We’ve come a long way, baby! After celebrating our 2 year “on the road” anniversary, it is really amazing to see how much we have grown. Experiences, mistakes, and general blunders have given us an invaluable database of knowledge – especially when it comes to packing.
Our most recent trip has us spending a month in the jungles and beaches of Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. Besides the fact that Latin America feels like home, Shaun and I were a little more prepared about what to expect when it came to wearing clothes. What happened was a new minimalism that really caught us off guard. After packing for Latin America last time, we had to take into consideration we were going to be in the Andes. For our European packing list, we had to pack for the cold. This time? All relaxation and all beaches.
On to our choices:
Erica Essentials
8 pairs of underwear (Learned from Latin America that 3 is NOT enough)
2 bras
1 sports bra
2 bathing suits
2 pairs shorts
1 pair jeans (I like jeans and will continue to pack them)
1 skirt
3 tank tops
1 shirt
1 pair Sanuk Women’s Yoga Mat Flip Flop
1 pair hiking shoes
1 pair tieks (For a nice night out.)
1 hoodie (Nice buses are COLD)
3 pairs socks
Scant Shaun
4 pairs boxers (3 Ex-Officio)
3 Shirts
1 Button Down shirt
1 pair trunks
2 pairs shorts
1 pair jeans
1 hat
4 pairs socks
1 belt
1 pair flip flops
1 pair skate shoes (Don’t ask.)
Sunglasses
Not Pictured:
Erica’s Hat and Sunglasses
2 Ponchos
1 Umbrella
2 Rain Covers for backpacks
2 Headlamps
First Aid Kit
Pocket Knife
Sarong
Ginger Candy (for Shaun’s seasickness – we have yet to try it out)
1 Waterbottle
1 Texas State Flag Drink Koozie
1 Burning Man koozy
Tissues
1 Journal
2 Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack
(20L and 2L)
2 Travel Towels
Sunscreen
Bug Repellent
Mascara
Eye-liner
Tech Bag: (25L Dakine Burnside Backpack)
1 15″ MacBook Pro
1 HP Envy 14 (14″)
Nikon D300S 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)
18-50mm lens
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
2 batteries
1 battery charger
1 Go Pro Hero 1
GoPro HERO3: Black Edition
XShot 2.0 Camera Extender for Most Cameras XS2379-F
2 iPhone 4S
Kindle Keyboard 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6″ E Ink Display
After throwing our clothes and gear into our bags, we stumbled upon a VERY good problem to have. My Deuter Fox 40L and Shaun’s Deuter ACT lite 65+10L were just WAY too much. Shaun’s clothes were swimming in an almost entirely empty backpack and mine wasn’t nearly packed tight enough. We had reached the “promised land” of packing.
….Now to figure out how to make our technology day pack NOT the heaviest thing we are carrying around.
You live and learn, right? I’m curious to see where we will be in 2 more years.
(Side note: Shaun’s sees us in a private jet with rolling suitcases. I applaud him for thinking big.)
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First things first, is that a cubs hat I see?!?!? NOOOOO, big Milwaukee Brewers fan here! We can discuss this at TBEX!
Love the list, we are still deciding what to bring and I know I will overpack and that’s fine with me….I will just donate it on the road! What do you all have in your fist aid kit? I think ours is too large right now…I know we have to work on the clothes for sure, but we are going to South America after Central America and not sure the temp in Sept/Oct there….so we kind of have to pack for a few seasons…which sucks!
You guys are truly packing geniuses. Seriously – that is incredible how light you’ve packed – you’re inspiring me!
I love that your man dreams big!
Don’t feel bad packing jeans. It’s the dumb fault of the travel gear industry and their steadfast refusal to make a truly travel-worthy pair of jeans. Maybe someday though…
It’s always amazing how much less you have to pack for a warm climate and relaxed atmosphere, isn’t it? Yet another great thing about heading for the beach!
I don`t pack much but I have learned to pack a lot of underwear. I don`t mind wearing the same shirt 3 days in a row but you can`t do that with everything.
I feel you on the heavy equipment. Honestly I see now way around it… other than hiring a permanent sherpa.
Last time I backpacked, I had zero technological anything with me… I must agree — when in doubt, pack more underwear.
That is definitely one perk of having a home base in that you can swap out cold climate clothes for warm climate. We are hauling everything and because so are limited in our options. And we feel your pain about the tech bag and it just keeps getting heavier…
Yes. Yes it is. Not really baseball fans but Shaun has been a Cubs fan since he was a wee kid. It was the name of his T-Ball team! 😛
We just bought a pre-packaged one. We added more bandaids, more immodium, more ibuprofen… and then it has the essentials. It is super small. Everything you need can be bought on the road. Keep in mind you can also buy clothes on the road too!
😀 I take pride in my packing!
You have to! And why not – we’ve already achieved one!
YES! Seriously man. I love the way they look and feel. It just sucks to wash them.
YAY for relaxation! I need to do this more often.
YES. That is one thing I keep making MORE of.
Yeah, I’m a cheap a-hole. That isn’t going to happen. I’m just waiting for someone to make an amazing travel tech bag. I haven’t found one yet.
Now I can’t imagine traveling without my tech gear. I love to capture things.
That is one reason I love it. I enjoy having a place to call my own – with my own little cave I can retreat to. At least I figured out that much!
I love the lists on what to pack. Helps me get my list smaller and think of things I might have never thought of.
Happy 2nd “on the road” anniversary. I’ll also be packing soon for my beach vacation next week… 🙂 I should be making my list of essentials now like the ones you’ve posted above…
Way to stick to the essentials! Great list and advice for packing.
Great list and definitely helps to pack less… I always carry too much when traveling!
Love your list! Pack less the better for beach, definitely. Good post!
If you ever need any advice, feel free to hit me up! 😀
Thanks Jemma! We procrastinated pretty badly and didn’t pack until the night before. After a few weeks on the road we’re starting to realize we should have brought certain things lol.
Thanks Ray! I’m all about minimalist travel.
TOTALLY. You can always wash clothes!