|
Packing for trips can be
fairly stressful - do you pack light and then wish you had packed
more, or include in as much as you can to wish you had packed less?
A few pointers to help you do your packing:
-
Plan the contents of
your suitcase by creating a list. A packing list serves as a
handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip and can useful
in the event that lost or stolen luggage.
-
Choose outfits that
can co-ordinate well together and can be used for multiple
occasions.
-
Check with your
travel agent about the hotel’s in-room amenities so that you
know what can be left behind.
-
Keep jewellery, make
up and perfume to a minimum to save some space and pain if they
get lost or damaged.
-
Bring your
toiletries, if necessary, in travel sizes.
-
Sort out items that
can be purchased easily in the destination that you will be
visiting.
-
Do not pack or carry
firearms, fireworks, flammable materials, household cleaners, or
pressurized containers.
-
Electronic items,
such as laptop computers and cell phones, may be subjected to
additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its
travel case so it can be X-rayed separately.
-
Always carry travel
documents, medication, jewellery, travellers’ cheques, keys and
other valuables in your carry-on luggage.
-
Label your luggage,
inside and outside, with your name, telephone number.
- Gilbert Guaring,
Thailand
Always bring enough
memory cards for your digital camera when traveling in Egypt. You
will not be able to find a CD burner in all the Internet cafes to
enable you to download your beautiful pictures ...To add to your
surprise, even hotels do not provide such a facility...
We (I and my friend) did
not opt for printing the pictures as we had not much time (The tour
group could not afford to wait for us). We found a photo printing
shop and pleaded to help to burn all the pictures...And this costed
us USD 25! This really burned holes in our pockets...We learned that
the CD burners were banned in all local shops (even in the computer
shops) as a way to eradicate pirated CD products. We learned the
lessons the hard way...From that time onwards, we always remember to
set the size of the image before we take any pictures using our
digital camera...Sob~ Sob~
-
Leong Woei Kian, Malaysia
Before packing lay out all the clothes you think will be needed for
the trip and then put 50% away!! Believe me it works and it will
make for easier as well as lighter travel.
WHEN PASSING THRU SINGAPORE'S CHIANGI airport always make sure you
have swimming gear in hand luggage. Even on a re-uelling stop there
will be time at the transit hotel for a shower or swim. Ideal before
or after the 13 hour flight to the UK
Always pack a Universal plug. Many countries do not provide plugs
for the sink in the bathroom. It will avoid irritation especially
when shaving and also save water.
- Len Coates, UK
If you're flying to another country wear a jacket or vest with an
internal pocket. Your passport and plane tickets etc can then be
placed in here before you commence the process of boarding a plane.
I found this so much easier and faster than constantly opening and
closing my handbag or back pack.
- Lyn Lowes, Australia
When packing clothes for any trip, roll them up. You'll be surprised
how much more you can fit into your suitcase and when unrolled, they
don't need ironing. Roll slacks/ trousers/ shorts/ skirts from the
bottom of the leg up. Pack socks/ stockings into your shoes for even
some more space.
- Mary, Australia
When travelling, shirts can be rather creased and rumpled when you
unpack them from your case. In your hotel room, when the shower is
still hot and steamy, hang up your creased shirt on a hanger in the
shower recess, and the hot moist air will help get the wrinkles out.
- Alan Benge, Australia
Save the small free sample bottles of shampoos, conditioners and
cosmetics that you get in magazines and departments stores for your
holidays. They are great for a short stay and save carrying bulky
bottles around. They are also lighter to carry.
- Rebecca Smith, Spain & Canary Islands
When travelling outbound, pick two duffle bags on wheels, where one
will fit inside the other. One large and one medium bag works well.
Pack items in the smaller bag, and place inside the larger bag. On
your return trip, when you are loaded with souvenirs, use both bags
for all the extra goodies! No problem!
- Valerie Ford, USA
When travelling, it is better to roll up those short sleeve casual
wear shirt, so that you need not iron them. No wrinkle & save all
those hassle in getting an iron & board from the hotel!
- Charles Lim, Malaysia
Pack a highlighter marker. As you read pages in guide books or
brochures, or cruise timetables, mark anything that is of interest.
It makes it easier to select after your onceover. At day's end, mark
where you went on your map.
- Tricia Carswell, Canada
When travelling around the UK in spring, purchase 1 lightweight
rain/windpoof jacket with a hood that folds into a small square.
Found this much easier than taking a variety of jackets.
- Glenda Smith, Australia
When travelling carry a small pack with some of your basic
neccessities. Granola bars and power bars are an excellent quick fix
and don't interrupt your hike or exploring when the growlies hit.
Don't forget that bottled water!!
- Shelley James, Canada
Always pack a complete set of clothes, including underwear and
nightwear, in your hand luggage. If you arrive at your destination
late at night, or your main luggage goes missing, you will then have
some clean clothes on hand.
- A.Short, Australia
|
Sew a pocket into the bottom of wide legged pants (just under the
knee) keep a slim wallet there w/traveller's cheques & small amount
of $. no pickpockets will know!
