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Finished work? Check. Leaving drinks? Check. Jabs? Check. Rucksack packed? Check.
After years of planning and saving we're finally on the home straight before the epic journey begins The enormity of what we're doing is starting to dawn on us and the maelstrom of emotion is beginning to take effect. Excitement, trepidation, nervousness, disbelief. Put simply: we're all over the place!
One of the hardest things to do for the trip will be no surprise to anyone reading this as you've all been away on holiday. Whether you're away for a week or a year, how do you choose what to pack??
We knew that whatever size pack we took, we would fill it so took the decision to start with a reasonably sized 60 litre backpack. But it was still a balancing act between having enough space to take all the stuff we would need for the trip on the one hand and the weight that we would have to carry on the other.
A very important consideration for Kirsty was that it was pink.... What can you do?!
One thing we have always been conscious of is that we're not going to the middle of nowhere so most of the stuff we might need we can get while we're travelling. Having said that and although some things will be dead easy to get I hate shopping so why would I want to spend my year constantly trawling shops and markets looking for more difficult-to-get bits and pieces?!?
Many of our flights have a baggage allowance, however we know that we will never be able to carry comfortably the upper limit of this allowance. So it's never really been a factor. Experience suggests that for a trip of this magnitude we would be happy if our packs weigh under 20kg. And my repeated mantra to Kirsty at all times is "you can take whatever you want, but remember whatever you take, you will have to carry". Sounds cruel but with my own backpack and daysack, I don't really have the opportunity to take hers as well! And before I'm accused of sexism, the same is true for me!
So what are we taking? Well I can't speak for Kirsty as she is apparently taking mysterious stuff called "make-up", "jewellery" and "dresses".... Nope me either!
However, at the risk of opening myself up to criticism for taking too much or taking the wrong stuff I can certainly give an insight into what's in my pack. Below is my kit list:
- Daysack
- 2 micro fleeces
- 5 t-shirts
- 1 shirt
- A pair of swimming shorts
- 4 pairs of trousers
- 3 pairs of shorts
- flip flops
- sandals
- walking shoes
- sun hat
- woolly hat
- gloves & liners
- sunglasses
- underwear
- walking socks (leaving present from work!)
- thermals
- buff
- winter jacket
- waterproof jacket
- towel
- suncream (NOT a year's supply, just enough to get going)
- a year's worth of contact lenses (plus a bit of fluid)
- glasses
- insect repellant (again not a year's supply)
- wash kit
- alarm clock
- watch
- first aid kit (leaving present from work!)
- torch
- sleeping bag liner
- washing gel and line
- duct tape
- mosquito net
- mp3 player and charger
- passport (and visas!)
- camera, memory card and charger
- adaptor
- multitool
- sewing kit (leaving present from work!)
- writing material
- guide books (as we still have some planning to do!)
- a year's worth of malaria tablets
And breathe!!
Kirsty's list is slightly different but just as comprehensive while remaining within the restrictions we've placed on ourselves. I'm sure there are things forgotten, things we won't need to take but like everything about our trip the kit list is fluid and will be ever-changing during our travels. And we're only going to learn the hard way. Another favourite mantra of ours: adapt, improvise and overcome!
That's about it for now. We're off to Moscow next week (as if that's true!!) to begin. We're intending to blog far more frequently once we're on the road (internet permitting!). Afterall we'll have far more interesting and exciting stories to tell and we also want to develop the photo side of the website more (just to make you all that little bit more jealous!!)
Take care and let us know of any gossip going on while we're away!!
- comments
v Don't forget Keep Up with Kirsty Mondays x. ps the sums are a bit hard.
Sandra Why don't you just take a mobile phone, then you can ditch the alarm clock, camera & MP3 player? And not even going to ask about the duct tape....... ;)
zoe p Safe travels peeps. wel jel xx
V Thinking about you all the time!!!!! Have fun xxxxxxxxxxx