Have Itch, Will Travel

The type of traveller you are and the type of activities you want to do will affect your packing list greatly! As for me, I like hiking and active travel, and do not go clubbing, dine in expensive restaurants, or stay in 4- or 5-star hotels. My packing list therefore, does not include smart clothes and shoes, heels, make up or dresses. Packing would still be a challenge. Near freezing temperatures some nights, over 40 degrees Celsius some days, eight months long a trip, some Muslim and Orthodox Christian countries, modern cities, rural towns, hiking, swimming, camping... could everything I need fit in my 24L backpack and remain under the 7kg carry-on luggage limit? Yes, it could and it did. The secret to light packing is this: Pack versatile, mix and match, and layering clothes Buy quality performance items that moisture wick, quick dry, and last Accept that you will be washing clothes frequently Remember that you can acquire and discard things during your trip My test-pack d...

One-bag travel means packing can be a challenge, especially with essential but relatively bulky items like a jacket . This video shows how you can fold your jacket into an even, tidy roll to strap to the outside of your backpack in the pack cover. Packing it this way means you can save valuable internal space, have the jacket easily accessible, and keep it clean.

To keep my pack light, I left my pashmina scarf behind and brought a head tube (like a Buff) that could be used as headwear or a neck gaiter. Throughout Turkey however, a hijab was required to visit the mosques, and in Georgia and Armenia, I would need to be covered similarly to enter the Orthodox Christian churches. While many sites provided garments for free or for a small fee, less touristed sites did not. Determined not to purchase a scarf, I looked into my backpack for another solution. I had a t-shirt.

The Lycian Way is a continuous hiking trail along 500km of Turkey's southern coastline, starting from Ölüdeniz and ending in  Geyikbayırı (near Antalya). It is named after the ancient Lycian people who inhabited the coast from 1200-1500 BC until the 7th to 9th centuries AD, when the culture and population declined due to earthquakes, war, conquests, the introduction of Christianity, and the plague. Remnants of the ancient culture can be found along the trail in the form of city ruins and sarcophagi. In 1999, the trail was researched and marked by Kate Clow, and has since attracted hikers from around the world. View of Ölüdeniz from above This post outlines some tips and lessons learned from personal experiences. You may find them useful if you are interested in hiking the Western section from Fethiye to Alınca, and I highly recommend that you do! Context Route: Fethiye to Kabak trail and then a Kabak - Alınca - Kabak loop Time of year: April Weather: no rain,...

Here are a few things that I have found to be almost indispensable. Small Notes And Change: Argentinean city buses for example, only accept coins and it is rare to find anyone who has change for the 100 and 200 notes that the ATMs dispense, from cab drivers and market stalls all the way to restaurants, hostels and even the general post office ! Every time we spend money, it is a game to try to break the large notes, or to buy things that will give us some change. They are good for times tango dancers pass around a hat and paying small surprise taxes and tips for porters and public toilets. Cards And Cash: I have had problems in Argentina withdrawing more than a measly 300 pesos a day (about $AU100) from my travel debit card, and all my other cards didn't work in their machines for some reason. I managed there, but had more problems in Bolivia. None of my cards worked when we arrived in Uyuni (we only found one ATM there), so I resorted to exchanging some of the US dollars that my...

I took two boats while in the Peruvian Amazon; the Eduardo I from Yurimaguas to Iquitos and the Henry VI from Iquitos to Pucallpa. Here are a few things I learned from my experiences that might help you if you are looking at doing the same. About The Boat And Routines The passenger decks are clear floors with benches against the sides and usually a table near the kitchen. There are rails to hang hammocks from and toilet/shower cubicles in the back. Sometimes there is a tv or music over the speakers. Cabins with bunks are available for your comfort and security, though the inflated prices makes them hardly worth it since they are often hot, cramped and the food served is the same as the hammock-sleepers. The food is simple and sometimes not very appetizing. Breakfast is sweetened watery semolina and bread (getting staler each day), and if you're lucky you get butter on it. If you're really lucky, you get a thin bit of luncheon meat too. Lunch and dinner is white rice, a boile...

Lucky You, Ramble Not Included Below is what I'm packing. My jeans, boots and camera are missing from the picture. Here is everything in their packing forms, minus the clothes I'll be wearing on the plane. And now, everything packed away. N.B. - I did have to remove some items as I hadn't considered all the bulky meds and chargers I needed to bring.  In List Form... Bags 65+10L backpack 30L foldaway backpack sling bag handbag Packing Organisers 2 shoe bags 3 packing cells stuff sack Tops and Bottoms 4 t-shirts 1 wife-beater 2 camisole/singlet tops 2 dressier tops 1 long sleeve button down shirt cargo pants black slacks jeans 3 pairs of shorts 2 sets swimwear board shorts sarong Layers 2 thermal shirts 2 thermal leggings cardigan hooded fleece bomber jacket rain jacket gloves scarf knitted hat Sleeping Gear compact down sleeping bag silk sleep sack 2 sleep pants bed socks ear plugs sleep mask Shoes and Socks Havaianas ...

