I should really call this segment “things to not forget”.

Below you’ll find an array of lists/ notes to self – that are roughly that, plus a load of rambling off tangent. I’m doing this for my own sanity, and you’re welcome to read it. Don’t judge.

Thor likes to think he/we can survive as long as we have money and passports, kept safe in his day pack, which I suppose is technically true. But I would worry about my mental state. I like to have everything I need and sometimes extras. Admittedly I’ve gotten a lot better, and have worked it down to a bit of a science. Tooting my own horn here.

We’ll start with the basics…

Some people enjoy packing loads and loads of clothing, outfits for every occasion. Shoes you’ll never wear, makeup that’ll just melt off in 30 degree heat plus humidity. And that’s fine. I’m not telling you how to live your life. 

That being said, every country has washing machines & laundromats . Whether or not you opt to utilize them is up to you. It can be a hassle. I generally don’t bother, unless you’re staying put, traveling light, like our setup in Thailand where we have a laundry basket supplied in the room and the owner has her own washing machine and line dries the same day, as long as its sunny. This year I’ll be trialing some new eco conscious laundry detergent, strips, easy to pack, minimally scented but still fresh.

Depending on where you’re going. How you’re traveling. Where you’re staying. All the variables. No two trips are the same. I could pack between 4-6 outfits and have a couple laundry days. Other trips – where there is no laundry happening, it’s always better to be prepared. I also never pack anything that’s a single wear item, I can (and will) wear the same jean shorts for a week, not a problem, not a week straight though, I’m not a monster. In tropical climates you’ll want everything breathable and light. Cotton and linen are your friends. If you can hold it up to the light and see through it a bit, even better. Plenty of comfy casual sundresses, not too revealing, not too short – leg over a scooter remember.

Beach attire & supplies could be its own subgroup. And everyone will have their own opinion, but I’d say 3 bikinis for 2 weeks or 2 months should be plenty. Unless you’re filling a modelling portfolio, then go on with your bad self. Thanks to my pasty English heritage I am a certified shade dweller. I don’t tan. I can’t. I burn within minutes, while fully “protected” with 60+spf sunscreen in places in SE Asia and anywhere hot. I can feel my skin oils crisping me up as I make a dash from the safety of shade to the cool water. In the past, half of my luggage has been filled with a travel umbrella – that comes apart for easy packing, and a beach towel as well as a padded thing with a nice cushy headrest. Laying on my back and reading or snoozing is my end game goals, and a squishy little bit of neck support just adds that bit of love. It also weighs nothing – bonus.

Next topic.

Let’s tackle toiletries and such.

Tweezers, very important. Nail clippers and a little file. Best to bring a handy little travel set.

First aid kit goodies. Antibiotic bandaids are nice to have on hand. Gauze. Tensor bandage. Alcohol wipes. Motrin, Benadryl, Pepto, Immodium, Metamucil, Polysporin. Advil. A selection of gravol. I have a handy first aid fanny pack to keep things organized. Narrow it down to two sunscreens, face & body.

I despise travel sizes and *wasteful plastic* so I stay away, I find them annoying and unnecessary – if you’ve got the room and are checking a bag, throw in your regular sized products. Separate paragraph – life hack products made for travel.

Instead of after sun I like to stick to lotions and body oils. I picked up a really nice monoi scented coconut oil a few trips ago and my toasted skin soaks it up and it smells beautiful.

Next topic.

Bugs, they’re everywhere, maybe not Iceland in winter, but definitely Thailand all year. I forgot my bug stuff once, and we won’t be doing that again, we picky. They had Off and Sketolene at the restaurant. Sketolene claims to also keeps the snails away. I’m partial to JR Watkins, it’s a cream in a 100ml tube and it doesn’t smell terrible like bug spray. And since it’s Watkins I like to think it’s not giving *cancer* vibes. 

Next topic: Combatting boredom. 

I don’t get bored. I’m immune. Peace & quiet is my literal heaven. Give me shade on a nice beach, with a gentle breeze, a cold drink and some snacks. I was going to bring a crib board one year and forgot. Another note to self. I quite enjoy crib, and luckily easy enough to pick up. One year I’ll teach the mister how to play. Cool drinks don’t stay crispy cool at 32 degrees, so we have a squishy lined cooler bag, just big enough for a 6 pack, filler with ice and you’re good to go.

