Leigh Brasington
/ 
/ Revised 15 Aug 12
This list is suitable for traveling in a warm climate - it does not include enough clothes for winter weather.
| 1 | Swiss Army Knife | This is my most useful possession to take traveling. I prefer the "New Tinker" model. |
| 1 | Money Purse | Coin purse size to carry a small amount of money for easy access. You want something smaller than a wallet that you can carry a modest amount of local currency in so that you don't have to go into your money belt in public. |
| 1 | Comb | Given my hair, I don't need a brush - maybe you don't either. |
| 1 | Money Belt containing | I prefer a money pouch that hangs down inside my pants leg from my belt. You may prefer a traditional under-the-clothes money belt of even a pouch to hang around your neck. Whatever you decide, you must have a method of carrying your valuables on your person, under your clothes. |
| Cash in local currency | Approximately 1 to 2 weeks worth. | |
| Airline tickets | ||
| Train tickets | ||
| Youth Hostel card | Not just for "youths"! These are the preferred places to stay in Australia and new Zealand. | |
| Student ID card | If you are a student, get an International Student I.D. card for discounts at museums, etc. Not as useful in the 3rd world, very useful in Europe. | |
| Vaccination card | Yellow. Now not as needed as it once was, but still a good way to keep track of your injections. | |
| $50 in small U.S. bills | 10 $1's, 4 $5's, 2 $10's - Uncle Sam's money is good most anywhere in a pinch. | |
| International driver's permit | (Only if you think you might drive a car while traveling). | |
| Local driver's license | Take your local driver's license - it's occasionally useful. | |
| American Express Card | Don't leave home without it. | |
| 3 blank checks from your home bank | With your American Express card, you can write a check on your home account at any AMEX office and purchase more Travelers checks. | |
| Travelers checks | Several months worth. | |
| Passport | It should be valid for at least 6 months AFTER your planned return date. | |
| Visa Photos | Get lots of extra copies of your passport photo - you may need them for visa applications in many countries. | |
| Scuba diver card | ||
| 1 | Convertible Backpack | Carry-on luggage size! You don't need a big suitcase, especially if you are going to be gone for a while. Your bag should have backpack straps that you can tuck away when going thru immigration. Wheels are optional. |
| 1 | Nametag for pack | Get something better than those paper ones the airlines give you at the airport. |
| 1 | Sleeping Bag | This is definitely optional. You could instead take a polypropylene sleeping bag liner instead - smaller and lighter and usually good enough. Or just do without. |
| 1 | Clothes bag | It's nice to have separate bags in the main compartment of your pack for similar items. |
| 1 | Quick drying shirt | I prefer nylon, rayon will do. You want something that will dry overnight in a very humid room. |
| 1 | cotton T-shirt | Something to wear after it cools off and your other shirt is drying. |
| 1 | pair of nylon running shorts | Shorts in most places in the 3rd world are for kids and rickshaw drivers. Check the local customs before wearing in public. |
| 3 | pair of underwear | 3 pair ARE enough - you just wash every night. |
| 1 | Swimsuit | Bring your goggles if you are a real swimmer. |
| 1 | pair of corduroy pants | Nicer than jeans, quicker drying. |
| 2 | pair of drawstring pants | One pair very light, one pair heavier to live in all the time. |
| 1 | sarong | A length of cloth with countless uses, including as a robe, bedsheet, etc. |
| 1 | nice long sleeved dress shirt | wear with corduroy pants when going thru immigration. |
| 1 | sweater | tight weave wool or polypropylene with buttons at the neck. |
| 2 | pair of white socks | Australian school socks - very durable. |
