Clothing
The trick to packing light is to wear your heaviest clothes on the plane, without sacrificing comfort. It is possible to change out of heavier, less comfortable clothes once on the plane if absolutely critical. Your PITA factor may vary.
| On the plane | To pack |
| 1 pr long pants (heaviest, eg jeans?) | 2 pr long pants 1 pr shorts |
| 1 long sleeve shirt | 1-2 long sleeve shirt 1-2 short sleeve shirt (total 3) |
| Shoes | Sandals |
| Socks | 3 pr socks, incl one pr Heater |
| Undies/jocks; (bra) | 3 pr undies/jocks; (1 bra) |
| Soft shell jacket or Microfleece jumper |
Thermal underwear (optional) |
| Sarong | |
| Swimwear, possibly goggles | |
| Sun hat |
Electronica and Entertainment
Because it's a damn long flight, and because you want to document it.
- Aus/India adaptor, Aus double adaptor (decided we won't need a powerboard)
- DSLR camera, standard lens, charger, spare memory card(s)
- Compact digital camera, spare memory cards, spare batteries, case
- Video camera, charger, case
- Netbook, charger, ethernet cable, mouse
- iPad, iPhone, iPod, charger, earbuds for same (& double adaptor jack)
- Kindle & connector cord (Jos), novel/crossword book (the rest)
- Notebook, couple pens/pencils
- Normally, I'd consider taking a travel guide, but (a) my parents are taking one, and (b) we might put one on Jos's kindle.
These will be packed into a selection of handbag equivalents - the camera bag, a new messenger-style laptop bag (pictured), and a backpack or similar for each of the boys.
Toiletries, medicines and miscellanea
Those in the first section should come into the cabin with you, not least to cope with the possibility of the airline, ah, delaying the arrival of your luggage. The latter are more easily replaced, or coped without for a period, if necessary.
- Passports (with visas), eTickets, boarding passes
- Currency, in the form of a travel card, plus some cash (all in USD - widely convertible in India)
- Sunglasses, mints, lip balm
- Daily medicines (Singulair, BCP, A/D, and anti-malaria pills)
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste, floss
- Emergency medicines (Ventolin, Symbicort, analgesics, Imodium, antihistamines, bandaids, tweezers)
- Essential toiletries not provided by hotels (cleanser, face moisturiser, soap-free soap, anti-dandruff shampoo)
- Spectacles, spare pair of contacts, single use solution 5mlx5, lens case
- Hand moisturiser, emery board, nail clippers,
- Travel washing lines, pack towel (for squeezing out moisture from sink-washed clothes)
- Cream-based insect repellant, sunscreens
- Additional capacity - light fold-up bag to accommodate purchases (optional)
I'm sure there are a few other things that will occur to me tomorrow when we actually pack, and I may get around to updating this list.
In the meantime, I need to make sure all electronic items are fully charged and loaded (eg movies on iPad, podcasts on iPhone, books onto kindle)
I downloaded an ebook called "Enjoying India: The Essential Handbook" by JB Viharini. In the section "Dressing Safely: Clothing Tips for Women" she says that "Basic standards of modesty all over India require that you cover your knees, upper arms, shoulders, cleavage and midriff [except when wearing a sari]. Shorts and short skirts are not acceptable."
ReplyDeleteGiven that, I think I might not bother taking my (just above the knee) shorts.
Where did you get the India/Australia adaptor from and what do Indian plugs look like?
ReplyDeleteThe Aus/India adaptor is available in most travelgoods shops - I got mine from Strandbags in town. Indian plugs have three round pins, arranged in a triangle with the apex at the top. The top one is thicker and longer than the other two.
ReplyDelete