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Packing
Packing lists
Ian — Age 43
45L carry-on + 60L backpack · Tailor fittings in Hoi An & Hanoi
0 / 0 packed
Clothing
Footwear
Tailor prep
Technology
Health & medical
Documents
Toiletries
Lauren — Age 42
10-week tropical wardrobe · Áo dài fitting in Hoi An
0 / 0 packed
Clothing
Footwear
Tailor — Hoi An
Toiletries & beauty
Health
Documents
Harper — Age 10
Getting her áo dài made in Hoi An · Junior adventurer
0 / 0 packed
Clothing
Footwear
Entertainment & comfort
Health & toiletries
Documents
Hoi An tailor
Sawyer — Age 7
Getting her áo dài made in Hoi An · Youngest adventurer
0 / 0 packed
Clothing
Footwear
Entertainment & comfort
Health & toiletries
Documents
Hoi An tailor
Shared Family Items
One person packs — everyone uses
0 / 0 packed
Health & safety
Technology
Bags & gear
Comfort & misc
✦Tips
Tips for the family
✈️
Long-haul pacing
The PDX → LAX → SYD opening is a brutal 20+ hour journey. Build in a full rest day in Sydney before sightseeing — jet lag hits kids hard.
🦠
Health prep
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, DEET insect repellent, a water purifier, and a first-aid kit. Consult your doctor about malaria prophylaxis for Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
🚗
Hire drivers
Sri Lanka drives on the left and traffic is chaotic. Private drivers for Bali and Sri Lanka are already budgeted — lean into this, it is the right call.
🐘
Safari timing
Yala National Park is best at dawn and dusk. Book morning game drives — the midday heat is tough on kids and animals retreat into shade.
🎒
Pack light
16 destinations in 70 days means constant moving. Cotton and linen only — no denim. Packing cubes are essential. Leave room to buy — Vietnam and Sri Lanka have excellent tailors and textiles.
🌊
Great Barrier Reef
Quicksilver Cruises from Port Douglas is already in the plan at $900 — the best outer reef operator. Book snorkel gear for the kids in advance.
🚭
Temple etiquette
Carry sarongs for everyone — required to enter temples in Bali, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Shoulders and knees must be covered. No denim shorts.
💊
Motion sickness
You will be on ferries (Gili Islands, Ha Long Bay), winding mountain roads (Sri Lanka), and small boats. Stock Dramamine — the itinerary has many winding transfers.
🍜
Food strategy
$10,500 food budget = ~$150/day for four. Vietnam and Sri Lanka are extremely affordable; Singapore and Australia will eat through it fast. Balance splurges accordingly.
📲
Connectivity
Get a regional eSIM before you leave. Airalo works across all 6 countries. Offline maps via Maps.me or Google Maps offline are essential in rural Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
🦎
Komodo highlight
One of the world’s great wildlife encounters. Hire a licensed ranger guide from Komodo National Park — required and genuinely worth it. The dragons are fast; keep kids close.
🏝️
Koh Samui = recharge
8 nights is your longest stay — embrace it as the trip’s R&R anchor. After the intensity of wildlife parks and cultural sites, this is where everyone catches their breath.