Vicky's shopping blog

I thought I should finally write a blog entry now we have been on the road for 3 months. As many of you know and saw I might have done a little bit a research and shopping for this trip. Just a little mind you J

I decided that I better tell you all what my good, bad and couldn’t do without items have turned out to be.

#1 most useful security item – Leg holster for the passports/money. This has been invaluable as most pickpockets are looking for neck and waist wallets. It also helps because it can’t been seen beneath your clothes and doesn’t make me feel fat or overheated. 

Runner up – TSA combination lock (plus chain from the local bazaar). This has been really useful as it enables us to lock our bags and our hotel rooms. Most hotels in India give you a key padlock so carrying your own enables you to better secure the room or lock you bag to something. However its best not to, and Chris did, try and take a very heavy duty chain through airport security in Iran in his hand luggage.

Most useless item – none yet.

#1 most useful clothing item –Rohan superlight Silver Knickers. Expensive but worth every penny. This was true impulse buy on a bad day which has made day to day life much easier. I had read about these knickers but couldn’t really justify the cost. They are as nice as travel knickers can be, are great for exercise, super comfortable (even in the heat), durable and dry so fast you can wash them the night before and they are dry by morning. And yes, even dan has been introduced to the world of hand washing, its turns out hes very good at it.

Runner up – Thermals. Both my wonderful top from Iceland (thanks Siobhan and Fi) and Dan’s Tog24 top were essential items in the freezing temperature.

*Cheating I know but there is also a second most useful item that I didn’t buy. My turquoise pashmina, which has made many an appearances in the Iran photos. This has been super useful as stand in towel, skirt, scarf, head covering, sheet, shade, top and more.

Most useless item – The dress I made. Sadly its only seen the light of day once. It was too cold, too hot, too revealing, never quite right so had been confined to the bottom of the bag.

#1 most useful electronic item – A tie between the netbook (HP dm1) and the big camera (Fujifilm finepix HSX20). We are loving the photos we are getting but the computer is very useful for backup, wifi and skype.

Runner up – Kindle. I’m a total convert to the electronic book (though I still love real books). It is so nice to be able to read on the truck and to carry around all the guidebooks in one place. The kindle also has the advantage of being able to be read one handed, useful when in hospital.

Most useless item – Filters for the camera. However, I think that when we get home we will use them more.

#1 most useful random item – Cheap Inflatable pillow. Useful in many circumstances.  

*Another cheat. Also not and item we brought but extremely useful – The humble jar lid. We use it to stand the central pole of the tent in to protect the floor of the tent and to allow us to stand it off centre without it slipping and collapsing the tent on us.

Runner up – Tiger balm. Essential for making the bites bearable.

Most useless item -  Shewee. Bought as a just in case but too much hassle. Nowadays (after laughing over this) an umbrella is much more useful. Nowhere in India seems to be rural so the minute we stop there tends to be a bit of a crowd and not much place to hide. Deserts are also much harder to go for a private pee in than you would think.

#1 Most useful camping item – Our tent (Shangri La 5 by go lite). We love it and it has earned the nickname on the truck of “the palace”.

Runner up – Pretzel head torches. So useful, even in hotels when they have frequent power cuts. I would suggest an upgrade to one with a red setting as these attract less bugs when camping.

Most useless item – Cheap tent pegs. Totally useless, we upgraded to 12inch metal nails in Turkey and haven’t looked back. Fingers crossed no more getting out in a storm to repeg and pray it doesn’t fly away.

Other so far useless items - Folding sink (have been able to use the trucks buckets for hand washing) , pocket shower (we are too lazy and we are all just being smelly together).

Other very useful items – Penknife, double silk liner, notebook, photos (printed ones of family and friends).

Biggest wish – We wished we had brought more GBP’s out with us as exchange rates are very good. Oh and maybe another pair of those Rohan knickers.

No one would guess that I like shopping :P