(photo: James Martin)

‘Sup GBD!  Dez is still working on Part 3 of her Maori journey.  In the meantime, she thought she’d give you some advice about packing!  Here we go…

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Packing, packing, packing, and re-packing.  When I came up with this bright idea of traveling around the world, I forgot one of the biggest issues: What to pack!  I must have made my husband, family and friends crazy.  Not to mention myself since in the past it was so easy for me.  Whenever I traveled it was for a big climbing trip, and I knew just what to pack: climbing wear and gear in a big backpack and off I went.  No dresses, no fancy shoes – how things have changed.  When I founded Best of Both Women’s Adventures, packing took on an all-new meaning.  On my last trip to Italy, I hauled four pieces of luggage for my mom and myself, down dozens of subway and hotel staircases for three weeks and — while I laughed a lot (especially when I resorted to just dragging or throwing my bags down stairs) — I’d liked to have had a breakdown.  Trip enjoyment is inversely proportional to the amount of crap (i.e., distractions) you bring with you.

Now after much time and research, I think I got it right.  I use the term loosely.  However, here are a few samples of my struggles and successes on packing for an around-the-world trip.  I read somewhere that the name of the game in world travel is being “fashionably light.”  Do those two words even go together?  To the dismay of my husband, I now practice what I like to call the BIT theory – yep, you heard me: BIT method of travel: Buy It There.

If you pack for every contingency, you might as well bring the whole house.  So just bring the most necessary items.  Ahhh – what are the most necessary items?  Heck, that will take hours of thought just to decide, so let me help you.  In the end, it’s not as much as you think.  I know that my friends with kids say how hard it is to leave their children when they go on vacation.  Well, for me, it can feel that way with my favorite shampoo or blow dryer.  But you will survive.

Let’s start with toiletries, like shower gel or perfume.  Instead of buying travel size toiletries, buy some small bottles and fill them with what you need (it’s way cheaper).  These toiletries will last you for the first part of the trip, and then depending on your length of stay, you can buy something at your destination and always refill your bottles for the next destination.  This way you don’t have to keep carrying them, and you have less weight, and you don’t have to worry about airport issues if you just have a carry-on.  Now, perfume.  I always find it more fun to buy something new in a different country.  This way every time you wear it, you will think back to that amazing time you had (or not)!

The big question – What pair of favorite jeans should you pack?  In my case, I have many, and it took me hours to work this one out.  But in the end, take the ones that look the best and feel the best after eating a full meal.  Two pairs of jeans or pants are pretty much enough, although capris are an awesome choice for summer (but a pair of “proper” pants can get you out of trouble during a cold night).  I avoid light colors because I’m the kind of person who can never wear white without spilling something on herself, and we all know that dark colors are more flattering!  No matter how thin I may be at the time, I usually go with black, dark blue, or khaki pants that I have had for a few years that are nice and comfy, but still look good.  And if you’re thinking the pants you leave behind will be lonely – trust me.  They won’t be for long if you’re anything like me.  You will bring them home a new pair to hang out with.

If you like tanktops, they don’t fill much space so you can easily bring 2-3 with you, along with 2-3 T-shirts.  It’s very easy to wash them if you need to.  Also, it goes without saying that you need enough lingerie, but you can wash them by hand so just bring 3 or 4 to last your trip.

In short, I am a woman traveling to many different countries with totally different climates.  At the start of my trip, I will be spring skiing in Aspen, then heading to autumn in New Zealand.  I will then be heading to the tropical weather of Bali via Singapore.  After Bali, I will be heading to the highlands of Scotland, and then the Alps of Europe.  Then on to the spring weather of Greece.  These are just some of the stops, so needless to say – I have quite a packing challenge!

But in the end I worked it out, again with the help of my BIT theory.  Besides my technical (ski) clothing, this is what I will bring:

• 2 pairs of pants
• 1 pair of walking shoes (Yes, the ones you know that you feel comfortable in.)
• 1 pair of sandals if you must.  I knew I was heading to Bali and could buy a pair for a dollar, so I left them off my list.  But if you must, then pack one pair (Just don’t attempt to walk 8 hours in them –you will hate yourself!)
• 2-3 tank tops – Again I only packed two of my favorites, for I wanted to buy some cool ones in the different country I was heading to and did not want the extra weight
• 2-3 T-shirts – I packed 2 for my first part of my trip and will buy the rest in Bali and Greece
• 1 sarong if you must, but I say leave it home.  The world is full of them, and you can pick one up for nothing
• 1 long sleeve blouse or sweater – Now this was a little different.  Since I was skiing the first part of my trip, I packed 2 long sleeve blouses and two very very light clingy sweaters.  The kind you can wear after skiing or after a full day of sun in Greece and want to have a nice cover up after the sun goes down
• bandana or scarf if you must - I have them with me for I’m blond and I get sunburned on my head, and I don’t like to wear hats all the time.
• hat – Refer to my last answer.
• lingerie – Again you don’t need a lot.  You can hand wash.
• 1 swimsuit and sunscreen – Now, this is a different story also – buying a bathing suit – because I’d rather poke my eye out than deal with this task twice in one season.  So bring your suit and take care of it like it was the last one in the world.
• camera, notebook, and cell charger - This is a must, but try and keep it small and make sure your charger will do both 110 and 220V.
• medications – This we cannot avoid.  Please make sure you have them with you.  And some countries may ask for your prescription to go with it.  You don’t want to be held for drug trafficking!

You should also consider that some restaurants won’t allow you to go to dinner in walking shoes and shorts, so that’s when the sandals and a nice tank top over your pants come in handy (or a nice dress).

Sounds like it’s not enough?  If you plan to walk a lot and visit sights, you won’t need any elegant clothes.  But if you stay at a 4-star hotel, you might want to pack that little black dress.  Plus, if you desperately need something you left at home, remember my BIT theory!  You will feel light and free and especially nice with your new sarong!

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What about UNpacking Dez??  I still haven’t unpacked from my vacation.  Anyway, listen to Dez guys.  Packing light is the way to go.  Whenever I travel, I only pack what I’m allowed to bring with me on the plane (bascially a carry-on and another small bag).  So does the rest of my family.  We do this because we firmly believe that waiting for luggage at baggage claim is a waste of life.

Thanks to Dez and Lindsey!  Tune in next week for more!