Generally at the beach I read. Many hotels around the world have a little free library selection nowadays, if you run dry. I usually obsessively prep a selection of best sellers and light vacation reads. On the shelf at Relax House I found a page turner bio about an Australian felon (heroin trafficker) who spent 12 years in a Bangkok prison from 1977 to 1989. Heinous tale. We have the same birthday. Fellow Virgo. Would not recommend being sent to prison while abroad.

I have since migrated from real books to utilizing my local library account on my iPad. Game changed. I still like real books, but c’mon, too easy, handy, convenient, I can preload a dozen and it weighs less than half a pound & takes up no space, battery lasts ages.

Next topic: Handling your luggage. Should’ve started at luggage.

Don’t pack so much stuff that you can’t handle it – like, pick it up over your head. I know from previous trips that my luggage is going to be tossed on top of a truck on Koh Kood, and if Thor wasn’t going to throw it up there like King Kong damn straight I couldn’t pack as much. I can’t lift 50lbs above my head. I embarrassingly don’t even put my bag in the overhead bins on planes, delicate flower I am. We can easily share a checked bag, and each have a carry on, like we’ve done in the past. And really, just pack light, you won’t regret it. Also, no massive backpacks. I hate. Hard to organize, hard to carry. Not fun.

My current go to luggage situation is a black carry on sized rolling suitcase and regular drawstring backpack. Nothing too fancy. The backpack, is just a day bag / in flight bag, and admittedly would be a massive draw for pickpockets on say, Las Ramblas Barcelona, but it’s perfect for plenty of other days. So, obviously, pack for the trip. I’m a light packer, mostly. Checking a bag vs not? In my opinion, which, this is obviously ALL my opinion, checking is unreliable. Trust no one. If you’ve got stops, there goes your stuff, maybe for forever, maybe it’ll catch up in a day. And ya, you can get insurance coverage, or it can be returned to you, but really, what a hassle. And for me, good luck tracking me down. An 8h bus, boat and taxi down an island. But, you think to yourself, what about carrying on basic toiletries like body wash, shampoo & conditioner? To that I say, soap, shampoo bars and conditioner bars. If you’re looking for my goods, open a new tab and punch in Lund Soap Company. I also can’t travel without my dry shampoo, the best for long hauls.

On the note of lost luggage, don’t bring anything you hold near and dear. Like, of course it would be a bummer if I lost my phone, or camera, or watch, but I’d be fine. And those things will almost always be on my person, less likely to go missing.

I do like to bring my real camera, a dslr Nikon, on safari or particularly picturesque locations. That’s why I bought it, not to leave it at home, it’s a risk I choose to take, and it’s not uber fancy or anything. A proper camera bag is obviously necessary, and somewhere to organize extra batteries, charger and cords, extra sd cards and such. I also like my little fujifilm instax camera for nostalgic instant pictures, so I bring that along with a couple packs of film. Extra phone charging cables are a must. I usually don’t bring my laptop, if you do, remember it’ll need to be looked at through airport security, and be turned on, same with iPads keep a charge. Taken out, out of case, in separate bins and such. And that your background pic isn’t you shoving an insanely massive Rarotongan burger into your gullet.

Thailand 2023 Packing List:

Packing for a sedentary month away

One medium checked bag, one carry on size luggage, one regular backpack, one fanny pack

Clothing:

• 6x tops
• 2x jean shorts
• 2x cotton shorts
• 2x rompers
• 3x dresses
• 1x loose linen pants
• 2x light cover ups
• 2x linen button downs
• 2x sandals
• 3x swimsuits

Beach Goods:

• sun hat
• sunglasses
• beach towel
• travel hammock
• small cooler bag
• tote bag

Toiletries:

• shampoo & conditioner bars & carrying case
• hair oil
• travel makeup bag
• toothbrush & paste
• sunscreen & face sunscreen
• bug repellant cream
• monoi oil
• fake tan, applicator mitt, removal mitt
• 2x bars of soap
• qtips
• tweezers/nail clippers/nail file
• razor
• medical kit
• laundry strips

Electronics & Entertainment:

• laptop & accompanying cords
• iPad
• cameras/bags/film/chargers
• crib board & cards
• books