Summer Holiday Packing Checklist

Transcription

1 Summer Holiday Packing Checklist

2 Step 1 - Brainstorm a must bring list It s easiest to do this over the course of a week, say a good month in advance of your actual departure date. In this time you ll either need to search for the items you want to take (hello snorkel), organise to borrow them from a friend (in which case they ll probably have to search for it too) or lastly go out and buy the items yourself (remember - if you order online you need to set time aside for delivery). Things I often buy before going on a tropical getaway are: snorkel, goggles + flippers pool floaties / beach ball sunglasses / hat thongs / sandals beach bag / tote play suit / romper onesie sarong / kaftan bikini / swimsuit TIP! If you re like me and you want take advantage of the duty free shopping but don t want to exceed your baggage allowance, buy snorkelling and pool accessories from discount retailers. You can then leave the items behind at the resort (buying them will likely be around the same price as hiring them from the resort anyways - plus who wants to use a pre-drooled on snorkel anyways). My absolute must bring items for a tropical getaway that aren t in the list above: sunblock / after sun lotion lip balm with SPF nail file (nonmetal emery board) + tweezers insect repellent Now you re probably thinking what would I need with tweezers? Well they re better to have and not need that to need and not have. If you haven t built up strong calloused soles on the bottom of your feet you may be the unwitting recipient of a sharp piece of south pacific shell getting lodged in your heel. Trust me bring tweezers. Lastly there s some other must bring items that kind of go without saying, but if you re afraid of forgetting something then be sure to pop it on a list - a loose bits and pieces list like the one below (regardless of where you go - you ll need these things). Loose bits and pieces every traveller should bring: skin care / moisturiser hair ties / bobby pins tooth brush / tooth paste chargers / adaptors / batteries bandaids overnight makeup bag (bare necessities) hair brush / comb extra ziplock bags (assorted sizes) deodorant

3 Step 2 - Check your bags (literally) It s essential you check your luggage to make sure that it s fit to travel, do you remember the last time you used it and where you went? Perhaps the zipper was a bit wonky on your last trip or you ve misplaced the padlock keys since you last used it? Check your bags! What to look for when checking if your bags are fit to travel: Zippers: do they zip and unzip easily or are the teeth damaged in some places? If the teeth are damaged it might be worth investing in a new bag Luggage tags: are the tags up to date with your current address and contact details? Note your details and the place where you re staying on an easily located piece of paper in your luggage. Wheels: do they roll smoothly or do they need some lubricant to loosen them up? If they feel a bit sticky, a spray of WD40 could do the trick Cleanliness: when was the bag last used? It might need some airing out before packing. Pop in a tumble drying sheet to make your bag and it s contents smell fresh Locks: do all the locks secure correctly, be sure to check your padlock situation and make sure you ve got a spare set of keys! Keep a spare key in your wallet and also with a friend or family member who may be travelling with you. Handles: does the retractable handle extend and then lower with ease or does it need fixing? Check straps for weaknesses, if you re carrying a cargo or duffle bag, check that the straps are in good shape. Identifiers: customise your luggage by adding something distinctive so that it stands out on the carousel. Tie a bright ribbon to the handle or add stickers, a I love baggage handlers! sticker won t go unnoticed. Step 3 - Sort your medication situation If you have any daily medications, like a puffer for asthma, antihistamines for allergies or prefer a particular brand of paracetamol you ll want to organise your medication situation in advance. You might be surprised to discover that what is regularly accepted here mightn t be the norm in the country you re jetting off to. It s also important to note that depending on where you go, you may also need to be immunised well before you head to the airport so a visit to your GP or local travel doctor is a must. Absolute must dos to ensure a healthy travel experience: Visit your GP or travel doctor: even if you re feeling fit and healthy it s vital that you visit your GP in the weeks leading up to your trip. During your visit check if you need any booster shot vaccines or if you have a regular prescription ask for a letter from your doctor detailing your medical needs and prescriptions - local doctors in your holiday destination will find this useful in the event of an emergency. Get travel insurance: I can t stress this highly enough. Travel insurance is something that you want to have and not need rather than need and not have. Limit the chances of being an unwitting feature story on the news by having travel insurance with adequate coverage. Register with smart traveller: hop online and register your travel intentions with smartraveller.gov.au/. A highlight of this website is that not only can you suss out the local security levels but you can also check up on the health warnings and recommendations of your intended destination. Did you know! Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore without a prescription and violators could cop a fine of SGP $500. Don t get caught out assuming that what is permitted at home is allowed overseas - research your destination for any unusual local laws.

