#but what if we want a cute bathing suit with cute socks with your sandals?

[freakstertoff]

ik I meant to draw color sideboob but I failed and it became unsus I'm sorry team /j

drawing im referring to lol

[angryschnauzer]

Undercover Honeymoon

Summary; Having survived a helicopter crash that killed off the gang you and your senior agent had infiltrated, you hide out from the storm that brought the aircraft down by pretending to be Honeymooners at a boutique hotel... but what will 24 hours with August Walker bring you? Trouble, that’s what, and the best possible kind.

Pairing: August Walker x Female Reader (no race or body type specified)

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, Smut, honestly this is entirely smut, its a crack fic too. Sigh, here goes: face slap, murder, August in a hoodie and grey sweatpants, oral sex (female recieving), blowjob, drunken antics, impared judgement, titty fucking, fingering, unprotected sex, anal sex, inappropriate lube, multiple orgasms, dubious consent, choking, dom-vibes, Sugar Daddy arrangement (but no Daddy kink).

I do not run a tag list, but if you go and follow @angryschnauzerwrites​ and hit notifications, you’ll get an alert to any new stories i post. All previous fics can be found on there or on my Ao3

Undercover Honeymoon

The helicopter spiralled out of control, the tall pines looming through the storm of the century rain, screaming filled your ears, unsure if it was the sound of the engines failing or coming from your own lungs. The aircraft made contact with the trees and everything went black.

-

“Agent… AGENT!” a slap across your face sprang you from your unconscious state, your vision blurred and you winced at the sharp pain that shot through your temple as the face before you came into focus.

“Walker?” you muttered; “Can’t blow our cover…”

Strong arms gripped your shoulders;

“Wake UP! Everyone else is dead”

The next hour was surreal. Agent Walker - your superior officer - had pulled you from the wreckage of the helicopter, past the lifeless bodies of the gang you’d infiltrated, some of which had injuries that looked suspiciously like gunshot wounds. Either way you were alive and so was the other undercover agent, and having spent the last four days running bank robberies you were relieved to be rid of the brutal gang.

Agent Walker had half dragged half carried you through the forest, and even though it was the middle of the day, the torrential rain and dark storm clouds above made the way feel like you were travelling at twilight. When you stumbled on some roots he caught you, his arm firmly around your waist;

“C’mon Agent, not much further now…” his voice softer than usual, reassuring even.

“Where’re we going?”

“Out of season ski lodge… should be quiet this time of year, just a couple of wildlife watchers no doubt”

-

What you’d been expecting was a cute little place with checkered curtains and cutesy decor, what you’d arrived at was a luxury boutique hotel. Agent Walker had managed to spin a very convincing tale of your car leaving the highway due to the weather and he’d arrange to get it recovered after the storm so you could continue your ‘honeymoon’. The receptionist had smiled warmly and offered the pair of you the luxury suite, August merrily peeling $100 bills off a stack he’d produced from his pocket, the paper band that held them together from the robbery slyly crumpled up and you quietly picked it up from the floor, a tiny smirk on the corner of his face when he spotted you covering his rare mistake.

-

Ten minutes later you were settled in your shared room, starting to peel yourself out of your soaked boots and clothing as you eyed the enormous bathroom and ultra fluffy robes that were provided.

“I’m going to go to the gift shop…” he announced, breaking the silence; “They do hoodies and stuff, i’ll grab some dry things to change into…”

“Thanks Agent Walker… I’m going to take a bath…”

He nodded quietly, standing at the door;

“It’s August… call me August”

You must have fallen asleep in the bath, as the next thing you know there is an insistent knocking on the bathroom door;

“Honey? Honey, everything ok in there?”

“Y-yes, Sorry, fell asleep…”

“Ok Honey, just got room service here delivering some lunch”

“Thanks Aug… Augie…”

Augie? Where the hell did that come from? You mentally chastised yourself. An hour ago he was your senior agent and all round grumpy supervisor, now he was ‘Augie’? You actually facepalmed yourself before taking a deep breath and climbing out of the bath. A few moments later once you were dry, wearing the fluffy robe you stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, your breath catching in your throat;

“Augie… we have company?”

Agent Walker was standing in the middle of the room in his shirt, underwear and socks, talking to the room service attendant as he tipped the young man;

“Darling, lunch is here, you must be famished” he let a warm smile spread over his face as he turned to the staff member; “We must have a bite to eat… expending lots of energy, it is our honeymoon after all…”

Once he’d ushered the man out of the room he cleared his throat and his expression dropped, his face serious again;

“I got your new attire… it fits more with the location” he motioned for you to follow him to the bed where there were a number of things laid out, however your feet were rooted to the floor; “What?”

“You’re… you’re in your underwear…”

He looked down, almost in shock to discover he was without his cargo pants;

“Yes? And you’re completely naked beneath that fetching white robe” he motioned to a side of the bed where a bunch of things were sat on the pristine white duvet; “So unless you wish to eat lunch having me know you are naked save for a glorified towel with sleeves - and that would be a delightful thought - you may want to get changed whilst i shower”

Without another word he smirked, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief and grabbed a pile of clothing on the bed, before sauntering into the bathroom, leaving you open jawed at both his sassiness and his tight ass in snug jersey boxers.

Turning back to what was laid on the bed you looked over what he’d managed to get in the hotel’s boutique; a daringly short floral summer dress, a hoodie with the Hotel’s logo on, a pack of novelty thong panties also with bears on, and the highest heeled wedge sandals you’d ever seen. Although none of this surprised you, it was after all the kind of hotel where in good weather, the rich and famous could have cocktails on the deck as they overlooked the Rocky mountains, the fact he’d managed to find your exact size in everything was impressive.

Leaving the heels off for now, you pull the panties and dress on, throwing the hoodie on unzipped to cover up a little, before going to investigate the food, realising that you probably hadn’t eaten for close to 24 hours. You were bent over the service trolley scrutinising the various dishes that had been delivered when you heard his voice;

“Huh, didn’t need to buy you a wallet, those tiny panties show off your silken purse beautifully Princess”

Spinning around you gasped, about to give him a piece of your mind but your train of thought stopped like a record scratch. There before you stood Agent August Walker, grey sweats hanging dangerously low on his hips, chest bare as he pulled a khaki green hoodie over his still damp curls. You noticed how his beard was a little beyond stubble, his mustache curling as a small smile tugged as his lips. Your gaze unashamedly ran down the length of his entire body, emphasis on length as it was clear he was without any underwear, and those rumours that were quietly whispered in the ladies room at the Pentagon were looking to be true as to exactly why they called him ‘The Hammer’.

Still holding a cooling French Fry he sauntered over to you before grabbing a sandwich from the platter;

“My apologies… that was inappropriate” he took a bite, before talking with his mouth full; “Been a crazy 24 hours huh?”

“Y-yeah, you could say that… so, what’s the plan?”

Just at that moment an incredible gust of wind rattled the windows to the point you thought they would blow in, the lights overhead flickered before settling back to bright as he answered;

“Eat, Drink, Sleep. We’re stuck here at least overnight. We don’t have any cells or electronics people can trace, and having checked the map this is not the closest civilisation to the crash site so even if people did come looking for us, this isn’t the first place they’d think of… however in this weather the roads are impassable, at least two rivers have breached their banks, we’re basically cut off from the rest of the world here in our own little bubble” he took a bite of sandwich before grinning at you; “So eat up, the bar downstairs is well stocked, dinner is apparently served in about 4 hours, and there’s a game room if you’re up for a round or two of pool…”

-

Giggling you both tumbled into your suite, August flicking the light switch up and down before realising the power had gone out at the exact moment he’d unlocked the door;

“Oooh dark… are you afraid of the dark Princess?”

The pair of you stumbled and turned, pushing the door shut and you found yourself pressed between it and August’s body, his lips finding your neck as he pressed kisses along your jugular, his facial hair leaving behind a trail of tingling skin in its wake;

“Depends who i’m in the dark with…”

He was so close, in the faint last traces of daylight as the storm took hold of the night you could see the outline of his face, how his long eyelashes rested against his cheeks as he closed his eyes, his breath warm on your skin as you were surrounded by his scent, pine soap and single malt whiskey;

“A monster…”

“I was never afraid of monsters…”

He dropped to his knees in front of you, pressing a kiss to your clothed stomach before his hands were beneath the skirt and pulling your novelty panties down;

“Hold your dress up Princess, show me that pretty pussy”

Doing as he told you, you gripped the pretty fabric in your hands as he hooked one of your legs over his shoulder, pressing kisses to your inner thighs before his thick fingers parted your folds and he dived in. His mustache and light beard pricked at your sensitive skin, but his tongue and lips soothed your aching core, desperate for attention and dripping with need as he went to town on you. He quickly brought you to orgasm before pushing you on for the next, his fingers now knuckle deep in your velvet walls, curling just right to find that spot that had you dripping, his tongue working against your clit to the point where you had to steady yourself by curling one hand through his soft chestnut curls, riding his face as you cried out his name.

Now over sensitive, you pulled his curls to get him to relent, a grunt of frustration coming from between your thighs;

“Augie… please… too sensitive…”

He quickly stood, lifting you to kiss you roughly, his tongue pushing into your mouth and you could taste yourself on his tongue as he gripped your ass as he carried you across the room before unceremoniously dropping you on the bed;

“Strip” he commanded as he staggered to the bathroom. 

You ignored his request, instead reaching for a bottle of water at the side of the bed, taking a drink from he as he returned holding a bottle;

“August… what’s that?”

He looked down at the bottle, almost surprised he was holding something and blinked a few times before looking back at you;

“Baby oil. Its... Baby oil”

“Why do you have Baby oil?” you asked, already knowing the answer but with a sly streak wanting to get him to admit it

“Because they didn’t sell condoms in the gift shop so i cant fuck your pussy because i can’t check to see if you’re on birth control” he blurted out quickly.

Whatever you had been expecting, it hadn’t been that, and as you coughed on the water you had been about to drink, August got distracted and moved to light the candles that sat on the table in the centre of the room now that the only available light was the tiny light over the sink in the bathroom that was battery operated. You watched as he somehow managed to strike the matches and light the candles even though he was visibly drunk, before returning back to the bed and standing over you;

“Why aren’t you naked?” he frowned at you; “Don’t make me rip that pretty little dress off of you Princess”

Shimmying out of your dress you bit your lip as you watched him watching you, the low light dancing over your body and enough for you to see the obscene bulge barely contained by his sweatpants. He stood at the edge of the bed, towering over you before he took hold of your ankles and roughly pulled you to the edge of the bed before he pulled the grey sweats down and you finally got sight of his legendary hammer;

“Fuck…”

“We’ll get to that Princess, but first, suck”

Taking him in your hands he was hot and throbbing at your touch, his thick shaft patterned with veins, heavy and virile. You pumped your fist, your fingers unable to meet as you worked his uncut dick. You felt his hand on the back of your head, pulling you closer until you had no choice but to open your mouth and take him as deep as you could, gagging as he immediately hit the back of your throat and started to fuck your mouth.

