Packing your clothes and toiletries

My clothes are usually mix and match of T – shirts and jeans.  My selections are simple, as long as they can be folded into tiny wedges to maximize space and passable they’re fit to be packed away. Plus points, sturdy enough to withstand cheap laundrette and fast enough to dry. If the weather is cold, wear layers and mix-and-match. Of course, you still have to get a winter coat, gloves and shawl but trust me, they are NOT enough. Wear LAYERS. 2-3 minimum. Don't worry, nobody cares when it's too cold for anyone to notice what everyone is wearing.

Shoes preferably slip on and easy to remove, comfortable, sensible, water resistant. There will be a lot of walking, seriously. And oh, wear socks. It'll save you lots of tears from those painful blisters.

Toiletries – Be aware that for hand luggage you are only allowed liquids in , shampoos, body lotion, foot scrub, tiny hair brush… the list goes on. I collect tooth paste from hotels and flights for this particular reason too.

Get Universal Traveller international clear plastic pack for carrying your hand – luggage toiletries. I carry as minimal as possible because my hotels provide these amenities anyway (again, do your homework and don’t make assumptions).

By the way. if your hotel states that they provide yukata or pajama (usually in Japan), then they do. Comfy and clean. If not, then too bad. I never bothered to bring pajama, I just wear what I'm gonna wear on the next day when the hostel I stayed in didn't provide the pajama.

Tips for packing:

- make a list

- shop from the start, watch out for sales. Last minute shopping sucks and you will tend to forget things.

- do your homework before shopping. There is lots of website offering good travel tips out there.

- always make comparisons, don’t buy when in doubt

- shop for the right season. The assistants at the outlets are more than glad to help you, most of them are students who studied oversea and working part time there so they do know their stuffs.