So how about a few thoughts on our packing choices for clothes and footwear, and how they turned out?
- Jeans are simply essential. I know they are bulky and take ages to dry, but my answers are as follows: (a) wear them on plane and bus journeys, then you don’t need to pack them, (b) don’t wear them on hikes, boat trips and jungle adventures and they won’t need washing, (c) you can walk into any restaurant, shop, hotel, bar or venue in the entire world in jeans and you won’t feel out of place
- The walking shoes we took were perfect. As expected, their breathability was far more important for all the months tramping around hot tropical places than the very occasional day walking through mud or in torrential rain. In any case, when we did get totally soaked then at least these dried quickly. And their muted colours and shoe-like appearance meant we felt comfortable in nice restaurants.
- Technical garments feel good on hikes, but don’t overdo it or you’ll start to be fed up with looking dull in vibrant cities and funky restaurants. Their best attribute is actually how quickly they dry, and the most important technical things to have are hiking trousers and a warm top (fleece or merino) because they’re so light, compact and quick-drying compared to a basic sweater or jumper
- Flip-flops are vital footwear, for flopping around hotels or for anywhere wet – the simple difference with sandals is that sandals you have to put on, flip-flops you just walk into. But make sure you get all-rubber ones; any fabric takes ages to dry out
- The tube scarf is really versatile as neck wear or to tie up long hair, and very light. In contrast the cobber is a pain in the arse for a traveller – firstly you have to remember to soak it before you head out on a hot hike, and then it’s a pain to pack again because it stays wet for 4+ days so it either gets other things wet or if you put it in a plastic bag it goes mouldy!
- I like my linen blazer. Maybe I’m turning into Alan Whicker, but once I throw it over jeans and a T-shirt I feel like I can walk into any restaurant, shop, winery or hotel and belong
- My wallet should have stayed at home. It’s visible in any pocket, and puts all your eggs in one basket. I kept coins and some small notes in one pocket, credit cards and a few more notes in my other pocket, and the rest of our money hidden in a couple of places in day bags and the main backpacks. Hmm… girls who don’t have/use pockets may have to stick with a purse
Related Images: