[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

Trouble is, I am visiting many different regions of Asia all in one travel.

4 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Taipei
3 nights in Hong Kong
3 nights in Shanghai

So you see I am kinda visiting the tropics AND the far east, where it is still humid, but obviously much cooler.

I think everywhere I am visiting will be ok to wear short sleeves, although I will pack a hoody anyway. But no snow or anything like that. It will rain a lot, and last time I was in Singapore, my trainers got drenched walking around Universal Studios and they stank for the rest of the journey. I cannot take a spare pair of trainers though as I am only taking one little pulley suitcase on wheels - and a backpack as handluggage.

My suite in Bangkok (Hansar Bangkok ) actually has a kitchenette where I can do laundry, which is fantastic.

So I am planning to take:

8 pairs of boxers
6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of chinos
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of track bottoms
1 hoody
3 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of flipflops
1 pair of trainers
1 towel

Any other recommendations would be appreciated?

[Torak]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
Trouble is, I am visiting many different regions of Asia all in one travel.

4 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Taipei
3 nights in Hong Kong
3 nights in Shanghai

So you see I am kinda visiting the tropics AND the far east, where it is still humid, but obviously much cooler.

I think everywhere I am visiting will be ok to wear short sleeves, although I will pack a hoody anyway. But no snow or anything like that. It will rain a lot, and last time I was in Singapore, my trainers got drenched walking around Universal Studios and they stank for the rest of the journey. I cannot take a spare pair of trainers though as I am only taking one little pulley suitcase on wheels - and a backpack as handluggage.

My suite in Bangkok (Hansar Bangkok ) actually has a kitchenette where I can do laundry, which is fantastic.

So I am planning to take:

8 pairs of boxers
6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of chinos
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of track bottoms
1 hoody
3 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of flipflops
1 pair of trainers
1 towel

Any other recommendations would be appreciated?

Sounds interesting. How much are you paying and with whom/how?

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

(Original post by Torak)
Sounds interesting. How much are you paying and with whom/how?

This is a solo trip that I am booking independently (or rather have done so already). All I need now is a Chinese Visa for my Shanghai extension, which I will apply for and hopefully pay for next week, and then I'm done! I leave on April 22.

I love travelling the world, or specifically Asia. Last year I did South Korea and Japan, too. Next year, I think Indonesia and maybe Brunei.

[Origami Bullets]

Make sure that your flip flops are rubber (e.g. Havaianas) - anything else will fall apart sooner rather than later.

Make sure that your towel is of the specialist travel variety - they save SO much space.

Get trainers that aren't going to make your feet sweaty, and will dry out quickly. Converses are good for this, IMHO, but make sure you take a colour that won't show the dirt!

Don't forget that you can always handwash stuff in the sink, but it'll make life a lot easier if you take some laundry liquid with you (you can get special concentrated stuff for travel, which will save space). Or, if you're utterly desperate, as I once was (I didn't trust the laundry service with my whites!) then you can use shampoo. If you take this option, then a travel washing line will also serve you well.

PS in KL, stay at the Reggae Guest House No. 2. Seriously, I've never seen anywhere so clean - not even the parental home, and it only cost me about £7 a night.

[dugdugdug]

Have you got accommodation booked for all of them?

If not, I can personally recommend a number.

You've already booked Bangkok but if you didn't I would have said the Tower Club Lebua.

It's an all suites hotel with a balcony and free wi-fi.

Even if you're not staying there, by all means pay it a visit to the rooftop bar, Sirocco.

This was where The Hangover 2 was filmed. Bear in mind drinks are expensive (eg £7 for a juice!) but you could just wonder up for the view:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/s...i/Sirocco1.jpg

With regard to clothing, Asia is renowned for cheap clothes so why not pack lightly and get what you need over there?

HK and Singapore tend to be more formal than the others but you still won't need a tie. Having said that, you might be tempted to get one of HK's famous 24 suits, a suit that is tailored made in 24 hours!

It looks like you're not going to be heading to the beach on this trip (though HK does have some on the south side of the island) as well as Sentosa in Singapore, so beachwear won't be required.

Looking at your timetable, I would revise it a little and shorten Singapore to 3 nights at most, HK 4 nights.

You mention Taiwan. Is it Taipei yure visiting or all over Taiwan? If it's just Taipei, again 2 nights might be enough.

The big cities with things to do are Shanghai, HK, KL and Bangkok.

[fourdigit]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
Trouble is, I am visiting many different regions of Asia all in one travel.

4 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Taipei
3 nights in Hong Kong
3 nights in Shanghai

So you see I am kinda visiting the tropics AND the far east, where it is still humid, but obviously much cooler.

I think everywhere I am visiting will be ok to wear short sleeves, although I will pack a hoody anyway. But no snow or anything like that. It will rain a lot, and last time I was in Singapore, my trainers got drenched walking around Universal Studios and they stank for the rest of the journey. I cannot take a spare pair of trainers though as I am only taking one little pulley suitcase on wheels - and a backpack as handluggage.

