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9萬樣野要做 @@The Universal Packing List
Things to do before you leaveBy this I mean the things you usually have to fix before you go. The list does not contain any of the travel preparations you have to do, like buying tickets, getting visas and such. To do for most tripsWash the dishesIf you forget this you'll be sorry when you come back. Make a lunch By having a few sandwiches made in advance you can save quite a lot of money by not having to buy food on trains or at airports where food is expensive, or even impossible to get. Also important if you're travelling with kids. Pet Care Have someone take care of your pets while you're away. Empty all trash cans Vegetables left in the trash can quickly become pretty disgusting. Don't come back to a stinking house! Confirm airline tickets It seems like everyone is recommending you confirm airline tickets a few days before the flight, but it has happened several times that airline employees sound as if I'm an idiot every time I really DO confirm these tickets. Memorize PIN codes to credit cards So that you can use them with ATM machines to get cash. Check out what hospitals are covered by your health insurance Whenever I go somewhere with my family, I need to check out beforehand which hospitals are covered by my health insurance, so that I don't bring a sick child to the wrong place. That can end up being a very costly mistake. Get travel insurance Make sure your insurance covers the activities you plan to do, such as climbing! Not all of them do! Also very important if you travel with kids. Change money You can often get a much better deal if you change money at home, especially if you shop around a bit to see who gives you the best rates. Also make sure you check out any fixed charges, since they can sometimes be very high. Install or recharge batteries It is such a pain and hassle to get these replaced in cameras etc during the trip. Get it done before you go and avoid the problem. Rechargeable batteries exists in lots of devices - make sure they are recharged before you leave! Get maps It can be easier to get maps of your destination from home, particularly since you may not know where the map store is in another city. Sometimes you may get good maps for free, such as at travel agencies or AAA (American Automotive Association) if you are a member. To do for longer tripsBalance your bank accountIt's also important to let someone take care of incoming salaries or outgoing expenses on the credit card. Wash clothes It is nice to have all your clothes shining clean when you hit the road. It is also nice to have a clean set of clothes to put on when you return home. Clean out your flat This is a good idea, especially if you plan to let someone else live there while you're away. Change the message on your answering machine It might be a bad idea to leave the message "I'm away to Africa for 3 months" since it gives a thief plenty of time to empty your apartment, but something that stops mom from calling 90 days in a row could be nice. I guess you have to be inventive. Forward your email I usually forward all my email to my Yahoo account. That way I can read email at internet cafes or at friends with web access. Pay the rent and other necessary bills If you are lucky enough to have a place to live you'd better be sure to still have it when you come back. I like to have it all sorted out nicely when I travel, so the best thing is to give some money to a trusted friend who can pay all necessary bills when you are out of town. Plant care Have someone take care of your plants while you're away or they will change colors. Empty all water containers A filled water boiler can be rather disgusting after a month. Not to mention in what condition a coffeepot or coffee making machine filled with used coffee grounds can be after a month! Absolutely disgusting! Store away things that are easy to steal Some things, like bicycles, are unlikely to be stolen from your back yard when it is clear that you're around. But if it becomes obvious that you're away, such as if there are tons of mail in your mailbox, then a thief may feel comfortable enough to steal things that usually require too much time or effort to locate and move. Empty your fridge of perishables Vegetables, for example, are pretty disgusting if you have to deal with them 3 months after they should have been eaten. If you empty and unplug your fridge remember to defrost it first, then leave the door propped open. Give copies of your keys to someone else It is a good idea to let someone else have copies of your keys if you are out on a longer trip, in case something must be done in your apartment. Maybe someone needs to water your poor plants, or take care of your mail. Don't let them have your own keys, since they might be out of town when you come back, leaving you sitting outside your own door without any way of getting in. Cut your hair I like the feeling of being 110% prepared when leaving home, so cutting my hair is on my list when I go for a long trip. If you're male, having too long hair might also reduce your chances of being let into some countries. In some situations, it will also help when hitching rides. As long as you don't expect to get a perfect cut, you can always do it on the road. Fill in the tax return form I'm kind of boring, since I'd hate to come back and find out I have problems with the authorities. Do it if your trip coincides with when it is supposed to be filled out, or at least ask for an extension. Hold delivery of snail mail In many countries you can have your mail held at the post office while you are away. Then the post office will deliver it in a big package when you get back. Forward (or hold) delivery of newspapers and magazines If you're away for some time, it might be a good idea to forward your subscribed newspapers and magazines to some other place or person. Some newspapers also allow you to put your subscription on hold until you come back. Unplug electrical stuff This may reduce the risk of fire if the house is struck by lightning, or if there is some kind of power surge, while you're away. Some appliances consume electricity while plugged in, even if they are off - televisions are a good example of this. Switch off the water to your apartment In case a water pipe breaks while you are away. Wax boots Get a manicure Cut your nails as short as you can tolerate. Change Of Address ( COA ) Tell your friends where they can contact you if it is necessary. Core vaccinationsDon't travel without taking the necessary shots! Hospitals love to give them to you, since they charge money for doing it. You are not likely to be competent enough to judge if their list of necessary shots is relevant or not, so just bite your teeth together and