As a summer person, I often try to escape UK winters by heading to warmer climates to chase the sun. So back in September 2016, when my friend messaged me the six words “let’s go to Bali in January?”, I jumped at the chance to embark on my first backpacking trip. At 27 years old, I took a six-week sabbatical from my fashion editor job at a magazine to explore Bali, Thailand, and Cambodia in 2017. Having never traveled to Southeast Asia before, I ended up being the girl dragging my (exceptionally large) suitcase through the sand on the islands of Koh Rong and Gili T. Loaded with heels, hair straighteners, my favorite going-out dresses, and a full makeup bag, it was only a matter of days before I was in Bangkok posting belongings that I knew I wouldn’t require back to my London home address. After realizing I would mainly be wearing the iconic elephant-print trousers, denim shorts, and a few crochet tops I had bought from local markets along the way, of course.
Now 34 years old, I decided my itch to head back to this side of the world needed to be scratched. Consequently, I cleared my diary for a month (now freelance, so no bosses needing persuasion this time) and booked flights to the Philippines with my boyfriend. After staying in the cheapest hostels during my 20s, this time around, I wanted comfortable hotels instead – especially as they’re still reasonably priced.
However, when it came to packing, I knew the struggles of having a suitcase in these areas, especially how they get thrown on and off different transport. Thus, a backpack was essential. I found a hybrid version with wheels, allowing me to choose to pull or carry it. When it came to packing that backpack, I recognized the over-packer in me had to be specific about what I really needed to include.
Glad I packed:
The 50-litre backpack surprisingly carried a lot. It opens like a suitcase, so there was no need to pull everything out.
- 1. Packing Cubes – I bought compression cubes to keep my clothes in order as I knew with over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, we would be staying at many different places. The cubes are lightweight and immensely useful for organization.
- 2. Practical Footwear – Instead of heels, I took three pairs of practical sandals: one Velcro Teva-style pair, classic Birkenstocks, and a leather slider mainly for evenings.
- 3. Lightweight Clothing – I packed four dresses along with five light layering shirts, vest tops, shorts, and skirts, which all blended with my home style.
- 4. A Handy Steamer – My friend’s initial skepticism over taking a steamer transformed into daily use. The Steamery brand has the best steamers, ensuring clothes remain fresh and presentable.
- 5. Jewellery Travel Case – A travel case that kept my accessories safe and easy to access, allowing me to accessorize various outfits during the journey.
5 items I wish I didn’t pack:
1. Designer sunglasses – Between hotel hopping and being on boats, I regretted bringing them. Instead, I opted for a more casual pair.
2. Bikinis I didn’t feel good in – I packed too many mismatched bikinis. I should’ve focused on just a few that fit well.
3. Too much underwear – I ended up wearing predominantly bikinis anyhow, with weekly laundrettes available on every island.
4. Two pairs of trousers – I was caught out in Bali and Thailand without adequate covered clothing for temples, which turned out unnecessary in the Philippines.
5. Trainers – These contributed to excess weight; I seldom wore them and relied more on walkable sandals.
Traveling through Southeast Asia is an adventure filled with diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and incredible experiences. With thoughtful packing, your journey can be even more enjoyable and stress-free. iBestTravel is here to help guide you through it!
