BACKPACKING LIGHT. Alright?

WATERPROOFING           |

My wish to be elusive, when I leave and go travel, is quite often underrated. Families, certain jobs and a few personal attachments demand me to stay connected from the outside world to my inside out. This would have to mean a mandatory occasional peek on my mobile phone and maybe a little (okay, just a little) update on my whereabouts. Collecting photos too, for the most part of the journey, had significantly impacted the way I retain and muse over experiences.
A working smart phone or even simple but dependable cameras are able to snatch and record moments. This is one of the reasons why it is always wise to secure all types of gadgets in a waterproof carrier: camera, phone, MP3 player, power banks and all cable wires. This eliminates the anxiety of getting them wet, especially if crossing the waters is inevitable; thus ensuring their functionality once destination is reached. One instance, amidst a rough sea ride while traversing the Western Visayan Sea, I had myself and almost all of my stuff soaked in a mixture of saltwater and rain. And just before reaching the land, my packed-clothes and camera were already dampened. Clearly, I had to accept that’d be of no use for my next spot to be visited. And as overly heartbreaking as it may sound (quite similar to your first breakup), an unrepeatable experience left me with no souvenir photo at all. Although it is said many times that memories are best stored in our hearts and minds, an epic selfie with a nice backdrop is still a keeper. Aye? Aye.

TOILETTRIES/ FLUIDS   |

The great bulk of my travelling bag consists mainly of unnecessary vanities: bottle compacts of cleansers, lotion and moisturizers always put in too much weight and simply defies the meaning of “travelling light”. I realized that these too could be controlled by making an orderly to-bring-essentials list ahead of time. The game plan is to stick to what you just really need during the course of the travel, and cross out everything that you can live without for a couple of days.  Vanity kits are widely available in handy packaging for efficiency. You might also want to just re-pack from your good-old-bottles instead of buying a new set. Given the fact that most airline companies have specific protocols when it comes to liquid limit; a hundred ml at most can be included in your carry-on luggage, and anything beyond should be checked in. Appropriately packing of fluids and including only what is needful will save you a lot of time, space; you’d be sparred from spending a few bucks too, as you won’t have to worry for an additional baggage fee.

CLOTHES     |

Your clothes selection during travelling can either make or break you. The sole idea of backpacking is to simply stick to what is basic and steer clear of anything that is unnecessary. As several varieties of clothes might be all clustered in your closet, it’ll be sensible to be careful when choosing the right material to be included in your backpack. The following should all be regarded with careful analysis: weather condition, occasion and comfort as to avoid over or under packing. A beach destination suggests wrinkle-free and cotton fabrics for a breezy feel. Dry-fit and spandex type or anything that offers mobility is more appropriate for hike adventures. And cooler climate topographies warrant a reliable coat and a few warmers. A pashmina, which has nice layering of colors and wool could do countless tricks; a warmer, a cover-up, a bikini-bandeau, a headdress or simply a statement piece to adorn a basic outfit.

FOOTWEAR                        |

Foot gears take in the majority of the weight luggage. The rule of the thumb is to bring at least two; the heaviest should be worn during transport while a comfortable pair serves as a stand-by rescue for your tired feet!

MEDICINE   |

To travel happy, at ease, safe and sound are constant prayers of any traveler. No matter how trained and meticulous you were during the planning stage; carefully prepping your body to be full-geared on the travel date, the real deal still happens on the travel itself. You have to anticipate unforeseeable events and imagine the worst so you could prepare even more. From simple alter in temperature when climbing a mountain could precipitate an asthma attack or flu; newly found delicacies are factors that trigger a known or unknown food allergies! These can be managed by keeping your pharmacy kit up-to-date with basic remedies whether from simple scratches to aches and as serious as emergency medicines might be useful during crisis intervention.

MUNCHIES, MISCELLANEOUS                        |

Flight delays and cancellation happens, long drives or boat transfers are tiring, so make sure to pack a bag of your favorite chips or a few bars of chocolates to help save the day! You have to remember that your brand of choice on cigs might not be available on your destination, and missing to bring such could mean trying other variants which is awesomely cool for the first two days. The availability of such items is also a hit or miss, as it will be definitely sold at a higher price tag.

CASH             |

Stacking of cash with applicable conversion units to your travel destinations should be prioritized. Be reminded that various travel spots have restricted accessibility on ATM’s, and very few urban municipalities accommodate universal bank providers. The wisest to do is to place the budget a notch higher than the usual recommendations that you can find on Triadvisors, travel blog sites or whatnot, and prepared for your card in case debit or credit is allowed. After all, you wouldn’t want to compromise a supposed-to-be great expedition with ruined pockets.

And as always, GET LOST ♡