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Packing Lists and Travel Gear
The internet does terrible things to me when I try to start packing. I am way in over my head with travel purchases and completely confused as to the line between what items are ACTUALLY necessary and where the travel industry's brilliant marketing strategies have me hoodwinked. My addiction to other people's packing lists is not good for my wallet. Right now I have several travel sites open in my browser will full carts.
For context, I'm leaving for Thailand for a year, living in an apartment, with many side-trips to neighboring countries planned.
What items are your travel must-haves? What's *always* on your packing list and, more importantly, what items do you prefer to leave at home?
Tags: at, home, it, leave, lists, packing, travel
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Susan on -
I know. It's hard because we WILL be backpacking at some point, but we will be living comfortably in a small apartment for the most part. So confusing!
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Howard on
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For that long of time, there's no way you're going to be able to bring everything you will need or want. I think I would do some research as to what I will not be able to get there, and bring those must-have items with me. For trips to neighboring countries, I'd be sure to have a small bag to travel with, a few outfits that pack easy and some small toiletry bottles I could refill.
I hope that helps! Godo luck with the packing, and have an amazing trip!
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Permalink Reply by Harley Nelson on -
Hey Susan, you'll have a blast over there I'm sure. Laura hit it pretty much right on with the less is more. I'd stay away from the 40 something+ liter backpacks, because you can't not fill it with things if you have the space and it'l be a nightmare to get onto crowded buses and trains with. As a guy, a 35 liter was more than enough with plenty of room for souvenirs. If they're really short trips out to the neighbors, a normal backpack might suffice, but it's all personal preference.
Free wifi is everywhere in Asia (which is totally awesome by the way, wouldn't mind a little of that love over here), so it's nice to have an ipod or something to pick up a signal, and to keep from going mental without a steady supply of tunes. Since you're going to be there a while, it's also nice to have an actual laptop of some sort with you as long as it's not one of those 18 inch mammoths that weighs 20 lbs. I carried a little netbook around in my backpack for about 10 months and never had any issues with it.
The only thing I bought extra before I took off, and I'm so glad that I did, was a little silk sleeping bag liner. They weigh almost nothing, ball up into the size of an apple, and are awesome for the eventual unavoidable encounter with a ratty, moldy, probably bug ridden mattress. I bought mine from TerraVistaTrails and couldn't be happier, but tons of companies sell them, so I'd do a little shopping around if you're interested.
And you can be sure that anything you forget to bring, you can probably buy it there for 1/5th the price. Hope you enjoy your travels!
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Permalink Reply by Susan on
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Urgh. My backpack is way, way, way too huge. I think it's for camping-type backpacking trips. Sigh. More returns in my immediate future. Thanks for the advice.
I've got a MacBook Air that I'm bringing along, and a digital SLR camera. My techie accessories are bulky, but I really want to do a good job of documenting and writing about everything as I go, so I'll have to make room (and security accommodations). I'll probably be leaving these in the Chiang Mai apartment for shorter trips, though I do have separation anxiety.
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