I am finding different uses of the same things I have packed. Some from experience, so from others experiences, but in all, its all coming around together!
1. Shawl/Sarong: Those nice, flowery cotton shawls have always worked miracles for me. I have used it as make-shift swim wear to swim in Erawan Waterfalls in Thailand, folded it up to use as a pillow in long distance buses, wrapped myself in it to keep away cold, used it as a cover to shield myself when changing clothes, sometimes in public, used it as a head scarf, to cover up when entering temples… I never go without one! I am not sure how I am going to put it to use on Kokoda Track, but I will take one, just in case!
2. Rubber bands: Handy to tie up my hair (of no use any more), to secure things in place, like socks, underwear, clothes that I have rolled up into tubes to prevent crushing and space saving, keep imp papers together.
3. Duct tape/silver tape : Secure everything, from self-untying shoe laces to tear in mosquito nets, can be used as plaster when you are out of band aids, stick rips in the backpacks, fix wobbly tripods…just about anything. I never go without one.
4. Swiss knife: For just about everything!
5. Headlight: Works better than a torch and leave your arm free
I have serious doubts about the actual use of Swiss knife in the jungles of Papua New Guinea – I mean, how does a 4 inch blade measure up against the machetes we would need to hack away at the bushes to make a way through? Well, maybe I could just use it to open cans!