pay. You can get them quite cheap abroad, but remember the AIDS risk. I don't trust needles at all. Typhus vaccinationTransmitted by lice, ticks or fleas. Typhoid vaccination Another infection from food and water contamination. Shots are good for approximately 3 years. Ever been kicked by a mule? This is what your arm feels like after this shot... Fortunately the vaccine can now be taken orally. It's taken every other day a week before travelling, and it comes as packets which you mix in a glass of water. Polio vaccination Very rare these days, but check with a doctor before you go. Tetanus vaccination Destination specific vaccinationsYellow Fever vaccinationEndemic in South America and Africa. The shot is good for 10 years. The disease is enjoying a renaissance, so be sure to get this one. Many countries require you to have a vaccination certificate proving you got this shot, so don't forget to bring it along, or you may be denied entry at the border or airport. Cholera vaccination Considered fairly recently to be ineffective in preventing infection, vaccinations are still required in some countries. Not having the shot might result in the vaccination being administered in less than ideal conditions, not to mention the bribes you might have to pay! Hepatitis vaccination Havrix seems to be the best shot against hepatitis, but make sure to talk to a doctor before you go, since vaccines come and go. For extended trips where sanitation is a problem, be sure to drink good water, don't put ice in drinks, avoid uncooked foods, cross your fingers. Plague vaccination Endemic in many parts of the Developing World. It is transmitted by the fleas of rats and other rodents and may be a risk in areas of overcrowding and poor sanitation. It is certainly curable with current antibiotics. There is a vaccine available but it is reported to give limited immunity and has some pretty severe side effects. Don't play with rats... Meningitis vaccination Check with your local health authorities for risks in your travel area. Japanese B Encephalitis vaccination Rare but serious infection in Asia, transmitted by mosquito. ClothesThis list describes clothes most of us are quite likely to bring with us, biased to male clothing. Avoid clothes that look military, since that might cause you problems in countries where spy paranoia is high (much of Africa). I try to melt into the environment by wearing clothes that don't look too odd. A good idea could be to bring enough clothes for one week w/o needing to do laundry. Another suggestion has been that shorter trips mean lots of clothes while long trips often mean different climates and thus mean you really need to buy stuff underway. Unisex clothesUnderwearCan be obtained very cheaply in many towns, but if you prefer the western style, you'd better get a basic set of these at home before you go. Definitely stay with cotton, or possibly silk, if you can afford it. Shirts There is almost no place on the globe where you can be without needing a good warm shirt. I usually bring one or two tough flannel shirts, but I leave them at home if my destination is really hot. T-shirts Pretty impossible to be without, unless you just use thin shirts. You can buy them cheaply along the road. Shorts This is a must unless you travel in cold climates. I think it is one of the most important pieces of clothing you use. Buy one or two pairs of very good quality. Shorts can double as swimming trunks. Don't use sport shorts made for running, since their length may be too short to be considered decent clothing in some countries. Socks Good quality socks can be a blessing. Wool is best. If you are hiking, be sure to bring a lot of socks in case the weather is bad - walking in wet socks is horrible! Remember that if it is hot summer at your travelling destination, you may be unlikely to use any socks at all! Trousers ( Pants, Jeans ) I like black jeans at home, but leave them at home if you're going to a really hot place. Shorts will be a much better choice. Cap ( Hat ) Two out of every three Australians who live to the age of 75 can expect to develop some type of skin cancer, so hats are more or less government recommendation in Australia. I'm not too fond of hats, but I have burnt my nose to pure coal so many times now that I've bought myself a cool hat. Clothes for womenI don't mind women wearing semi-see-through shirts and similar clothes, but remember that with these on, you could get into big trouble in many countries. Leave them at home! Remember that in some countries women are forbidden to wear shorts. Check with guide books and diplomatic missions of the countries you plan to visit for specific guidance. BraWashed out in the evening, they can be dry by morning. Doesn't necessarily need to be made out of cotton, since they are often the slowest to dry and are often less supportive than those made of other materials. Skirt Some countries require skirts/dresses (no pants!), and short skirts will cause problems in other places. A long (mid-calf) full skirt is said to be cooler than pants in hot climates anyway. Sarong Piece of cloth used in parts of Africa and Asia. Tights Stockings ShoesVery important. Only use good quality shoes! Walking shoesI usually use Dr. Martens since you can read "Oil, Fat, Acid, Petrol, Alkali Resistant" on the sole. Just kidding, but no doubt they are tough shoes that should carry you through the longest trip. A bit expensive and hot, so if you travel in a hot climate, a pair of light jogging shoes can be an alternative. Actually, quite a few people have claimed they are not particularly impressed by the quality of Dr. Martens. I guess it is almost a religious issue... Sandals ( Flip-flops ) Very nice to have in hot climates, or on filthy bathroom floors. Training shoes Nice if you want to do some kind of sports during a trip. Optional clothesPick the ones you like, and leave the rest at home. BeltUseful in many ways. Track-suit For me, a light track-suit works in two ways: both as something you can wear when you are washing your other clothes, and as good clothes when it gets cold. They take up a lot of space in your backpack though. Raincoat I usually carry a Gore-Tex jacket, but it takes up a hell of a lot of space in my backpack. Difficult decision. Leave it at home, unless you are heading for colder climates or the mountains where this is essential. Umbrella Some love them, others hate them. What kind of person are you? Morning gown Pyjamas ( Pajamas ) Palestinian scarf ( Bandanna ) A square piece of soft cloth (1x1 metre or so). Scarf Can save you from getting a cold. Beach pants Thin cotton pants that are great when shorts are too casual and it is too hot for regular trousers. Also nice on long flights, since they are very comfortable. Jewelry Easily stolen, so I