Having looked at the climate data for the countries I'm going to, I'm going to need everything from an Inuit furcoat to budgie smugglers. For example, Uzbekistan in November can get down to 0-5 celceus in places. Burma is up around 30 celceus or more in December.
Another consideration is locating various items of clothing when in tight, dark, unfamiliar places. I don't want to be bent over a backpack, starkers, in a mixed hostel dorm, looking for a clean pair of boxers for longer than absolutely necessary.
Soooooo. First priority is a selection of dry bags. That way, I only have four or five things to stuff into or rip out of my backpack, not fifty. One for underwear, one for T-shirts, one for bottom wear, one for laundry. Oh, and maybe one for possible laundry / might wear again if things get desperate. I got some very cheaply from Amazon. They ain't brilliant quality but they do a good job of keeping things separate and look a bit more professional than supermarket carriers bags. Who knows, they might even keep things dry!
Next, quantities. I'm pretty sure that whatever I do, I'm going to get this bit wrong. I'm working on the principle that I need clothing for a week before finding a washing machine. That means seven pair of the essentials and I'll have to make bottom wear last a bit longer. I'm a bloke, so making clothes last longer than polite society would ordinarily tolerate is no real hardship.
I'll obviously need to allow for a change into evening wear in the hotter places and that means I'll either have to have washing done more often or buy essentially disposable clothing later on in the trip. Not a huge problem.
Security. Basically, nothing of any value is going in the backpack. None of my clothes qualify as valuable. In fact, good luck to any would-be thief on that score. I can, but will not be upgrading my smartphone in advance of the trip. Current smartphone value - around £30. In fact, no shiny things to be packed if at all poss. If I get turned over at any point, everything will be easily replaceable apart from my passport. And I'm taking a copy of that.
Reading material. Hmm. Tricky. long journeys require something to occupy oneself. I've got two actual books, one fiction, one non-fiction, both of which I've been saving for the purpose. No guide books but I've loaded my research on each likely destination onto the smartphone (along with train timetables, other transport options etc.). I've also got some ebooks on the phone.
Security. Basically, nothing of any value is going in the backpack. None of my clothes qualify as valuable. In fact, good luck to any would-be thief on that score. I can, but will not be upgrading my smartphone in advance of the trip. Current smartphone value - around £30. In fact, no shiny things to be packed if at all poss. If I get turned over at any point, everything will be easily replaceable apart from my passport. And I'm taking a copy of that.
Reading material. Hmm. Tricky. long journeys require something to occupy oneself. I've got two actual books, one fiction, one non-fiction, both of which I've been saving for the purpose. No guide books but I've loaded my research on each likely destination onto the smartphone (along with train timetables, other transport options etc.). I've also got some ebooks on the phone.
Sundries. Footwear, pairs, two (Converse and Teva). Hat, floppy camo jungle style (baseball caps aren't my thing). Dish dash, (I rather fancy myself as something of a T.E. Lawrence). Long johns, one pair, plus thermal top (for those nippy nights). Sleeping bag and liner.
When I think about it, there's a lot of olive green going on (backpack and day bag are both olive too). I'm in danger of looking a bit like a Special Forces wannabe. I'm not sure my profile will be all that low if I travel around dressed as an Andy McNab lookey-likely. Hopefully the Converse footwear will give me away as a humble office bod on his hols.
So I've had a quick trial pack and everything seems to fit with a bit to spare. I'm bound to need any spare room for souveniers (Persian rug, elephant tusks, Thai bride etc.).
When I think about it, there's a lot of olive green going on (backpack and day bag are both olive too). I'm in danger of looking a bit like a Special Forces wannabe. I'm not sure my profile will be all that low if I travel around dressed as an Andy McNab lookey-likely. Hopefully the Converse footwear will give me away as a humble office bod on his hols.
So I've had a quick trial pack and everything seems to fit with a bit to spare. I'm bound to need any spare room for souveniers (Persian rug, elephant tusks, Thai bride etc.).
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