Whew! One week ahead of time and we’re finished with packing. It was a dry run, to make sure everything fit in the backpacks, and so far so good. Here’s what we’ve got (in case anyone wants to catch up!) I have an Eagle Creek Maiden Voyage (designed for women). It’s 70L (4350 cu. in.) divided between the main compartment (51L) and a zip-off/clip-off daypack. Donny has a Kelty Moraine 3600.

Here’s what’s inside, excluding clothing:

Paperwork

1.Passports and copies of passports to carry in a different place

2.Diving C-card and logbook

3.Airline tickets/receipts/copies to store elsewhere

4.Flight Itinerary

5.Lodging confirmations

6.International Driver’s license

7.Hostel International ID card

8.Driver’s license

9.Credit card (confirm networks, make sure there is a 4-digit pin and notification of foreign travel has been given to the issuer)

10.Debit card (Notify the company of travel outside US: locations and durations, confirm network)

Basic Toiletries

1.Solid shampoo/soap dish

2.Soap

3.Razor

4.Deodorant

5.Toothbrush/paste

6.Feminine products

7.Floss (can be used for lots of things!)

8.Make-up: very minimal, tinted moisturizer with sunscreen most imortant

Electronics

1.Camera and underwater case (Canon A-95)

2.Memory cards for camera and 4 gig flash drive for storage

3.Card reader

4.Cell phone (unlocked for use with local SIMs)/charger

5.Batteries to start

Miscellaneous

1.Zip lock bags

2.Plastic grocery bag (for dirty and wet stuff)

3.Picture frame wire

4.Sewing kit/Safety pins

5.Locks for bags

6.Money belt

7.Duct tape (always)

8.20 ft lightwt. Parachute cord

9.Rubber sink stopper

10.No-rip envelopes

11.Small notebook/pens for journal, etc.

12.Personal info cards (made some up for just the price of shipping at Vista Print)

13.Mini mag light/headlamp

14.Quick-dry towel

15.Water purifier tablets

16.Pocket compass

17.Water bottles (Nalgene)

First Aid Kit

Tweezers, nail clippers, waterproof matches, Ibuprofen, meds from the clinic (Malaria pills, etc.), cortizone or other itch crème, insect repellant (picaridin), sting-ease, sunscreen, band-aids, etc.