Hey there. I'm back once more with another post on my ‘packing essentials’ for off-the-beaten-track travel. Last time I was looking at first aid kits and mosquito nets (and a few other things). Here are five more items I’d recommend taking along with you, if you’re going to be on the road for more than a couple of weeks…
1. Silk sleeping bag liner - This little silk pouch packs up pretty small, is lightweight and will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This is great if you’re stuck in accommodation that’s a bit cheap or dirty and you’d rather not run the risk of bed bugs. You can put it inside a rented sleeping bag or under a dusty blanket and mine is silky soft to the touch, which lets you drift comfortably off to sleep. Keep away the creepy crawlies and lay your worries about dubious cleanliness methods to rest with one of these.
2. Key or Combination Padlock - In my youth, and on a budget, I stayed in many a youth hostel and I learned, sadly, that there are sometimes wandering hands around. Using a padlock gives an extra level of protection to your belongings, especially because hostels don't usually offer lockers but when they do, you’ll have to pay for a padlock. You can also use small locks for your day pack, when you’re wandering around in crowded cities, where pickpockets are always on the look-out for tourists.
3. Fold-up hat - In the hotter climes, the sun can be a real beast and the last thing you want to be laid up with is sunstroke (trust me, it’s awful). An absolute necessity is a hat, and I suggest that wide-brimmed and foldable is the way to go. The one I’m currently using is ‘Jezdebel Pack ’n Travel’ and can be squished up and thrown into a backpack or daypack very easily. It keeps its shape quite well and is also machine-washable.
4. Ziplock bags - I am a huge fan of these and carry a stash of them on every trip. if something is liable to leak, I immediately put it in there. If I have a dirty or smelly item, in it goes. They’re easy to mold into a shape you need and very economical. And, of course, they make your backpack a lot more organised.
5. Money Belt - I cannot recommend this enough. In many countries I’ve been in, robbery is rife and this is the safest way to carry your passport, cash and credit cards. It's great if you're on the move or staying in a guest house where the security strikes you as potentially lax - you can wear it comfortably under your clothes, and no-one will ever know it’s there. This is deep storage that gives you true peace of mind...
Happy travelling...