Top Packing Tips part two

I'm back with part two of my packing tips. Here you’ll find the types of extras that make their way into my bags.

Packing Essentials

• Address list and list of important contacts or numbers
• Backpack, suitcase, sports bag (something to pack everything in)
• Paper or Notebook
• Passport (check the validity- you need at least six months from date of return)
• Pencils, Pens
• Tickets and itinerary (airline, train, bus etc.)
• Visa
• Travel Insurance

Finances

• ATM card (Maestro or Cirrus logos on the back are most widely accepted)
• Calculator or currency converter
• Cash in the local currency of your arrival destination
• Credit card (Visa or Mastercard are most widely accepted)
• Money belt (You can't be too safe in some places)

First Aid Kit

I like to travel with a mini first aid kit to tide me over in case of an emergency and there being no pharmacy for miles. Or if there is a language barrier (I remember once asking for headache tablets in a pharmacy in Beijing - let's just say it didn't work out that well).

So I like to have the following in my little 'ouch pouch':

• Plasters (when you do a lot of walking you could end up with a blister or two)
• Anti- diarrhoea tablets  like imodium (just in case - nothing ruins a holiday quicker than a case of the 'runs')
• Insect and/or mosquito repellent
• Medicines/prescription Drugs   (have a copy of your prescription with you)
• Motion sickness tablets if you suffer from this
• Generic pain tablets (for headaches)
• Replacement/rehydration salts sachets (in case you get a runny tummy - you need to reydrate quickly)
• Small scissors and tweezers (don't keep this in your hand luggage though)
• Water purifying tablets
• Proof of necessary vaccinations (e.g. yellow fever, typhoid etc)

These are some of the other items that generally accompany me on my travels:

• Books or E-books on your Kindle or E-book reader (these are great space and weight savers)
• Camera- Spare flash cards or memory for the digital variety
• Chewing gum or mints - Especially if you are flying chewing something will help your ears unblock as you start the descent
• Combo or key locks (it is wise to get yourself a set of TSA locks that the security people in the US can unlock – you won’t have any broken locks)
• Electrical adapter, charger and plug converter for all your electronics
• Guidebooks and phrase books/dictionaries (nowadays most smartphones allow you to download a host of apps that can replace these)
• Inflatable travel pillow
• International driving license
• Student Identification Card - For discounts worldwide
• iPod/iPad
• Photocopies of important documents in case they are stolen (very important – At Flight Centre we suggest that you leave a copy with a friend or family member back home)
• Ziplock  bags