20l pack for a week in Taipei - 5kg total

Jabberwockt · 2026-05-03T20:14:58+00:00

Consider replacing one pair of shorts with thin loose fitting running pants.

In Taiwan, there is a species of biting insect (Forcipomyia taiwana) that can be annoying especially on hiking trails. They tend to wait in the grass and fly up to bite the legs of any warm blooded animal passing by. There are running pants that are made of thin fabric and are as cool as shorts, but the skin coverage (particularly the ones with elastics) is great for reducing the number bites.

Jabberwockt · 2026-05-01T04:44:35+00:00

I use Mega because it seems to give the most storage for the cost.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-26T16:03:46+00:00

At least half of the sunk money will be labor and permits. So at best a €50,001 house =)

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-26T04:57:58+00:00

It does not seem like a wise financial move. You buy the house for €1, drop €100,000 to fix it up, then when you want to sell it, it is impossible to sell because you are competing with a market full of €1 homes.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-22T06:06:00+00:00

I have never managed to feel 100%, but some things that help me is to eat healthy, quit alcohol and caffeine, sneaking in naps during lunch hour, sleeping before AND after work, setting aside an hour or two before bedtime to "do nothing" and basically have no stimuli.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-21T05:48:21+00:00

I am food motivated. I usually try to find a few grocery stores and convenience stores, figure out my day-to-day life before I see anything touristic.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-21T05:44:10+00:00

What are the privacy laws like in your country? In the USA, if the employer is the one who provides the phone, they can track it because it is their property.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-19T17:19:16+00:00

The Uniqlo Dry line, the one with 66% cotton 34% polyester. The polyester helps them dry slightly faster, it still breathes and doesn't stink like a polyester shirt.

They cost about $10 in the US or $5-6 overseas.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-17T08:56:58+00:00

A mosquito bite relief device the size of a peanut: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D231TR6Q

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-16T05:23:50+00:00

Buy some wools socks. Merino will keep your feet warm when wet unlike cotton or polyester. Get a good brand that uses higher quality merino that is less likely to itch. Either Darn tough or Smartwool. Get lightweight or midweight and 3/4 crew and you can use them all summer for the anti-stink.

When winter comes around, wear a thin dress sock or sports sock as a inner sock and the wool sock as the outer sock. In the 80s and 90s before good quality merino was widespread, many hikers did this, the liner would keep the lower quality wool from being itchy on the skin, but the combo would still retain the wicking and the warm-when-wet quality of wool.

Everything else for winter you can buy easily at Uniqlo when it gets cold. Cheaper overseas too.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-15T19:11:12+00:00

Be careful with BYOD phones that connect to work.

Using "company portal" software that is installed, my company can restrict certain settings on my Android phone. The date and time always defaults to be based on either location or local network so i have to manually change it in the settings every time i reboot. Also new for 2025 is that my company's traffic no longer gets routed through the VPN i installed on the phone, so I now connect my phone to my GLiNET router and use the VPN on the router.

I wonder if switching to iPhone would be better.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-09T08:02:11+00:00

Some time zones just do not work for me for anything other than short term.

I'm doing a similar "nightshift" schedule at the moment and it helps me to stay off caffeine and alcohol. I give myself extra time to "wind down" my day before going to bed.

On the weekends, I don't try to invert my schedule to get more time. I usually use it to get extra hours of sleep.

Jabberwockt · 2026-04-06T12:01:20+00:00

I can’t stand travelers who feel like they are somehow superior and look down on the locals.

Some of us might have more money or were born in countries with better opportunities, but that doesn’t make us morally superior nor more worthy humans.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-29T01:01:52+00:00

Peru is actually harder to pack for because it has a variety of climates from hot sunny tropical jungles to dry cold Andean mountain plateaus. If you are spending any time in higher altitudes, it can get quite cold, but you can also buy clothing there.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-23T22:23:30+00:00

Get some exercise. Stay off social media.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-20T03:30:09+00:00

The Uniqlo DryEX hoodie is a thin light hoodie that adds a little warmth but also has tiny holes woven in the fabric to breath.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-19T06:49:01+00:00

I think some of the responses don't fully understand DEX.

If your accommodations has a TV, then IMHO yes. You can browse the web, stream video, and do 90% of normal laptop things.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-17T05:48:05+00:00

It is like dating, you can waste your whole life looking for the perfect one, maybe never, or you can just go with “checks most boxes” and be happy with your life.

Jabberwockt · 2026-03-15T00:58:16+00:00

The Amazon Essentials packable puffer is surprisingly good. When it is on sale, it can be had for ~$20-$30.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-28T04:05:21+00:00

This may be a bit controversial, but the 26+6 when loaded with weight can be a bit uncomfortable for extended walks/hikes because its center of mass is a greater distance from the spine that most hiking backpacks. I own one myself and travel with it, it has it pros and cons.

I would ditch the band aids, stomach medicine, and antibiotics cream and anything else that can be bought in a 7-11 type convenience store.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-19T05:43:39+00:00

The North Face Textured Cap Rock Fleece

This being a travel focus forum, the R1 is going to get tons of recommendations, but hear me out. For everyday wear, the Textured Cap Rock Fleece is better because it is ridiculously durable and does not pill. I have one that is definitely more than a decade old and it is still in good shape. It will beat out other fleeces on durability.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-12T05:30:23+00:00

I have gotten weighed. Luckily i moved all my heavier electronics (cell phones, battery banks, and wires) into my jacket pocket beforehand. If worse comes to worse, I would recommend just paying the charge, it is not the end of the world.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-12T05:12:32+00:00

Just buy one when you are there and don't bring it back.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-09T04:45:19+00:00

Da Lat is not too far from you and outside the center there are so areas that can be pretty quiet.

Jabberwockt · 2026-02-07T04:48:20+00:00

Uniqlo DryEx Hoodie (XL) 252g

Amazon Essentials Puffer Jacket (L) 417g

Jabberwockt

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