Packing List

MUST HAVES

The first two items on this list should not be taken lightly.  You can skimp or save money on just about anything else, but your backpack and shoes will make or break your trip.  I've never regretted spending a little extra on either of them, even when hitching-hiking in NZ and walking for hours before someone picked us up.  (hitch hiking in NZ was perfectly safe for us by the way).

*Back pack -with full suspension, solid frame fit for your size.   I prefer front loading for accessibility and 60 liter is sufficient.  We're very happy with  the Lowe Alpine TT Tour ND 60 woman's.  There are many good packs out there so do some homework and find  something that works for your style of travel.

 *Walking shoes -Well made, multi-terrain with good tread and support.  But make sure you like them cause you'll be wearing them a lot!!

CLOTHING

*Flip flops - for beach, public showers etc. 

*A hat.

*Scarf - monochromatic goes with more things.  These are great for cold busses, planes or trains with AC; cover-up for sun, temples and sacred places where they require woman to be covered.  

*Sarong -  Also great for covering your legs at temples and such; a thin blanket for long journeys; something to sit or lie on at parks, dirty benches.  Priceless and multi purpose. 

*Bandanas - at lease two.  come in handy for anything you can imagine.  Eye cover from light on buses etc; a rag for anything; cover around cold water bottle for condensation; sweat scarf, or wet it and wrap around neck to keep cool. I could go on but there are as  many uses for these as you can think of.

*Durable and light weight clothes.  Not half as many as you think you might need. 

*A couple pairs of socks. 

*Breathable, comfortable underwear.  

*Jacket- water-proof, light weight, dark looks cleaner longer.  (We're following the summer, so this is perfect for us to stay dry and layer underneath if it's chilly).

TOILETRIES

*Contact Lenses -(enough for the time you're gone) and pair of glasses. 

*Wet wipes and TP in a small ziplock.  Some places don't have it in the toilets. 

*Whatever else you need or use in 2-3oz screw top bottles.  (we found really durable ones at REI)  I just refill mine with whatever product I need and purchase along the way.  

***Things like toothpaste, lotion, face wash, shampoo, conditioner etc can be bought anywhere you go.  If it's not a specialty item you "must" have then you can find each countries' version of it somewhere.

STORAGE

*Small dry bag-  Great for going to the beach and taking valuables into the water with you. 

*Small reusable containers for liquid items. (mentioned in toiletries)

*Day pack/ bag - light weight but comfortable and can pack inside your big bag if you don't need it.

*Ziplock bags- various sizes. The freezer kind last longer and seal better.  They're light so you can bring a lot of them and probably should, the good ones are hard to find in some countries.  They come in handy for toiletries that might leak, food you don't   want roaches getting into, left-overs, storing soiled socks or clothes before you get to a place to wash them. Again these have been priceless for us and there are an endless amount of things they can be used for. 

*Nalgene water bottle-  When i don't need it for water I pack things inside it. 

SAFETY

*Small door alarm - You can buy these at most travel stores or find them in the "travel section" of certain stores.  They're small and light, wedge into the door crack and make a huge noise when opened unexpectadly.  In some areas this extra security measure has        really helped us sleep more soundly. 

*A cheep fake wallet with some old business cards a few buck and whatever else you don't mind loosing.  Give it to a thief while making some noise and they probably won't take the time to go through it until they've left.  

*Money belt for inside your clothes.  

*Copies of important documents - kept in a safe place at all times.  If you're traveling with a partner each have a copy of the other's as well just in case.   If your passport is lost or stolen at least you have a copy of it somewhere.  

*US $$- We both keep a secret stash tucked in a safe place just in case.  Even if you're not from the US, every country we've been to prefers USD.  Ideas (under the insole of a shoe, a secret zipper in your back pack, money belt...get creative)

*Locks - one for my backpack (TSA lock) and one extra big one.  We have Pacsafe cords to tie our bags to something steady in the room this prevents someone from just walking out with it.  These can be found at most travel stores and even airport shops.  Small  price for peace of mind. 

* First-Aid kit-  a pain killer with anti inflammatory has duel purpose, Advil PM is great for insomnia, anti-itch/bite cream, anti-nausea pills, Laxatives, and something for Diarrhea.  And of course a couple band-aids and anything else a regular kit comes with. Again this  all comes down to the type of travel you intend to embark on.  We have water purifying tablets just in case.

***Most places have stores with the stuff you might need, however there aren't always store close enough when you need them. But again this all depends on the type of travel you intend to do.  

ELECTRONICS AND ENTERTAINMENT

*Camara (we had our waterproof, crush proof from HI and it's been well worth it having something this durable.  

*All country power converter

*A cheep watch with alarm. 

*Playing cards

*I-Pod, good for calculator and music.  

*Books. 

* Computer or iPad. Great for booking ahead, keeping in touch with family and such.  We have a Y-splitter as well in case we want to listen to something together. 

*whatever keeps you busy on busses, trains and sick days. 

MESS KIT

*Tupperware?  Yes a small durable storage container that doubles as a bowl and food storage and when you're not using it just store random stuff in it.  

*Spoons

*Good chopsticks.  Learn how to use them and never look for a fork again.

*Bottle/can opener with a small knife all in one.  

*Reusable compact shopping bag.  (I get passionate when I see all the plastic littering some of the most beautiful places on our planet) 

RANDOM BUT PRICELESS

*Safety pins - You'll be surprised how handy they can be. 

*Glue stick or two- these don't leak like liquid glues and with the flame from a lighter you have some super strong glue handy.

*A couple of climbing carabiners -These come in handy when you need to clip something to the back pack, clip your back pack to the racks of a train or bus. many more uses with some creativity. 

*Rubber/elastic bands-  they help with keeping things compact, cords together, bags sealed, book pages together etc. I almost always have one around my wrist in case and use it all the time. 

*Pen and note book.  There are always things to note down like reservation numbers, addresses, to do lists, and it's a good idea to write down some of your experiences.  It's surprising how fast I've forgotten little details when every day is packed with different ones.  Having a journal is well worth it.  

*Headlamp-  These are good for reading in bed or busses, getting around a dorm room that's packed with sleeping people, or when the power on the whole island you're on goes out and there are no generators. 

*Travel Towel-  Super light and compact

*Sleep-Sac-  Silk is best but you can even make your own with a sheet.  If you plan to sleep in hostel beds or budget accommodation then these might bring an extra level of comfort while sleeping at night.  

*Dryer sheets-  Place one in your pack between your clothes and it works it's smell magic.  

*Portable clothes line - Doing my own laundry saves us money and our clothes.  use a dirty sock or bandana to plug any sink. 

*Sunglass Chums - never lose glasses again.  

*Belt - goes with everything, no holes

*Extra passport photos - It's very handy to have them ready when applying for a visa on arrival on 6am after a 20 Hr bus ride.
*Duct tape - roll it around a pen or pencil to save space.  We've been surprised how handy this was.
*Tea - I love it, not a lot of places have it and its light to carry 

There are more than likely items I'm forgetting to mention that have been useful for us and other items I have mentioned that you'll find useless to you.  But the bottom line is, everyone travels just a little differently from the next person.   In addition to personal preference, time of year and location all play a huge part in deciding what to take.  Think about your specific travel details and take into account the length you'll be away from home.  When it comes right down to it, once you're on the road you won't need half the stuff you thought you would while laying out items on your bed at home.

                                                 HAPPY TRAVELS!