Packing Light

sweet-thursday · Sep 16th, 2007, 22:30

Five of us travelling to Dabolim in December and want to avoid airport chaos (both ends). Flying Monarch who only give 5 kilos for hand luggage, which includes handbag. So far, my packing list is:

Underwear for three days (wash)
2 light kaftans
2 T shirts
2 Trousers
Sandals
Beach flip flops
Two swimsuits
Inflatable Travel Pillow
Basic toiletries in mini bottles
Ditto makeup
Emergency pack soft toilet tissues
Anti-bacterial hand cleanser
Deet lotion
Malaria Tablets (buy some out there)
Small Medical kit
Micro towel
Sunglasses
Torch and batteries
Personal Alarm
Safety Wallet
Rough Guide Goa

Is there anything vital I've forgotten which I can't buy out there?

Nick-H · Sep 16th, 2007, 22:42

five K wouldn't even do me for a weekend at a friend's house

! That's terrible!

But if this is what you have to do, I guess you have no choice!

Check out the information on Malaria here and eleswhere (even ask your doc!) --- but all anti-malarials may not be available in India, so choose yours before deciding.

The official UK advice for India these days seems to be 'diagnose and treat' rather than prophylaxis.

Sun block. Yes, you can get it here, but it is a good idea to try it so you know you can stand the smell etc.

Otherwise: you could get off the plane with nothing if you really had to --- so no worries!

NeeliAankhen · Sep 17th, 2007, 01:33

I'd wear or carry a lightweight warm shawl even though you are going to a hot place, because of the possibility of too-cold a/c.

Nick-H · Sep 17th, 2007, 01:47

...but buy it here! Better value!

Can I interest Sir in a nice bit of Cashmere?

NeeliAankhen · Sep 17th, 2007, 02:37

I definitely am looking forward to a great selection of cashmere shawls when I go to India - but though I don't know where the poster is fying from, I was thinking of how often I use a shawl on a long plane ride, even when they have blankets available!!

vargoje3 · Sep 17th, 2007, 02:59

I packed real light for a 4 month trip to India and just bought all my non essential items when i got to India. Most everything is cheaper except for brand name items and such.

sweet-thursday · Sep 17th, 2007, 03:14

Yes, forgot sunscreen, and need it as I burn easily.

Thought of taking a cheap shawl for the flight (Gatwick UK), but planning to treat myself to a really good pashmina, been reading up on how to identify the good ones - not easy!

Staying in beach huts, so don't think a/c will be a problem

Kapumana · Sep 17th, 2007, 23:03

You can buy beach flip flops, deet and toiletries cheaply in India. Ayur shampoo etc products are good and chandrika soap is excellent - it's fun to experiment with different brands.
Check with your doctor but we cary Malarone for malaria, to be used as treatment after diagnosis. Last year it wasn't available in India so best to get it before you leave home. It's expensive but lasts for 5 or 6 years.

Buy this stuff in a town before you hit the beach, if poss. Prices are routinely rubbed out and replaced with vastly inflated ones on the beach. Products must have a recommended retail price on them, so check it out before buying. You can tell if it's been substituted.

Have fun - I've got to wait till January

Cassandrascomplex · Sep 21st, 2007, 06:56

5kg sounds ridiculous!

are you sure this is the total of your check-in + carry-on allowance and not just your hand baggage allowance?

Goa is pretty modern nowdays, the following from your list are easily available there too,
Beach flip flops (can cost less than a pound)
Basic toiletries (many imported and local brands)
Sunscreen/block (many imported and local brands and SPF)
Toilet tissues/ TP
Anti-bacterial hand cleanser (Himalaya makes organic ones)
Deet lotion
Malaria Tablets (might wanna check w/ your doctor)
Medical kit
Towel's
Torch and batteries
Personal Alarm (why not use the one in your cellular phone?)

sweet-thursday · Sep 21st, 2007, 15:08

good thoughts cassandra, thanks. I've read here that goan shoe sizes are very narrow, hence my old beach shoes, light and comfortable.
I'm being thick, but what's the difference between "carry on" and "hand" luggage?
Monarch allow a total of 20 kilos on charter flights, and that is for both hand and check in luggage. Hand luggage, not more than 5 kilo. Not too much of a problem, as I have a very lightweight carry on bag, only 400 grams.

Could be worse, some of the no frills airlines here in the UK now charge you extra for any check in bags!

We may end up giving in and taking a suitcase, but fun to try.... after all, it's a great excuse for going shopping!

Nick-H · Sep 21st, 2007, 15:22

"carry on" and "hand" luggage?Same thing, surely?

de3120voit · Sep 21st, 2007, 16:41

I loved malarone but it is not availible here in India

sweet-thursday · Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:21

Quote:

"Check with your doctor but we cary Malarone for malaria, to be used as treatment after diagnosis"

I thought Malerone was a preventitive, not a treatment?

Have used Larium in the past, but not tried Malerone. Are there any advantages?

Nick-H · Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:35

Moderator Note:
Do lets leave the malaria to one of the all-too-many well-trodden threads devoted to it, please?

sweet-thursday · Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:52

Sorry!

