The varied climates and situations we experience require you to have all items on the first day of your trip. Forgotten items will be purchased with your pocket money. Do not pack more than is on the list. Fit everything in your soft-sided roller duffel and daypack. Remember to leave space for items you buy in Thailand!
____Duffel: Wheels are preferable! We suggest a tough bag approximately 34” x 16” x 16” or smaller. You must be able to pick up this bag and carry it by yourself!
____Daypack: Bring one large “school type” daypack. To be used during the day to carry personal items.
____Sleep Sheet: This is different from a sleeping bag. It is your own sleep sheet to use as a liner for your hotel or hostel bed. It is for your comfort and is very lightweight. GREAT TO HAVE! Sleep sheet example.
Weather: It is the rainy season in Thailand at this time of year. Be prepared for hot, humid, and wet weather. Thailand temperatures can range from 70°F to 100°F.
TRAVEL GEAR
____Passport
____2 sets of photocopies of your passport and flight tickets, one to hand to your Trip Leader upon arrival and one to keep with you.
____2 backpacking type water bottles, and/or a 1 liter minimum Camel Back type hydration system
CLOTHING
You need a one week supply of clothing. If you bring too much it gets in the way. Laundry is done weekly. Choose as many synthetic articles of clothing as possible; they are lightweight, easier to dry and great for layering.
Inner layer
____One week supply of underwear
____Pajamas: boxers and a t-shirt
Middle layer
____3 pairs of lightweight shorts (at least one pair should be close to knee-length)
____Short sleeve shirts (sleeveless shirts/tank tops are frowned upon)
____2 long sleeve shirts
____1 pair of light weight pants
____2 Below-knee length skirts for girls
____2 swimsuits
Outer layers
____Light weight rain proof jacket REQUIRED. Breathable material is best.
HEAD AND HANDS
____Baseball style cap
FOOTWEAR
____5 pairs of lightweight, athletic socks
____2 pairs of hiking socks; a synthetic blend is preferred
____Sandals that secure around your ankles ESSENTIAL (Tevas, Chacos, Nike)
____Sneakers/running shoes for hiking and walking (make sure they are comfortable)
TOILETRIES
____SPF 30+ sunscreen and chapstick with SPF
____Toiletries, medicine, prescriptions, bandana, etc.
____Mole skin or 2nd skin for blisters; buy at a pharmacy
____Two medium towel (bath and swim)
____Laundry bag
____2-3 packages of Wet Naps; personal cleaning towelettes
MISCELLANEOUS
____Headlamp or lightweight flashlight
____Travel umbrella
____Cheap watch
____Small travel alarm clock (highly recommended)
____Camera (Phone & camera must be separate devices!), batteries/ charger, plug adapter for charger
____Stationary and journal
____Ear plugs and eye mask for train rides (optional)
____Waterproof bags for clothing, garbage bags will suffice
____If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring a spare pair of glasses, including a protective case. Yes, wearing contacts is okay!
____Sunglasses with secure strap (Chums or Croakies)
Important Information Regarding Your Trip---PLEASE READ THIS!
Passport & Visa: A passport valid 3 months beyond your intended stay is required. During the trip your Trip Leaders will hold your passport for safekeeping. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days for US citizens. A Travel Permission Slip is MANDATORY(available online 3 weeks before your trip).
Time: Thailand’s time is about 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles, California, Pacific Standard Time Zone.
E-MAIL: Most towns we visit will have limited access to email. If you have a hotmail, AOL or most other services you can expect to check and send email about once a week while traveling. Make sure you know your site address and password.
Spending Money: EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED. Cash plus an ATM or Credit Card is best! We suggest bringing approximately $75 per week. This is for personal expenses and gifts. If you run out of money, you have spent too much. Unless there is an emergency, Bold Earth will not advance money.
Health Notice: Giardia, a water borne illness is common. We treat all natural water sources but it still sometimes gets through. If after the summer you have diarrhea, contact your M.D. Giardia is easy to treat. As with any illness, especially involving travel, contact your doctor if need be. CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR REGARDING REQUIRED VACCINATIONS.
Laundry: Travel light!!!!! Washing out your synthetic underwear and t-shirts to dry over night is the norm for adventure travel. Once a week or so your leader will have our hotel clean our laundry. A good practice is to put your name on items which are not unique to you.
Trip Journal: Bring along a notebook to record the "Challenge, Pride and Success" of your adventure.
Reading List: The people, places and activities you will encounter on your trip are diverse and incredible. These are a few books offering background information. We suggest you consider reading these books before, during or after your adventure. Also, you might like to read Outside Magazine available everywhere. For additional adventurous reading, check out Extreme Classics: The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time
The Beach by Alex Garland. The Khao San Road, Bangkok--first stop for the hordes of rootless young Westerners traveling in Southeast Asia. On Richard's first night there, in a low-budget guest house, a fellow traveler slashes his wrists, bequeathing to Richard a meticulously drawn map to "the Beach." The Beach, as Richard has come to learn, is the subject of a legend among young travelers in Asia: a lagoon hidden from the sea, with white sand and coral gardens, freshwater falls surrounded by jungle, plants untouched for a thousand years. There, it is rumored, a carefully selected international few have settled in a communal Eden. Haunted by the figure of Mr. Duck--the name by which the Thai police have identified the dead man--and his own obsession with Vietnam movies, Richard sets off with a young French couple to an island hidden away in an archipelago forbidden to tourists.
Buddhism For Dummies by Jonathan Landaw. What's the significance of Buddha? How can the practice of Buddhism enrich our never-ending hectic lives? Discover what it means to be a Buddhist in everyday life and in everyday lands in this fascinating Eastern religion. Buddhism For Dummies offers a clear, straight- forward road map that will aim to answer the fundamental questions, issues, and conflicts that arise daily. Readers will gain an understanding of what is Buddhism?, How to become a Buddhist? Explore the 2,500- year history, and learn about the most prominent Buddhist leader of our time, the Dalai Lama. Buddhism For Dummies will also touch on daily observances, celebrations, styles, practices, meditation and more!
Thailand: A Short History by David Wyatt. An easy read providing a general historical account of Thailand in the latter half of the 20th century. This highly acclaimed book, the standard history of Thailand for almost twenty years, has now been completely revised by the author. David K. Wyatt has also added new sections examining the social and economic changes that have transformed the country in the past two decades
LEARNING • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP
