Comments for the article "What not to take on your trip"

The article is fairly to the point. The only thing I would suggest is keep a sheet with you, you just never know when you need an extra, on the beach, in a bus etc.

I firstly have to say that I love the term 'exquisitely useless item' and intend on using it as much as possible hereafter.
I have the sad habit of carry huge amounts of total dross when I travel. For some reason it seems so clever when I'm going through the whole pretrip packing-unpacking ritual. And always find that none of it has returned with me whenever I manage to get home again. Yes, I have fallen for the mozzy net trap. Have to say the plug thing has come in handy at times, but shuld only be seen as a precaution. Lets face it, they dont weigh much.
Liekwise I have made the mistake of shampoo etc, but yes, found Indian stuff cheap and easily available....oh, look out for Neem products. They may be slightly more expensive but theyre great.
I did take a multitool type thing last time I traveled, but only ever used the knife part, so buying something when youre out there will do. Mine got stolen in Tamil Nadu and I didnt miss it.
Also, for anyone interested in conservation and energy stuff, beware the solar charging gear you can buy. I brought a SolarMonkey for my next trip in August, but its big and for the life of me, I cant get the thing to charge at all...but thats a thread for another time. Besides, if theres anything that will attract those with sticky fingers, I'm guessing a solar charger is one of them.

Oh, and if youre feeling like making friends and are traveling to the lesser known parts of...well...anywhere....keep those old mobile phones (and charging leads ofc) and simply give them away to locals as gifts for hospitality. Look upon it as temporary luggage. The extra weight is nothing when you see the smiles.

I found my mosquito net useful. I am tastier than most from what I understand, so mossies were a big issue for me.

Sheets would take up too much space. My silk sleep-sack/sleeping bag liner was excellent. Lightweight, small and it was comfortable to sleep in on hot nights.

I laughed so much when reading this! Hilarious yet useful!

I have certainly not been everywhere in India, but I have been to most corners and traveled by most means available. Pack light, pack light, pack light. This should be your mantra! And yes I have spent winters in the Himalayay's. Bring a silk sleeping bag liner and forget the sheet. It is soft and slips into any groddy beds you may encounter, personally I have had decent bedding most everywhere and I am a clean freak.

Buy a tube of mossie cream and use it if you are in an area where you may get bitten. Let the fan run and you likely will never get bit. I spent time in Guwahati and got bitten once, my host had a nice bednet for me at night and yes it blocks most of the fans power.

I agree about hauling shampoo and all those toiletries with you from home, forget it. You can buy shampoo and other things you need most anywhere.

Indian bathrooms usually have a shower area that is tiled with the floor drain and is part of the same room with the toilet. I cannot see a reason for a plug other than for men to shave in the sink, but if you just cut a little piece of thin rubber to take with you, you can plug any size sink drain.

I usually take a sarong for a towel or just purchase one once I arrive.

Something I will add that is nice to bring, is a short piece of line and a small assortment of clothes pins for hanging your clothes after you wash them. You can buy these once you are there as well.

For anyone going to India for the first time, remember that if you cannot carry it all in one good pack on your back and maybe a small daypack, leave it home. Navigating crowded bus and train stations, the streets, or wherever. You are well served to not have things in your hands or be distracted by gangly duffle bags or shoulder bags if you can help it.

Another nice benefit I have learned and has served me well, is that when you have your pack on your back, it provides an often needed buffer between you and others in very crowded situations, just don't turn quickly or you could wipe out a local, ha ha. For those who have been to India, you know that the concept that most westerners are used to regarding your own personal space, are not part of India culture. having that pack on your back and providing a little buffer is something you will appreciate if you have not traveled that way before.

I have spent five months in India at one time before, most of that time in the Himalaya's and did it with an average size back pack. Yes I did buy a duffle and filled it with neat things to take home, but do that shortly before you are ready to leave.

Another thing to think about is that it is nice to have a small day pack to use daily if you are staying in one place for a while. Small packs and bags are easy to purchase there, but if you want to take yours, and don't need it for the trip to India, fill it with your stuff and put it inside your larger pack, then you will have it when you need it later and don't have to carry them both.

Pack light, pack light, pack light. You will enjoy your journey so much more that way.

Love that quote, my sentiments exactly

Mmmm, this is a toughie. I did take a 'universal' plug when I first went to india and it ended up far too big for most plug holes. I now just use a small wad of tissue, making sure i put it in the bin afterwards.

Lol, I will never forget a four hour journey from Raichur in Karnataka to Hyderabad......put me off any non-essential bus travel in India forever!

Bang on Ranix. I use a silk sleeping bag liner when travelling in India and its perfect beacuse it packs down so much smaller that a cotton one. I lost mine in Gujaat once and was able to have new one made for INR 550, a fraction of what the original had cost me.