Other things you may need:                                                       Back

Some things that (although not necessary.) may come in handy:

1. Pocket knife: A Swiss army knife is a good choose. Make sure you pack it in your

checked luggage! (That goes for anything that could be considered a weapon. i.e.

Scissors, nail file, etc.)

2. A good Alarm clock: Most hotels will give you a wake up call but better to be on the

safe side. (Remember we want to get to the airport on time/or don't want to miss that

tour to elephant safari, etc. just because we partied late into the night.)

3. A pocket size flashlight: Electricity is not always reliable in Asia, especially in some

of the smaller villages. (Their are some excellent steel cased pocket sized flashlights

on the market.)

4. A clean pillow case: You probably won't need it but not a bad idea if you run into a

place late in the evening and find the bedding not to be up to par. (You can always use

it to pack your dirty laundry.)

5. Toilet tissue: Not always available, especially in smaller villages or as I found out

in family compounds, where they use their hands & running water. (Wipe & wash is

common all through Asia.)

6.  Icebreakers: Small gifts, a gesture of friendship. (When I first went to Bali an office

supply store was having a going out of business sale & had a large supply of colored

pencils at a very reasonable price. I knew from researching my trip that the Balinese

were into art and assumed they would make nice gifts. I was right & that little gesture

made me many friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with.)

7.  Clothes pins: Not only for hanging laundry say in the bathroom but also useful in

keeping blinds shut if the don't hang right.

8.  Zip lock bags (Lots in different sizes) Uses - wet bathing suits - soap & other toiletries -

dirty cloths - coins, shells and other small souvenirs you pick up along the way. If they

get messy inside you can just discard them. double bag things that are really messy.

9.  Don't waste time on small things. You can always buy toiletries when you get to your

destination.

10. I carry small sample sizes of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. and the little moist hand

wipes that airlines & some restaurants give out. You can probably buy them in

pharmacies. They come in handy when your on the road.

11. Pack things you can discard. Instead of throwing out those old socks/underwear etc.

pack or wear it one your trip & when they get dirty just do what you were going to do

before your trip & discard them. One less thing to wash or carry home.

11a. Some things you discard may still be usable try to find someone who wants them.

12. The same things goes for books. old paper back books can be left in your room for the

next person. In a room in Singapore I was pleasantly surprised to find a Singapore

guild book. It was worn but still had a lot of information I could & did use.

13.  A candle for musty rooms. & your favorite cork screw/bottle opener.

14.  A universal sink plug. You know that flat piece of rubber that covers the drain. That

way you can use any sink to wash socks or other small items of clothing. (Easy to pack,

light to carry, & useful.)

I'm sure there are other things you can think of, just remember you have to

carry all these items, so take only what your going to need.

Al.