Posted on: Sunday, May 27, 2007
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SAVVY TRAVELER
You can't take it all with you, so choose carefully
By
Irene Croft Jr.
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Let's take a look at more items to add to a master checklist of packing essentials and options for travel abroad. As recommended in my previous column, a traveler should pick and choose from the list only those articles that are appropriate for a particular trip. A two-week luxury cruise will certainly require a different "to take" list than an extended budget-level journey on land.
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Shirts or blouses — casual (long-sleeved, short-sleeved) and dress
Colored tee or polo shirts
Casual and formal dresses
Skirts
Sarong/pareo for beachwear
Pants/jeans/slacks
Bermuda-length shorts
Leggings, or silk or thermal underwear for cold weather
Underwear
Pajamas or nightgown
Robe to double as beach cover-up
Socks — sport and dress socks
Nylons/hosiery
Jacket, coat, or windbreaker with hood
Sweaters
Sweatshirt/pullover/jogging suit
Safari vest with pockets
All-purpose navy blazer
Suit
Tuxedo and accessories — cummerbund, studs and cuff links
Regular and bow ties
Belts and scarves
Wool or leather gloves
Daytime and evening bag
Jewelry
Light shawl/evening wrap
Handkerchiefs
Wool cap, muffler and earmuffs for cold weather
Crushable hat to avoid rain and sun
Loafers, sandals, sneakers or other casual shoes
Sturdy, very comfortable rubber-soled deck-type or athletic shoes
Dress shoes
Bedroom and shower slippers
Rubber boots or overshoes
Hiking boots
Spare shoelaces, shoehorn and shoe bags
Raincoat with zip-out lining or nylon poncho
Swimsuit
MISCELLANEOUS
Guidebooks and brochures
Field guides for marine, plant and wildlife
Abbreviated foreign language phrase books or Quickpoint
Maps and pocket atlas
Gadgets: compass, GPS (global positioning system) unit, altimeter and pedometer
Cell phone with overseas broadband capability
Laptop computer or Palm Pilot
CD or cassette player with CDs or tapes
Travel or shortwave radio
Tape recorder/blank tapes
Operating booklets for electronics
Batteries for camera, clock, watch, flashlight, etc., and recharging units
Reading material, cards, puzzles and board games
Ballpoint and highlighter pens
Post-it Notes
Small notebook or journal
Gummed labels for postcards
Small, practical American made gifts for hosts
Gift and shopping list with a conversion guide for foreign sizes
String or canvas shopping bag
Zip-closure plastic bags
Stretch nylon laundry-drying rope
Fasteners — safety pins, twist-ties, rubber bands and paper clips
Cellophane and duct tape
Super glue and glue stick
Small tape measure
Collapsible plastic cup, bottle stopper and corkscrew
Portable eating utensil set
Flat rubber sink stopper
Candle and waterproof matches for electricity blackouts
Beach bag and towel or roll mat
Wash cloth and soap
Sunglasses
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Small eyeglass repair kit
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
Digital camera
Memory cards or sticks
Batteries
Camera tote bag
Still film camera
Video camera
Lenses and filters
Strobe (flash) attachment
Tripod and spare parts
Disposable camera
Lots of film
Lead-lined FilmShield bags
SUSTENANCE
Food and drink from home can be a comfort and even a lifesaver when traveling through distant lands.
Mints
Granola, power or protein bars
Trail mix or snack crackers in zip-closure bags
Sweets like hard candies, caramels, M&Ms and chocolate bars
Peanut butter (now sold in packable tubes)
Instant hot chocolate packets
Crystal Light "Good-to-go" drink powder packets
To print out a packing list customized for your next journey, go to http://upl.codeq.info/index.jsp or www.seetheglobe.com.
Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.