Holding your head in place with both hands he rocked his hips back and forth, groaning as he stretched your lips almost uncomfortably. Soon you had spit running down your chin as he rained down a stream of degrading compliments;

“Cock hungry slut, look at you with my dick in your mouth… does it taste good, Jesus christ your tongue is perfect, yeah do that thing again, fuck, i can feel your throat tight around me…” with a gasp he pulled out, a trail of spittle hanging from your lips to his angry red tip, before he grabbed the baby oil and pushed you back until you were laying flat on the bed;

“Push your tits together, i’m gonna fuck them and cum all over your pretty face”

He climbed on the bed, straddling your lower torso as you found yourself pushing your breasts together. The click of a bottle of baby oil and it was being poured in the valley of your chest, before he settled his dick against the slick skin. He dropped the bottle and with a grunt pulled his hoodie over his head, revealing his glorious chest, covered in dark hair and thicker than you had realised. 

His dick was heavy against your chest as he took your hands in his and showed you how he wanted you to hold your titties for him, rocking his hips bath and forth as his hot flesh slipped through your soft pillows, the angry tip poking out at your neck with each thrust;

“So fucking pretty, gonna cum all over that face… you wanna taste my cum you little slut? Yeah? Cock hungry slut, can’t get enough of my dick, can you?”

You didn’t answer, the lust in his eyes making you drunk with desire, instead you tipped your head to your chest and opened your mouth, letting August’s dick slide into your mouth, the salty tang of his precum hitting your senses.

His thrusts were becoming rough and violent, his hips squeezing your ribcage as he fought back against the urge to cum, but you wanted it, needed it;

“August, will you cum on my face, pretty please?” you batted your eyelashes at him innocently and it was the final straw, and you watched as he threw his head back and thick ropes of his creamy seed spurted over your mouth and cheeks as he groaned so deliciously. On the last spurt you leaned forwards and took his tip into your mouth, gently laving your tongue over the leaking slit, before releasing him softly. August had eased his gasp on your tits, and using his thick finger he scooped the cum from your cheek;

“Open wide Princess”

Sticking your tongue out you sucked the bitter treat from his finger, before he repeated it with the other cheek. Finally swallowing you grinned at him;

“Thank you August”

His hand paused on your cheek, softly cupping it;

“Anything for you Princess… now scoot up the bed, i wanna eat that pussy again whilst i get you ready for my dick”

He swung his leg over so you could wriggle up the bed, and immediately he was laying between your legs, both of your thighs over his shoulders as he started to sloppily eat you out again, except this time his lubed fingers strayed to your asshole and he already had one knuckle deep in your back entrance. You were writhing against his tongue, and although not as accurate with his targets this time now that the alcohol in his system was taking hold, that wide tongue was driving you to heaven as his fingers pulled you down into the dark pits of depravity that hell could only contain. You were uttering almost incomprehensible gibberish, begging for more which he eagerly gave, a second and soon a third finger stretching your ass as he prepared you for what was yet to come. You came with a scream as his wide tongue tormented your pussy until you had to physically pull him by his curls to stop, breathless as you watched him kneel on the bed and grab the baby oil, pouring some onto his hand to lube his dick before smoothing a considerable amount over your asshole and lined up his now raging hard on with your stretched hole. He paused, looking down at you;

“Final chance to back out… do you want me to fuck your ass?”

“Yes… please August, i want your dick in my ass, i want you to cum in my ass, treat me like a dirty anal slut”

With a groan he pushed forwards, slowly breaching your body and you felt the uncomfortable stretch of having a dick slide into your ass. Even with the prep and the oil it still took a while for your body to relax enough for him to push in, but when he eventually was balls deep in your ass you felt so full you were sure you would burst;

“Oh my god… You’re so big…”

“Taking me like a champ Princess, even with the oil your ass is so fucking tight i’m struggling not to blow my load right here and now”

“Fuck my ass August, do it hard, i wanna feel it in the morning…”

With a roar he started to fuck into you, holding himself up on his massive arms as his hips pistoned into you, filling your barren depths as his pubic bone rubbed against your empty pussy and your juices flooded his crotch;

“So fucking wet Princess, leaking all down your ass, its only adding to the lube so i can fuck you harder. Your poor little battered asshole, you’re barely gonna be able to sit tomorrow… apart from back on my dick as we have breakfast, don’t think this is the only time i’m gonna fuck your ass, i’m gonna use this hole until you’re loose and stretched, so i can just bend you over and slide my dick into your ass. Gonna hide those stupid panties i bought you, i want you walking around bare, my cum dripping down your legs where there’s so much inside you, you can barely keep it inside… shame the gift shop didn’t sell plugs, i woulda’ filled you with my load and have you plugged and ready lubed for me to use whenever i pleased…”

August’s dirty talk had you cumming hard, squeezing him tight and yet he fucked you straight through it. Laying limp as he continued to fill your ass he slowed and moved, kneeling on the bed as he moved your legs from either side of his lips until both your feet were over one of his shoulders, pushing and pulling you until he had one arm firmly wrapped around your knees and he could fuck into your ass as he held you like a rag doll. The new position was tighter, deeper, and as you started to pant out with lust his free hand rested on your throat, squeezing carefully but firmly;

“Harder…” you panted out, your head swimming as your airway was restricted, and as he pounded into your ass you were both getting close.

“Gonna cum in your ass, fill you up with a massive load, you want that Princess?”

You tried to say yes, but all that came out was a tiny croak as his massive hand gripped your throat. Before you could even try again your orgasm hit, your eyes rolling back in their sockets as you squirted, your body gripping him so tight he reached his peak, pushing in as deep as he could as he pumped your ass full of his cum.

August released his grip on your neck, pulling out gently as he softly lay your legs on the bed;

“Did so well Princess, such a good little slut…”

You could only hum out a response, your mind as used as your body was.

-

You woke to the sound of soft rain falling against the window, peering out from beneath the duvet you could see that the grey light of morning was filling the room, the storm seemingly blown mostly through with just a persistent rain now dampening the earth. Shifting on the bed you winced, everything was sore, but especially your ass. But then a warm body pressed to your back, a large hand smoothed over your stomach and a familiar voice spoke softly in your ear as stubble brushed against your bare shoulders;

“Rise and shine…”

“Hmmmmm no, i don’t wanna get up” you grumbled

“But…”

“Noooo. If we get up then we’ve got to think about things going back to normal, i just wanna pretend i’m able to stay in a hotel as nice as this when i’m not trying to escape a dangerous gang… too many responsibilities, too much stress… i just want another half hour of being treated like a Princess” you grumbled.

A quiet chuckle came from behind you;

“There’s no reason why we can’t do this again”

Turning in his arms, you looked at August;

“How? You’re my superior Agent, the CIA pushes and pushes and pushes, I never get enough time off to do something like this, If i had known i was literally signing my life away i would never have signed up for the academy. What’s the fucking use of earning a good wage if i can never enjoy it… and its not even that good of a wage to be honest…” you paused and narrowed your gaze; “Have you showered?”

“Yes. And i have a proposition for you…”

“Keep talking…”

August started to move, slowly climbing between your legs and you felt his hard dick resting against your folds, your pussy instinctively growing wet, slowly rubbing against you as he smiled down at you;

“As a senior agent i get a considerably better wage than you do, but i don’t have anyone to share it with, anyone to treat like a Princess and spoil with gifts that they deserve… but i also want someone that will be agreeable to my darkest desires…” he rocked his hips back before slowly parting his thighs, and you felt the nudge of his tip at your soaked pussy; “... someone, a woman i can treat like a Princess but will let me fuck them like a whore… can i fuck your pussy like a whore?”

The gentle nudge of his dick just stretching the ring of muscle that granted access to the heaven between your legs had you begging, pleading to be August’s Whore. He let out a sigh of pleasure as he slowly sank into your pussy, bare and unprotected filling you with his virile shaft;

“You’re my Slutty Princess…taking my dick like a pro”

In that hotel room August Walker became your sugar Daddy, and over room service breakfast you agreed the details of your arrangement as you sat on his lap, his dick in your ass as he fed you strawberries, before he grew impatient and bounced you on his dick until he came in your barren depths. Resting back against his chest, his softening dick still inside you he played with your pussy as he discussed the next step, trying to decide if a trip to an adult store or a jewellery store should be the first stop after returning to DC;

“How about a jewelled plug?” you suggested; “That’s the best of both worlds”

Holding your jaw he turned your head so he could kiss you, pulling away and grinning;

“See, that’s why you’re the perfect Princess, smart and sexy…”

You felt him start to harden in your ass again, wriggling and letting out a giggle as you felt him stretch your insides;

“Over the table or out on the balcony in the rain?” you asked

“Oooh lets do the balcony… its check out time so a few other guests will be able to see my little slut have her battered asshole filled with another load”

There on the balcony that overlooked the serene mountains August filled your ass again, your naked bodies soaked with the rain as he gripped your breasts whilst he fucked you from behind. 

You couldn’t wait to be August’s play thing.

[topfygad]

45 Things to Pack for the Rainforest

Packing in general is tricky, double that when you are packing for an adventure in the South American rainforest that will have you doing everything from piranha fishing the rivers to camping in hammocks deep in the Amazon jungle to a Jaguar safari. Not to mention the constant battle with humidity, strong sunshine and pesky critters!

I spent 10 memorable days in the country of Guyana’s jungle and here’s the packing list based on my trip.

What to Wear: Jungle Clothing & Accessories

Hiking Boots

A pair of comfortable, hiking boots with ankle support and have good tread are a necessity. The trails can be muddy and uneven causing you to slip easily (a couple people in our group slipped while on a jungle mountain climb!), so make sure they are a good quality boot. Also, get something with breathable material, so your feet won’t get too hot.

My hiking boots were the Bearpaw brand, but are unfortunately discontinued. These Columbia Newton Ridge boots are very similar and highly rated.

Trail Shoes

For milder hikes, exploring the villages or to hang out in in the evenings bring a low ankle hiking shoe. The KEEN Terradora hiking shoe offers both style and comfort.

Waterproof Sandals

After a long day hiking the first thing you’ll want to do is give your feet some room to breath, but you also want to be protected from the mosquitoes, so bring a pair of waterproof sandals that you can easily wear with a pair of socks (I know that sounds very fashionable, but you will thank me later!). These are also great in the outdoor showers where you may feel uncomfortable in bare feet.

Sun Hat

A full brim hat will help keep the sun off of you and keep you cooler. Make sure that you get one with a tie around your neck so it doesn’t fly off when you’re riding in the boats. I brought the Bodvera Outdoor Hat and it worked out great especially because of the crisscrossed fabric around the middle of it so that I could hook a carabiner through it and hang it from my backpack when not in use.

Swimsuit

Though you probably won’t want to swim in the rivers (piranhas! Need I say more?), there may be a pool at one of the lodges and it’ll be a big relief from the humidity to be able to jump in!

Pants

Bring quick dry full-length pants with lots of pockets and in neutral colors (bright or flowered fabrics can attract bugs). It’s practical if one pair can be either rolled up to make capris or unzipped to turn into shorts, though most of the time you will want to be wearing pants that cover your legs to protect you from insects. A pair of long comfy leggings are also great for hanging out around the lodge.

I brought one pair of prAna Halle pants, two pairs of  North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants (so comfy!!!) and one pair of Black Diamond Credo pants.

Shirts

Long-Sleeved Shirts

The best shirts for the rainforest are long-sleeved button-ups with a collar that can be flipped up to keep the sun off your neck. Though breathable quick dry ones are said to be the best (like this one from Colombia), I wore simple lightweight button-ups from a discount store like Marshall’s and it was fine. Also bring a couple of comfy long-sleeved shirts to change into when your hanging around the lodge or sleeping in the jungle.

