Universal Adapter
The lifestyle universal travel adapter with support for USB and standard plug interface is extremely useful. No need to bring multiple adapters as this covers all bases.
Pros
Solid design
Can be used in all countries
USB interface very useful for Ipods and mobile phone charging.
Cons
The slightly heavy structure does mean it needs support in some sockets, particularly the french 2 pin style when the pin holes at vertical high on a wall.
Eee PC 901 Solid state 12GB Harddrive
Very compact PC with Wifi and a good 4 hour battery life, 6 if you do nothing, 3 if you have wifi on. Very good for Skype calls, internet access and watching films in the evenings or on long bus journeys. The version I had is extremely limited by the memory storage, I got the flash version to save on problems which it being knocked around and slightly better power usage, but I would have swapped all that for a 160GB harddrive that I didn't have to fanny around swapping files, cleaning it of MS updates. Although carrying a laptop is a risk, everyone has them and your more likely to have free internet access if you take your own rather than relying on hostel computers.
Pros
Light weight and good battery
Very handy tool for the modern RTW traveler
Cons
12GB hard drive version does mean you will need an additional external hard drive, but this can also be an advantage as all you eggs are not in the same basket if you keep them separate (i.e. take the laptop out during the day but leave the hard drive in the hotel room.
The hard drive can be difficult to manage and keep C drive free so not to slow performance.
Travel Pillow
Most hostels and hotels only give you one pillow, so an additional pillow can be very useful for comfort. Depends on you needs but they are very useful on bus journeys. The version we had required inflating, which made it small enough to pack.
Version used: Ajungilak Air Pillow
Dry Sacs
Extremely useful for helping to compress bulky clothes, keep your rucksack in order and if you sac does get soaked in transit everything stays dry. Also, can be used to keep wet stuff from soaking everything else in your bag. Very useful as a shower kit bag as well for storing clothes whilst in the shower rather than having to leave them where they can be stolen.
Version used: Expid mixed range
Dry Sac Rucksack
The heavier versions are stronger than normal rucksacks. There top entry rolling means they are more secure against thieves dipping in or unzipping pockets. The are dry and will remain so if your out and about when that tropical rain storm hits, you laptop and passport remains dry.
Version used: Sealine
Length of para cord
4-5m's or para cord can be very useful for setting up a washing line, spare shoe lances etc.
Mini Carabiners
Small clips such as the Alpkit version are very useful for most things from Securing your para cord washing line, to securing your camera to you bag.
Mesh Bag
Alpkit Medium mesh hold bag is very useful for washing.
Climbing tape
Strong tape, ideal for blisters, cuts, sealing boxes, labeling food etc.
Nokia Express5800 Mobile phone
The phone has a good battery life, is quad ban so good for connecting to world wide networks. Has wifi so can be used for browsing internet, but also by using Nimbuzz, can make Skype calls over wifi. Get it unlocked before travel. Install a PDF reader so that you can read PDF version of Lonely Planet. Also, save google maps via screen grabs so you have a handy map of you location. It has built in GPS but its crap. Better phones are available now such as the iPhone or Androids, but the power usage is very crap. They also will be very nickable. The phone can also be used as MP3 player, but I just used a shuffle.
Piece of wedged wood
Very low tech but useful security device for sash windows and doors.
High Capacity Secure Digital Cards
When used with you laptop, they can be useful additional memory storage for photos. Backup your photos on to a 16GB version and carry in your money belt, then if you laptop or camera go missing you have an additional back up. We also had a Freecom 250GB USB hard drive, which meant we always had a backup of all photos.
Air tight lunch box
We brought ours from Wilkinsons and it was very useful for holding lunches and leftovers. When not in use for food, use it to protect valuable items. Helps keep you healthy and things cheap.
Padlock and Basic Wire Chain
Padlocks are very useful, we had a small code lock and a larger keylock, used both. The wire chain was brought from a bike shop and is a ½ meter length of coated security wire, about 4mm thick, it has 2 loops at either end. We used it when we hired bikes, wanted to attach our bags to stuff. Not used all the time but light weight enough to be handy.
IceBreaker Merino Clothing
We love our merino wool clothing, tops, t-shirts and pants. Other makes are available but we like Icebreaker. I took 2 t-shirts, 1 260 heavy weight long sleeved top and 2 pairs of merino wool boxers (plus about 2 pairs of standard boxers). They don't smell, keep you warm when its cold, cool when its warm. Essential clothing kit.
Spork
Useful for eating supermarket food.
Dental floss and needle
Dental floss is great for flossing, but even better for sewing, very strong for things like rucksacks.
Money belt
Just handy for holding you passport, pretty standard kit these days.
Silk sleep sheets
Some hostels don't let you use them, but I should have used mine all the time in Australia as this is the only place I was got by bed bugs. Australia hostels are (on the most part) dumps compared to all the other countries we traveled in.
Internet in New Zealand and Australia
Its expense to keep using the pay for WIFI hotspots of internet cafes. Buy a 3G modem stick such as the Vodaphone Vodem. In New Zealand you are provided with 250 free MB of data, use this wisely and it will last you 4-5 weeks of email checking and internet. 10Min Skype calls over it (which work fine in most parts of NZ) will use about 3mb of data. NZ cost about $99. You can buy sim only deals in Australia but it is tricky to get the sim working with an NZ dongle, either do a swap with a traveler going in the opposite direction, or just buy a new vodem package, there is more range in Australia.
McDonald’s WIFI
Most McDonald’ss provide free Wifi in NZ and Australia however sometimes they don't and sometimes they don't until after 5pm (such as Queenstown NZ).
Internet in Canada and America
Loads of free wifi, no problems at all.
Internet in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
China has loads of free internet but don't rely on facebook, blogspot or hotmail, or even google mail. Most of time they don't work. This was similar but not as extensive in Vietnam. In Cambodia internet was OK in terms of availability. Don't remember having any trouble in Thailand.
Things we took but never used:
Mosquito net, I used it once and nearly died because of the impregnated repellent.
Thick jumpers, just take plenty of layers.
