10 Flexi things you have to take on your next holiday trip So you are leaving in a few days, and the day you have been waiting for is around the corner. Spirits are high, excitement is teeming, you have checked the car, booked the flights, found a sitter for the dog and you are ready for this new experience. After sorting out your to-do list you are wondering what else you need to pack for your holiday.
1. Camera
A good camera is always the first and most essential thing to take on your trip. The makings of an awesome experience start with the word “memorable” and what guarantees a memorable experience more than a camera? Try get a camera with a good lens. Depending on your destination, you will definitely need to zoom in to get a great close up image. I always take my Nikon D5100 on all my trips with 2 basic lenses and I take the best images ever… Well, at least to me they are!
2. Extra Bags
If you are like me, you probably hate coming back empty handed from a holiday, and you always want to visit a destination that allows you to buy memorabilia. Sadly most people forget that your return trip may have a little more luggage, so why don’t you prepare for that while you pack your toothbrushes? Next time, pack an empty bag for your souvenirs.
3. First Aid kit
Any trip worth enjoying comes with battle scars, in the form of scraps, scars, and minor bruises. If you travel with children those battle scars become inevitable, it is always safe to bring a small kit with you that comprises of small articles like bandages, cold packs, gauze and painkillers for that headache. This will save you a few trips to the pharmacy when something unexpected happens.
4. Foreign Currency
Crossing national lines requires foreign currency, and one of the biggest mistakes people make is to take their national currency in a foreign land with hopes to “change it later.” Before you leave for your flight, make sure you have enough foreign currency to cover your trip and some extra in case you miscalculated the actual value of your money. There is nothing worse than being at your holiday destination and the next foreign exchange shop is miles away. Do not rely on cards completely for travel, although they are safe, keep cash and traveller’s checks on hand as well.
5. Power Adaptor Convertors
Every country uses different wall sockets and sometimes they are incompatible with your laptop, cell phone and other hospital gadgets. Not only are they different in shapes and sizes but their power and voltage differs. There is nothing worse than having an empty battery on your device for days, because your charger in incompatible with the wall socket. Convertors and adaptors should allow you to use your devices in any environment without damaging them.
6. Towels
The towel is the unsung hero of good hygiene, the one article you don’t want to share or forget. Some hotels don’t give towels, most have towels in every guest room or bathroom, but these have limited uses and they cannot be taken outdoors. Packing a hand towel is a great idea and a full size towel if you intend to go to the beach. A travel towel is also a great idea worth considering, the microfibers on the towels have a permanent coating of silver ions, which prohibit the growth of bacteria and other microbial life. The result is a towel that doesn't smell or transmit germs and you can take it outdoors at any time.
7. Spare set of clothes
In the intricacies of the travel process, a few unexpected bumps can always be expected. You could lose your luggage and the inconvenience of waiting for it to be found can take much longer than you would think. To avoid such inconveniences always pack a smaller bag with a spare set of clothes. You can keep this set with your hand luggage and this would make any unforeseen luggage delay less unbearable.
8. Copies of your travel documents
Whenever you travel, be sure to keep copies of your travel documents handy, and keep them separate from your original travel documents. Consider a different bag for them and allocate them to a different person. These copies come in handy in the event of theft or misplaced originals and you need to verify any details for a replacement or to report them as lost or stolen. If possible keep scanned copies of the same documents on your email in the even that you lose them on your trip.
9. Sufficient meds
If you are on any chronic medication, it is essential to check your dosages and ensure that you have sufficient medication (and a little extra) for the duration of the stay. The extra medication will help with delayed returns. Additionally it is also safe to take a doctor’s letter with you in the event that your medication runs out, gets lost or stolen.
10. Backup storage device
With your camera and other devices, very often you will run out of storage space for your pictures and videos. Bringing your laptop to download your images or bringing two memory cards can quickly solve this problem. Very often people bring their cameras and phones but between the awesome selfies and sceneries to capture, our devices often run out of memory much sooner than we expect. Bringing a laptop feels like I’m taking work with me on holiday so I make it a point to bring an extra memory card, and it is much smaller to carry. An extra memory card can help you with extended space to store all your precious moments. Remember once a moment is gone, you can never take it back
