Ultimate Minimalist Packing | Pt 2: Review & Unpack With Me | Returning From 3 Weeks in SE Asia

[@tweegerm]

I love seeing the "after" of your packing to get the real results, I wish more people would do this too.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🫶🏼

[@tomatotomatomato]

totally not the main point of the video but I love the sound of your voice and your stuff as you go through and pack and unpack them. it's super soothing in addition to your bringing up interesting points that I'm going to consider for future trips. I hope you keep making videos in this format!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! Thank you so much! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my videos and I will definitely continue posting in this format 😃 thank you again! 🫶🏼

[@CNJ787]

Great video, would love to see more minimalism videos from you like minimalist wardrobe, shoes and bag collection etc.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed my video and yes, these ideas are on my list, will get there slowly but surely! 😅 Thanks for watching! 🫶🏼

[@ljclay02]

Thank you for sharing! I loved seeing what worked and what didn’t work for your trip. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve packed for your New York trip!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Lorice! Thank you so much for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed my video! 🫶🏼

[@lovinggossipgirl]

DRINKING WATER TIP: Most parts of Asia prefers water bottles/containers that are filtered. We buy clean water here or get from restaurants and cafes. 💧💧💧 Summary: Drinking water - filtered good for drinking Tap water: only for washing body and things. Not for drinking For reference: Im a female Asian who travels a lot around Asia

[@melly1322]

I use a lot of my hiking supplies for travel. Such as a compression sack - which also keeps my clothes waterproof too! And then I take my sawyer filter and bag to squeeze water into my drink bottle. I love that thing!!! Plus I use my go toobs for liquids. They have never once failed me by splitting or leaking. Thank you so much for this video. It has helped me to cut down on how much I take (especially with my tendency to overpack every single time!)

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Melissa! Great suggestions and thanks for sharing what you do! I’m glad you enjoyed my video! 🫶🏼

[@farfesha]

Great video! I have a sling bag that is very structured and yet when I last used it on travel, I wished I’d brought a backpack instead too. Trying to cram a water bottle in was not worth the minimal bag!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! Totally agree with your last sentence! I’m glad you enjoyed this video also, thank you for your initial post-mortem comment! 🫶🏼

[@deannedennis]

Re the vacuum bag, that's why I use compression packing cubes instead of vacuum bags. Vacuum bags break so easily! I'm a huge fan of Ethique! I travel with the sweet & spicy shampoo bar and the guardian conditioner bar.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Deanne! I have gone back to my compression packing cubes now after my vacuum one broke for this long trip. I may or may not go back to vacuum bags as I still have a few left! And I love that you love Ethique too! I wish I discovered them sooner! I have decided to buy the full size Goodbye Grease Haircare Duo and I got the coconut and lime body butter. My aim is reduce the number of liquid products I use, which in turn will reduce the amount of plastic I use too. Also I have realized that plastic waste is another reason to avoid the vacuum bags! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🫶🏼

[@polinaraw]

This is so impressive and inspiring! Thanks for posting and sharing what worked and didn’t!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Polina! Thank you so much! I’m glad you felt inspired, that’s really made my day! 🫶🏼

[@fionajitab]

Hotels in South East asia usually can give more water bottles if you ask! I ask the staff with the house keeping cart. I don't like reading on the ipad or phone but kindle feels different. its easier on your eyes vs other screens and also the battery lasts long.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Fiona! So the only hotel that was happy to give us unlimited drinking water for free was Hotel Indigo Seminyak Beach. The rest gave us a set amount of bottles per day and then charged us a ridiculous amount after… 😓 And the only hotel that actually had a filtered water machine to refill our bottles was M Boutique in Ipoh. And then only 2 hotels offered a kettle (the others you could boil water but through an instant coffee machine so you would only get one cup at a time 😓😓). So trust me when I say we asked for water! 😆 And I also heard the same about the Kindle too, but I’m still not sold on it! It really doesn’t bother me to carry a book or two. Thanks so much for your comments and adding to the discussion! I hope you enjoyed watching 🫶🏼