| 1 | pair of wool socks | Optional - for wearing with hiking boots. |
| 1 | pair of hiking boots | Optional - depending on where you are going an what you will be doing. |
| 1 | pair of comfortable, durable walking shoes | I prefer running shoes. Make sure they are broken in! |
| 1 | pair of flip-flops | (thongs, jandles) You will not want to put your bare feet in a 3rd world shower. |
| 1 | towel | thin so it will dry quickly. |
| 1 | water bottle | metal fuel bottle (that never had fuel in it of course) - leak proof. |
| 1 | roll of toilet paper | It's not provided in Asia. |
| 1 | soap container with soap | |
| 1 | toothbrush | |
| 1 | tube of toothpaste | |
| 1 | bottle of vitamins | |
| 1 | razor | and a package of razor blades - or several disposable razors. |
| 2 | bottles of sunscreen | SPF 25 or better, waterproof and sweatproof. |
| 1 | bottle mosquito repellent | Get the strong, nasty kind - better than being bitten by a disease ridden mosquito. |
| 1 | mosquito net with stuff sack | Optional - depends on where and how long you will be in mosquito country. |
| 1 | chain | very useful for locking your bag in your berth on the trains, locking up your rented bicycle, etc. |
| 1 | padlock with 2 keys | for the chain and for securing your pack's zippers. |
| 1 | novel | Trade with other travelers when finished. |
| 1 | Medical kit containing: | |
| HydrogenPeroxide | H2O2 - the MOST important item in the medical kit. | |
| Mercurochrome | put on ALL cuts and scrapes. | |
| Alcohol | ||
| roll of waterproof adhesive tape | ||
| dental floss | ||
| aspirin | ||
| malaria tablets | If necessary. | |
| 3 Sterile pads | ||
| 2 alcohol swabs | ||
| lots of Band_Aids | ||
| tube of fungicide | ||
| tube of antiseptic cream | ||
| chapstick | ||
| Q-tips | ||
| antiseptic throat lozenges | ||
| eye drops | ||
| Lomitil | To stop the "runs" if it gets really bad. | |
| moleskin | ||
| 1 | ankle brace | |
| 1 | book of matches | |
| 5 | ziplock plastic bags | various sizes |
| 1 | length of thin rope | many uses, including as a clothes line (clothes pins are not necessary, string rope thru clothes). |
| 1 | inflatable neck pillow | for those long airplane, train and bus rides. |
| 1 | pouch containing | |
| ballpoint pen | ||
| sewing kit | 3 needles, dark nylon thread, white cotton thread, several pins of various types. |
|
| more Band-Aids | ||
| piece of cloth for repairing your backpack. | ||
| more matches | ||
| Candle | ||
| Small container with | more visa photos. | |
| safety pins | ||
| straight pins | ||
| twist strips | ||
| paper clips | ||
| rubber bands | ||
| 1 | Bag or envelope containing various papers | |
| maps | ||
| more blank checks | ||
| more travelers checks | don't keep all of you money in one place! | |
| list of AMEX addresses | ||
| very small notebook | ||
| Aerograms | ||
| notepad | ||
| 1 | Shoulder Bag containing | A shoulder bag is better than a daypack - you can keep an eye on it while wearing it. It will be your constant companion where ever you go. |
| Sunglasses | 100% UV filter, wraparound. | |
| Sun hat | foldable; the bigger the brim, the better. | |
| nylon raincoat | lightweight coated nylon with a hood, doubles as a windbreaker, get from a backpacking supplier. | |
| Camera | Small is better, waterproof is durable. | |
| Journal | ||
| ballpoint pen | ||
| Maps | ||
| Address Book | ||
| Bag containing | small traveler's alarm clock | |
| small flashlight - 2 AA batteries | ||
| metal spoon - often useful because you won't find any plastic spoons to go | ||
| small mirror | ||
| fingernail clipper | ||
| matches | ||
| water purification tablets |
The above list is, of course, for a male traveler. Women will need to modify it a bit - particularly substituting a long skirt for the corduroy pants or for one of the pair of drawstring pants.
What NOT to take:
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Leigh Brasington
/
/ Revised 15 Aug 12