....and the planning and packing begin.

Well, it didn't take me long to realize that I was not equipped to go on this trip. It had been ages since I had been on any sort of a trekking/hiking/camping trip so I really needed to get outfitted. The tour company had provided a fairly detailed list of what I needed to bring along so armed with that I decided I would spend a Saturday afternoon at REI picking up all the bits and pieces of gear, clothing and other necessities.

I headed out one Saturday morning to return a cooler to friend with plans to go to REI after that. When I met up with my friend, I told him where I was planning to go and the next thing you know, we're at REI and he's helping me pick out everything I needed to fill up a day/backpack including the day/backpack itself!! Several hundred dollars later, I had made good headway in the gear department. It took a few more trips to REI, Hudson Trail Outfitters, Target, Walmart, and a few purchases off the web to finally get everything in order. Thanks to new, lightweight materials and stuff designed for camping and travel, it's amazing what you can squeeze into a backpack these days! Here's what I'm taking with me - some of it's going in the backpack and some into the daypack.

• Passport, airline tickets and travel documents (all with photocopies)
• Health and security cards
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Travel guides
• $US in cash and travellers checks + credit and debit card
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Fleece jacket and cotton (thick) sweater (Brrrr...it's going to be cold!)
• 6 shirts/t-shirts
>
• 2 pairs of capri pants
• 1 pair of khakis
• 1 pair convertible hiking pants/shorts
• Swimsuit (Yikes....it's going to be hot!)
• Underwear and socks
• Towel
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• 1 pair walking shoes
• 1 pair sports sandals
• Toiletries and first aid kit (including Tylenol, Band Aids, Neosporin, lip balm, Immodium AD, malaria pills, altitude sickness pills)
• Sunblock, lotion, insect repellent (aka Jungle Juice) and anti sting/itch salve
• Toilet paper and handiwipes
• Binoculars, flashlight, and Swiss Army knife
• Digital camera
• Travel alarm clock/watch
• Emergency blanket
• Backpack cover
• 1 plastic hanger for drying clothes
• 1 litre water bottle + water purification tablets and rehydration salts
• 12 Power Bars (for those days when meals are far and/or few between)
• 12 packs of Crystal Lite To Go + a few tubes of ZipFizz (in case I need to quickly restore my level of electrolytes)
• Journal and pen to record my trip.
• Biodegradable laundry detergent and last, but not least.......,
• 1 collapsible tote to bring back all those things that I buy along the way but have no space in my backpack for.

....now if I only had a wee bit more room, I could take along the rest of the kitchen sink:-)