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Yes, it’s time for another chat about packing for a RTW trip. The topic just never gets old – at least not for the people who obsess about what to put in their packs. This question is for the people who have taken their trips already, who have personal experience with making the decisions to bring three shirts instead of four, or to leave behind the razor and just let the hair grow. The question comes from BootsnAll member Seebeauty, who asks:
I’m wondering what people have realized when they were on the road that they regretted not bringing with them or were really happy with…
Did you bring something that you were really HAPPY about having?
Did you bring something that was totally useless even though lots of people told you to bring it?
Were you really sad or disappointed that you didn’t bring something?
Seebeauty’s thinking mostly about things you may or may not have put in your toiletry kit, and also wondering whether those packing cubes are worth it. Several people have already chimed in to say they love their packing cubes, and there are other great real-life tips about what people brought (or didn’t bring) on their RTW trips.
So, what did you bring your RTW trip that you wish you’d left at home? What did you bring that you found indispensable? Did you get so tired of carrying around anything useless that you dumped it along the way? Or find you were so wanting something specific that you bought it mid-trip? Chime into the conversation and share your stories!
May 17th, 2008 at 1:37 am
I always regret bringing my dive gear and then I am so glad I did when I jump in the water.
Bringing a towel is really useless I think.It’s heavy and takes ages to dry. Take a sarong instead.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Indispensable: a universal sink plug, a bandanna, a doorstop, a length of paracord, a mosquito tent and a tin mug. And I agree with Boris about the sarong!
Superfluous: a too-large backpack (small is beautiful), any kind of jewellery, my iPod (too much temptation to shut myself off from people).
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Always bring a bathing suit and goggles, even if you’re going skiing. And either a real Goretex raincoat or no raingear at all–a cheapie isn’t worth the weight. And a good waterproof camera: Olympus Stylus 720 SW is my fave.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Always bring a bathing suit and goggles, even if you’re going skiing. And either a real Goretex raincoat or no raingear at all–a cheapie isn’t worth the weight. And a good waterproof camera: Olympus Stylus 720 SW is my fave.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Always bring a bathing suit and goggles, even if you’re going skiing. And either a real Goretex raincoat or no raingear at all–a cheapie isn’t worth the weight. And a good waterproof camera: Olympus Stylus 720 SW is my fave.
May 26th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I regretted taking a first aid kit. It was too big for starters and I never used anything in it. I guess it depends where you are travelling to. In NZ I did not need it.
I was happy to take my ipod but the previous poster was correct, it can tempt you to shut off from others. However, this can sometimes be a good thing…
May 31st, 2008 at 5:46 pm
What a cool conversation…
I’ve been very HAPPY about various obvious stuff, like a universal plug adapter, etc. but the slightly more interesting ones have been things like:
My mini Rubik’s cube, for helping to quiet the mind on long journeys.
A really great all-in-one antiseptic ointment (I like Brave Soldier’s) that worked a treat for burns, stings, cuts, rashes, even cured my first (& only thankfully) case of haemorrhoids from too much plane & junk food in the US – and faster than the cream from the chemist!
My swiss army knife – scissors, screwdrivers, tweezers, small blade have actually been surprisingly frequently useful for all kinds of things from cutting plasters to size to opening packages.
And actually, regarding the earlier post about iPod causing you to shut off from people…I found it easy to resist that temptation, and in fact it really enhanced many of my experiences because certain music listened to frequently at the time (e.g. as a soundtrack to moments like walking home alone after a great night out with new friends, looking at the skyline) became entwined with the experience, and made the memories much more visceral…and in fact because I (like most people I imagine) choose music to suit my mood, it even intensified the emotions at the time. And put me in a better frame of mind to engage more fully during tougher times and trips.
My best experiences with the iPod were when I discovered music due to the place I was visiting and the people I met there. Not necessarily local music, but even just a recommendation from a new friend.
Outstanding! …writing about all this is in fact evoking some powerful memories right now.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:15 am
I’m currently on a RTW trip and have written my own experiences about packing and what I wished I left at home on my blog: http://roundtheworldtraveler.com/planning-your-travel/what-to-pack-and-what-i-wish-id-left-behind/