1st. India and Africa, February - March 2006.

Only one pair of trousers used

Abstract

Quite a lot of characters pass through Addis Ababa. Guys on bicycles or motor bikes or in cars coming from e g Europe.

This lady had started in the Netherlands and was heading for the South Pole..... The local guys did seem to loose some of their macho when she drew by looking down on them.

Planned route, conditions last trip, this trip

On an earlier trip I traveled for the first time with no bag, but with a vest with many pockets. This was in September in mid Europe and we experienced temperatures from 30 deg. C, 86 F and down to some 10 deg. C, 50 F. Then a vest was useful to keep me warm.

In total I had three shirts, two pair of trousers, a wind jacket and the vest.

For that trip see:

Traveling super light, without a bag. A bold experiment?

Now I am planning a trip in the tropics where most of the time one pair of trousers and one shirt, both in airy material, is enough to keep me warm. So, no vest.

Planned route: Yangon, (Myanmar, former Burma), Bangkok, Mumbai, Goa, Rajasthan, Yangon.

Depart beginning of February. Return one month later.

Apart from Rajasthan, where the temperature can drop to freezing at night, it is a trip in the tropics with temperatures mostly between 25 and 35 C, 77 and 95 F. In Rajasthan I expect temperatures when I am outdoors will be down to 18 C, 64 F.

Garments and footwear for the trip. Large pockets needed for the gear.

Here the Travel Ultra Compact Gear is arranged like it is carried. Middle up sun glasses. Middle left, umbrella carried on hip belt loop. Bottom right clothes in leg pocket. Etc.

How it worked out - continued - I make a Ultra Light replacement for the sweater. See Report 4. Features of Compact Warm Clothes.

When you are down to these weights, weight is mo longer important. If I e.g. could find a replacement for a sweater with very small volume I would not mind if it was much heavier. This way your pockets looks less stuffed, you look more normal.

How it worked out - continued.

Setting an example? Is the travel light bug contagious?

What is it they have in their back packs that I don't have?

When I was testing my "Tropical Travel Ultra Light Gear, 250 grams. No bag!" I traveled with a friend and took the opportunity to compare some parts of our luggage. His medical kit weighed 800 grams, mine, 10 grams, two items, disinfectant and aspirin. His photo kit weighed...

Thoughts after the first test run

Next journey in the tropics Ultra Compact again? I don't know - may be it was a one off experiment: "Yes I have tried it."

Traveling Ultra Light in the tropics is not much of a challenge. Keeping the volume down of gear that is fine from hot to colder climates is trickier as you need insulation.

Next trip in colder climate - I must try my ideas of improved gear! So I guess I will have new gear made and I will look forward to testing it. And then new improvements, and a new test run. And then another climate. Maybe test in freezing temperatures.

It is always nice to have a compact and light basic outfit. Then you can add a few thing and still travel compact and light.

2nd May 2006. Albania, The Balkans, Europe, ....

Major change: no camera charger, extra battery instead

When traveling Ultra Compact there is a difference between soft and hard items. Soft things, like a shirt, you can put "anywhere" e g in a trouser back pocket, and sit on it. Hard items, e.g. a camera battery charger can break or hurt you in the same pocket.

3rd. Golden Pagoda and Moulmein in Myanmar. One week around Christmas 2006.

Notable: I "had" to wash my only trousers before catching the train next day. Managed to washed and dry them in one hour. For techniques used see reports.

4th. Addis Ababa and Dubai. Feb, March 2007.

Dubai

Major changes

Abstract

I think some people would not like to wear the same shirt and trousers for weeks - I don't care. It comes to my mind what somebody said: Those who know me know that I am rich. About the others I don't care.

Anyhow I found some fabrics with a different color on each side so now I have a two shirt, a jacket and a two pair of trousers that can be combined in many different ways.

5th. Ukraine, Europe, in June 2007.

I carried an extra pair of trousers, very light wind breaker type, to get a more flexible washing schedule. I used them once for this purpose - to try - not really needed as drying conditions was very good with a stand fan in the room. They were very light wind breaker type and very basic with only side pockets.

I managed to time my visit to Odessa to coincide with a European Championship for model airplanes. I am interested in aerodynamics and i really enjoy to be able to indulge in some of my interest while visiting new places.

6th. France, Dubai, Yemen, Djibouti, Addis Ababa. September - December 2007.

This time plenty of luggage - 2.8 kg, 6 lb. It is amazing how easy it is to increase the weight. Roughly I only added these functions (in volume order): 3 shirts, 1 pair of trousers, 1 wind breaker to be able to compare two windbreakers, mains charger for camera and an alarm clock.

