We’re in Covid so travel is out of the question for us this year! And oh, how we miss it as I don’t think there’s been a time when we need the mental reprieve of a sunny beach or change of scenery more than we do now.
It is what it is tho but – and I do say BUT – when that day comes again, and it WILL, take note of this list before you pack to avoid a whole slew of frustration and disappointment in unpreparedness. After all, you’ve worked hard for this trip and have been looking forward to it for awhile now. Don’t let the avoidable go overlooked and dampen your holiday!
Joe and I have done a little bit of traveling in our life together. Prior to meeting him, the only places I had traveled to were within Canada and to Mexico. Mind you, Canada is a fairly vast piece of the globe and there is so much to see here right here in my own backyard – some of which I have, but that’s another post 😉.
Learning To Adjust
Since meeting Joe and given that the nature of his job early on was just that – to travel for his employer, he’s had the opportunity to travel to many countries and locations. Some of them more developed than others. Some of the accommodations a little more luxurious than others and he’s become a bit of an expert packer over those years – learning to seriously adapt where needed. Me, on the other hand. Well, let’s put it this way – if I said I had room for an extra hair tool or pair of flip-flops in my suitcase, I’d be lying. We’re usually weighing suitcases in the 11th hour before leaving for the long drive to the airport in my need to stay within airline luggage weight restrictions. And it goes something like this – on the scale…”&$#@!” (or similar). Take items out – back on the scale and in total exasperation “Grrrr!!” and more items out while the clock ticks. Lucky for me tho, Joe’s expertise allows for my overflow, so the extra pair of flip-flops? He gets ‘em!
In those years of packing experience, I’ve learned the hard way. With no liquids or gels being allowed on flights in handbags and carry-ons and having had to throw out expensive items at the counter, the SHOES now go in the carry-on! And nothing but shoes. Take note ladies! “Oh my goodness! All shoes!!” chuckled one security agent at the scanner. Yeppers! This ain’t my first rodeo!
I’ve really learned to dial it down over the years too tho – much to my credit! I now only pack 2 pairs of flip-flops – runners and 4 pairs of shoes for evening dinners. I skip the shorts and tees when we go to Cuba now and instead, load up on sundresses that can be worn as beach cover-ups and over the day if sightseeing, but which also can be dressed up for evening – with the right shoes and accessories. As historically rich as it may be, I don’t go to a sunny destination to sight-see! We’re there for the sun and beach and that’s where we spend our entire days – at the beach. The bathing suits I’ve learned to dial down as well with mix and match pieces and the hair – well, what’s the point? I straighten it for the travel, live with it for 2 days and for the rest of the trip, its the Don King look on a good day in the Caribbean humidity.
No Two Situations Are Alike
What I didn’t count on tho, in any of the places we have traveled to, were the many different “bathroom” arrangements and ideas that exist within various countries. We’ve experienced everything from a standard toilet with flush handle to 2 holes in the dirt for your heels and a grab handle to a traditional toilet with no toilet paper holder next to it but instead, with a garden hose attachment in the sink. And then the waiter served the bread! So yeah, there was some adjusting needed on my part!
All to say, there are things that this girl has learned along the way and WILL NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT from now on – ever!! International or not, I’ve come to learn to expect the unexpected! And I will be prepared!
On to the list – totally based on our experiences over the years!
25 Things You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without
#25 – A valid EXTENDED passport – some countries will not allow you to enter if your passport is not valid for up to 6 months from your return date. Double ck your specific host country’s requirements with regards to your passport expiry date before you even book your trip.
#24 – Passport copies – keep photocopies of your passport in your luggage and keep a photocopy at home on your kitchen counter as well as a house key with someone at home. That way if your passport gets stolen or lost, you have a backup in your suitcase. If something happens to your suitcase, you can contact someone at home who can fax the copy to where it needs to go.
#23 – List of emergency numbers for the country/province you’re visiting, including Consulate numbers of both – the country you’re visiting and in the country you’re from.
#22 – Hydrocortisone prescription – Polysporin at the very least (1% hydrocortisone). Every country has their own little pesky critter and they LOVE my Canadian blood! To date, hydrocortisone has been a real trip saver and can save you a trip out of pocket to the nearest med center or nursing station. They most times charge out of pocket and it can take up a good part of your limited 7 days of sun time. Not to mention the agony of the ongoing torture of an insect bite! Get the prescription before you leave home or get the Polysporin!
#21 – After sun care. Yes, it’s heavy but you may not easily find it on site. Just take it and leave what you haven’t used for other guests or staff when you leave.
