| Goodness Gracious! Getting Geared? : ) |
| One
should always think ahead and prepare for an outdoor adventure, but
overdoing it could kill the fun. Why... in fact, could anyone possibly
get across the front door with the overpowering feeling that something
is missing from the backpack that could turn out to be life-saving?
I dare say not! Better for that person to stay at home and travel
the world through a book! Well, here are some normal stuff you would want to consider when hiking in Singapore: 1) Get hydrated -- even the day before the trip. Carry sufficient water. 2) Have enough rest the night before. 3) Afraid of mosquitoes? Bring repellent. 4) Gear for rain. (In Singapore -- no snow!) |
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5) Light-coloured and thin cotton clothing is best for our hot climate. Long sleeves and long pants are good for almost all occasions. If you like mosquitoes following you everywhere, wear black and other awfully-dark colours! Don't forget the hat or cap. In the rainforest, it might save your eye-balls from being gorged out by the rattan's grapnels. Really... no joke!!!
6) Wear shoes, not slippers. If walking in the mangrove mud, best to wear diving-booties. Untried new shoes? Better not wear them if long journey is anticipated... unless you love blisters.
7) Feeling sick? Better stay at home. You don't want to spoil the trip for the others, do you?
8) A basic first-aid kit? Why not! It's wonderful being a first-aider to someone in need too! : )
9) Binoculars, hand-lens, eye-glasses? Why leave them at home! Bring them along.
10) It is always fun to have a camera, a notebook or a sketchpad -- nice things to look up when one gets old! My belief? 'A teacher in the field is truly naked without a camera!'
11) A backpack is indispensable unless you have a slave to carry things for you! [But of course, if you do that, you are not welcomed on my trips!]
12) Handphone? Make sure it is fully-charged! Indispensible for emergencies!!!
13) Look up the tidetable if you are going anywhere near the sea. It sound logical but most people forget and blame it on luck! [see lah... Unlucky 13!!!]
14) Always inform someone where you are going. And do carry some ID on you. I don't enjoy telling you why though!!!
15) A compass, a whistle and a penknife won't take up much space in your backpack. Trust me... these are very handy things to have. Some spare plastic bags are great to have too. One of the best way to lose a friend is by borrowing plastic bags (and precious batteries!) from others on a hiking trip!
16) All the above are actually basic stuff. Other forms of preparation depend on where you are going or what you are planning to do. Knowing the place you are going is really important. For example, there are still elephants, tigers and other big animals in many parts of Malaysia. If you hike there in the same manner as in Singapore... my goodness gracious, you will be in DEEP TROUBLE!!!
HAPPY HIKING!!! : )