Packing 101

48 hours to go and counting! 

If you know me, you'll know how much I hate packing. Like, really hate packing. I could be off on a fantastically exotic holiday, or just popping down to Canterbury for the weekend, and I'll still loath the task just the same. There's always that worry you'll forget something drastically important, or end up with too much stuff that your bag suddenly becomes a health hazard when trying to manoeuvre yourself down a crowded train carriage. These are both things that seem to occur for me on a regular basis - and let's not forget the time I packed in such a rush that when I went to pull my headphones out of my bag, my underwear that had become tangled also came flying out into the middle of the plane isle. Faaaantastic. 

For this trip I've purchased a 120L Karabar backpack (£20 from Amazon, what a snip) and just a regular, what I call, school backpack, for hand luggage. Knowing full well what I'm like, I decided to make a packing list in advance, and have been ticking off and adding as I go along - leaving no room for last minute knickers to come flying out mid-journey. It's been a hard task, with some emotional goodbyes said to my favourite boots, hoodies and oversized handbags, which have no place in an Ozzy Backpackers life...

So here it is, every little item I'm taking with me, helpfully split into sub-headings for your own...enjoyment? 

Electronics: (And Chargers) 

Phone (iPhone + Mini-brick) 

MacBook 

Kindle

Camera

Headphones (Beats + Apple) 

Clothes:

Jeans x 1

Leggings x 2

Denim Shorts x 3

Material Shorts x 2

Skirts x 2

Dresses x 3

Playsuit x 1

Vests x 4

T-shirts/Crop Tops

Jumper x 1

Hoodies x 1

PJs x 1

Bikinis x 3 (No two tan lines the same!) 

Waterproof Jacket 

Black Work Trousers 

Underwear:

Pants x 14

Bras x 3

Liner Socks x 3

Shoes:

Converse 

Flip-Flops x 2 (Beach and Dressy) 

Black pumps 

Toiletries:

Toothbrush

Toothpaste (Travel Size)

Face-wipes

Deodorant

Shampoo (TS)

Conditioner (TS)

Shower Gel (TS)

Sponge

Razors

Antibacterial Gel 

Dry Shampoo

Body Spray

Comb

Hair-ties/Clips/Bands

Tweezers

Make-Up

Birth Control

Moisturiser 

Nail Clippers

Sting/Bite Relief

Insect Repellent 

Misc:

Sunglasses x 2

Adaptors x 3

Watch

Hat

Mirror

Dressy Jewellery 

First Aid Kit

Small Handbag

Purse

Memory Stick 

Micro-fibre Towel

Sleep Mask

Earplugs

Pashmina 

Windup Torch

Travel Hairdryer

Laundry Bag 

Padlocks

Documents:

Passport

Drivers License

OzIntro Booking Confirmation

Base BackPackers Voucher

Debit Card

Plane Tickets

Itinerary Printouts

Travel Insurance 

Bank Information 

Emergency Contact Info
Work References 

P45 

...............................

Don't forget, unless you're moving the Timbuktu, there will be shops - so in order to avoid the Ross Geller 'Shampoo Incident of 2003' it's probably best to wait until you're there to stock up on sunscreen, aftersun and all those lovely things that have the ability to explode in your bag and ruin your day. Happy travels!