Sep 16th, 2007, 22:30	#1
sweet-thursday Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South East England Posts: 21	Packing Light Five of us travelling to Dabolim in December and want to avoid airport chaos (both ends). Flying Monarch who only give 5 kilos for hand luggage, which includes handbag. So far, my packing list is: Underwear for three days (wash) 2 light kaftans 2 T shirts 2 Trousers Sandals Beach flip flops Two swimsuits Inflatable Travel Pillow Basic toiletries in mini bottles Ditto makeup Emergency pack soft toilet tissues Anti-bacterial hand cleanser Deet lotion Malaria Tablets (buy some out there) Small Medical kit Micro towel Sunglasses Torch and batteries Personal Alarm Safety Wallet Rough Guide Goa Is there anything vital I've forgotten which I can't buy out there?

Sep 16th, 2007, 22:42	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	five K wouldn't even do me for a weekend at a friend's house ! That's terrible! But if this is what you have to do, I guess you have no choice! Check out the information on Malaria here and eleswhere (even ask your doc!) --- but all anti-malarials may not be available in India, so choose yours before deciding. The official UK advice for India these days seems to be 'diagnose and treat' rather than prophylaxis. Sun block. Yes, you can get it here, but it is a good idea to try it so you know you can stand the smell etc. Otherwise: you could get off the plane with nothing if you really had to --- so no worries! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 21st, 2007, 06:56	#9
Cassandrascomplex Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 9	5kg sounds ridiculous! are you sure this is the total of your check-in + carry-on allowance and not just your hand baggage allowance? Goa is pretty modern nowdays, the following from your list are easily available there too, Beach flip flops (can cost less than a pound) Basic toiletries (many imported and local brands) Sunscreen/block (many imported and local brands and SPF) Toilet tissues/ TP Anti-bacterial hand cleanser (Himalaya makes organic ones) Deet lotion Malaria Tablets (might wanna check w/ your doctor) Medical kit Towel's Torch and batteries Personal Alarm (why not use the one in your cellular phone?) __________________ "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain.

Sep 21st, 2007, 16:41	#12
de3120voit Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stevensville, Michigan USA Posts: 8	Malarone I loved malarone but it is not availible here in India

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Sep 17th, 2007, 01:33	#3
NeeliAankhen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY USA Posts: 275	I'd wear or carry a lightweight warm shawl even though you are going to a hot place, because of the possibility of too-cold a/c.

Sep 17th, 2007, 01:47	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	...but buy it here! Better value! Can I interest Sir in a nice bit of Cashmere?

Sep 17th, 2007, 02:37	#5
NeeliAankhen Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York, NY USA Posts: 275	I definitely am looking forward to a great selection of cashmere shawls when I go to India - but though I don't know where the poster is fying from, I was thinking of how often I use a shawl on a long plane ride, even when they have blankets available!!

Sep 17th, 2007, 02:59	#6
vargoje3 Fishing Master Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 177	I packed real light for a 4 month trip to India and just bought all my non essential items when i got to India. Most everything is cheaper except for brand name items and such.

Sep 17th, 2007, 03:14	#7
sweet-thursday Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South East England Posts: 21	Yes, forgot sunscreen, and need it as I burn easily. Thought of taking a cheap shawl for the flight (Gatwick UK), but planning to treat myself to a really good pashmina, been reading up on how to identify the good ones - not easy! Staying in beach huts, so don't think a/c will be a problem

Sep 17th, 2007, 23:03	#8
Kapumana Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: France Posts: 64	You can buy beach flip flops, deet and toiletries cheaply in India. Ayur shampoo etc products are good and chandrika soap is excellent - it's fun to experiment with different brands. Check with your doctor but we cary Malarone for malaria, to be used as treatment after diagnosis. Last year it wasn't available in India so best to get it before you leave home. It's expensive but lasts for 5 or 6 years. Buy this stuff in a town before you hit the beach, if poss. Prices are routinely rubbed out and replaced with vastly inflated ones on the beach. Products must have a recommended retail price on them, so check it out before buying. You can tell if it's been substituted. Have fun - I've got to wait till January

Sep 21st, 2007, 15:08	#10
sweet-thursday Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South East England Posts: 21	good thoughts cassandra, thanks. I've read here that goan shoe sizes are very narrow, hence my old beach shoes, light and comfortable. I'm being thick, but what's the difference between "carry on" and "hand" luggage? Monarch allow a total of 20 kilos on charter flights, and that is for both hand and check in luggage. Hand luggage, not more than 5 kilo. Not too much of a problem, as I have a very lightweight carry on bag, only 400 grams. Could be worse, some of the no frills airlines here in the UK now charge you extra for any check in bags! We may end up giving in and taking a suitcase, but fun to try.... after all, it's a great excuse for going shopping!

Sep 21st, 2007, 15:22	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	"carry on" and "hand" luggage?Same thing, surely?

Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:35	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Moderator Note: Do lets leave the malaria to one of the all-too-many well-trodden threads devoted to it, please?

Sep 22nd, 2007, 02:52	#15
sweet-thursday Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South East England Posts: 21	Sorry!

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