wouldn't bring anything too valuable. Clothes for Cold weatherJacket ( Wind breaker )Sweater A must in colder climates. Money and documentsThis list is about what kind of documents and what kind of money you better not be without. Basic documentsPassportSome countries requires that your passport has at least 6 months validity left. Visas A trip to Africa can be very difficult to plan since you have to get so many visas. I'm not kidding when I say that it can take you two months to get all the visas you need. Plan ahead! Vaccination certificate A small yellow booklet containing stamps and signatures from doctors and nurses that proves that you have taken various vaccines. Many countries demand that you have such a certificate when you enter their countries. Insurance certificate ( Health Insurance card ) Very handy if you want to rent a car in the US without having to pay for insurance. The insurance that covers your car at home often also covers cars you rent, but check with your insurance company before you go, to be sure. Paper from your local social insurance office In this bright new Europe I have been told that I need a paper from my local social insurance office EACH TIME I go somewhere in the European Community! Travel cheques Everyone knows TC's are safer than cash, but remember a few things: in some countries it takes two hours or more to change a TC, and in other countries (often the same as the ones with the slow banks) you can get very much more by changing cash on the black market. Receipt for travellers' cheques Carry it very much separate from your Travel Cheques. Cash If you bring cash, the equivalent of US $10 and $50 are the most convenient denominations. Emergency money In case all your money, or all your gear, is lost or stolen. Credit cards ( Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard, American Express etc ) Well, try to use them in Libya! But, what the heck: They take virtually no space in your backpack. American Express has the advantage of letting you use the Amex office facilities. In a group, have each person bring a different brand of card. Make sure to carry the phone numbers to call to report if your card is stolen! Remember, typical free numbers (such as 800 or 888 numbers in the US) often do not work from outside your country (for example, calling american 800-numbers from Sweden is bound to fail). Make sure you bring "normal" phone numbers together with the free (800) numbers. Driver's license Can often double as your ID card. ID card I have my Swedish driver's license for security if I lose my passport. Address list (with phone numbers and email addresses) For writing letters, sending emails from a cyber cafe, or for phoning home to Mom for more money. Optional documentsSome of the items on this list might be very good to have with you. NotebookNotepad For writing letters. This packing list Can be very handy if you have things stolen. It can be darn hard to remember what you lost otherwise. Photocopies of important documents Keep a set of these in case you lose your passport or any other valuable document. Might be of help. Of course, keep them separate from the important documents. International Student Identification Card ( ISIC ) Can save you some money in Youth Hostels, trains, museums, planes, so get one if you qualify as a student. If you can, get the brochure with addresses to student travel organisations in different countries, and tear out the pages you want. You will need these addresses if you want to buy student plane tickets. Tourist organization certificate Can save you money in a way similar to an ISIC card. Photographs for visas/passports etc Carry at least a dozen photos in case you need to get a new visa or passport. If you are going to Africa for any length of time, 2 or 3 dozen would be better. Cheap and easy to get at automatic booths in the western world. May be hard to get in other countries. Some people also bring photos of friends and family with them. Addresses and phone numbers to embassies Just in case you get into problems. Calendar Very nice souvenir, since I like to write down where I have been each day to help me remember what happened on a trip. Envelopes For keeping documents in, or for letters. Business cards They can sometimes give you an air of respectability that your appearance might not warrant. Some people bring small cards with just their name and address on. Handy when you swap addresses with someone. Phone card For making phone calls. Medical history documents It would be a very good idea to write down your medical history on a piece of paper and put it into your passport in case you're involved in a car accident or become ill. Such a list of important information could include blood type, prescription copies (eye glasses), medical conditions, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Copy of Marriage Certificate International Youth Hostel Card Sometimes required if you want to stay in a youth hostel. Membership cards If you have any of these (AAA, Hertz, Avis, Hilton, ...), going abroad may be a good opportunity to use them. Timetables For buses, trains, boats and flights. For carrying money and documentsYou might end up carrying a lot of important documents, as well as money. This list gives some hints on how to carry them. Remember to carry these things in 2 or more locations. Unless everything gets stolen, this way you'll have some extra money and papers that will make it easier to replace what was stolen, not to mention that some extra money can make it possible for you to continue your travels while waiting for new travellers cheques or documents. When making purchases, be modest. Don't flash large amounts of cash. The wallet of a westerner has tempted people in poor countries to commit murder! Please remember this! Pouch for valuable documentsI hate neck pouches by two reasons: they are pretty horrible to wear when it's boiling hot, and they make it very obvious you are a tourist. With women the problem is that these pouches are designed to hang on a flat chest. You can, however, wear them horizontally below your breasts and above your waist. Money belt Bad when it's hot. Less practical for women. The kind you wear under your clothes is inaccessible if you're wearing a dress, and the kind that looks like a man's belt looks like a man's belt. There are many different designs, sizes and materials, so you may find one that suits you perfectly. Wallet This is my favourite! They have a distinct disadvantage though - pickpockets! Where pickpockets are a problem, carry your wallet in your front trousers pocket. Coin Purse In some countries, a coin purse can protect your pockets from premature wear, not to mention guarding against damage to parts of your lower torso, should you decide to do any running! 