[@vjkarstens6035]

Love your videos, super inspiring on traveling minimally for extended trips! For the water filter--I do a lot of hiking and backpacking, and I would suggest the Grayl water purifier, which also removes microplastics and viruses in addition to bacteria and parasites that regular filters like life straw filter out. I've taken water from lakes, rivers, gas station bathrooms...and I cannot recommend the Grayl purifier enough. On a different note, I also used to be a "physical books only" person, but I'm so glad I tried a Kindle. The screen really makes it a different experience from reading on a tablet or phone, and using the Libby app with the Kindle lets me have access to my library from anywhere in the world. Looking forward to your next video!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Vero! Thanks so much for your suggestions! I’m glad you enjoyed my videos too! 🫶🏼

[@cindybelsher4076]

I am planning a month trip to Thailand and 1 thing I learned on toiletries is you can get items at 7-11. Take what you have to have.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Cindy! That’s great advice and would definitely work for most people! Unfortunately, I’m the type that’s super particular on what toiletries I use 😓 so this did not work for me. Thanks for watching! 🫶🏼

[@SimplySheilaB]

Yes, I’ve been to Chiang Mai three times with my daughters and stayed at the same hotel. 7/11 literally up the road so we’d get settled then trundle to the shop to grab our toiletries ❤❤❤

[@chelseaburnham1989]

I am traveling to Thailand for 6 weeks in January and purchased the Larq water bottle for the trip. The last time I was there I got sick drinking the tap water from an overnight train (100% my fault).

[@bixby451]

This was a great video, I was actually considering the Uniqlo bag but not so much anymore. I’d like something with a bit more organization, although I’m used to using pouches in my crossbody bags just because of the modularity they give you. Thank you for this! ❤

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Bixby! I never realized how much I preferred a structured bag until I was without one for 3 weeks! 😅😩 Some people love the Uniqlo bag but like you, I prefer a bag I can organize better. I’m also glad you enjoyed my video and thank you for commenting and watching! 🫶🏼

[@EmilyYlime111]

Thanks for the effort you put in these before and after videos. I enjoyed watching and I think especially this after-video was really helpful. Greetings from switzerland 😊

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Emily! Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my videos and found them helpful 🫶🏼

[@Andiau]

Brita filters will not make water clean. They are for taste only. Outdoor shops will have a variety of filters and tablets to deal with unclean water.

[@tamaralopicic4866]

You should consider an E reader and a carabiner for hanging your water bottle on the backpack! Great space saver!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Tamara! Thank you for your suggestions! I did explain why I did not like e-readers in my video, so I won’t get into that again 😅 thank you for watching! 🫶🏼

[@rebeccadedman4960]

Totally agree with the carabineer for a water bottle so you can attach it to your bag instead of carrying it in your hand. Also have you tried the collapsible water bottles? They do have some with water filters in them as well.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

@rebeccadedman4960 Hi Rebecca! I do have carabiners at home already, just was not expecting my vacuum bag to break during the trip! 😅 As for the collapsing bottle and a filtered water bottle, I’ve put my search on hold as currently I don’t have trips planned where I need new items in this category! Thanks for the suggestions! 🫶🏼

[@Solsolss]

Great video! Check out the matador soap case for the shampoo and conditioner bars! I don't know what magic they use but they're like little tiny dry bags that manage to dry your wet soap bars without getting anything on the outside wet. Highly recommend!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Solmaz! Thank you for the recommendation, I’ll definitely have to check that soap case out! I’m glad you also enjoyed my video, thanks so much for watching! 🫶🏼

[@sharonaleep]

I second this

[@TheSlaterz]

