The List

So I spent about 3 hours last night compiling a list of the things which we will need when we go backpacking. However, it doesn't include the list of medical supplies we'll need, nor clothing. But everything else is here.

• bandana (any colour or style - nothing too garish that's going to make me look like a tourist)
• secret money belt - looks like a normal belt, but has a secret compartment for hiding money in case we get robbed. best in black. most hiking/backpacking shops should stock them, or they can be picked up on eBay
• maglite - great brand of torch - shouldn't be any bigger than a finger
• compass keyring - this style is best, available from 'Field and Trek' stores (but not on their website)
• compression sack - medium sized - to make my dirty clothes about 3 times smaller
• universal sink plug - for filling a sink to wash said dirty clothes into clean clothes
• travel clothes line - for drying said clean clothes
• 2.5litre Platypus water bottle - these shrink flat when empty, so are perfect for travelling
• cheap digital watch - must be cheap so I don't get robbed, and needs to have an alarm clock function on it (this one from Argos is perfect)
• retractable cable lock - so that my bag doesn't go walkies when I'm sleeping on a train. should be a combination lock, not a key lock
• combination locks (x2) - so that nobody can get into my bag when I'm on an over-crowded bus in Nicaragua

These extras might be handy, but I think we can probably get away without them:

• mosquito nets - originally this was an essential, but on doing some reading it seems that most people find that whenever you need one, you can find one in the room, or you can hire one. apparently, they are a nightmare to put up where not supplied, and a mosquito coil (under you bed) is sufficient to keep the beasties away. whether this means that spiders stay away from me while I'm snoring is another matter - but if anyone (that has been travelling) recommends one to me I'll look into getting one
• swiss army knife - yes, we'll need a knife. they always come in handy. but I don't really want to lug around a swiss army badboy when all I need is the actual blade. will look into perhaps a small (nail-clipper size) knife with a retractable blade.
• tiny post-it notes - a must-have for marking pages in guidebooks, but something I can steal from work
• travel pillow - I'll just roll up a jumper, thanks.

Casio s500

I.
want.
this.

Chavellers

"It's only when middle-class youth reach their thirties that they consider extensive travelling. They find that they're at a crossroads in their lives. Do they settle down, have children and spend the next 20 years in front of a PC or do they go for one last fling around the world?

"If they choose the second option, they are far more likely to head for Chile, Peru, Laos, Nepal, Mozambique or Brazil - destinations that the chaveller has yet to colonise."

from the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/15/ntrav15.xml

Jabs

Spoke to my quack today about getting the necessary jabs for travelling. The following is a shopping-list for all the jabs we will need. Its shocking. But its fact.

Jabs from doctors surgery:
Diptheria Tetanus Polio - free
Typhoid - free
Hep A - free
Hep B - £75 for 3 shots (0,7 and 21 days - this requires a further jab after 1 year)

Jabs from 1st Contact (0800 0393073):
Yellow Fever - £34
Rabies - £45 for 3 shots (over 1 month)
Japanese B Encephalitis - £70 to £105 (2-3 jabs required over 1 month)

The quack thinks I need Meningitis ACWY as well, but the CDC website doesn't think so. But if we do want to get that one, its £35 from 1st contact.

Killer.

If you're looking for info on what jabs you need when you go travelling (to anywhere), the best place to look is the CDC website, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. You can click a map and it will tell you what jabs you need for that area. Or for one particular country, try 1st Contact here.

Karrimor Jaguar 55-70

Fickle as ever, I've changed my mind again. Now I want this bag. It just seems that little bit more flexible than the berghaus one. But who knows. It comes complete with a fancy rain cover, loads of pockets, it was pretty comfortable, and I can carry it on my waist (without even using the shoulder straps). Its expensive again, but this time we're talking £130! Killer. Anyway, its my new favourite, but I wouldn't mind either make.

£1699

Grump

I'm super grumpy today. I'm hating my job and I'm not sleeping well. I totally need a holiday. Its stressing me out.

Anyway, you'll be pleased to hear that the amazing bag that I *love* (the Berghaus C7) is way too big for me to take. I'm gutted. but its basically gonna cause me loads of grief because I'll end up loading it up so that its so big I won't be able to run for trains, and I'll sweat everywhere, and I'll knock Indian people off their bicycles and stuff. so I'm gonna look around for a smaller one. maybe.

oh I don't know. Maybe I should get that one. I can be careful about what I pack, right? I'm sure I can. Anyway, here it is in blue, NOT THAT I'M GONNA BUY IT, but just because its so pretty...

YHA association

I'm told that this little bad boy will go A LONG WAY with hostel discounts around the globe, and only costs £15.50 for one year. So I've added it to the list of things to do before we go. sweet.

http://www.yha.org.uk/