Tank Top

You will be in some areas with less bugs and you’ll want to remove your long sleeved shirt to relieve you from the rainforest heat. Slip a tank (or tee) underneath your outfit and you’re all set. Tanks are also perfect for sleeping in since most lodges will not have air conditioning, but will proved mosquito nets. I bring a variety of simple ribbed Zenana tanks on EVERY trip!

T-Shirts

A couple t-shirts are nice to have for the lodges or for under your long sleeved shirts. I brought the cute Not All Who Wander Are Lost t-shirt pictured below.

You’ll want to make sure that ALL your shirts are long enough to tuck securely into your bottoms to prevent bugs from finding their way up your back. One night while we were camping my shirt was accidentally untucked for an hour and I woke up with little bites on my butt. No fun!

Undergarments

Bring comfortable and quick drying underwear and sports bras to wear underneath your clothing. You don’t need to bring a pair for everyday since these are easy to wash by hand in the sinks at the lodges.

Socks

You should have comfortable hiking style socks that are mid to long length (no ankle/bootie socks!) They need to be long enough to be able to tuck your pants into them when hiking through the rainforest so no critters can crawl up your legs. I brought five pairs of SEOULSTORY7 hiking socks.

Sarong/Scarf

A sarong or large scarf has many uses, so it’s always wise to travel with one. In the Amazon jungle it can be used as a makeshift towel, to cover your shoulders at the lodge (when your tired of wearing long sleeves!) or to wrap around your bathing suit if you are going for a swim.

Rain Jacket/Poncho

The rainforest is true to its name! Sometimes you will be hiking and with no warning there will be a torrential downpour. Carry a lightweight, compact rain jacket with you that can be added to any outfit. No need to bring a heavier jacket, you will not use it! I brought the Cheering Waterproof Windbreaker Jacket which didn’t offer complete rain protection, but it was very lightweight.

Neckwrap/Headband

A neckwrap is practical because it can be used in so many ways: around your neck to shade from the sun, to keep your hair off of your face and to put around your mouth so no bugs will get through. These VANCROWN Wraps did the trick and they come in variety packs!

Hair Ties

It is so hot and humid that, if you are anything like me, your go-to hair style will be “bun and done”. Bring plenty of strong hair ties in case you lose a couple along the way.

Sunglasses

There is more to traveling through Guyana’s rainforest than just shaded pathways, you will also be out in the middle of the sun a lot! Protect your eyes with a pair of polarized lens sunglasses. Make sure they are not too expensive, as they can easily be dropped in the mud or lost in the mucky waters.

Cooling Towel

A cooling towel was a last minute addition to my luggage…thank God! There will be nothing better than soaking a cooling towel in water and then wrapping it around your neck. ChillPal makes the ultimate chilling towel that can keep you cool for hours!

Most lodges offer a laundry service that is fairly cheap, so there’s no need to pack a different outfit for every day.

Safety & Medical

First Aid kit

Your jungle tour guides will typically carry a medical kit for your group, but you should have a little one of your own for things like small cuts and blisters. You can buy yourself a travel-sized kit that’s got a little of everything in it (like this one!). But, if you need to buy items individually here’s a general list of things you need:

Zinc Oxide Tape

Antiseptic Wipes

Assorted Band-Aids

Gloves

Wound Dressing x2

Hydration Powder x 12

Blister Dressing

Tweezers

Scissors

Anti-fungal Cream

Hydrocortisone Cream

Foot powder

Aspirin

Vaseline

Anti diarrheal medicine

Antibacterial Wipes

Mosquito/Insect Repellent

Remember, you’ll be in the humid rainforest and that means BUGS! Though many of the lodges will supply a bottle of insect repellent, some do not and you will definitely want to bring your own to be protected.

I used a healthy spray of Off! Deep Woods on my exposed areas and carried Repel Mosquito Wipes, plus used mosquito repellent patches on my wrists and ankles. In hindsight, I would have also added the Sawyer Permethrin insect repellent that you spray directly on your clothing and lasts six washings. 

Anti-Itch Cream 

Unfortunately, even with being overly protected (unless you plan on wearing a hasmat suit!) the likelihood of getting a couple bug bites is pretty high, so bring along an anti-itch cream to keep you from scratching your bumps and making them worse! A good cortisone cream will do just fine.

Sunscreen

The sun is almost always out in Guyana and all over the Amazon jungle, even though you’ll be hiking through the rainforest’s canopy of trees there are long stretches of open patches and uncovered boat rides. It’s best to get a UVA & UVB, non scented sunscreen, so you won’t attract insects. I only brought a small tube of Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70.

Toiletries

Shampoo & Body Wash

You may need both shampoo and body wash when camping in the jungle or staying at the lodges, as some do not provide these basics. A 3-ounce tube should suffice, I always use the Humangear GoTubes because the containers are flexible (so I can get the very last bit of product out of them!) and I’ve never had them leak.

Face Wipes

The humidity will cause you to sweat…A LOT! That will make your face feel and look very greasy. It will be very refreshing to use a hydrating wet wipe to remove the grub.

Tissue Packs

Pocket-sized tissue packs will come in real handy when there are bathrooms without a supply (happens more often than you’d think) and when the forest is your restroom.

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Some tiny bugs may be attracted to your minty fresh toothpaste, so get tubes with a twist cap that can be securely fastened.

Deodorant

Keep in mind that because of the excessive rainforest sweat you may be using more deodorant than normal.

You can bring makeup, but frankly it will just melt off your face, so it’s better (and easier!) to not wear any.

Equipment

Headlamp

A headlamp is perfect for wildlife night-spotting, sitting around campfire or reading in your hammock. The ones with the red filter option are best because it can help to keep the bugs from pestering you. All headlamps are not the same! Make sure that your headlamps light is strong enough (like the Black Diamond Headlamp I used). Also, don’t forget to load up on AAA batteries!

Cameras

There are thousands of photo opportunities in Guyana, as well as anywhere in the Amazon jungle, so don’t forget to bring your camera equipment! I carried a waterproof GoPro, an Iphone (the camera is actually amazing in the right light!) and my Canon 6D DSLR camera with a standard lens. What was missing? There are so many beautiful birds and wildlife in the Amazon rainforest, but many times they are hard to capture without a zoom lens. Next time, I’d definitely add a 300mm zoom lens for my camera.

Binoculars

Wildlife is unpredictable and mostly likely isn’t going to just happen to be a couple feet away so you can get the perfect view (especially the birds). You will get a lot of use out of a good pair of binoculars. For a more economical pair (under $30!) choose the Bushnell Flacon binoculars. If you plan on being a birder or want something more heavy duty try the Nikon 7577 MONARCH 7.

Adapter

When you research outlet adapters for Guyana there will be a few different suggestions: type A, D and type F. I brought all three, but all outlets encountered during my entire trip were a standard American 3-prong. Just to be safe, you may want to bring a universal adapter. I’ve used the Tenachi Universal Adapter all over the world with no problems, though this upgraded adapter has USB ports whereas the Tenachi does not.

Surge Protector

Electricity is available in most lodges, but many places have very limited outlets—sometimes only one per room. So bring along a compact surge protector with a few extra outlets on it. This was you can charge multiple items at once!

Waterproof Watch

With the age of cell phones, a watch is not a total necessity unless you don’t want to be always grabbing for your phone or want to protect it from a random downpour. My Armitron  jelly strap watch worked nicely.

Battery Backups

Some lodges electricity is run by generator and they will turn it off at night, so you can’t be guaranteed that your electronics will be charging overnight. Plus, there are excursions deep in the forest that will keep you away from a power source for a day or two. You won’t have WiFi or cell service most of the time, but if you like to use your phone for photos and/or entertainment bring backup power. I used a battery backup Iphone case and the Rav external backup battery. Between the two, I always had power.

Backpack

Take a look at your itinerary to see what size backpack you may need, keeping in mind that if you are flying to remote areas in small planes there will be a 40lb TOTAL luggage limit. You may want to solely bring a backpack or do what I did and bring a small piece of carryon luggage and the 44 Teton backpack. This worked perfectly for me since we were mostly staying at lodges with one night of camping.

Dry Bags

Dry bags can be used to protect your valuables during river crossings or when the rain unexpectedly strikes, and also to hold wet clothing.

Carabiners

I did not bring enough carabiners! These practical clips can be used to attach things to the exterior of your backpack and bags. I used the only one I brought to clip my hat to the back of my backpack, but I wish I’d had extra in order to be able to to attach the water bottle, hair ties and so much more.

Hydration Bag

Staying hydrated is essential in the rainforest and a small 2-3 liter hydration backpack will help you do it. You can get a small one that slips into your larger backpack, so it can double as a daypack or make sure your larger backpack has a section for the water pouch.

Daypack

Sometimes you are not going to want to lug around a large pack, so it’s really nice to have a small daypack that you can use when needed. My Waterfly sling daypack fit snug inside my larger backpack and was fantastic for short tours from the lodge.

Miscellaneous

Currency

You may be able to use your credit cards at a few random places in Georgetown, but any further out and it’s cash only. Most places will take USD, sometimes giving you change in Guyanese currency, so there’s no need to do a currency exchange.

Not including lodging and tours, I spent an average of $25 per day on tipping, snacks and souvenirs.

Photocopies

Have copies of your passport, vaccination card, tickets, etc in a separate bag from the original. You can also take photos of them to store on your phone.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Card

Technically, the country of Guyana only recommends the yellow fever vaccination, but if you fly Copa Airlines it is a mandatory requirement and you will be turned away from your flight without one. Double check with your airline and the country requirements before deciding to forgo the vaccination.

Entertainment

There are some quiet nights in the jungle, so bring a deck of cards, pocket game or a book (it’d be a good time to read mine: Bucket List Adventures!!—shameless plug)

Goodies to Eat

After a few days of chicken, cassava and okra you may be craving some treats from home. Bring a couple of your favorite bars, tea or snacks. I brought an assortment of Kind Bars and ate them all!

Sewing Kit

Just in case your clothing gets snagged on a branch in the jungle, bring a small sewing kit, like the ones you find in a hotel room (or this one) for some quick repairs.

Remember, that if you are taking small planes, all of your gear and luggage should weigh no more than 40lbs total!!! For me this was one small carryon suitcase and a 44L backpack.

Related

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[tiny-personal-university-thing]

I have to pack all of my clothes for college tomorrow (I’ve got everything else but I’ve been procrastinating on this). Any way you could give me a basic list of clothing I’ll need??

Yeah let’s do it!

So okay, not really sure what climate is associated with where you will be going to school but, going to school in West Texas, where it both gets extremely hot (sometimes up to 106'F in the summers) and extremely cold in the winters (lots of days and nights below freezing), I have clothes for all occasions.

-Cardigans/Pull overs/zip up jackets/big comfy sweaters are a must. When going to class I really like to layer. For instance, when you are walking to class it could be windy/rainy/snowing so you’ll want to be able to keep warm and dry. But when you get to your classroom it could be hot and stuffy and you’ll want to be able to remove a layer. Conversely, if you have class and the room is ice cold, you’ll still be set. I know it’s weird, but I did bring my letterman jacket with me, but it’s heavy, warm (and expensive) and makes for a great jacket when you can’t seem to get warm otherwise.

