Excerpt from "Quit Dreaming and Go!", by Richard Hamel, all rights reserved, 2006

SECTION II. PREPARING FOR YOUR JOURNEY

Now that you’ve made the decision to do what is necessary to travel abroad (I trust you have), you’re probably wondering about all of those tiny details nobody seems to have clear answers to. The stuff you have to do before going and things you’ll have to buy (and not buy) can disrupt your peace of mind like a pebble in your flip-flop. Trekker metaphors notwithstanding, pre-travel preparations can be as maddening as they are exciting. So if you’re ready to continue (beverage in hand, bunny slippers on feet, etc.), then lets discuss getting ready for your adventure, shall we?

There are a couple of ways to deal with pre-travel preparations. One is to simply tie up a few loose ends right before you leave, get on the plane without having done any research and with only the barest of essentials, and buy what you need when you need it when you reach your destination. However, if you haven’t done this sort of thing before, you’ll most likely get a very rude awakening upon arrival. The other way is to plan carefully—or, more specifically, carefully enough. You can either try to do it all just days before you leave, which is a near impossibility and will stress you and your friends and loved ones to the point of breakdown, or you can take the appropriate amount of time, say several months, and savor the process...

TRAVEL GEAR

Backpack Selection and Tips
You will want to select a backpack or “traveler pack” well. A backpack is still the most popular and convenient method of carrying gear since it is the only practical way of carrying your gear around in, lets say, sand. Fortunately, in most places, those of us with backpacks no longer have the "backpack equals hippy" and "hippy equals trouble" connotation we used to have.
The modern backpack tends to have a more tapered design, which works very well when you are moving about, and many have optional wheels. The “traveler packs” give you the option of a single shoulder strap and/or wheels, in case you don't want to look like a backpacker when going into hotels. Although both are far better choices than traditional luggage, the traveler packs can sometimes be a little heavier and boxier, and may stick out further than others. No matter which one you choose, be sure the pack has: ...

TRAVEL GEAR CHECK-LIST

CHECK-LIST OF RECOMMENDED/SUGGESTED TRAVEL GEAR
VLWL=Very low weight load | MWL=Medium weight load

CLOTHING For tropical to moderate climates (including what you are wearing.)