PURCHASE IN COUNTRY
⁃ sunscreen ( circle k or tourist shop) ahhh this was way harder than we thought it would be! Once we got to the beach it was everywhere but before that we had to go to multiple pharmacies. And we really needed it as the UV index was bonkers
⁃ Bug spray (remos brand) – didn’t buy any as the clothing spray beforehand + the wipes did an excellent job
B PACKED:
⁃ paperwork (digital copies of everything but the visa would have been fine)
⁃ deodorant, toothpaste, avene 100ml sunscreen, cetaphil 100ml, boat patches, bug wipes
CARRY ON CONVERTIBLE ROLLER BAG
◦ 2 x Bella bodies travel bra (one padded) – probably only need one, or both but could have left out the merino bra
◦ 2 x ex officio travel undies – did not wear, not comfy. Really not impressed with these. There’s been a definite quality shift over time and B found the same thing with his men’s ones
◦ 1 x merino paire sleep singlet – excellent packing choice, only had to be washed out twice in 3.5 weeks
◦ 3 x modal black undies – replace ex officio with these, take 6 next time (2 per day)
◦ 1 x colourful skort – worn a few times and although a bit warm (polyester) this looked nice and would have been a great option in place of the dress
◦ 1 x macpac white linen shorts – worn multiple times, take a bit longer to dry but super cool and airy in the really hot places
◦ 1 x T9 crop 3/4 pants (blue) both pairs used as the second was worn on the plane but I think one would have been sufficient as they were quick dry
◦ 1 x M ripskirt dress short (flowers) – minimal use but this was a very active trip so pants / shorts were the go. Wore as a beach cover up a few times
◦ 2 x 3/4 sleeve cotton loose weave tops (teal, pink) – lots of use, so glad I shoved these in last minute as they were my saviour!
◦ 3 x isocool tee shirts (lilac, white, bright pink) only needed 2 at the most as not great in high humidity. I think in a warmer, dry climate these would be perfect but the humid meant they were itchy and heavy feeling
◦ Waterproof overlay Uniqlo- didn’t use at all, just got wet then dried off. Way too hot
◦ 2 x TS undershorts 5” – only need one pair to go with dress, the “we are underwear too” is definitely not accurate
◦ 1 x merino Sleep shorts – B ended up using these and was happy with them
◦ 1 x lined swim shorts black – cut liner out, lots of use in beach/pool parts but only for my own comfort, most women just wore a bikini / bathers
◦ 1 x swim/sunshirt: brown – no good in humidity, minimal use. Just too hot. Did get some use on boats in direct sun though
◦ 1 x monte Lou bikini set – lots of use, don’t say great but better than a one piece and not as heavy
◦ 1 x crocs thongs – lots of use, good purchase
OTHER STUFF
◦ MacBook and sleeve – thick padding worked well in wheeled Fairview bag. Still a pain at. Airports but manageable
◦ Mosquito wipes – excellent
◦ Small foldable backpack – very useful, absolute must bring for next trip!!
◦ Dry bag – used frequently for bathers
◦ Palexia, bacclofan Painkillers + dr letter- not checked but felt better having the letter
◦ Medications travel container: Panadol, nurofen, coloxyl, no-doz, dramamine, antibiotics, gastro stop, buscopan, nausea wafers, multiV, something for itch/bites, telfast 180
◦ Laundry bag – dry bag instead? Minimal use on a wash/wear long trip
◦ Toiletries (liquid) bag: shampoo 100ml, conditioner 100ml tub, body wash 100ml, cleanser tube 50ml, TOTD MU remover, 2x med cream, IT redness 20ml, heat spray 50ml, makeup spray 30ml, red correct tub, white concealer, face sunscreen – cc serum sunscreen better, remove makeup completely as it just slid off my face
◦ Toiletries (non liquid) bag: hairbrush, hair ties/scrunchies, toothbrush, gel ear plugs for snoring, concealer, powder, brush. Pimple patches, tweezers, wipes, floss – remove makeup
◦ Wet scarf or towel + ring – excellent purchase
◦ Usbc Hair straightener – not used at all, too hot so hair always tied up
◦ Mini clothesline + laundry sheets + sink cover – laundry line not used at all but sink cover and sheets good. Bring more sheets than days!!
◦ Crushable travel hat – best purchase, used every day
◦ BellRoy small cross body bag – used every day, small enough it didn’t hurt my shoulder, hat clip was also very useful to attach hat
PERSONAL ITEM (grey cross body handbag – swap to mini backpack for comfort)
◦ Ereader
◦ AirPods
◦ Pen
◦ Cheap folding Sunnies – broke on day 2. Had to buy in country
◦ Ear plugs (loop for plane)
◦ Money/travel wallet
◦ Merino wool socks for plane / cold feet – used on one flight so worth it
◦ Vapor water bottle – did not use at all, just used disposable ones
◦ Passport
◦ charger pack including cable, int adaptors and base, fitbit charger and air fly kit
WORE ON PLANE:
⁃ T9 crop 3/4 pants (grey)
⁃ bra (light blue merino racerback) good
⁃ merino lightweight shirt or cream modal – both good options, I wish I had taken both in place of an isocool shirt
⁃ 1 x Paire undies
⁃ keen Travel sandals – awesome purchase in place of taking sneakers. Very happy
⁃ Travel merino cardigan (pink) – good, used on planes only but I did get cold
⁃ Fitbit inspire 2 – took in place of Apple Watch and was really pleased with 7 day battery, smaller fit and better waterproofing. Wasn’t great as a watch in direct sun but the alerts were mainly what I wanted and then all worked fine for texts, calls and a vibrate alarm
EXTRA PURCHASES
– I bought a Uniqlo dress over there as it isn’t available in Aus. I wore that in place of the floral travel one to a fancy dinner
– had to buy sunnies as mine broke
– bought two more light weave cotton tank tops as well, wore at the beach and lounging around at the pool
– also squeezed in some souvenirs! Wood art, silk pairing and Vietnamese coffee with a coffee server for B
Mel's Travel Blog 