In real time, I’m about to leave Thailand… on Feb. 27th, but I’ve backdated this post so when I publish the next month worth of blogs this doesn’t continue to show up as the most recent. Yes I’m still a month behind on the blog… Sue me and you can try to take everything I have. At least everything I have with me which you’re about to learn exactly what that is. I’m suspecting learning this will dissuade you from suing me.
First a little tangent… A strange thing happened just after I landed in Bangkok, I checked me email and found a message from Robin. Robin is a former roommate of mine whom I pretty much haven’t heard from since she moved out a several years ago. The message was to say she had finally made her dream of moving to New Zealand come true. Go Robin! Then about two weeks later I get another unexpected email from Amy, a girl friend from about 10 years ago that I recently got back in touch with. She emailed to announce she was up and moving to China! Amy started a blog and the first few entries documented her physically moving to Lahasa, Tibet. She also started a blog and a few days ago in one of the first few entries she made a list of everything she brought with her. It got me thinking that it’s about time I make a list of everything I have with me.
Like nearly everyone, I get criticized for having too much stuff with me; however, I must say that I pale in comparison to her. It’s different for everyone; she’s moving to one location, she only has to move her stuff once. I move around weekly, sometimes daily, I can’t afford quite so much stuff, and I am traveling in vastly different climates over the next year. As such there are a few things that I use infrequently but still need to carry. Anyway, here it is, my worldly possessions for traveling the world (or at least this part of it). If there is an asterisk next to it that means it’s something I bought it or had it shupped to me in route.
I’ll preface it by saying I get criticized for having too much stuff, but that I pale in comparison to her. Say that is just part of an game all travelers play called “Your bag is bigger/heavier than my bag.”. In truth it’s different for everyone because everyone’s travel and needs are different. She’s moving to once, to one location that she can and needs to make a little comfortable. I move around weekly, sometimes daily, so I can’t afford quite so much creature comfort type stuff but need different practical things. I am traveling in different climates over the next year and as such there are a few things that I use infrequently but still need to haul around, big heavy hiking boots for example. Someone only traveling in the south of Thailand where even at night the temperature never drops below 25’C can obviously get away with a lot less weight. Someone with out the need or desire to have a nice camera and laptop with them can also get away with far less weight. On the other side of the spectrum some of the fire dancers I’ve been hanging out with that carry props and costumes for street performances that make my pack seem incredibly light weight. So here it is, my worldly possessions for traveling the world (or at least this particular part of it). For fun I put asterisks around things that I picked up along the way to differentiate from things I brought from the US. In hind sight I would have brought less clothes and bought more clothes here. You’ll also notice a few of the things listed as unused, many of which I am about to leave behind having realized the futility of carrying them. Some however I would have brought anyway because I still know I’ll need them later like when I get to somewhere like Tibet to visit Amy in June or July.
| Gregory Palisade Pack | ||
| Clothes | Packed in 2 Eagle Creek “Fold-its”, 1 large cube, 1 small cube and one cube for socks | |
| Vasque Full Leather Boots | Worn maybe 5 times, mostly on Treks | |
| North Face Gortex XCR Rain Jacket | Un-used | |
| 2 Pairs White Cotton Socks | Un-used | |
| 3 Pairs Wool Socks | 1 Pair used on Trek, other pairs un-used | |
| 1 Pair Black Nylon Socks * | Given to me in Bangkok by the Banyan Tree hotel, which require you to wear shoes into the swanky roof top bar, they loaned me shoes | |
| Blue Old Navy Fleece Pullover | Used a LOT, in the north and Laos | |
