What to pack: South East Asia

Packing list for a trip through South East Asia

I always enjoy reading packing list posts when other travel bloggers do them. It gives me the same satisfaction as digging through my granny’s handbag as a kid or looking through the drug cabinet in a stranger’s bathroom. I’m a little bit of a nosy parker. I also enjoy the sight of neatly organized things, and I know that’s not just me.

I wanted to wait a bit after leaving for my South East Asian trip before sharing what I was taking because I knew there was going to be some adjustments in the first few months, but ended up waiting one and a half year! Oops! So without further ado, here is my very much tried and tested packing list for South-East Asia. Both of my cameras are busted right now (and one is missing from the shot because I needed something to snap this disaster with!), so bear with me for image quality here. If you’re interested, check out my carry on essentials post.

What to pack for South East Asia

BACKPACK
[easyazon_link keywords=”Osprey Talon” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Osprey Talon 44L[/easyazon_link]
I knew Osprey backpacks were good, but this bag has proven itself a million times over in the last year and a half of being dragged pretty much through hell and back. It’s a great durable pack, and trust me when I say it’s plenty big enough for long term travel.

UNDERWEAR
2 x pairs of socks, one short, one long
8 x panties
2 x g strings
2 x sports bras
3 x bikinis, all mix and max (also used as underwear)
1 x pair pyjama boxer shorts

CLOTHES
3 x pairs of leggings, ¾ and full length (I basically live in those)
1 x more baggy/flowy long leg bottoms for temples or unshaved leg days (they happen) (a lot)
1 x pair jean shorts
1 x pair sports shorts
1 x belt (also serves as a strap for yoga)
7 x tank tops
1 x t-shirt
1 x long sleeve lightweight flowy cotton shirt (great for temples and to protect from the sun)
1 x long sleeve fleece (barely used but still handy to have)
2 x scarves/sarongs (I really don’t need 2 but I love scarves and they are just so practical!)

FOOTWEAR
1 x [easyazon_link keywords=”Tom’s shoes” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Tom’s canvas shoes[/easyazon_link]
1 x [easyazon_link keywords=”Nike Vomero” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Nike Vomero[/easyazon_link] running shoes
1 x cheap flip-flops (forgot to include them in the shot)

DAY BAGS / ELECTRONICS
[easyazon_link keywords=”Fjallraven Kanken” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Fjallraven Kanken Classic Daypack[/easyazon_link]
Matt & Nat Moxy Crossbody Vegan Leather Bag (hurry, it’s on sale right now!)
[easyazon_link keywords=”CANON 500D” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]CANON 500D[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link keywords=”CANON EF-S 18-55mm” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]CANON EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5–5.6 IS[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link keywords=”CANON EF-S 55-250mm” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]CANON EF-S 55-250mm 1:4–5.6 IS[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link keywords=”CANON POWERSHOT ELPH” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]CANON POWERSHOT ELPH 300 HS[/easyazon_link]
Random electronics in plastic bag ([easyazon_link keywords=”external hard disks” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]hard disks[/easyazon_link], chargers, wires, spare batteries, computer mouse, etc. See the whole of my camera bag here)
[easyazon_link keywords=”Kindle Paperwhite” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Kindle Paperwhite[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link keywords=”macbook” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Laptop[/easyazon_link](forgot to include in the shot)
iPhone
Earbuds

FOODSTUFF
Spoon, knife, bowl
Emergency food kit (at the moment: mustard, vegemite, peanut butter, dates)
Reusable water bottle

ODDS AND ENDS
Wash bag with toiletries and hair stuff (more about this later)
Small things in a plastic bag (pen, drugs, Band-Aids, flashlight, contact lenses, sewing kit, earplugs, chap stick, etc.)
2x Sunglasses (one with prescription and one without)
[easyazon_link keywords=”Muji Neck pillow” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Muji Neck pillow[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link keywords=”jade yoga mat” locale=”US” tag=”mostlyameli07-20″]Yoga mat[/easyazon_link]

Annnnnnnnd, there you have it! Are you a dude? Here’s a more appropriate backpacking packing list for you young men.

It kind of seems like so much stuff listed here and I’ve just downsized considerably. What do you say? Do you think it’s too much? Too little?

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