HomeAsiaSouth East AsiaMalaysiaKuala LumpurWhat I Packed on a 3-week Backpacking Trip in Southeast Asia By Marcos Detourist on July 7, 2012Here is what I packed on a three week backpacking trip to Malaysia and Indonesia. Places I traveled to included a mix of cities, mountains, and beaches. I would pack similarly if I were traveling anywhere else in South East Asia given that this region shares the same tropical climate.Each person has their own unique travel preferences. This post might not apply to other types of travelers.As for me, traveling light is something I’m inclined to given that I like to move around a lot. It’s a skill I have yet to perfect as I learn first-hand what things I should bring that are really necessary and what I would’ve better left at home. Trekking at Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java, Indonesia When on the moveWhen I’m moving between places, I only visibly carry two bags: a medium-sized backpack small sling bagAny more than two bags, I tend to lose because of my habitual absentmindedness. Photos were taken in my hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the last night of my trip. I thought of taking advantage that my backpack was neatly organized, which doesn’t always on the middle of the trip :)Light BackpackOn this particular trip, I brought a lightweight top-loading backpack. It’s a Caterpillar (CAT) bag … probably 30L-40L, which is much smaller than what most backpackers are using. I loved this backpack because it’s small enough to put on my lap when I’m riding buses or even cramped commuter vans. I get paranoid whenever I leave my pack at the bottom compartment of buses. Keeping it within sight all the time gives me peace of mind.There are also things I found lacking with this bag for such a long trip. It was the reason why I decided to buy another backpack: an Osprey Kestrel 48, which I used, later, on a 3-week trip to Malaysia and Southern Thailand.While the simple CAT bag was survivable, the weight of my stuff (around 10-15kg in total) was just too heavy for it. The padded shoulder straps were too thin, it was too short (length-wise) for the padded waist belt to comfortably distribute the weight, no back frame. I know my back will thank made in the long run if invest in a backpack with better support.Although bigger than my CAT bag, the Osprey Kestrel 48 is still aptly sized for portability. The extra room was actually helpful when packing snacks or bottled water on trips to off-the-grid places. I can just tighten the adjustment straps to make the bag more compact if needed.Sling BagI don’t like to bring unwanted attention to my bags when I’m backpacking, which is why I choose bags that doesn’t look too flashy. I could pass through seedy/dingy streets and avoid “prying eyes. ”I pack my most important stuff in my sling bag. I almost never take my sling bag off my body because it only ends in disaster when I do.I use a Pacsafe Metrosafe 200 anti-theft shoulder bag. My previous sling bag was also a Pacsafe. I actually like their bags not for the (hyped-up) slash-proof shoulder strap / exomesh but for its “not overly shabby / simple sleek” look, and convenience. Pockets, compartments, zippers, hooks, are designed in the right places.Organized in my sling bag are: Pocket money for the day Hidden money waist belt that I wear when I want to be extra careful … on overnight buses/trains for example Local currency ATM cards. I use BPI’s debit card with the Cirrus logo. I can easily withdraw money from most ATMs in South East Asian countries. Prepaid Mastercard Credit Card / BPI Express Credit e-credit Card (in case I need to book a flight) Reserve US$ bills (in case I can’t find an ATM) Passport Small clear envelope for documents Flight tickets Extra ID Photocopy of passport and IDs Samsung EX1 premium compact camera Phone / portable music playerBorderline Obsessive Compulsive Bag CompartmentalizationNow here’s where it gets a big tricky. I like organizing my stuff :) I’ve found it easier to break my things down into smaller compartments because it saves a lot of time (and stress!) when I’m always packing / unpacking / moving in different places all the time.Here’s what the contents of my backpack look like.Amazingly, all of those things can fit in that small CAT backpack and even a 1L bottled water. Since the top-loading bag only has one big compartment, things can get messy … really fast … all the time :(I