I have a love-hate relationship with travelling. I have a soul that long for adventure and eager to explore the world, but a body that doesn’t adapt to travelling and accustom to new environment easily… @.@ And I am too lazy sometimes to pack and unpack and plan and do research… So…
Today I am going to share with you my travel tips after years of travelling the world.
1. Make a Checklist
I always pack my luggage last minute, like 1-2 hours before leaving to the airport. And the way I make sure I never forget to bring anything is that I made a checklist. I basically have 3 kind of checklists: Travel for business, Travel for leisure and Travel with kids. The list will consist of essentials such as passport, charger, medicine, glasses, toiletries, make up bag, wallet… etc. And when travelling for business, on top of the basics, the list will include business cards and laptops… So every time when I pack, I just re-use the checklist to make sure I pack everything I need for the trip. This way, I effectively reduce the packing time and never left out anything.
2. Buy Travel Insurance
So that you don’t get too upset if flight is canceled or luggage lost. If you are a frequent traveler, buy a yearly travel insurance so that you don’t have to buy insurance every time before you travel. It does save a lot of time (and money) too!
3. Pack Make Up Bags, Medicines, Contact Lenses, Coat and Extra Set of Garments in Your Hand Carry
Always be prepared that even if your check-in luggage went missing in transit, you still have those essentials that you need with you. Remember to pack in extra pair of undies too!
4. Stay Hydrated
I normally carry a small thermos with me when travelling. I will fill up the thermos with warm water before boarding and before I go out from the hotel to make sure I have sufficient water intake.
5. Keep A Hotel Card In Your Pocket
Upon check in at the hotel, I will request for a hotel card that has the name, address and contact number on it. I will keep it in my pocket just in case I got lost and need to show the taxi driver how to get back to the hotel.
6. Pack A First Aid Kit
My first aid kit (normally a small pouch in my hand carry) consists of bandages, eye drops, allergic medicine (Telfast or Zyrtec), Panadol, cold and flu medicine, nail clippers, activated charcoal pills (for traveler’s diarrhea) and some ginseng teabags. While abroad, it is not easy to get access to medication and clinics, therefore, having a first aid kit is not only convenient but can be a life saver too.
7. Bring A Scarf
I love to bring oversized scarf instead of a bulky coat with me on board. When it gets chilly in the cabin, I will wrap it around my shoulder and it doesn’t take up too much space.
8. Pack Light
I like to pack light. At least something I could haul effortlessly by myself. I refuse to be the amateur who holds up the plane because my luggage is too heavy/too large to fit in the overhead compartment (trust me, I used to be that girl who blocked everyone while struggling to stuff my hand carry luggage on top). Also, I hate watching my luggage turning 3 times on the conveyor belt and could not able to get it off due to its heavy weight.
9. Pray
We all have unknown fears while we travel. Whether you are travelling long distance or short distance, on road, flight or sea, a prayer always remind us of God’s love, grace and mercy. And it can be very assuring even in times of despair and danger. Having God’s presence travelling with you will give you peace and so you are able to enjoy the trip.
Hope you find these tips useful for your travel plans 🙂 Thank you so much for reading.
Do you have any tips to add? Share with us in the comment below!
If you would like to read more about our Japan travel story, your can click the links below:
Kobe: Train Station Fashion Shoots
Kyoto: Couple Kimono Experience
Chidoriga-Fuchi Park: Boating Under The Sakura
Wishing you a blessed day and stay safe while travelling!
XOXO Eryn
Millionmars 