Water bottle
Although backpacking provides the adventure of a lifetime, allowing you to see corners of the world you never thought existed, it can also be pretty tiring - ensure that you stay hydrated for maximum travel gratification, whilst protecting the natural beauty that you are exploring, one bottle at a time.
Image Credit: evita-ochel from Pixabay
Travel toilet paper
Until you have visited pockets of the world such as the magnificent South East Asia or the wilderness of the Amazon, you will never be able to appreciate the value of toilet roll and the satisfaction that hygiene brings. The efficiency of travel toilet paper means that without the cardboard cylinder, there is additional room in your backpack for your favourite souvenirs (or clothes!).
Image Credit: Bru-nO from Pixabay
Power bank
Imagine you are alone and lost in a capital city, unable to converse in the native language, without Google Translate or Google Maps because your phone is out of charge…immunise yourself against this potential situation by always carrying a portable charger!
Image Credit: Marco Verch from Flickr
Headlamp
For those impromptu night-time adventures.
Image Credit: Evan-Amos from Wikicommons
Disposable Camera
Gone are the days of worrying whether your digital camera has enough battery to last you all of the natural splendour that that day has to bring. Vintage disposables have many benefits, not only are spontaneous snaps a great social activity, they also allow you to reflect on your travels, when you return suffering from travel blues. I urge you to upgrade o a waterproof for those edgy underwater pics.
Image Credit: www.quotecatalog.com from Flickr
Padlock
If you happen to be staying in hostels, nothing shouts security more than a padlock (even if it’s flimsy and pathetic, it’ll do the job of deterring intruders!).
Image Credit: Baggage Master from Wikicommons
Ear plugs
A definite must-have for long-term travellers. After a while, the novelty of hostel noises will most definitely wear off. Indulge in the luxury of two little bits of foam to protect yourself from rustling bags, snoring, or even intimate grunts!
Image Credit: Simon A. Eugster from Wikicommons
Feature Image Credit: Vishwajeet Singh Rajput from Pexels (made on Canva)