:: What to Pack? - how much do you really need . .
Packing obviously depends heavily on where you're travelling to and what type of holiday you're taking. However, here are a few tips that will hopefully help you for your next trip, whether you're going backpacking through Europe, taking your 4WD trough the bush or a coach tour round Australia.
Wherever you're going, clothes will take up most of your suitcase or backpack. The best way to keep your clothes to a minimum is to just take one pair of jeans, one jumper and one jacket. If you are taking a jacket, try to avoid taking a thick woollen jumper as well, and if possible, you should wear bulky items like these on the flight, as they take up a lot of space in your luggage.
- Something to keep in mind when travelling to cold destinations is that most buildings are well heated. So unless you're going to be spending a lot of time outside in the cold, hiking for example, there is no point in wearing thermal underwear and a really thick jacket, because the moment you step inside you'll be roasting! Therefore you should dress in layers - a T-shirt, a thin jumper or long sleeved shirt, and a jacket. This way you can wear your jacket outdoors, and take it off when you go inside.
- If you are planning a tropical getaway, remember that although it may be likely to rain, it will probably be quite humid and warm. You therefore should not take a big thick waterproof jacket, but a light raincoat or umbrella. The temperature will remain fairly constant in these locations, and although it does cool down at night, it would very rarely get below about 12 degrees Celsius.
- Remember that in most deserts there are major temperature fluctuations. It could be 45 degrees during the day, and then the mercury might go as low as freezing at night. Be sure to prepare yourself for hot and cold weather.
- There are many places that you cannot predict the weather - it may be 30 degrees one day, and snowing a week later. This is where my "dress in layers" motto comes into practice.
- I find that the more T-shirts and underwear I pack, the better. They don't take up much room, and you'll wear them everyday. It is a good idea to estimate how often you'll be able to access a washing machine - if it's every seven days, take eight or nine pairs of underwear. This obviously depends again on the type of holiday you're taking.
- Another problem can be shoes. Take as few pairs as possible. For men, if you're not going to any formal restaurants or functions, one pair of Blundstone or RM Williams type boots is usually enough. You can wear them hiking and you can wear them when you go out, so why waste space with any other shoes? For women these type of boots are also handy, but you may like to take another pair or two which is okay as long as they're not too heavy or bulky.
- As well as clothes, there are a few other essential items I never leave home without. The Swiss-army knife always comes in handy - whether it's the can opener or the tweezers, I find a use for it every day.
- Keep your toiletries to a minimum. All good hotels provide shampoo, conditioner and soap, so if you're staying in hotels you may wish to leave these items at home. The same rule applies to towels.
- Another item I like to take is a compass. A map makes a lot more sense if you know which way is North! I often walk out of an airport or an underground station and find I've completely lost my sense of direction.
- For backpackers, you should also bring a mini clothes line, first aid kit, padlock, sleeping bag (essential!), torch and of course a guide. A walkman can be handy when you're trying to get to sleep in a room with eight people who are all snoring!
- Finally, a money belt or pouch can be handy, but remember that all thieves know they exist! They're good for carrying your passport and tickets, but remember to keep a photocopy of them both somewhere else in your luggage.
The main things you need to remember, are "dress in layers", and "don't overpack"!
