10 travel essentials

10 travel essentials

Here are ten travel essentials I never leave home without. From waterproofing to a friendly smile, these items are a must-have for any backpacker.

1. Waterproofing – dry bags and electronics

Trekking through Scotland is the best way to learn about waterproofing. It rains in Scotland. You can have a good run and believe me I had a good run, but after all it rains in Scotland. And after six days of brilliant sunshine, it started to rain on the final day of an eight-mile walk out of the Highlands. Really rain. We didn't make it out of the Highlands that day - it was too slow and miserable that we called it a day and set up our tents in the rain.

My sleeping bag was soaked. Miraculously, my camera survived the soaking. It was a cold and damp sleep that night. Before traveling or hiking again, I purchased some waterproof stuff sacks in various sizes for my sleeping bag, clothing, and electronics, which were invaluable. Aquapac has some great little products for all types of devices.

2. Water bottle (or mug)

A water bottle is always and everywhere at hand. However, since I'm a bit nostalgic, I often carry a mug. Whether for a cup of tea by the campfire or for brushing your teeth in the evening, an enamel mug is never a must when traveling. They are quite durable and easy to clean. I brought mine to strangers on a platform and asked for a drop of water when I was desperate.

The pity in their eyes was quite demoralizing, but I was thirsty and it was better than just sculpting my hands! Anyway, you're probably thinking that a water bottle can do all of this and more and comes with a lid. You're right. Ignore my nostalgia and grab a canteen or water bottle!

3. Travel towel

It feels like you're drying yourself with the leather cloth you use to wax the car on the weekend, but it does the job and is light and easy to store. Our latest ones are from Jack Wolfskin and they come with a handy little stuff sack and a carabiner to attach them to your luggage.

4. US dollars

Whether you like it or not, the US dollar is the currency of the world. My friend Marcus once told me that he always rolled up a $100 bill and hid it in the lining of his backpack when he traveled. He never needed it, but said he always felt better knowing it was there "just in case."

Unfortunately, the only time it would have helped him was when his entire backpack was stolen on a bus in Colombia. “I bet the bastards didn’t even find it,” he told me. I guess some things you can never really plan.

5. A British accent

"Ah! You're British," the hotel owner in a remote village in Rajasthan will exclaim. “My brother knows a man in Birmingham: Steve – do you know Steve from Birmingham?” “Yes, yes, I do,” I lied.

For some reason completely unknown to me - especially given the untold misery that the Empire at some point brought upon the world - the British accent is common (unless you're in France). I won't make any suggestions as to why this is the case. What I'm saying is, if you're British, use the accent to your advantage - and if not, try anyway... what's the worst that could happen?

6. Patience

Me: “When is the train coming?” Indian: "Maybe today. If not...then...maybe tomorrow."

Well, what can you say about that? Just smile and be thankful he didn’t say “next week!” Things don't always go according to plan and you know what, that's okay. Life would be pretty boring (or Swiss) if it were like that! When traveling, always be prepared to spend twice as long as you planned. Expect the unexpected and be prepared to wait. It won't be a problem as long as you have your cup!

7. A photo of your loved ones

A photo acts as a topic of conversation. Something that anyone, anywhere and in any language can identify with. Now that I travel with Kia, it's not as relevant as it used to be, but back when I was mostly alone, a photo of my family was always a good icebreaker.

It really doesn't matter if you can't understand a word the other person is saying. Pull out a photo of your nieces and nephews—whether on your phone or in your wallet—and tell them their names and ages by counting on your fingers. Chances are the other person will do the same. People are not that different...

8. Hiking boots/hiking boots

It doesn't matter whether you want to climb mountains and climb highlands - take a pair of sturdy hiking shoes or hiking boots, ideally with plenty of ankle support. These cover pretty much all situations at the more active end of the travel spectrum, unless your destination is the north face of a specific mountain in Nepal.

Whether your trip is action and adrenaline or calm and meandering, it almost certainly won't be carpeted throughout, and carrying a 15kg backpack in flip-flops during monsoon season in Cambodia is an accident waiting to happen. Even on city walks and day trips you'll feel the benefit of supportive footwear, so pack decent footwear and thick socks to go with your flip-flops. After years of trying different brands of hiking boots, I finally chose Anatom.

9. Flashlight

We arrived in Bergen, Norway after a long flight delay in the rain. We then took a bus that broke down to the neighborhood where our accommodation was for the night. There were no street lights and our phones with our directions were dead and there was no moon in the sky to turn that off. We were looking for a house with a blue door - every house in this light had a damn blue door!

Luckily I had my mini flashlight in my pocket. I hadn't planned on packing it; it was just in the pocket of my waterproof jacket that I recently took camping. It was far from ideal, but after wandering around to different houses and shining my flashlight on the front doors, we finally found our host for the night. When I go camping I usually have a headlamp with me.

10. Mosquito net and repellent

I had had a few too many drinks at a beach bar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, so I was cautious when I returned to my accommodation for the night. I thought being on the 10th floor of my dingy hostel with a thin screen on the window would keep the mosquitoes out enough for the night, so I just dove into bed and pulled my sheets over myself. The itch woke me up in the middle of the night.

Twenty-one bites on my back alone, I counted. Lesson learned. Every night from then on, I made sure I had enough mosquito spray and a mosquito net to throw over my bed. Luckily, I had taken my malaria tablets throughout my trip, so itching, pimples, and dullness were the only symptoms I suffered.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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