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| Packing List for Peace Corps Vanuatu | ||
 | These lists has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Vanuatu based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! |  See also: For information see Welcomebooks |
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Vanuatu and is based on their experience. Another packing list, with more detail and explanation, is located on the website at http:// www.peacecorps.gov.vu/list.html. Use these as informal guides in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Vanuatu or through Internet purchases.
Contents |
[edit] General Clothing
(Note that Port Vila has a large used-clothing market, and most clothing is available locally.)
- At least five light-weight t-shirts or other casual durable shirts
- At least two semi-formal shirts (polo-type, etc)
- One formal shirt (button down type)
- Cool, baggy long-sleeved shirt for night-time wear or mosquito protection
- One sweatshirt for winter
- Two week supply of socks (including short ones)
- Two week supply of underwear (cotton is recommended)
- Belts (nylon not leather)
- Two or three swimsuits
- Rain gear (suitable for hot heather, which is Vanuatu’s rainy season) 5
- Hats (not caps) for sun protection
- Lightweight, breathable windbreaker or jacket
- Two pair of lightweight, quick-drying pants. Pants that are zipper-convertible to shorts are recommended.
[edit] For Men
- One or two pairs of lightweight dress pants
- One to three pairs of lightweight casual pants
- Five to seven pair of shorts
[edit] For Women
- Additional loose short-sleeved or sleeveless blouses (no thin-strap or strapless tank tops)
- One or two pairs of casual pants
- Two or three pairs of knee-length or longer shorts
- Three to five lightweight causal skirts (loose, calf-length, and comfortable)
- Three to five casual dresses
- Three to five sports bras
[edit] Shoes
(Flip-flops are available locally, but all other good-quality shoes are difficult to find in Port Vila.)
- One pair or running or athletic/sport shoes
- One pair of hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes
- Flip-flops, aqua socks or reef shoes (for the water)
- Two pairs of good sandals for hiking (strap-on type is best) 6 Peace coRPS
[edit] Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items
(Many familiar brands of shampoo and other toiletries are available in the duty-free and tourist shops of Port Vila.)
- Start-up supply of toiletries (e.g., shampoo, deodorant, tampons, etc.)
- Start-up supply of non-prescription medicines
- Three-month supply of prescription drugs
- Two pairs of prescription eyeglasses (if applicable)
- Two bath towels (fast-drying), one beach towel, and one hand towel
- One set of sturdy cotton sheets with pillow case
- Good pillow (foam pillows are available locally)
[edit] Kitchen
You can easily buy most kitchen supplies in Port Vila (i.e., dishes, pots, glasses, and utensils). However, there are a few items we recommend bringing:
- Plastic storage bags (zip-lock, freezer bags, sandwich bags)
- Good can opener
- Favorite spices (many are available locally, but they are expensive)
- Favorite cookbook
- Measuring cups and spoons (metric ones are available locally)
- Rubber spatula
- Good-quality paring knife
- Coffee press
- Garlic press
[edit] Miscellaneous
- Sturdy waterproof backpack or duffel bag for three- to four-day trips
- Day pack or small backpack
- Fanny pack or money belt
- Inexpensive water resistant/proof watch
- Small travel alarm clock
- Extra batteries, including special-sized ones (e.g., camera, watch, computer, etc.)
- Ear plugs
- Two pairs of good-quality sunglasses
- Swiss army knife or Leatherman multi-tool
- Camera with extra film and batteries (many Volunteers use digital cameras with good results; be sure to bring rechargeable batteries with a small solar charger, as well as extra memory cards).
- CD player and speakers, or battery-operated radio/ cassette player
- Shortwave radio
- Good-quality water bottle (hiker or biker type such as a Nalgene bottle)
- Headlamp or flashlight (and extra batteries)
- A few U.S. dollars or coins
- Sewing kit and good scissors
- Start-up supply of stationary, pens, and waterproof markers
- World and U.S. maps
- Photos of family, friends, and home
- Deck of cards, or other travel games
- U.S. stamps (for sending letters with friends traveling back to the United States) Peace coRPS
- Camping-type solar shower for hot showers (available at camping goods stores)
- Battery-operated reading light.
- Face mask, snorkel, and fins (if you like snorkeling)
- Books for pleasure reading and reference for your job. (Peace Corps/Vanuatu has a good selection of paperbacks and technical materials; otherwise, English language books are not generally available)
- Good tweezers and hair-trimming scissors
- USB or Zip drives
- Silica for keeping stored possesions dry in a wet climate (go to zorbit.com for more info)