#20 – Tea Tree Oil – you can buy a small vial of it for about $3 at your local pharmacy. I add a few drops to my sunscreen and it really works at keeping sand fleas and mosquitos at bay. And no wonder – it smells awful but it works!!
#19 – Feminine hygiene products – no country has the same idea about those either and in some places, they are in VERY short supply if you can find them at all! This is not something you want to be without! Just stock up on them to leave home with and leave the rest behind when you come home for the resort staff, or not.
#18 – Large plastic baggies – they will come in very handy for multiple uses – sunscreens at the beach, snacks, wet items such as bathing suits, diapers, baby items etc
#17 – Power converters and adapters – not all countries have the same systems. With adapters, you’ll most times be able to use their electrical outlets for your hair tools, phone charger etc. As well, some countries will have 220 power supply and you will need the converter to operate anything. They’re heavy but pack them if you can! You’ll be glad you did just in case or be prepared for the Don King look.
#16 – A hard-copy list of phone numbers for everyone at home in addition to those stored in your phone – in the event your phone gets lost or stolen.
#15 – Proof of medical insurance – some countries will not allow you entry without it. Just a photocopy of your policy in your hand bag and a copy of your insurance card on you tucked inside of your passport folder will do it.
#14 – Hydrogen Peroxide, cotton balls, band-aids. Coral hiding under soft sand is no fun to walk on! Even worse than walking on Lego in bare feet!
#13 – Stool softeners – some international foods will just get you ‘that way’.
#12 – Pepto Bismal, Tylenol, Imodium – different country, culture, culinary practices, too much sun or rum – just take it.
#11 – Benadryl – in case any one of your travel party suffers an allergic reaction to anything.
#10 – Canadian credit card with lots of room on it for those unexpected emergencies. We learned early on that not all countries will accept a US credit card. Not all resorts/hotels will accept foreign currency and not all resorts offer banking services.
#9 – Kleenex – take many packages and scatter them throughout your travel pieces.
#8 – Beach towels – with an early check-out and having to turn in the resort’s beach towels well in advance of your departure, you don’t want to be left on the beach with nothing to dry off with or to lay on. As well, it will sometimes happen that your clean bath towels don’t always make it to your room in time. You’ll be glad you packed the lighter weight beach towels – whether for sun-bathing or showering in a pinch.
#7 – $ in their currency – even if $20 worth – so you don’t starve or get too cranky without coffee when they will only accept their currency and you only have Canadian $ on you. You can always take the leftover currency with you when you return if you enjoyed your first trip or cash it in at your bank when you get home.
#6 – Thermal mugs – take extra! Rather than drink out of tiny little plastic cups on the beach which spill back and forth before you even get to your lounger, you can keep your drinks cool and sand-free with thermal mugs. It never hurts to pack extra as they sometimes have a way of walking off on you and you don’t want to have to be without for the rest of your trip . You can stock up on them at the Dollar Store. They’re extremely lightweight (stuff bathing suits, t-shirts etc in them if you’re short on packing space) and you can leave the extras behind when you leave – or not.
#5 – Keep the address where you’ll be staying on you at all times. Nothing worse than sobbing to the German Deutsche Post man because you can’t speak German, can’t find your hotel, can’t remember its name and then finding yourself driving around a foreign town with the postman in his little yellow Deutsche Post buggy delivering mail. True story! Know where you are staying!
#4 – Prescriptions – get them filled BEFORE you go and make sure to have enough to do you twice the length of your stay along with the med insert that the pharmacy gives you to prove what the medication is used for. You don’t want the security dogs at the airport calling you out as a smuggler. Ask my 75 yr old mom!
#3 – Tweezers – tweezers are multi-functional and they’re great for pulling splinters when they happen.
#2 – A Translation app on your phone or a dictionary in the host country’s language. They don’t always understand just the sobbing.
And the # 1 travel accessory – what you should never leave home without is (and I’m not being crude…true story!!). The struggle is real…
TOILET PAPER!!
For whatever the reason, there’s a shortage of it everywhere and you never know when you’re going to encounter a different bathroom arrangement. Pack it in your suitcase, purse, handbag, beach bag, carry-on, backpack – wherever you can and as much of it as you can squeeze in around all of those flip-flops and hair tools.
Better Safe Than Sorry
A part of experiencing travel to another country requires a need and willingness to adapt and sometimes, in a hurry. Being prepared will find you with more time relaxing on the beach or sight-seeing and enjoying it all as you should.
Hoping you will have found this list helpful in ensuring yourself a great holiday!
What, have you found, you don’t want to be without in your next travel? Please, let us know in the comments below 😊! I’ll add it to my personal list!
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