What to Pack: Thailand

For the third edition in my ‘what to pack series’ I thought I would do ‘what to pack when travelling to Thailand’. After travelling there a lot I think I’ve got it down. Every time I go to Thailand I have found these items to be particularly helpful. Hopefully they’ll be helpful for you too.

Bag liners/rubbish bags

Bag liners are vital if you’re planning to travel by bus or boat. Actually, even if you aren’t I would still recommend lining your bag. Lining your bag is important because the luggage compartment on buses, trains and boats can be wet. Additionally, there are many other situations when your bag could get wet; you could be walking with it in the rain, often bags are left outside when waiting for pickups and on many occasions I’ve had to get out of boats and walk to shore with my backpack. I always line my backpack and make sure to bring spare liners because they can get worn after awhile. If you want to save money just line your backpack with a big plastic rubbish bag. It does the same job, is easier to find and cheaper.

Casual clothing for warm weather

It is pretty much always hot and humid, so it’s a  good idea to pack accordingly. For me this is usually dresses, shorts, skirts, t-shirts, singlets and anything flowly. I also recommend bringing pants or leggings and something to cover your shoulders if you’re going to visit any temples.

Swim wear

Thailand has so many beautiful beaches and snorkeling spots. Bring at least two pairs of swim wear for swimming and lounging around the pool or beach.

Mask, snorkel and reef shoes

A must for anyone wanting to snorkel. You can often rent snorkeling gear or buy some when you get to Thailand if you prefer.

Flip flops, sandals, walking shoes

Casual flip flops and sandals are a good idea. If you are planning to do some walking you might want to bring some sneakers or athletic sandals.

Towel

It’s a good idea to bring at least one towel. Sometimes your accommodation might not have any and if you plan to go to the beach or pool you’re probably going to need one. If you’re worried about fitting a towel into your luggage you can always bring a travel towel. They take up barely any space.

Toilet paper or tissues

Most public bathrooms are not going to have toilet paper. Best to bring some and keep it on you just in case.

Passport/money bag

You might want to bring a little bag that can be hidden under your clothes and worn the majority of time. It is a good place to carry the bulk of your money and your passport. You can then keep a separate wallet that has a small amount of funds for shopping, buying food etc. This way if you’re pick pocketed or get your things stolen you still have the majority of your money and passport. This is a good idea in general, but particularly important if you’re planning to visit any markets or travel by overnight bus.

Plug adapter

It’s important to do research on what you’re going to need to charge your electronics. You’re probably going to need to bring a voltage adapter and universal plug.

Washing line

This is very handy if you have to wash any clothes by hand or want to dry your towel after a swimming session.

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses

Protect yourself from the harsh sun by bringing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. These items are important for every day and especially important if you decide to go to the beach or pool.

First aid kit

It’s always better to be prepared. Thailand has lots of pharmacies where you can pick up medical supplies, but it’s best to pack at least some supplies just in case. I’m a pretty accident prone person and over the years have found a first aid kit to be fundamental. I recommend you take pain killers, plasters, bandages, disinfectant, electrolytes, anti-septic cream, insect repellent and your prescription medication.

Warm stuff

This could be a sarong, light blanket or hoodie. These items are particularly helpful on long bus or train journeys because often the air-con will be on full blast. Furthermore, hotel rooms can sometimes get cold so something warm will be great. It’s also important to note that the temperature can be lower in the north of Thailand (especially in the cooler months) so a few warm items might be a good idea.

These are all items that every time I go to Thailand I keep coming back to. I’ve found all of these things to be helpful at one time or another. If I’ve missed anything feel free to leave it in the comments below.

Happy travels 🙂

 

 

New Zealand: What to Pack

When it comes to packing of course the things you’re going to take will depend on your individual needs. However, I think there are certain items that will definitely make it easier. I’ve found that all of these items have helped tremendously when traveling around New Zealand. Feel free to adjust items to your liking and disregard anything that seems unnecessary.

A Variety of Clothing

To say that New Zealand weather is temperamental would be an understatement. Within the span of 15 minutes it can rain, be sunny and then snow. It is said that New Zealand has four seasons in one day and honestly it’s true. Therefore, a range of clothing is a must. This would include a lot of layers that can be built up and taken off when needed. I would recommend bringing mainly casual clothing. New Zealanders tend to be quite casual dressers, but of course bring clothes to your own taste. If you’re going in winter you’re going to need a lot of warm clothing especially if you are planning to go to the South Island. Actually, even if you’re planning to go in summer it’s probably a good idea to bring some warm items. It can still rain a lot and the temperature will drop at night.

Waterproof jacket

Make sure to bring a waterproof jacket. It rains quite a bit in New Zealand and when it’s windy you won’t be able to use an umbrella. I’ve had many an umbrella turn inside out on me. A light waterproof jacket is a good idea because it’s easy to store in your day pack, won’t add too much bulk to your clothing and can easily be taken off if needed. I would say it’s also a necessity if you plan to do some hiking.

Sneakers/hiking boots

Extremely important if you plan to do any of the many beautiful walks. It can be very slippery so I would recommend bringing shoes with good grip.

Socks

Both warm and athletic socks will be sufficient.

Hat, scarf, gloves

If you’re going in winter a hat, scarf and gloves are a must. It can get quite cold. They’re easy to store and add extra warmth if needed.

Swim wear

New Zealand has so many beautiful beaches, lakes and rivers. There are also some amazing natural hot pools. Swim wear is a must.

Water bottle

Either bring one yourself or if you buy a bottle of water just continue to use that after you drink the initial water. It’s not necessary to buy water. New Zealand tap water for the most part is good so you can just fill up your bottle. Even some walking tracks will have a tap where you can fill it. Having a water bottle you can fill up will save you money. Money that can be spent on really delicious New Zealand food.

Cooler

Bringing/buying a cooler might be a good idea. You can store food from the supermarket or meals you have already made. This will save you money because you won’t have to eat out as much. Also, it’ll keep your drinks cold, which is a bonus.

Charger converter

If you are coming from anywhere other than Australia you’re probably going to have to bring a plug adapter. It might also be a good idea to do some research on voltage between your country and New Zealand. The voltage differences will most likely be fine if you come from Europe, the UK or Asia, but if you are coming from the US or Canada you might need to invest in a voltage adapter.

Sunscreen

The sun is very harsh in New Zealand because it’s located under the Ozone hole. This means it’s very easy to get burnt. It’s possible to get sunburned even if you’re only outside for 5 minutes. Make sure to bring sunscreen and consistently use it.

These are all items I’ve found to be helpful. Leave a comment below about anything I may have missed or that you think is necessary when travelling around New Zealand.

Happy Traveling 🙂