Backpacker Milk Takes Budget Airlines to Six Countries in One Go — Carries a Note Just in Case She “Can’t Return”

Essential Swiss Knife and “Little Note” for Solo Travel — Just in Case You “Can’t Return”

Solo travel may be freeing, but Milk has also had a few nerve-wracking experiences. Last year, after a month in India, she arrived in Nepal when it was already dark. Walking down a pitch-black mountain path, Milk had to put on a headlamp and bravely head toward the distant lights. Suddenly, a car approached offering her a ride, but the fare wasn’t cheap, so she declined. “I immediately regretted it afterward, because I still had 6 kilometers to go to reach the Korean Temple where I was staying. What was I thinking, holding onto that stubborn backpacker habit of saving money!”

Not long after, a young man on a motorcycle came up to chat and offered her a ride. Milk asked, “How much?” The young man replied, “No charge, because it’s so dark here, and you’re all alone!” She steeled herself and got on. The young man rode along, pointing out nearby landmarks. “But honestly, I couldn’t see anything at all.” Suddenly, the motorbike turned off the asphalt road onto a muddy path, and it felt like they were surrounded by bushes. Milk’s anxiety level hit the roof, and she instinctively gripped the Swiss knife she always carries on trips, ready to defend herself if needed.

Unexpectedly, nothing happened, and they soon arrived at her destination. “All of a sudden, this young man seemed like an angel to me!” I kept thanking him, and couldn’t help but reflect — backpackers should indeed stay alert, but are we too quick to judge people from certain regions with bias?

Every time she travels alone, Milk brings a flashlight (and headlamp), batteries, and a Swiss knife—not just for self-defense, but also for practical things like cutting fruit. Moreover, she checks in on Facebook in every new city as a safety measure. If she loses contact, at least her family can start searching from her last check-in location. Uniquely, Milk also leaves a small note in her toiletry bag and luggage: her English name, Taiwanese phone number, and home address. “If something unexpected happens, at least someone can find me… and take me back.”

%Adventurous Milk even traveled to Nepal to challenge herself by climbing a snow mountain, hiring a porter to help carry her luggage along the way. (Photo / Milk)

%Milk suffered from altitude sickness and nearly couldn’t walk. A 68-year-old porter named Yam volunteered to carry some of her load, which saved her life. After the trip, they took a photo together, and Yam even invited Milk to his home for a meal with his family. (Photo / Milk)

Budget Airlines “Offer Almost No Service” — Flight Attendant Service Comes at Extra Cost

Nowadays, Taiwan’s skies are home to as many as 11 budget airlines, yet many still harbor doubts, even falling for the misconception that “cheap equals unsafe.” But no airline would ever joke with passengers’ lives. Even though budget airlines may use older aircraft models to cut costs, flight safety isn’t determined by the age of the plane but by whether safety maintenance is properly carried out. Currently, the accident rate of global budget airlines is only 0.7 per million, so there’s no need to worry about safety.

The most obvious difference between budget airlines and traditional ones is “service” — all drinks, meals, and in-flight entertainment require extra payment.Milk recommends bringing your own snacks and water, as some airlines even charge for blankets. The aisles and seats are narrower, but otherwise fairly comfortable. “I’ve seen cases where the seat covers are torn, but those are rare.”

Although news reports often mention frequent delays on budget airlines, Milk has never encountered that. However, she did experience one infuriating case: she had managed to snag a cheap ticket, only to find out that the route was suddenly discontinued. “Although the airline refunded the full amount, my long-awaited trip was completely ruined!”

%If you love movies like The Terminal, you might find Milk’s solo travel stories driven by conviction equally moving. (Photo / Milk)

Travel Makes the “Unbearable” Bearable

An avid traveler, Milk is also passionate about photography. Under the name Milk Su, she held two small solo photography exhibitions, one of which was a charity exhibit where all proceeds from photo sales were donated to public welfare organizations. Her photos, taken during her travels, are stunning — such as the majestic snow-capped mountains and sea of clouds in Nepal, or Indians devoutly bathing in the Ganges, creating ripples like the cycle of samsara around the lives of the faithful. The images reveal keen observation and a unique perspective.

Milk says that travel is about satisfying her curiosity about many corners of the world while she still has a healthy body and limbs. “On the other hand, broadening your horizons can also open your heart. In real life, many ‘unbearable’ things become easier to handle, especially the trivial ones, making it easier to feel content with life.”


▲%In a temple filled with worshippers, this “naughty monkey” suddenly leaped onto a worshipper’s shoulder, peered into their face just 10 centimeters away, and breathed right on them... After staring into its eyes for five seconds, I quickly turned and ran away. Because I was afraid it would pull my earlobe off!! (Photo / Milk)

Milk’s Tips and Notes for Booking Budget Airlines:
1. Joining a budget airline’s membership allows you to regularly receive promotional information.
2. Prioritize your own travel needs rather than specifically aligning with budget airline promotions.
3. Check approximate ticket prices in advance on forums such as “Backpackers' Inn,” and don’t forget to compare with regular airlines, as budget airlines aren’t always cheaper or good value.
4. In addition to the destination, also pay attention to the “departure point.” For example, some budget airlines offer cheap flights from Bangkok to Kolkata, but you need to check whether the flight time from Taipei to Bangkok allows for a smooth connection. Moreover, budget airlines often land in non-major cities, so you should also consider transportation costs upon arrival.
5. Baggage fees and layovers are also factors to consider, and sometimes you have to choose between time and money.