What's in my backpack?

"Less is More" when packing a backpack for long term travel is what I have been told and I've read copious number of blogs on using a 'backpack versus suitcase' for this type of travel. The premise of all the reading was that if you intend to switch multiple buses and trains and expect to walk on cobble streets for anything more than a few meters, go for the backpack. Otherwise, take a suitcase with the luxury of more space. We carried a suitcase for the previous two trips to Europe and I distantly remember lugging our suitcase up and down the bridges of Venice. That was a nightmare and I sure have learnt from that experience. Hence, making the final decision of carrying a backpack was an easy one.

Carrying 12 kgs odd on my back all the time is not my idea of fun. So we invested in Kathmandu Hybrid V2 backpacks that also have wheels and a handle to cart the backpack when those shoulders need a break, offering the best of both worlds. So far these backpacks have stood the test of two flights and seem to be holding together nicely.

So what's in my backpack? 

It's been challenging to pack for my brother-in-law's upcoming wedding and then the onward journey. Currently my backpack also fits in leather shoes, a suit jacket, 4 shirts and so on. Eventually I plan to cut this down to the following and send the rest back to Melbourne.

6 x t-shirts
1 x shirt
2 x jeans
1 x shorts
2 x jumpers
1 x thermal inner
undergarments & socks - one for each day of the week
1 x weather proof jacket
1 x flip-flops
1 x gloves
1 x woolen scarf
1 x beanie
1 x micro fibre towel

Toiletries
Camera stuff - storage device, cables, charger
Laptop
Hair clippers 

Hopefully, this should be within the 12 kgs mark and should be convenient enough to carry on my shoulder for a long time if and when required.

  

Take 2

I'm sitting at Singapore Changi Airport waiting for my connection to Mumbai. At this time I should have already been in Pune (my final destination for three weeks)..

I left home in Melbourne for my flight on 18th Jan. I was feeling great thinking about the coming months. I reached the airport and headed for the check-in counter. Here's what happened next.

Check-in lady: "destination and Passport please"
Me: "Mumbai please.. and here you go"
Check-in lady: "Thanks. Do you have your U Visa for India?"
Me: "Here you go". Handing over the booklet that proves I am an Overseas Citizen on India (OCI)
Check-in lady: "Do you have your expired NZ passport that has the original OCI visa stamp?"
Me: "Umm... no. It's at home". This is not sounding good to me.
Check-in lady: "I'm sorry sir but you need that expired passport with the stamp to enter India"
Me: "Great.. what do we do now?"
Check-in lady: "Can you get it from home?"
Me: "It's locked away in a storage facility so I can't get it today. What do I do now?"
Check-in lady: "You need to get that passport and we will re-book you on tomorrow's flight"

The re-booking worked out well without any additional charges - good on you Singapore Airlines. But the experience gave me a strange feeling. Have you ever been turned back from the airport and told you can't board the flight? It's a true anticlimax. 

The next morning I had my expired passport, current passport and the OCI booklet in hand and I left for the airport for a second attempt at boarding the flight. This time it worked.

So long Melbourne.. see you in July!

Backpack - check! Passport & travel documents - check! Camera - check! Off to the airport for our 6 months adventure. In plan we have Tanzania, Morocco, Italy, France, UK, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and US. I will check back in the next couple of days. Adios Melbourne.. I will miss you.