compartmentalize my stuff into one daypack and various packing cubes of different sizes. Here’s how I organize them:Hawk DaypackYep, there’s a smaller backpack inside my backpack. I use this daypack together with a sling bag when I’m roaming around. I leave the bigger CAT backpack in my hostel, preferably in a locker if one is available. I’ve only recently started to bring a daypack after my back started to fire up against me for unhealthily carrying a bulky camera in my slingbag for hours on end in the past. Also useful when flying, because I use the daypack for my hand-carry items and my bigger backpack as check-in baggage.My daypack stores: Netbook. Samsung 10.1″ NF310 Chargers and a universal adapter Camera and Lenses. Nikon D5000 DSLR, Sigma 18-250mm superzoom lens, Nikon 10-24mm ultra wide angle lens. Accessories. Extra batteries, SD cards, remote shutter, lens filters (CPL and NDs), mini monopodOn the topic of cameras, I also bring a tripod (Benro Transfunctional Travel Angel) that I attach externally on the side of the backpack.Packing Cubes and Mesh PouchesTo organize my stuff, I bought a set of EagleCreek packing cubes available at TravelClub stores (or R.O.X). There’s an online retailer that sells cheaper packing cubes but their email/mobile number doesn’t appear to be working. I ended up buying EagleCreek. It was more expensive but the cubes served their purpose very well. The mesh pouches were from my purchases of TowelLite microfibre towels, though, any thing similar will do. Large Packing Cube for: 1 lightweight long sleeve jacket (sometimes I just bring a long sleeve cotton T-shirt if I know I’m not visiting really cold places) 1 long lightweight pants (quick dry jogging pants work well). 1 zip-off trekking pants (the one which you can “zip off” into shorts) 2 walking shorts 1 collared polo shirt (or a short sleeve buttoned-up shirt in case I’m feeling tired of my backpacker clothes) Medium Packing Cube 2 polyester (or similar quick dry) t-shirts 1 polyester short sleeve shirt 1 cotton t-shirt. I actually brought 3 cotton shirts on this trip, which I regret because they take too long to dry. 2 polyester sleeveless sando/undershirt ( for sleeping and insanely hot days) Small Packing Cube 4 pairs of underwear 1 ultralight running shorts (for unbearably sweaty hot hostels). I suppose boxer briefs will do but with the running shorts, I can also use outdoors :) Small Mesh Pouch (sometimes attached outside my bag if contents are still wet) Small microfibre towel. Tried traveling with a sarong to dry myself after showering … not enough for people with long hair :p Small Mesh Pouch Headware Sarong / scarves Slippers / flip-flops (in plastic bag) Toiletries pack (in clear plastic pouch) Shampoo/conditioner (in soft tube). The soft tubes are actually emptied hair gel tubes. I found soft tubes sold online or in stores but they’re too expensive … P1,000 for a pack of 3s. A tube of hair gel in Watsons cost only less than P30! Sunblock (in soft tube) Deodorant (in small soft tube) Travel toothbrush Travel-sized toothpaste Stacked cream containers for facial scrub and what not :p Lately, I added another plastic pouch for Underwater camera case Swimming goggles Lightweight shoes. Purchased ultra-lightweight barefoot trail shoes from Merrell.Ultra-light Packing NirvanaCamera and related accessories take up most space and weight on my backpack. While I can shave-off clothes and other stuff on my pack, I can’t seem to compromise with my camera.I’m still making personal adjustments so that one day, I can achieve ultralight packing nirvana. I’m aiming for that day when I can travel effortlessly without being hindered by carrying a heavy load.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!3 Weeks Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia ItineraryAmbot-ah Travel Season 2012 PreviewIndochina Itinerary: Wanderings in South East Asia's…Two Weeks Java, Indonesia Itinerary — Jakarta, Yogyagarta,…3 Weeks Sabah (Borneo), Brunei & Indonesia Itinerary - Solo…Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock Golden Sunset in MyanmarComments Dan saysJuly 7, 2012 at 11:35 amWhat kind of phone do you have, and do you roam or buy a local SIM? Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:00 pmOn most trips, I bring an “El Cheapo” Nokia GSM phone … the one you can buy for P1000+. I mostly use (Philippine-based) SMART prepaid SIM card and activate the international SMS roaming feature . If I need to contact a local number (from the country I’m visiting), that’s the only time I buy a local SIM. Robbie saysJuly 7, 2012 at 8:17 pmThis is so helpful! I need to learn how to pack light also esp if I want to backpack for longer periods of time. Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:50 pmTraveling further and longer is what I love about packing light too … but I can’t help adding a few items that I know I may not always need (mostly clothes) but can’t resist bringing :D Mike saysJuly 7, 2012 at 9:05 pmSweet! Thanks for taking the time to explain this! Very helpful and it’s giving me ideas on how to travel. I’m getting very sick and tired of using wheeled luggage carriers due to its cumbersome size and the effort to drag it around. I’m gonna have to check this Osprey backpack and look for a more suitable bag to carry my Nikon D200, an 18-55mm lens, and a 70-200mm lens. Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:11 pmThere are also hybrid bags with both backpack straps and (integrated) rollers that other backpackers use. Though, I’m more inclined to a non-hybrid lightweight backpack because I can’t use rollers on many places I visit and having more “bells and whistles” in a bag adds up additional weight. Doc Wends saysJuly 8, 2012 at 6:12 pmAwesome post with useful tips! I liked the compartmentalised idea. Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:19 pmThanks Doc Wends. When staying at hostels with uncomfortably thin pillows, the packing cubes also double as extra pillows :) bertN saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:48 pmWhy do you keep your passport and its photocopy in the same sling bag? Why not put the photocopy in your wallet? Just a suggestion. Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:37 pmThanks for the suggestion bertN. It probably wouldn’t hurt to have another copy on my wallet. The placement of my stuff isn’t that specific and depends on my itinerary for the day. Most of the time, I place the photocopy separately on my backpack. I also have a digital copy securely stored online. miko saysJuly 10, 2012 at 1:44 pmMy Idol Marcos..Thank You for being generous sharing everything!..Very helpful! -newbie solobackpacker here Marcos saysJuly 12, 2012 at 3:41 pmYou’re welcome Miko. Enjoy your travels! Kurt saysJuly 10, 2012 at 3:58 pmGaling nyo po! Idol ko ung mga trip nyo… Marcos saysJuly 12, 2012 at 3:45 pmThanks Kurt :D Di naman lahat well planned … I’ve had lots of misadventures also ;) nathalie saysJuly 12, 2012 at 2:02 pmwow! I wish I can pack this light.. as I always end up bringing more clothes than necessary… dapat kasi may color coordinations hahaha Marcos saysJuly 12, 2012 at 3:53 pmFor shorter trips, I tend to overpack on clothes too :D The longer the trip, the more I think about if stuff are really necessary to bring cause it’s so burdensome to carry so much dead weight :D Leizel saysJuly 13, 2012 at 5:32 amwow!.. I’m loving ur blog na :) Marcos saysJuly 14, 2012 at 2:25 amThanks Leizel :D Jara saysAugust 4, 2012 at 7:55 amPlano ko kasing may thailand sa summer, di ko pa rin kasi mafigure out kung pano ung gagawin ko sa pera. Dapat bang may ‘more than enough’ akong cash or iwan ko nalang sa atm? And marami bang banks dun na tumatanggap ng bpi. Also, how much ung charge? Marcos saysAugust 19, 2012 at 7:48 pmYes almost every ATM machine has a cirrus logo, the one BPI ATM cards use. They charge 150 baht for every transaction. You should always have a reserve of a few hundred dollars when you’re traveling, just in case … but generally, you don’t need to bring all of your cash with you since it is easy to withdraw from ATMs.Also, inform your bank that you will be traveling overseas so that they will open your account for international withdrawals. I experienced this one time, it took them until the next morning to activate my account again. rich saysSeptember 11, 2012 at 9:16 pmgrabe ang galing mong mag-organize and all…Keep up and I will keep on reading :) Marcos saysNovember 11, 2012 at 6:35 pmThanks rich! Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:00 pmOn most trips, I bring an “El Cheapo” Nokia GSM phone … the one you can buy for P1000+. I mostly use (Philippine-based) SMART prepaid SIM card and activate the international SMS roaming feature . If I need to contact a local number (from the country I’m visiting), that’s the only time I buy a local SIM.