I like this country style restaurant in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

7th. Madagascar, east of south Africa, cities Antananarivo and Tamatave. March 2008.

A very small 1 oz, 30 g, addition to my xx makes it a good rain protector for hot climates

Average temperatures when outdoors, in high altitude, Antananarivo, 64 to 77 F, 18 to 25 C. In coastal Tamatave plenty of heavy short rain showers, temperatures 77 to 84 F, 25 to 29 C.

This time packing Compact: 1 extra pair of trousers and 2 extra shirts, except for the basic one pair of trousers and one shirt.

Richaw, a common mode of transportation in Tamatave

8th. South East Asia to Europe, Lima (Peru, South America), Europe and S E Asia. 11 May - 14 July 2009

Under construction

Abstract

Only carry on was a clear advantage already at the start when:

1. My first flight was late and I missed my connection.

2. On board I found out about a nice event and could change my travel plans and go there - and still have all my luggage with me.

Carried 4 reversible garments. Lima a nice place to use them - the tropics is too warm for them as non of them are of tropical quality.

Missing first plane connection, just make the substitute - no problem as I have no checked luggage. I change travel plans on the plane, cut out one flight no problem as again no checked luggage.

Expected weather conditions

Lima climate 25 - 20 C when outside, cloudy, "winter". Planned stay in Peru 6 weeks. Most of my reversible clothes are too warm for the tropics but shall be fine in Lima.

Garments I brought

I bring the following tailor made reversible garments: A pair of cargo trousers, one side has only slits with hidden zips for leg pockets, other side flaps - a quite special design. Three shirts.

Ordinary, non reversible, temperate climate garments carried: One pair cargo pants. One multi pocket vest with removable sleeves.

Ordinary, non reversible tropical climate garments, useful when hot either in Europe or Lima: One pair of trousers wit four inside leg pockets. One shirt.

Total weight when I was dressed only in tropical pants and shirt: 9.5 pounds, 4.3 kg, of which some .7 pound .3 kg were stuff I was just carrying home, e.g. some CD:s with photos taken during the year abroad.

Only carry on becomes an advantage at the very beginning of the trip.

My plane to Bangkok was so late that I missed my connection to Frankfurt, Germany, Europe. I was met at the gate by ground staff who quickly took me to the Munich plane. He told them on the Walkie Talkie that we were on our way. I was boarded through the only open door, the first class one. Everybody was seated since some time. Not overly nice dressed and with a plastic bag under my arm walking through first class I made a point of saying "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Well, had I had checked luggage it had lagged behind here.

With this new routing I changed my plans

Thanks to information from a friend in Asia I knew there are some, for a technical person, interesting museums in Munich: The German (Technical) Museum, the vehicles part of the same museum and the BMW car and motorcycle museum.

When I read the on board magazine I do find out that the great Italian classic car race, 400 cars!, Mille Miglia will start in two days time not too far south of Munich.

The choice is simple, I don´t fly to Frankfurt. Had I had had checked luggage this change would have been quite impossible as my luggage then had been destined for Frankfurt. After checking the great museums I catch the train south. As I expect it will be difficult to find a room in Brescia, where the classic car race starts, I stop for the night at Lake Garda, where I have been before and liked very much. I saw TV ask a competitor in Brescia what was most exciting: The hotel price!

In the morning I catch the bus to Brescia. Arriving there there it is no need to spend time to trying to find a place where I can leave my luggage. I head straight for the cars. I put half of the luggage in my numerous pockets to make my bag easier to carry.

During the day I buy an air ticket to Madrid and a return Madrid, Lima, Peru, in South America. The flight to Madrid leaves from the city Bergamo, which is one hour away by train.

The classic cars, from 1927 to 1957 where partly stunning.

From Bergamo I fly to Madrid with Ryan Air, a European low cost airline, which charges USD 20 for checked luggage. I save USD 20.

From Madrid to Lima with Iberia Airline. Long check in lines - except for one which is empty apart from a big bag on the scale. I go there. "Can you check me in, I have only carry-on luggage?" Sure! Twenty minutes of standing in line saved.

Lima

In Lima I stay in the quiet nice neighborhood Barranco at the pacific coast.

9th. South east Asia to Addis Ababa 7 Oct. - 16 Dec. 2009

Under construction

Just notes so far

One pair of tropical cargo trousers, one pair of reversible cargo trousers, one tropical shirt, 3 reversible shirts, one pair of lightest polyester underwear. One pair of very light socks which make my sandals look a bit more proper. All of my design and tailor made in Asia for some US$ 40.

