We are traveling across three continents and will be in two different seasons , travelling in temps ranging from -2° to 30+° , snow ,rain and beating sun , i will be at the theatre on broadway , moulin-rougé in paris , champagne on the roof of the Met in NYC and drunk on guinness in an irish pub .We will be climbing mountains to see buddha and swimming in the ocean in the south of spain . we will be staying in 5 star hotels where everything is supplied and staying with friends ! we will be bunking down in airbnb's and pub rooms where there will not be a blow dryer to be found ! we have to take any chance to wash so staying in fully self -contained units in the heart of London we will be able to wash clothes , perhaps ready for a royal wedding ! lol lol it's a good idea to take a couple of small satchels if washing powder and a peg less clothes line ( see photo ) as you can always wash in a hotel bath or sink , it's kinda fun you act as the agitater ( im good at being agitating , lol ) and string the travel line up in your room , chinese laundry style ! always consider the type of fabric you are taking , is it non crush and won't need ironing , is it easy care and drop dry ie not dry clean only , will it dry over night inside and choose items that don't stain easy ie white and light colors are always a no no for moi !!
Our Trip has us in varied climates and many different styles of accommodation and this requires clever crafty savvy packing !
so this is my approach , ive packed and culled and packed and culled a few times over , this isn't my adhd or for shits and giggles it actually serves a purpose as you get to really decide what you truly will ware and what you need ! try in things with things , as often we think that will go with that irvthise pants fitted me in 1987 and then we pack and when you go to get changed nothing works or worse still doesn't fit !!! weight is the story of my life , well being over weight that is , and packing is no different !
we have a weight allowance on Qantas international of two bags under the plane to the usa of 23kg each bag , that's two bags per person ! that's a lot , however when we get into San Fran we change planes to a domestic US airline and fly onto chicago, and here in lies the need to pack smart & light . We have paid an additional baggage charge to allow us to have the one
23kgs under the plane and 7kg in carry-on ! many domestic flights around the world only include a carryon allowance , hence if you are flying internationally and domestically with in a country you will need to confirm the luggage allowance in all flights and if required purchase additional ! for someone like me who's clothes involve a little more fabric than the average bear , and i can't always just buy clothes off the rack to fitwhen i'm in a foreign land, it's vital i be prepared and pack what i will need ! yet still have outfits to suit the climates and activities and are with in the weight limit ! i also have to keep vital space for shopping , you know those special must have trinkets and anything else that takes my fancy !!
Now This is my pack so far : keeping in mind i'm away for 51/2 weeks , no judgement please , lol lol
2x 3/4 pants , 2 pair palazzo pants ( different colours ), 3 pairs of good leggings ( see photos ) 4 light summer tops , 1 walking around dresses , two going out dresses one winter to be worn with boots and jacket , and one summer with sandals! a swimmer , 10 pairs of day undies 5 night time undies , 3 bras -1 everyday , one lacey and a strapless one ! two skirts one long one shorter , 2 scarves winter and summer , pashmina , 1 sarong , a light summer jacket , puffy winter jacket , water proof spray jacket that folds into a small bag , ,2 sheer over top/ jackets that can be worn as scarves too , and in the past i have worn one of these as a trashy fir sun protection in the water on one of the islands off Thailand, ( see photo) 1?mid length sleeved t shirt dress winter weight , 2 pairs of good quality opaque stocking 70+ denier ( for bigger gals these can be purchased at big W or from Autograph ) 8 pairs socks , 3 hidden , 3 ankle , two long ( note the long ones have fur around the top and make my boots look different , i found these socks in an opp shop for a $1 a pair ( see photos) 1 nighty , 1 pair pj long pants , two singlet tops , two vests one long summer vest , one puffy winter vest , a kimono /wrap /that doubles as dressing gown that can also be worn out or over a dress or pants , 1 long and 1 short sleeve t-shirt , note all can be layered and mixed and matched ie the leggings and long sleeve t-shirt can go under a dress with boots and a jacket and scarf or the sheer wrap jacket can go over swimmers with a sarong tied as a skirt ! 4 pairs of shoes , a sandal day to night with a wedge heal ( wearing these on the plane as they are heavy see photos ) flat fun light silver day sandals , laceless nike walking shoes , long boots ( nite im not wearing my long boots on the plane even though they are heavy and take up valusbjevtoom ,and the reason is often traveling through airport security you have to take your shoes off to have them go through the x-ray machine and you have to be quick about and boots are harder to get on and off , especially if you have to take them off multiple times! as for accessories i'm taking 5 pair of earings all costume except 1 pair of real silver drops ( see photo) two costume bangles , two neck laces one long one short , against costume jewelry, my travel wedding ring set ( i leave my real wedding rings at home in the safe , especially traveling in know pick pocket places and you CAN NOT trust the hotel room safe ! i suggest you don't take anything you are not prepared to lose ! it's a challenge especially if you are going to beaches and swimming or have all your luggage in a hire car parked outside on the street while sightseeing! take extra care if you need to use a locker at a station , take photos if everything even your locker number and surrounds ! things get stolen , and while we have never ,touch wood , been robbed , it happens and you have to be smart ( i will discuss our travel safety tips in another post ) !
Packing is a huge part of going away ,and while it is a little stressful it is also exciting and part of the build up of s big trip ! it's an art and if you are anything like me you want to be comfortable and still look your best ! my next rant will look at being comfortable and being as safe as you can , including suggested medical pre-trip tips
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too much
ReplyDeleteAgree with Melanie
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