I wrote a post over on xoTheRunawayGirls before leaving for Southeast Asia with what I thought was the PERFECT packing list. I spent so much time reading other blogs and taking notes from these travel gurus on ‘how to pack like a pro’ but the truth is, a lot of those posts are outdated a load of sh*t!
No matter how often you travel, you’ll always find it difficult to accurately pack. You may figure out what you can and can’t live without but you’ll honestly never truly know if you’ve packed correctly until you’re there, and more time you still end up throwing and buying certain things on the road… AND THAT’S OK!
I ended up with a 30 or 35L backpack and even though I was worried it was so small, I couldn’t image carrying anything more than that!
I travelled South East Asia for 5.5 months through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and The Phillipeans with only the purple backpack and a smaller one for my gadgets and MacBook.
I’m not here to tell you what you should and shouldn’t take but I can tell you what I think you’re more than likely to need and not need.
This isn’t an extensive list, just a few key things from experience.
Clothing
Light loose clothing that can be mix and matched. Less denim shorts (you’ll appreciate the airflow) and more playsuits, cotton shorts, skirts and dresses. A few fancier outfits for photo shoots (yes girls, get those insta likes) and sky bars.
Useful things to bring or buy:
- Scarf – To sit on, put on top of a not so clean pillow, be used as a pillow, to cover in temples etc.
- Light rain jacket – Obviously for rain, but also protection from Midges when on the beach and to keep warm.
- Hoodie/Jumper – AC is a bitch! – Enough said.
The clothing in Asia is smaller than the UK but I had no problem finding elephant pants, shorts and t-shirts/vests on the road. Shopping and laundry is cheap here so don’t sweat it too much!
Shoes
This for me was easy.
Useful things to bring or buy:
- Trainers (1) – Depending on the type of trip you may want to bring more. I bought a pair that could be worn with anything, be washed easily and worn in water. Think Adidas Flux / Nike Roshe.
- Sandals (1) – A QUALITY pair that can be worn to a bar or dinner and are easy to take off. You’re asked to take your shoes off before entering a lot of buildings, even restaurants at times.
- Flip flops (2) – One for the shower and hostel room and one for every day. These are easy to replace so no need to stock up on loads before you go.
My sandals broke after 1 day of being in Bangkok. I guess the heat melted the glue!
Extras
Everything else!
Useful things to bring or buy:
- Packing cubes -These are MUST HAVES. I have 4 that range in size that I used for medication (1), bikinis and underwear (2), t-shirts and tops (3) and all other clothing items (4)
- Microfibre towel – Most hostels don’t provide towels and these dry quickly and pack up small (They don’t dry you very well so you may want to carry a spare flannel to help dry yourself)
- Ear plugs / over the ear headphones – I used my Beats By Dre as ear plugs, if someone was snoring or being loud, I’d pop these on, even without music to cancel them out.
- Daypack, small side bag, coin purse – Daypack for your water, camera and scarf, small side bag for your purse and anything you need easy access to/don’t feel safe having at the back of you and a purse for your money. You’ll be surprised how many people pack their normal chunky purse, or no purse at all.
- Padlock and key – For hostel lockers.
- Waterproof backpack cover – The last thing you want is to be caught in the rain and not have dry clothes to change into.
Forget about it! No, Seriously.
- Sleeping bag
- Tent
- Sleeping sack
- Pillowcase
- Guide books – unless you won’t have access to the internet
- Mosquito net – unless you’re going to sleep in real rural / tropical areas