| Green/Grey Plaid North Face Short-Sleeved Button down Shirt | Worn maybe 5 times | |
| 4 Pairs Cotton Boxers | Worn frequently but I don’t need 4 pairs | |
| 3 Pairs Poly/Nylon Boxer Briefs | Worn more frequently I wish I had more | |
| Red Prana Woven Cotton T-Shirt | Worn frequently | |
| Blue Prana Woven Cotton T-Shirt | Worn frequently | |
| Blue Life is Good Cotton T-Shirt | Worn somewhat frequently | |
| Red North Face TekWare T-Shirt | Worn frequently | |
| Green Gramichi Quick Dry Nylon Pants | Worn frequently | |
| Off-White Hemp/Cotton Karate Pants | Worn frequently | |
| Grey Nylon North Face Shorts | Worn frequently | |
| Beige Nylon Mountain Hardware Shorts | Worn very frequently | |
| Beige Nylon North Face Pants | Maybe worn once | |
| Blue/Grey Long Sleeved Prana Shirt | Worn frequently | |
| Bathing Suit | Worn Daily in the south | |
| Red Quicksilver Rayon/Polyester Short-sleeved Button down shirt | Worn once | |
| Grey Heavy North Face Pants | Used frequently in the North and Laos | |
| Blue Nylon Hat | Lost the first week 🙁 | |
| Chacos (Teva like sandals but better) | Usually on my feet | |
| *Grey Long Sleeved Heavy North Face TekWare Shirt* | Shipped from home, picked up last week un-used | |
| *Yellow North Face TekWare T-Shirt* | Shipped from home, picked up last week worn twice already | |
| *Blue Thai Fisherman Pants* | Bought in Koh Phangan, used mostly when spinning fire | |
| *Purple/Green Scarf* | Bought in Mae Sai from a Long Neck Karen Woman – Used frequently in the north and Laos | |
| *Blue/Orange Sarong* | Bought in Koh Phangan, used infrequently as blanket and yoga mat | |
| *Camouflaged Hat* | Bought in Pai prior to Trek, used on trek and maybe a few more times | |
| *Cheap Flip Flops * | Used a LOT, easier on/off than Chacos | |
| Non-Clothes | ||
| Black Diamond Bullet A Very Small Back Pack | Used almost daily until I got my NEW shoulder bag | |
| Black Pillowcase | Un-used | |
| Waterproof Stuff Sack | Un-used | |
| Sink Drain Plug | used 4-5 times | |
| 8 individual sized packets Woolite | Originally 10, 2 used | |
| Brunton Compass | Un-used | |
| Small Binoculars | Used once in Kao Yai National Park | |
| Tetris Keychain Game | Un-used, I had this in Europe 8 years ago | |
| Spool of Thread and needle | Un-used | |
| Spyderco Knife | Used briefly and now broken | |
| Sailing Gloves | used a few times riding motor bikes, planning on using them kayaking | |
| Camelback | un-used | |
| Silk Sleep Sack | Used about 50% of the time | |
| THE Hotel Laundry Bag | Stolen at Chris and May’s Wedding Used Regularly | |
| Quick Dry Pack Towel | Used Infrequently | |
| Thin Nylon Duffle Bag | I put my big pack inside it when I fly – Used 3 times so far | |
| Camera Tripod | Used very infrequently, but after the fire photo session totally worth every gram | |
| *Incence* | Used occasionally to chase off mosquitos | |
| *Santa ??? – Incense wood from South America* | Gift from Bryan, awesome, chases off mosquitos and smells great | |
| *Cotton Hammock * | Bought in Koh Phangan and used every day there, used occasionally since then | |
| *Purple Shoulder Bag * | Bought in Luang Prabang, Laos and used it for one week until my heavy camera blew out the zippers, now used to house my stinky fire poi | |
| *Monkey Fist Fire Poi* | Bought from a friend in Koh Phangan, stored in above mentioned falling apart purple bag | |
| *Travel Speakers* | Bought in Koh Phangan (finally) used frequently since purchase | |
| *Headphone Extension cable for above speakers* | Bought in Bangkok shortly after realizing the super short cable included with the speakers was a nuisance | |
| *Tennis Ball Poi and Tennis Ball Metor* | Used occasionally | |
| Toiletry Bag | Small Eagle Creek Toiletry Bag | Used Daily |
| Travel Alarm Clock | Used frequently | |
| 2 Toothbrushes | Used Daily (it’s cheap insurance in case I lose one) | |
| *Small Scissors* | Bought somewhere to trim my facial hair | |
| Big Pick Style Comb | Used infrequently | |
| Small Travel Mirror | Used occasionally | |
| Nail Clippers | Used frequently | |
| Sowing Kit from THE Hotel | Used once | |
| *Actifed – ie. Sudafed* | Bought in Luang Prabang when I had some serious sinus congestion | |
| *Paracetamol – ie. Tylenol* | Bought in Luang Prabang when I had some serious sinus congestion | |
