Key Items that have improved my travel experience....

[maylinglai1]

A long itme ago, I saw an article in a magazine on things people always bring with them/gadgets, etc that have greatly impacted their travel experience. As the holiday season sets in, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Here are mine:

1. Small light notebook. I use to carry a larger 4lb. I now have a 2lb notebook that is slightly smaller than 8x11 piece of paper. I can slip it into any purse and it has a 7 hour battery life, which gives me a wider screen than a standard DVD player for over seas travel as well as the ability to play my entire selection of MP3s. Add a split jack and and ultra small easy pack travel speaker and I feel I am bringing a wonderful piece of home along with.

2. Ultra mini extra duffle bag. I can't find a link on line, but I think a lot of travel stores sell them. For people that can't help buy shop when traveling, this is the perfect solution. This duffle bag collapses down to the size of a small make-up bag (3 x 8in-ish). You can magically expand it to a full carry on size duffle. It's like bringing an extra carry on size bag with you.

3. Passport organizer

What makes your life easier/better when traveling?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Maylinglai1: My best travel experiences are enhanced because of what I do before I go. I have a "pack list" on my computer. It has all things I have needed in the past or will need in the future. It is a real benefit when travelling to some out of the way places that really do not have stores/shopping. For example, I have things such as cortaid, neosporen, bug spray (great when travelling to buggy areas.), headset for airplane music/movies so I don't have to keep buying from the airline, woolite for washing some clothing in the sink (we play tennis so this really saves on packing tons of socks!), BUILT brand wine coolers (for carrying big bottles of water...it keeps the water cold for the tennis courts or for hiking in the jungle.) And, the list goes on. I know it might sound like a lot but more remote places don't have a lot of options to buy products. (it is a negative when plane limits of 25 pounds are enforced!!)

[maylinglai1]

I love that list! You sound like you are the perfect person to travel with - thinking of everything.

Regarding bug spray - I don't know if you would find it helpful, but I did find that OFF makes bug spray wipes and a citronella bracelet which I used on my last trip to Costa Rica. This saved me from needing to check luggage as I couldn't find a bottle under 3 oz. I am the "pack light" type who gets excited at every square inch I save in my luggage.

I also adore my Bose noise cancellation headsets. I never would have thought it would make such a difference on the plane! The sound quality is fantastic.

[CMDAVILACLI]

If you are like me, I hate noise on planes, and I always seem to end up in front of noisey children or three guys who talk all the way to the destination... and don't realize that their voices carry in planes. So invest about $10.00 and get a really good pair of ear plugs... it's amazing how well they work, how they really helpyourears from getting plugged up when flying... as well as drown out all the noise around you. I, too, have the Bose noise cancelling headphones... and when I put in my good earplugs and top it off with the Bose headphones... I can still hear my music but nothing else around me!Blocking out the sounds helps preventmy nerves from being shattered by the time I arrive. It's a great combo and probably two of the three most important items I always travel with...the third is areally good blow up pillow. At least I know that I'm the only one who has slobbered on it while sleeping across the oceans!



cmdavilacli

[maylinglai1]

Fantastic! I will try the plugs underneath. Oh there is one travel must that I try to keep with me. Acidophilis! I find it the single most effective suppliment for avoiding stomach irritation. If I'm going to a less developed country I will take it after pretty much every meal. I've had some friends with me who were starting to get a little Montezuma's revenge and the Acidophilis had them back to normal in no time.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Maylinglai1. Never heard of Acidophilis. It has been recommended to us to eat raw ginger root. This tip came to us in various countries for us and our family. It is easy to find in China, Central America, etc. I did buy some at our local farmers market when I had a belly ache. It didn't seem to work for me but everyone I know recommends it. Thanks for the Acidophilis idea.

[two2go]

Hi May
I have never heard of Acidohilis either. Where do you buy it, and does it come in pill form?
two2go

[imbues]

*raises hand* ( I finally know something and this is my one chance to be a know it all here)

Acidophilic bacteria is a general name used for a group of friendly bacterias. You may find them in quality yogurts, Kefir (yogurt drink) and capsule form at your health food store.

[maylinglai1]

Good job Imbues! You are absolutely correct! It plus gaterade is wonderful way to get over any kind of stomach senitive type situation. It also helps a bit with a hangover, as it replaces some of the stuff in your stomach that the alcohol killed... not that I speak from experience on this one...



There is a whole category of digestive enzymes that are great too, if you're going to a place where they eat more meat thn is normally in your diet.You can go to the dietary supplement section of pretty much anystore or go to a GNC type place if you want someone to give you more detail.All great, but I think acidophilis tends to help me the most if I start to get a little stomach bacteria issue.



Wow, I never thought I would be posting this in a travel blog. I sure hope this helps someone. Anyone else have anything they would add in their travel bag?

[bonniejoy03]

We always carry Benadryl. It has helped my husband with bee stings! Sounds crazy but benadryl helps with bee stings. It also helps with any type of allergen in the air. I also like to have an antibiotic with me if we are going to a far flung area. We used to use malaria pills in Central America but haven't in the past few years. Not sure if that is good or bad?