Travels with Kathryn

Some of these things I knew before I set off, others were things I have learnt along the way (links were appropriate), and I will probably revisit this post and update in the final days of my trip:

Luggage

Many people will tell you that you can wheel your luggage everywhere – good luck with that in cobblestone streets, European stations or really anywhere other than airports. My bright yellow rucksack has stood me in great stead and I have not had any problems in spotting it.

In addition to the big bag, I would also recommend:

• A day pack – for travelling days when you need more stuff or if you are doing something more outdoorsy when a rucksack is more appropriate than a handbag. It also gives you somewhere to hang your monkey…
• A handbag – I have seen many people using smaller cross body bags or bumbags. Its really personal choice, but I have been using this (with an extra long strap) which is only now starting to fall apart.
• Packing Cubes – game changing. An essential piece of kit – oh the organisational opportunities. Mine (these ones) contain my clothes, but sorted by type/temperature. Note they do state that they allow for “compression”, what this means is that they will compact down a little bit, but let us not expect miracles if you are an overpacker!
• A shopping bag – I always had my foldable bag to hand e.g. for long journeys where food or a change of clothes needed to be to hand (and then stuffed on a luggage shelf/under seat).

Toiletries

I know I use a lot of products and I brought full size with me which has lasted or been replaced. My key recommendations here are:

• 2 toiletry bags – yes, really. I have a wet bag and a dry bag. The wet bag is literally that, and this is the stuff that goes straight in the shower in arrival, i.e. shampoo, conditioner, etc. Your second bag is:
• A flat opening toiletry bag – this was new for this trip and has been excellent as I can keep it open and means I do not have to forage through my stuff. On Amazon: HERE
• A travel toothbrush – just before I set off my fabulous electric toothbrush died. I therefore brought a new one specifcially designed for travel replacement which has been excellent as it holds the charge for weeks. I also brought a USB charger (no stupid adapter needed) which I would also recommend.
• Also, note to self, you will lose many hair bobbles. Bring spares.

Snacks

You may not be a person that snacks. If not, well done, you, however, when travelling snacks and portable food becomes a way of being. I would therefore recommend:

• A refillable water bottle – an obvious one in this day and age, but worth noting for completeness. Just make sure it fits in your day bag of choice.
• A tupperware container – this is not something that occured to me previously, but having seen someone else using one I now see it as an essential piece of kit. You can use it to decant larger packets of things as well as to fill with any leftovers should you wish.
• Ziplock bags – again, incredibly useful in the snacking and decanting area.
• Cutlery – I wished I had brought this with me, and I did acquire items along the way. Very useful for on the go snacking/leftovers as well as if you are unable to eat apples like a normal person and need a knife. I shall be buying something like this for my next trip: See

Laundry

If I had been travelling in certain parts of the world (e.g. South-East Asia) I would have happily relied on hotel laundry services, which are generally priced very cheaply (either by item or weight). However, for this trip, I have alternated staying in AirBnBs with washing machines (every couple of weeks) with doing it myself. For this, I recommend:

• Scrubba Unisex Wash Bag – this is a drybag with a nobbly bottom, which means you can fill it up with your clothes, detergent, and hot water and scrub away. This action replicates a washing machine, so whilst it is not as effective as one, it gives far better results than washing in the sink/having to contend with no plugs, etc. You can buy one here (although I am pretty sure I did not pay this much): on Amazon HERE
• Laundry sheets – I brought a pack of 60 detergent sheets and used a half (as recommended) for each wash. These took up very little space and saved me from having to try and buy detergent in small containers.
• Clothesline – I have never travelled with one before, but this was excellent, and I used it for all my smalls whilst putting larger items on hangers (see below): On Amazon HERE
• Hanger – I ended up appropriating a clothes hanger somewhere along my travels as whilst you may be able to rely on the clothesline, I am a big person with big clothes so rather than completly filling my clotheslines with 2 dresses, these could go on hangers. I do not own, but I saw these in action and was rather jealous: On Amazon HERE

Miscellaneous

Then I also want to list some random things:

• A phone holder – this is fabulous. It means you can watch shows on your phone whilst travelling by either standing it on a table, hooking it over something, or even propped on a knee. Wish I’d brought one years ago. I recommend: On Amazon HERE.
• Somewhere to keep all the magnets you buy on route. I’ve been using my electronics bag because it’s padded to protect the beautiful magnets, but on a long trip, something specific would be invaluable.

Any travel tips you would like to share or comments on the above feel free to add below: