Showing posts with label Packing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Packing. Show all posts

Monday, November 23, 2009

Packed List, Week 1 Itinerary

Just a heads up: If you read my note on Facebook just ignore the second half of this post.  You've probably already read pretty much the same thing.

So in case you haven't noticed I'm a little excited about my trip; in fact, I'm already packed.  I've nearly filled my 75L backpack, but I've got room to spare to add mosquito nets and some clothes.  I basically followed my packing list, but here're a few changes I made:
Couple extra tank tops, long sleeve shirts and bandanas, bathing suit (for shared dorm bathrooms and swim in clean part of Ganges), no jacket (turns out I didn't ship the yellow EMS jacket that would have been perfect for this), fake wallet, money belt, clear nail polish, insect repellent wipes, sunscreen, pillowcase and a belt (not leather, those can't go in certain temples).
Left to buy: Pretty much just some mace or pepper spray, if I can find it.  Maybe an adapter and possibly a voltage stabilizer for my laptop if I think I need one.  Kind of tired of shopping, though.
Buying in India: Padlock and bike lock, doorstop, mosquito net and coils, flashlight (using one on my phone for now), vitamins, adapters

Only one problem left: I'm really not sure how to secure the top opening of my pack.  It's a drawstring with a flap that folds over and clips shut.  Read: no zipper to padlock.  I'm still thinking about this, but running out of time to find a solution.

Week One Itinerary:
Thur Nov 26: Fly from Singapore to Mumbai, Mumbai to Delhi, arrive about 8pm (kind of doubt they'll serve turkey on the plane to celebrate Thanksgiving; probably fish balls instead)
Fri and Sat Nov 27 and 28: Check out Delhi, stay at Nirvana hostel (so excited about it I'm shilling out a whopping US$12 a night instead of the usual $5 at other hostels)
Sun Nov 29: Check out Delhi and take over-night train to Amritsar
Mon Nov 30: Check out Amritsar, stay in gurudwara (Sikh pilgrim lodgings)
Tue Dec 1: Check out Amritsar, take overnight train to Rishikesh
Wed and Thu Dec 2 and 3: Check out Rishikesh and the Himalayas, stay at Parmarth Niketan ashram

Stuff to See This Week:
South Delhi: Qutb Minar, Ashoka's Rock Edict, Nizamuddin, Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjang's Tomb, Lodi Gardens, Tughluqabad
Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Degambara Jain temple, Raj Ghat, Firoz Shah Kotla, Connaught Place, Rajpath, Rashtrapati Bhavan
Central Delhi: National Museum, Jantar Mantar, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Indira Ghandi Memorial Museum
Amritsar: Border closing ceremony in Wagah, Golden Temple, Guru-ka Langar, Akal Takht, Jubi Tree, Harmandir, Jallianwalla Bagh Memorial Park
Rishikesh: Lakshmanj temple and Kailashnanda ashram, river path to Swarg Ashram,free Ayurvedic treatment at Parmath Niketan, Bharat Mandir temple, Triveni Ghat, Hike path to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, Nilkanth Mahadev, Pulcchatti Ashram, Hindola Khal and Kunjapuri temples

Now I know I'm not going to have time to see everything I'd like to, but damned if I'm not going to try to. 
I can't wait to start taking pictures; I've been practicing a lot with my D90 and loving the results (test shots are on Facebook). 

Well, gotta run: so little to do and so much time.  Wait, strike that.  Reverse it.  Okay, moving on to the next item on my to-do list...

Monday, November 9, 2009

Packing List

In case you're wondering, here's what I'm bringing (actually more like cramming into my 75L backpack and daypack).  **Note: This post subject to change after my practice pack next weekend.
*=still need to buy here
**=will buy there

Clothes
Underwear x7
Bra (sports/regular) x3/x2
Socks (incl. SmartWool) x7
Tshirt x3
Tank top x3
Long sleeve shirt x3
Sweater x2 (even the desert is freezing at night)
Shorts x2
Pants x3
PJs
Scarf x2
Baseball hat, sunglasses, bandanas
Shoes x3 (hiking boots, flip flops, walking shoes)
**Bringing home at least 5 tailored salwar kameez, 2 saris, and 2 sandals

Toiletries
Anti-nausea pills and Immodium and Buscopan
Antibiotic and anti-itch cream
Aspirin, band-aids, rehydration salts, vitamins
Hand sanitizer and antibacterial baby wipes
Bug spray and bug coils**
Basic stuff in small packages (toothbrush/paste, soap, shamp/cond, qtips, deoderant, lotion, lady stuff)
Travel Kleenex (a.k.a. TP on the train)
Basic makeup
Small scissors and nail file
Brush and bobby pins

Electronics
Laptop and charger (this was a long, hard decision, but I've made it and it's coming with me)
Main DSLR camera and equipment (extra lenses, spare battery and memory cards, filters, cleaners, etc.)
  **Still need extra UV filter and spare battery: buying for cheap on Chandni Chowk in Delhi
Small point-and-shoot camera and charger 
iPod, USB cable, headphones
Mobile phone and charger
ADAPTERS!

Documents
Passport (and copies)
Visa (and copies)
Plane ticket (and copies)
Journal, travel guide, 1 book (I can keep it to 1 if I have to), pens

Other
Towel
Mosquito net**
Padlocks for zippers, large lock and chain and rope for backpack*
Scarves for a sheet**
Flashlight, matches, lighter, batteries**
Utility knife (thanks, dad)
Water bottle, water purifying tablets*
Fabric repair tape*
Dryer sheets (a hundred uses)
Ziploc bags
Mace/pepper spray* (doubt a taser would make it through customs...)
Snack food/protein powder