Backpack Basics

Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly no expert in travelling and before this trip, I wasn't well travelled at all. 

I just thought this may be useful for any future back-packers, or just to anyone who may be curious as to what the hell you pack for a trip that's just short of four months.

Which rucksack?

To begin with, our rucksacks are between 35 and 45 litres, which is teeny compared to everyone else we've met.

But they've been fine. When you have to carry them around everywhere in the heat, it would seem daft to bring more than you need to.

Mine is a North Face 35 litre Forge.. I don't have anything bad to say about it, it's supportive and comfy and has endured lots of chucking around and speedy packing stuffing.

You can find a similar one here [Link]

We didn't bring any make-up, hair tools, or fancy clothes, so you just have to be realistic with how much space you'd need.

What to pack?

Clothes wise, we've each brought around;

• 3 tops
• 3 bikinis / swimming shorts
• 3 pairs of shorts - in mine and Marie's case, Jockey boxer shorts. Yep really... they make for some very comfy travel clothes!
• Underwear (obvs)
• Suncream - try to bring a fair bit because you may struggle to find some without added skin whitening bleach in Asia
• 1 pair of long pants
• 1 long sleeved shirt - handy for throwing on in temples and for travelling in
• 1 hoody (sometimes night buses get cold)

Other essentials;

• A microfibre towel
• 1 Internal door lock
• A padlock
• A camera
• Malaria / diarrhoea / anti sickness tablets
• A head torch (for caves and night bus)
• A journal and pen - for jotting down any tips or recommendations from other travellers
• A currency converter app on your phone (or a calculator and all of the correct currencies jotted down if you don't bring a phone)
• A multi usb travel socket
• Books
• A sleeping bag liner
• Insect repellent
• Tiger balm
• A sleeping mask
• Ear buds (Marie could not sleep without)
• Antibacterial gel - a lot of the toilets you stop off at on bus journeys won't have loo roll. You can get good and cheap ones from brands like Carex, that last for a while!
• Toilet roll if possible (bars are often the most common source for this. Not that we condone stealing)
• Common sense*

If possible, do keep a small bit of spare room because it's almost inevitable you'll want to buy some clothes along the way. They're nice and the price is sometimes too difficult to say no to.  

Finally, an open mind. Try new things and speak to everyone, most things you hear about are not from books or review sites but from other travellers who've already been to where you're going.

Finally...

* It sounds obvious but we have heard some silly stories along the way. Here's a few simple but serious tips for not getting screwed over in one way or another;

• Check receipts before you walk out after booking something
• Check your change and use a currency converter to check prices before paying anything
• Barter with everyone and compare a few prices first - if they think they might be able to get some more money, they'll try
• Look at the top of any bottles you buy to make sure the seal isn't already broken and the drink hasn't been replaced with something else -
• Always lock your door

If anyone has any other must have travel essentials then let me know and I'll add them on :-)