Packing notes
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2007
1
51
Trip End
Aug 14, 2007
Nassau, New York
Sunday, February 24, 2008
-No surprises here: I packed far too many clothes. We were able to do laundry regularly (either washing things out in sinks or using laundry services). Plenty of socks and underwear, a few basic outfits and one or two dressier pieces are more than enough. Good walking shoes are essential-I brought and used both hiking boots and sneakers.
-Don't forget an atlas! However, we did find that some of the bigger hotel chains had free directories that had quite good maps (Rand McNally) in them-they're small, but they worked.
- We carried many supplies- some were very useful while others were barely or never touched. These are things I would definitely bring:
-toilet paper (always have a roll available)
-paper towels
-paper plates (a couple of plastic plates/bowls that we could wash would have worked too)
-one or two screw-top plastic dishes (to keep things in the cooler dry)
-small bottle of laundry detergent
-large and small zip-lock bags. A couple of trash bags are good but I brought a whole box-too many.
-incense (freshens the air while being light and easy to pack/carry)
-candles (in jars or preferably tins-however, check the type of wax; some of the ones I brought melted
in the trunk, making a mess. One or two is fine.)
-matches and/or a lighter.
-a bottle of waterless hand sanitizer- running water or soap in roadside bathrooms is not a given.
-flashlight (probably one per person is best)
-many cameras (we used twenty-four disposables, plus another hundred shots on
the digital camera. I like using disposables-I get good pictures and don't have to
worry about losing or damaging a 'good" camera.)
-AA batteries
-some basic first aid supplies-sunblock is vital. Band-aids, OTC hydrocortisone
cream, triple biotic ointment, headache/stomach meds, Dramamine, tweezers; all
got used.
I didn't mention malaria meds because Charlie had a supply ready for me. We took these before entering malaria areas and continued to take as per the package directions. This is one time when you really can't be too careful.
-pens and black permanent marker (for labeling).
-pair of scissors and roll of tape
-empty box to pack souvenirs
-strong bug repellent.
-rain ponchos and umbrellas.
-extra bed pillows
-binoculars
-travel mugs
-a cooler.
We carried a small coffee maker (along with filters, coffee and my sweetener)-it made a lot of mornings more pleasant to enjoy a cup that you didn't have to go out and buy. We also carried two sets of flatware and a steak knife.