Travellers who visit several countries on a regular basis use empty
film cans to store coins from each country. Carried in baggage, the film
cans may be easily retrieved on the next visit.
Paper folder I tend to carry quite a lot of paper with me; to prevent it from becoming unreadable from the massive pressure in my backpack, I put it all in a sturdy paper folder. I have never regretted this. The folder also gives some steadiness in the backpack. The stiff envelopes available from Federal Express or Express Mail (in the US) are great for carrying the assortment of papers one picks up. They are a little stiffer than folders and available free of charge. Clothes with hidden pockets There are various ways in which people carry money and important documents in hidden pockets in their clothes. I haven't tried them myself, but others use them all the time. TicketsMaybe you'll be hitch-hiking. The rest of us might need tickets. Airline ticketsMapsI always travel with lots of maps. Remember that good maps can be pretty hard to find in many countries. Large scale mapI like to have a large scale map for the occasions when you sit at a cafe and try to figure out where to go next month. Small scale map For more detailed kind of travelling. In cities in the western world you can often get them for free in tourist information offices. Good souvenirs! Small world map For showing people where YOU live. You may have one in your diary. BooksBooks are heavy but hard to be without. Phrase bookSaying hello, goodbye and thank you in the local language may give you a friendlier response outside heavily loaded tourist areas. You may find these words in your guidebook, or by asking people you meet (even better response). Some people prefer dictionaries. Novels You may end up waiting a lot on most trips, so a novel or two or three will make your trip more enjoyable. A guideline is to bring one book per month of travel. Books in your native language are all nice and cosy on the road, but the price of it on the second hand market may be reduced. Travellers often swap books, so if you have a book in Swedish you may be out of luck. Choose English. Guidebook I usually have a Lonely Planet guide with me, but they're approaching the weight of a brick nowadays, so try to reduce it by ripping out pages or leave it at home. A too-complete guide-book is kind of boring, since it reduces the thrill of finding your own hotels and magic places around the globe. You can be pretty sure that if a place is in the guidebook, it is more or less crowded with travellers. At the same time, it is a bad idea to go to a place like Africa without a guide, since you will be unaware of local rules, conflicts and other things that are bound to put you in lots of uncomfortable situations. EquipmentQuite a few lists of general equipment handy in different situations. Things for packingItems that enable you to bring along the other items as effortlessly as possible. Backpack ( Rucksack )Stay away from the cheap ones! I don't like the ones with lots of external pockets since they are easy to steal from. I try to use one that seems a bit too small since that forces me to skip some unnecessary things. Remember that you are most likely going to have more things when coming home than when you left. Avoid backpacks with an external metallic frame, since the frame can break if thrown up on a truck or something. They are also not easy to push into small boxes at railways stations and similar places. Backpack rain cover Many backpacks nowadays are pretty rain resistant, but if yours isn't, then this kind of cover is good to wrap around your backpack during heavy rain. Small extra backpack ( Knap sack, Day pack ) I can't be without a small extra backpack, since that is where I carry things when walking around in cities. It serves two other purposes as well. First, it gives you a chance to carry more things along the road since I try to keep the small backpack more or less empty from the start. Second, when carrying the big backpack, I have the small one attached by a carabiner (a climbing D-ring with a spring-loaded latch, and possibly a safety lock so that it will not disconnect) to the shoulder strap of the big one. This way I have easy access to tickets and other important things in the small backpack. The carabiner makes it impossible for thieves to just grab the small backpack and run. To be honest, I'm pretty proud of this idea. Expandable carry-on The expandable bag will provide more room for souvenirs when returning home from a trip. Rubber-bands It's pretty amazing how much you can put into a backpack if you do a good job. By using rubber-bands, I squeeze clothes down to a minimal size. Plastic bags ( Ziploc ) Excellent to put stuff in. Stuff Sack I have a set of small sacks (up to 3 litres) made of cloth with a drawstring, in different colours. I keep different types of things in different sacks, and with this colour code I can easily find what I'm looking for in my backpack. Without these sacks, your backpack will look like a mess in no time. Bring a few spare ones as well. Small box Can be a good idea for small things that easily get lost in the backpack. Such a box is also a good place to put fragile stuff in, such as a pair of extra glasses. Bungee cord I don't use them myself, but many people recommend them. Flexible steel cable (or chain) I have a 1.5 metre long plastic coated steel cable of proper dimensions with loops at both ends. With it and the padlock, I make damn sure my backpack doesn't disappear on trains at night. It cannot prevent anyone from opening the backpack to steal some of its contents, but the cable prevents the whole backpack from disappearing. It has many times given me considerably better sleep. Heavy! Padlock Necessary when using a steel cable or chain to lock your loggage, but also works in cheap hotels where you don't trust the default padlocks provided by the hotel. Some backpacks are lockable by allowing you to lock the zippers. Keep an extra key somewhere separate so that you don't end up with a locked room if you somehow lose the first one, or, preferably, buy a combination padlock and make sure you remember the combination! There are also locks that double as motion alarm. Things for sleepingThings that might give you a better sleep, or actually give you a chance to sleep at all. Sleeping maskA black hair-band is said to work as well, when for example trying to sleep on an intercontinental flight, a bus or on a ferry. Inflatable neck supporter Kind of wimpy, but has given me some good nights sleep. Sheets ( Bed covers ) If you find out that you don't trust the ones you get in hotels. A sheet bag is also an option and a requirement for sleeping in many YHA youth hostels. Pillowcase A pillow is too large to fit in a backpack, but you can make one by just stuffing clothes into a pillowcase. Hammock Bulky, but some people bring one along anyway. Mosquito net Very bulky, but necessary in some places like Africa due to the Malaria problem. They can also keep many other insects away from you. Pillow Nice if you have a special pillow that makes you sleep better, such as a Tempur pillow, or if you have no weight or space limits, such as if you are travelling in a car. Cooking equipmentRemember that this kind of equipment weighs quite a lot and takes up a lot of space in your backpack. StoveWell, try to find something so small that it fits in your shirt pocket. Some reports say "multi-fuel" stoves are excellent. Extra fuel Can be difficult to find abroad depending on the fuel. If it is a liquid - bring it in a bottle sturdy enough to stand a direct hit from a nuclear warhead. That's the kind of pressure your backpack will produce. Can opener One of these things you are bound to need sooner or later. Unnecessary if you have a good Swiss army knife or multi-tool. Corkscrew Bring a good Swiss army knife or multi-tool instead, but make sure the screw is long enough or the cork may stay in the bottle. Eating utensils ( Cutlery ) I think a Swiss army knife or multi-tool works OK. But then again, I don't cook much food on the road. People going to China are often advised to bring their own chopsticks, since washing bamboo ones doesn't sanitise them. Drinking cup There are some indestructible plastic drinking cups. Very useful. Some models can be used also as a plate. Plate The best kind is made of heavy-duty plastic. Sometimes also works as a Frisbee. Washing-up liquid Try to find a small bottle that can hold just as much as you'll need on your hike. Reports say that shampoo can double as washing- up liquid. You may not want to try the other way around. Eating equipmentThis list contains items that might be good to bring along even if you don't cook your own food. Swiss army knifeBuy one! You'll end up using it all the time. Some people prefer the ones with scissors. Multi-tool ( Folding knife ) A Swiss army knife is good for many things, but the blade is usually too short for slicing bread or fruit. Avoid anything that might look military unless you want problems at border crossings. Bottle opener Bring a good Swiss army knife or multi-tool instead. Teaspoon I might be prosecuted for this, but I advise you to steal one from the first cafe along the road! Great souvenirs! My dad has hundreds of them! Miscellaneous equipmentThings that just didn't fit into any other list. BinocularsIf you decide to bring a pair, stick to very small ones. Pens You can buy them anywhere, but the quality is often very bad. Bring a bunch of good ones. Works as much appreciated gifts to kids. Bring a few with a very fine point felt top since they are excellent for writing compact letters. Candle Nice in your hotel room late at night when the electricity is gone, or in a tent, or in a mountain cabin with no electricity. Poker cards ( Playing cards ) Can be a hit when waiting for transport. Frisbee You'll need plenty of room to show what it is to the customs officer. Harmonica Packs pretty small and could be lots of fun if you know how to play. Earplugs Invaluable on long flights. Packs very small and can also save you (or your fellow traveller) a night's sleep. Small plastic hook Lighter ( Matches ) Matches can be bought everywhere but are sometimes of lousy quality. It is a good idea to bring a cheap gas lighter even if you don't smoke. Rubber door-wedge For use at night when a door has no lock. Sunglasses Small ones are cool but will leave your eyes pretty unprotected. Keys To places you plan to visit that you have keys to. Juggling balls Pepper Spray canister Definitely the smallest, cheapest and easiest-to-use protection weapon available. Universal faucet valve handle and radiator key Extra thingsIf any of your equipment breaks or you lose something. There are actually kits you can buy that contain many of the items below. It could be an option instead of buying them one by one. Extra strapsWhen you need to attach something to your backpack. Happened to me recently when my hiking friend hurt his knee and I took some of the things from his backpack. I had no extra straps, so it was a bit of a mess. Backpack spare parts Bringing along some spare backpack parts can be heaven sent in case it breaks. Using a broken backpack can be tough on your shoulders. Extra shoe laces Safety pins You are wrong if you think you don't need them. Paper clips Sewing Kit These are normally the size of a softcover book of matches, and can be purchased for a reasonable price from most travel stores, and many airlines even give these out for free. They usually contain 2 needles, a little bit of different coloured threads, and a couple of buttons. This can be *VERY* handy sometimes, and does not take up any space at all. Unfortunately the kits you get for free invariably have the cheapest, weakest cotton thread made. Bring a few yards of strong black, grey or light brown thread, and throw away the thread in the kit. Sturdy nylon cord ( Clothes line ) Can be used for just about anything, including a clothesline string. Extra buttons Zipper repair kit Duct tape ( Racing tape ) Rolls of silvery grey sticky tape are standard issue for National Geographic photographers out in the field, and it is also used by astronauts! Iron-on patches "Quick and dirty" way of mending holes in clothes. Super glue Can fix many things that seem fatally