-Also if you’re into it - as many black leggings as you can find. This is literally all I ever wear + a t shirt. Lots and lots of leggings and t shirts.

-I’d also suggest some athletic shorts for warmer days. You really can’t go wrong wearing any sort of athletic clothes on campus.

-A good 2-3 pairs of tennis shoes as well. Maybe some sandals for when you need to let your feet breathe.

-I’d also suggest looking into a cheap pair of rain boots. Class doesn’t get cancelled due to inclement weather. I’ve literally walked through knee deep water to get to class.

-I also have a pair of black boots and a pair of brown boots that I can wear with my leggings to class when it gets cold.

-Items such as scarves, hats, and gloves for winter time are great if you’ll be going to school somewhere quite cold.

-I also love to wear flannels when it starts to get cooler outside. They’re cute, and can be dressed up or down depending. When I’m dressing them up, I may throw a black vest over the flannel with some dark wash skinny jeans and nice boots.

-I don’t think it would hurt to bring a plethora of jeans as well.

-You might want to pack a couple dress shirts/pants/dresses for a special occasion. If you are rushing, obviously you will need the prerequisite “Sunday best” clothes for chapter + any other philanthropic events, etc. If this applies to you, you will obviously need more than “a couple” nicer ensembles.

-A lot of college students also throw on a baseball hat for days you really don’t want to brush/wash your hair. Be aware that some professors will make you remove/turn it backwards come exam time to ensure no one is cheating. I’d say get a cheap one from your campus book store or Walmart or something.

-Bring all of your undergarments. Can’t have enough bras, sports bras, boxers, etc.

-Also, kind of clothes related - get a pair of cheap cheap cheap plastic flip flops to wear as your shower shoes if you are in a dorm with a communal shower.

-You may want to consider leaving behind any expensive jewelry, and just opting for bringing your favorite watches/necklaces/etc that you like to wear daily.

-Bring maybe one or two bathing suits for when your friends want to go hang out at some pool somewhere or just sun bathe or whatever.

-Get some comfy socks, maybe some house slippers, and then some warm/lighter socks for whatever the weather demands.

-I’d really suggest to find your “staple pieces” you know? The kind of garments that can be used for pretty much any occasion, with any other garments.

-loose fitting clothes are a god send when you are sweating from walking all the way across campus in 100’ F heat :)

-Remember that at the end of the day, most college students wear oversized t shirts and shorts/leggings every day. Sometimes we wear them for more than one day. Your MWF life does not know your T/TR life, friend. Usually the same 5 t shirts and shorts on HEAVY rotation hit with some febreeze is how 97% of college students make do.

Sorry if I sort of rambled on! I really tried to think of everything I needed and didn’t need when coming to college clothes wise. Because I definitely brought way too many clothes my freshman year, but luckily I had two walk in closets in my dorm (perks of being my dorms president).

I hope all goes well for you! Don’t over think it though! I promise that it only seems overwhelming now. 💖

EDIT: So yeah also side note I did the same thing my freshman year and didn’t pack until the day I literally embarked on my 10 hour drive to college. It’s called panic packing, and I am majoring in it ✌️

[mapleleafstrash]

Offbeat (Part Five) - Auston Matthews

A/N: OKAY! PLEASE DON’T KILL ME! I know it’s been forever but I honestly had huge writer’s block and like I only wrote this because I’m being terrible and procrastinating all my final essays for school! So once again, I’M SORRY!

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Auston Matthews (Feat. Connor Brown, Morgan Rielly, William Nylander, Zach Hyman, Mitch Marner, and Kasperi Kapanen)

Words: 4,050

Warnings: Language

[Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six] [Part Seven]

You rolled your eyes and took a giant sigh as you were once again dragged around the latest designer store the three Lady Leafs had pulled you into. Your feet hurt, your body ached, and you were developing a sharp migraine; the perfect condition for going on a shopping trip you wanted no part of.

While the girls had all collected a few shopping bags for themselves, your hands still remained vacant. The only thing you carried was your small purse that was slung over your shoulder. One reason for this being you honestly didn’t have the money, as you still had to save up for your next semester of school, and the second being you didn’t typically shop at any of the boutiques the others had been frolicking around.

“Ooh, this is cute babes,”

Your Y/E/C coloured eyes drifted to your left to see Madison holding up a turquoise patterned romper. You just shrugged in response causing the older girl to immediately frown as her shoulders slumped. She’d been trying to help you find something each time you went into a different store, and you applauded her for trying, but she hadn’t hit the jackpot yet.

Your preference of clothing differed greatly from not only Madison’s, but from both Alannah and Annika’s as well. You had a completely different figure then them. You were tall, and built a lot stockier then the rest of them. You held broad shoulders and your hips curved out much more, meaning your choices of outfits that made you feel at least somewhat comfortable were limited.

“How about this? I think you’d look good in this Y/N,”

Turning back to your right, Alannah was pointing towards a set of light wash overalls that had several rips and scuffs throughout. The pant legs ended about mid calf, which you admitted wasn’t so bad, but you still didn’t exactly like them. Your eyebrows shot up. She was kidding, right?

Laughing at your reaction, Alannah grabbed the article of clothing and strutted up to you. As she pushed the denim material into your hands, she nodded towards the nearby change room, urging you to try them on.

“Just trust me, besides they’ll look cute with Will’s shirt,” she explained, ushering to your Team Sweden shirsey your good friend had gifted to you only day’s before.

“But-,”

Raising her perfectly sculpted brows, Alannah sent you a look, as if she was daring you to refuse her. You sighed, not wanting to piss off the recent law school graduate, and begrudgingly stomped off towards the change rooms.

Flopping out of your sandals and slipping out of your jeans, you yanked on the overalls and pulled the straps over your shoulders. Tucking in the yellow shirt, and doing a double take, you pursed your lips as you stood in front of the door length mirror. You then did a few circles, making sure to inspect your full figure from front to back.

You were honestly surprised. You had initially thought the denim cloth would accentuate parts of your figure you wanted to keep hidden, but it didn’t. The overalls were shockingly very flattering.

“We’re waiting,”

Alannah’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts and you took a deep sigh. Hesitating, you firmed your lips together, before you finally opened the white painted door and stepped out in front of the girls.

Looking up, Madison immediately smiled and pressed her hands together, “oh my gosh, Y/N you look awesome!”

“See, look at that, Alannah was right for once,” Annika chuckled, while the older girl just shot Kasperi’s girlfriend a look.

“It really looks okay?” you asked, just wanting to make sure they weren’t just being polite.

“In all honesty Y/N, you look great,” Alannah confirmed, as she walked forward to place her hand on your shoulder in support, “and I mean that,”

Your lips curved upwards as you nodded. You appreciated her help.

“Finally, we got something for you!” Madison exclaimed, as she pumped her fist up in victory.

“Does that mean we can finally go back?” you questioned, hoping the answer would be yes.

“We still need to find you a bathing suit though,” Alannah laughed, “remember? We want to knock Auston off his high horse, and knock the socks off all the guys,”

Your eyes widened slightly. Oh boy. You didn’t realize she was being serious.

“Well except my guy,” Annika suddenly added, causing Alannah to roll her eyes.

After changing back into your normal outfit, you paid for your new overalls, slumping slightly when you realized the price.

Noticing your change in mood, Madison raised her eyebrow towards you as you punched in the pin of your debit card.

“Everything okay?” She asked, and you nodded, wanting her to forget about it.

As you took the bag the clerk had outstretched towards you, you thanked them and then headed out of the store, with Madison by your side. Annika and Alannah had decided to wait outside.

“Alright! Next stop, bikini’s!” Annika exclaimed, as she headed off towards the high-end swim suit store across the way.

“Bikini’s?” you questioned, your mind suddenly scrambling.

Madison just chuckled before you pushed you forward in the right direction, “oh, c’mon!”

You somehow found yourself carrying a Victoria’s Secret bag, along with your earlier purchase as you stepped out of Zach’s car and walked back towards the Brown cottage. It was now into the earlier afternoon and your lack of sleep from the night before was finally catching up to you. You’d spent way more money than you had wanted to, and you were perturbed with the entire situation. Overall, you were annoyed, grumpy, and most of all, just exhausted.

“Hey! Look who finally decided to show up!”

Looking up towards the deck, your lips curved upwards as both Will and Kasperi sent you a wave. Giving them a nod of acknowledgement, you stepped into the cottage and headed towards your bedroom. As soon as you walked in, you slammed the bedroom door shut and plopped down onto the large, plush bed.

Staring up at the ceiling, you let out a loud sigh. Closing your eyes tight, you willed for sleep, but that lasted a whole two minutes.

“Y/N,” William’s voice echoed through the wooden door and he rapped against it three times.

You groaned out, sitting up slightly. You finally stood when the Swedes’ constant knocking continued.

“What?” you questioned, as you raised an eyebrow towards your friend after you swung the door open.

The blonde smiled brightly towards you, “did you want to come down to the beach with me?”

“Uh,” you murmured, as you blinked twice. You then realized he was wearing his bright pink and yellow swim trunks.

“Kap’s gone off with Annika, and I don’t want to third wheel,” he sighed, rolling his eyes at the mention of his best friend.

“What about Connor? Or Zach?” you sighed, and Will shook his head, “girlfriends,”

“I’m kinda tired Will,” you admitted, causing the power forward to frown.

“Please, you can sleep when you’re dead. Let’s go Y/N,” Morgan’s voice suddenly cut in as he appeared behind William.

“But,”

“No buts, get changed Y/N, we’re going to go have some fun,” Morgan fought back and you sighed, before closing your bedroom door once again and putting your new bathing suit on.

It was a black one-piece suit, that cut out slightly on your sides and made your bust look incredibly better than your other suit. Fixing your pony tail, you placed on your baseball cap and quickly sprayed your sunscreen on. You then made sure to wrap your beach towel around your hips before you walked out of the room and met the two boys, who had still been standing outside your door.

“Well?” William then spoke as you stepped out. You stayed silent while Morgan rolled his eyes before he gripped your right wrist in his hand.

“Morgan!” you whined, complaining as you suddenly found yourself being pulled down the hall by the older blonde.

“Let’s go, Mitchy and Matts are waiting,” Morgan spoke, while William followed the both of you out towards the deck.

“Waiting for what?”

Drinking games was the appropriate answer to that question.

“Seriously?” you groaned, once you saw the awaiting game of beer pong set up on the far dock.

“Oh, lighten up, it’ll be fun,” Morgan said, elbowing you playfully.

“Mhmm, yeah sure,” you grumbled as you approached Auston and Mitch, the latter waving towards the three of you enthusiastically.

“It’s okay Y/N, you can be on my team,” Will promised, as he sent you a sweet smile.

Now the thing about beer pong with the boys was that they didn’t get to play too often, and that when they did, rules somewhat went out the window or they were created on the fly. So, as you bounced your first ping pong ball towards it’s awaiting solo cup, you immediately cried foul when Auston smacked it out of the air.

“What?! Since when can you do that?” you questioned, crossing your arms and sending him a look.

Auston sent you a smirk, “since last round babe, gotta keep up, remember?”

