Travelling is funny – you make plans, you get going, you meet people, you see things, you hear things and the plans change.

I’ve been hearing a lot about how Laos isn’t a great place to go to at this time of year, mainly because the rain prevents you from enjoying a lot of outdoor activities, and that’s what I wanted to go to Laos for.

I’m just about to start a 3 day trek through the North of Myanmar and in honesty, the rain and the clouds are wearing me down.

Having spent some time sailing before leaving the UK, I’m also missing the sea quite a lot now, and Laos is landlocked. That’s a whole COUNTRY away from the beach!

My plans are evolving, and at this rate, following some tip-offs and my itchy boots, I’m going to end up signing up to a monastery for a few days in Myanmar, and then heading to Malaysia, to get some diving lessons and explore the coast. Hopefully the weather is a bit better down there too.

Let’s see how it goes from here!

So, I’m leaving tomorrow, and should probably start thinking about packing.

The internet is full of worldly advice.
A quick Google search throws up no end of backpacking kit lists. These lists are all great in their own way, but opinions on what one actually needs seem to vary wildly from some guides saying “just take a t-shirt, and like, 300 condoms” to other extreme recommending those well-known essentials “umbrella” and “emergency San Pellegrino sparkling water”
So what will I actually take with me!?

Well, I’m going to be hiking and trekking. So there will be times when I have to carry EVERYTHING on long walks, for days on end, up steep hills, in the sweltering heat and monsooning rain.
That said, I’m also determined to take my DSLR and a laptop. If ever I had to learn how to compromise… here’s the deal:

Carry:

• Rucksack: Osprey 68 hiking rucksack, purchased from the extremely competent folk over in Lockwoods Leamington Spa.
• Daypack: Jack Wolfskin Moab Jam 22. No longer available to buy, but a great daypack with a hydration pocket. This clips (empty) onto the back of my main rucksack when hiking. Neat.

Electronics:

• DSLR: Canon EOS700D, with 3 lenses covering 10-200mm. For me, taking photos is a must, so I’m prepared to take the extra weight of a DSLR and lenses over a compact.
• Laptop: Lenovo YOGA 700, 11″. Some call me insane, but I’ll stay connected to update you keen, keen boot shadowers as I go. This tiny laptop packs a punch and is great for photo editing on the go.
• Action cam: Muvi HD. Comes with a screen, charges over USB and takes awesome HD video. Totally waterproof too!
• Headphones: Because as well as having a lot of time to listen to music, they also help me getting to sleep in a dorm full of snorey drunk tourists.

Kit:

• Dry bags: Karrimor (Sports Direct) do a huge range of sizes. I’m taking 5L, 10L, 25L and 40L, to help separate out kit as well as keeping everything dry in the monsoons.
  
• Clothes: Kept to an absolute minimum. I can always buy what I need when there, taking into account local climate. A lot probably won’t come back with me either…
• Toiletries: As much of my body as possible will be washed with one soapy bar, from LUSH! One solid stick of deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste. No faffing here.
• Med kit: Alongside basic painkillers, absolute essentials include blister plasters, micropore tape, and throat sweets for those alien bugs I’ll undoubtedly pick up. I also picked up some cheap “malarone” equivalent malaria tablets from ASDA pharmacy.
• Travel towel: A giant (and an XS) travel towel from Sports Direct again. Super effective, ultra lightweight and surprisingly cheap.

Admin:

• Documents: Passport, visas, licences, insurance information, flight tickets, plus copies of important documents in printed and digital formats. Left a few with my dad too.

Misc:

• Into the bag also goes a mosquito net, travel adaptors, a few snacks, a book (“The Girl on the Train”, which I’ll be happy to trade when finished) and some local currency.

So, I think I’m ready. Now I somehow just need to get to the airport…

…Dad?