[Taboo917]

I am setting off on my travels in two weeks and am going to america, fiji and new zealand before settling in australia for 5 months to work...and then i'll be going to south africa before finally going home...and i have no clue what to pack!

I know everyone says travel light but im going into a lot of different weathers and on top of that i can admit that im quite shallow...and i hate looking horrible! But i dont wanna be laden down...i went travelling in europe for 6 weeks last summer and almost broke my back by the time i was done!

can anyone suggest a happy medium?!

Thanks!!

PS any tips for keeping wavy hair under control!? Its too short to tie up?!

[ctnightowl]

Hi, I would love to try and help you out. So you are starting off in the USA? Where are you going? The south and west are very warm year round, the north east and mid west can be brutally cold or you might catch some decent weather. Layers are key. I like to pack a fleece and a windbreaker. Both can be worn on their own and both can be compressed to fit into your pack. Pack light! Let me know some more specifics and I will try and assist you. Bon voyage!

[mrtruffle]

if you have lots of hair I'd say shave it. That way there is no worries about lice and bugs from the hotels

I'd just make sure to pack a siss army knife (it sounds silly but it's handy as) and a good bum bag (fanny pack) so you can keep your valuables close to you.

[Tim Uden]

I wouldn't bother shaving your hair. I have never heard of anyone getting lice from hostels, and although bedbugs are quite common, they bite your skin and having lots of hair makes it harder to get to your skin.

There is no guarranteed protection against bedbugs, but a permethrin treated sleeping bag liner is the best protection against bedbug bites. For more information: http://www.travelgear.com.au/mm5/mer...gory_Code=BBUG

Bed bugs aren't confined to hostels and you're possibly more likely to catch them from buses, trains and boats. They often hop from one bag to another while they are in the baggage compartment of a bus.

[Tim Uden]

As for packing; I also recommend a Swiss Army Knife (either Wenger or Victorinox brand), they have so many uses but you will have to remember to pack it in your checked luggage when you fly to avoid it being confiscated by security.

Packing light is essential. Just one pair of shoes and lightweight versatile clothes. You don't need ten changes of clothes (three or four is usually enough), although a round-the-world trip usually means that you have to be prepared for all types of weather.

If you save enough weight you could probably treat yourself and bring along a hair straightener, although you'll either need to get a dual voltage one or bring along a relatively heavy (about 600g) transformer so you can use it in North America (where the voltage is only 110v). Alternatively you can forget about the transformer and not use the hair straightener when you're in North America.

[musicdisciple]

Take just one or two changes of clothes. You can buy stuff along the way and it'll double as a souvenir and it'll be far better suited to the climate than trying to predict the weather ahead of time.

[mrtruffle]

i was joking about shaving your head

packing light will save you looking like one of those poor backpackers with a broken back who pakced everything they own into their $600 backpacks only to realise they needed harly anything.

buy and dispose of cheap undies as carrying those around is a pain. also inside out always gets you an extra 2 days wear, same goes for socks.

[Taboo917]

haha thanks guys this is helping!! As for more specifics..im going to LA first...then fiji for 8 days in the middle of march....new zealand after that for 3 weeks traveliing up to auckland from christchurch...then hopefully living in Sydney from 5 months before travelling up to Cairns in the beginning of October...then Perth for a week and then South Africa for 2 weeks around mid november!

also....have u ever seen a bald girl?! No thank you!...and i think i have a funny shaped head!

All your tips much appreciated!

[Taboo917]

Oh and someone telling me im allowed to takemy hair straighteners - pure genius!! My mum cant disapprove now the experts have advised me!

[ctnightowl]

Originally Posted by Taboo917

haha thanks guys this is helping!! As for more specifics..im going to LA first...then fiji for 8 days in the middle of march....new zealand after that for 3 weeks traveliing up to auckland from christchurch...then hopefully living in Sydney from 5 months before travelling up to Cairns in the beginning of October...then Perth for a week and then South Africa for 2 weeks around mid november!

also....have u ever seen a bald girl?! No thank you!...and i think i have a funny shaped head!

All your tips much appreciated!

LA is almost always 80 degrees and sunny- pack suntan lotion and shades. New Zealand, Sydney, Cairns, Perth, South Africa are in summer now- more suntan lotion and shades.

Pack light so you dont break your back. It makes you more mobile too. Bon voyage!

[Tim Uden]

You're not going anywhere that's really cold so I wouldn't worry about packing any cold weather gear. Perhaps a light jacket but you can always buy one of those when you're away if you feel you need it.

You should be able to easily pack light. Just a couple of changes of clothes (plus what you wear on the plane), a book, camera, toothbrush, comb, shampoo and hair straightener. You really don't need much more than that.

I like to travel light (never travelled with a hair straightener) but I figure it's ok to bring along a hair straightener if having straight hair makes you feel good. Just don't plug it into any power points in LA!

[imike]

I know a friend of mine who was so forgetful that when he was ready and happy to go for an oversea trip and you know what he forget his passport. For those who don't want to spoil your moods, double check and make sure you don't follow my friend path