WHICH PACK?
If you are hostelling in Oceania take a backpack,
otherwise a suitcase is good for hire cars
and hotels. Backpacks are more suitable
for walking, hiking and are easy to maneouvre
on and off transport. Check they have adjustable
and padded straps, lower back support (particularly
for females), are multi compartmented and
have a detachable day pack, and can be easily
locked with small padlocks. Don't skimp
on these, because it is hard to get replacements
on the road. Try to avoid top loading packs
as you will have to unpack everything each
time you need something on the bottom. Travelpacks
are a combination backpack/shoulder bag.
The backpack straps zip away inside when
not needed. These can be made reasonably
theft proof with small padlocks on the zipper
areas. Day packs that can be unzipped and
taken on the plane or for short travel are
useful. Keep enough clothing in these (changes
of underwear etc) to last a day or two if
you lose the rest of your luggage.
SHOES Smart, comfortable and casual is
best for multi-use if you are in cities
and need something to dine in as well as
get you to the beach. Try to bring no less
and no more than two pairs as they do take
up a lot of room and are heavy. One pair
should be good for day to day walking or
hiking and possibly adaptable for night
wear. Waterproof sandals are good for beaches,
showers and other casual sight seeing in
warmer climates.
SLEEPING GEAR
In most Oceanian hostels bedding is neither
required or allowed due to bed bugs or sanitary
reasons. However a sleeping bag, small woollen
blanket or sheet can be handy for overnight
trips. Shawls are particularly useful, easy
to pack and surprisingly warm for their
size. If you are doing any camping then
a sleeping bag would be very useful.
WHAT TO TAKE?
The season you travel will influence what
you take. Layers of clothing are better
than big bulky items, far warmer and more
multi purpose if the weather changes etc.
It is best to be prepared for a few climatic
changes, particularly wet weather at any
time of year. Here's a list of items you
can buy but it may be better to take your
own:
- underwear, socks
- lightweight towel and swimming gear (this
can also double as underwear)
- a pair or two lightweight cotton pants
- a pair of shorts or a skirt
- a few t-shirts and shirts
- a warm sweater
- good walking shoes
- good sandals for showers and beaches
- a coat or jacket
- a raincoat, waterproof jacket or umbrella
- first aid and sewing kit
- a padlock
- Swiss army knife - preferrably with a
corkscrew and bottle opener, is handy for
protection, cutting food, doubling as scissors
etc
- torch (flashlight)
- sunglasses
- toiletries including toothpaste, toothbrush,
soap etc
- a few plastic bags or other bags to store
wet/dirty clothes
- own toilet paper (for some countries)
- tampons and condoms are available almost
everywhere but more so in western countries
- tent and sleeping bag if you want to save
money camping. A woollen shawl is useful.
Other optional items: compass, torch / flashlight,
calculator for currency conversions, alarm
clock, adaptor plug for electrical appliances,
clothes pegs, wet ones / handkerchief, sterlising
lotions, reading materials, journals, copy
of important documents.
MAKING IT FIT
A proven method is compartmentalising. Put
in a small bag for underwear, one for shirts,
pants, and
other things, and it's like having four
dresser drawers inside. You always know
where everything is. The key is to mix and
match. Choose a colour scheme so you can
wear everything together. Go for thin layers
rather than bulky jackets and coats as these
can then be used individually when the weather
is warmer. You can wash underwear so just
take enough for several days. For women
choose a colour scheme for your clothes.
This way you can mix and match with a number
of items so you feel like you are wearing
a new suit every day. Blues, whites and
blacks are best for this. And for toiletries
buy the smallest bag you can find. Put in
a toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, soap, sunscreen
and hairbrush. These are your essentials.
Then choose one lipstick that can match
all your clothes, one small eyeshadow compact,
foundation, one face wash, one cream (for
hands and feet) and you should be done.
Here are some culling methods:
1. Put all the clothes you want in a pile
and divide it in half. Divide this pile
in two and work on the smaller pile. This
is what you take.
2. Pick an outfit for a cold day, hot day,
wet day and throw in underwear, socks, shoes
and toiletries and you're done.
3. Get an experienced traveller to help.
4. Pack your bag two weeks before you depart
and live out of it, removing an item every
day
