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FOR BACKPACKING (update Sep 2005)
Use this to guide you but only bring whatever YOU think you want. Do not bring everything on the list. Make a complete list before doing the actual packing. Otherwise you would end up wasting time trying to remember what you may have missed. After you have packed in your stuff, feel the weight. It should be very light but if its not comfortable, start taking out the not-so-important stuff. Remember you have to have space for your shopping.
IMPORTANT Airline ticket, Passport,
Money, Guide book, Credit cards, ATM Card, Driving Licence, Passport photos, Camera, Memory cards, Chargers, Handphone & PDA.
BAGS Backpack, Day pack, Money belt, Pouch & Cloth laundry bag.
CLOTHING Two pants, four T-shirts, five underwears,
one shorts, three socks, swim trunks, fleece jacket & windbreaker,
cap, thermals, glove, scarf, trekking sandals/shoes & jap slippers.
TOILETRIES Toothbrush & paste, soap shampoo,
shaver, toilet paper, towel, sarong, wet-ones, contact lens solutions,
spare lenses & spectacles, clothes line, laundry powder & brush, lipgloss, sunblock, sewing kit & ear plugs.
OTHERS Umbrella, Watch, Belt, Sunglasses & Holder, Reading glasses, Pen & notebook, Calculator, Sleeping bag, Air pillow, Swiss Army knife, Padlocks, Water filter & bottle, Torchlite, Lighter, Compass, Thermos, Traveller's kettle.
ELECTRICALS Handphone+charger, Digi Camera+charger+memorycard, Xdrive+charger, PDA+charger, Walkie Talkie, and GPS+rechargeable batteries.
SMALL ITEMS Rubberbands, safety pins, packaging tape, string & plastic pull tabs.
GIFTS/ICE BREAKERS Coins, stamps, post cards, family photos, popular characters mini stickers, pens & toothbrush.
FOODSTUFFS Chocolates & sweets, bbq pork or chicken,
dried prawn sambal & sour stuff.
FIRST AID Rid insect repellent , Band-Aids, bandage, Pill Po Chai, Antiseptic cream, Aspirin, Lomotil, Multivitamins & Dehydration salts.
SEAS Snorkeling set, flippers, long sleeve shirt.
BEFORE GOING OFF CHECKS Windows close, door lock,
house car keys mom, computer off, handphone message & set up auto night light.
WHY BRING? & MORE TIPS
- Passport-sized photos & photocopies ticket, passport, visa, credit card - much easier to obtain a replacement in case of loss.
- If you have a yahoo or similar email address, you could send a scanned copy of your passport and Visa to yourself. By doing this, you can access your important documents at any internet outlet worldwide.
- Its a good idea to hide some emergency cash in your luggage in one or two places. There are many pouches which are available for carrying your important documents. Some pics of Passport/Money bags.
- I do highly recommend Umbrellas not just for rain. Its provides superior shading in hot sunny days compare to caps. Further, caps are restrictive and uncomfortable while one does away with caps under the umbrellas.
- Laundry bags made of clothc are ideal as a spare bag. You can stuff almost all your clothing into the bag thus creating more space in your backpack for your shopping stuff. You can tie the laundy bag and check it in on the return flight.
- Small gifts make good ice-breakers especially with children. In many parts of the world, a toothbrush is a scarce commodity. Sweets are not advisable on account of their dental habits Obvious items are coins and pens but used stamps and postcards of Malaysia are nice. Family photos are also good conversation subjects.
- I have stopped using trekking shoes/boots on my trips. I only use sports sandals i.e with straps that I use even on treks on rocky terrain. Footwear takes up a bit of space in the bags but most people simply wear them.
- Always always pack as lightly as possible. If you eventually need to use the item, you could always buy them on the road. If you run out of clothes to wear, there's always cheap alternative even in countries like Australia and America.
- Leave all jewelry and expensive watches at home. There's no need to tempt anybody. And always dress modestly. This usually means sleeved T-shirts and light cotton pants.
- No jeans please because denims are too heavy and bulky. They dry very slowly too. So leave them at home. Traveler's cut-off pants (pic here) are best, usually made of 50% polyester and 50% cotton which dries fast. Traveler shirts made of the same quick drying materials are also available.
- A final word on shopping - Instead of buying a beautiful piece of item, which may be too bulky to bring home or too expensive, you could always photograph it. It would be better to just buy a few good stuff, then a load of low cost items, which you may end up in storage because of lack of display space.
Email: yongleemin@pd.jaring.my or yongleekeng@yahoo.com
Phone Lee Min: 016-220 9033 or 603-4023 8210
Phone Lee Keng 012-315 8353 or 603-6137 9937
Mail: No 2 Lorong Air Bersih Satu, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur