Monday, July 11, 2011

How to pack your bag

Ok the default rule is this:  

"Passport, cellphone, and wallet. Everything else can be replaced."



But here's some more realistic tips on packing your bag. Firstly you are a budget traveler, your "bag" is probably best going to be replaced with a backpack, much more versatile, much easier to get around and switch places on the go, we are budget travelers, going to different countries on trains, buses, and dhows! We don't have time to pack luxurious bags and load them into private cars for hire.  I use this one, it's gotten me through the 6 continents, I crossed Africa with it, my friend also shares it, it's been to Israel, London, Colombia, numerous places in Asia, etc and recently it participated in the running of the bulls in Spain, unknown whether or not the bulls ran it over, but it came back in mint condition. It's got multiple pockets and can be used as a small or large bag by adjusting some straps:

                                                        


So you have your back pack now and have replaced the bag.

-Consider the trip you are going on, if you are going on a camping trip in Africa there will be no need to pack shoes or dress shirts, but you may need things like biodegradable laundry, or some camping type soaps to wash yourself.

-Minimize everything! When I go on a trip I am very likely to buy clothes where I am going thus that is one less shirt or one less pair of whatever that needs to be packed, you want your bag to always be light and manageable. Bringing 20 outfits for a 7 day trip is not going to be a good idea. Always remember you are likely to come back with more than what you left with, so leave room in the bag for souvenirs etc.

-What cannot be replaced? Besides the golden rule, passport, wallet, and cell phone, what can you not buy where you are going that you will need? Medication? Contraceptives? Your digital camera? A lap top? Consider where you are going to?

-Leave some of it there if you can. I am going to New Zealand soon and will be hiking the Waitakere Ranges in rain and mud, that old pair of hiking sneakers I am bringing to Auckland, will be staying there when it is all done. As will some of my clothes if I need room to bring back some wine.

-Don't forget if you are going international, you need entertainment! International flights are a killer, bring your books, mp3 player, or whatever, I always bring paperbacks because I read fast and will usually trade off my books or give them to a fellow traveler. Always have a pair of earphones, it costs you 99 cents outside the airport and in the airport those war criminals will charge you up to $20!!!

-Your carry on bag, should fit in your main bag. I always bring a small back pack for day or over night trips if the large backpack is gonna stay at the hotel, but it fits in my large backpack. If this doesn't make sense now, it will when you are traveling. Trust me.

Here's a rough list of things you may need to pack, it's a unisex list, so if you are a male you will not need to bring tampons... etc

Packing List

1.    ID’s, passports, travel documents, maps make sure you have both a photo ID and passport in case you lose the passport
2.    MP3 player
3.    Mini Speaker System (if you plan on having parties in your room, this comes in handy!)
4.   Alcohol - where are you going? Will they have booze available
5.    Razor and cream
6.    Cologne (mini bottles)
7.    Hair styling products/combs/etc
8.   Make up
9.    Jewelry/watch
10.    Tooth brush/paste
11.    Camera, digital camera, underwater camera
12.    Camera batteries/charger
13.    Film
14.    Pens, pencils, paper
15.    Book for flight/down time
16.    Sun tan lotion
17.    Sun tan oils (some of you tan hard)
18.    Aloe Vera (some of you burn easily)
19.    Aspirin
20.    Caffeine drink
21.    Snacks/food (if applicable)
22.    Swim suit
23.    Foot spray (you know if you're the type who needs this one!)
24.    Sunglasses
25.    Cell phone and charger + back up battery if you think you may need it
26.    Car charger for cell (if applicable)
27.   Glasses or contacts
28.    Eye Drops
29.    Deodorant
30.    Beach Towel
31.    Coupons (if applicable)
32.    Cash, some local currency is always good if you can, and a no foreign transaction fee credit card
33.    Medications, sleep, aids, yellow fever card if applicable
34.    Reciepts/flight info/TICKETS
35.    Ear phones/head phones   
36.    Condoms/contraceptives
37.    Tampons/pads
38.    International charger
39.    GPS
40.    Tweezer
41.    Sleeping bag/tent/hiking wear/camping gear if needed
42.    International Driver's License if needed
43.    Lock for Hostel Locker
44.    Business cards/contact cards, great for meeting other travelers
45.    Immodium/Anti diarrhea medication depending on the destination.
46.    Padi card if you are a scuba diver
47.    Even for warm destinations a sweater in case the airport is cold and you want to nap!
48.    Laundry pods or detergent if needed
49.    Money belt if needed for shady places
50.    Bug spray/mosquito repellent if needed
51.    An extra roll of toilet paper if it's a place where you think you may need it
52.    Workout gear, personally I just bring a simple jump rope for cardio maybe and find a gym there
53.    An old spare smart phone, in case you lose your phone it's good to have a 2nd wifi device
54.    All chargers/wires needed for electronics you bring
55.    Corona Virus mask (2020 addition to the list)
56.    Corona Virus negative test or vaccine card (if applicable)
57.    Selfie stick if you are the type
58.    Laptop/Ipad/etc
59.    Clothes... duh....

Did you enjoy this article? Support the content and creation by shopping on Amazon to help me continue blogging and helping fellow travelers. Here's an item I recommend, an international charger with extra ports to charge multiple devices. Click the link to buy this, or anything you buy will give me a small commission. And thank you so much for reading this blog!

                                                                          
Choose the continent!!!!

OR...




Support This Site By Purchasing Your Travel Needs

3 comments:

  1. This is the coolest blog ever! I love it soo much! I can't wait till I start my backpacking trip around the world too! Thanks for inspiring and giving the details about it!

    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you like it Claudia! :) thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent write-up! I like this web blog very much cos It's a real nice post to read and incur information.Thank you for keeping this web-site, I will be visiting it again,soon... Hotels Frankfurt-Oder

    ReplyDelete