I’m surprised about your water experience. I’ve been to Malaysia and Bali this year and rarely bought a plastic bottle of water. All the accomodation I stayed at had filtered water available to refill my water bottle. From cheap guesthouses to expensive five star hotels. Sometimes at the gym or at breakfast. Often there was one on each floor or in reception.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Rebel! I was also surprised by this too, but that was the experience we had and in future it is something we will check for ahead of time. Thanks for watching! 🫶🏼

[@pjlacey3990]

I remember wondering about a sleep shirt when you did your packing video. Lol. Glad you had a good trip!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi PJ! I always forget my sleep shirt in my packing videos for some reason, I did the same in my DC one! 🤣 And thank you so much, we had a great time! 🫶🏼

[@NanaandKicko]

No, don't drink South East Asia tap water. The tap and pipes never been cleaned, the water tank rarely be cleaned, and you never know whats the water gone through. I live in Indonesia so trust me for this.

[@doktorkh]

Carry a small water filter, such as the Sawyer Mini. Works great!

[@silveralpaca5789]

Normally, most places have a water boiler available, so just so that if you need water.

[@emmso94]

Where in the world do they clean water pipes? 😅 That’s not a thing.

[@ChaubanisChannel]

Loved this video too! Thoroughly enjoyed with my cup of coffee :) So sad to hear about the vacuum bag, I love how much it compressed down to! Been looking for a dry shampoo/soap bar brand that's not Lush. Do the bars have a scent? Also, do you know how it'll store after it gets wet? Also, glad you talked about the kidney bean bag - it's been really popular lately, and I've heard a lot of people rave about it, but that minute detail about the weight and sagging is crucial, especially when it comes to traveling. Looking forward to a New York packing video!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Chaubani! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this video too! And I know, it was super sad when the vacuum bag broke, I do love how much it compressed my clothes, I think it actually does a better job at compressing than the cube versions. Though, the compression cubes are more sturdy… The Ethique bars have a very mild scent, nothing overpowering and the St Clement’s shampoo bar I would say is barely there (maybe it’s just the one I have). I have the full sized ones on order so I’ll see if they have more scent than the trial versions. As for storage, Ethique do offer a storage case to keep them dry in the shower, it’s made from bamboo so it’s biodegradable, I got one of those on order too. Otherwise, I’m currently using an old soap pot which I’ve had for years. 😅 As for the kidney bean bag, I don’t think I’ll be using it anymore and will probably give it away! It’s just not for me. For my NYC video, I didn’t end up filming anything as I was so run down my from SE Asia trip and I was so busy. I’ll mention that on my next video though! Thank you so much for your continued support, I really enjoy our little chats! Haha 🫶🏼😅

[@ChaubanisChannel]

@@MinimallyAnnabel haha it's like having a penpal again, love our chats :) Yeah, I compared the compression cubes to the vacuum and vacuum definitely has more space, I guess it's just not durable T_T Excited to try Ethique, maybe you can feature the storage case once it arrives :) Absolutely understandable, you went from Asia to NYC, that's a lot of travel!

[@patricialong3492]

Amazon has a little bag that works for the soap/shampoo bars... Grove also has shampoo & conditioner bars, toothpaste tablets too.

[@melw3518]

As a local, the water bottles with the filter aren't enough to completely make the water safe for drinking for foreigners. You are better off buying bottled water, it's cheap and much healthier.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Mel! That’s really interesting to hear! There are some great filtered water bottles around like LifeStraw and Grayl which provide really effective water filtration to make water healthy for drinking. So ideally, I would like to try these first. 😊 For me also, it isn’t so much the cost that bothers me, it’s the negative environmental impact of purchasing plastic water bottles that I’d like to avoid. Thank you for your comment and for watching! 🫶🏼

[@truepeacenik]

@@MinimallyAnnabel the bottle itself is fine, but I’ve often thought about a life straw (not the bottle, the straw itself). I backpack (camp) enough to justify a new “thing.”

