BY ZALINA MOHD SOM

GOING on holiday, whether backpacking or not, can be quite nerve-wrecking, what with all the planning, packing and living out of suitcases.

Last week, I touched on planning for a trip. In this issue, let's move on to the packing.

This is not as easy as just filling up a suitcase. After all, we'll be asking ourselves whether we have packed what we need for the trip, whether we have left out anything and so on.

Actually, one really important question is, "do we really need all those things that we have packed?"

Instead of lugging along everything, think small. Instead of regular size items, bring travel size toiletries.

Make a checklist of what you think is essential. Then gather all the stuff and eliminate according to the duration and nature of the trip.

Essentials Checklist

Towel: When travelling, I opt for kain semutar, a piece of cotton used as headgear by fishermen in the East Coast. It's thin and so versatile you can turn it into a head scarf, a muffler or a short wrap-around skirt/pareo. Otherwise, get one of those thin, cheap towels that cost no more than RM8. Unlike thick towels, these are easy to pack and occupies less baggage space

Toiletries: I bring everything that I usually use but in smaller sizes - properly kept in a toiletry bag for easy storage and identification.

Medication: Always try to bring your own medication. Tell your doctor where you are headed and he or she will be able to prescribe suitable medications like pills for fever, headache, flu, cough, diarrhoea and motion sickness. Do label pills properly as countries like Australia can be rather fussy on what you are permitted to bring in.

What To Wear

Plan your wardrobe based on your itinerary - where you are going, the activities and the length of stay. Take note that proper attire is required for visiting places of worship or for certain activities.

Do avoid looking like a typical tourist (picture this: big sunglasses, straw-hat, a pair of bermudas, a bright colourful Hawaiian shirt and a pair of suede moccasins). You don't want to look like one in the pack.

How much to pack? My formula is to pack for half the total number of days of my holiday. So, for a 10-day trip, I would only pack for four or five days.

Depending on the location (and budget), I can send my dirty clothes to a laundry or buy some souvenir T-shirts. I never bring jeans; they are thick, heavy and not very travel friendly. But a jacket is a must, especially during the flight and bus rides, which can be cold.

For sleeping, I use my pyjamas as long as I can (pity my travelling buddy who's sharing the bed). For women who want to feel fresh the whole day, panty liners work wonders and you can do with just one pair of panties a day.

Gadgets & Gizmos

Apart from essentials like a camera and a handphone, you may also need a calculator and an international electrical adaptor, especially if you have electrical items that need recharging.

When you don't speak the local language, especially in the market or bazaar, a small calculator can be an invaluable communication tool. It also helps convert prices into ringgit.

All Your Bags

The backpack: This can be quite a technical exercise. Backpacks today come with a lot of (hi-tech and safety) features. But the bottom line is that you must be comfortable with the bag as it will be everything - home, wardrobe etc - to you during the trip.

It should be light and have comfortable (wide and padded) hip and back straps, two openings - upper mouth and zips down far, a rain cover and a certain degree of waterproofness and durability. However, packing and carrying it the proper way is a different story altogether.

A daybag: Always, always bring a daybag. It can either be a small rucksack or a shoulder or a sling/messenger bag big enough to hold a camera, sun-glasses, water bottle, tissue pack or handkerchief, a lip balm, wet wipes (one of the most essential things in my travel bag), a notebook, a pen and other stuff.

A neck wallet or money belt: Did I mention you should never keep your passport or cash in the daybag? I keep these in a neck wallet. I tried a money belt but wasn't comfortable adding another bulge to my already bulging belly, not to mention my holiday photos didn't look very appealing! However, a neck wallet also needs getting used to.

Cash for the day's use is kept in a small pouch strapped to the sling of my messenger bag. In a way, it helps me control my daily expenses. Throughout the trip, my "Malaysian use" wallet is tucked safely in a secret compartment in my backpack. The only times it sees the light of day are on the first and last day of the trip.

Shoes For Walking

Comfort is of the utmost importance as we can expect to be walking a lot. While most people prefer to wear gym shoes, I use hiking shoes that are waterproof and wide at the toes. Some people say hiking shoes are too heavy and hard for walking, but I find them to be sturdy and they protect the feet well.

I also pack along a pair of sandals or slippers (flip-flops) which come in handy on buses with bunks that require us to take off our shoes, for going to the beach or to the common bathroom in dormitories and hostels.

Others

Umbrella or raincoat: I always bring a cheap, disposable raincoat that will protect my camera and my passport.

Photocopies of passport: I get very nervous when I have to surrender my passport to the hotel reception for security check. Photocopies, it seems, are perfectly acceptable.

Sleep sack: Limp (not crisp), off-white bedsheets, especially those in ultra-cheap hotels, sets my imagination wild. A sleep sack (or sleeping bag liner) lets me doze off in peace.

On The Road

This is the best part - living and experiencing the plans and itinerary we've worked so hard for. But do remember that an itinerary should be flexible and can be changed to suit a current situation.

Different people enjoy different things. Go with an open heart and a sense of adventure and you'll have a great time.

Food For Thought

It can be very trying for Muslims to find halal food in many countries and is especially difficult when there is a communication breakdown.

Be prepared to satisfy hunger pangs with a spartan meal of bread and biscuits. In China, my friends and I ate cream crackers and drank 3-in-1 coffee for two whole days. Although China has a huge Muslim community, the language barrier made it difficult for us to find halal food in many parts there.

The China trip, however, turned out to be a good lesson in finding halal food. Look for a mosque and chances are, you'll find halal food stalls nearby or you can get someone to point you in the direction of the nearest halal restaurant.

A good alternative is vegetarian restaurants and Indian restaurants which normally do not serve pork but since we are also skeptical about whether slaughtering is done according to Muslim rites, we usually stick to seafood.

Moving Around

Taxis are a luxury. Local transportation - tuk-tuks in Thailand, jeepneys in The Philippines and beca in Indonesia - gives us a thrill that we don't find back home but their "flexible fare" can prove rather intimidating. So most of the time, we prefer to walk and we can stop anywhere and anytime.

For places not within walking distance, try the local buses. Hop on one that has the most scenic route and don't get down until you're back at the starting bus station. Not only will you enjoy the scenery but you will also get a first-hand experience of local culture and values.

-The New Straits Times