Some 4.4 lb, 2 kg, total luggage.

I am a bit into avoiding the inconvenience of traveling at night if possible. I don't get enough sleep, the next day is a bit spoiled.

I usually use Amadeus, http://www.amadeus.net/plnext/meb/TimeTableSearch.action?SITE=BCEUBCEU&LANGUAGE=GB , to see what flights are available.

When I searched for Bangkok to Addis Ababa I did not find any return flights without a night leg.

I looked for a one way to Dubai to connect to the 1715 departure of Ethiopian Airways non stop to Addis, arriving 2000 same day and found Ethiad Airways, dep. Bangkok 0845. arr. Dubai around 1500 after a bus trip, with a "flight number" from Abu Dhabi.

Complicated because I wanted to make a stop over in India on the return to visit Rajasthan with its beautiful palaces and some vintage maharajah cars.

In Addis Ababa I go for breakfast at another hotel than that where I stay. To be able to brush my teeth after breakfast I always carry a cut off tooth brush in my back pocket.

I also carry my Nano Luggage to be able to show it off to other travelers I meet.

10th. Lightest run. Short visa run in the tropics. March 2010.

Under construction

Notable: Total weight 11.9 oz, 333 g, except, the one set of clothes and footwear I did wear, camera with USB cable, passport and cash.

24 items in total

I had to do a visa run. One hour by plane. It was only to be three nights away from my base in the tropics. To get something more out of it I decided to go lighter than ever.

I had a minimalist customer. Below I count the items carried.

I carried no extra Clothes and Footwear

Only what I was wearing, light shirt and light trousers, 17 oz, 475 g and sandals, 23.6 oz, 660 g. Total weight: 40.5 oz, 1135 g. 3 items.

Carry Around Town Gear

Sunglasses. Reading glasses. Pen. One sheet of notepaper. Wristwatch - could have done without it I realized later, as I have date and time in my camera.

Multifunction key ring with: Disinfectant. Light. Mosquito repellent. Key. Eraser. Compass.

My "shirt pocket multifunction gadget" (a DIY described in Report Carry Around Town) containing: Ear plugs. My take on dental floss. Nail tool.

Weight: 3.9 oz, 110 g. 14 items or 2 multifunction and 5 items.

A windbreaker. 4.6 oz, 125 g. Not used! But carried for overly air conditioned places and to be held above head for rain protection. 1 item.

Digital camera with its USB cable. No charger carried - but I charged. How? See Report Phone, camera etc. 5.7 oz, 160 g. 2 items.

Luggage

My luggage in a Nano case. 1.7 oz, 48 g. Luggage only 0.71 oz, 20 g. Deodorant. I thought I filled the container with plenty of deodorant. But it turned out to be only six drops. Still just enough! Toothbrush. Shaver. Painkiller tablet. Padlock. Locking wire. 6 items.

One airport tax-free shopping bag, to not look luggage-less, 1.8 oz 50 g. 1 item.

Total weight, except worn clothes, footwear and optional camera with USB cable: 11.9 oz, 333 g.

I also carried: Passport and cash. 2 items.

Total: 24 items, 2 multifunction and 22 items

Some minimalists try to stay below 100 for their general living - usually not counting things used also by others in the household I think.

11th. Light run. One month in Indonesia. October 2010.

Under construction

Luggage 4 pounds, 1.7 kg.

Total garments: two pair of pants, four shirts, one wind breaker, one pair of footwear.

I travel with budget airline Air Asia and save US$ 15 because I don't have any checked luggage. I don't spend money on seat selection. Instead prior to landing I move forward to beat my plane load of passengers to immigration. I bring fruit and chocolate to eat on board.

The thermostat in one of my hotel rooms doesn't work so it either no AC or full AC. I throttle its air flow with a newspaper.

12th. Very light - visa run two nights

Under construction

I travel with budget airline Air Asia and save US$ 15 because I don't have any checked luggage. I bring fruit and chocolate to eat on board. I don't spend money on seat selection. Instead prior to landing I move forward to beat my plane load of passengers to immigration.

The thermostat in my hotel rooms doesn't work so it either no AC or full AC. I throttle its cold air flow with a newspaper.

13th. Very light. Five nights at the beach

Under construction

To get to the beach I caught the 18 hour night boat, with cabin, across a river delta. Followed by a 3 hour bus trip to the beach were I stayed 4 nights. Returned on an AC bus, 8 hours.

Garments: Had only the pants and shirt I was dressed in and a windbreaker. Plus minimalistic luggage, about 1 oz, 30 g, - for the first time on a key ring.

