My Packing List

This is the first time in my life that I travel that long and through such different climates, so I was and am a bit nervous about packing (as I have mentioned before). So it does not surprise that I have a very detailed packing list written out for this trip.

There were a few things to consider that made writing that list out a bit more difficult. We travel from Santa Cruz, with its tropical climate up to the Andean Plateau then back down to foggy Lima and a few weeks spent in hot Cuba. So I have to pack everything from thermal underwear to bikinis and sundresses. With the help of the site HerPackingList, I put this list together that I hope does contain everything I'll need during this trip (and I'll come back after the trip and update the list, because I am sure there are a few things that I would do differently then, despite all the planning)

Clothes:
2 pairs of long trousers (one lighter pair and one heavier, probably jeans)
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of leggings (thermal leggings that I plan to wear in bed, in the bus, underneath the long trousers, under the dress I bring, for just about anything)
1-2 dresses (I think one dress that can be worn with the leggings and a sweater and one light sundress)
6 Tshirts
1 thick pullover (I bought a Merino hoodie just for this trip, it helps me stay warm and stays unsmelly for quite a while)
2 lighter sweaters
7 pairs of socks + 7 pairs of underwear
3 bras
1 or 2 bikinis (I am not sure yet, it might be a good idea to have one to wear and one to dry in Cuba)
1 scarf
1 waterproof coat
1 beanie

trekking shoes
flip flops
1 pair of nicer shoes (I pack ballet flats)
1 small nicer bag

Toiletries
deodorant
soap
body cream + face cream
lip balm
wet wipes
shampoo + conditioner (a 2in1 product)
sunscreen (50+)
toothbrush + toothpaste
hair brush
hair ties
razor + foam
(tampons)

Meds
Pain killer (Paracetamol)
Med against travel sickness
strong moscito repellent
fever thermometer
medical tape
meds for treating allergic reactions (a cream to use on moscito bites and antihistamine pills)
Imodium (anti-diarrheal)
Fluimucil (a mucolytic agent)
Malaria stand-by treatment (Malarone)
band aids, desinfectant, 

Other
Camera + charger
iPod + charger
phone + charger
kindle + charger
maybe a netbook
headlamp
small padlock
quick drying towel
small sewing kit
detergent for hand washing
travel pillow (maybe)
pocket knife
water sterilizer tablets
small umbrella
little journal + pens
daypack + backpack
rain cover for backpacks
passport + visa + other documents

Mrs. Garlic Head travels - Packing Madness

My Bach Leap 30 on the right and my Tatonka daypack on the left

Since I'll be traveling for quite a bit this summer, I thought I'd share some of my preparation for this trip and hopefully a few updates while I am on the road. (I won't be cooking much during this time). I hope you like this change of topic here.

One month before the longest and most adventurous trip of my life to date, I find myself in a state of packing madness. In the last few days I packed my backpack no less than three times. Three times.
I have always been an early packer, I like looking at my backpack standing there in my bedroom, all packed and ready to go with the toiletry bag sitting next to it, waiting for the toothbrush and a few other things I'd still need in the few days before leaving. But one month before leaving?
The thing is, I don't really think about packing to get things to already get ready for the trip. I test-pack my backpack because it seems absurd to be able to fit all of my clothing into my 30l Bach backpack. I have never before been a minimalist packer. I think I usually fit somewhere in the middle between minimalist and having luggage that is too heavy for myself to lift.
But this time, everything I need for an almost three month trip to Bolivia, Peru and Cuba fits in one bag, with a few small things in an other backpack that is going to be my daypack. And a few things might end up in my boyfriend's huge backpack, but right now it looks like I don't need any additional space in his backpack, and I also don't only carry enough clothes for tree days. I actually can't quite wrap my head around it right now (Hence the repeated test-packing).

Here is how I fit everything I need into this small(-ish) backpack:

•  Most importantly, this backpack is cleverly built and is easy to pack. If the backpack is awkwardly built, the available space in it might actually seem a lot smaller.
• This is an old trick, but it makes a huge difference: Roll your clothes. They take up a lot less space that way. 
• Leave anything behind that you don't use. Had I decided to take a sleeping bag, I'd have to have a backpack at least 10 l bigger than the one I have now. Similarly, using a kindle instead of books, planning on layering clothes instead of carrying lots of warm clothes that then can't be used in warmer climate can save lots of packing space.

I'll post my definite packing list for this trip later, and a few things to consider when travel to cold and warm climates in one single trip.