← travel

Traveler Profile

My posts are only useful if the context around them is understood, hence the traveler profile.

How I Travel

• 🏃 Pace: fast to moderate. Depending on the location, I will just blow through some cities quickly and stay longer in others.
• 🗓️ Planning: flexible itinerary. I usually don’t book excursions ahead of time because I like to know current things before committing, i.e. what’s the weather, how am I feeling, etc.
• 🏨 Accommodations: aparthotel or airbnb, since I need a kitchen.
• 🚃 Transportation: walking or public transit, preferably
• 👀 Interests: I enjoy seeing historical sites, outdoor activities, and just wandering around to see what I find. I avoid crowds.

How I don’t travel

• 🚫🍔 Not a foodie: Unless you have food allergies and/or a GI disease, my food recs aren’t for you.
• 🚫🌃 No nightlife: I’m usually back at my accommodation by ~4pm and in bed by 9.
• 🚫🚗 No car rental: I don’t rent a car unless it’s absolutely necessary to my survival

How I Pack

I’m a die-hard one-bagger, but I have different bags for the types of trips I take.

Packs

Backpack: Osprey Fairview 40L
My default carry-on. comfortable and durable.

Roller: Away Bigger Carry-on 48L
For when I’ll be mostly stationary or need specific clothes or gear.

Duffel: Packable 45L
For international trips, I bring this in case I accumulate stuff. Packs down into a flat 10x10in (25x25cm) square.

Day Pack: Osprey Daylite Plus 20L
My default daily driver; it clips into the fairview which is great for when I’m in transit.

Kits

Toiletries: hanging clear TSA-approve bag
Got this on a whim and its amazing. has a zip-off, clear section for liquids and tri-folds with an interlocking quick-release buckle that can be pulled to tighten.

Compression: Thule cubes
These are just structured enough to not rip and hold a shape but can still fit a ton. if I have bulky clothes, I’ll use vacuum roll-up bags to further compress.

Electronics: Thule subterra 2 powershuttle
Bulky, but it holds all my power cords, chargers, earbuds, and adapters. I also have the smaller version.

Essentials

After a few years of travel, I’ve fine-tuned what is essential to always bring.

• Uniqlo pocketable parka
  for light rain, wind, or sun. packs into itself.
• Davek mini umbrella
  for heavier rain or more UV protection. expensive, but the compactness and weight made it worth it.
• saline nasal gel + q tips
  works for congestion, nosebleeds, dry air, etc.
  pro tip: apply some around and slightly in your nose for air travel.
• hand soap strips
  I’ve encountered enough bathrooms without soap, these are a lifesaver.
• imabari towel
  compact, super absorbent, quick drying.
• Biore zero cool wipes
  great for during or post-airplane sticky feeling or hot/humid conditions.
• Avon Skin So Soft
  bug spray doesn’t work for all bugs (sand fleas) but all bugs hate this stuff. works as repellent and bite treatment.
• Anker magnetic power bank
  keeps my phone charged and has an extra usb-c port.
• Muji portable sewing set
  useful for quick fixes or cutting away loose threads and tags.
• KAI nail clippers
  perfect nail clippers, no notes. your nails grow faster in hot climates, don’t sleep on bringing these.
• hydrocolloid bandages
  great for blisters, acne, cuts, burns, etc.
  pro tip: use the sewing kit scissors to cut them into the right size