You always see packing lists for her, but what about packing lists for him? So here you go, Dear Husband's packing list for Thailand and Bhutan!

Ok, so I'm a bit embarrassed how matchy-matchy DH and I are...but whatever (see my outerwear and shoe list). When you find what works, you roll with it, right?  Good gear is just good gear.

On our trip to Bhutan and Thailand, where we have city + country, hiking + nice dinners, rain + sun, hot+ cold, so layers and quick drying materials are most important.

Outerwear: DH will use the same combination as me, except he'll swap out a regular rain coat for my rain trench.  The Torrentshell Stretch from Patagonia is really waterproof, with some breathability.  The stretch panels make it a bit more comfortable and easy to move in.  In addition to the rain shell, DH will also carry along his Houdini jacket. I'm telling you, these things look like nothing, but they are incredible!  They are light, packable, breathable, and water resistant.  We do have different color Houdini's...thank goodness...

Layer: DH will take a microfleece from Patagonia as his mid-layer. He's never as cold as me, so he just wants something to take the chill off in the evening in Bhutan.  Layered under either of the two shells, you get some wind protection, rain protection, and a whole lot more warmth.  The microfleece also dries really quickly if it gets wet.

Pants: DH will take a pair of multi-purpose pants, that are light, stretch material. While not waterproof, these pants can easily slip over a pair of hiking shorts if we get caught in a deluge. Plus, if we are outside at night, they can provide some bug protection for the legs.  They weigh next to nothing and are easy to pack.

Shoes: DH will stick to the 3 shoe rule. He's taking Havianas, in addition to a pair of Asics running shoes that are light and will dry quickly if they get wet.  He'll also have to take a pair of loafers, as we are having dinner somewhere that tennis shoes and flip flops are not allowed.  We thought about Tom's, but I'm not sure those will pass the test either for a nice place in Bangkok...maybe? 

Yup, so we are taking a very similar set of items for our outwear and shoes! We'll be packing light, as usual, no checked luggage and no heavy bags. 

Are we missing anything? Have you been to Thailand or Bhutan and have suggestions for us?

I love packing!! Packing packing packing!  I love being super organized and putting all my gear together for the next adventure. Excessive punctuation usage complete.

So, Thailand and Bhutan is a bit of a strange combination in terms of outwear/shoe requirements.

While my 20-year old self liked to get a little tan, my soon to be 30-year old self slathers on SPF every morning like a champ.  And while I still love beaches with the best of them, I don't just laze out baking like toast.  Yea, I still have some awful tan lines on my legs from running, but if you can figure out how to keep sunscreen on through 15 miles in Washington DC's humidity in the summer, I suggest you patent that like yesterday.

Over the last few years, in my attempt to protect myself from the sun, I've acquired a few items of clothing I adore.  They keep me shaded without making me uncomfortably hot. They protect me from UV rays. Dare I say it, they are mostly fashionable too.  Win-win-win.

Without further adieu, here are my favorite five pieces of sun-protective clothing, fully tested in wonderfully sunny places and hot climates, where without copious amounts of sunscreen or gear, you'll probably end up looking like a lobster.  

Here are ten things I bring when I travel internationally for general health and safety; as a part-time traveler, I try to minimize disruptions to my trip and maximize relaxation--a day lost to sickness or stress is a day less of vacation. While my first-aid kit (not covered below) does change some depending on my destination (i.e. on safari or to a European city), these health & safety items are constant in my packing regimen.
 
1. Wet-wipes. Yes, I'm a self-diagnosed germaphobe. It's also my area of professional expertise, which doesn't help. In this case, I think ignorance seriously may be blissful.  Anyway, I bring at least 2 packages of wet-wipes.  I do, generally, also have hand-sanitizer, but wet-wipes are way more useful because you can actually wipe the dirt/organic matter/whatever off of your hands instead of just smearing it around. In a pinch, they can also double as toilet paper. Win!
 
Where to find? Almost anywhere! I'm preferential to the original Wet Ones brand because they smell good. And not like baby-wipes.

I've asked Dear Husband (DH) to write a review about his (our? this remains unclear) underwater camera that we used for the first time when we went to Belize for our honeymoon. He gladly obliged, after some nagging. We are "normal" picture takers--we like good photos, but we aren't really into photography. We stumble along through trial, error, and some professional tips from friends and family. Yes, we know what aperture and shutter speed mean and do, can shoot on manual, and I've even started doing some basic editing (that took years), but that's about the extent of our photographic wisdom. So if you are a photo-bug...you can probably stop reading, this post isn't for you! But if you are a traveler looking into underwater cameras for fun shooting, read on.

My wife has asked me to write a review of the Fujifilm FinePix XP200 16MP Digital Camera, which was a combined present for my birthday/Christmas. Not sure why she thinks it's "ours", it's definitely mine. I'm even good at sharing unlike someone else I know...