All The Luxuries You Can't Leave Behind Items we use in our daily lives can make the boring parts of travel more tolerable, as well as make you feel close to home. Electronic things have accessories like chargers and  plug adaptors , adding bulk and weight to packing. For Latin America, a US/Canada and a  Europe plug adaptor should cover most of the countries we are visiting. Camera And Accessories I have a  Panasonic Lumix TZ-7 (aka ZS3) digital camera  touting the biggest  MP and an even bigger zoom available in compact digital cameras. Other features that are appealing for travel include HD video recording, a half-decent burst mode, and stability control. Even the simplest point and shoot camera will come with accessories that take up valuable room in your luggage, like: mini tripod   multiple  memory cards extra battery   camera bag   battery charger  and lead USB card reader   MP3 Player And Acces...

Repairs And Laundry Double-sided tape can be used instead of a glue stick, temporarily fix a hem, or secure clothing to your skin. Cloth tape is good for repairing tears in backpacks and raincoats, packaging a box bound for home, and general jerry-rigging. A small sewing kit and safety pins in assorted sizes can come in pretty handy for the odd missing button, burst seam, small tear and even securing backpack zippers. A universal sink plug for hostels that are missing all of theirs and a travel clothesline can be useful too. Retrospect:  Of the items listed above, the only one I didn't use was the universal sink plug. Future travels will exclude the tape, as they were not absolutely necessary and are easily available to buy locally. Security A portable, lockable, and securable safe large enough for your travel documents, phone, iPod, wallet and camera could be handy if a trustworthy safe or locker is unavailable. The  Pacsafe  Travelsafe 100 is the tool for...

The Three Shoe Plan Goes Out The Window Read about the Three Shoe Plan and add some boots for winter. Boots can be suitable for a range of seasons, and a carefully chosen pair can be very versatile too. My preference is for leather, but rather than spending more money, I will be taking my old Snowjoggers that will retire after this season. As for socks , I intend to pack half a dozen pairs and my two knee-high woollen snowboarding socks. Having sherling lined boots mean that socks will not need to be very thick.

The Unnecessary Stuff For Ultra-Light Packers A good night's sleep is important when you are on the road, jet-lagged, or in high altitude places. Quality sleep allows you to feel alert , keeps your immune system in top condition, and stabilises your emotional state . Clean, comfortable bedding can be a refuge from the outside, a piece of home that is the same each time, somewhere safe when you're sick with the flu . Sleeping Bag Accommodations provide linen and blankets, and sleeping bags can be rented in many places, but the idea of sleeping in my own lice-free sheets is hard to resist. My bag was found on eBay; it is a Vango "Venom 225", a super compact down bag with a temperature rating of -10C (extreme limit). Retrospect:  The travelling that I did rarely required  the use of a sleeping bag. Only during the extreme cold of the high altitude Bolivian winter (-20 degrees Celsius) did I really use it. Travel with multi-day hikes would benefit more from packing...

The Bulky Stuff You Want To Mail Home Layering provides some versatility in cold weather; add more if it's very cold and strip off as you warm up. Generally, there are three layers of layers: base, middle, and outer. Image courtesy  Mountain Warehouse Base Layer The base layer sits against your skin. They are available in natural or synthetic materials with differing features. Wool  is a terrific natural fibre for a base layer and has the  advantageous properties of superior warmth, anti-odour, warm even when wet, and reasonably quick-dry. Some disadvantages include its potential to be itchy and care in laundering to avoid shrinking or stretching. Polypro is a synthetic material that is ideal for active travellers. Advantages include moisture-wicking, quick-dry properties, and wash-durability.  Disadvantages  include its potential to smell if not laundered well, and its inferior warmth compared to wool. Middle Layer The middle layer is ...

Being Organised Doesn't Mean You're A Dork, Much What's good about modular packing ? The greatest advantages are ease of unpacking and repacking, and finding items. I hate how shirts tumble out when a Customs Officer asks you to empty your bag so they can inspect it (while you have a connecting flight that leaves in 10 minutes). Modules are the way to go. Vacuum Bags Vacuum bags may be useful for winter clothing like jumpers, base layers, and fleece. Air is squeezed out through the one-way valve, creating more room in your bag and protecting your clothes. They may be found at your local Kmart in the laundry section. Retrospect: I didn't use these; they do not conform well to back packs as they may for suitcases. Additionally, creating more room in your bag allows you to pack more unnecessary weight in your luggage. Overall, I would rate these limited use . Shoe Bags My sneakers purchase included some cloth bags, though any old plastic bag will do to...