4 Step 4 - Plan your outfits and strategise your laundry How do you decide what clothing you re going to bring? Well most importantly you need to keep in mind what you ll be doing whilst away. I m not the outdoors adventure type so hiking and all that jungle nonsense is strictly OUT and relaxing in the sunshine is most definitely in. I m going to be spending most of my time either on the beach, by the beach or in the actual water snorkelling and generally lazing about - now that s my kinda holiday. Plus it s important to remember that you can wear items more than once without washing (well maybe not underwear). Check in advance if the place where you re staying has laundry services - it could mean packing less which in turn equals extra room for shopping more! I m going to Fiji for 10 days and 9 nights so I m bringing: 10 x underwear 3 x bra 2 x socks 1 x sarong / kaftan 3 x swimsuits 1 x summer pyjamas 1 x light cardigan 1 x short day dress 1 x evening maxi dress 2 x casual linen blouse 2 x singlet / tank 2 x t-shirt 2 x casual linen pants 2 x maxi skirt 2 x shorts 1 x tennis shoes / espadrilles 1 x thongs / flip flops 1 x flat sandals TIP! Plan your outfits at least a week in advance. It ll give you time to launder your must bring favourite pieces and also help you avoid last minute overpacking - you don t want to end up with tonnes of luggage like Diana Ross. Step 5 - Time for Tetris (let the packing commence!) If you ve stuck with me this far, then your patience is about to be rewarded and all that previous hard work will pay off. You may have found prepping in advance a bit of a chore but trust me when I tell you, your efforts were not in vain. When it comes to packing my luggage I refer to a little motto and that is - just roll with it. You might think that folding all your items neatly is the way to go - and in a way it s a start but I take it one step further and I roll my items up. Think rolling up a carpet - it s the same principle but applied to folded clothing. Why roll? Simple - rolling helps condense the items in your luggage so that you can more efficiently utilise the space available. An added extra to this is that the rolled pieces can essentially pad out and secure items that you don t want bumping around in your luggage (liquid toiletries etc).

5 My luggage packing tips are: First fold and then roll your clothing. Roll flatly folded clothes up the way you would a carpet. Double bag your liquid toiletries. Bag your liquid toiletries into individual ziplock bags and then place all into one big ziplock bag. Pack socks, belts and underwear into shoes. This will help maintain the shape of your shoes whilst also utilise space efficiently Use drinking straws to prevent necklaces tangling. If you re packing necklaces, threading part of the chain through a drinking straw will help avoid tangling. Squeeze out excess air from bottles / tubes. This will minimise chances of containers popping from cabin pressure. Pack tumble dryer sheets in amongst your luggage to keep it smelling fresh. Perfume testing cards work too - spritz one with your favourite scent and pop throughout your luggage. Place shoes towards the bottom of your bag above the wheels. They re generally the heaviest items you pack, putting them at the bottom will minimise your items shifting. Pack a small gym towel if you re bringing along a hair straightener. Wrapping your straightener in a towel and securing with a hair tie will give it extra protection in flight. Bring face wipes instead of liquid makeup remover. Remember that less liquids = less chances for spills. Be sure to pack 2 good quality plastic shopping bags. For separating soiled shoes from your clothes, packing wet swimwear or as emergency carry on for purchases. TIP! Now is the time to try out those beauty samples you ve been saving. If you re like me and often get sample sizes of new moisturisers and cleansers etc - trips away are the perfect time to test them out and take advantage of their friendly travel size. Step 6 - To carry or not to carry Last is a quick list of what you should and shouldn t bring in your carry on luggage. In my instance I ve included items relevant for my international flight keeping in mind that everyday items like keys and wallet have been left off the list (those are assumed must bring items!). Remember that the below is just a guide - for your own assurances you should set time aside to decide what you personally need to bring. Also an important thing to consider are what restrictions (if any) the airline you re flying with or the country you re heading to may have - you don t want to be caught unawares especially in another country. To carry on: passport / visa accommodation booking details plane ticket printed out itinerary ipad / tablet / camera charger + cables (portable battery pack for gadgets) headphones + audio adaptor for inflight entertainment system moisturiser (< 100 ml) non aerosol deodorant (speed stick works best) sunglasses large scarf / wrap (those plane blankets rarely get washed!) phone TIP! Pack an empty plastic water bottle in your carry on. Most Australian airports have free water fountains throughout the terminal so rather than pay $4 for a bottle of water before you board - bring an empty plastic bottle through security and fill up at the gate!

6 To not carry on: weapons of any sort (even props or replicas that can be used to threaten or intimidate) items with sharp edges that are capable of injuring a person (like knives, nail clippers, boxcutters, scalpels etc) pointy things that are not weapons, but are capable of causing harm by penetration (letter openers, pointed metal scissors) blunt objects that can be used to bludgeon or threaten someone (sporting bats, golf clubs, pool cues etc) flammable household goods (aerosols, fireworks or flammable liquids) items that can be used to restrain someone (cable ties, handcuffs) lighters in the shape of a gun, grenade or other weapon (standard lighters or matches may be permitted at the discretion of security screening officers) liquids or gels (amounts exceeding > 100 ml) TIP! If you need to bring specialist items check with your airline first as they can advise what you ll need to do to have those items passed through security. This is especially important for those travelling with walking sticks or hypodermic needles etc. Safe travels and bon voyage!