Backpackers Travel Packing list

I thought I'd compile a travel packing list to help out would-be travellers and backpackers on their quest to packing perfection (and for experienced backpackers to quaff at).
I hope I haven't over done it, but some of these items I think are indispensable. ...and no I'm not taking hair curlers or a travel iron.

Clothing list:

1 pair of travel trousers - lightweight, fast drying, zip off.

1 micro fleece

3 t-shirts

1 lightweight long sleeved travel shirt - reasonably smart

1 pair shorts

1 pair swimming trunks

4 pairs of pants

3 pairs socks

1 pair walking socks - thermal

1 pair thermal trousers

1 long sleeve thermal top

Trainers/Walking shoes

Sport sandals

Flip-flops

Waterproof poncho

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Travel towel

Hat/Gloves/Neck warmer

The trousers, micro fleece, trainers and lightweight jacket are high quality. My thinking is that I'm going to using these items a lot and I want them to be reliable. Items like t-shirts, trunks, shorts can be replaced in situ with cheap stuff. The thermals and hat etc, I'm just going to throw away when they're no longer needed. Or swapped for something. Then again who'd want some stinky thermals that have been next to my skin for weeks on end...? I digress - Now the other items.

Toiletry list:

Hanging wash bag

Toothbrush/tongue scrapper/Floss

Toothpaste

Contact lenses

Razor and 2 spare blades

Nail clippers and file

Shower gel

Nail brush (scrubbing clothes etc)

Deodorant

Universal sink plug

 

Miscellaneous items:

Silk sleeping bag liner

Duct tape

Marker pen

Cloths line

Superglue

Strong thin wire

Candles

Waterproof matches

Lighter

Aluminum mess tin - Cooking etc

Fork/Knife/Spoon

Thermal mug

Hexamine block burner stove

Hand warmer - Solid fuel type

Spare charcoal sticks

LED head torch

Maglight torch

Multi-tool/Pocket knife

Universal power adaptor

Cables/Chargers for camera and phone

USB Memory stick

Spare SD cards

Alarm clock

Travel pillow

Hip flask - Complete with Talisker

Earplugs

Padlocks - Combination and solid core

Wire rope - For anchoring bags etc to things

Spare glasses and cases

Sunglasses

Zip lock bags

Elastic bands

1 Litre water bottle

Waterproof stuff sacks

Foldaway bag

Daypack

Camera

First Aid kit:

Tupperware box to hold it all

Plasters

Rehydration sachets - essential for hangovers

Tube bandage

Compeed blister things

Lidocaine cream - Bites and stings

Antihistamines

Hydrocortisone cream - rashes and skin irritations

Aspirins / Paracetamol

Laxatives

Anti Diarrhoea tablets

Water purification tablets

Iodine

Thermometer

Tweezers

Scissors

Vaseline

Antiseptic wet wipes

Tiger balm - For nasty toilet smells and sinus problems

Sports tape

Malaria medicine

And that's it! It sounds like LOADS of stuff, but it fits nicely in my 60L bag and weighs in at 10kg.

Final days in England

Typical isn't it? Just as the weather gets warm its time for me to leave the country and head to Eastern Europe. I hope its as warm there as it was in Sidmouth today with Mum - I think we may have caught the sun bit!

???

This way Mum!

Jacobs Ladder

Sidmouth sea wall

Travel Visas and Tran Siberian tickets have arrived!

The tickets for the tran-siberian and all three visas needed arrived over the weekend. Its the first time I've had anything 'exotic' in my passport as I've only ever been on holiday in Europe - so its quite exciting!

Anybody who is planning a trip on the tran-siberian railway, we bought our tickets and had the visas arranged through Real Russia, and I cant rate them highly enough. Excellent customer support dealing with my no dount highly annoying questioning regarding the complexities and red-tape with the notorious 'Russian Visa'.

Obviously they make a mark up arranging the visas and booking the tickets. With each visa they charged £20 extra on top of what you would pay if you were to go to each embassy and apply in person.

A small price to pay considering they do all the leg work of arranging dropping off and collection of your passport to the different consulates. Very pleased!

Travel credit card sized emergency contact details

I've knocked up a little credit card sized, erm credit card on Photoshop earlier with crucial personal information and emergency contact details to take traveling with me. The idea being you print it, stick your handsome passport sized photo taken of you before you became a dirty sweaty traveler, laminate it and carry it in your wallet in case of emergency's. On the rear of the card it simply states:

My name, passport number, nationality,
emergency contact information,
details of insurance policy
and blood type.

In Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, Mandarin, Thai and Russian.*

The geeky part is that the total dimensions for the card are the ISO standard 85.60 x 53.98 mm and the passport photo is the EU standard 350 x 450 mm size.
I've made the .PSD file totally idiot proof and editable with multiple folders for personal modification. Just mail me if you'd like the file or just leave a comment.

* I'm not responsible for a possible international incident due to miscommunication or possibly causing offense resulting directly from my total failure with the grasp of the English language. **

** I'm joking.