Another first was that I had no wrist watch. My camera gives date and time. With a photo of a calendar page I could find out which day of the week it was if necessary. I had photographs of pages of a travel guide for the area in question - never looked at them.

I carried a hand fan for hot bus rides - not really used.

Some 9 pounds, 4 kg, of water, canned food, bread, cheese, fruit etc to eat on the over night boat trip which was the first leg of the journey.

Especially for this trip I bring

About half sq yard/meter of mosquito net fabric, a needle and thread so if needed I can patch up broken mosquito nest in the boat cabin. Didn't use it. All net in lower part of the mosquito door in boat cabin was missing.... Closed the cabin door for the night.

A small packet of washing powder as first clothes wash may be first evening at the beach so I don't have to go shopping before washing. Was not needed as the hotel supplied a packet in the bathroom!

Testing on this trip

I have made a special kind of socks which are as cool as possible, for hot climates, still should stop mosquitoes from biting. I brought a pair for testing. Thin socks, the type grandma uses, they bite through. Not enough mosquitoes for testing - but came handy at breakfast on the bungalow veranda as weather was unusually cold. Day temperature in the nearby big city was 32 F, 16 C, below average for the month.

Pre trip preparations

I checked the boat a couple of days before my departure. The mosquito nets in the mosquito doors were broken or missing in many cabins. Malaria in the areas we were going to pass through! The boat was about to depart and one local passenger - in the know I guess - was spraying his cabin and bed with anti bug spray - not a good sign.

I contemplated to carry a bug spray but being into traveling light opted for a photo of one. If needed I would ask around among the locals and ask: "Do you have?" in the local language and show the photo and they would understand my question. I didn't go for the much unsafer alternative of trying to learn the word for bug spray.

On board

Well on board I lay down on my bunk to access the bug situation. I didn't get bitten.

The cabin door on the boat didn't close well enough to keep the mosquitoes out. Fixed with a bottle cap.

The door had a vent with no mosquito net. Closed it with a page of a newspaper.

On the beach

I washed my two garments two times. Dried easily overnight.

Prior to a half hour walk in drizzle one evening I put on a hotel towel under the wind breaker.

I traveled with a friend - he packed....

He had heard from locals that the bed linen in the cabins were dirty. And that the kitchen on the boat used the muddy river water for cooking. He packed 2 bed linen. Cabin linen were OK. He had no wind breaker, I had, when the coldest wind in living memory struck from the north. He had, except for the bedlinen, some five each of t-shirts, underwear, socks.

Also a some 15 inch, 20 cm, 9 pounds, 4 kg, of reading material, magazines and books. (I borrowed a couple of magazines from him.. I found a couple of old magazines in my hotel reception.) If I want to carry reading material I may photograph the articles I like and read them in the camera or on a TV screen.

He didn't use his swim pants and sunscreen.

14th. The nearest to zero luggage. Indonesia four weeks.

Under construction

• For the first time I decided to travel with only one set of clothes - the garments I was wearing - on a longer trip.

• For camera charging I didn't carry the supplied AC adaptor and USB cable. I could have carried the USB cable only to charge at the Internet cafes. But I carried only my minuscule, partly self made, 0.3 oz, 10 g, battery charger, smaller than the one pictured below.

• For transfer of photos from camera to PC - email - I carried an extremely small card reader, about .5 x .5 x .3 inch, 12 x 12 x 8 mm.

• I carried no wrist watch, for the first time on a longer trip.

I had to do a visa run. It was hot 100 F, 38 C, and dry were I was so I decided to check out Bandung on Java in Indonesia. Average maximum day temperature 77 F, 25 C, because of an altitude of some 2000 ft, 700 m. So what could I do to further advance pack Ultra Compact? I decided to travel with only one set of clothes for the firs time on a trip longer than a few days.

Links to my travel pages

Travel the world with: Ipod Nano size luggage. A super cool hot weather dress. Compact Clothes for down to freezing goes into the pockets. And more.

Traveling super light, without a bag. A bold experiment? - My trip with all gear in a multi pocket vest - no bag.

What is it they carry in their back packs that I don't have? When I was testing my "Tropical Travel Ultra Light Gear, 250 grams. No bag!" I traveled with a friend and took the opportunity to compare some parts of our luggage. His medical kit weighed 800 grams, mine, 10 grams, two items, disinfectant and aspirin. His photo kit weighed...

Traveling this light is extreme? Check out my extreme Stand Inside Ice Wing Sail, 120 km/h, 75 mph!

Things from my desk. Sailing boats I have raced and sailed. My humble abode.

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Modified Aug. 2021