Packing List
I’ve pretty much completed my kit list for my mission, all should hopefully last me through out the year i’m away. I’ve taken great effort to ensure I pack as little as possible, originally I planned on spending lots of money on a huge rucksack with attactchable daypack. Just because I’m like that, quick to purchase the thing which looks fancy without taking much consideration. However after reading thousands of websites i’ve luckily changed my mind before it was too late!
“The biggest mistakes … that travellers make? Packing too heavily, relying on outdated guidebooks, not wearing a money belt, leaving home with too many hotel reservations, and taking other people’s opinions too seriously.
“Everyone says pack light, but the vast majority of backpackers don’t until they have learnt the hard way”
The main benefits of having a small bag is the ability to carry it with you at all times, you won’t have to check it onto a plane or place it onto the top of a bus. You can happily jump off a bus and go for a wander without the annoyance of checking in your rucksack etc……..
So, here is a run down of everything I’ve bought in preperation for my trip.
Shoes
I wouldn’t be so fussy about shoes if it wasn’t for my stupid sized feet, I’ve already learnt that countrys outside of Europe fail to stock anything about size 11 – “We have huge shoes for you!” they say whilst forcing me into a size 8! So…
Cross terrain shoes (Merrel Mesa 2) £54
Pair of decent sandals (Teva F1) £59
Rucksack
Ideally I was after a rucksack with a completley zipped up front (more like a suitcase) to store around 35 litres, I trekked around Manchester in search of such a bag but to no avail. I did find various bags close to what I wanted, but they looked either too small to carry size 12 shoes, or to uncomfortable to hold. Eventually I found a great Karrimoor 30+5 litre rucksack which will hold everything I want, plus it has a handy compartment to put my shoes, a rain cover and a few lockable pockets.
Karrimoor Peak Airspace 30 / 35 Litres £49.99
Clothes
2 x long trousers
1 x t-shirt
1 x Long shirt (for sun protection + mosquito)
Few pairs of underwear and socks.
1 x Swimming shorts / trunks
Sunglasses & Hats
I will obviously dedicate time for clothes washing!
Electrical Goods
iPod
I decided against various advise and purchased a mini ipod, it holds about 1300 songs and has a battery life of 18 hours (or so they say). It’s ideal for the 13 hour flights, or overnight buses where everyone is sleeping and really don’t want to talk to me. I bought a travel charger kit for it, but now think that I may as well just take a USB cable and charge it when I update my blog. I don’t want to use the iPod too much so only charging it once a fortnight won’t be a problem for me.
Digital Camera
Nikon Coolpix 5600. The most important feature of this camera is the fact it runs off AA batterys. No need for a charger.
Other odds and sods
Trek Towel
Body wallet – essential to hide my passport, money and documents under my t-shirt
Medical Kits – for medical reasons!
Iodine & Purifying tablets – For when the water isn’t safe to drink
Silk sleeping sack – Alternative to a sleeping bag
Washing line
Universal sink plug – Aparantly this is a must have! use the sink to wash my clothes
Torch
Penknife
Note book & pen
Wire lock
Small padlocks
Electric Fan
Sun & Mosquito protection
Phrase Books
Point it book – A book with every picture for every situation imaginable (Thanks Sion & Sonya!)
Tin of Spam (Thanks Zana?)
Juggling Balls & a few magic tricks
Tags: Pre-Travel
Rob Hasler
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