For some reason, am more of a backpacker than anything else, even when I don't want to. It just makes things easier for me, especially since I bring tons of stuff with a carryon. No little purses for me when travelling.
If you have a possible better suggestion regarding my carryon bag, please let me know. I'd really like to know how others can get by with a strolling bag or a bag you can't really store underneath a plane, bus, or train seat? 'Cause I don't have the build nor the frame to be able to carry such a bag over me and store in a plane or train's overhead bin without assistance. And I'd hate to inconvenience a fellow passenger/stranger by asking them to store it for me. Hehe!
1. Travel documents
I have photocopies of travel docs in my check in luggage, soft copies with my email. Having shots of the docs in one's digital camera is quite a good idea I read in a forum.
2. Footwear
I always never forget to bring a pair of my super versatile Teva Olowahu model sandals. It's verrrry comfy even if you walk with it the whole day and through the night over sand and paved or cobblestoned streets... beats wearing my Diesel sneakers when I was in Europe.
my beat up Teva sandals in Germany
I use the same slippers in the hotel and bathroom/toilets. Hehe! If I can collect one in every color I will. Lol! Though of course you can't wear this in winter conditions outside. It's not sold in Manila anymore, to my dismay. Got my first pair at Bratpack 5 years ago (they don't sell Teva shoes anymore). And bought some more of this model on a U.S. trip last year.
3. No laptop
Yeah. Right. Easier said than done.
I've brought my personal laptop on trips and more often than not it was a nuisance. Even if it's a Mac. But sometimes you just can't avoid bringing one and breaking your back at the airports in the process because nothing beats using your own personal computer. *sigh*
my lil 'ol Mac beside a Lonely Planet guide anda bottle of Krombacher beer
Maybe netbooks are better? But capacity is quite limited. We'll see how the Mac tablet fares. If it's got a bigger file capacity, and wi-fi internet capability, as well as less weight than your average laptop, then I might be sold on this product.
4. Souvenirs
I get a snow globe of/at every destination I go to, as well as ref magnets, and possibly T shirts (used for my jogs, and as nightwear when travelling).
5. Trip Documentation
I take pics of the planes, trains, buses, ships, and automobiles I take to my destination, sometimes even of the airport. Hehe! I take pics of signages too in the metro, railway stations, highways, etc.
4. Souvenirs
I get a snow globe of/at every destination I go to, as well as ref magnets, and possibly T shirts (used for my jogs, and as nightwear when travelling).
5. Trip Documentation
I take pics of the planes, trains, buses, ships, and automobiles I take to my destination, sometimes even of the airport. Hehe! I take pics of signages too in the metro, railway stations, highways, etc.
my Madrid flight while waiting at Schiphol
6. Shirt
I always bring my black women's Starbuko Ice Drop T-shirt (reminds me of home, too). I use it as my night shirt.
7. Toy
I bring my fave Sanrio character doll and take photos of it at the tourist sites.. hehe! It has been to almost everywhere with me. ;)
8. Gadgets
These include my cellphone with camera (I use this for point and shoot, on the spot photography), Apple iPod Video 5.5 generation (can transfer photo files direct from digital camera to here via USB for back up , no need for laptop.. hehe!), a point and shoot, a digital SLR camera, extra cards for the camera, hair dryer, batteries and chargers.
9. Extra bag/s (packable)
Preferably a really huge duffle bag that I pack with my check in luggage. So it can hold all the stuff I get overseas, on the return flight.
10. Lip gloss, mints, a small bottle of fragrance, and a small comb
They help make one look and feel marginally better than one feels after the waiting and queueing at the airport or railway station, and a flight.
11. Notebook
I bring a spiral bound, leather-covered Lonely Planet travel journal. But I use it for nothing more than as a notebook where I list stuff. I also got a really teeny tiny notebook once in Madrid where I took down the addresses and contact info of people and the hostels I'll be staying with/in at my next destination.
I always bring my black women's Starbuko Ice Drop T-shirt (reminds me of home, too). I use it as my night shirt.
7. Toy
I bring my fave Sanrio character doll and take photos of it at the tourist sites.. hehe! It has been to almost everywhere with me. ;)
8. Gadgets
These include my cellphone with camera (I use this for point and shoot, on the spot photography), Apple iPod Video 5.5 generation (can transfer photo files direct from digital camera to here via USB for back up , no need for laptop.. hehe!), a point and shoot, a digital SLR camera, extra cards for the camera, hair dryer, batteries and chargers.
9. Extra bag/s (packable)
Preferably a really huge duffle bag that I pack with my check in luggage. So it can hold all the stuff I get overseas, on the return flight.
10. Lip gloss, mints, a small bottle of fragrance, and a small comb
They help make one look and feel marginally better than one feels after the waiting and queueing at the airport or railway station, and a flight.
11. Notebook
I bring a spiral bound, leather-covered Lonely Planet travel journal. But I use it for nothing more than as a notebook where I list stuff. I also got a really teeny tiny notebook once in Madrid where I took down the addresses and contact info of people and the hostels I'll be staying with/in at my next destination.
the notebook/journal with leftover
sandwich on top in the train in Venice
sandwich on top in the train in Venice
It'd be nice to have this Fujifilm portable instant photo printer but it's only available in Japan and eBay. Tsk! Would be great to have one and easily stick the photos to my travel journal.
12. My black sweater or blazer
It's always with my carryon bag whenever I'm on the road, or over the skies. This is one of the reasons why a small carryon or tote won't do for me whenever I travel. I just bring so much stuff. Hehe!
13. A pack of travel sized baby wipes or Wet Ones
Absolutely indispensable. That is, until, you use one of course. Lol! I just prefer these over plain tissues or liquid hand sanitizers. Feels cleaner and fresher.
14. Church
Get to attend mass at a local church even at least once. It's also a good way to immerse oneself with, and to see more of, the local community.
15. During the flight
I sleep, and wake up to eat, but most of the time I watch in-flight movies with the screen on the seatback in front of me. Movie marathon galore. Hehe!
I also almost always ask for hot tea, too, when offered, instead of coffee or water. Am a tea drinker. ;) Other times it was wine for my meals.
These are my specific travel essentials and habits I can recall off the top of my head. Will add some more as I see fit. How about you, what are your travel essentials/habits? :)
It's always with my carryon bag whenever I'm on the road, or over the skies. This is one of the reasons why a small carryon or tote won't do for me whenever I travel. I just bring so much stuff. Hehe!
13. A pack of travel sized baby wipes or Wet Ones
Absolutely indispensable. That is, until, you use one of course. Lol! I just prefer these over plain tissues or liquid hand sanitizers. Feels cleaner and fresher.
14. Church
Get to attend mass at a local church even at least once. It's also a good way to immerse oneself with, and to see more of, the local community.
15. During the flight
I sleep, and wake up to eat, but most of the time I watch in-flight movies with the screen on the seatback in front of me. Movie marathon galore. Hehe!
I also almost always ask for hot tea, too, when offered, instead of coffee or water. Am a tea drinker. ;) Other times it was wine for my meals.
These are my specific travel essentials and habits I can recall off the top of my head. Will add some more as I see fit. How about you, what are your travel essentials/habits? :)
