Packing Smart
I’ve been known to pack the bare minimum when heading for the islands, by which I mean a swimsuit and sneakers. (I wear my flipflops on the plane, for easy security removal.) But if you’re not so much of a minimalist, you know it’s easy to pack too much. Here are some of my favorite tips, collected from experience and other sources over the years:
1. Start making a list of things to take a few weeks ahead of time, and keep it with you, so that you can update it whenever a thought strikes you. This is especially good for parents who are packing for two or more.
2. Pack an extra bag in your suitcase, in case you end up buying more than your suitcase can hold. One caveat: The airlines may charge you extra for that bag. Plan accordingly.
3. Bring the small stuff, buy the bulky stuff when you get there. This includes things like diapers, which are much less painful to buy on the islands now that there’s COSTCO and Wal-Mart.
4. Ship stuff ahead of time. If the price is right (and it isn’t always), and if you’re staying a long while, send a box of your necessities to your destination before you go. Note that your hotel or resort may charge you extra for keeping your box on-hand a day or more before you arrive.
5. Having a washer/dryer on the premises means you can get away with taking only a few days’ worth of casual clothing with you. Pack your fancy stuff in plastic dry cleaner bags to reduce wrinkles. (If you’re really worried about wrinkles, place a piece of tissue paper between items.) Roll your cotton goods to fit into nooks and crannies and/or into your shoes. To keep your shoes from soiling your clothes, put an old pair of socks over them. (Finally, your mismatched socks have a purpose!)
Carry On!
And remember the golden rule of packing for air travel: Carry on that which is indispensable and irreplaceable. That includes airline tickets, medication, jewelry, cash, keys, cameras, laptops, and phones.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by malias
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