Shikha T
24 Jun 2010'When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.’ Susan Heller perhaps gave the world the best travel advice in her famous quote, for nothing could work better when choosing what you need to travel.
Travel light, and you will have happy feet. It is wise to invest in good travel gear that’s stronger and lighter compared to cheap counterparts. A backpack directly affects your back, shoulders and neck, so invest in the best quality that will have the minimum adverse impact on your health. If going for a trek, a good pair of sturdy trekking shoes is a must, and so is a high SPF sun block. Try to carry things that are multi-purpose and take less space. For example, a simple stole can work as a scarf in the sun or something to spread out when you don’t have a chair.
Buy a pair of good floaters that double as both your bathroom slippers and your walking shoes. Carry a rain cum wind cheater that will keep you warm as well as dry. Invest in a pair of comfortable travel trousers (try to get the ones that can be detached and turned into shorts) and a tee shirt that are made of quick-drying material so you can wash and wear them the next day. Buy a towel too of the same material- they dry up easily and roll up into tiny bundles unlike regular towels that eat up a lot of space. Put together a kit of essentials.
A tailor-made kit is better since everyone’s needs are different, but don’t forget a headlamp that you can use as a flashlight in dark alleys and a reading light at night, a bottle of insect repellent, some first aid and the all-purpose toilet paper roll.
Throw in a sense of adventure and willingness to experiment, and you’re ready to hit the road.