I have a December birthday and it seems people get worried that we are cheated out of gifts since it's also Christmas-time, so I can get creative with my gift requests. My father-in-law, who actually is a really good photographer, suggested we look into this specific camera because of its affordability, good reputation, and general purpose use for underwater picture taking. So thanks to my parents, I got a sweet camera last December and managed to take some very cool pictures and videos of our snorkeling adventures in Belize.

When I requested the camera in December 2013, the cost was around $200 which was by far the lowest priced underwater camera with good Amazon reviews. However, I now see that the camera lists for over $350, which I think is a bit pricey for this type of camera.

The Basic Specs:
-5x optical zoom,
-full 1080p HD video at 60fps,
-great presets for underwater shooting,
-3 inch display on the back, and
-wifi to download picture to smartphone or tablet.

Going to mix it up with a packing post...
 
As only a part-time traveler, I usually go places for between 4 days and 2 weeks.  My destinations really vary, but to give you an idea, recent trips have ranged from Belize, to Cambodia, to Uganda, to Naples, Italy. I've finally developed a solid packing routine, and figured out what I really need and what I should really leave. I always pack only in a carry-on these days--even for the longer trips--so space is at a premium.  Here are the ten things I never pack, regardless if I go to a city, to the beach, to archeological sites, or on safari.
 
But one caveat: these do not apply to destination weddings and big formal events. I'm not that hard-core, and I totally checked a bag to our destination wedding last year.
 
On to the list:
 
1. Cotton sweatshirts/hoodies: Oh, lots of reasons for this one. First, they are bulky and heavy--enough said, particularly for those of us that like to pack in a carry-on only. Second, they are not multi-functional. Can you throw a cotton sweatshirt with your university name on it over that nice sun dress? Well you can, but you shouldn't. Third, they take forever to dry. In a dryer. On high heat. Good luck if you ever get wet in one or need it to dry somewhere cold and humid. I know it's great to roam around your house in one of these puppies and it feels all cozy, but they just aren't practical while traveling. Get a good cardigan in more tech-like material or wool (I have one from Athleta I love), and carry a proper fleece if you need one for real warmth (I'm obsessed with my Patagonia Better Sweater). Or bring a stylish jacket for the city that can be dressed up and down.
 
2. Converter: I've never, ever used one or carried one, so please chime in if you have a device that requires a converter. An adapter is a must--so you can plug in your electronics into the actual socket--but most devices (ipods, ipads) can deal with voltage on their own these days. Thank goodness. This is an extra gadget that most travelers can live without. 

When we went to Uganda and Rwanda last year, I searched high and low for bloggers who had footwear recommendations for gorilla trekking. There were a few good finds, but there wasn't a ton of suggestions other than "hiking boots".
 
Fair enough...but...I don't own hiking boots. I really am not a hiker (and when I do hike, it's in running shoes).  So I was looking for other options, if possible.  Obviously, if I really needed hiking boots, I would have bought them...but did I *really* need them?  Could I buy something that I would wear more frequently when I returned?
 
So here's my ramble on footwear, for all of you who are interested in gorilla trekking and wondering what to wear. It's just my opinion, based on my experiences and what I observed from the others in our group. What I recommend may not work for you, but hopefully there is enough information here that you can make an educated decision about what will.
 
First, as other bloggers note, many of the guides and trackers go in wellies.  I even considered wellies, as I have a weird phobia of jungle fungus (caused by getting my feet wet...I realize this is irrational, thank you).  But I'm glad I didn't.  I don't care how American Ninja Warrior you think you are (unless you really are one), you aren't as nimble or surefooted as the guides and guards (and a few porters) who wear wellies.  They go up almost every single day. Their feet are accustomed to the wear and tear, and lack of support.  Are yours?  My feet get sore walking in my wellies for an hour or two...on the sidewalk.
 
Wellies--out.

I'm not real big on bugs.  Talking biting bugs here, not the random grasshopper or ladybug.  I'm not bug phobic, but I am a bug attract-a-thon.  You want to find the only mosquito in a 5-mile radius? You can rent me for an hour if you'd like, happy to assist.

I really wish I was kidding.  There is a reason we keep bug spray by our door alongside our keys. Right now my ankles look like I've just had chickenpox, because I spent 3 minutes in a yard.  The people I was in the yard with? Nada.

Yea yea, I know this is partly about immune reactions and other mumbo jumbo (not really, I believe in science obvi), but the bottom line is, if I don't want to be a scratchy-welty-mess, I take precautions.

Duffels have some awesome advantages when compared to other suitcases, particularly for more adventure-type travel.  First, if you are traveling in small aircraft or other space-confined vehicles like boats, duffels squish and squeeze into spaces that a hard-sided suitcase would not (including stupid airline bag-sizers).  Second, when "wheeling" is not a viable option, duffels are easy to pick up and move.  I.e. you can't wheel something off a boat landing, or through inches of sand.

Please note--I'm talking about carry-on size duffels.  I don't 'do' checked bags, except on rare occasions (like our own destination wedding...that was unavoidable).

Enter the Black-Hole Patagonia Duffel (60L size).  And no, this is not a paid commercial.  This bag and I? We're inseparable.