- Darci Paice-Bailey, Canada
Backpack Essentials - For those travelling with backpacks, bring
along several large orange garbage bags to protect the pack from
luggage carousels and machinery; prior to checking your pack in,
write in large letters across the garbage bag your itinerary and
flight numbers, then slip it over the backpack and tie tightly. Your
pack is now immune to the gnashing teeth of the luggage carousels,
and you'll have no trouble identifying the pack on the carousel. If
traveling abroad ensure you bring an electrical adapter so you can
recharge your digital cameras and or use a hairblower.
- Austin Bailey, Canada
I used to hate carrying around a full bottle of aftershave, now I
put sufficient in a little bottle which formerly held hotel shampoo
and it makes carrying to much easier.
- Alastair Mcfarlane, UK
Put all your clothes inside plastic bags. Place a large bath towel
to line the bottom of you suitcase so that the ends will fold over
the plastic bags when packing is finished. By doing that, in the
event that your case/bag bursts open your contents should remain
fairly secure.
- Ursula Rogers, Ireland
Keep all your old underwear – don't throw them away. Bring them
along for your next trip, wear and throw there. So that you will not
need to wash them, and save luggage spaces.
- Lim Wei Peng, Singapore
When traveling, laundry can be a challenge and a costly affair if
one were to use the laundry services offered by hotels. An
alternative to washing your underwear in the wash basin, is to put
them all in a zipper net laundry bag of the type used for washing
push ups, and ask if the hotel laundry service can accept that bag
as one item (instead of charging per piece of underwear, resulting
in a hefty bill). The laundry bags are also useful for separating
dirty underwear from clean ones in your luggage.
- Cecilia Harlitz, Sweden
Have some used plastic shopping bags in your luggage for keeping
your items apart (underwear, office attire, footwear, etc). This is
especially useful when you have to pack for your next destination
before you can get to do the laundering.... keeping the soiled/used
clothers apart from the clean ones.
- Annie Young, Singapore
when luggage is ready, tie some thing that will stand out on the
handle, even a coloured sticker, makes it easy to notice your
luggage when it comes out on the conveyer belt.
Always check if the motel you are staying at has a hair dryer, if
not pack your own.
- Heather, Australia
When I travel, all my clothes in packed in 'vacuum packed bags'. I
buy those that does not require a vacuum cleaner to release the air
instead all I need to do is to roll from top to bottom and the air
will be release through an outlet at the bottom of the bag. I found
these bags at Daiso at IMM. Bringing extra vacuum packed bags will
allow me to do my shopping without worrying about bringing extra
luggage.
- Jenny Wee, Singapore
Roll your clothing instead of stacking them inside your luggage; you
will save more space by doing so. Use a vacuum bag to pack your
things to save more space.
- Lim Wei Li, Singapore
If you head off on a long trip, get a really comfortable pair of
shoes. No high heels because you don't really know how far you are
going to walk on any given day. Comfort is more important than
glamour; trust me!
- Sulyana, Malaysia
I find it useful to refer to my body as a model to assist me in my
packing when preparing for a long journey. Starting at the toe as a
checklist for my packing i.e. shoes, socks, pants...and ending at
the head i.e. toothbrush, comb etc. The routine eases the pressure
that I used to put upon myself, when trying to remember items in a
disorganised manner while in a rush.
- R. Nithiaraj, Malaysia
I always pack a spare set of essentials (underwear, passport
details, spare change in foreign & home currency) and put it in two
separate cases when travelling with a friend. This means if one set
of luggage gets lost then the other one should have enough to cover
us for a day or two till the lost one resurfaces. I also keep my
details & change in a bum bag on me just in case it all goes!
- Susanna Thomas, UK
If staying in a hostel take plenty of cloth bags for wet/dirty
washing and to keep items seperate in. They are not waterproof like
plastic bags, but as well as being better for the environment, you
will save a lot of unhappy fellow travellers complaining about the
scrunching plastic bag noises as you try to dress and organise
luggage very early/late!
- Brooke, Australia
Always carry a few plastic pegs with you as most hotels have a pull
out washing line in the bathroom. This is very useful for drying
socks and underwear.
- J Rushworth, Australia
Do not carry too many clothes while travelling.
It will enhance the
mobility.
- Amit, Bangladesh
I have this backpack that has a stool attached to it. It is very
useful for travelling. When i am tired or any of my group members
are tired, i can just open up the stool and sit on it. On top of
that it is lightweight.
Always hook some of those hardy light-weight oval shaped hooks onto
your backpack. They are useful for hooking your hat, a bottle of
water, or umbrella and you can reach out for them without having to
open your backpack at all. I do that whether travelling or shopping
or marketing. I find this hooks very useful.
- Christine Chin, Singapore
Before leaving on a trip - take into consideration what clothes you
may like to buy from the country you're going to, and don't pack the
equivalent. That way you do not come home laden with double your
needs and no room for interesting things from that country.
-LaVauney M. Harrism, New Zealand
|
