What to pack for SE Asia and Nepal

I would highly recommend thin microfibre wicking long underwear thats still stylish enough (ie solid black shirts) that you can still wear outside on its own. To be slightly fashionable when going out for those nice dinners, I always make sure I have one black outfit in my pack (one of them is that black thermal shirt) which I pair off with a funky pair of earrings and a scarf tied around the waist. You can layer those thermals to stay warm and they're thin enough that they don't take a lot of space in your luggage. I can't say specifically how much tech gear will cost in Nepal but generally speaking, they're a lot more expensive there than in the western hemisphere (ie. north america, europe). Also get wicking quickdry pants and shirts if you can. Jeans are nice but they're heavy, bulky and take a long time to air dry. A goretex windproof waterproof jacket is also a good choice as it'll help keep the rain off and still keep you dry.

For other items such as underwear I would suggest bringing enough in your size. I'm a normal sized person, some even consider me skinny, and I didn't even bother looking at underwear in SE Asia as I would be an XL (really, I'm a small or medium in Canada). You can always have things made in SE Asia and India for dirt cheap so I wouldn't worry about bringing too many clothes. In India, its easier to blend in by wearing a salwar kameez (you get less looks that way) and the pants that come with the salwar are huge. They actually remind me of clown pants because they're so baggy and you could fit another person in them.

If you do want to bring your own clothing, I'd suggest bringing items that you're not sad to part with along the way. I always do this when I travel as its a great way to clean out my closet and make way for the new purchases acquired upon my travels.

Truthfully, 6 month supply of tampons isn't that much. Taking sanitary pads would take up far more space. If you're concerned about space, I'd suggest getting tampons without the applicators which cuts down on space. The only concern there is you have to make sure your hands are clean before using (which can get tricky in those slightly dirty washrooms). I'd suggest also bringing wetwipes with you to help you in those situations where soap and water isn't always available.





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If you need more reassurance or detailed information, I suggest checking out www.indiamike.com - its a forum dedicated exclusively to travel in India. If you search around a bit, there are several threads on female travellers going solo and general female safety tips there. Good luck! Reply to this

I generally bring some hand sanitizer with me when I am traveling in SE Asia and as I go along, I always pick up extra napkins from bars or restaurants that we visit so I will always have toilet paper (some toilets don't have it, and some require money to get some). Make sure you have some long sleeve and long legged items because some parts of SE Asia require you to cover most of the skin (and this helps keep the bugs at bay as well). I would definitely bring your tampons...finding tampons is hard. You can get those ones that have the expandable applicator so that they are as small as OB or another applicatorless version but the applicator is there when you need it.

I would also recommend an unfringed sarong. I have one in my pack or day pack at all times, and it can be used for many different things. I have used it in temples to cover my legs, as a blanket, as something to sit on, as a shawl....the one I use the most is from Bali and it doesn't have any fringe on it (like the beachy ones do). It is made of a really light fabric that packs small.

Oh, another thing that my husband and I bring in our bags is a hammock. There are cloth ones that pack really small and they can also be used as a blanket if you want. If you are trekking and won't be in a hotel every night, it is nice to sleep or nap up off the ground...just an idea. I haven't ever been to India so I am not sure how it is but in SE Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar) the hammock came in very handy. Reply to this

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