Bruce's reply...

This was so funny I had to post it...

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Bruce Chambers wrote: 

Doug,

It sounds like the trip is going well (despite the rain in Cairns) by the descriptions in your blog. I just read the latest installments to Sandra while we are having our morning coffee. In particular the entry entitled Smaller is Better. She had two responses to your write up on what you have and what you need for a lengthy trip such as this:

1. "He must smell real nice" ..... I get the feeling she was being sarcastic.

2. "It's some kind of sickness".

While I can't vouch for your personal hygiene or your apparent inability to carry more than five pounds in your luggage I have to say that we differ in our modes of travel and what we think we require for said travel.

I, personally, can carry 200 pounds in a back pack or 350 pounds in a suitcase with wheels. And this is why I like to take any items with me that there may be the remotest chance, a glimmer so to speak, of being required and of being put to use. For our recent trip to Italy, the cruise and Turkey I took the following. (The list is not inclusive).

• Pants (not zip offs .... only a dork would ..... oh,never mind .....,
• Shorts, lots.
• At least two bathing suits. Putting on a damp bathing suit from the previous day just will not work!
• Shirts (long sleeve, short sleeve collared, short sleeve collarless, various colours and fabrics)
• Hiking /walking sandals
• Shoes, casual and dress
• Boots, casual and dress
• Pool sandals
• Light jacket
• Wind breaker
• Rain jacket (packable to save space)
• Ski jacket (in case of freak snow storm .... it could happen),
• Portable BBQ in case of food cooking emergency.
• Some smoked meats in case of a lack of food emergency. Smoked meats travel well and don't need a lot of refrigeration.
• Hockey stick to show the 'natives' real Canadian culture.
• Three books - in case two are crappy, third time lucky. And they should be hardcover as they travel better.
• Norwegian hiking sticks  ... to be used in the off chance I succumb and buy zip off pants.
• Starbucks VIA coffee.
• Folding chair in case I need to sit down.
• Enough hand wipes to have an entire sponge bath (for two) in case of a lack of shower emergency.
• Spare automotive 12 volt battery. You certainly wouldn't want your taxi to fail to start if you were rushing out to an evening of washing your clothes at a laundromat. (This is just a suggestion for you as I would have enough clothes packed to last the entire trip+ and never have to wash any.)
• Screwdrivers (flathead, Robertson and Phillips, a crescent wrench and a pair of pliers.)
• Every AAA map in print.
• Other assorted necessities.