hitchhiking with little money (her cash ran out in the first 3 months) and no plans sounds like an adventure to you, then read on!

PETRINA’S HITCHHIKING STATS

Countries traveled: 22
Currency carried: RM 800
Number of hitchhikes taken: Over 400 cars
Distance covered: Approx 18,000KM
Duration: 13 months

1. Always stick to the main roads

There are always multiple routes to any destination, but it is best to find out which are more frequently used, especially for faraway destinations. Taking a seemingly shorter route through smaller roads may often take a longer time because most cars are only driving short distances.

2. Looking clean & approachable helps

Even if you haven’t showered for a couple of days, try not to look it. Put on your cleanest, most decent clothes. Preferably, deodorant too. Avoid wearing sunglasses, just smile and catch the eyes of oncoming drivers. People are more willing to stop for someone who would make good company.

3. No matter how long it takes, someone always stops

Many people will tell you how “it is impossible to hitchhike here”, especially the locals. You may find yourself believing them after waiting for some time, but don’t be discouraged. It doesn’t matter where you are, eventually, you will get picked up. For this same reason, if you sense bad vibes from a car, do not feel obliged to enter. Politely decline and wait for another.
Hitchhiking with a friend in Sweden

Hitchhiking with a friend in Sweden

© Petrina Thong

4. Always keep your eyes open

Never, ever fall asleep in a car. It puts you in too vulnerable a situation. Keep a lookout for road signs to make sure that the driver is going in the intended direction. If you can, get a data plan for the GPS on your phone to help with detecting if you’re on the right path.

5. Wear your valuables

Have your passport, wallet, phone, and credits cards on you, be it in a hidden pouch or secret compartment in your clothes – not in your backpack. Not only does this lessen the chances of getting pickpocketed or leaving something behind, but in case of emergencies, you can easily ditch your backpack and run off with your essential items.

6. Fake your way out

If the driver gets dodgy and you want out, but he won’t stop; threaten to jump out of the car, or start retching as though you’re about to vomit. High chances are the driver will stop – that’s when you get out and run.

7. Keep your loved ones updated

Getting a sim card for every country or turning on Data Roaming can get very pricey. However, most cafes or hotels would not mind sharing their WiFi password with you. Even strangers on the street would be happy to turn on their ‘hotspot’ connection, if you ask. Update your family or friends as often as you can so that at least someone from home knows roughly where you are in the world.

8. Know your body's limit

If your body is one with a strong immune system, you have nothing much to worry about. I gobbled down food from trash bins everywhere, drank tap water in India, ate leftovers from god-knows-when, and yet never once faced food poisoning. But I am aware that some people have more sensitive stomachs. Listen to your body if it is telling you to eat better or rest more. Nothing makes you feel more horribly homesick than to fall ill in a foreign country with no one to take care of you.

9. Don’t worry about tomorrow

It can be very daunting to think about the total distance needed to travel before arriving at your destination. So, take it one day at a time. Only be concerned with where you would like to be today before the sun sets. Short-term goals help keep you going and before you know it, you’ve arrived at your final destination.
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