Rise of The Packinator

What do you pack when you are leaving for 3 months and you need to carry your own bag on trains, buses, boats, along rough roads, and up the stairs at Guesthouses?

Let’s start by saying that we decided that 1 weeks’ worth of clothing was what we would be carrying. Also, we need to consider weather as low as 16C in the north of Vietnam so we allowed for a wardrobe that can be managed with layers and a light jacket. I will not talk about toiletries as they are more of personal issue based on individual needs and personal preferences. However, I will mention that you might want to bring a small first aid kit, but the rest is up to you. If you are on any medication, it is a good idea to include your prescriptions in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost.

We will be checking both of our bags even though mine is a carry-on and we will be packing some of our individual clothes in each other suitcases. Therefore, if one suitcase doesn’t make it, we will both have some clothes to wear until we sort things out. We are each carrying a backpack which we will include flip flops, a pair of shorts and t-shirts plus toothbrushes and toothpaste for the same reason.  Airlines don’t normally lose luggage, but it does happen.

Note: I will not be bringing any jewellery – not even costume jewellery. Bling can attract unwanted attention and can also be pretentious in poor areas. And after all, we won’t be dining at the “captain’s table”.

The best clothing for this type of trip is the kind of clothes which are made specifically to travel. The clothes are made from material which dries quickly such as nylon/polyester and is generally lighter. Also, travelling clothes can include hidden pockets for your valuables.  Now, this type of clothing may not be the most fashionable, but it is the most practical for this type of trip. It can also be expensive but both of us have been accumulating travel clothing over the years.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your passport and credit cards are secured in RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) protection, usually an envelope in which you insert your cards and passport, or an actual wallet or purse. I invested in an anti-theft travel purse which has an RFID compartment to block electronic stealing of credit cards and passport information. The shoulder strap is made with 2 stainless steel cables to protect from slash and go theft. The other great feature is the double lock system on the zippered compartments which protects you from thieves to unzip your bag, especially in crowded places. 

1 weeks’ worth of clothes

·      2 pairs of pants

·      2 long sleeve shirts

·      2 shorts/skort (for me)

·      2 bathing suits

·      2 pairs of sandals

·      1 pair of walking shoes

·      1 pair of flip-flop for the beach

·      5 t-shirts/shirts (for Ed)

·      2 sleeveless shirts (for Johanne)

·      2 dresses (one for daytime and the other for evening)

·      2 travel towels (excellent for the beach – microfiber towel can be used as a blanket on bus/train rides)

·      Undergarment

·      3 pairs of socks

·      2 hats

Leaving on the plane

·      Light jacket

·      One of the pairs of pants (make sure they are very comfortable to travel for almost 24 hours)

·      Hoodie/sweater

·      The walking shoes

·      One of the long sleeve shirts

In our carrying backpack:

·      1 short

·      1 short sleeve t-shirt

·      Sandals

·      Book for entertaining (prefer an actual book than read off a tablet)

·      Laptop & plug

·      Phone & plug

·      Book of Southeast Asia

·      Sound cancelling earphones

·      Electrical adapter which includes USB connections

·      Sunglasses

·      Reading glasses (at least 2 pairs)

·      Medication

·      Neck pillow for the plane and long train and bus rides – inflatable is an option

 

Optional things to bring and may come in very handy

·      Microfiber towel

·      Compass (I know you have one on your phone, but the old-fashioned kind has come in very handy many times)

·      Carabiners (you may have to hang something from your backpack or from your belt loop)

·      Sink stopper to wash your clothes

·      Laundry detergent

·      Earplugs (bus and train rides along the way)

·      Locks for your suitcases and an additional lock (can come in handy at certain hotels where they have lockers to store your valuables)

·      Thermometer

·      Selfie-stick

·      Spork

·      Luggage Tags

Stay tuned as “the Packinator” packs all this in 2-hybrid suitcases/backpacks and our 2 carry-on backpacks.

~Travel like nobody’s watching~