Packing Questions - Travelers, help!

[fantom07]

I have never really done any international travel before. Well, I did go to Australia with my family many, MANY years ago, but I wasn't really involved in the mass packing that was involved besides making sure I had enough socks and undies to last me through the trip

Comments

[onesmurf]

You may may a small fanny pack like thingy to keep under you cloths so you can keep your passport and money guarded and on your body. The airport has some shops that sell nice thin ones one at reasonable prices.

[multiclassgeek]

IAWTAC

When I went to Africa, I had one that was basically a wallet on a loop that I tucked inside my shorts. To quote Robert Redford in The Sting "Ain't a tough guy in the world gonna frisk you there"

[boilingbabies]

You might want to get a power adapter for your electronics as I can almost guarantee Malaysia has different plug-in than America. Jonathan's parents might have them, but you'll want your own. REI sells them.

If you're going to be using your cell phone while you're there, you might need to call your provider and have them "unlock" you so you can call internationally. You also might need to buy a temporary sim card while you're there so you're not charged an arm and a leg to make calls on your regular card.

For a backpack, maybe look into one of those sling-type bags. Like the kind you carry a baby in, but for belongings. Those don't have zippers that pickpocketers can easily access and only the opening is tight against your body.

You might also want to bring some cute, going-out clothes, so if you end up going to a nice restaurant or something, you won't have to feel scrubby in your tourist clothes.

[iideliishii]

As far as carrying valuables around, one of those packs that slide around your waist under your clothes might be really helpful, if you are going to areas where there is a lot of theft or just want to feel at east. Something such as thisIf you can, sling your camera around your neck, don't just keep in on your shoulder; it's much easier to slide a camera off a shoulder

[pocket1]

I think it is better to travel with 2 bags that you can carry rather than one big bag that is very heavy. Pita and I travel with backpacks. I got mine at target and it works fine. He got his at REI. He likes to travel with a day pack, I prefer a bag that goes across my chest because I can carry my backpack and still be able to get into my bag. We like to be able to carry our own stuff when we travel. For my upcoming trip to Boston. Israel and Spain I can't carry a backpack, so I am taking a wheely bag. Either way, the important part is that you should be able to carry your own bag

[stopityoumonkey]

I agree with Mary's suggestion for a sling type bag for your day pack. I have one that I've had since high school that I've taken all over Costa Rica, London, a month in Scotland, and pretty much every trip I've ever been on right down to weekends in Green Bay. The one I have is similar to this one. It can also be your airline carry on.

As for a suitcase, any one of those sets of 2 or 3 pieces you can get at Target will be fine. They usually involve a bigger rolling suitcase and a smaller one that can nest inside it. I would recommend packing with the smaller one nested inside the bigger one, then you have the smaller one empty for souvenirs when you come back.