Packing

I've been spending a lot of time just thinking about what to pack for this trip. I think for ages I've been in an eternal quest to pack the perfect pack, yet it always seems to elude me. The perfect pack has everything that you need and nothing you don't need, in 10-12 kg for 3-14 days, and 15-20 kg for 3 weeks - 6 months. Of course you learn and improve your packing skills the more you travel, but I'm embarrassed to say that my learning has been limited to what to take, and no amount of traveling has ever taught me what NOT to take. The more I travel, the more I want to pack. More, more, more.

For this trip I have made it my personal quest to gather experiences and compile a list of what not to take. The first one is, of course, jeans. At first I couldn't fathom traveling without jeans - it's usually the first thing in my pack list wherever I travel; but the truth is, they are bulky, heavy, never dry in the tropics, and pretty much impossible to put on without baby powder when it's humid. A big thank you to Chris for beating this idea out of me, I will be eternally grateful.

Other things I've decided not to take include: hiking boots (people never end up wearing them anyway - they are too hot, too bulky, too heavy - much better to take wellies instead), solid shampoo bar (even though it is a weight and space saver, it is just impossible to rub a bar of soap on your head and wash your scalp properly if you have any hair at all), and Nalgene water bottles (sure they're great, but they are bulky as hell, and hard so can't be squished).

Which brings me to the topic of what I will pack, because there are things that make your life so much easier when you travel that you have to bring them with you.

1- Water hydration system.

Why: it carries more water than bottles, is lighter than Nalgene bottles, and PACKS FLAT when empty. Fucking genius.

2- The Divacup.
Why: This was a lifesaver when I went to Ecuador. It is environmentally friendly, does not cause TSS, you only have to change it every 12h, and is absolutely perfect for long stays at very remote places or places where they don't sell tampons for religious reasons. Can be the Divacup, the Keeper, or the Mooncup in the UK.

3- Waterproof camera case.
Why: How amazing is that, not worrying about taking your camera on a boat, or to the beach, or even scuba diving (woo!). Not having to buy disposable waterproof cameras and hold old to the damn things until you can get home and process them. It's big, it's heavy, it's bulky, and I don't care. It's just purely awesome.


4- Extended wear contact lenses.
Why: Not worrying about your eyes when camping. Not having to take a 6-month supply of contact lens solution because whatever country you're going to doesn't sell it. Not worrying about being attacked at night and not being able to see. WoooOOOOooo!

5- A sturdy, moulded-cup sports bra.
Why: This is one of the things I had to actually buy on my last big trip. I had only bought "flat" sports bras, which offer minimal support, far below what you need for bus & boat rides, which WILL BE bumpier than you think, and also horseback riding, which I never imagined I would have done. I like my Champion bra but I hear Nike bras are good too.

6- The SheWee.
Why: Peeing in the bushes is no easy feat for women. The SheWee Changed my life. Think you don't need it? Consider bearing your ass at the level where mosquitoes love to hover and spiky thorns abound. Then consider squatting on safari and having your pants around your ankles when all you're thinking about is how fast you can run from a leopard. Still think you don't need it?




So you see. Lots of things I'm taking, not a lot of things that I'm not taking. I'm not sure how much more I can reduce my packing list, but in case anyone is wondering, here it is. Bear in mind I'll be away for 6 months.

CLOTHES

• 2 pairs quickdry cargo pants
• 2 pairs midcalf skirts (great for heat and Islamic countries)
• 1 pair bermuda shorts
• 1 pair capris
• 1 fleece hoodie
• 1 heavy duty rain jacket
  
• 3 long sleeve shirts for work & sun
• 4 t-shirts
• 4 tank tops
• 2 multi-purpose sarongs (can be used as a head cover, arms cover, beach wrap, a skirt, to wrap around your pants where pants are inappropriate, and as an impromptu blanket. but yes, I am considering taking just 1)
• 2 bikini/swimsuit (yes, I am considering taking just 1)
• 1 wide-brim hat and 1 baseball cap. Yes, one of them. Maybe.
• oodles of bandanas. Maybe a bit less than oodles.
  
• a reasonable amount of underwear/sleepwear/socks
  

SHOES

• 1 pair rubber boots/wellies
• 1 pair trail runners
• 1 pair birkenstocks
• 1 pair rubber flip flops

STUFF

• 1 mosquito net
• 1 flashlight/torch
• 1 sleeping bag
  
• 1 pair binoculars
• 1 pair swim goggles
  
• 1 inflatable neck pillow
• 1 padlock
  
• 1 camera & waterproof case
• toiletries, enough for ~2 months
• meds incl. 1st aid, water purification tablets, malaria meds, multivitamins, $30 worth of Imodium, and $20 worth of Sea Legs. I should be safe.
• lots of suncreen
  
• 1 travel towel
• 1 travel-size Rummi & pack of cards
• 2 lonely planet books
• recharger & batteries
• mini mp3 player
• wristwatch with alarm
  
• oodles of 30% DEET spray
• water hydration system
• shewee & other girly stuff
• 1 pocket knife/ fork & spoon toolkit
  
• notebook/planner
• daypack
• 1 whistle
  
• BEAR SPRAY (If Andrew hooks me up like he said he would!)
• all this inside the 60L backpack, of course
  

And that's all, if I'm not forgetting anything. I guess after I get back I'll need to report which of all this stuff was really useless. And try to learn from my mistakes. Again.