1. We really can easily travel with carry-on only. Each of us had a rolling suitcase and a backpack, and if anything, we still brought too much.
2. Cookie o’clock makes good times better and turns around bad moods.
3. When you feel surrounded by too much rich (digestively and financially) food, making a PB & honey sandwich for lunch really hits the spot.
4. Washing clothes in a sink and hanging it out in the tropical heat is an easy way to keep up on laundry and pack less. I brought a bag of powdered detergent this time, but only because the detergent strips I had ordered hadn’t arrived in time because of the snow.
5. The whole family appreciated the First Aid kit I brought, but Piper, especially, was in bad shape after I forgot to pack a sunburn ointment. (Note to self: First Aid kit items listed below.)
6. Just bring microwavable popcorn, packets of instant oatmeal, gum, and granola/protein bars. Oh, and tea bags. I love having my favorite teas available to me. One of the hotels we were at had expensive and unwelcome options for kids’ dinners and we just need an easy alternative.
7. Have appropriate cash for tips—lots of tips. Make people happy to assist you, especially when you are at a language and cultural disadvantage.
8. Headphones for everyone—cheap is okay, if you are just trying to use them on the plane.
9. Everyone gets a small-ish laundry bag to carry their own dirty clothes in. One of them should be a waterproof bag. This is for the wet swimsuits that haven’t dried by the time you need to travel, and to be used as a plug if a sink doesn’t have its own stopper.
10. Figure out a way to sleep better on the plane. I hate the idea of packing neck pillows to drag about the world, but I may have to better prioritize sleeping, especially when trying to hold a child or two while they try to sleep.
11. Always carry water bottles—spill proof preferred.
12. Figure out ways of at least starting a long journey with healthy food, especially veggies.
13. Avoid American Air when possible.
14. Have just one person (in our family, Dwayne) always in charge of the all the papers and passports. I’m not responsible enough and can be generally careless and distractible, so putting the passports back safely in the same spot is something I mean to do, but Dwayne actually does.
First Aid Kit packing list:
-
Band-Aids, assorted sizes - Antibacterial cream
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera, or sunburn ointment
- Insect repellent, spray and wipes
- Anti-itch cream
- Insect sting relief
- Chewable Pepto-Bismal
- Chewable Children’s Tylenol
- Handwipes
- Alcohol wipes
- Asthma inhalers
- Vomit bag (didn’t need it, but there were a few legs I was glad it was there if I needed it)
- Infant nose bulb—handy for so many things!
No comments:
Post a Comment