Robbie saysJuly 7, 2012 at 8:17 pmThis is so helpful! I need to learn how to pack light also esp if I want to backpack for longer periods of time.
Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:50 pmTraveling further and longer is what I love about packing light too … but I can’t help adding a few items that I know I may not always need (mostly clothes) but can’t resist bringing :D
Mike saysJuly 7, 2012 at 9:05 pmSweet! Thanks for taking the time to explain this! Very helpful and it’s giving me ideas on how to travel. I’m getting very sick and tired of using wheeled luggage carriers due to its cumbersome size and the effort to drag it around. I’m gonna have to check this Osprey backpack and look for a more suitable bag to carry my Nikon D200, an 18-55mm lens, and a 70-200mm lens.
Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:11 pmThere are also hybrid bags with both backpack straps and (integrated) rollers that other backpackers use. Though, I’m more inclined to a non-hybrid lightweight backpack because I can’t use rollers on many places I visit and having more “bells and whistles” in a bag adds up additional weight.
Doc Wends saysJuly 8, 2012 at 6:12 pmAwesome post with useful tips! I liked the compartmentalised idea.
Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:19 pmThanks Doc Wends. When staying at hostels with uncomfortably thin pillows, the packing cubes also double as extra pillows :)
bertN saysJuly 8, 2012 at 7:48 pmWhy do you keep your passport and its photocopy in the same sling bag? Why not put the photocopy in your wallet? Just a suggestion.
Marcos saysJuly 8, 2012 at 8:37 pmThanks for the suggestion bertN. It probably wouldn’t hurt to have another copy on my wallet. The placement of my stuff isn’t that specific and depends on my itinerary for the day. Most of the time, I place the photocopy separately on my backpack. I also have a digital copy securely stored online.
miko saysJuly 10, 2012 at 1:44 pmMy Idol Marcos..Thank You for being generous sharing everything!..Very helpful! -newbie solobackpacker here
Marcos saysJuly 12, 2012 at 3:45 pmThanks Kurt :D Di naman lahat well planned … I’ve had lots of misadventures also ;)
nathalie saysJuly 12, 2012 at 2:02 pmwow! I wish I can pack this light.. as I always end up bringing more clothes than necessary… dapat kasi may color coordinations hahaha
Marcos saysJuly 12, 2012 at 3:53 pmFor shorter trips, I tend to overpack on clothes too :D The longer the trip, the more I think about if stuff are really necessary to bring cause it’s so burdensome to carry so much dead weight :D
Jara saysAugust 4, 2012 at 7:55 amPlano ko kasing may thailand sa summer, di ko pa rin kasi mafigure out kung pano ung gagawin ko sa pera. Dapat bang may ‘more than enough’ akong cash or iwan ko nalang sa atm? And marami bang banks dun na tumatanggap ng bpi. Also, how much ung charge?
Marcos saysAugust 19, 2012 at 7:48 pmYes almost every ATM machine has a cirrus logo, the one BPI ATM cards use. They charge 150 baht for every transaction. You should always have a reserve of a few hundred dollars when you’re traveling, just in case … but generally, you don’t need to bring all of your cash with you since it is easy to withdraw from ATMs.Also, inform your bank that you will be traveling overseas so that they will open your account for international withdrawals. I experienced this one time, it took them until the next morning to activate my account again.
rich saysSeptember 11, 2012 at 9:16 pmgrabe ang galing mong mag-organize and all…Keep up and I will keep on reading :)