broken, but if the tube breaks in your backpack, then you may have to buy a new one. Cable ties ( Zip ties ) HygieneThis is a list of the kind of hygiene things all of us are likely to bring with us. It is a good idea to put most of these things in a separate pouch so that you can easily bring everything with you when you go to the bathroom. HygieneToilet bag ( Bathroom bag, Necessaire )A handy bag where you put all your hygiene items. Razor Either a razor with disposable blades, or disposable light-weight razors. They are actually good for several shaves. Extra blades for Razor This only applies to we who prefer to avoid electric shavers, since they are heavy, and electrical standards are different all over the world. Shaving gel ( Shaving foam ) Leave the can of shaving gel/foam at home, unless you can find a really small can. I prefer to use soap since you must carry soap with you anyway. Another option is to use brushless shaving cream, or shaving oil. Electric shaver If you are just going for a shorter trip and don't mind the weight. But then again, if it is a short trip, why not just leave it and shave when you get home? Mirror Must be pretty sturdy. Glass may not be a good idea for some journeys. Highly polished stainless steel mirrors are available. Also very reflective are the undersides of CDs. Toothbrush One of the few things you can buy all over the world. Toothpaste Can be bought almost everywhere. Toothpicks Handy for that strange vegetable plate with the stringy stuff, or to reset a PDA because of a different time zone. Soap The ones you find along the road may not smell the way you are used to, but at least they are available everywhere. Soap box The box where you keep your wet soap. Liquid soap Liquid soap in little containers is said to be more convenient to carry than bar soap. A sample size bottle can be refilled from normal size bottles. Shampoo If you are really hard-core, you can use soap, but, well, I'm kind of wimpy and prefer real shampoo. Not as available as soap, but it should be no real problem getting it in most towns all over the world. Also available at all hotels, free of charge, but it may not smell like you're used to. Styling gel ( Hair gel ) I don't use it myself, but most other people do, it seems. Deodorant Some say this is a must. Some even say "lots of deodorant, PLEASE!!! Towel I just used a T-shirt on one trip, but now I think a small towel is a must, unless I know I will be staying at hotels all the time. Alternatively, there are very absorbent cloths which act like a sponge to soak up water. They dry very quickly and are much smaller than towels. Sunblock lotion Can be hard and/or very expensive to get in some countries. Bring some heavy duty stuff! Contact lenses ( Contacts ) It might be a good idea to bring some extra lenses in case you lose one, for example if a big wave takes you by surprise on the beach. Container for contact lenses You know, the container where you're supposed to store your contact lenses when you don't use them. They are often ridiculously large (cow size, if you see what I mean), so that you will use unnecessary amounts of expensive lens cleaning liquid. Pick the smallest you can find. Lens cleaning liquid Take a small bottle of multi-purpose liquid. You usually don't need a big bottle. Extra glasses If you are like me, blind without glasses, you need some kind of backup. Carry your prescription as well, and keep the glasses in a sturdy box so that they will not be crushed in your backpack. Straps for glasses The sporty type that makes your (sun)glasses stay on your nose. Lip balm If the climate is dry or windy, or if the sun is just outrageously strong. Hygiene (women only)Make-upThis is certainly not my expertise, so I'll just leave the whole field open. Tampons Menstrual cup Medication against yeast infection Hygiene (optional)After taking a sneek look at some womens makeup "equipment", I realize that this list could easily grow to ridiculous proportions. CombYou might be pretty unhappy without it. Packs very small. Hair brush Bulkier than a comb. Washcloth Popular in Norway but for some reason not in Sweden. Packs very small, and gives you the chance to get clean all the way into your pores. Can also double as a small hand towel. Handkerchief Can double as a washcloth. Lint roller Detergent ( Laundry soap ) Available almost everywhere, but you can use soap with satisfying results. Laundry brush If you want to sprinkle on some detergent and scrub your clothes clean. Clothes pegs ( Clothes pins ) Pretty usable, actually. I carry with me perhaps 8 of these magnificent inventions. Laundry bag A special bag where you put your dirty laundry, to keep it separate from your clean clothes. Sink plug When you need to wash your clothes, you often find out that this necessary thing is missing from your hotel room. You can use one of these lids for film containers. Wrap it in a small plastic bag and it fits neatly in most sinks. They also sell "universal plugs" which are actually flat pieces of rubber large enough to cover any size drain. Dental floss Is said to be perfect as a cheese slicer, and reports say it is perfect as heavy-duty sewing thread! Fingernail clippers If you can travel without biting your nails. Moisturizer Can also be used on hair if sun makes it impenetrable for your comb. Qtips Cotton on a stick to clean the ears after dusty bus trips. Tweezers The metal tongs women use to pluck hairs from their eyebrows, but also handy for pulling out splinters. Baby wipes ( Towlettes ) The pre-moistened disposable ones. HealthThings which can help preserve health on your trip. Put most of your
things in this category in a special pouch. On long trips through many
remote parts of the tropical world you should count on becoming ill at
some point and make allowances for this eventuality. Many things can be
sorted out, given time and care - be prepared to forget your schedule
