My Packing List

noflylist · May 24th, 2007, 07:48

My ideal packing list,
2 change of cloths, toiletries, first aid kit and spare pair of lightweight canvas shoes.

Other stuff I take is to gift friends. Within a day my pack is like this in India!

dhans · May 27th, 2007, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflylist

My ideal packing list,
2 change of cloths, toiletries, first aid kit and spare pair of lightweight canvas shoes.

Other stuff I take is to gift friends. Within a day my pack is like this in India!

Way to go Nofly!!

This is what we took (for four people):

We checked 2 soft backpacks weighing 21 kilograms in total. They contained more or less:

Parents (each)

• 2 Zip off pants
• 1 pair of shorts
• 2 shirts (1 safari style; ideal for stuffing tickets, passports etc. on the plane)
• 2 polo shirts
• 2 T-shirts (also for sleeping)
• Sturdy walking boots
• Flip-flops
• 5 Underpants (2 bra’s for mum)
• 4 pairs of socks
• 5 pocketbooks for dad
• Saturday papers and magazines
• Toiletries
• Copies of our passports and some emergency cash

Kids (each)

• 4 pairs of pants (covering the knees)
• 6 shirts / t-shirts
• 6 pair of socks
• 3 singlets
• 6 underpants
• Night nappies (that we did not really need: both our kids decided that India was a good place to be “night toilet trained”)
• 1 pyjama
• Jungle boots (Frank; not available in Marits size, so she had sports hoes with a zipper)
• Teva sandals

In our hand luggage on the flight (two daypacks, one Samsonite carry-on and 1 shoulder bag) we had:

• Raincoats (the foldaway type)
• Sunhats
• Sunglasses
• Travel survival kit South India
• Camera (Canon digital IXUS 750)
• Mobile phone (triple band; it worked almost everywhere in the cities in India)
• Copies of our passports and some emergency cash
• All the medical stuff including contact lens necessities
• Mosquito repellent(with DEET for the parents, without for the kids)
• Suntan lotion and after sun lotion
• A sweater each
• Cuddly toy for the kids
• Colouring books, pencils, soft tip pens, some small cars, Lego, small Playmobil puppets.
• Water, softdrinks, nibbles, cookies (if you’ve ever spent 6 hours on an Egypt Air plane on the tarmac in Hurghada without drinks, you bring your own).

In our moneybelts: Passports, credit cards, ATM cards, some cash (Euros).

Hans

ALPHABAR · May 27th, 2007, 03:33

bring nothing.

buy all you need in india.

save money !

support the local economy.

feel better.

Nick-H · May 27th, 2007, 10:24

... but why buy stuff you own already?

You have a baggage allowance; use it! That's my view on this one.

But I would agree with not filling it up with all the consumables that are easy to buy here.

And I would agree that buying local clothes can be fun and comfortable --- but bring the underwear, etc!

machadinha · May 27th, 2007, 10:37

Buying locally it also sure helps to be a repeat visitor and know your way around already I'd say.

Shopping for undies when you're still trying to come to grips with the touts and beggars and traffic and garish streetsigns and whatnot is not everyone's idea of fun. I sometimes feel I'm a little overcautious on this, then a member who'd gotten himself amply prepared reported back on the joys of looking for toothpaste let alone get a vaccination booster on your first days. Sounded recognizable to me.

pundabee · May 27th, 2007, 13:07

This site describes very well the light travelling approach:http://www.onebag.com/. I disagree with some of the finer details, but overall it is extremely useful.

Haze · May 27th, 2007, 18:44

Hello!

I started packing last night for our three-month trip to India. Bear in mind that I am a repeat visitor (so I know what I missed last time), we will be based in one apartment for the duration of our trip and I have two young children. I know my list will raise a few chuckles, but here goes anyway.

Plenty of art and craft stuff for the girls. I know these things can be bought in India, but they have both had birthdays in the past 2 months and were gifted lots of arty things. They might as well use them. Anything left over will be given away before we return.

Packet of pocket tissues. Just one, just for the first few days. (All of us have colds at the moment.)

Meltable paracetamol for the kids. I know we can get paracetamol in India, but I picked these up in Holland last week and thought they were great. What a consumer I am.

Box of Candida homeopathic remedy for thrush. All of us have been known to suffer. I don't want to be frantically looking for the equivalent when one of us needs it.

Poison-sucker-out thingy. Also bought in Holland.

Necessary because we're not taking anti-malarials, so my plan is to not to get bitten. (Neither of my kids ever suffered a mozzie bite - is that a genetic thing??) and if we are bitten, to get the poison out of the body as quickly as possible. And a tick remover.

Sunscreen with DEET.

Autan Active.

Toothpaste. I know you can get it in India, but I like the Dutch brand I use. And the girls duped me into buying pink Disney stuff for them. <sigh>

Baby wipes and (biodegradeable) nappies. One of mine is still in nip-naps and these are a necessary evil. Baby wipes are great for all sorts of cleaning jobs and they were on offer in Boots.

