We don’t get many truly snowy days here in Washington DC. And it has been a long time since one of my childhood snow days in Minnesota. So I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself today. The obvious thing to do would be to read. But do you ever find that when you have oodles of time to read the urge to read diminishes? I do sometimes. Today was one of those days.
So, I decided to do a dry run on the packing for our upcoming trip to Thailand and Cambodia. This seemed especially important given that we have decided to take only carry-on luggage. Once we get to Asia we have about five puddle jumper flights and the thought of lugging a big suitcase and waiting five times for it to come off the baggage carousel (actually nine if you count the trip over the Pacific each way and the customs clearance in Tokyo on the way there and Beijing on the way home) was way more than I wanted to contemplate.
Since 18 days is a long time to live off of carry-on luggage, laundry will have to be done along the way. I figure each time we check into a hotel we have one outfit on the body and two get handed over to be laundered. That should keep us smelling nice.
For the most part the weather will be warm with some chilly nights up in the north in Chiang Mai so at least we only had to pack for one climate.
hogglestock 
I am new at your site.
Bet you are an Aries. you are the only one I have ever met that packs a week a head. Fantastic.
My problem is I keep going back to add or subtract
How lucky to be going there..
Bon voyager
yvonne
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That is awesome. Perhaps I should share this with my sister who is coming for nine days…two suitcases with her purse and a laptop bag. Coming from SoCal to PA, I think half of it is warm weather gear. Safe travels:) p.s. I think we are sharing the same weather system but since I haven't got much reading done this month, reading is all I have been doing today.
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I pack a week ahead but don't put the items in the bag until a couple of days before departure.
And I can do a trip of 2 to 3 weeks–city, rural, any sort of adventure–with a single roller bag and large handbag, no problem. Without looking like a tourist! I never check luggage. It took years to develop this skill but it's one worth having.
Your trip sounds fantastic…friend of ours made the same one not took long ago, his photos were drool-worthy and I know yours will be as well!
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Oh, wow what a fun holiday. We lived in Bangkok for 4 years so if you want to know where the best bookstore is, let me know. Meanwhile we're off to Amsterdam again. Did you find any good secondhand bookstores there? Enjoy your holidays!!
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Awesome trip plans-I have been to Angor Wat-try to give it two days if you can-whatever you do see the mural carvings-they are one of the very best cultural experiences of my life-The Lonely Planet Cambodia has a good section on the temples-
Chaing Mai has some wonderful old temples-the night market is interesting if over hyped-if you at all can go up to Chain Rai and day trip into Myanmar
You did not say what beach you will go to, I have been to Samui Island-marvelous sunsets-
Best Bangkok Splurge eats-the buffets at the 4 and 5 star hotels-
best shopping in Bangkok-the weekend market-take the monorail there and cab back to hotel-get the tourist map of the market
the dinner night cruises are fun and the kick boxing is an interesting spectacle
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La Petite: Welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment. I am actually a Leo.
Book Psmith: Maybe she plans to stay longer…
Margaret: I working up to your proficiency.
Mrs. B: I am actually going to try make it home with fewer books than when I started so book shops are off limits.
Mel: Thanks for the info. We we be in Phuket for the beach portion.
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I admire your organisational abilities regarding packing. We take steamer trunks, (and hat boxes). Admittedly one of the reasons is to avoid having to do laundry, but the other is I'm just not brave enough to be so lightweight. Silly really, because you can always buy things on the way. Two weeks ahead beats me, and I thought I was over-organised! The other factor is the restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage, so all the toiletries have to go in the hold luggage; one cannot live without night creams and eau de cologne!
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Columnist: You are so right about the gels, pastes, cremes and unguents. That is the hardest part of doing carry-on only. I will doing a dry run of those tonight as well. I think we will just manage.
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This actually looks like a fair amount of stuff! This sounds like an amazing trip. Can't wait to see photos.
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