Packing List Review

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One subject of conversation that came back often when I was in France and England was about the size of my backpack. Most of the people were amazed that I travelled for 4 months with so little.

Well, if you have read this website from the begining, you know I spent some time fine-tuning my packing list optimizing for weight and easy-cleaning. To read how it was created and how I selected some of these items, go there.
I think the best way to comment it is to go over it:

  • 3 t-shirts/1 long-sleeves t-shirt: I loved my 4 dry-fit t-shirts. They were perfect for every occasion. I ended up buying one short sleeves and one long sleeves cotton shirts in Dahab and it proved useful too.
  • 2 pair convertible trousers: Perfect
  • 3 pairs of underwear: Rod used to make fun of me for having only three of them. He even offered me to buy me some in Tel-Aviv! That is true that it was a bit tight especially when I could not clean any for several days. I would go for the double next time.
  • A set of long very warm underwear pants and t-shirt (The set I use when I ski): I used them at night in the desert and on top of Mount Sinai and never got cold.
  • 1 swimsuit trunk: Definitely
  • 1 fleece jacket: Not used that often but definitely worth carrying.
  • 1 windproof, rainproof jacket: Only used in England!
  • 3 pairs of socks: I wore the Tevas most of the time so 3 pairs were enough. If you wear closed shoes more than half the time, I would take 2 more pairs.
  • 1 cap: Perfect. I would take one more next time because I got tired of it.
  • 1 pair trekking/walking shoes: Perfect
  • 1 pair of Tevas: Perfect. They got quite stinky at time but they wash nicely overnight!
  • 1 travel towel: Useless. It is nice to go on a backpacking weekend. Very light and everything but frankly, I used it rarely preferring the hotel’s towels when available and ended up loosing it. I bought a normal towel that I lost the same day on the boat. I finally bought a large beach towel in Greece and even if it was taking more room in my backpack, it was definitely worth it.
  • 1 silk sheet bag (because I am worth it!): Well, used it only for 10 nights max. The hotels/hostels usually provide bed sheets and those that require a sheet bag rent them for super cheap and you do not have to clean the damn thing. I would not take it again for a trip in Middle-East. It might be different for a trip to Europe though.
  • 1 toothbrush / 1 tube of toothpaste / 1 box of floss: Take the real thing, not travel size.
  • 1 bottle of shampoo/1 bottle of soap: I thought I would be smart and use containers that close tight but they were too small and ended up having to buy these items.
  • Nail clippers: N/A
  • An electric razor: Except for the fact I decided not to use it by the end of my trip, it worked great. If you don’t bring one, you can take your chance with the barbers that do a nice and relaxing job for very cheap.
  • 1 travel pack (Gregory Palisade): Worked well. Difficult to securely lock so it might be a concern for other people.
  • 1 day pack (Eagle Creek packable day pack): Love it! British Airways too!
  • 1 duffel bag (that folds very small): Never used.
  • 2 locks: Definitely. I used one to lock my daypack when going in crowded area.
  • 1 tiny alarm clock: Very useful and worked like a charm.
  • 1 mini Maglite flashlight with extra bulb: Very useful for the desert, the Egyptian monuments and the cave exploration in Petra and Cappadocia.
  • 1 Leatherman micro: Very useful. Sadly, I had to let it go at the airport in Athens after I forgot to check it in.
  • 1 compass/whistle combo: Compass was very useful while exploring Petra and Cappadocia.
  • 2 safety pins: Never used.
  • 1 bunch of Ziplocs: Perfect
  • 1 small roll of duct tape: Once again, it saved the day when I had to fix my papyrus roll after the Israeli custom had cut the top open!
  • 1 tube of detergent: I bought liquid soap. I did laundry every night for 1 month. I did not have enough. Then I discovered that most of the backpacker hotels were offering laundry service for very cheap so I went for that.
  • 1 sink stopper: Great
  • 1 surgical-quality, natural latex rubber clothesline!: Perfect, that stuff can hold a load.
  • 2 inflatable hangers: Very good. I got some shit for having them from Rod but I think he was just jealous!
  • some toilet paper: Always have some on you.
  • 1 pair of sunglasses and its box: Lost the box in Athens. I also managed to damage them by putting them in my pocket :(.
  • 1 traveler first aid pack including diarrhea treatment, Advil/Tylenol, blister pads, bandages…: One word: Cypro!
  • 1 bottle of mosquito repellent: Used it only twice.
  • 1 tube of sunscreen and lip balm: I think I went through 5 or 6 tubes total. It is difficult to find good sunscreen with SPF over 30 so if you need more, stock on them. I used SPF 60 for most of Egypt.
  • Inflatable travel pillow / blindfold / earplugs: I cannot find earplugs that work with my ears. As Ledi says all the time, they have a weird shape!
  • A digital camera + an extra battery + charger: Worked great except when I broke the LCD.
  • A Hardshell CD case to store the picture CDs I burn along the way: I bought it in Egypt. Definitely worth it.
  • An IPod and its charger: For the 13 hour bus rides with the radio blaring in a language you do not understand!
  • An universal power converter: It worked great everywhere. Small and versatile.
  • A security pouch: Perfect
  • Important documents
    • Passport / Green card
    • Vaccination certificates
    • Credit/debit cards
    • Health insurance info
    • 3 personal checks: Never used one but it is a good thing.
    • A list with personal addresses and phone numbers
  • Copies of these documents: N/A
  • 3 guidebooks: The Middle-East Lonely Planet turned out too old to be useful. It was so heavy that I ended up tearing sections apart and carrying only the current country’s section. Having a guidebook is at the same time an enchantment and a calamity. It helps you not get scammed all the time but it also shields you from many experiences. Using it is definitely a balancing act. While more expensive and more difficult to buy a guide when you get in the country, it definitely saved my back not to carry all of them from the beginning.
  • A bunch of books: These were heavy. Need to take less and unload more along the road. The book exchange works quite well.
  • My scuba diving logbook and PADI cards
  • 1 small notebook
  • 1 pen: Failed on me in Istanbul. I did not find one I liked before England.
  • 1 pencil: Gave it to a tomb guard in Abu Simbel on a misunderstanding. I thought he wanted to write something for me!

The only thing I really missed was a set of nicer clothes to go out. I did not go as much as I could have because I did not have anything nice to wear. I will take what is needed next time.

Except for that, everything worked quite well. I have updated the list based on my comments.