6 x disposable cameras. My wonderful digital camera was stolen when we were broken into last February.

I was given another, but it's just not the same. So I'm taking the disposables. Anyway, I like having real pictures in my hand to gaze at and share with others.

Ground coffee. Just a starter pack of 1.5 kilos. The last time I was in India, the kind people at Barista used to grind a bag of coffee for me every week. It was great.

To go with the above, a coffee filter machine! I know that's mad but a full machine was cheaper than a little cafetiere thingy.

Dettol floor cleaner stuff. It sprays on the floor and you don't need a bucket and you don't need to rinse it off. Saves time and labour. And I'm funny about certain things.

Anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning things other than the person. (Told you I was funny about certain things!)

Organic cotton tampons

Underwear for all three of us.

3 x Very light summer dresses for the girls.

3 x Salwar kameezes for all three of us.

2 x saris for me.

All that comes to 26 kilos. So I still have 4 kgs left in that bag for the project I'm currently knitting.

Other than that, I will be bringing my laptop because I'll have work to do over the summer. I'm also bringing my reading list and will buy books in India and read them over the summer. Assuming I'll have time.....

And gifts. I'll be bringing gifts for friends.

That's it.

Not travelling light - but then we're practically setting up home, so that's my excuse.

Hazel

Nick-H · May 27th, 2007, 21:09

The Poison-sucker-out thingy won't save you from malaria. ANd I find the piezo-sparky-electric thingy much better at getting rid of the itch. Along with a supply of antihistamine and soothing cremes. But I do get bitten: you're lucky

Haze · May 27th, 2007, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

The Poison-sucker-out thingy won't save you from malaria.

Oh really? I was lied to, then. LOL

I get feasted on by mozzies - but they leave my daughters well alone. I think it's because their father is Indian and they have genetic repellents.

My strategy is not to get bitten - between creams, sprays and coils. I'll let you know how I get on.

Hazel

Nick-H · May 27th, 2007, 21:37

A coil won't have any effect on Mosquitoes.

Oh! That kind of coil

---I don't know about the sucky-out thing. Mine (I have every gadget

) makes no such claim, and I would think that the beasty has got into your blood by the time you open the sucky-thing box. Just my guess

Haze · May 27th, 2007, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

A coil won't have any effect on Mosquitoes.

Oh! That kind of coil

My goodness! I read the first line of your post and was quite bewildered.....! LOL

Anyway, I must revise my earlier post. I have realised that I don't really get feasted on anymore. When I first went to live in Asia in 1995 (as a child bride

) I was the new mozzie buffet. Word spread among them that there was a new 'all you can eat' restaurant in town and every mosquito in SEA came for a visit with her entire extended family. After six weeks, I looked like I had a rare skin disease. Anyway, within six months I was rarely getting bitten and by the time I left (two years ago), I just wasn't deemed tasty enough for any of them to bother. So maybe I'm getting all worked up over nothing. Still, I will take every precaution to ensure that none of us is bitten.

Phew! Sorry for the novella!!

H.

mary10 · Jun 3rd, 2007, 04:34

My most valuable and important item to bring to India are..

EAR PLUGS!

Couldn't stay sane without them and wouldn't sell them for $1000. Anything else is secondary!

mary10 · Jun 3rd, 2007, 04:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Bloody hell you call that packing light when I travel I take a pair of shorts, a waistcoat, string vest, one flip flop and me tooth brush.

I get by easily, Whenever I need something I just borrow it from my fellow travelers. You know those totally unnecessary things like soap, razor blades, a fleece when I need to go out at night. There's always someone with a few extra clothes pegs and a bit of string, Anyway I've found people are completely fine with you using their clothes line.

You must be *popular* when you're in India.... Does everyone rush around the corner when they see you from a distance?

Maybe you're not aware how much people truly dislike the leechy type that can never bring his own stuff and float on someone elses... Pretty cheap, actually.

PortieOwner · Jun 25th, 2007, 09:22

I bring some formal clothes, a suit, and a blazer (have had them tailored in India), dress shoes, and a couple of dress shirts and ties. I have more occasion to wear suit/tie in India than I do back home.

I usually almost max out my baggage allowance bringing not just my stuff but lots of books/magazines (trip to India is one of the few times I have chance to do a lot of reading) as well as items, mostly clothes and linens, to donate to locals.

Nick-H · Jun 25th, 2007, 13:22

I went out once wearing a blazer on my first visit to Chennai. Within 30 seconds I knew I'd never do it again. And that was December!

May 27th, 2007, 03:33	#18
ALPHABAR Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SWEDEN Posts: 71	make it simple... bring nothing. buy all you need in india. save money ! support the local economy. feel better.

May 27th, 2007, 10:37	#20
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,369	Buying locally it also sure helps to be a repeat visitor and know your way around already I'd say. Shopping for undies when you're still trying to come to grips with the touts and beggars and traffic and garish streetsigns and whatnot is not everyone's idea of fun. I sometimes feel I'm a little overcautious on this, then a member who'd gotten himself amply prepared reported back on the joys of looking for toothpaste let alone get a vaccination booster on your first days. Sounded recognizable to me. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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May 24th, 2007, 07:48	#16
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 833	My ideal packing list, 2 change of cloths, toiletries, first aid kit and spare pair of lightweight canvas shoes. Other stuff I take is to gift friends. Within a day my pack is like this in India!