You were taken aback and your lips opened slightly in shock from Auston’s choice of words. Blinking, you realized Auston had never called you that before. Feeling your heart rate increase and your cheeks warm, you looked away quickly. Luckily, the screaming match between William, who was defending your team, and Auston and Mitch had distracted them. But Morgan hadn’t missed that. The rounds referee wagged his eyebrows at you suggestively, causing you to send him a warning glare.

Several rounds later, you found yourself once again facing Auston, but this time in a singles match. Aiming the white ping pong ball towards your second last cup, you pumped your fist when Auston was unable to smack it away and it landed safely in it’s home.

Rolling his eyes, Auston took his sip of beer and clicked his tongue. “She’s beating your ass Matts,” Mitch spoke, causing William to laugh from beside him.

“Shut it Mitchy,” Auston snipped back, as he gathered the white ball and prepared for his own shot. He wasn’t necessarily wrong though, you now only had one cup left, whereas Auston had four.

Another rule the boys loved to follow was that if your ball bounced off the table, whoever grabbed it first got to shoot, rather than just handing it back to your opponent. You weren’t overly fond of this rule because many fights and injuries had ensued from it. But when Auston’s ball fell off the side of the table, you immediately jumped towards the bouncing ping pong ball.

Just as you were about to grab it however, Auston slid into you, with his arms wrapping around your waist to try and pull you away. But as Auston tried to whip you around, he scrambled when he lost his footing, sending the both of you off the dock. You shrieked when you suddenly hit the cold lake water and plunged down deep.

Kicking your feet, you gasped once you reached the surface. The three boys standing on the dock above you were howling in laughter and you frowned. Looking over, you sent Auston a glare when he emerged from the water and promptly splashed him once he sent you a weak grin.

“Oh, c’mon babe! It was an accident,” Auston chuckled, while you just swam back to the beach, not wanting him to see your bright red face.

Hours later, you found yourself in your new outfit from earlier, sitting on the edge of the boat house with Connor, Mitch and Auston. The sun had gone down and the bright stars had finally made their appearance. Leaning back up against Connor, who had sat next to you, you stared up at the lit-up sky.

“See? What did I tell ya? Today wasn’t so bad huh? Better than yesterday at least?” Connor questioned, as he leaned down a bit to catch your gaze.

Leaning further into him, you just nodded as you tried to get comfortable, causing Connor to snicker quietly.

“Brownie, is there anymore beer?” Mitch’s voice suddenly asked in a whiny tone, causing you and your best friend to turn back to look at the younger boy.

“I think you’ve had enough Mitch,” You spoke first, while Connor followed, “You guys finished it off tonight, we’ll have to run back out tomorrow for another case,”

“Well this blows,” Mitch then sighed, before he chucked his empty beer can over the edge of the dock, the sound of it splashing into the lake soon there after.

“Mitch!” you complained, sending him an unimpressed look, while the other two boys sat around you rolled their eyes.

“What? It’s just an empty can Y/N, I’m sure people have thrown way worse,” Mitch shrugged before he stood up and raised his arms up to stretch.

“But that’s not the point,” you sighed, frowning. You couldn’t help but notice the frown Auston had sent you due to your words, but you just brushed it off.

“I’ll go get it,” Connor then sighed, standing up before he took his shirt off, but before he could jump into the lake, Mitch was suddenly tossed over the railing of the boat house, screaming as he went down.

Turning around wide eyed, you and Connor stared shocked towards Auston, who now standing, had presumably knocked Mitch over the edge. You gasped, before you scurried to the edge, to see if Mitch was okay. You then took a huge sigh of relief when Mitch had surfaced and was yelling profanities towards Auston.

“What the fuck dude?! You’re such a fucking asshole!” Mitch yelled at his friend, while Auston shrugged.

“Well you were the one who decided to throw the can into the lake, I just thought I’d help you retrieve it,” Auston replied nonchalantly, while Connor just shook his head before he grabbed one of the drying beach towels off the railing, assumingly going down to meet Mitch.

“Yeah okay, Auston. The next time she tells you to jump I hope you get hurt you fucking prick,” Mitch retorted, causing you to blink twice. What did he mean?

Connor just sent you a sad look before he addressed Auston, “You can’t do that Matts, he’s drank way too much and we’re lucky he didn’t get hurt or worse,” Connor quickly scolded as he ran by.

Auston waved him off and you sighed. Of course, there had to be some drama. You pursed your lips when you felt Auston take a seat right next to you where Connor had been sitting. You both sat in silence as you watched Connor approach Mitch, while the water-logged forward emerged from the water, beer can in tow. Passing him the towel, the two headed back up towards the cottage, effectively leaving you alone with Auston.

“So, long day huh?” Auston questioned, while you snorted.

“You’re not usually one for small talk Auston,” you pointed out, while the dark-haired boy sat next you sighed.

“I’m sorry about everything that’s happened this weekend, I know I kinda made it awkward,” Auston admitted and you sent him a coy smirk.

“Oh, so Auston Matthews can admit when he’s done something wrong,”

“Hey, don’t push it Y/N” Auston retorted, causing you to chuckle lightly.

“I know, I know. I wouldn’t expect anything less,” you spoke, before you leaned back to lay on the wooden boards to stare up at the sky.

Your lips curved upwards when Auston followed suit, allowing you to fall into a comfortable silence.

“So, I’ve been thinking of that question you asked me,”

Turning your head, you shot Auston a puzzling look, causing him to laugh. “About what I’m looking for,”

You rolled your eyes, “God Auston, that was like forever ago,”

“Yeah, I know, but I took it to heart, and I just wanted you to know that,” Auston replied, while you just nodded.

“I think I want a relationship,”

Blinking twice, you sat up slightly, leaning back on your arms while you sent him a look, “you want a relationship? Auston Matthews wants to be in a monogamous relationship?”

“Hey, don’t make it sound so shocking Y/N,” Auston sighed.

“Well it is! No offence,” you then fired back, while Auston sent you an unimpressed look.

“Do you really see me as that guy?”

“You mean the one who never settles down because he’s too busy picking up girls all the time? Well, yeah, but I don’t judge you for it,” You explained, “that’s just who you were when I met you, so it never made a difference to me,”

Auston sighed, “Well, I don’t want to be that guy anymore okay? Seeing all the guys and their relationships has just really opened my eyes lately. It just seems, nice. You know? Having someone to always text and come home to. Someone you miss on the road, someone you can take to team outings and events, it just seems so much better than what I’ve been doing,”

You nodded in understanding, “just make sure she’s not crazy, okay?”

Auston just laughed, before he playfully knocked into your side, prompting you to shove him back teasingly.

“You won’t have to worry Y/N, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised,”

You hummed sarcastically, “Let’s hope,”

You both fell back into a comfortable silence, but on the inside your brain was screaming. Your heart was hurting at the thought of some girl becoming Auston’s girlfriend. You knew it was going to happen eventually, but you hoped you’d have more time to at least move on and try to find someone new.

“So, you really like the stars huh?”

Snapping out of your thoughts, you looked back at Auston before blinking, “uh yeah, I mean, we don’t really get to see them back home because of all the light pollution so I just try to enjoy them whenever I’m here.”

Auston nodded, and his lips curved upwards slightly while you looked back up at the sky, trying to calm your racing heart and throbbing head.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?”

Whirling your head to your left, your eyes stared wide towards Auston.

What?

Auston chuckled, shaking his head a little as he slid across the wood boards to lean right up against you. “Don’t look so surprised Y/N,”

You opened your mouth to reply, but you couldn’t find the right words to say. Your cheeks were warm, and your heart was now thumping out of your chest.

“Auston,” you sighed, looking away from him and leaning away.

“What? You are Y/N, you’re beautiful,” he said again, as he leaned forward and searched for your gaze, trying to get you to look him in the eyes.

“Stop,” you murmured, sliding back and pulling away from him. As you stood, Auston turned his frame to look towards you, a look of hurt flashing across his features.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice softer than before.

Shaking your head, your crossed your arms against your chest, shielding yourself. “You’re drunk Auston,”

Sighing, Auston stood from his spot, causing you to take another step back. “So?” he shrugged, “I’m not lying,”

Whining, you shook your head again and stared down at your bare feet. “You’re not allowed to say that Auston,” you whimpered out, as you watched Auston’s feet journey towards you. Looking up, you finally met his honey brown eyes, and spoke again, your voice soft with defeat, “you can’t say that.”

Auston’s warm hand met your rosy cheek, and you uttered a gasp once you realized how close he had gotten to you. “Y/N, if today hadn’t made it clear, I really do like you, I mean, I think I’ve got feelings for you,”

Your eyes widened and you stepped away again. Auston suddenly looked hurt, as you unknowingly rejected him. The thought of Auston Matthews actually having feelings for you was something out of a fantasy, a dream. You couldn’t even fathom the idea. “No, no you don’t,”

“And why the hell not?” Auston questioned, his voice low. “Why can’t I like you? Why can’t I speak the truth?”

“Because it’s not true!” you screeched, feeling your emotions reach their peak, “you’re just playing with my head again!”

You gasped when Auston’s large grasp suddenly gripped onto your forearm, effectively holding you in place. He looked angry, insulted even. “You really think I’d do that to you? Play games? Mess with your feelings?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” you muttered, causing Auston’s shoulders to slump. “I’ve seen you toy with other girls’ feelings, and you’ve tricked me once or twice before, so why would this be any different?”

Letting out a long sigh, Auston’s hurt expression stared towards you with sorrow, “Why is it so hard for you to let me in? Why is it so hard for you to believe me?”

Feeling your chest tighten and your tears wet your bottom eyelashes, you stared towards the man you were desperately in love with, and told him what everyone had always told you. “I’m not the type of girl you go for Auston, and everybody knows that! And because, you’re you Auston, and I’m me. I’m just not good enough for you, and I’ll never be good enough for you.” You proclaimed, as your throat grew warm and became uncomfortably scratchy.

Pulling out of his grasp, you bolted towards the staircase that would lead you back down to the dock. But just as you were about to head down, Auston’s voice caught you, “No, I’m the one who’ll never be good enough for you,”

Hesitating slightly, you bit your lip as you once again looked up towards the illuminated night sky. This couldn’t be happening. You just couldn’t wrap your head around this.

“Why?” you suddenly asked, “why do you think that?”

You could hear the vulnerability in Auston’s voice as he spoke, “Because you’re just so, pure. You’re honest, and funny, and kind, and just everything I’ve never been. People love you Y/N, they gravitate towards you because you’re just so warm. And I’m, well, you know my reputation,”

Licking your lips, you slowly looked up to meet Auston’s eyes, “which is why I’ve always shied away from you Auston, I’m nothing like those other girls,”

“But that isn’t a bad thing! I’m trying to get you to see that! I don’t care if you’re not stick thin, and I don’t care that you’re not a party girl! Y/N, you’re the type of girl I’d want to take home to my family, the type of girl I’d want to settle down with. You’re not just some fling Y/N, you’re worth so much more than that,” Auston exclaimed, as he slowly made his way back up to you.

“This is just so much Aus,” you muttered, shaking your head as you felt Auston’s warm hands fall onto both of your shoulders.

“I know it is, and trust me, this was not how I pictured this conversation going, but I like you Y/N, and I know you might find that hard to believe, but just give me a shot. Please,” Auston begged.

Gulping, you nodded slightly, “just give me the rest of the weekend, okay?”