My suite in Bangkok (Hansar Bangkok ) actually has a kitchenette where I can do laundry, which is fantastic.

So I am planning to take:

8 pairs of boxers
6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of chinos
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of track bottoms
1 hoody
3 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of flipflops
1 pair of trainers
1 towel

Any other recommendations would be appreciated?

Condoms
Formal suit
Credit card

[popelady]

Sturdy shoes. Extra photographs (passport size) and deffo take another towel. Plus i'd take a bottle opener, and a mozzie net (depending on where you're staying). Padlock, fake wallet, and two phones (a couple of dud ones, take one with you, leave one with your bag). Parocetomal (I visited vietnam last year, and you wouldn't believe the trouble we had trying to get parocetomal/ibuprofen)
And deffo take travellers cheques. outdated i know, but £50 might get you out of a situation.

[Olibert]

(Original post by popelady)
Sturdy shoes. Extra photographs (passport size) and deffo take another towel. Plus i'd take a bottle opener, and a mozzie net (depending on where you're staying). Padlock, fake wallet, and two phones (a couple of dud ones, take one with you, leave one with your bag). Parocetomal (I visited vietnam last year, and you wouldn't believe the trouble we had trying to get parocetomal/ibuprofen)
And deffo take travellers cheques. outdated i know, but £50 might get you out of a situation.

Travelers cheques are safe, but also absolutely no use whatsoever. They're notoriously difficult to change if you so much as leave a big city. and when you can change them you'll get an awful exchange rate. You're better off keeping a couple of $100 bills in a very safe place for emergencies.

Don't take two towels. Most guesthouses will provide them for free. For those that don't, take a compact towel which is treated with antibacterial agents.

No need for multiple phones. One will do, just make sure you have it on your person when using public transport rather than leaving it in your bag.

[BeachBum8]

0.o what are chinos?

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

OK, can someone inform me of electricity standards (plug pins) for each country? I checked on wikitravel but some pages were not informative.

Singapore (British)
Thailand (American or European)
Malaysia ????
Taiwan (American)
Hong Kong (British)
China* ??????

* Specifically Shanghai.

[FormerlyHistoryStudent]

If you're only going for 22 days then there's really no need to pack much at all. I wouldn't bother with a suitcase at all, I'd just have a backpack. Bear in mind you can buy clothes and many other things very cheaply in Asia. If it were me then I'd only pack;

Swimming stuff
1 pair of shorts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of trousers made from a quick-drying material
Underwear (wouldn't take many socks though because I'd be wearing the flipflops most of the time)
Flipflops
1 pair of trainers
A light waterproof jacket
1 fleece or jumper, if I was certain I'd need it (if I was was going into mountains at high altitude, for example)
1 quick-drying travel towel
Toiletries - but only the essentials (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant,shampoo, shower gel, hairbrush)
A couple of medical items - paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tablets, ibuprofen, plasters
Mosquito spray (containing at least 50% DEET) & roll-on stuff to put on mosquito bites
Camera & spare batteries & SD card
Travel alarm clock or mobile phone that has an alarm, if you have any early starts
Bank cards, a little stash of USD to keep separately to everything else in case of emergencies, a couple of spare passport photos, passport, insurance details

[Joe The Creator]

T-shirts! You may not need to pack them though, because you will probably find cheap ones there. With family in Asia, I usually visit a lot, and if you are not used to the heat, you will get sweaty real fast.

Trip sounds awesome though. Have fun!

[dugdugdug]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
OK, can someone inform me of electricity standards (plug pins) for each country? I checked on wikitravel but some pages were not informative.

Singapore (British)
Thailand (American or European)
Malaysia ????
Taiwan (American)
Hong Kong (British)
China* ??????

* Specifically Shanghai.

Shanghai, you'll need an adaptor but why not get a multi worldwide one?

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

(Original post by dugdugdug)
Shanghai, you'll need an adaptor but why not get a multi worldwide one?

I since found out that China uses American and European, whereas Malaysia is British style.

I will just need an American 2 pin and European 2 pin adaptor.

Last year I did Seoul (European) and Tokyo (American) and carried both around in my bags with me.

[dugdugdug]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
I since found out that China uses American and European, whereas Malaysia is British style.

I will just need an American 2 pin and European 2 pin adaptor.

Last year I did Seoul (European) and Tokyo (American) and carried both around in my bags with me.

It pays to stay in a nice place as they'll have adaptors for their guests.

Some places like Lebua in Bangkok have multi sockets in the wall so you won't need to bring your own.

Anyone want an HK guide, let me know.

Login in hkguide@hotmail.co.uk and I'll give you the pw.

[Pomppufiilis]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
Trouble is, I am visiting many different regions of Asia all in one travel.

4 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Taipei
3 nights in Hong Kong
3 nights in Shanghai

So you see I am kinda visiting the tropics AND the far east, where it is still humid, but obviously much cooler.

