Travel essentials 101 – packing up can be challenging (but not all the time!)

I have this on the go traveling backpack w/c is ready 24/7 for any planned (but mostly unplanned) ‘lakwatsa’ and I took some photos of the stuff that are usually in it when I travel. I seem to find them necessary and would make my backpacker life a little easier even during on travels which require me to do the ‘kinowboy’ style.

So here’s basically whats inside it:

Malong – its an instant ‘kumot’ that i can use anytime from sleeping to protecting myself from the heat of the sun to etc.

Towel – hotels in our country do have towels, even those cheap inns or pension houses BUT not from other countries. I experienced it in Malaysia and in Hong Kong that I had to do w/ tissue paper after taking a bath because the backpacker’s hostel didn’t provide me w/ complimentary towels. Seesh.

Map – this is a must to bring especially if traveling abroad. Here in our country though, especially here in Manila, i don’t really recommend opening and analyzing maps in the streets as it might jeopardize one’s safety but during road trips where one can be safe in the confines of one’s car, then having a map is very handy.

First aid kit – safety first. I don’t really have to elaborate on this. It’s a must to have one (and update it from time to time so as not to take expired med)

Zipper Bags – I was inspired to bring this one from my fellow travel freak Rovisa when we went to mt. Pinatubo. I didn’t know that we were going to go on swimming. Good thing though she brought a couple of zipper bags so I get to ask one for my wet clothes.

Don’t neglect your hygiene even when on traveling. – Please. Deodorant, lotion and toothbrush will do. And yes, with the recent dengue outbreak in our country, an anti mosquito lotion should be in the list too.

Clothes – traveling in fashion is still possible without necessarily packing in the whole cabinet. A comfy t-shirt (probably light colored), jeans and a fashion worthy sneaks is just fine. (Well im basing this in Philippine climate. Its different if it’s in some other cold country)

Wired stuff – im talking about phone chargers, mp3 chargers and headsets. Self explanatory for the call and text freak and to the music buff in me.

Cellphones (and mp3 players) – even when not traveling we should have these.

Everything keys – house and car keys. It’s a no brainer why we bring them

Book – I always bring a book when I travel but I don’t really get to read them most of the time. Even if I’m on a relaxed traveling mode, I prefer to have my mp3 player instead of a book.

A small notebook – I do write notes during my travel. Really. As in.

Modem – so much for internet connection and facebook even when traveling. Good thing I work in a telecoms company that I get to have ALL kinds of internet providing machines (modem gud) such as tattoo, wimax etc.

Laptop – pls refer to the description above. But I don’t really feel like bringing one because when I travel as much as possible I want to detach from everything and just enjoy the moment. Having a laptop keeps you half hearted and torn in between. But ah, uh, read na lang the description above lol)

Tissue – my stomach always play tricks on me so I kind of need this all the time

So do we have similar essentials in our bags? and yeah by the way, the camera isnt included in the list because it has its own bag. LOL.