Packing light

totallybored

Ive never done this before as I normally take far too much stuff on holiday with me. However, I'm off on a 2 month holiday soon and will have to carry everything myself. Does anyone have any tips of what I must take/ must not?

So far I thought I'd take the following, does this sound about right?

2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of trousers and 4 tops. 5 sundresses, one short sleeved cardigan. 2 swim suits, some underwear. 1 sarong, 1 mini travel towel. Wear the most "attractive" practical sandals in the world, 2 pairs of flip flops.

Mini shampoo, mini shower gel. 3 mozzie spray, 3 sun cream. Mini first aid kid. Swiss army knife.

mcfisco

Does anyone have any tips of what I must take/ must not?

Get everything together that you think are essentials
Now, throw half of it away

seriously, take clothes that are made of synthetic materials, like a lot of sports wear is, It'll wash in a few minutes and dry even quicker

Too many shoes [I tell my wife the same ] get a couple of pairs of something like Sanuk - tough, cool and look OK

Bob_the_Saver

totallybored wrote: »

Ive never done this before as I normally take far too much stuff on holiday with me. However, I'm off on a 2 month holiday soon and will have to carry everything myself. Does anyone have any tips of what I must take/ must not?

So far I thought I'd take the following, does this sound about right?

2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of trousers and 4 tops. 5 sundresses, one short sleeved cardigan. 2 swim suits, some underwear. 1 sarong, 1 mini travel towel. Wear the most "attractive" practical sandals in the world, 2 pairs of flip flops.

Mini shampoo, mini shower gel. 3 mozzie spray, 3 sun cream. Mini first aid kid. Swiss army knife.

I guess you're not just taking cabin baggage then !

Pollycat

It depends on a few things.

What's your luggage allowance?
If you have 20kg, I think you could add to your list if you wished.

If however, you are travelling about a lot I'd not want to keep unpacking and lugging heavy cases around.

Will you have access to a laundrette, washing machine or hotel laundry service?
Some places in the Far East are really cheap for laundry.

Why sun cream?
Unless you can only use a specific brand you could buy in resort.
Be warned though, some places sell fake sun cream. I know that you have to be really careful in Goa about this.

Quite often mozzie spray bought locally is more effective than what you can get here.

Beach towel?
Or are you going to a hotel or hotels that provide beach/pool towels?

Maybe you should consider what you would be able to buy in resort.

totallybored

I have a 20kg allowance, will have a backpack so it needs to be checked in. Only 2 flights but trains and coaches so the knife has cork screw, bottle opener etc which may be useful!

Sun cream as I'm a pathetic pasty white pink colour and need at least factor 50. Not sure if higher factors will be as available in asia. Mozzie spray as I can get a high factor of Deet here, when I was in Indonesia last year it was only about 15% Deet and not too effective. It's also cheaper to buy both here than the HK/Korea/Japan bit of the trip. I'll only have a couple of days on a beach and towel will be provided. Or I'll buy a towel and dump it.

I was planning on getting washing done as I go along, I don't think that's too many clothes to take is it?

mcfisco

Why 2 swim suits?

totallybored

mcfisco wrote: »

Why 2 swim suits?

In case I lose one.

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

In case I lose one.

In which case you can buy another one. Money is lighter than spare clothes.

The great thing about travelling around SE Asia is that clothes are so cheap to buy (after all, most of the clothes we buy here are actually made there) and laundry services are everywhere

skint_chick

You've got 8 full days worth of clothes there which is a lot for travelling light! I would take 1 dress and 2 tops, 1 swimsuit, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of shorts, cardi, and the trousers for travelling in because your sarong can be a top or a bottom part of your outfit. Clothes are very cheap in SE Asia and your laundry will dry quickly. Also have you considered earplugs, travel adaptor, small folding mirror, string for hanging up laundry tying stuff to your pack etc. You can get shampoo and shower gel in one as well or try a shampoo bar from Lush I always take mine when I go on hols. Don't forget camera charger, small travel journal and pen, and a good book for the plane. You'll want to buy stuff when you're there so leave some room for new clothes/presents etc

Bob_the_Saver

OP, I suspect from you packing list that you may be a female. Now without being in anyway sexist (me!) just check that you can easily carry everything whatever you end up with. 20Kg is a maximum not a must do target.
I usually take less that half that weight because it's all Mrs. Bob the saver can carry for me.

totallybored

Oh no, I thought I was doing so well too! This is a fraction of what I'd take on a normal 2 week holiday. I have lovely wedges that I've not yet worn but I know I have to leave. No conditioner, no body lotions, only a mascara and eyeliner and no handbag even! I have 3 dresses that I know I'll live in so I will try to limit myself to those and a pair of shorts.

I have a travel adaptor and I don't know if my camera even has a thing to charge it! I also have a kindle so no heavy books. I'll be no where near the 20kg weight (its the sun stuff and repellant thats the heaviest) I just don't want to be miserable and not have enough clothes.