I think everywhere I am visiting will be ok to wear short sleeves, although I will pack a hoody anyway. But no snow or anything like that. It will rain a lot, and last time I was in Singapore, my trainers got drenched walking around Universal Studios and they stank for the rest of the journey. I cannot take a spare pair of trainers though as I am only taking one little pulley suitcase on wheels - and a backpack as handluggage.

My suite in Bangkok (Hansar Bangkok ) actually has a kitchenette where I can do laundry, which is fantastic.

So I am planning to take:

8 pairs of boxers
6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of chinos
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of track bottoms
1 hoody
3 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of flipflops
1 pair of trainers
1 towel

Any other recommendations would be appreciated?

You seriously don't need that many pairs of boxers. In the first three places you can literally wash them whist in the shower and hang them up somewhere whilst you sleep. Then when you go on the next leg buy some from a night market!

These sound so nooby but the trousers that have zip off legs to make shorts are probs the best thing. I bought a pair for going to Africa and have brought them with me to Asia. Pf course you might be a bit more style conscious than I am ( I only brought one pair of chinos!) but they look decent.

Tbf the SEAsians aren't really that bothered about fashion and I saw some rather dirt caked tourists today wondering around KL.

I would also recommend converse or something similar. Sturdy enough for climbing steep steps of temples and the eventual downpour whilst still looking pretty dang cool. Or you could go the popular Malaysian route of wearing Fake crocs.

I suppose a mozzie net but (touch wood) I've never needed one. Clothing wise I don't think there's much else. Top tip, take savlon and antihistamines incase of giant insect bite. And pack your underwear in a pillowcase, you can then use it to put dirt laundry in or cover a grim looking pillow. Or maybe you might even want to make it into a rather fetching vest if you run out of shirts

[oliviagunapalan]

(Original post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel)
Trouble is, I am visiting many different regions of Asia all in one travel.

4 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Taipei
3 nights in Hong Kong
3 nights in Shanghai

So you see I am kinda visiting the tropics AND the far east, where it is still humid, but obviously much cooler.

I think everywhere I am visiting will be ok to wear short sleeves, although I will pack a hoody anyway. But no snow or anything like that. It will rain a lot, and last time I was in Singapore, my trainers got drenched walking around Universal Studios and they stank for the rest of the journey. I cannot take a spare pair of trainers though as I am only taking one little pulley suitcase on wheels - and a backpack as handluggage.

My suite in Bangkok (Hansar Bangkok ) actually has a kitchenette where I can do laundry, which is fantastic.

So I am planning to take:

8 pairs of boxers
6 pairs of socks
2 pairs of chinos
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of track bottoms
1 hoody
3 shirts
2 t-shirts
1 pair of flipflops
1 pair of trainers
1 towel

Any other recommendations would be appreciated?

Disposable raincoats. It tends to rain quite a bit and unexpectedly here in Malaysia, and I'm not talking about light rain but really sudden storms.

[miml]

Clothes wise.
1 pair of shorts.
1 pair of trousers (not jeans, chinos are a good shout)
1 tshirt, 1 shirt and something to sleep in. (shirts are definitely the way forward when travelling - they look smart for evening events, you can unbutton them if it's hot, wear it over a tshirt if it's cold, and standard attire in developing countries is shirt+trousers)
1 pair of flip-flops

Wear the jumper and trainers on the flight so you don't have to carry them.

No need for so many socks/boxers. 2/3 of each should be fine unless you are one of those people that wear socks with flip-flops.

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

(Original post by miml)
Clothes wise.
1 pair of shorts.
1 pair of trousers (not jeans, chinos are a good shout)
1 tshirt, 1 shirt and something to sleep in. (shirts are definitely the way forward when travelling - they look smart for evening events, you can unbutton them if it's hot, wear it over a tshirt if it's cold, and standard attire in developing countries is shirt+trousers)
1 pair of flip-flops

Wear the jumper and trainers on the flight so you don't have to carry them.

No need for so many socks/boxers. 2/3 of each should be fine unless you are one of those people that wear socks with flip-flops.

I went to Singapore last year, my first ever foray into the Tropics. I wore a t-shirt with a shirt over it, and a light coat. As well as thick jeans. Well, it was a chilly 6am October morning in the UK!

However, when I arrived in Singapore at around 8am the following morning, clearly I was overdressed. I had to wait 6 hrs for my room to become available, and normally you would leave your luggage with the concierge and then go exploring. But because I was dressed for a snowstorm (even after taking the coat off) I couldn't leave the airconditioned hotel resort. Even 10 mins in the open air made me want to faint. It's so humid out there.

So this time, I certainly won't be wearing a jumper or anything. I plan to travel in chinos and a t-shirt as well as light plimsole-type shoes. I will also have a pair of shorts in my hand luggage so I could concievably change into them in the airport toilets or something before I catch the coach to Marina Bay Sands!

But I agree with most of what else you say, apart from the boxers thing.

[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]

On another note, I have got my appointment at the Chinese Visa center tomorrow.

I printed off the Visa Form tonight, but I noticed there were line breaks (/br) inserted in the middle of the some of the words in my answers.



I hope I am not making the trip to Holborn for nothing, but I have a bad feeling about this.