When's the last time you packed for a trip longer than a week or two? How about for multiple different climates?

My adventure begins with a visit to Sacramento, CA since I will be flying from there to Asia and ends with a stay in possibly San Francisco and again Sacramento, CA. Many of you know that the weather in California can be dramatically different based on where you are, so on top of packing for humid hot weather in Asia, I'll be packing for dry hot weather in Sacramento, chilly pacific coastal weather in San Francisco, and possibly music festival attire for an appearance at Outside Lands upon my return (I really hope we can put this together for my actual last shin-dig before hitting the books).

Packing for the actual Asia portion of my month long trip (see itinerary on the blog) has been quite the challenge. I've read three different travel books, numerous backpacker blogs, and watched a handful of YouTube videos with suggested packing lists and tips on fitting it all into a pack light enough to carry while hiking, but big enough where you don't have to do laundry at every hostel/hotel (I'd rather spend my time and money on adventures). Each packing list suggestion has been different. In the end, I made sure to have the staples from each list and created the rest of the list from items that best suited me and what I would be doing.

One would think, it's SO hot in Asia, all you need are swim suits and shorts/tanks, most of which are little, so it should all fit easily into a pack. However, I had to take into consideration the cultural aspects of the locations I'll be traveling to and pack attire that is somewhat modest, which cover both my legs and shoulders. Many of the temples, shrines, and villages I will be visiting require this clothing out of respect for their religion. For this, I've also had to pack long maxi skirts (which will help with bug bites too), lightweight sweaters, and a few scarves that I can throw over tanks when entering these areas.

In addition, cultural considerations aren't the only thing I had to prepare for. Traveling in wet humid countries during monsoon season calls for preparing for the health risks associated with this region (how many of you have said "omg, why on earth is she going there?" by this point in my blog?). I've gotten all the CDC recommended vaccinations and picked up prescriptions for malaria prevention, possible traveler's diarrhea/motion sickness, and over the counter anti jet lag pills (who knows if they'll work), heartburn (spicy food), sunscreen, anti-itch cream, and DEET containing bug spray (yes, I know this is practically poison, but is it worse than getting Malaria or Japanese Encephalitis? Mosquitos LOVE my sugary sweet blood).

Other misc things I've packed that I've gathered from prior international travel and SE Asia specific research:
-Nikon D40 professional camera and lenses
-Power pack for charging cellphone while not at hotel (my cellphone will also be my main camera)
-Power adapters for charging USA electronics.. not my straightener b/c lord knows not even the most powerful straightener will be able to tame my naturally curly hair there
-A sleep liner to protect from bed bugs in sketchy bed situations and/or over-night trains
-Toothpaste tabs from Lush (tablets you chew which foam and you brush your teeth with. This eliminates carrying around a tube of toothpaste, saving room in my pack and preventing leakage)
-Shampoo bar and tin also from Lush (one bar lasts forever and eliminates me having to pack bottles that again, may open during travel and leak)
-Microfiber travel towel... it dries quickly and folds small saving room in my pack.. many places I'll be staying won't provide towels for showering
-Hiking sandals.. I picked up a pair of these so I don't have to bring my tennis shoes and socks.. sandals pack easier and will give my feet air to breathe in turn keeping me cooler.. plus they are waterproof! Here's to hoping an elephant doesn't stomp on my toes :D

Now, how did I pack all of this into my pack and which pack did I pick? (see photos)
I purchased packing cubes from eBags (3 mediums and 1 small) and used these to organize my attire into tops, bottoms, misc, and undergarments. These allow me to have easy access to my clothing and packs neater within the backpack. For my medications, cosmetics, and toiletries I used various makeup bags. Everything is within its own container so I don't have much loose within the actual pack and can grab and go as I please without having to dig through stuff. The backpack I'm using is from Eagle Creek and I borrowed it from a friend who used it on a world tour. This saved me money by not having to by a new pack, its already broken in, and I figured; if it lasted him many months, it can last me 3 weeks! Its also great because it has a detachable daypack, which I will use for every day use while out and about exploring.

In exactly 1 week from today I'll be "leaving on a jet plane!" All the prepping is nearly done... bags packed, passport ready, visa's purchased, and most hotels and tours booked, yipppeee!

Next up... surviving the 12 hour flight to South Korea, making the next flight with only a 45 minute layover, and 5 hours from then, FINALLY landing in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

ps. anyone have any tricks for getting upgraded to business class?!

Stay tuned for more.