Auston sighed, seemingly accepting your request. But before you could back away, you gasped in surprise when you felt Auston’s lips brush up against yours.

It wasn’t a passionate kiss by any means. It was light and airy, almost as if a feather had been pressed up against your lips. You knew he was being gentle on purpose, so that he wouldn’t startle you. But you also knew he was doing this to reassure you that his feelings were real.

Closing your eyes slowly, you applied light pressure back, still feeling a bit unsure. Pulling away slowly, Auston then wrapped his arms around you tight, holding you in place and he rocked the both of you back and forth.

“I just wish you could see how beautiful you are Y/N, and see how much you’re loved,” Auston whispered, before he placed his lips onto the top of your head.

Deciding not to answer, you just buried yourself into Auston’s warm embrace, silently praying this moment would never have to end.

[lagarconne-journal]

Veronika Heilbrunner — Creative Influence

Veronika Heilbrunner is that refreshing combination of cool girl who also happens to be the nicest; with a healthy strain of goofiness thrown in. A street style favorite, the former model and style editor of Harper’s Bazaar Germany, Heilbrunner more recently co-founded the online fashion, style, and beauty magazine, Hey Woman!. And then there is her stately beauty—unique, effortless, and bold—all despite an utter of makeup. In fact, Heilbrunner was recently included, along with Hari Neff, Winnie Harlow, and Linda Rodin, in InStyle Magazine's May 2017 piece, Modern Girl Makeup, which trumped the beauty of individuality. And, we couldn’t agree more. But more so, what is Heilbrunner doing that we’re not? So, La Garçonne had to ask. Here, Heilbrunner exclusively shares a few of her favorite things.

What is your most worn fashion item? 

I guess my vintage Levi’s jeans.  I got my first pair when I was 13. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep them. The last pair I bought was in Mitte-Berlin, in a secondhand shop on Torstrasse street. I just keep on trying to find new ones, wherever I can find them—luckily, now there is RE/DONE, so it’s easier to find new pairs—because when you wear them so often, they start disappearing, having more holes and so on. I’m like a truffle swine on a mission!

What is your most beloved fashion item? 

My shrunken black Acne Studios leather jacket. I bought it at their flagship store in Stockholm—I literally wear it everyday. In the summer, with a romantic dress and in the winter, layered under coats.

What’s currently on your fashion wish list?

The perfect three-piece suit.

How would you best describe your fashion look?

Romantic yet practical. I love fashion and I love beautiful outstanding pieces. But I don’t want to wear something that I can’t pull them off, or that I don’t feel comfortable in, so I’ll layer a turtleneck underneath a camisole, or pair heavy boots or sneakers with a ruffled dress, or socks with sandals.

How would you best describe your beauty look?

Very simple. My all-time goal is to look like I don’t do anything. Of course, that is not true. But I just love being able to see skin and not layers of make-up, and I think a cool look needs to be balanced with undone face and hair.

What's your daily beauty routine?

In the morning, I wipe my face with tonic from Bioderma, then put on serum by Biologique Recherché (Placenta, A-Glyca, Colostrum). My day cream and eye cream are also Biologique Recherché. I scrub my body with a brush and then put grapefruit oil (it’s mixed by my mum with Professor Wabner ingredients) or Diptyque body cream. I love Mason Pearson brushes (at home I use the big one, for travels I have the baby one in pale blue, so cute), and in my hair, I use hair oil by Davines or Sachajuan ocean mist depending on how soft or dry my hair is that day. I use YSL´s classic Touche Eclat concealer around my eyes. Then I apply Magic Stripes Strips on my eyelids and accentuate my eyebrows with a Chanel Brow Pencil in Brun Naturel 30. This takes up about 9 minutes.

In the evening I love a bath with Susanne Kaufmann salts. St. John´s Wort Bath is one of my very favorites—it’s so relaxing. I clean my face it with Lait VIP O2 Biologique Recherché cleansing milk (I am unfortunately no Cleopatra), then apply their P50 and my morning serums again. After that, my night cream is Biologique Recherché masque vernix—which doesn’t smell pleasant, but I love it! I started using their products this January and I feel my skin has improved enormously.  

Did you get any beauty advice growing up? What was it, and who gave it to you?

“Always clean your face before sleeping. And, moisturize!” is probably the best advice I’ve been given by my mum. I can’t remember when exactly, but I’m sure I was around twelve years-old or so when my skin started to get difficult, and I was looking for solutions.

What is your one beauty go-to product?

Aesop Rejuvenate Body Balm.

Who do you find beautiful?

Charlotte Rampling then and now, Anita Pallenberg then and now, Daria Werbowy, Sofia Coppola.

Who did you find to be a beauty inspiration when you were growing up?

Winona Ryder, Sophie Marceau.

Do you have a tried-and-true beauty product you've been loyal to for ages?

I’ve used Kaufmanns kinder-creme as lip balm for fifteen years. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s the only solution I’ve found that curbs my addiction of applying lipcare every few minutes. With Kaufmanns kinder-creme, I can go two to three hours without having to reapply anything!  

What is your...

Bath product:  Aromatherapy oils or Susanne Kaufmann bath salts Body lotion: Diptyque Body Cream in winter, Santa Maria Novella lotion in summer Face cleanser: Biologique Recherché Lait VIP 02 Face moisturizer: Biologique Recherché creme VIP 02 Hair product: Christophe Robin antioxidant cleansing milk with 4 oils and blueberry Fragrance: Tom Ford Portofino Neroli, Hermes Hermessence Vetiver Tonka

What beauty look do you not understand?

Layers of makeup and contouring. I find it super unattractive from close-up.

Do you have a beauty talent that you can do on yourself?  

I can make myself a decent French braid in two minutes.

Which beauty step do you think is bullshit?

Primer! Never understood this one. I always assume: the more layers I put on, the sooner it’ll all rub off.

Any beauty product or treatment you're curious to try?

I’d love to do a homeopathic detox, where you get analyzed by a homeopathic doctor, then take those drops or pastilles and cut out the caffeine and alcohol for a couple weeks. I hear that everyone feels great, and basically doesn't get sick, or at least not for some time—it even also eliminates radiation from your body (that you get from flying). I’ve actually done one before, but it’s been a while. You really need to have the time for it and be in the mood—especially to go without caffeine and alcohol. Sounds weird, but it’s tough for me…

Is there a beauty product you wish someone would invent?

One moisturizer that you can use for everything—hair, hands, face and body.

Do you consider yourself wellness/health-minded?

Yes, I love the idea of being healthy because when you’re healthy, you feel great, happy, and strong. And, you can manage stress so much easier. I go through phases of taking magnesium supplements when I do a lot walking or sports. It helps to recover faster and gives me a better night’s sleep. When I feel weak and a cold coming on, I take all the vitamin supplements I can get. But in general I prefer to eat diversified, and sleep a lot.

Do you exercise?

Yes, yoga is the most important for me. I do it once a week for an hour; in between, I do quick workouts of ten minutes and stretching with our Hey Woman! instructors to de-stress and relax. We have several different workouts, even one for creativity! In general though, I walk a lot, and I really enjoy it. When at home, I horseback ride at least twice a week. It was my childhood hobby, and I just picked it up again, and it makes me so happy. Once I arrive in the stable and begin cleaning my horse, I forget all about fashion, social media, and my to-do lists. It’s like a mini-holiday every time.

Who do you think has aged beautifully?

Every woman that has not done obvious surgery to her face. I love wrinkles. They tell a beautiful story of a fun and adventurous life. Marisa Berenson and Lauren Hutton look stunning. I think it also helps to be healthy and not ultra-skinny—Brooke Sheilds or Catherine Deneuve look stunning—because too gaunt a look can make women look unnecessarily exhausted.

[topfygad]

45 Things to Pack for the Rainforest

Packing in general is tricky, double that when you are packing for an adventure in the South American rainforest that will have you doing everything from piranha fishing the rivers to camping in hammocks deep in the Amazon jungle to a Jaguar safari. Not to mention the constant battle with humidity, strong sunshine and pesky critters!

I spent 10 memorable days in the country of Guyana’s jungle and here’s the packing list based on my trip.

What to Wear: Jungle Clothing & Accessories

Hiking Boots

A pair of comfortable, hiking boots with ankle support and have good tread are a necessity. The trails can be muddy and uneven causing you to slip easily (a couple people in our group slipped while on a jungle mountain climb!), so make sure they are a good quality boot. Also, get something with breathable material, so your feet won’t get too hot.

My hiking boots were the Bearpaw brand, but are unfortunately discontinued. These Columbia Newton Ridge boots are very similar and highly rated.

Trail Shoes

For milder hikes, exploring the villages or to hang out in in the evenings bring a low ankle hiking shoe. The KEEN Terradora hiking shoe offers both style and comfort.

Waterproof Sandals

After a long day hiking the first thing you’ll want to do is give your feet some room to breath, but you also want to be protected from the mosquitoes, so bring a pair of waterproof sandals that you can easily wear with a pair of socks (I know that sounds very fashionable, but you will thank me later!). These are also great in the outdoor showers where you may feel uncomfortable in bare feet.

Sun Hat

A full brim hat will help keep the sun off of you and keep you cooler. Make sure that you get one with a tie around your neck so it doesn’t fly off when you’re riding in the boats. I brought the Bodvera Outdoor Hat and it worked out great especially because of the crisscrossed fabric around the middle of it so that I could hook a carabiner through it and hang it from my backpack when not in use.

Swimsuit

Though you probably won’t want to swim in the rivers (piranhas! Need I say more?), there may be a pool at one of the lodges and it’ll be a big relief from the humidity to be able to jump in!

Pants

Bring quick dry full-length pants with lots of pockets and in neutral colors (bright or flowered fabrics can attract bugs). It’s practical if one pair can be either rolled up to make capris or unzipped to turn into shorts, though most of the time you will want to be wearing pants that cover your legs to protect you from insects. A pair of long comfy leggings are also great for hanging out around the lodge.

I brought one pair of prAna Halle pants, two pairs of  North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants (so comfy!!!) and one pair of Black Diamond Credo pants.

Shirts

Long-Sleeved Shirts

The best shirts for the rainforest are long-sleeved button-ups with a collar that can be flipped up to keep the sun off your neck. Though breathable quick dry ones are said to be the best (like this one from Colombia), I wore simple lightweight button-ups from a discount store like Marshall’s and it was fine. Also bring a couple of comfy long-sleeved shirts to change into when your hanging around the lodge or sleeping in the jungle.

Tank Top

You will be in some areas with less bugs and you’ll want to remove your long sleeved shirt to relieve you from the rainforest heat. Slip a tank (or tee) underneath your outfit and you’re all set. Tanks are also perfect for sleeping in since most lodges will not have air conditioning, but will proved mosquito nets. I bring a variety of simple ribbed Zenana tanks on EVERY trip!

T-Shirts

A couple t-shirts are nice to have for the lodges or for under your long sleeved shirts. I brought the cute Not All Who Wander Are Lost t-shirt pictured below.

You’ll want to make sure that ALL your shirts are long enough to tuck securely into your bottoms to prevent bugs from finding their way up your back. One night while we were camping my shirt was accidentally untucked for an hour and I woke up with little bites on my butt. No fun!

