Allow a week or month for purchases to arrive, such as climbing clothes and boots, or a new suitcase. Check airline seat and order meal. Start or finish your language course.
SELLING UP?
Ebay and Amazon - for last minute purchases. Some places offer 24 hour delivery or express same day delivery for a premium.
Your old kit may be out of date. Selling off - use Gumtree.
SUITCASE
Check suitcases. Handles which won't push back in, missing wheels, or just needs a wash?
New tag for new destination. String or ribbon to identify bag.
Strap, in case locks fail.
Locks and keys.
You can buy a cover to protect your suitcase against scratches, prevent tampering, and identify your luggage from a distance. Covers are good for hard suitcases but might cover outside pockets on soft suitcases.
PACKING
List what you pack so that you can check when re-packing. I once came back with only one of a pair of slippers. Another time the baby's essential teddy was under the duvet in the cot.
My top ten list - write your own list on your phone and fridge door.
MEDICATION
Take your pills and pack your pills. Photograph prescrition in case you need a repear prescription or are challenged about your pills or lqiquids at customs. Note pills left behind and expiry date.
Keep all liquids separate.
If eating at airport, check the airport restaurants on line to save time and not miss out.
PRICES
Note prices of perfumes and wines at local supermarket and destination airport before buying at home airport.
Check currency exchange rates at airports of bothe coutnries and outside airports in both countries. Allow time for: to change currency and go to airport lounge and toilets and hunt for trolleys and check in queue (Americans say line up).
KEYS & PASSWORDS
Note or remember passwords.
Take keys and travel passes.
Leave behind duplicate keys and travel passes.
NUMBERS
Note your frequent flyer numbers.
Note your passport number.
WASHING
Vaccuum floors. Wash bedding and pillowcases.
FOOD & DRINK
Take water for your journey. Ideally use a small container which can be emptied to save litter and clutter.
Empty food bins and clear from fridge perishable items.
Check weather at destination. Take an umbrella and packable sunhat.
SPECTACLES
Wear a glasses chain so you can attack your spectacles when asleep on a flight or dozing whilst waiting. Note your prescription in your diary so that if your spectacles break you don't need to pay for an eye test. If you know your prescription you can order glasses on line.
Emergency - forgot or broke glasses? Many supermarkets sell glasses. If you have different eyes these will not work long term and would give you headaches. However to quickly read a map, or a restaurant menu, the cheapest off the rack glasses will get yu through, even if you have to shut one eye. you could also borrow somebody else's glasses.
We did this once at a wedding when my husband forgot his reading lgasses. He had not planned on reading any books and forgot about trying to read a restaurant menu in dim lighting.
READING MATERIAL OR GAMES OR MUSIC
Take education or entertainment material for journeys and delays. Novel. Novel you are writing. Music. Language course for destination.
STATIONERY
Take a new notebook, and diary. Map of destination. Print alphabet or word list.
GOODBYES & HELLOS
Say goodbye to friends or colleagues and leave contact details.
Remind destination family, friends and colleagues that you are arriving.
Confirm flight check in and seat. (Meals must be booked 24 hours early.)
GOODBYES
Allow time to say goodbye to neighbours. You may wish to give them spare keys, plants to water, or pets.
Leave instructions as to which relatives or gardeners or wind cleaners are likely to visit and who should be let in and who should be prevented from entering or reported.
If you have a burglar alarm, ensure somebody nearby can turn it off.
GIFTS
Find out what your relatives want brought back from a holiday destination. You might want their size in clothes or shoes. Would they prefer clothes, stationery, ornaments or only practical items, food or drink, alcohol, no alcohol, cigarettes, no cigarettes, something with their name on, a joke item or item with a joke on it, or nothing?
ORDER CABS
Order cab at departure point.
Order cab at arrival.
COUNT BAGS
Count your suitcases, bags, umbrellas, cameras, and coats, duty free and magazines and newspapers and food bags.
KEEP EVERYTHING ATTACHED
Have several systems. Write down the number of items and/or photograph them.
This also helps when reporting a loss.
Never put anything down.
I lost a silver ring on a washbasin. Always put jewellery in your bag or around your neck on a chain with a secure fastener, not a ribbons with a knot which could slip, nor a t bar which could come undone.
Wallets and keys and bags placed on top of a car foor as you unlock the door are asking to be left bhind. A bag behind the car boot, before you drive off - or drive over it.
We did that. My husband reversed out of a driveway in London over my travel bag and brolly. He said it was my fault and I said it was his fault. Never put anything down behind a car unless you are hiding from terrorists.
PACKING LIGHT FOR A SHORT TRIP?
Pack light. Cito o-ordinate clothes. Vary with scarves and jewllery. Wear heaviest shoes. Choose reversible dress and jackets. convertisble trousers which shorten p into a tab. Check all buttons are secure. Sew down zip ends so zip pull does not pull off. Have ribbons to tie or elastic to secure hats from blowing away.
Reversible scarf.
Pack clothes which was out overnight.
Remember night dress and swimsuit and swimhat.
Take sewing kit.
TIME TO AIRPORT
Allow extra time. In Singapore after dark you can see the lights on the multi-storey atrium waterfall at Jewel shopping mall.
Photo by Matteo Morando in Wikipedia article on Jewel.
Changi Airport also has a Butterfly Garden on two levels.
Useful Websites
Several youtube videos show you how to pack light, even for a long trip.
To sell items
Gumtree is in the UK, Australia, South Africa and Singapore.
https://www.gumtree.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumtree
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/08/packing-for-trek-what-weight.html
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please bookmark and share links to yuur favourite posts.