and stay put for a week or so. General health itemsPrescription medicineCondoms Can be kind of hard to find in some countries. Don't go abroad without them! As for birth control pills/devices, these can cause some raised eyebrows (or worse) at customs checks in some countries if the woman is travelling alone. Wearing a wedding ring even if you're single is often recommended. Sore tape ( Adhesive tape ) If you need to protect and/or cover these blisters you got from your shoes. Band-Aid/bandages work alright for this; however, there are excellent products available which are made specially for walking blisters/sores. Insect repellent Very good to have in Malaria prone countries, as well as in Canada or Scandinavia during the summer. Remember not to put it on the skin of small children. They should only be protected by clothes in the day, and mosquito nets at night. Band-Aids ( Plaster ) These are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Take a good selection as well as some tape rolls. First aid kit I have never had to use one, but I carry one with me, just in case. Iodine Iodine drops can purify water, and are great on cuts. Water bottle If you go to Africa, Asia, South America or even the Rocky Mountains in Canada, you'll be very sorry if you didn't bring a good watertight bottle. Soda bottles are sometimes OK, but they don't last very long. Buy one of the metallic types (e.g. Sigg, they also make fuel bottles) or a sturdy plastic one (Nalgene). Pour in some dubious water and throw in some of these purifying tablets; in some minutes you have some horrible tasting water, but bad tasting water is better than Amoebic Dysentery or "Beaver Fever" (Giardia). Trust me. If you hike in the mountains, bringing along a water bottle is more important than many people think. Any climb of a mountain is bound to make you sweat. At high altitude water is very important, if only to reduce the risk of headaches. Bring enough of it in your backpack. You also absolutely need a water bottle or two with water if you travel with children. Water purifying filter If you know you have to purify large amounts of water for a long time, then this gadget might be an option. Quite expensive and quality varies. Many water filters have appeared on the camping market in recent years. It would be wise to read reviews about them before purchase, or stick with the old standard (Katadyn). Water filters also vary in what they will remove. Some are capable of removing virus organisms and even chemicals. Others filter only larger organisms and particulates. Determining what your needs are will help simplify your choice. Disposable syringes In remote parts of the world, take some disposable syringes with you in case you need medical attention and want to avoid glass needles. Doctors in developing countries may have the best of intentions but sterilizing equipment may not always be possible or practiced. Copy of prescriptions It can be a good idea to bring along copies of the prescriptions you use at the pharmacy back home. The prescription itself is not valid abroad, but it can give a doctor you meet in another country a good hint as to what medication may be best for you. Pills, tablets and medicinesThere's a lot on this list, since there are many diseases you can catch. Remember that with a backpack full of strange pills, you can get into border problems. Keep the pills in their original containers, and stuff them all in a box so that they don't end up being ground to dust by the pressure in your backpack. Water purifying tabletsTake lots. Perfect gifts in poor villages in Africa. Remember that they are also necessary in "civilised" places like the Canadian Rocky Mountains, where there is now a greater incidence of "Beaver Fever", a form of giardiasis. Vitamin pills When travelling, my diet leaves a lot to be desired. Motion sickness tablets Also available are "patches" which attach to your skin (behind the ear) and slowly release the required medication. There are also devices, wrist bands, which are reported to provide relief by applying pressure to wrist pressure points. Jetlag tablets Melatonin and Tylenol-p is supposed to work, but I don't know personally. Contraceptive tablets Fever tablets Paracetamol/acetaminophen is recommended by some. Pain relievers There are many different types, so make sure you bring a type that works for you. Allergy pills ( Anti-histamines ) Malaria tablets Don't mess around with malaria! I've seen travellers get very sick with it, so bring lots of malarial medicine. There are several different types of Malaria medicine (Chloroquine, Proguanil, Mefloquine, Doxycycline, Fansidar) and any single type doesn't work everywhere. So in many cases you will be recommended to take two or more types. You must ask your local specialist about this! Bring more than you need - you can always discard them (safely!) or give them away. Please note: Malaria is endemic in many parts of the tropical world. There is a wide range of resistance to current malaria drugs! Seriously, the only sure way to avoid getting malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. An alarming fact is that many doctors in the Western world seem to be pretty out of touch when it comes to resistant strains of Malaria. Malaria is one of the most popular topics among travellers! Laxative In case the food you eat gives you a hard stomach. Diarrhea medicine In case you get diarrhea. Electrical stuffGeneral electrical or electromechanical stuff sometimes worth bringing with you. General electrical itemsAlarm clock ( Travel alarm )I think a watch with alarm would be perfect, but I sleep like a rock and need an alarm clock that can wake the dead. Essential if you have a flight very early in the morning. Many PDAs and cell phones works as an alarm, so don't pack one too many. Cell Phone ( Mobile Phone, Cellular Phone ) Remember that there is a big risk your phone may not work in other countries. It could be the wrong network technology, or your phone service doesn't allow you to use it outside your own country, or even outside your own state in the US. An alternative is to rent a phone at your destination, but that is probably expensive. Charger to Cell Phone Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge the batteries of the telephone, unless you have one of those new solar-powered cell phone battery chargers. Computer There are many choices from Laptop, Notebook to Subnotebook. Make sure you really need it, since many of them are heavier than you first might think! Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge the batteries in the computer. Wall socket adapter There are at least half a dozen different wall socket designs in the world. I forgot to bring an adapter to the US recently and if it wasn't for a well-stocked Radio Shack store, my portable computer would have run out of charge without any way for me to recharge it. PDA Solar cell calculator The value of different currencies can be rather tricky to track, so I once carried one of these calculators with me. I ended up never using it, and eventually gave it away. Most PDAs, and many cell phones have built-in calculators, so take that into account before you stuff a calculator in your backpack. Watch Next time I'll buy myself a Swatch or something similar. No big deal if it gets stolen, and they are waterproof and sturdy. Be sure the battery is fresh! Some watches have a handy alarm feature and a built-in tiny compass. Another handy option would be a watch with a built-in calculator, but they are unfortunately often ugly beyond description and also seldom watertight. Flashlight ( Torch ) I have a Maglite (a thin black slick metallic torch with an adjustable magnifying glass) that I like to bring with me. It's nice to carry along at night in strange neighbourhoods abroad. Kind of expensive. The smallest Maglite is called "Solitaire" and can hang off your key ring. An alternative is the tiny, long-lasting LED lights that cost about $10 US. Get the kind with the lockable on/off switch for hands-free use. Bookmark reading light A small travel light in the form of a bookmark. Very useful and works with AA batteries. Also good for fully discharging lithium batteries, which help prolong their life. Hair dryer Some people cannot live without it... Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter to plug it to the wall socket. Iron The travel (small) size that can be used with 110 and 220 V. You can also use an iron to dry your clothes in a hurry. Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter to plug it to the wall socket. Batteries For your camera, flash, torch, watch, Walkman, PDA and GPS. Solar battery-recharger Some of them are small enough to carry around. They recharge AA batteries in a few hours in bright tropical sunshine, and of course avoid the pollution of other peoples' countries with nasty batteries. Two-Way Radios Can be very handy to keep in touch if travelling in two cars, or in a city where you might be separated. Shortwave radio Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter to plug it to the wall socket, or, you could get one of these new wind-up radios, or a radio that runs off small solar panels. If you want to make a contribution to a poor country, why not leave the wind-up radio behind when you go back home? Portable DVD player and disks Perfect for long flights, especially if you travel with children. Many laptop computers these days can read and display DVD disks, so bringing it on as hand luggage can be a really good idea. Digital Camera equipmentIn many cases a digital camera is probably a better choice for a trip than a normal camera, since they are so much simpler to handle, takes up less space in your luggage, and are cheaper to use in the long run. But the quality of digital photos aren't yet really as good as normal photos, so if you are really into this, then you'd better bring a normal camera and normal film. Digital cameraBe sure the batteries are fresh! Memory cards Some memory cards are now so large (4 GB CompactFlash are available, for example) that you may be able to get away with a single card for the whole of your trip. Try to estimate how many pictures you'll take during your trip, and how much memory they normally take up on your memory card, and you should be able to calculate what size memory card you'll need. Battery charger If your camera uses non-standard batteries, and you're off to a longer trip. You may also need a Wall socket adapter. Associated cables To your charger, or from the camera to your computer, in case you want to move some of the pictures off your memory card, to make room for more pictures. Camcorder equipmentSome camcorders are now so small that they're actually an option for travellers. CamcorderCharger for camcorder batteries You may also need a Wall socket adapter. Video tapes Generic photo equipmentVarious things to bring with you if you bring along a camera or video camera. Camera bagTripod A few people have recommended a thing called "Ultrapod". It is a 50 gram, 10cm long plastic tripod available at camera stores. It comes with a Velcro strap to attach to chair backs etc. Music itemsA Walkman can be heaven and hell. It can be stolen, and it can also give you some of the best highlights of a trip. Music player ( Cassette, CD, MiniDisc, MP3 )For travels it is probably best to take a player that can read MP3 disks, since they can store about 10 times more music, as well as many many MP3 audio books. Particularly great if you can't read on buses. Even better if it has a radio tuner. There are solar cell battery chargers you can buy, so that you don't need to buy so many batteries. Remember that you may need a Wall socket adapter if you wish to recharge batteries the normal way. Headphones Can also be a good idea on long flights, since the ones you're offered on planes are often of very low quality. Music media ( Music cassettes, CDs ) If you bring too many, they take up a lot of place in your backpack. If you bring too few, you get sick and tired of them in a flash. One option is to leave them all at home with your music player. That way all your music will be like brand new when you come home. Microphone Tapes with sounds from trains or cities can be marvellous to have to remember what the trip was like. Packs very small. Headphone 'doubler' plug It plugs into your the headphone 'out' socket but has two sockets on the other end to plug two sets of headphones into. That way two of you can listen at the same time. |
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