When you spend most of your time on the road, there comes a point where packing your bag becomes second nature. It’s taken many trial and error runs of packing the unnecessary and leaving the necessary items at home…wishing I’d brought a certain item…. discovering that I didn’t need such expensive products or even wishing I hadn’t brought so much with me.
Most seasoned travellers will say the same, that it takes a few backpacking adventures for you to really nail the bag packing element of travel. So, to give you a little help, I’ve put together a list of my top 5 travel items I can’t leave home without.
Good luck!
A good pair of sunglasses
You have no idea how imperative a good pair of sunglasses are. When you’re spending so much time in hot countries where the sun shines brightly all the time and you have to shield your eyes from the dust and dirt, a good pair of sunglasses is a must. Sure you can pick up a pair of cheap sunnies from a local market or shop, but will they have UV and UBV protection? Will they preserve your eyesight? Probably not. Which is why investing in a good pair of sunglasses like these here, is the right choice. Don’t take your eyes for granted! If you have poor eyesight, you should try contact lenses which you can get from Pure Optical.
A small padlock
The unsung hero of the travelling world. A small padlock will come to your rescue more than once on the road, whether it’s keeping the broken clip of your rucksack together, or its keeping potential thieves away from your camera, phone, laptop, passport or chocolate. Your hostel might provide lockers, but most wont have locks, so don’t leave it to chance. I usually take two, one for my locker and the other to secure my day bag. It’s true that a padlock might attract thieves to your bag, so try to keep it out of sight.
Earplugs
These little guys will be your new bet friend on the road. Whether you’ve rocked up to a new hostel with an “all night every night” party vibe, your new dorm mate is a bit of a snorer, or the couple in the room next door are very noisy…then these will come in handy. From drunken antics to loud traffic – always include several pairs in your bag.
A sarong
Not just a fashion accessory, but a sarong is the perfect travel companion, why? Because of its versatility. Throw it on when you’re a little chilly, use it to cover your legs when you’re visiting temples or religious sites, it works as a skirt, a dress, a beach towel, a bed sheet or blanket, even something to drape over the toilet door to preserve your modesty, neck scarf and more! The possibilities are endless!
Hand sanitiser
Let’s just say that they hand washing facilities aboard aren’t always what we’ve come to expect. So, it’s a good idea to travel with a small bottle of hand sanitiser, so if you’re doing anything a little grimy, like touching door handles, money, or using the toilet, you can get rid of all those nasty germs and bacteria quickly.