An insight into what I am packing… you know, to take overseas in my luggage

• A cheeky life update
• What am I packing everything in?
• What am I packing…
• Little bit of handy info
• Goodbye New Zealand

A cheeky life update

For those that just wanna get to the packing stage click here For those who are interested feast your eyes upon the following.

The beginning of 2024 marked a fresh start for me, as I embarked on a new job and moved back in with Mum and Dad to squirrel away some extra money before my upcoming overseas adventure in March. It was during this time that I made the decision to kick off this blog so all my thoughts could be spilled onto a bit of good old digital paper.

In early January, I face planted into my new role at Silver Fern Farms Finegand meat processing facility, with the role of a labourer in Internal Products (offal). Admittedly, at face value it didn’t initially strike me as exciting — spending my days working with sheep innards and rising at the ungodly hour of 4 am. But lo and behold, what started as just another job quickly morphed into something more. Believe it or not, I found myself springing out of bed at 4 am looking forward to the day and the mysteries it would bring (permission granted to call me crazy).

The people and bosses I encountered along the way, though I won’t drop names (they know who they are), were some of the warmest and most welcoming souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Although some may initially come across rough and ready, underneath lay hearts of gold. Their humour and camaraderie made each day a breeze, filled with laughter and friendly banter. So, for anyone on the lookout for a lucrative gig, I’d wholeheartedly endorse rolling up your sleeves, getting messy, pocketing some decent money, and rubbing elbows with some truly remarkable individuals (plus, it’s a bonus workout).

Parting ways with this job after just two months was bittersweet. It was a great note to leave NZ on but the bonds formed and the experiences gained will surely be missed.

What am I packing everything in?

Ah, the eternal struggle of the over-packer — guilty as charged! There’s something oddly comforting about having a truck load of gear at your disposal, isn’t there? But hey, better safe than sorry, right?

Now, before I dive into the nitty-gritty of my packing list, let me introduce you to the kings of my travel arsenal.

In the left corner, we’ve got the mighty Macpac Voyager 35L Backpack, a true powerhouse of a pack. This bad boy is compact yet mighty, boasting a size that fits into overhead lockers on planes and trains. With multiple zip compartments and a laptop sleeve for YOUR convenience. Plus, for all you outdoor lovers out there (myself included), this pack is a dream for overnight hikes, with a separate bottom compartment for storing a sleeping bag / tent.

In the right corner, we have the magnificent Macpac Global 80L travel bag, a titan of travel gear. This big boy is built for the on the move traveller, offering up robust construction and versatile carrying options. Need to sneak through airport terminals? No problem — just wheel it around like your trusty luggage bag. Encounter a flight of stairs or some rough terrain? Fear not, for this bag’s got your back with its concealed straps, similar to those found on hiking packs. Simply unzip, strap in, and you’re ready to conquer any obstacle in your path.

Now, full disclosure: I haven’t taken these bags out into the wilderness of the big wide world just yet. These are just my initial impressions based on their potential. But rest assured. If I encounter any faults or shortcomings along the way I will be spilling the tea to you, nothing but brutal honesty.

What am I packing…

Will I use everything that I am taking? That remains to be seen… but after doing some thorough research and gearing up for the warmer climates ahead, I’ve put together a rough list for my upcoming 4-6 months of travel.

The line of items at the bottom is everything I will be taking in my carry on luggage (liquids no more then 100ml):

• Empty toilet bag
• soap shampoo etc. (ensure in clear bag)
• Toothbrush toothpaste etc. (ensure in clear bag)
• Tissues / wet wipes (handy if you get sweaty)
• Hand gel
• Panadol
• Sunglasses
• Laptop & headphones
• Cards etc. (incase boredom surprises me)
• Cable bag (super handy for charging chords power banks etc.)
• PASSPORT AHHHHHHH
• Spare change of clothes (including undies and socks)
• Jacket & hats

The top line of items in the image is everything I will be taking in my main luggage:

• Shoes (1 pair hiking, 1 pair dress, 1 pair jandals)
• Undies 8-10 (not my size just the number of…)
• Socks 8-12 (not the age of the socks)
• Travel adapters
• Padlocks
• Headlamp
• First aid kit (whatever you think you’ll need)
• Blow up Macpac travel pillow & Macpac sleeping liner
• Belts (unless you like them low)
• Couple thermal layers
• 4-5 Jerseys / sweatshirts / pullovers total
• Towel / togs
• 1-2 Longer pants (more for formal settings)
• 3-4 shorts (sport / casual)
• 6-7 T-shirts / long sleeved shirts
• 2 singlets (suns out guns out?)
• 2-3 button up long sleeve shirts (casual or formal)
• 1-2 Polo shirts (collar handy for sun)
• 2-3 sports tops (long and short sleeve, take up hardly any room)

Great thing is all these items of clothing fit into each respected bag with room to spare. However, am I still overpacking? Oh most definitely I have no doubts about that, but better to be safe then sorry and if you’ve got the space it saves the stress of under packing. Remember though, at the end of the day its not about how much you’re packing but what you’re packing that counts so stick to wise decisions.

See just to prove my point thought I’d provide evidence of my nicely packed bags. The key to this is rolling not folding your items of clothing as you can pack more in when rolled. Also using the packing cubes you can see in the image allow you to have a well organised suitcase, making it an ease to live out of for a few months.

Little bit of handy info

A couple more handy hints, always take a photo or printout of your passport and place it in your luggage incase the unthinkable happens. Also, if you have travel insurance (which I hope you do, or I will hunt you down) ensure you print that out and have it in your luggage along with a copy of your plane ticket booking. So, pack those backups, in case of any mishaps and rest assured knowing you’ve got everything under control!

I’d also like to give a round of applause to Tiles (not the ceramic kind) and Apple AirTags, both of which I highly recommend. I’ve strategically placed these little lifesavers in my luggage, carry-on, passport, and wallet. These are guardian angels for your belongings, allowing you to track their whereabouts right from your phone. Plus, they’ve got a handy function that plays a sound when you’re nearby, making it easy to locate misplaced items. Having these babies onboard adds an extra layer of security. That way if I manage to get my hands on your stuff, you can track them down and say ‘Jordan, give me those back NOW!’ Definitely worth the investment and a way to ease the stress of potentially losing items.

When it comes to top-notch travel gear, Macpac is the real deal. And believe me when I say, I haven’t even been paid to say this about them. As a proud Kiwi brand, Macpac delivers quality that’s hard to beat. From their durable bags to their versatile clothing and accessories, they’ve got you covered for all your travel needs.

In fact, I’m such a fan that my packs, shirts, jerseys, padlocks, and even my water bottle are mostly from Macpac. Lets just say if Macpac were a person, I’d be pulling out all the stops to try and marry them!

So, if you’re in the market for high-quality travel items that won’t let you down, do yourself a favor and check out Macpac. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Goodbye New Zealand

This will be my last post in New Zealand, for the next post I will be off on the adventure of a lifetime telling you tales and stories of a far away land.

To my friends, I may be leaving for the time being but its a good thing technology exists for I am always a message away. I will miss you guys heaps but will have plenty of stories to tell you when I see you next.

I want to say a big thank you that words can not express to my family, who have supported me while I have been here and told me to chase my dreams, backing me every step of the way. I love you lots and I will see you all in no time.