Undergarments

Bring comfortable and quick drying underwear and sports bras to wear underneath your clothing. You don’t need to bring a pair for everyday since these are easy to wash by hand in the sinks at the lodges.

Socks

You should have comfortable hiking style socks that are mid to long length (no ankle/bootie socks!) They need to be long enough to be able to tuck your pants into them when hiking through the rainforest so no critters can crawl up your legs. I brought five pairs of SEOULSTORY7 hiking socks.

Sarong/Scarf

A sarong or large scarf has many uses, so it’s always wise to travel with one. In the Amazon jungle it can be used as a makeshift towel, to cover your shoulders at the lodge (when your tired of wearing long sleeves!) or to wrap around your bathing suit if you are going for a swim.

Rain Jacket/Poncho

The rainforest is true to its name! Sometimes you will be hiking and with no warning there will be a torrential downpour. Carry a lightweight, compact rain jacket with you that can be added to any outfit. No need to bring a heavier jacket, you will not use it! I brought the Cheering Waterproof Windbreaker Jacket which didn’t offer complete rain protection, but it was very lightweight.

Neckwrap/Headband

A neckwrap is practical because it can be used in so many ways: around your neck to shade from the sun, to keep your hair off of your face and to put around your mouth so no bugs will get through. These VANCROWN Wraps did the trick and they come in variety packs!

Hair Ties

It is so hot and humid that, if you are anything like me, your go-to hair style will be “bun and done”. Bring plenty of strong hair ties in case you lose a couple along the way.

Sunglasses

There is more to traveling through Guyana’s rainforest than just shaded pathways, you will also be out in the middle of the sun a lot! Protect your eyes with a pair of polarized lens sunglasses. Make sure they are not too expensive, as they can easily be dropped in the mud or lost in the mucky waters.

Cooling Towel

A cooling towel was a last minute addition to my luggage…thank God! There will be nothing better than soaking a cooling towel in water and then wrapping it around your neck. ChillPal makes the ultimate chilling towel that can keep you cool for hours!

Most lodges offer a laundry service that is fairly cheap, so there’s no need to pack a different outfit for every day.

Safety & Medical

First Aid kit

Your jungle tour guides will typically carry a medical kit for your group, but you should have a little one of your own for things like small cuts and blisters. You can buy yourself a travel-sized kit that’s got a little of everything in it (like this one!). But, if you need to buy items individually here’s a general list of things you need:

Zinc Oxide Tape

Antiseptic Wipes

Assorted Band-Aids

Gloves

Wound Dressing x2

Hydration Powder x 12

Blister Dressing

Tweezers

Scissors

Anti-fungal Cream

Hydrocortisone Cream

Foot powder

Aspirin

Vaseline

Anti diarrheal medicine

Antibacterial Wipes

Mosquito/Insect Repellent

Remember, you’ll be in the humid rainforest and that means BUGS! Though many of the lodges will supply a bottle of insect repellent, some do not and you will definitely want to bring your own to be protected.

I used a healthy spray of Off! Deep Woods on my exposed areas and carried Repel Mosquito Wipes, plus used mosquito repellent patches on my wrists and ankles. In hindsight, I would have also added the Sawyer Permethrin insect repellent that you spray directly on your clothing and lasts six washings. 

Anti-Itch Cream 

Unfortunately, even with being overly protected (unless you plan on wearing a hasmat suit!) the likelihood of getting a couple bug bites is pretty high, so bring along an anti-itch cream to keep you from scratching your bumps and making them worse! A good cortisone cream will do just fine.

Sunscreen

The sun is almost always out in Guyana and all over the Amazon jungle, even though you’ll be hiking through the rainforest’s canopy of trees there are long stretches of open patches and uncovered boat rides. It’s best to get a UVA & UVB, non scented sunscreen, so you won’t attract insects. I only brought a small tube of Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70.

Toiletries

Shampoo & Body Wash

You may need both shampoo and body wash when camping in the jungle or staying at the lodges, as some do not provide these basics. A 3-ounce tube should suffice, I always use the Humangear GoTubes because the containers are flexible (so I can get the very last bit of product out of them!) and I’ve never had them leak.

Face Wipes

The humidity will cause you to sweat…A LOT! That will make your face feel and look very greasy. It will be very refreshing to use a hydrating wet wipe to remove the grub.

Tissue Packs

Pocket-sized tissue packs will come in real handy when there are bathrooms without a supply (happens more often than you’d think) and when the forest is your restroom.

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Some tiny bugs may be attracted to your minty fresh toothpaste, so get tubes with a twist cap that can be securely fastened.

Deodorant

Keep in mind that because of the excessive rainforest sweat you may be using more deodorant than normal.

You can bring makeup, but frankly it will just melt off your face, so it’s better (and easier!) to not wear any.

Equipment

Headlamp

A headlamp is perfect for wildlife night-spotting, sitting around campfire or reading in your hammock. The ones with the red filter option are best because it can help to keep the bugs from pestering you. All headlamps are not the same! Make sure that your headlamps light is strong enough (like the Black Diamond Headlamp I used). Also, don’t forget to load up on AAA batteries!

Cameras

There are thousands of photo opportunities in Guyana, as well as anywhere in the Amazon jungle, so don’t forget to bring your camera equipment! I carried a waterproof GoPro, an Iphone (the camera is actually amazing in the right light!) and my Canon 6D DSLR camera with a standard lens. What was missing? There are so many beautiful birds and wildlife in the Amazon rainforest, but many times they are hard to capture without a zoom lens. Next time, I’d definitely add a 300mm zoom lens for my camera.

Binoculars

Wildlife is unpredictable and mostly likely isn’t going to just happen to be a couple feet away so you can get the perfect view (especially the birds). You will get a lot of use out of a good pair of binoculars. For a more economical pair (under $30!) choose the Bushnell Flacon binoculars. If you plan on being a birder or want something more heavy duty try the Nikon 7577 MONARCH 7.

Adapter

When you research outlet adapters for Guyana there will be a few different suggestions: type A, D and type F. I brought all three, but all outlets encountered during my entire trip were a standard American 3-prong. Just to be safe, you may want to bring a universal adapter. I’ve used the Tenachi Universal Adapter all over the world with no problems, though this upgraded adapter has USB ports whereas the Tenachi does not.

Surge Protector

Electricity is available in most lodges, but many places have very limited outlets—sometimes only one per room. So bring along a compact surge protector with a few extra outlets on it. This was you can charge multiple items at once!

Waterproof Watch

With the age of cell phones, a watch is not a total necessity unless you don’t want to be always grabbing for your phone or want to protect it from a random downpour. My Armitron  jelly strap watch worked nicely.

Battery Backups

Some lodges electricity is run by generator and they will turn it off at night, so you can’t be guaranteed that your electronics will be charging overnight. Plus, there are excursions deep in the forest that will keep you away from a power source for a day or two. You won’t have WiFi or cell service most of the time, but if you like to use your phone for photos and/or entertainment bring backup power. I used a battery backup Iphone case and the Rav external backup battery. Between the two, I always had power.

Backpack

Take a look at your itinerary to see what size backpack you may need, keeping in mind that if you are flying to remote areas in small planes there will be a 40lb TOTAL luggage limit. You may want to solely bring a backpack or do what I did and bring a small piece of carryon luggage and the 44 Teton backpack. This worked perfectly for me since we were mostly staying at lodges with one night of camping.

Dry Bags

Dry bags can be used to protect your valuables during river crossings or when the rain unexpectedly strikes, and also to hold wet clothing.

Carabiners

I did not bring enough carabiners! These practical clips can be used to attach things to the exterior of your backpack and bags. I used the only one I brought to clip my hat to the back of my backpack, but I wish I’d had extra in order to be able to to attach the water bottle, hair ties and so much more.

Hydration Bag

Staying hydrated is essential in the rainforest and a small 2-3 liter hydration backpack will help you do it. You can get a small one that slips into your larger backpack, so it can double as a daypack or make sure your larger backpack has a section for the water pouch.

Daypack

Sometimes you are not going to want to lug around a large pack, so it’s really nice to have a small daypack that you can use when needed. My Waterfly sling daypack fit snug inside my larger backpack and was fantastic for short tours from the lodge.

Miscellaneous

Currency

You may be able to use your credit cards at a few random places in Georgetown, but any further out and it’s cash only. Most places will take USD, sometimes giving you change in Guyanese currency, so there’s no need to do a currency exchange.

Not including lodging and tours, I spent an average of $25 per day on tipping, snacks and souvenirs.

Photocopies

Have copies of your passport, vaccination card, tickets, etc in a separate bag from the original. You can also take photos of them to store on your phone.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Card

Technically, the country of Guyana only recommends the yellow fever vaccination, but if you fly Copa Airlines it is a mandatory requirement and you will be turned away from your flight without one. Double check with your airline and the country requirements before deciding to forgo the vaccination.

Entertainment

There are some quiet nights in the jungle, so bring a deck of cards, pocket game or a book (it’d be a good time to read mine: Bucket List Adventures!!—shameless plug)

Goodies to Eat

After a few days of chicken, cassava and okra you may be craving some treats from home. Bring a couple of your favorite bars, tea or snacks. I brought an assortment of Kind Bars and ate them all!

Sewing Kit

Just in case your clothing gets snagged on a branch in the jungle, bring a small sewing kit, like the ones you find in a hotel room (or this one) for some quick repairs.

Remember, that if you are taking small planes, all of your gear and luggage should weigh no more than 40lbs total!!! For me this was one small carryon suitcase and a 44L backpack.

Related

source http://cheaprtravels.com/45-things-to-pack-for-the-rainforest/

[topfygad]

45 Things to Pack for the Rainforest

Packing in general is tricky, double that when you are packing for an adventure in the South American rainforest that will have you doing everything from piranha fishing the rivers to camping in hammocks deep in the Amazon jungle to a Jaguar safari. Not to mention the constant battle with humidity, strong sunshine and pesky critters!

I spent 10 memorable days in the country of Guyana’s jungle and here’s the packing list based on my trip.

What to Wear: Jungle Clothing & Accessories

Hiking Boots

A pair of comfortable, hiking boots with ankle support and have good tread are a necessity. The trails can be muddy and uneven causing you to slip easily (a couple people in our group slipped while on a jungle mountain climb!), so make sure they are a good quality boot. Also, get something with breathable material, so your feet won’t get too hot.

My hiking boots were the Bearpaw brand, but are unfortunately discontinued. These Columbia Newton Ridge boots are very similar and highly rated.

Trail Shoes

For milder hikes, exploring the villages or to hang out in in the evenings bring a low ankle hiking shoe. The KEEN Terradora hiking shoe offers both style and comfort.

Waterproof Sandals

After a long day hiking the first thing you’ll want to do is give your feet some room to breath, but you also want to be protected from the mosquitoes, so bring a pair of waterproof sandals that you can easily wear with a pair of socks (I know that sounds very fashionable, but you will thank me later!). These are also great in the outdoor showers where you may feel uncomfortable in bare feet.

Sun Hat

A full brim hat will help keep the sun off of you and keep you cooler. Make sure that you get one with a tie around your neck so it doesn’t fly off when you’re riding in the boats. I brought the Bodvera Outdoor Hat and it worked out great especially because of the crisscrossed fabric around the middle of it so that I could hook a carabiner through it and hang it from my backpack when not in use.

