Here follows a picture show on unnecessary, but nice kit.


Martin as you ask, I'd probably say don't bother with a Mozzie net. Jim told me he'd bought one however.

YES, I have one, and I always take it along - but only because I already owned it, so I take it "just in case". In all the places (hotels / guesthouses) we've stayed at, mozzie nets were provided where needed. The one place there wasn't one, was high up in a Lahu village, when we stayed in a local hut (adjacent photo shows our sleeping hut, but we're not intending to do that this year) - but I was too pissed to be bothered putting my mozzie net up, so never used it! Besides, the locals didn't use them and as we were dossing with them, in their "lounge" cum kitchen (very very very loose description here!), it would have looked rude to put it up anyway. No one used one on this occasion. It was high up on a breezy ridge, and there didn't seem to be any mozzies up there anyway. Seem to remember I picked up a few bites though.

The only time I have used my mozzie net in Thailand, is when I chose to go and sleep out on the verandah one night at cave lodge, and I did this mainly just because I could, and wanted to use my mozzie net seeing as I'd bothered to take it.

For interest though, mine is a hang from the ceiling type (not freestanding) with a small steel ring at the top. You hook it up to whatever is available to hang it from. With a bit of string and improvisation it can be rigged up just about anywhere. It's a double size, 'cos Clare & I took it to India when we went years ago. It's just a group of light wooden slats which fan out like feeler guages to form a circle, from which hangs the netting. Mine happens to be a REPEL Safari impregnated net, made by ?IS products (BIS? can't tell, the DEET has melted the letter away) of Stevenage. It packs down to a small roll, 13" long and just 3.5" diameter.

Oh look what I've found. Isn't the 'net fantastic? See this URL,
http://www.thehealthstation.co.uk/Travel_Clinic/nets.htm
Mine's the second one down, but the first looks the kind of thing you'd get as a single back-packer.

Product Price
Repel Trekker Single Wedge Net
£25.95
Repel Safari Double Bell Net £29.95
Repel Re-Impregnation Kit £6.50

Similar story with sleeping bags - not needed as there is bedding and sheets provided wherever we go. BUT - the likes of John & I, already own these things, so we take them anyway. There's something nice and reassuring about having your own pit to crawl into at night. The places we stay at are quite civilised and NOT crawling with bugs. But again, it's this latent adventurer in me - just in case I ever end up in a bug invested ditch (which I have done once - in France actually!) I know I can crawl inside my bag, zip it up and keep the majority of them out.

You do not need to go out and buy one of these specially. If you took a normal 3 or 4 season bag like you'd use in Europe, you'd be too hot in it, plus they are bulky to pack and carry. So, if you really do want to take your own sleeping bag along, use a simple one-season design that packs down small, and just adds a little warmth without boiling you in the bag. Mine happens to be a Wynnster Superlight 600, which weighs only 600 grammes and packs down to 4.5" x 8". It cost me £29.

See this URL if you want a picture and details

http://www.gear-zone.co.uk/eshop/Wynnster-Superlite-Series-Bags.html

There are of course similar models out there.

From memory I think it was the Vango Voyager that I was originally after, but came across the Wynnster instead at the same price.



Vango Voyager 50 Lite Sleeping Bag

The Voyager 50 is a single season sleeping bag, suitable for indoor use (this smacks of fetishism to me) and camping during warmer summer months.

Length: 210cm;
Weight: 0.8Kg;
Pack size: 23x13cm;
Season: 1;
Extreme Temperature: 4°
Comfort Rating: 9° to 25°
Zip: Right hand only left
Colour: Electric Blue / Black;

RRP: £30.00
Sorry, sold out for the season
Megastore Price: £24.99 (€35.52)

full details here if you want them

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/acatalog/Outdoor_Megastore_Vango_Voyager_Sleeping_bags_238.html




Anyway, I'll repeat - YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY ANY OF THIS KIT. But, if you're a bit of a gear freak, and think you'll use it again, by all means treat yourself.

Talking of treats that aren't strictly necessary, but I WANT one! I think my wife's getting one of these for my birthday. A cheap bumbag will do fine - and John got one from Thailand for me once which has served me well, but it's dirty now. (no - zips are going).
The Kreiga R3 looks the dogs for trail riding. See here

http://www.kriega.com/R3.html

Motorcycle Voyager tested one and reckoned it was very good. May earn it's keep more in cold wet Winter UK trai riding than Thailand. When it's really hot you don't like too many things tied round your waist ot on your back.

3 litre capacity.
100% waterproof.

Roll-over closure - total weather / dirt protection

3M Scotchlite printed logo.
Rhinotek and 1000D Dupont Cordura.
Removable tool wallet.
Removable / washable liner.
10 year Guarantee

Seems like a good bit of kit to me, although sounds a bit expensive. I'll report back if I do get one for my birthday (which will be celebrated in Chiang Mai this year)

Yes, I got it for my birthday, and used it on the next thai trip.  I hate to say this (hope the wife doesn't read this), but I don't rate it very highly. (I take it on every Thai trip - for Clare's benefit - but don't use it!)

What's the problem?  It's too well built for its own good.  It is so strongly and robustly constructed, that even empty, it's already full.  Uh?  Yes it's a fairly bulky thing, just from it's own construction materials.  There's very little room left to actually carry anything in it, unfortunately.  My cheap one from the Chiang Mai night market gets used most, and carries an SLR and many other bits & bobs.

The Kreiga is waterproof though.  I put a small camera in it, when we went rafting in the Lang river near Cave lodge.  Several submersions and it kept the water out.