Packing tips!

Monday 16th April 2007
Not much to report today, nor will there be for the next few days as we plan to slob around on the beach and pool for the last few days. So instead, I will start to end this blog by reminding ourselves of things, what was good about what we’ve packed (and what we perhaps should and shouldn’t have packed) and finally, over the next few days, some best and worst ‘awards’. It will be a good aide memoir for us and also help us plan future trips, of which we hope there will be many.
So, here goes.
Good things to pack: my blow up pillow – useful in many of the budget and mid-range hotels that don’t give you enough pillows, as well as when travelling. Contact Lenses: my brilliant young optician (she’s the first to get my glasses/contact lenses right for years) did some gap year travelling. She recommended that I have daily disposable lenses so that I wouldn’t have to carry loads of lotions with me (very heavy) and also so that I could just throw them away each time I’d been swimming, snorkelling etc in sea and chlorinated water. They have worked so well (I’ve hardly worn my specs) I’m going to continue with these on my return. My screw up skirt and dress (recommended by Steph) – you know the sort, silk, you deliberately screw up so it looks good when unpacked. My laptop. So much better than using hotel computers where they have internet connections in the room and even though it costs, it has saved a mint on phone calls, we’ve been able to make onward hotel bookings on it, we’ve never felt out of touch (and Sid’s always had the Fulham scores). Oh yeah, and the expanding suitcases. Essential. Alarm Clock: never missed a flight (yet!)
Not a packing thing, but probably best of all: the Nationwide account that has allowed us to cash money everywhere without a single bank charge.
Not to pack: so many clothes; it is so hard to make yourself believe that you can come with an empty suitcase and pick up bargains all along the way, but it’s so true. We could each have brought half the clothes we did (there’s never been a problem getting laundry done) – although we’ve worn them all. because they’re there, we didn’t need them and as always, have worn and reworn all the favourites.