OUR TECHNOLOGICAL FRIENDS!!
We are ‘modern’ and technological these days and travel companions we are taking with us include our mobile phone and/or iPad or similar device and/or our laptop. Along with these we should have on our list, the chargers and an inverter if we are travelling to a different country. An adapter is also helpful if travelling by air. They are standard plugs that you can use to run laptops or charge them instead of using all of your battery power.
FOOTWEAR
This may seem a strange accessory to talk about, but, even if you do not intend to walk a lot while sight-seeing, you need to consider what you will have on your feet as you walk a lot through international airports and also think about how easy this footwear will be for you to take on and off on the aircraft. At many airports now you are also required to take your shoes off as you go through security. Slip on, comfortable and smart shoes, which are roomy enough to cater for the possibility of your feet swelling a little throughout the journey, would be the best.
COMFORT FOR YOUR HEAD AND BACK
Still on the physical comfort theme here….purchase neck pillows and other little support pillows that you can pack around yourself and behind your head and neck as you set yourself up to sleep on the plane. Some of these have sewn-on tags that you can attach to your carry-on bag and some will easily fit into your bag. These can make a huge difference to you on your journey as well as feeling fit after your journey.
WHILE SLEEPING…
An aircraft can be noisy and you may also want to take your own headphones that will cut out the outside sound when you want to sleep. These don’t need to be big and you can buy fold-up headphones that will fit into the corner of your bag. Having this quiet will make sleeping easier!
BAGGAGE!!
You can buy quite compact take-on luggage these days which will include space for your laptop and have other distinctive compartments that make it easy to find your favorite book, your headphones, food, water and toiletries – or whatever you want to take on board. Some like to have a backpack, which makes it easier when walking around the airport and some like to have handles that are padded for easy carrying.
BEING SAFE…
If you want to feel safe and sleep peacefully, make sure your valuables are safe. Some wear an all terrain money belt, which can be used in many situations while travelling – including surfing. Others have a safe/secret part of their carry-on luggage to store valuables. Just make sure you keep these in a safe place near you on the plane to give yourself peace of mind.
AFTER I ARRIVE AT MY DESTINATION….
One thing we are never sure of is the weather. In your carry-on luggage it’s a good idea to have a small fold-up umbrella and you can also get a small packaged raincoat that will also serve you at other times while travelling.
LUGGAGE
It’s easy these days to find luggage that is both light and easy to wheel along. Also, to protect your belongings lock your suitcases and other pieces of luggage. Make sure you get luggage that is sturdy and can be knocked around a bit by the airline luggage handlers. You don’t want it to fall apart.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ETC…
Depending on where you are travelling and into what season you are about to enter, you need to consider the possible need for very warm clothes (snow area) or cotton clothing (very hot area) or any climate in between.
MISCELLANEOUS
Consider the need for a small sewing kit, sun protection, a small hair dryer, something you could use for a small clothesline and a few pegs, sunglasses and a hat, a small alarm clock and a phone card. All of these can be packed in and not take up too much space.
HAPPY TRAVELLING!!!