Packing light

skint_chick

If you have in any way frizzy or curly hair I would pick up a little travel size conditioner as the different water and humidity will make your hair go crazy! I don't think you'll be miserable from a lack of clothes - more from having to haul a huge bag around in the heat and wrestle it on and off trains and buses. I went travelling across Europe for 3 months with just my normal backpack - mascara and eyeliner is plenty in the heat make sure they're water and sweatproof - I highly recommend Revlon liquid eyeliner. Your pack should weigh 8-10kg when fully loaded - Merrell do some lovely comfortable but still feminine sandals in pastel colours. Remember you'll also have a bottle of water to carry around with you as well to keep hydrated so factor this weight in - test your bag with sundresses etc on as the straps need to be comfortable if you're going to have bare shoulders!

SnowBelle_2

Even though it seems easier to buy clothes in South Asia,don't forget they are all small there......I was a size 16 and may as well have been an Indian Elephant trying to find clothes there!
But on a different note,You have too many sundresses and will probably only need 1 pair of flip flops as you will be able to buy nice ones cheaply.
Pick up sachets of conditioner from Superdrug or any other pharmacy and definately buy a Lush shampoo bar if you can,they are amazing.
How about a 1 mozzie spray and a mozzie plug for your room?
Do'nt worry about make-up too much as it will be the last thing on your mind!
All the things you said about buying you can easily get in HK.
Don't be miserable about your lack of clothes,you will be having too much of a good time to worry about that,and believe me you will see some right scruff bags when travelling!
lastly have a great trip
Clare x

Archergirl

Too many dresses and shoes, 1 pr flip flops will do, but will you need trainers for any rough walking/climbing? Or a pair of Teeva type sandals? I use panty liners on holiday to cut down on knickers!!

gibson123

i did loads of backpacking when I was younger and your list is perfect, you could drop one dress and make sure that one pair of your flip flops are everyday for the beach etc. and one dressy for going out. You will of course be wearing one of the dresses, your sandals and the cardi for travelling anyway, so I don't think you have overpacked. Would also include a small jar of sudocream which is great from everything from insect bites, to sunburn, to chafing. One thing you may consider is instead of bras, take bikini tops, they are more versatile, but stick to cotton knickers. PS make sure that one of everything is black as black is easier to dress up if you get invited somewhere nice and that you have longish board type shorts as well as short shorts. The most important consideration really is the size, weight and shape of your backpack.

Diane60

There is very good m&s in Hong Kong. Have a friend who is there at the moment and was in raptures to find trousers in size 16 long. She had been packing in Thailand and found that a lot of her clothes were in holes from using Deet!

sarah69696pink

I love this post - am doing a fortnight backpacking this year (so no where near as long as you) and am having a similar dilemma! I would personally also pack some elizabeth arden 8 hour cream as find it can be great for sunburn, insect bites, cuts, lipbalm etc etc.
I would also prob only take one pair of flip flops as you can buy more there and if you have something like havaianas they will last really well. Other than that I may lose one dress, but I think your list is fab - certainly got me thinking that I should be able to cope with the same (or really less) for my short trip!!

alanrowell

5 sundresses but no underwear????? What sort of holiday are you doing?

However it's the other things you might be tempted to pack - the pills and potions, the books, the electronics, the shoes that take up the space and weight. Cut them down and you'll have space for a ballgown just in case you are invited to the Embassy Ball.

totallybored

Thank you all! Im a bit worried trying to buy clothes as I go as I'm not 5'2, size 6 with a shoe size under 36! I'll have left HK by the time I'd possibly need more clothes.

I have some Merrell sandals, they arrived earlier this week so I am wearing them now to break them in. They're not what I would normally choose but they are comfortable (when they stop rubbing) and practical. I was planning on taking 2 pairs of flip flops (Havianas as they are so comfy) as I have a bizarre allergy and am often allergic to the rubber in cheap ones. The skin under where the v shaped bit at the front goes gets covered in small blisters. I think I might be the only person in the world with a flip flop allergy!

I'll lose one dress, they don't take much space when all rolled together. And I have several black items! I didn't really want to take trousers but I know that I'll need to wear them to get in some places.

I'll get a pot of sudocream and put it into a smaller container, I noticed it in the pound shop the other day.

Some of the websites I've been reading have said don't wear shorts and try to dress more like the locals and not a tourist. I'm not sure how a tall, very white freckly person can look anything other than a tourist!

totallybored

alanrowell wrote: »

5 sundresses but no underwear????? What sort of holiday are you doing?
.

Underwear is on the list, don't worry! Id probably cry if I forgot it.

sarah69696pink

totallybored wrote: »

I didn't really want to take trousers but I know that I'll need to wear them to get in some places.

is one the dresses a maxi dress? If so that would keep you covered to get into temples etc if that is what you are referring to, or also wrapping a sarong over what you are wearing may work if the trousers are the item you would prefer to lose?