Swimsuit

Though you probably won’t want to swim in the rivers (piranhas! Need I say more?), there may be a pool at one of the lodges and it’ll be a big relief from the humidity to be able to jump in!

Pants

Bring quick dry full-length pants with lots of pockets and in neutral colors (bright or flowered fabrics can attract bugs). It’s practical if one pair can be either rolled up to make capris or unzipped to turn into shorts, though most of the time you will want to be wearing pants that cover your legs to protect you from insects. A pair of long comfy leggings are also great for hanging out around the lodge.

I brought one pair of prAna Halle pants, two pairs of  North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants (so comfy!!!) and one pair of Black Diamond Credo pants.

Shirts

Long-Sleeved Shirts

The best shirts for the rainforest are long-sleeved button-ups with a collar that can be flipped up to keep the sun off your neck. Though breathable quick dry ones are said to be the best (like this one from Colombia), I wore simple lightweight button-ups from a discount store like Marshall’s and it was fine. Also bring a couple of comfy long-sleeved shirts to change into when your hanging around the lodge or sleeping in the jungle.

Tank Top

You will be in some areas with less bugs and you’ll want to remove your long sleeved shirt to relieve you from the rainforest heat. Slip a tank (or tee) underneath your outfit and you’re all set. Tanks are also perfect for sleeping in since most lodges will not have air conditioning, but will proved mosquito nets. I bring a variety of simple ribbed Zenana tanks on EVERY trip!

T-Shirts

A couple t-shirts are nice to have for the lodges or for under your long sleeved shirts. I brought the cute Not All Who Wander Are Lost t-shirt pictured below.

You’ll want to make sure that ALL your shirts are long enough to tuck securely into your bottoms to prevent bugs from finding their way up your back. One night while we were camping my shirt was accidentally untucked for an hour and I woke up with little bites on my butt. No fun!

Undergarments

Bring comfortable and quick drying underwear and sports bras to wear underneath your clothing. You don’t need to bring a pair for everyday since these are easy to wash by hand in the sinks at the lodges.

Socks

You should have comfortable hiking style socks that are mid to long length (no ankle/bootie socks!) They need to be long enough to be able to tuck your pants into them when hiking through the rainforest so no critters can crawl up your legs. I brought five pairs of SEOULSTORY7 hiking socks.

Sarong/Scarf

A sarong or large scarf has many uses, so it’s always wise to travel with one. In the Amazon jungle it can be used as a makeshift towel, to cover your shoulders at the lodge (when your tired of wearing long sleeves!) or to wrap around your bathing suit if you are going for a swim.

Rain Jacket/Poncho

The rainforest is true to its name! Sometimes you will be hiking and with no warning there will be a torrential downpour. Carry a lightweight, compact rain jacket with you that can be added to any outfit. No need to bring a heavier jacket, you will not use it! I brought the Cheering Waterproof Windbreaker Jacket which didn’t offer complete rain protection, but it was very lightweight.

Neckwrap/Headband

A neckwrap is practical because it can be used in so many ways: around your neck to shade from the sun, to keep your hair off of your face and to put around your mouth so no bugs will get through. These VANCROWN Wraps did the trick and they come in variety packs!

Hair Ties

It is so hot and humid that, if you are anything like me, your go-to hair style will be “bun and done”. Bring plenty of strong hair ties in case you lose a couple along the way.

Sunglasses

There is more to traveling through Guyana’s rainforest than just shaded pathways, you will also be out in the middle of the sun a lot! Protect your eyes with a pair of polarized lens sunglasses. Make sure they are not too expensive, as they can easily be dropped in the mud or lost in the mucky waters.

Cooling Towel

A cooling towel was a last minute addition to my luggage…thank God! There will be nothing better than soaking a cooling towel in water and then wrapping it around your neck. ChillPal makes the ultimate chilling towel that can keep you cool for hours!

Most lodges offer a laundry service that is fairly cheap, so there’s no need to pack a different outfit for every day.

Safety & Medical

First Aid kit

Your jungle tour guides will typically carry a medical kit for your group, but you should have a little one of your own for things like small cuts and blisters. You can buy yourself a travel-sized kit that’s got a little of everything in it (like this one!). But, if you need to buy items individually here’s a general list of things you need:

Zinc Oxide Tape

Antiseptic Wipes

Assorted Band-Aids

Gloves

Wound Dressing x2

Hydration Powder x 12

Blister Dressing

Tweezers

Scissors

Anti-fungal Cream

Hydrocortisone Cream

Foot powder

Aspirin

Vaseline

Anti diarrheal medicine

Antibacterial Wipes

Mosquito/Insect Repellent

Remember, you’ll be in the humid rainforest and that means BUGS! Though many of the lodges will supply a bottle of insect repellent, some do not and you will definitely want to bring your own to be protected.

I used a healthy spray of Off! Deep Woods on my exposed areas and carried Repel Mosquito Wipes, plus used mosquito repellent patches on my wrists and ankles. In hindsight, I would have also added the Sawyer Permethrin insect repellent that you spray directly on your clothing and lasts six washings. 

Anti-Itch Cream 

Unfortunately, even with being overly protected (unless you plan on wearing a hasmat suit!) the likelihood of getting a couple bug bites is pretty high, so bring along an anti-itch cream to keep you from scratching your bumps and making them worse! A good cortisone cream will do just fine.

Sunscreen

The sun is almost always out in Guyana and all over the Amazon jungle, even though you’ll be hiking through the rainforest’s canopy of trees there are long stretches of open patches and uncovered boat rides. It’s best to get a UVA & UVB, non scented sunscreen, so you won’t attract insects. I only brought a small tube of Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70.

Toiletries

Shampoo & Body Wash

You may need both shampoo and body wash when camping in the jungle or staying at the lodges, as some do not provide these basics. A 3-ounce tube should suffice, I always use the Humangear GoTubes because the containers are flexible (so I can get the very last bit of product out of them!) and I’ve never had them leak.

Face Wipes

The humidity will cause you to sweat…A LOT! That will make your face feel and look very greasy. It will be very refreshing to use a hydrating wet wipe to remove the grub.

Tissue Packs

Pocket-sized tissue packs will come in real handy when there are bathrooms without a supply (happens more often than you’d think) and when the forest is your restroom.

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Some tiny bugs may be attracted to your minty fresh toothpaste, so get tubes with a twist cap that can be securely fastened.

Deodorant

Keep in mind that because of the excessive rainforest sweat you may be using more deodorant than normal.

You can bring makeup, but frankly it will just melt off your face, so it’s better (and easier!) to not wear any.

Equipment

Headlamp

A headlamp is perfect for wildlife night-spotting, sitting around campfire or reading in your hammock. The ones with the red filter option are best because it can help to keep the bugs from pestering you. All headlamps are not the same! Make sure that your headlamps light is strong enough (like the Black Diamond Headlamp I used). Also, don’t forget to load up on AAA batteries!

Cameras

There are thousands of photo opportunities in Guyana, as well as anywhere in the Amazon jungle, so don’t forget to bring your camera equipment! I carried a waterproof GoPro, an Iphone (the camera is actually amazing in the right light!) and my Canon 6D DSLR camera with a standard lens. What was missing? There are so many beautiful birds and wildlife in the Amazon rainforest, but many times they are hard to capture without a zoom lens. Next time, I’d definitely add a 300mm zoom lens for my camera.

Binoculars

Wildlife is unpredictable and mostly likely isn’t going to just happen to be a couple feet away so you can get the perfect view (especially the birds). You will get a lot of use out of a good pair of binoculars. For a more economical pair (under $30!) choose the Bushnell Flacon binoculars. If you plan on being a birder or want something more heavy duty try the Nikon 7577 MONARCH 7.

Adapter

When you research outlet adapters for Guyana there will be a few different suggestions: type A, D and type F. I brought all three, but all outlets encountered during my entire trip were a standard American 3-prong. Just to be safe, you may want to bring a universal adapter. I’ve used the Tenachi Universal Adapter all over the world with no problems, though this upgraded adapter has USB ports whereas the Tenachi does not.

Surge Protector

Electricity is available in most lodges, but many places have very limited outlets—sometimes only one per room. So bring along a compact surge protector with a few extra outlets on it. This was you can charge multiple items at once!

Waterproof Watch

With the age of cell phones, a watch is not a total necessity unless you don’t want to be always grabbing for your phone or want to protect it from a random downpour. My Armitron  jelly strap watch worked nicely.

Battery Backups

Some lodges electricity is run by generator and they will turn it off at night, so you can’t be guaranteed that your electronics will be charging overnight. Plus, there are excursions deep in the forest that will keep you away from a power source for a day or two. You won’t have WiFi or cell service most of the time, but if you like to use your phone for photos and/or entertainment bring backup power. I used a battery backup Iphone case and the Rav external backup battery. Between the two, I always had power.

Backpack

Take a look at your itinerary to see what size backpack you may need, keeping in mind that if you are flying to remote areas in small planes there will be a 40lb TOTAL luggage limit. You may want to solely bring a backpack or do what I did and bring a small piece of carryon luggage and the 44 Teton backpack. This worked perfectly for me since we were mostly staying at lodges with one night of camping.

Dry Bags

Dry bags can be used to protect your valuables during river crossings or when the rain unexpectedly strikes, and also to hold wet clothing.

Carabiners

I did not bring enough carabiners! These practical clips can be used to attach things to the exterior of your backpack and bags. I used the only one I brought to clip my hat to the back of my backpack, but I wish I’d had extra in order to be able to to attach the water bottle, hair ties and so much more.

Hydration Bag

Staying hydrated is essential in the rainforest and a small 2-3 liter hydration backpack will help you do it. You can get a small one that slips into your larger backpack, so it can double as a daypack or make sure your larger backpack has a section for the water pouch.

Daypack

Sometimes you are not going to want to lug around a large pack, so it’s really nice to have a small daypack that you can use when needed. My Waterfly sling daypack fit snug inside my larger backpack and was fantastic for short tours from the lodge.

Miscellaneous

Currency

You may be able to use your credit cards at a few random places in Georgetown, but any further out and it’s cash only. Most places will take USD, sometimes giving you change in Guyanese currency, so there’s no need to do a currency exchange.

Not including lodging and tours, I spent an average of $25 per day on tipping, snacks and souvenirs.

Photocopies

Have copies of your passport, vaccination card, tickets, etc in a separate bag from the original. You can also take photos of them to store on your phone.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Card

Technically, the country of Guyana only recommends the yellow fever vaccination, but if you fly Copa Airlines it is a mandatory requirement and you will be turned away from your flight without one. Double check with your airline and the country requirements before deciding to forgo the vaccination.

Entertainment

There are some quiet nights in the jungle, so bring a deck of cards, pocket game or a book (it’d be a good time to read mine: Bucket List Adventures!!—shameless plug)

Goodies to Eat

After a few days of chicken, cassava and okra you may be craving some treats from home. Bring a couple of your favorite bars, tea or snacks. I brought an assortment of Kind Bars and ate them all!

Sewing Kit

Just in case your clothing gets snagged on a branch in the jungle, bring a small sewing kit, like the ones you find in a hotel room (or this one) for some quick repairs.

Remember, that if you are taking small planes, all of your gear and luggage should weigh no more than 40lbs total!!! For me this was one small carryon suitcase and a 44L backpack.

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