I know this is a bit broad but, I'd like to hear what people wish they had brought along on there Journeys abroad and beyond. Also, I'd like to hear what equipmemt you were most pleased with, as well as equipment you could have done with out.

[This message has been edited by JimmyGO!! (edited 28 November 2001).]

This is something we have in mind also, we'd like to accumulate lists for posting on the site, so send them in to me please!

We will be creating a nice form so that it can all go directly into the database, but that's probably a month away.

Thanks,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant

An idea may be a database that people could interrogate to see what products have been used and then perhaps an recommendation of what to take for different continents.

Downside is the work to setup and maintain

Julio

Yup,

something like that is in the plans, but unlikely to be broken down to what to take for different continents. We have found it doesn't matter much which continent you are on, it's all pretty much the same for most things.

Odd exceptions - super-extra-good horn for India, more water for the Sahara and Australia, long lens for the animals in Africa, and ummm, that's all I can think of.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Everyone above seems to be talking databases etc - all a bit techo for me!

There are plenty of "Packing Lists" so the following are more of a few ideas from "out of left field" rather than the obvious tools etc.....

1. A hard, padded, weatherproof camera-case. Soft-padded camera-case wasn't a good idea, I'd rather sacrifice a bit of space for a working camera! (My luxury for myself is a preference for taking a good SLR camera & lenses, if a point-and-shoot is more your style then disregard);
2. One of the "head-nets" - a mosquito net you wear over your head. You look like a bit of a dill - but they are increadibly functional (and scrunch up into about the size of a wine-cork);
3. Less crap, less clothes;
4. A remote control for your camera (Canon make one for their camera's about size of a cigarette and cost about $US20.00);
5. Gaiters and good leather work/hiking boots - far more functional than calf-high riding boots;
6. Maglite and headstrap - I used to use a caving-lamp style, but Maglite make a strap that allows your AA torch to slip into on side of your head. Gives convenience of a good hand-torch and head-lamp arrangement (don't buy it, get wife/girlfriend to sew one up from a cloth scrap! Save $US15.00);
7. Berocca (stomache-ease soluble tablet's) - a luxury I can't do without!
8. Chamois towel - instant drying (squeeze) and a tenth the space of a cloth towel. You just can't wrap it around your waist!
9. A Leatherman and a good Swiss Army Knife (complement each other - what one can't do the other can). If I had to choose one - go for the Leatherman; and
10. Contact-lense cleaner - I don't wear them, but excellent for cleaning lenses, mirrors etc.

Well I hope the above give you a few idea's. None are probably truly essential, but just my experience in making lighter functional loads (hiking trekking background before started riding only a few years ago) and don't seem to appear on mainstream lists.

Cheers,

Alex.