I think that one of the most stressful things about travelling is packing. You don’t want to leave home and realize you forgot something (especially when you travel somewhere remote). For me, I always rely on my “packing lists”. I usually print the list and review it a few days before leaving (just to make sure that I don’t need to go buy anything). Then, on packing day, I slowly move through the list checking off items as I put them in the luggage.
The lists below are exhaustive and a bunch of stuff listed only makes sense depending on the type of trip you go on (you won’t need bug spray when skiing in the Alps!). I keep them as Word documents so when you download them, you can add to them. Always feel free to shoot me a line if there is something you think I should add to the list that would be helpful to others.
Some packing tips:
-put your undies and socks in a special bag so they don’t get mixed in with the rest of your clothes
-bring batteries, charging cables, headsets and medication on the plane with you
-create a special bag of goodies for you to easily access once you get settled on the plane; it should include: kleenex, Wet Ones, a water bottle that you filled in the fountain after you pass through security, an apple and some other favourite snacks
-a great site for “The Ultimate Carry On Guide” is: The Blonde Abroad (it’s a bit girly and extensive but you can get some good ideas from it)
-remember to download at least 4 movies (2 for each journey) onto your electronic device; I personally always travel with my MacBook Air so I go to iTunes and “download” the movies; I then have 28 days to watch the movie (and once started you have 48 hours to finish the movie)
-if you are travelling with a companion, don’t forget a splitter for your device so you can watch a movie together
-International flights usually have respectable weight limits for your luggage (i.e.: 50 lbs) but if you plan on taking “internal” flights once at a destination, make sure to find out their maximum weight (and pack according to that weight)
–Pack for a Purpose is an amazing organization where you check their site for the place you are going to visit and they list supplies needed in that community
-if you are travelling in a malaria infested area, I spray my clothes in permethrin (the brand is Sawyer)