I have written a bit about packing before. Last week I wrote about how to pack light. I have also written about 10 things every person should have in their pack for a long trip. For those two as well as additional travel tips, go HERE. Today I want to talk about my essential travel items.
- Wet Wipes: I use the Target brand face wipes. They come in a pack of 60 or a pack of 10. This pack of 10 just came out. Before I would buy the 60 pack and separate them into Ziplocs so I wouldn’t have to carry around 60 at a time. But now Target does it for me. Thanks Target. These are good for everything. Miss a shower, use one! Eat an orange on the bus, use one! Go pee in a questionable toilet, use one! There are so many uses for these things -- you can even use them for their intended purpose and wipe your face!
- My Paperchase Notebook: If you don’t know about this brand, you should. You can find them online or at Borders. The notebook I love the best is a travel notebook with dividers, pockets and one little Ziploc pocket in the back. There is plain paper, lined and grid. It is great for keeping track of my travel notes, budget and keeping stubs and mementos! This is the best notebook EVER.
- Earplugs: Yes, I use these A LOT. On the bus, in hostels and even sometimes when I just want to read my book and my boyfriend is watching TV (in the same room of course). They come in very handy.
- Money Belt: I don’t always wear this, but it is a handy place to keep your extra money and your passport. I do use it a lot, but even when I am not using it, I know where my important things are.
- Gold-ban Antibacterial Lotion: This moisturizes and cleans! And by golly, it doesn’t smell really chemically. It fact, it smells good! And doesn’t leave your hands all dried out like the regular Purell Antibacterial stuff.
- Shampoo: I know, you are thinking, “duh”, but really, shampoo can be used as shampoo, body wash, hand wash AND laundry soap. Really, you should always have some on you. It’s not just for hair.
- Ziploc bags: Can be used to separate laundry, to carry that shampoo I talked about so it doesn’t leak, to carry food if you buy any in bulk or to keep your camera in when you go to a place in the rainy season. Basically I usually bring half a dozen gallon sized ones and half a dozen quart sized ones. One tip, don’t buy the cheap ones. I did that, and they just all ended up splitting open anyway.
Okay, so now you have it, some essential travel items. I am sure I have probably left out several and I am sure that you guys have many more suggestions!
Let me know what I am missing. What do YOU consider an essential travel item?
This post is part of the A-Z Blogfest. E is for Essential. You can see my other “letters” HERE.
- Wet Wipes: I use the Target brand face wipes. They come in a pack of 60 or a pack of 10. This pack of 10 just came out. Before I would buy the 60 pack and separate them into Ziplocs so I wouldn’t have to carry around 60 at a time. But now Target does it for me. Thanks Target. These are good for everything. Miss a shower, use one! Eat an orange on the bus, use one! Go pee in a questionable toilet, use one! There are so many uses for these things -- you can even use them for their intended purpose and wipe your face!
- My Paperchase Notebook: If you don’t know about this brand, you should. You can find them online or at Borders. The notebook I love the best is a travel notebook with dividers, pockets and one little Ziploc pocket in the back. There is plain paper, lined and grid. It is great for keeping track of my travel notes, budget and keeping stubs and mementos! This is the best notebook EVER.
- Earplugs: Yes, I use these A LOT. On the bus, in hostels and even sometimes when I just want to read my book and my boyfriend is watching TV (in the same room of course). They come in very handy.
- Money Belt: I don’t always wear this, but it is a handy place to keep your extra money and your passport. I do use it a lot, but even when I am not using it, I know where my important things are.
- Gold-ban Antibacterial Lotion: This moisturizes and cleans! And by golly, it doesn’t smell really chemically. It fact, it smells good! And doesn’t leave your hands all dried out like the regular Purell Antibacterial stuff.
- Shampoo: I know, you are thinking, “duh”, but really, shampoo can be used as shampoo, body wash, hand wash AND laundry soap. Really, you should always have some on you. It’s not just for hair.
- Ziploc bags: Can be used to separate laundry, to carry that shampoo I talked about so it doesn’t leak, to carry food if you buy any in bulk or to keep your camera in when you go to a place in the rainy season. Basically I usually bring half a dozen gallon sized ones and half a dozen quart sized ones. One tip, don’t buy the cheap ones. I did that, and they just all ended up splitting open anyway.
Okay, so now you have it, some essential travel items. I am sure I have probably left out several and I am sure that you guys have many more suggestions!
Let me know what I am missing. What do YOU consider an essential travel item?
This post is part of the A-Z Blogfest. E is for Essential. You can see my other “letters” HERE.
Great list! I hadn't heard of that notebook - sounds awesome! I need to check that out!
ReplyDeleteMy list is pretty similar. I also like to bring along this very small blanket which folds up & zips into a pillow. It's great for me because I tend to get cold very easily so it's nice to have a light blanket ot keep me warm - which doesn't take up much room and can double as a little pillow.
Love your blog! I saw your feature on FTLOB. I NEVER get to travel so I'm going to live vicariously through you, ok? ;0)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read more.
Just found your blog through FTLOB and am so glad I did. This is a great post. I'm so with you on the wet wipes and I love your point on the shampoo. I adore traveling but don't get to do it as much as I might like these days. Definitely coming back again soon!
ReplyDeleteGood tips! I always bring baggies but you already said that!
ReplyDeleteI linked to your from FTLB and I think your blog is so cute! I'm a follower now! yay!
Great list for 'E'. You have very interesting and versatile posts......What is FTLOB?.... I feel I'm missing out on something.
ReplyDeleteI found you with the ‘surprise me’ button. I’m a new follower of yours. I'd love to have you check out my take on the A to Z Challenge, comment and follow, if you'd like.
http://oaklawnimages.blogspot.com/
Kathy at Oak Lawn Images
I love your list! I saw your blog featured on FTLOB and had to check you out. I'm following now, because travel interests me so much (and I'm interested to see what you read, I'm a bibliophile!). I am excited to do some traveling on my own once I graduate college and begin my career.
ReplyDeleteGreat items!
ReplyDeleteI also found our swiss pocket knife exceptionally awesome in too many to count situations, thanks to its scissors, can opener, knife, bottle opener etc.. abilities.
My ikea baby clothesline also paid for itself and took very little space.
I also love having hankies/plastic bags for separating our clothes/things inside our paks for easier access.
These are awesome tips! I, too, put everything into ziploc bags. They're a lifesaver. I also have the best travel alarm clock that I never leave without. I don't trust alarm clocks at hotels, and mine has never failed me!!
ReplyDeleteI never thought to bring zip-lock bags, great idea. Also I'll have to look into the antibacterial lotion. Thanks this list will come in handy.
ReplyDeleteBeer. I always take beer.
ReplyDelete