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

My husband and I actually bought the LifeStraw Go Series bottles (1L duo pack) for our NYC trip to test. At first we liked them, after our week here, we have decided to return them. The bottles are really hard to drink from and our cheeks and lips actually became fatigued from sucking the straw (no exaggeration here), we followed all the instructions to a tee, and the water flow is still not smooth. So I don’t recommend their bottles. I would also be more interested in a product to use to fill up our current Hydroflasks, instead of a new bottle entirely. I’m also not against buying something if I feel like I need it too! For camping I can imagine an item like this is essential! 😊🫶🏼

[@DiggingtheJive]

Have you looked into Larq? I’d be interested in seeing what you decide on because I’m looking into a similar water bottle too. Thanks!

[@melw3518]

@@MinimallyAnnabel exactly! That's why the best ones to use (in my opinion) are the Bottle Press Purifiers such as the Grayl GeoPress. And you can extend the filter by using a stocking over the filter or a very thin sock. The straws are too difficult to use

[@susosu6070]

Tab water in South East Asia is okay. But the problem is the tap which has never been cleaned, so we don’t drink water from the tab. 😅 That’s why we don’t recommend to drink water from the tap or unbranded ice.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Su! Oh I see, thanks for letting me know and explaining the exact reason! 🫶🏼

[@fionajitab]

Depends on the country and where you stay. Do not drink if the hotel doesn't recommend it. Eg in Singapore the hotel I stayed at the water was potable. Thailand is not.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

@fionajitab Hi Fiona! I agree with this too, no staff member said we should drink the water, so we didn’t to be safe. I’m sure some locals may drink water from the tap and they’re perfectly fine doing so. But as we were on vacation only, it was just better to choose the safer option! 🫶🏼

[@pickingupsticks6767]

I was wondering whether you would get any rain? I always travel with some wet weather gear but it doesn’t always rain.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Heda! It rained twice when we were in KL, but we just asked the hotel reception for an umbrella and they provided us with one. Thanks for watching! 🫶🏼

[@truepeacenik]

I somewhat begrudgingly accepted a Kindle. My home book collection is a mix of ebooks and physical, and they are different experiences. Since I can start and finish a book on a plane ride, I decided having something to read was worth bypassing the joy of actual paper. I think of it as a travel and late night (to not disturb my partner) option that I can live with. It’s a weird transition, for sure. But, as friends of mine sing, “oh, there’s nothing better/than the smell of a used bookstore/well get lost between the covers…” Solid shampoo/conditioner/soap is so worth it. Ethique (I can’t say it either, I guess, as I use the eeek) has a solid deo, but it shattered in my bag last long trip. It would need some cushioning. A friend is mailing their 16l Kanken to me this week, and I’m eager to play around with it.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! Oooo I’m not sure if I’m there yet with the Kindle! 😅 But I’m glad you made the jump and it is working out for you. I actually don’t own any books, I always borrow them from the library. I’m also not the type to finish a book on a single plane ride, so I found that one or two small books on a trip works well for me! But if I were a more avid reader, I would have to consider getting the Kindle as it would be impossible to carry so many books traveling! Currently I am loving Ethique! I have used my trial ones all this week in NYC and I’m sold on them! Also that’s really exciting about your 16L Kanken arriving, I hope you get some good travels out of it! Thank you for your comments and for watching! 🫶🏼

[@londonrobinlondonrobin9376]

@@MinimallyAnnabel How refreshing to hear that you don't own any books but borrow them from the library instead. I had one book which I re-read three times but have never re-read any other books. I remember the thrill as a child of going to the library and I still get that now. There's also something very satisfying of returning read books.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

@londonrobinlondonrobin9376 I 100% agree with you, when it comes to returning read books! My husband and I also love going to our library, it’s by a lake and if the weather is good we would pack a lunch, walk around the lake and read our books. Our favorite no cost date! For simply the sake of carrying a little bit less for travel, there is no other benefit for me to have a Kindle and currently I’m not sold on that reason alone! 😅 Thanks so much for your comment! 🫶🏼

[@noclu3atall251]

I would just buy a book and will leave it or give it to someone else after i finish, instead of have to bring it back home. And also bring a foldable duffle with lock so have extra space for some souvenirs if i want to, its usually thin enough to squeeze in somewhere.

