Fishing Frenzy

Travelling light is beneficial for many reasons. It decreases the hassle factor of travelling and makes you flexible in that you do not need to find places to leave your luggage, and you can jump onto any kind of public transport at the drop of a hat. Security is another reason to travel light, because leaving large suitcases in luggage departments etc, leaves you open to the risk of having it stolen. There is even money to be saved by the fact that you don't have to tip concierge staff or pay for storage.

But surely the lighter you pack, the more inconvenienced you will be when you find you don't have something you need. The answer to this is just that you would be surprised how little you need when you travel, whether it's business or pleasure. A great place to start to lighten your load is to write a list. Jot down everything you think you will need, and then mull over it, crossing things off that aren't absolutely necessary. You will surprise yourself.

Once you have decided on what you absolutely need, then you can work on finding lighter alternatives to the things you already have. If you really need to take shampoo with you, then make sure it's a small bottle that only contains the amount you need. Or get eh paperback version of the book you are reading.

One way to make your bag feel lighter, though maybe not make it lighter, is to get a decent bag. If you get a small bag that has lots of compartments then you can more easily access a wider variety of things when you need them. It is vital that the straps evenly distribute the weight across your back.

Now I want to say a little about the things you definitely shouldn't be taking with you. First of all, toiletries are nor needed. Most accommodation provides them, and if not, you should just buy them out there. You can save a lot of space by packing only a few pairs of clothes and using laundrettes.