The question of what to pack is undoubtedly one of the most puzzling aspects, particularly for a six-month stay. Our tickets to Thailand were secured back in October 2023, and the next step was diving into the world of travel blogs and Facebook groups. Let me tell you, it's a jungle out there – with nuggets of gold buried amidst the chaos!
Despite some past skepticism with Facebook Groups, we stumbled upon three that proved to be valuable. If you're venturing to Thailand or Bali, be sure to check out Samui with Kids and Bali with Kidz. For those of you who speak French, we also like Les Français à Bali.
Insider Tip: Checked luggage limits in Asia can be a bit of a buzzkill, often maxing out at 20kg instead of the usual 23kg. This applies mainly on internal flights or low-cost carriers. We had to get creative with packing!
Potable water isn't always guaranteed, so we need to be extra careful especially because of Mini. we don’t really feel like having the runs… you know what I mean? We thought we had it covered with the LifeStraw bottles until a biologist friend dropped a truth bomb about water decontamination, therefore the panic purchase of the Pristine water purification system.
Although Thailand has a good healthcare system, we wanted to have some meds on hand. The Canadian Government has a good checklist on how to build a medical travel kit. You should also discuss with your doctor for some antibiotics options in case of any type of infections, stomach flu, or Bali Belly.
Ah, the sunscreen saga – the eternal struggle between protection and practicality. Stocking up is advised, but when you're off for half a year, space becomes a precious commodity. So, we did bring sunscreen, but we are also planning on buying it here. Yes, it will be more expensive, but what can you do?
Having traveled to several tropical countries quite a bit, we know that we will need bug spray, but it seems like Asian mosquitoes are a different breed. 😊 Most blogs refer to the local bug spray as the best one.
In addition to these must-haves, we've packed:
My remote office setup; complete with my computer and a screen extension for work on the go.
Our snorkeling gear and fins. Even Mini has her mask. She's on a mission to find Dory.
Our trekking essentials. We’re not sure how much trekking we’ll do, considering Mini is still so young, but we still wanted to be prepared, just in case.
Wardrobe basics: T-shirts, shorts, a couple of dresses for the girls, flip-flops, and an abundance of bathing suits and undies—packed neatly in our indispensable packing cubes.
Toiletries. It’s such a relief to leave the diapers phase behind and travel lighter.
For the coffee snob, yes that's me. I have to bring my Bialetti and coffee frother everywhere.
Finally, our photo gear. I am so excited to try our new drone.
All these snugly tucked into three checked bags under 20kg each, along with a carry-on for each of us and a small duffle bag packed with snacks and entertainment for Mini. Oh, and let’s not forget the stroller – a lifesaver for navigating those airport sprints!
Got any questions or tips? Let us know. If you're itching to know what gear made the cut, stay tuned.
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