Back Pack I have an Outer Limits "Andorra" 65L . It is an expandable front-loader travel pack  that zips up (as opposed to a top-loading rucksack that uses a cinch-pull system for closure). The straps can also be zipped away, which makes it less fiddly when checking in or being handled. I will be packing it unexpanded to allow me room later on. Retrospect: I ended up buying a cheap 35L back pack after sending my big jacket and boots home, and leaving half my clothes behind in Peru. I survived easily with 35L over the succeeding 6 months, and half the bag volume was occupied by my fleece jacket and toiletries. Packing light in this way has changed the way I travel and how I look at gear. I intend to pack no more than what can fit in a carry-on sized bag in the future. Day Pack The 65L came with a 10L day pack that zipped onto the main pack. The daypack has handy pockets and was comfortable to carry. Retrospect: The day pack was rarely used as other bags ...

I had always intended on taking my phone while travelling and there are reasons it is a good idea: it has a calendar , alarm clock and calculator , among other things people at home can contact you in the event of an emergency at home you can ring fire , ambulance or police in the event of a personal emergency if you are traveling with someone, you can contact each other if you are separated Julie never intended on taking a phone with her, and here are her reasons: it requires recharging too much it is another expensive thing to get damaged , lost or stolen whoever wants to contact her can do so by email Both sides have valid arguments. On one hand, its presence provides a sense of  security  in an emergency, and also allows the folks at home peace of mind . On the other hand, traveling without a phone truly disconnects you from your life back home. There are alternatives such as  international phone cards that are lighter and less burdensome option...

Following my Incredible Three Shoe Plan  has led to the purchase of my main sneaker; the Hydro Power II amphibious trail runner by Helly Hansen . Advantageous features over regular sneakers include: light weight removable mid-sole grippy sole dries quick easily washable versatile; good for dry regular sneaker use and water adventures There is a very important disadvantage to this type of shoe; it is not designed to take on weight . If you plan to lug a 15kg backpack on 10km treks, a shoe like this will not have enough support or cushioning. If your backpacking adventures does not include hikes or long walks, then these may be suitable.

The popular tube-style Buff is a useful travel tool. It can be a head band, neck warmer, muffler, beanie, dust mask, balaclava... A generously wide scarf is at least as versatile. The fake Pashmina I bought in China for $3 is about 170cm long and 70cm wide, and can be: Neck warmer or winter scarf Muffler Evening wrap Modesty shawl or hijab Top (tie up like a sarong) Laplap Hair towel Bedouin -style head wrap with dust mask Ninja mask

If part of the trip is spent in winter and/or high altitude, one good warm jacket to deal with extreme cold is essential. The biggest debate seems to be between down jackets and soft shells. Down Jackets Down jackets vary in quality and warmness. There is no standard in "warmness" since individual fitness levels, health, wind-chill factor, and activity affect how you will feel the cold. Like down sleeping bags, down jackets will have a "fill" rating and percentage of down vs feather. The higher, the warmer, generally speaking. They are usually quilted so that the down is more evenly distributed. Advantages:  The warmest  material compared to wool and synthetics The  lightest fill material available Packs down into a very compact package.  Disadvantages: If it gets wet  by rain, snow, or sweat, it becomes useless for warmth, becomes very heavy and takes ages to dry Is suitable only for the very cold, so it has a limited range of use....

Strumming on a guitar is a great way to get out of your head and I'll miss this significant part of my down time while I'm traveling. The guitar is already a portable instrument, but people have found ways to make them  smaller and lighter for travel. Note that these images are not to scale. Hollow Bodied Acoustics There are several acoustic travel guitars available (nylon string is available from some makers) but they're not just smaller and lighter guitars. Consideration has been made in choosing their materials so that they withstand environmental extremes like airplane cargo holds , and the knocks and bumps of camping and hiking. Here are some popular ones: Martin Backpacker Washburn Rover Vagabond From left to right: Martin Backpacker, Washburn Rover and the Vagabond These are "true" acoustics as they have hollow bodies and sound holes to project sound without amplification , necessarily making them the largest of the travel guitars. They are m...

I glossed over this topic in an earlier post , but I thought that it didn't quite ramble enough. 1. The Half Rule Of Packing If you lay out all the clothes you want to bring and reduce them by  halve , you will still have enough to wear. True to this rule, I ended up wearing only half the clothes I packed during my China trip.  It may be challenging to think beyond "just in case", but why pack something that you'll use once or twice? A place that has cold snaps is sure to sell scarves if you are caught without one. A place where it rains sometimes will surely have umbrellas if you need one. 2. Need Versus Want Be honest with yourself. Do you  need it, or do you just want to have it with you? There are some things we can go without, but the trade-off may be that we are a little unhappier without it. It's a matter of balancing light travel and creature comforts. Sleeping bag : Some argue that you never need to use your own because there are ones availa...