Travel Essentials

In the midst of sorting the 1230842 pictures taken and nursing my travel bug, I shall start the Australia recap with my travel essentials. 

Storage:
I chose my trusty Kanken backpack because it is waterproof, has ample size, fuss free and accessible. Not only can this structured bag store all my essentials, it has two side pockets which I can slip in any miscellaneous items easily. Besides, I have own it for almost 2 years, of course I have to bring it along with me on this adventure. 

Important documents:
It is definitely a traveler's nightmare to forget the passport! So it's always first on my packing list and first in the bag. Apart from that, hard copies of important documents like travel insurance, NRIC, passport and flight/accommodation confirmations should be in the bag in the case of emergencies. Modern technology may be reliable but when it comes to a foreign country with no easy access to data, it's always best to have a hard copy readily in the backpack. Airports may provide free wifi but not all wireless connections are top notched.

Gadgets:
To capture the brilliant moments, I brought along my Canon G15.
To keep me company on long journeys, I jammed with my Creative Zen.
To connect with family and friends back home, I relied on my ancient iPhone 4s. 
To recharge, I used my enormous power bank. 

Nitty Gritties:
I cannot emphasize the importance of physical cash, especially when you are shopping at the local market where credit cards are not allowed. Be a local for the day and soak in the bustling market life like how i experienced it at Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne. Also, I brought along a huge wallet so I can chuck money/receipts/bus tickets in without losing them.
While shopping, don't forget to hydrate yourself. Instead of spending money on bottled water, why not bring your own bottle? Bottled water from convenience stores can be expensive too. Friends know I can't leave the house without my Nalgene bottle. Nalgene is very durable and can withstand hot/warm water without melting.

There you go, those are my travel essentials. It doesn't look much but it's always best to travel light. You would not want to carry a burden wherever you go. One tip is to pack your bag according to the day's activities so you won't bring unnecessary items.