I'm starting a list and posting it here because I always tend to overpack. I need help. It doesn't matter if I'm planning a weekend Whistler trip or a week in Southern California-- my goal always seems to be to win the game of "how much shit can I cram in my bag and still zip it closed?" I feel a strong sense of accomplishment when I can (albeit barely) zip my bag. (Anyone else?) But ok, problem is, I get anxiety when I'm forced to have to choose the outfit I will be wearing three days from now TODAY. Who knows how I'm going to feel on that particular day? And feelings largely depict the style of the day (right, ladies?). I need choices!
For this trip, however, I'm really trying to keep it as light and condensed as possible! I know the less stuff I have to lug around place to place the happier I will be. This time around I'm playing "less is more", knowing that anything I need I can likely purchase over there (and for much cheaper at that). Laundry is easily done in a sink and left to dry overnight. I'm also trying to err on a more conservative style of dress than I'm used to-- I'll be visiting Muslim and Buddhist cultures and don't want to be pegged as the "skimpy American girl". I will be (attempting to) take everything as carry-on, so weight and size restrictions are even more strict.
Ok, here goes:
Clothing:
- 4 Short sleeve shirts (two from Value Village that I'd be happy to leave and switch out)
- 2 Long sleeve shirts (temples tend to require long sleeves and pants)
- 1 Long pants
- 1 Shorts
- 1 Maxi skirt
- 1 Light dress
- 1 Swimsuit
- 1 Rain jacket
- 1 Light sweatshirt
- 1 Tennis shoes
- 1 Sandals (with behind the heel strap)
1 Shower sandals(will make due with other sandals!)- 3 Pairs of socks
- 7 Underwears
21 Regular bras- 2 Sports bras
Toiletries: (All travel size in hopes I can get away with all carry-on!)
- Dr. Bronner's peppermint and lavendar
Shampoo & Conditioner(Dr. Bronner's works as shampoo and I have hair moisturizer)- Toothpaste (travel size
or full size?) - Toothbrush
- Hair brush, ties, bobbies
- Easy makeup (foundation, powder, eyeshadow, liner, mascara)
- Razor
- Chapstick
- Sunscreen (which is apparently hard to find in Southeast Asia! No kidding?)
Drugs:
- First-aid kit (bandaids, Neosporin)
- Excedrin (10)
- Ibuprofin (15)
- Benadryl (10)
- Multivitamin (30)
- Melatonin (20)
- Vitamin C (10)
- Nyquil/Dayquil (5 each)
- Anti motion sickness (2)
- Rehydration Electrolyte tablets (12)
Accessories:
- iPod & Headphones
Netbook- Chargers
- Adaptors (Europe & UK style)
- Notebook & pens
- Plastic bags of various sizes
- DEET bug spray
- Water bottle
Small laundry bag(plastic bags will suffice)- Line for clothes hanging
- Small towel
Book (from Value Village- easy to leave or swap out)Kindle- Sunglasses
- Small flashlight
- Snacks for the flight
- Earplugs/eye mask
Small travel sleeping bag
Camera:
- Body (Nikon D7000)
- 30 mm prime
55-200 mm (should I bring it or just rely on my prime!?)- Extra battery/charger
- Polarizing/UV filters
- SD cards galore (two 16gb, two 32gb.. more?)
- USB plug
Misc. necessities:
- Passport
- ID
- Debit/credit card
- Cash
- Photocopies of itinerary, passport, flight info/tickets, travel insurance info, ID (copies to leave at home, too!)
Packs:
- Heavy duty backpack (I got a beautiful purple one at REI.. must post a picture!)
- Daypack (folds down to near nothing to stuff in my bigger pack)
- Small messenger style camera bag that stays on my front side kangaroo-style
What do you guys think? Any experienced long-term travelers or gifted light-packers have advice on what I should cut down or what I need to add? Any photogs have advice on lenses?
I'm hoping to finalize this list soon and once I do I'll take some visual photos of everything I'm taking!
Swim suit! :)
ReplyDeleteCrap, you're right! I had one laid out, just forgot to add it here :) Will edit.
ReplyDeleteLightweight, multi-purpose, easy-dry towel for use both day-to-day (as needed/desired) and for hanging out on the beach.
ReplyDeletePro-biotics. You'll need to ward off traveler's bubble guts, and the best way to do that is eating yogurt or a daily pro-biotic capsule.
ReplyDeletetoilet paper, like a little travel pack of kleenex, you can buy more when you get there. there is never toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteyou need to find a way to bring Zane Lamprey and Anthony Bourdain with you
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule my wife reckons toilets through peninsular Malayisa are among the worst in the world [ and seen a few] DEFINITELY need toilet paper and wet wipes in a pack of small packs - easily bought in Asia. Useful for all hand wipe issues and face/hand wipes after food.
ReplyDeleteWould opt for a single good range lens - I use 2 a 18-70mm and a 55-200mm but now have a new 18 - 250m, as never easy to switch for that shot you want. Tamron have a good one with Nikon mounts [ same lens for Canon, Sony and Nikon with different mounts. Use an ipod for closer less important 'snaps'- the low light /low noise in these is good for available light evening photos too, although Nikon is a bit better than most for that scene [ i have a Sony and a bit of noise above 1600ISO].
Detachable leg long leg slacks are an option. It will be the hot season [ pre wet season, expect 35C days and high RH]and you get sweaty, not just perspire so light cotton is better than polyester, and can be hung overnight after washing to dry - it will, I assure you.
Photocopies of relevant docs can be loaded onto a generic web site eg Google /yahoo email for ready access if you lose the lot[ heaven forbid] as accessible almost anywhere.
Good travel insurance is paramount - with outdoor options if expecting to do anything a bit wild eg rockclimbing, whitewater rafting
Pashmina or decent scarf will allow arm covering for temples and okay if at altitude eg highlands - to warm arms; are you a warm or cold person? so need to allow for that personal issue; lighter and more versatile than shirt.
agree on use of probiotics or yoghurt - latter reasonably common in supermarkets, along main roads
A small over the shoulder/neck bag hanging near you is a good option and will fit a camera+lens various brands available best to try for those with some knife resistance and a close to the body zip pocket for passport. Antler and Hedgren have reasonably priced ones
Use packing bags - our preference is Eagle creek [x Amazon]. easy to find things - or opt for plastic shopping bags [ plenty of those in Asia]
water bottle [750ml - 1L stainless steel best] or get yourself a cheap soda bottle after arrival; some water purifier tablets - clean safe drinking water is essential - it will be hot, most cases of upset tummy are water related, [ or too many chillis]BTW - larger city water eg Bangkok, KL, Singapore have okay fdrinking water;but NEVER drink anything other than bottled water in Indonesia, esp Bali; and watch out for ice - avoid drinks with ice unless u know safe sourced
Probably a few others - as a male I try and reduce no. of jocks but know a different issue with women, but think about it even if you need to ditch stuff at end, or buy more [ clothes reasonably cheap if required]; pegs are useful for the clothes line to allow max. drape of drying stuff; pre loaded e-reader can be more useful than novels - weight and size issue;most plugs will be 3 sq pin or 2 flat or 2 round; use a good fit multi adapter set - poor fit units may not work well; a small umbrella - buy there is useful as a rain jacket can be hot, or use a poncho [ have climbed mountians u using a poncho]and remember you dry quickly after getting wet.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thejakartapost.com/resources/indonesian_history
ReplyDeletea brief introduction to Indonesian history. Some additional resources on the Jakarta Post web site too about Indonesia more generally.
WOW!!! I don't even know what to say... this is all absolutely amazing information. You are a wonderful resource!! I can't thank you enough, this will all be incredibly useful, Peter. You are helping me to reshape my luggage! And I know very little about Indonesian history. I really appreciate all of this :)
ReplyDelete