Fat Passport - Packlist female II

What To Take, And Where To Find It - Women, Part II

On the previous page I discussed the clothing, electronics, and medical kit items that women might want to bring. To complete the packlist, here I'll now cover medical kit, personal care, bags, and other items for female travelers. Note that there is a separate packing list for male travelers.

Item

	Item	Comments and where to buy
Toiletries	Shaving kit	Razor and extra blades if needed
	Toothbrush kit	Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
	Hair care items	Shampoo and conditioner, brush/comb
	Deodorant	Sometimes hard to find on the road.
	Other	Nail clippers, cardboard nail file, moleskin strips for shoes.
Other personal care	Insect repellent	Important in the 3^rd world as mosquitoes carry various nasty diseases there. Repellents with DEET are typically recommended (such as Ultrathon). My wife and I much prefer Avon skin so soft bug guard , which works great for us and smells a lot better than DEET, though effectiveness seems to vary by individual.
	Sunblock	Bring something that’s at least SPF 15. Can sometimes be hard to find and/or be expensive when traveling. We use Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Sunscreen.
	Lip balm	Bring a tube of lip balm, at least SPF 15.
	Sunglasses	Bring a comfortable, durable pair of sunglasses that filter UV rays. Be aware that the more glamorous they look, the more that they (and you) may be a target for thieves.
	Hat	Bring a collapsible hat to protect you from the sun. You don't have to have anything fancy, though there are plenty of options if you want to have a nice hat for travel.
Papers and money	Passport	Also keep a copy of your passport in your bag, and with somebody at home.
	Cash or travelers checks	How much you need, if any, depends on where you’re going and your style of travel. Check your guidebook for guidance. Note that US dollars are generally the preferred foreign currency throughout the third world.
	Moneybelt	Carry your passport and money in a thin moneybelt kept underneath your clothing.
	Credit cards	Credit cards are accepted widely, though certainly not everywhere. Check your country guidebook.
	Extra passport photos	Consider bringing if you may apply for additional visas while traveling. Sometimes cheaper and readily available on the road….and sometimes not.
Other	Laundry detergent	A small pack of powder detergent is handy for cleaning clothes in the sink. No need to bring much as you can easily buy more on the road.
	Guidebook	Lonely Planet and Rough Guide are both generally very good for independent travelers; Eyewitness Guides and Fodor's are good if you're on a group/escorted tour. All are available at Amazon.
	Swiss Army Knife	A Swiss Army Knife somehow always comes in handy. Can only pack in checked bag.
	Notebook	A small (e.g. 6”x9”) notebook is always handy
	Alarm clock	Needs to be small and rugged. May be in your cell-phone, if not then check Magellans.
	Pens	Bring a couple of pens (cheap ones if you tend to lose things!)
	Reading	Books can be heavy and take up space, so I bring at most two books, then buy or trade for others on the road. Guidebooks often suggest good reading for your destination; also try going to Amazon, search on your destination, and check their user ratings/reviews of books associated with that destination. Another option to consider is Audiobooks on your iPod.
	Pocket flashlight	A mini-flashlight is useful in third-world countries, where streets may be rough and poorly lit.
	Pocket umbrella	Need depends on when and where you’re going. Check climate info and your guidebook.
	Generic sink plug	A generic sink plug is surprisingly useful as many sinks don’t have plugs.
	Clothes line	Very useful to have a clothes line for when you do your own clothes.
	Plastic bags	Bring a few zip-lock plastic bags. They take no space, and somehow always seem to come in handy.
	Antibacterial wipes	Antibacterial wipes are very handy when you can’t easily wash your hands.
	Tissues	Always carry a small pack of tissues for various uses, including emergency toilet paper.
	Inflatable pillow	An Inflatable Neck Cushion takes minimal space, and can be handy on flights or trains.
	Sewing kit	A tiny sewing kit with just needle and thread will do fine.
	Eyeglasses	If you struggle without glasses, then consider bringing a second pair, and/or your prescription.
	Ear plugs	Low-cost, take up minimal space, and can sometimes be very handy. Find at your local pharmacy.

Bags	Pack or suitcase	You want something lightweight and durable, with sturdy double-zippers that enable locking. My personal preference is a soft pack that I can carry over my shoulder or on my back, and that’s not too deep (so I’m not always rummaging around in my bag). These are light, flexible, and manageable to carry. Choices abound, so look around at places like REI, Amazon, and Luggage Online. I’ve never used a suitcase, and these stand out like a sore thumb in the third world, but there are plenty available at both Amazon and Luggage Online.
	Daypack	Get a daypack where you can keep your guidebook, camera, and various other odds and ends you may need while you’re out. The more glamorous it looks, the more inviting it may be for thieves, so consider getting something simple and non-descript. My personal preference is an over-the-shoulder or sling bag where I can keep my SLR camera within easy access, as well as having the other items above, and which doesn't look like a camera bag that might attract curiousity or worse. About the only such bag I’ve found is from Tamrac, though there are many various daypacks available through Luggage Online, Amazon, and others.
	Baggage locks	Use small combination locks to lock your bags. For travel in/from the US, get TSA Accepted Combination Locks preferably with four dials instead of three.

Additions For Backpackers	Padlock and chain	Can be useful to lock doors, or to lock together bags.
	Bed sheet or sarong	You may prefer your own bed sheet at some hostels or other low-end lodging.
	Bar soap and soap dish	Lower-cost lodging may not provide soap, so bring your own.
	Swimmer’s towel	Lower-cost lodging may not supply towels. A "swimmer's towel" from your local sporting goods store is a good, compact solution.

Also see the simple women's packing checklist.

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