What do we need in our luggage ?

Norsk utgave (Norwegian edition)

It is basically just 2 things you need when you to Island Strolling. That is a passport and some money. But most people will also add some clothes and a few extra items. If you are bringing stuff a backpack is a very practical tool.

The backpack gang. Inge’s (to the left) posture shows that he is carrying to much.

The backpacks are easy to carry, you get through everywhere not at least in narrow, stressful buss/ferry lines where it is important to get on board as fast as possible. To have your hands free also give you the chance for instance to take pictures. Forget your suitcase, suitcases are not for Island strollers. The backpack of good quality with a proper waist belt to carry the weight is a good investment. Too many side pockets are not recommended, they have a tendency to get tangled. When you do your packing put the heaviest things as close to you back as possible and the lighter ones away from you. This will give you a well balanced backpack.

What to pack is up to each and everyone but what goes for mountains is also true for Greece; Pack as little a possible. The backpack should not be too heavy, 10 kilos are enough. More than this and the trip will be an unnecessary burden. I have experienced that my own backpack was so heavy that it caused me not to travel further. Basically what you need is cotton pants/skirts, a couple of shorts some underwear and few t-shirts.

This should easily fit into a 40-50 litres backpack. Clothes can be washed while you are travelling using coin machines that you will find on most islands. Good shoes, sandals or jogging shoes, is important since walking is very much part of Island Strolling.

One comment concerning towels. The whole family enjoys thick, soft and large towels. These a nice, clean and light before departure. But after a few days of travel these towels have become considerably more heavy. It is quite amazing how much sand and saltwater that can get sucked into these towels. When rinsed, it takes a very long time before they get dry due to the air moisture in Greece.

If you base you nightly sleep on the cheapest alternative: To sleep outside, you will need a sleeping bag and a mattress. A tent is also a good choice but remember the weight. Also remember that if you have forgotten something, most things can bought in Greece.

Now we have to confess. The weight advise is probably the advise that my own family the most problem. We carry way to much baggage. Every year we tell ourselves that this year we will only need a few items but still the backpacks get too heavy. One reason for this is that all three of us like to snorkel and each of us have our personal interest including my own hobby of picture taking and filming. For this I carry several camera houses a lenses and also underwater video equipment. Anne Grete works in a clothing store and therefore seems to enjoys bringing quite a few along while Inge enjoys portable video games and music. This implies many games and CD’s along with batteries and battery eliminators. So all in all we carry to much but may be in the end we learn ourselves.

For some peculiar reason is the baggage you carry home more than then baggage you carried when you left home.

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Thanks to Kjell Inge Gjesdal, Oslo, Norway for his translation into English!
© Jan Bergtun, 10. January 1999	Updated, 02.07.2007
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