Ebay and Amazon - for last minute purchases. Some places offer 24 hour delivery or express same day delivery for a premium.
Your old kit may be out of date. Selling off - use Gumtree.
SUITCASE
Check suitcases. Handles which won't push back in, missing wheels, or just needs a wash?
New tag for new destination. String or ribbon to identify bag.
Strap, in case locks fail.
Locks and keys.
You can buy a cover to protect your suitcase against scratches, prevent tampering, and identify your luggage from a distance. Covers are good for hard suitcases but might cover outside pockets on soft suitcases.
PACKING
List what you pack so that you can check when re-packing. I once came back with only one of a pair of slippers. Another time the baby's essential teddy was under the duvet in the cot.
My top ten list - write your own list on your phone and fridge door.
MEDICATION
Take your pills and pack your pills. Photograph prescrition in case you need a repear prescription or are challenged about your pills or lqiquids at customs. Note pills left behind and expiry date.
Keep all liquids separate.
If eating at airport, check the airport restaurants on line to save time and not miss out.
PRICES
Note prices of perfumes and wines at local supermarket and destination airport before buying at home airport.
Check currency exchange rates at airports of bothe coutnries and outside airports in both countries. Allow time for: to change currency and go to airport lounge and toilets and hunt for trolleys and check in queue (Americans say line up).
KEYS & PASSWORDS
Note or remember passwords.
Take keys and travel passes.
Leave behind duplicate keys and travel passes.
NUMBERS
Note your frequent flyer numbers.
Note your passport number.
WASHING
Vaccuum floors. Wash bedding and pillowcases.
FOOD & DRINK
Take water for your journey. Ideally use a small container which can be emptied to save litter and clutter.
Empty food bins and clear from fridge perishable items.
Check weather at destination. Take an umbrella and packable sunhat.
SPECTACLES
Wear a glasses chain so you can attack your spectacles when asleep on a flight or dozing whilst waiting. Note your prescription in your diary so that if your spectacles break you don't need to pay for an eye test. If you know your prescription you can order glasses on line.
Emergency - forgot or broke glasses? Many supermarkets sell glasses. If you have different eyes these will not work long term and would give you headaches. However to quickly read a map, or a restaurant menu, the cheapest off the rack glasses will get yu through, even if you have to shut one eye. you could also borrow somebody else's glasses.
We did this once at a wedding when my husband forgot his reading lgasses. He had not planned on reading any books and forgot about trying to read a restaurant menu in dim lighting.
READING MATERIAL OR GAMES OR MUSIC
Take education or entertainment material for journeys and delays. Novel. Novel you are writing. Music. Language course for destination.
STATIONERY
Take a new notebook, and diary. Map of destination. Print alphabet or word list.
GOODBYES & HELLOS
Say goodbye to friends or colleagues and leave contact details.
Remind destination family, friends and colleagues that you are arriving.
Confirm flight check in and seat. (Meals must be booked 24 hours early.)
Allow time to say goodbye to neighbours. You may wish to give them spare keys, plants to water, or pets.
Leave instructions as to which relatives or gardeners or wind cleaners are likely to visit and who should be let in and who should be prevented from entering or reported.
If you have a burglar alarm, ensure somebody nearby can turn it off.
GIFTS
Find out what your relatives want brought back from a holiday destination. You might want their size in clothes or shoes. Would they prefer clothes, stationery, ornaments or only practical items, food or drink, alcohol, no alcohol, cigarettes, no cigarettes, something with their name on, a joke item or item with a joke on it, or nothing?
ORDER CABS
Order cab at departure point.
Order cab at arrival.
COUNT BAGS
Count your suitcases, bags, umbrellas, cameras, and coats, duty free and magazines and newspapers and food bags.
KEEP EVERYTHING ATTACHED
Have several systems. Write down the number of items and/or photograph them.
This also helps when reporting a loss.
Never put anything down.
I lost a silver ring on a washbasin. Always put jewellery in your bag or around your neck on a chain with a secure fastener, not a ribbons with a knot which could slip, nor a t bar which could come undone.
Wallets and keys and bags placed on top of a car foor as you unlock the door are asking to be left bhind. A bag behind the car boot, before you drive off - or drive over it.
We did that. My husband reversed out of a driveway in London over my travel bag and brolly. He said it was my fault and I said it was his fault. Never put anything down behind a car unless you are hiding from terrorists.
PACKING LIGHT FOR A SHORT TRIP?
Pack light. Cito o-ordinate clothes. Vary with scarves and jewllery. Wear heaviest shoes. Choose reversible dress and jackets. convertisble trousers which shorten p into a tab. Check all buttons are secure. Sew down zip ends so zip pull does not pull off. Have ribbons to tie or elastic to secure hats from blowing away.
Reversible scarf.
Pack clothes which was out overnight.
Remember night dress and swimsuit and swimhat.
Take sewing kit.
TIME TO AIRPORT
Allow extra time. In Singapore after dark you can see the lights on the multi-storey atrium waterfall at Jewel shopping mall.
Photo by Matteo Morando in Wikipedia article on Jewel.
Changi Airport also has a Butterfly Garden on two levels.
Useful Websites
Several youtube videos show you how to pack light, even for a long trip.
To sell items
Gumtree is in the UK, Australia, South Africa and Singapore.
https://www.gumtree.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumtree
https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2019/08/packing-for-trek-what-weight.html
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please bookmark and share links to yuur favourite posts.
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