So what's in the bag?
My bag was 11kg when I weighed it before I left home. We only have handluggage sized backpacks as we really do not want to be carrying more than that. Remember you're going to be lugging that pack every time you move destination - it'll get heavy very quickly. I've seen people before travelling with a huge hiking bag on their bag and a smaller pack on their fronts - all looking entirely miserable. I've also seen girls at the side of the road draped over their big bags in tears or stuck on their backs unable to get up off the ground once their bag is strapped on... Or men with gritted teeth carrying an extra massive bag that their girlfriend isn't able to carry in the sweltering heat of Bangkok... Not situations I want to find myself in!
Listing everything out below has made me think that I've packed too much! The toiletries I think are all essential but perhaps I could have trimmed down on the clothes a little more.. I blame the January sales! We'll see how it goes - the main rule was not to bring anything that you'd mind losing / leaving behind / replacing with something else on the road.
Toiletries/Beauty:
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Suncream
- Moisturiser
- Deoderant
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toothbrush clip on cover
- Travel razor and blades
- Mosquito spray
- Bite relief
- Baby wipes
- Tangle teezer
- Hairbands and grips
- Headbands
- Exfoliating gloves
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Nail file
- Mascara
- Lip balm
- Cotton buds
- Talcum powder
- Mirror
- Jewellery that I don't mind losing - a cheap watch, some rings and a necklace
- Daily medication
- Malaria tablets
First Aid:
- Solpadeine
- Deep heat cream
- Savlon cream
- Plasters
- Immodium
- Rehydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
Clothing:
- Underwear x 4
- Sports bra x 2
- Socks x 4
- Vest top x 4
- Long sleeve top x 1
- Big tshirt x 1
- Dress x 1
- Shorts x 2
- Linen trousers x 1
- Long skirt x 1
- Short skirt x 1
- Leggings x 2
- Bikini x 2
- Scarf /sarong
- Flip flops
- Lightweight hiking shoes (these double up as trainers for me - ideally I wouldn't have something this big but it kills two birds with one stone so I'll see how I get on)
- Phone
- Headphones
- Kindle
- Laptop
- Camera
- Tablet
- Adaptor
- Chargers
- Power bank
- Hard drive
- Sleep sheet
- Travel towel
- Scotch tape
- Mesh laundry bag
- Sleeping tablets
- Head torch
- PADI diving license and log book
- Bottle opener
- Cards / Travel games
- Earplugs
- Cash and various bank cards
- Notepad and pen
- Addresses of friends and family
- Bank details
- Photocopies of passport
- Insurance details
- Emergency numbers
Jack Knight said
I suggest you create an account on flyertalk.com and post an intro message and link to your blog under the "trip reports" topic. There are bound to be a lot of people whose family members could benefit from your experience 👍