| Big Tube of Colgate Toothpaste | Almost gone and hoping it’ll be gone soon so I can but a small tube | |
| Pumice Stone | Used more frequently than I would have expected | |
| *Travel Packets of Tissue* | For toilets without toilet paper. Bought a 6 pack in Pai, just ran out and bought another 6 pack in Khao Lak | |
| Tea Tree Oil | Used occasionally – mostly on feet | |
| *Salt Crystal Deodorant* | Bought in Pai, will dump soon in favor of a cool little prepackaged replacement | |
| *Salt Crystal Deodorant in case* | Bought in Chiang Mai (2nd Visit) | |
| *50mL bottle Pantene* | Bought in Pai before finding cool natural shampoo that I just lost… | |
| *All Natural Shampoo* | Bought in Pai, lost in Bangkok | |
| Ear Plugs | Used twice on trains | |
| Neosporin | Used infrequently | |
| *Vicks Camphor/Menthol/Eucalyptus* | Used during sinus congestion | |
| *Peppermint Oil* | Probably not really essential oil, bought in Chiang Mai (2nd Visit) | |
| *Lighter* | I saw no reason to bring one… but know I have 3 in different places. For Incense, Candles, Fire Poi, whatever | |
| *Lighter #2 w/ LED light* | I have two with cool little LED lights built in for finding your way in the dark one of which is here in my toiletry bag waiting for the other to be lost or stolen | |
| Hair Gel | Used infrequently | |
| Condom | Just one and it’s still unused | |
| Zilactin | Unused – Topical medicine for Canker Sores which I get from time to time. I think I get them when I’m stressed out… funny I haven’t had need for it while traveling | |
| *Travel Soap* | Comes and goes, used occasionally | |
| Razor | Used every few days | |
| Razor Blades | 2 lasted me two months, I just bought 5 more today | |
| Floss | Unused – I never use floss I don’t know why I brought it… | |
| *Q-tips / Cotton Buds * | Just bought unused | |
| Books and Things | ||
| Lonely Planet Thailand | Used occasionally | |
| Lonely Planet India | Left in Chiang Mai my second week and just picked back up last week | |
| Book – Kite Runner | Excellent book, thank you Patty 🙂 Read on the train from Ayuthya to Chiang Mai, dropped in Chiang Mai | |
| Book – Sailing Promise | Finally read in Koh Phangan, dropped on 2nd visit to Chiang Mai | |
| Book – Bhagava Gita | Unread – Dropped in Surin the first week, just to big and heavy to keep carrying | |
| *Lonely Planet Thai for Travelers* | A good Thai phrase book, bought in Chaing Mai (1st visit) used daily | |
| *Thai 101* | A tiny but horrible Thai phrase book bought 2nd day, dropped in Chaing Mai (2nd Visit) | |
| *Book – Are you Afraid of the Dark* | A horrible novel, bought because there was nothing else before the 2nd train ride to Chaing Mai DUMPED in Chaing Mai | |
| *Book – The Tao of Pooh* | Given to me in Bangkok by Andrea, return a few days later in Pai | |
| *Book – Lost in Transmission* | A good novel, bought in Veng Vien, Laos, dropped in Chaing Mai (2nd Visit) | |
| *Book – The Corporation* | Picked up in Chaing Mai (2nd Visit), finished today, but I think I’ll carry it India | |
| *Book – Kitchen Confidential* | Bought in Chaing Mai (2nd Visit), not started yet |
Thats about it for my “big” pack, books I’m reading make it temporarily into my “small” pack or my day bag. I think I’m missing a book or two that I read quickly and discarded. I think I finished Bill Bryson’s “Lost Continent” here… I think… It’s late and I can’t think clearly. Oh, and my journal I carry most of the time in whatever pack/day bag I’m carrying see way down at the bottom. Now for my “small pack”, which is actually quiet large since it’s my camera/laptop/etc.. bag
| Lowe-Pro CompuRover (Smaller Pack) | This pack is designed to carry a laptop and camera which I wear on the front when carrying my big pack on my back, it is not my day pack. It’s too big to be used as a day pack unfortunately | |
| 10-20 Blank DVDs | I burn photos to these to send home, in theory | |
| *2 CDs of Software (Anti-Virus and Video Editing)* | Bought in Bangkok | |
| Camera (Nikon D80, 18-200 VR Lens, UV Filter) | Used almost daily 🙂 I do get tired of carrying all 2kg of it though | |
| Circular Polarizing Filter for Camera | Used frequently – Thank you Hansi and Jennifer | |
| Camera Bag (just a case basically) | Used almost daily, used inside my day bag | |
| Camera Flash | Used occasionally | |
| LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer | Used once, not a big fan | |
| Camera Lens Cleaning Kit | Used infrequently, I think I use it more on other peoples camera (which have never been cleaned) than on mine | |
| Camera Memory Cards 1-2GB and 1-1GB | Used frequently | |
| Lens Pen | Used for regular lens cleaning | |
| Camera Battery Charger | Used about weekly | |
| Rechargable battery charger (flash uses AA’s, speakers use AAA) | Used occasionally – It’s nice not to be throwing away alkaline batteries | |
| Ipod/Sync Cable | Used infrequently – In the room I’m usually listen to music directly from the laptop | |
| Sony in-ear headphones for Ipod and Laptop | Used somewhat frequently | |
| Cables for hooking Ipod to stereo | unused (most stereos already have cables waiting for an Ipod to be plugged in) | |
| Kennisiton Universal Charger | Used frequently until it died in Laos, they sent a new brick to Elena which she is bringing me in India | |
| Adaptors for above to charge Laptop/Cell Phone/Ipod | ||
| Acer 5672 WLMi Laptop | Used almost daily | |
| Power Cord for Acer Laptop | bought in Bangkok shortly after uninversal power adaptor died | |
| USB Hard Drive 120GB | Used very frequently | |
| Motorolla Razr V3 Cell Phone | Lost in Chaing Mai 🙁 | |
| Charger for RAZR V3 | Used until phone lost, not sure why I still carry it | |
| *Charger for Nokia 1110i* | Came with replacement phone bought in Chaing Mai | |
| Pen Sized Mag Light | un-used | |
| Colman Headlamp | used frequently during power outages and where there are no street lights | |
| Whistle | un-used | |
| *Plastic Folder* | For important papers (Insurance, Passport Copys, etc) bought in Bangkok | |
| *Plastic Folder* | For less important papers (travel articles, notes, letters, postcasrds) bought in Bangkok | |
| Heavy Paper Folder | Destroyed a few weeks ago | |
| Pad of Engineering/Graph Paper | Just in case I want to sketch something | |
| Manila Envelopes | For sorting and mailing | |
| Sunglasses | Used occasionally, surprsingly less then I would have thought | |
| *Bug Spray* | Used occasionally when needed – on second bottle both bought in Thailand | |
| *Sun Screen* | un-used | |
| Cliff Bar | Just in case… unused | |
| First Aid Kit – Tiny, literally like 10 band-aids and a piece of gauze | Unused | |
| 3″ Square Post-it notes | Used frequently – notes for friends and bookmarks in LP | |
| *Duck Tape* | Used frequently – mostly for blisters on feet on second tiny roll | |
| Flickr Photo Cards | Used frequently | |
| Extra USB cable | used a few times | |
| *Naruda Poem from Elena* | Picked up with stuff in Chaing Mai, read several times | |
| Travel Wallet w/ Passport some extra cash and a credit card | Carried on body when moving, left in room when stationary | |
| Small lock and 3 keys | Used a few times to lock luggage, used once to lock door | |
| Voice Recorder | Unused | |
| Check Book w/ stash of extra cash and a credit card | Unused | |
| Leathman Juice Pro | Used frequently, espeically to make/repair poi, also used as knife | |
| Keychain compass and LED light clipped to pack strap | Used frequently I love this little thing, shame the LED is dying | |
| Tiny screwdriver for taking apart laptops/electronics/etc… | Hey it was unused, but I just used to to fix the LED on the keychain Compass/LED | |
| Day Bag | Usually my shoulder bag, use to be my Bullet Backpack | |
| *Shoulder Bag* | Bought in Bangkok, modified to be strong in Pai, with an inside pocket too… I love this one and prefer it to a back pack 🙂 | |
| Journal | Used frequently or writing and storing important papers | |
| *Nokia 1110i Cell Phone* | Bought in Chaing Mai | |
| *Sock Poi* | My first set of Poi Picked up in Pai, still my favorite, with me everywhere | |
| Wallet | Almost always in my pocket | |
| Cash | Used Daily | |
| Credit Card | Unused | |
| ATM Card | Used frequently (weekly) | |
| CA Drivers License | unused | |
| Engeering License | unused | |
| Bussiness Card from Mom and Elena | unused | |
| Red Cross Card | unused | |
| AAA Card | unused | |
| Insurance Info | unused |
Well, I think that’s it… every last little piece… I weighed everything flying from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Big Pack=23kg, Small Pack=12kg, Shoulder Bag 2kg, all total 37kg. Multiply by 2.2 to get to pounds.