Here I am at my fab rooftop ‘office’ with views of the gorgeous Taj Mahal

Travel Tips: My Five Most Essential Travel Items

As many of my friends & followers already know, I started my solo world travels back in 1998 in Thailand. Over the course of these 16 years I’ve been able to discard many items that I initially thought would be useful or even essential, as I eventually realized that I rarely or never used them.

I’ve also figured out which items I use most regularly and a few that I simply can’t do without.

My particular list of ‘must have’ items might be rather different from the average traveler’s, even the average long-term traveler’s’, if there is such a thing. My travel essentials are a result of my particular travel style, destinations and interests

I spend a great deal of time in tropical countries, developing countries and getting off the beaten track. I’m a budget traveler, so I mostly stay at budget hotels and guest houses. I’m into fitness, nature, outdoor activities and arts & culture.

As you’ll quickly see below, my list of travel ‘must haves’ are to some extent due to my interests, preferences and regions of travel.

For this list I’ve left out things that I need specifically as a travel blogger, earning a living on the road, and focused on essentials I need as a traveler.

silicon ear plugs

1. Silicon ear plugs

Silicon ear plugs are the absolute one item I cannot due without while traveling.

I don’t know how noisy other parts of the world are, but Asia is pretty darn noisy in most places.

Asian countries have high population densities, which often means massive traffic with all sorts of vehicles racing by, horns honking and so on. Many Asian countries currently have booming economies, which means various construction projects are often underway.

In addition, many towns & cities lack western-style zoning. That means housing, stores and industry are often all mixed in together, making many accommodation areas noisy as well.

In many Asian countries (though not all) locals talk very loudly, perhaps even yelling, even when they’re in small closed rooms, buses or trains. In addition, many public trains & buses play glaringly loud TVs, music or movies.

Asians tend to let their children run around screaming, yelling and playing in public places. At many local family-run restaurants, cafes, shops & budget hotels, the family businesses are also their homes, so the kids are present, running around amidst guests, customers & visitors. In addition, some budget hotels and guest houses also play glaringly loud TVs, music or movies.

Some countries are certainly noisier – or quieter – than others. And sometimes rural areas are quieter than urban (though not necessarily, since many farm animals like roosters, cows, goats, pigs and stray dogs might be making plenty of noise). But all in all, high population densities, less zoning and very easy-going people all lead to noisy, noisy environments.

As a result, for me ear plugs are essential! I wear them almost every night no matter where I am. I sometimes have to use them in the daytime as well.

I’ve tried all kinds of ear plugs, including foam, sponge, mixed silicon and pure silicon. The only ones that work for me are pure silicon. I make sure I have them with me all the time.

Thai stomach medicine

 2. Good medical kit

Back in 1998 I had a super-duper medical kit full of just about everything, including medical scissors, different sized syringes, gauze & tape, all sorts of salves & ointments, band-aids and various pills, tablets and other medicines. Because of my travel style and destinations, it’s important for me to carry as many basic medical needs as possible.

Over the years, however, I discovered that I never used half of those items. So I eliminated those and whittled down my medical kit to the essentials.

The meds I continue carrying are those I use rather frequently:

* Basics for minor cuts, scratches, stings: Betadyne, topical antibiotic cream, anti-fungal cream, anti-allergy cream like calamine lotion and band-aids.

* Upset stomach meds for those times I end up eating a bit of bad food. The best meds I’ve found include one Thai liquid stomach medicine and one Chinese med, which consists of a handful of tiny black balls.

* Antibiotics for upper respiratory infections, which I’m prone to.

* Antiacids

* Medical Book: Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America by Moon Handbooks

 3. Bandanas

I learned the great merits of the simple ole bandana from my good friend Frank while he was living in Japan. The Japanese make extra good use of bandanas. The simple cloths are sold readily all over the country in many colors, patterns, designs and of varying qualities.

notice the golden cloth used as carry bag

Bandanas make great headbands while exercising. They can be tied around the neck either backwards or forwards to cover the neck or throat in various situations: to block out sun, wind or rain or else to keep warm. They can be tied over the head like a cap, can be carried to wipe sweat or used to wipe up spills & messes.

For minor injuries they can cover a wound to keep it clean or stop bleeding. In the case of fever or uncomfortably hot weather, bandanas can be made wet with cold water and placed on the forehead, back of the neck or other areas to cool off. You can also use a bandana to take a sponge bath.

You can place an open bandana on a seat or the ground in order to sit on a clean or dry surface. For women wearing short skirts, bandanas can be placed on the lap/over the knees when sitting to prevent unwanted prying eyes. They can be used as napkins, placed on the lap or like bibs across the chest, for any messy eating situations.

They can be used as ‘bags’ or ‘packaging’ by wrapping them around any small item, tying them up into a little satchel.

In the tropics, in the great outdoors and in hot cities & towns bandanas come in super handy in all sorts of situations.

 4. Scissors and pocket knife

Of all the items I’ve attempted to carry with me over the years, I’ve found that scissors and a pocket knife are the two items I use most frequently (after ear plugs, of course) and which I sorely miss when I don’t have them.

Scissors I use on almost a daily basis for cutting open bags, opening merchandise, cutting paper and so on. I use my knife mostly for pealing skin off fruits in countries where tap water is risky to drink. I also use it to open bottles and bags, pry things open and what not.

5. Elastic work-out rope

I’ve always been a fitness buff and outdoor enthusiast. I’ve dabbled with weight-training off and on since my early 20s. Before I became a nomadic traveler, I belonged to a fitness club for several years in Japan, which I went to nearly every day. Even now I occasionally join a gym if I’m staying in one place for 1-3 months.

I’ve found that once you start working out regularly, it’s not much fun to be forced to quit while traveling because you can’t access a gym regularly. But I still like keeping my arms & upper body muscular.

So a few years ago I finally bought a Nike elastic work-out rope after trying out a friend’s rope. I’ve loved mine ever since.

It’s such a great way to maintain my upper body fitness while traveling. It’s compact and lightweight, which makes it a very easy addition to a backpack or suitcase. I can do all sorts of arm & leg exercises with it, so I can hit as many muscles as I want.

You might also find these posts useful: 

My Portable Internet Cafe

10 Thai Products I Swear By

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