Posted on 09/30/2014 6:42:08 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
In less than three weeks, we hit the airways and cruise the Asia waters and gateways not Asia, Singapore and Beijing... I haven't started packing.
I am notorious for over-packing.. I may use foam inserts next time to fill the suitcase out and leave some of the stuff home.
Anyone have any packing tips?
I always have a bag ready with everything I need for a couple of days. Socks, shorts, toothpaste, C4 and caps, etc.
I could do that too.. Its not like there are no good deals in Asia these days! :-)
A new suit, some trousers, tummy tuck, facelift,,
I love the concept of travel lite... But ..
I want to go to Thailand in December as well.
If I have to I’ll switch to Burma.
I’d recommend travel light.
Unmentioned is the topic of firearms. With a little research it doesn't have to be that bad traveling domestically with one if you need to, but beware of unplanned stops in police states such as New York and New Jersey, where you're a class enemy for possessing a gun and they'll make your life miserable just for fun. Internationally, it's pretty much out of the question for a private individual unless you do a LOT of research: for a safari or the like, perhaps.
Meds, enough to last and another 100% for delays. And a little emergency food - I spent a hungry, unplanned stopover in Minneapolis one early morning, for example, when everything but the vending machines was closed. Spare pair of glasses. Comfy sneakers and a nice warm-up suit that you can actually wear on the plane if you have to. Pocket Bible and a pocket copy of the Constitution and the Declaration so you can remind yourself that whatever else, you're civilized and that there is a Truth bigger than the bureaucratic nonentities you're likely to face just through the fact of traveling. I recall an unpleasant day spent in a country I shall not name where being an American might have got me killed outside the airport and it was about an even bet inside. If that's the kind of trip you're on, best of luck. And mostly, pack your sense of humor. ;-)
Good point! I am going to have to lay two suitcases side by side, one a big fellar and one a medium size .. Thx.
Last minute mostly. Too much else going on which demands anything wait that can wait.
I aspire to minimal packing: 1-2 changes of clothes, toiletries, basic electronics, a book.
I succumb to overpacking: more changes (hypothesizing various scenarios), more electronics, more books. Wife fills the rest of the car (& camper if available).
The comforting backup mantra: “Driver’s license, credit card, debit card, passport - I’m ready for anything!”
I went to Europe hosteling with a couple of other girls for four months with two changes of clothes, three sets of underwear, one pair of shoes and one pair of low-heel boots, a pea jacket and a woolen hat. Wish I could be that way now that I'm older. Now, the vitamins and medicines and face creams and makeup and first aid kit and hair stuff take up more room than that one tote bag I lived out of then.
We travel a lot. I start a box a week or two ahead and toss stuff in; also notes of what not to forget. We use Rick Steve’s bags, either the soft backpacks or the rollers, depending on destination. I take things that I can mix and match - pants that go with a few tops, etc. I take lightweight stuff that I can wash overnight. I take a few shoes to change if I’m walking a lot. And hot curlers!! And then I weigh it and make it light over all. Last time my bag weighed 16 lbs for 4 weeks plus jacket. You can always buy stuff. Have fun. Rick Steves has great travel tips.
Drop me a note if you have further questions. You will not want to carry stuff. lightweight is best.
Can’t imagine just one bag. We travel with two grandkids. Next trip is going to be for two weeks and we will be playing golf, spending time by the pool swimming and snow skiing. Everybody has their own golf clubs and ski boots because of feet issues. I’m just thankful that we at least rent skis, rather than schlepping those, too. When we did this last year I came back wishing we all played tennis instead.
I pack at the last minute. You can almost always get anything you forget at the other end of the line - frequently cheaper than here, if you shop where the locals do.
yes, absolutely, carry on and wash. my sister said, of our photos of the last trip, ‘you have that top on in every pix.’ haha but it was always clean. (broke wrist, cannot type tonight).
Get the little travel sizes at store for shaving cream, toothpaste, drugs (Advil & Imodium, for example).
Hubby and I always take a carry-on bag to stow and I have a great light backpack that fits underneath the seat which also has a nice backpack purse for the day trips. (You won’t need that, haa!) We have found that doing a load or two of laundry/or sending it to be done is by far better than schlepping it around. Coming home if we have purchased a lot we expand the carry-on and check it.
We pack the night before. Just make sure dry cleaning and laundry is ready to go a day or two before you go so everything is clean. We are like someone before, if we forget something we just buy it and the most it has been is a sweatshirt.
Oh, sometimes I put the clothes I want to wear in the front of the closet. I take no more than 3 pair of shows and husband 2 pair...one of which we wear on the plane.
Safe and wonderful travels!
I may need to look into a ‘roller’ .. Or two.
Who says an old dog can’t change? Lol
First thing is do not buy new shoes for the trip.Buy voltage adaptors for your electronics if going to foreign country.
Bring all the things that are comfortable that you usually wear.
Light jacket with hood, sweater, light gloves even a pull on hat. Cruising can get cold.
Roll up everything you pack in suitcase, seems to take less room.
Carryon bag: all your important stuff for getting through airport and security.
Including your computer, voltage adaptors, book, ear plugs, all medicine that you need.
Buy water in bottles after checking in. I save an empty bottle in case I need it later.
Have a wonderful trip. Hope you come back to us refreshed, we need you here.
Carry twice what you think you will need, and split it between your wife's carry on and yours. A major hub airport gets shut down for a few days, or the plane has a problem, and you'll come back with less medicine than you planned.
And TSA and airline folks have been known to steal from checked luggage - never pack anything valuable or important.
I use the packing cells too. love them.
"Everyone I know has a big but..." - Pee Wee Herman
You haven't seen capitalism until you have seen Asia. Need something in Kowloon? Get off the subway, it's right outside the subway. Literally. I mean it, just step off the escalator, you don't even cross the street. The subway just morphs into the mall like it is the mall's arteries. You can buy all the clothes you need. Need clothes, but you're on the way to the great wall? No problem, buy them while you are walking along the great wall.
The phrase "It's too far to go shopping" has no translation in your phraseboook in Asia. You are in a mall wherever you go. Anything you need at the time you need it is closer to you in their shops than back at your hotel anyway.
I take my oldest socks and underwear that are ready for disposal and leave them behind. My old underwear is strewn across 5 continents.
I typically pack at the last minute so I often paraphrase Mark Twain with “I didn’t have time to pack a small bag so I packed a larger one.”
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