Musings on packing for a long term backpacking trip....

Despite having looked up numerous lists of what to pack for round the world trips etc, I still missed out on bringing some things that would have come in handy (thanks to mom and dad for sending over lots of packages with things I realised I needed)

Things I've realised I should have packed but bought over here:
A scissors - essential item, used for customising clothes (eg when the Thai laundry system turns your dresses into tops), opening packets, removing tags/ airport baggage labels etc.

Super glue - because pages fall out of books, flip flops fall apart, bags break!

Inflatable neck cushion - makes sleeping on long journeys so much more comfortable.

Things I'm glad I packed:

Combination padlocks - despite the fact that they are expert lock pickets on those overnight buses where locks are rendered useless, they do come in handy at guesthouses etc

Leggings - because despite plans to follow the sunshine, it's bound to get chilly somewhere at sometime (ditto for a rainjacket, umbrella, fleece and dare I say it....a pair of jeans)

Mini first aid kit

Safety pins

Sewing kit

My iPod Touch - with free wifi everywhere here, anything that connects to the Internet is hugely useful.

And now for things I wish I'd brought:

A netbook - internet cafes are a pain and who knows of the connection is secure etc, doing all your blogging/emailing on a tiny screen of an iPod Touch is frustrating, you can watch movies, add attachments to emails, save files etc on a Netbook.

A dslr camera - for someone that loves photography I often wonder how I frisky think of this one! You see so many amazing things when travelling and a 'point and shoot' digital camera just doesn't do it justice. Every long term traveller I've met had a dslr camera (some had never even used theirs before this trip) and they had the best photos.

Worldwide adaptor with USB slots

More versatile clothes such as maxi dresses.

Good quality travel towel - this is not something to skimp on, take it from me; the cheap ones will not dry you!

An osprey or berghaus backpack with wheels.

Hopefully this list will help somebody somewhere who's about to embark on a trip!