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! I read so much, so it would not make any financial sense to keep buying books just to giveaway. I’m also very happy borrowing books from my local library so I don’t feel the need to change this. I also don’t buy souvenirs 😅 the bookmark was something small and we had 2 photos printed only. Thanks for your comment and for watching! 🫶🏼

[@hachiko3056]

Singapore is the only country in SEA where the tap water is drinkable

[@juliejegstrup9352]

What longchamp bag did you want to bring? And how would the same things fit into that bag?

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Julie! This is the backpack from Longchamp that I have: www.longchamp.com/us/en/products/backpack-L1699089001.html It would have been better for the day during the trip, as it can carry my water bottle. This isn’t a travel backpack though, it’s too small. Hope that helps! 🫶🏼

[@strumpet42]

So did your clothes all fit fine even without the vacuum bag?

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! Yes they did, thankfully! But you’ll see that in my packing video I was able to fit my Hydroflask bottle in the main compartment when I had the vacuum bag, on the way home I had to carry it in my hand. I lost lots of extra space without the vacuum bag, so it was also a good thing I used up lots of my liquids and other beauty products too. Thanks for your question and for watching! 🫶🏼

[@ckgonzales6743]

I may have miss it, but does the water bottle fit in the side pocket? I have the Kanken classic bag and it does not fit my bottle. Thanks!

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! It does but it is a TIGHT fit, my bottle is the 18oz Hydroflask and when it is inside the outside pocket, it does take up some space on the inside of the main compartment. So it is not really ideal! I hope that helps! 🫶🏼

[@tamaralopicic4866]

Sorry! Watched you for the first time!😊

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Tamara! That’s no problem at all! I hope you enjoy all my other videos too 😊🫶🏼

[@makosharkoLVII]

Could you link the universal charger, please?

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Mako! Of course, here is the link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVR9CCRV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share 🫶🏼

[@x3cloudii]

Boiling water is a thing, 3:20

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi! I was so jet lagged creating this video that I totally forgot to mention we boiled water sometimes during our trip! We only were provided a kettle in our first apartment in KL and our villa in Ubud (the Ubud villa kettle was tiny so we didn’t really have time to keep doing that). Thanks for watching! 🫶🏼

[@intnd65]

Bottled water in SE Asia is dirt cheap and yet you complaining for 5 straight minutes about how inconvenient that is

[@intnd65]

@@IsabellCoccinelle its a privilege coming from country that have drinkable tap water and you only focus to complain about not having the convenient you have back home.

[@user-zs5so3if2d]

@intandianty chill! @IsabellCoccinelle isn't complaining, but thankful for drinkable tab water and just addresses the plastic waste issue. No need to get upset. 😊

[@sharrison3974]

You could try the Katadyn Befree to filter water

[@MinimallyAnnabel]

Hi Intan! I don’t feel like I was complaining about not being able to drink the water, I was complaining about the bottle I packed. And how inconvenient my Hydroflask was. And as per the other comments from Isabell, I would have preferred not to buy plastic bottles. My Dad’s side of the family are from a small village in Malaysia, so I won’t even get into what it means to be privileged, because I know this already. But I thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts about my video and for watching! 🫶🏼

[@Over60andlivinglife-yr3lm]

@@MinimallyAnnabel where possible we buy a larger bottle of water i.e. 2 to 5 litres and decant it into our smaller bottles. I prefer to use an insulated water bottle as I prefer not to drink warm water. An unexpected positive of this was in a recent trip to India our group had to place all our water bottles on a shelf before entering one museum. When we came back to collect our water bottles I was the only one who actually knew which water bottle was mine.