May 27th, 2007, 10:24	#19
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,188	... but why buy stuff you own already? You have a baggage allowance; use it! That's my view on this one. But I would agree with not filling it up with all the consumables that are easy to buy here. And I would agree that buying local clothes can be fun and comfortable --- but bring the underwear, etc!

May 27th, 2007, 13:07	#21
pundabee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: kerala Posts: 342	This site describes very well the light travelling approach:http://www.onebag.com/. I disagree with some of the finer details, but overall it is extremely useful.

May 27th, 2007, 18:44	#22
Haze Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 221	Hello! I started packing last night for our three-month trip to India. Bear in mind that I am a repeat visitor (so I know what I missed last time), we will be based in one apartment for the duration of our trip and I have two young children. I know my list will raise a few chuckles, but here goes anyway. Plenty of art and craft stuff for the girls. I know these things can be bought in India, but they have both had birthdays in the past 2 months and were gifted lots of arty things. They might as well use them. Anything left over will be given away before we return. Packet of pocket tissues. Just one, just for the first few days. (All of us have colds at the moment.) Meltable paracetamol for the kids. I know we can get paracetamol in India, but I picked these up in Holland last week and thought they were great. What a consumer I am. Box of Candida homeopathic remedy for thrush. All of us have been known to suffer. I don't want to be frantically looking for the equivalent when one of us needs it. Poison-sucker-out thingy. Also bought in Holland. Necessary because we're not taking anti-malarials, so my plan is to not to get bitten. (Neither of my kids ever suffered a mozzie bite - is that a genetic thing??) and if we are bitten, to get the poison out of the body as quickly as possible. And a tick remover. Sunscreen with DEET. Autan Active. Toothpaste. I know you can get it in India, but I like the Dutch brand I use. And the girls duped me into buying pink Disney stuff for them. <sigh> Baby wipes and (biodegradeable) nappies. One of mine is still in nip-naps and these are a necessary evil. Baby wipes are great for all sorts of cleaning jobs and they were on offer in Boots. 6 x disposable cameras. My wonderful digital camera was stolen when we were broken into last February. I was given another, but it's just not the same. So I'm taking the disposables. Anyway, I like having real pictures in my hand to gaze at and share with others. Ground coffee. Just a starter pack of 1.5 kilos. The last time I was in India, the kind people at Barista used to grind a bag of coffee for me every week. It was great. To go with the above, a coffee filter machine! I know that's mad but a full machine was cheaper than a little cafetiere thingy. Dettol floor cleaner stuff. It sprays on the floor and you don't need a bucket and you don't need to rinse it off. Saves time and labour. And I'm funny about certain things. Anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning things other than the person. (Told you I was funny about certain things!) Organic cotton tampons Underwear for all three of us. 3 x Very light summer dresses for the girls. 3 x Salwar kameezes for all three of us. 2 x saris for me. All that comes to 26 kilos. So I still have 4 kgs left in that bag for the project I'm currently knitting. Other than that, I will be bringing my laptop because I'll have work to do over the summer. I'm also bringing my reading list and will buy books in India and read them over the summer. Assuming I'll have time..... And gifts. I'll be bringing gifts for friends. That's it. Not travelling light - but then we're practically setting up home, so that's my excuse. Hazel

May 27th, 2007, 21:09	#23
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,188	The Poison-sucker-out thingy won't save you from malaria. ANd I find the piezo-sparky-electric thingy much better at getting rid of the itch. Along with a supply of antihistamine and soothing cremes. But I do get bitten: you're lucky

May 27th, 2007, 21:37	#25
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,188	A coil won't have any effect on Mosquitoes. Oh! That kind of coil ---I don't know about the sucky-out thing. Mine (I have every gadget ) makes no such claim, and I would think that the beasty has got into your blood by the time you open the sucky-thing box. Just my guess

Jun 3rd, 2007, 04:34	#27
mary10 Account Closed Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Posts: 100	My most valuable and important item to bring to India are.. EAR PLUGS! Couldn't stay sane without them and wouldn't sell them for $1000. Anything else is secondary!

Jun 25th, 2007, 09:22	#29
PortieOwner Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 351	I bring some formal clothes, a suit, and a blazer (have had them tailored in India), dress shoes, and a couple of dress shirts and ties. I have more occasion to wear suit/tie in India than I do back home. I usually almost max out my baggage allowance bringing not just my stuff but lots of books/magazines (trip to India is one of the few times I have chance to do a lot of reading) as well as items, mostly clothes and linens, to donate to locals.

Jun 25th, 2007, 13:22	#30
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,188	I went out once wearing a blazer on my first visit to Chennai. Within 30 seconds I knew I'd never do it again. And that was December!