What’s the best travel diary to travel light with?

In 1992, I was hiking the Coffee Bay Trail in the Transkei. One early morning, while still sound asleep, our hut was broken into. I woke to the commotion of the intruders, and my friend calling out to me to stay put. In the darkness, with the noise and yelling there was a lot of confusion with what was happening. They grabbed the bag closest to the door – mine – and escaped.

I pretty much lost everything that morning – except my shampoo, sleeping bag, the clothes I was sleeping in, my boots that were tucked under my bed, and the map (in the pic above) I’d been reading as I fell asleep.

You name it – the rest was gone. Passport, toiletries, asthma medication, clothes, tent, sleeping mat (remember, these were my heavy days of packing the kitchen sink!!)

Of course I was grateful that we were all safe – but I was in shock. So a hiking companion offered me his hipflask of OB’s Sherry – any South Africans will know this tonic – and I dutifully knocked it back and fell asleep!

One of the key things I lost was my diary which contained all the stories, tickets, tips and memories of my trip to India and Nepal with my friends. 

I feel like there’s a whole section of my travel memories missing. 

Except for one saving grace…