Can you help me pack?

wonderwomanusa · Sep 27th, 2005, 12:43

Immodium is a "cork" -- that is, if you have the runs, it will stop you up. Only recommended if you have to be away from your room & toilet for the day. If you're staying in the hotel, go ahead and sh*t your brains out; it'll pass. But if you have to take a bus or train, the immodium is very helpful.

If you're going to the mountains, take silk undies instead of the thermals; silk is lighter and takes up less space under your clothing.

Most hotels/guest houses will have enough bedding to keep you warm; forget the sleeping bag unless you are camping out. Get a sarong to use for a sheet (I use them for towels, too) and you'll find lovely blankets and shawls if you need them.

Lakshmi Bhabi · Oct 3rd, 2005, 10:40

I would replace the sleeping bag with just the liner or "sleep sheet" very small but great for added comfort on night trains.

coetanger · Oct 3rd, 2005, 13:42

I found a journal helpful. My first few hours and days in India left my brain resembling something akin to scrambled eggs with cayenne pepper.

Writing stuff down can help with any confusion, and also provide some amusing reading a few years into the future.

Enjoy the ride.

Oh, and dont forget your sense of humor!

Callous · Oct 3rd, 2005, 15:26

We took a head lamp,so you might look like a d....... but very handy for night train trips,great to read by and very handy at times.Also Dettol handwipes were great,lip balm,a few extra pens,a big notebook.I found a clip to clip on your daypack is useful to hang your jumper or shoes on.A pack of cards can be useful.Some photos of your home environment are handy,your new Indian friends will just love to see where you come from.A first aid kit is essential,doesn't have to be huge just a few basics.Safe travels,kindest cheers,Carol.

dessy · Oct 3rd, 2005, 16:17

i'd take some baby wipes, as they are good for everything.....
have fun

squashblossom · Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:16

thanks guys

this has been really helpful.. sometimes stupid questions are worth asking yeah?

aessedai · Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:50

Hey there

I leave on thursday (hmmm..can't quite believe it!) and this is what i have packed and i still have heaps on room in my 55 lt bag. i am also aussie and had no probs getting all this stuff here.

ACCESSORIES

Deet - autan
Penknife
Mosquito net - Buy there
Medical Pack incl gastro stop, panadol etc
Sleeping sheet
Travel diary
Camera
Travel Clothes Line
Maglite/torch
Money belt
Playing cards
Sewing kit
Extra batteries for camera, toothbrush and MP3 player
Padlocks for pack
Anti-septic/baby wipes
Photocopies of personal documents
Ear plugs – plane and train
Universal plug (for sink and bath).
Good sponge
Korjo south African & european adaptor
Anti sting spray
Travel element
Liquid detergent
Liquid soap
Toilet paper
chain for pack (light weight)
Tea bags
Baby powder
Mug
Extra pics
Safety pins
Sleeping tablets for plane
Maps
Antiseptic hand gel
Eye cover for train plane
Travel towel
Hat
Scarf – dupatta
Sunscreen
Bandaids
Plastic Spoon, knife and fork
Mini tripod
MP3 player
Business cards

CLOTHES

2 salwar kameez & dupatta
1 thin trousers
1 skirt
2 Long sleeved tops / Shirts
singlet
Pashmina
Sandals (merrels)
short socks
underwear

that may help a bit!!

good luck with everything!

camelgirl · Oct 3rd, 2005, 19:55

Aessedai, very good packing list. Quite close to what I bring! Except I don't have an MP3 player.

Aussie 5 · Oct 27th, 2005, 05:45

I've noticed that a number of posts to this thread have included taking a 'micro towel'. I presume this is the name for the small quick drying travellers towels sold in camping shops etc.

Does this mean that a lot of accommodation does not provide any towels?

(We'll be staying in places between 1000R - 2000R.) Or is the towel suggested for day use when travelling?

Would like to get an idea of how many of you carry micro-towels? And how useful you think they are?

guerik · Oct 27th, 2005, 05:49

Aussie, those kinds of hotels should give you towels - or at least have them available (sometimes they leave them out so that a room boy can go get them and you have to give him a tip

)
If you're staying in the cheaper hotels they don't usually have towels provided.

Aussie 5 · Oct 27th, 2005, 05:51

Thanks guerik
Do you carry a micro towel yourself. The texture seems very strange.

camelgirl · Oct 27th, 2005, 06:54

I do have that kind of travel towel, but it's more fun to buy a towel there if you find you need it. India has great textiles of every kind and good prices. I brought home 4 cotton "towels" and use them for kitchen curtains. They are not towel material, but they called them towels in the fabric shop

guerik · Oct 27th, 2005, 07:31

I had one at the start of my last trip, but they're so good at absorbing that it also seemed to pick up dodgy smells (I was airing it out well before I moved on each time, so it was never packed damp).
I bought a thin 30rs towel and chucked the travel towel, it was much easier to deal with! Took up more room, but once I'm clean I don't want to dry myself with a stinky towel

Callous · Oct 27th, 2005, 07:54

I must admit I am a fan of the travel "Tek" towels,but then again there were 7 of us so not all our accommodation came with a towel.I found it very handy to use as a mini blanket with our children and also as a mini sarong.Have agreat safe trip.

Aussie 5 · Oct 27th, 2005, 08:58

Thanks to all for your comments - very helpful. I'm taking a small bag and the less I have to take the better!!! Almost no room for clothes as it is!!

Guerik - Fully agree with your comments about drying yourself with a stinky towel. Who needs it??!! I'll take a two-way bet. I've bought a very small micro-towel and will think about buying an indian towel if I think I need it when we get there.

Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:50	#22
aessedai Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 71	Hey there I leave on thursday (hmmm..can't quite believe it!) and this is what i have packed and i still have heaps on room in my 55 lt bag. i am also aussie and had no probs getting all this stuff here. ACCESSORIES Deet - autan Penknife Mosquito net - Buy there Medical Pack incl gastro stop, panadol etc Sleeping sheet Travel diary Camera Travel Clothes Line Maglite/torch Money belt Playing cards Sewing kit Extra batteries for camera, toothbrush and MP3 player Padlocks for pack Anti-septic/baby wipes Photocopies of personal documents Ear plugs – plane and train Universal plug (for sink and bath). Good sponge Korjo south African & european adaptor Anti sting spray Travel element Liquid detergent Liquid soap Toilet paper chain for pack (light weight) Tea bags Baby powder Mug Extra pics Safety pins Sleeping tablets for plane Maps Antiseptic hand gel Eye cover for train plane Travel towel Hat Scarf – dupatta Sunscreen Bandaids Plastic Spoon, knife and fork Mini tripod MP3 player Business cards CLOTHES 2 salwar kameez & dupatta 1 thin trousers 1 skirt 2 Long sleeved tops / Shirts singlet Pashmina Sandals (merrels) short socks underwear that may help a bit!! good luck with everything! __________________ Aessedai "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"...Mark Twain

Oct 27th, 2005, 05:45	#24
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Towels - Do I Need to Take With Me? I've noticed that a number of posts to this thread have included taking a 'micro towel'. I presume this is the name for the small quick drying travellers towels sold in camping shops etc. Does this mean that a lot of accommodation does not provide any towels? (We'll be staying in places between 1000R - 2000R.) Or is the towel suggested for day use when travelling? Would like to get an idea of how many of you carry micro-towels? And how useful you think they are?

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Sep 27th, 2005, 12:43	#16
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,512	Immodium is a "cork" -- that is, if you have the runs, it will stop you up. Only recommended if you have to be away from your room & toilet for the day. If you're staying in the hotel, go ahead and sh*t your brains out; it'll pass. But if you have to take a bus or train, the immodium is very helpful. If you're going to the mountains, take silk undies instead of the thermals; silk is lighter and takes up less space under your clothing. Most hotels/guest houses will have enough bedding to keep you warm; forget the sleeping bag unless you are camping out. Get a sarong to use for a sheet (I use them for towels, too) and you'll find lovely blankets and shawls if you need them.

Oct 3rd, 2005, 10:40	#17
Lakshmi Bhabi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 200	I would replace the sleeping bag with just the liner or "sleep sheet" very small but great for added comfort on night trains.

Oct 3rd, 2005, 13:42	#18
coetanger Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: australia Posts: 5	I found a journal helpful. My first few hours and days in India left my brain resembling something akin to scrambled eggs with cayenne pepper. Writing stuff down can help with any confusion, and also provide some amusing reading a few years into the future. Enjoy the ride. Oh, and dont forget your sense of humor!

Oct 3rd, 2005, 15:26	#19
Callous Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 113	We took a head lamp,so you might look like a d....... but very handy for night train trips,great to read by and very handy at times.Also Dettol handwipes were great,lip balm,a few extra pens,a big notebook.I found a clip to clip on your daypack is useful to hang your jumper or shoes on.A pack of cards can be useful.Some photos of your home environment are handy,your new Indian friends will just love to see where you come from.A first aid kit is essential,doesn't have to be huge just a few basics.Safe travels,kindest cheers,Carol.

Oct 3rd, 2005, 16:17	#20
dessy Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 81	i'd take some baby wipes, as they are good for everything..... have fun

Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:16	#21
squashblossom Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: australia Posts: 18	thanks guys this has been really helpful.. sometimes stupid questions are worth asking yeah?

Oct 3rd, 2005, 19:55	#23
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,019	Aessedai, very good packing list. Quite close to what I bring! Except I don't have an MP3 player.

Oct 27th, 2005, 05:49	#25
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Aussie, those kinds of hotels should give you towels - or at least have them available (sometimes they leave them out so that a room boy can go get them and you have to give him a tip ) If you're staying in the cheaper hotels they don't usually have towels provided.

Oct 27th, 2005, 05:51	#26
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Thanks guerik Do you carry a micro towel yourself. The texture seems very strange.

Oct 27th, 2005, 06:54	#27
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,019	I do have that kind of travel towel, but it's more fun to buy a towel there if you find you need it. India has great textiles of every kind and good prices. I brought home 4 cotton "towels" and use them for kitchen curtains. They are not towel material, but they called them towels in the fabric shop

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Oct 27th, 2005, 07:31	#28
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	I had one at the start of my last trip, but they're so good at absorbing that it also seemed to pick up dodgy smells (I was airing it out well before I moved on each time, so it was never packed damp). I bought a thin 30rs towel and chucked the travel towel, it was much easier to deal with! Took up more room, but once I'm clean I don't want to dry myself with a stinky towel

Oct 27th, 2005, 07:54	#29
Callous Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 113	I must admit I am a fan of the travel "Tek" towels,but then again there were 7 of us so not all our accommodation came with a towel.I found it very handy to use as a mini blanket with our children and also as a mini sarong.Have agreat safe trip.

Oct 27th, 2005, 08:58	#30
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Thanks to all for your comments - very helpful. I'm taking a small bag and the less I have to take the better!!! Almost no room for clothes as it is!! Guerik - Fully agree with your comments about drying yourself with a stinky towel. Who needs it??!! I'll take a two-way bet. I've bought a very small micro-towel and will think about buying an indian towel if I think I need it when we get there.