Yen S. Lim-Galagnara
Travel Editor
Always excited to gallivant but bummed to pack your luggage? Here are a few tips to get you started. Rule of thumb: always travel light and enjoy the flight!
1. ROLL it, baby! Roll your clothes and towels when you pack. This will save space in your luggage and will make your shirts less wrinkled.
2. STUFF, look and listen! Stuff your shoes with your socks. Aside from saving space, it will save your shoes from getting deformed.
3. Shed some LIGHT! Bring light-material clothes and light towels. This way, your luggage won’t exceed the maximum weight requirement if traveling by air. Should you decide to wash some pieces during your trip, lighter clothes dry faster.
4. LESS is more. Bring minimal clothes and accessories. Count the number of days you will be away on a trip so you will know exactly how many sets of clothes you need to bring. Add one extra set for contingency if you think washing clothes will not be an option.
5. SACHET away. Bring toiletries in sachets that you could leave behind at the end of the trip. Or repack lotion or liquid soap in small disposable packets. By doing so, you get to save space and minimize your luggage on your way back home. (PS: Place your kit on top of the luggage. When airport officials do their SOP check on the liquid and gel paraphernalia, you won’t have to turn your bag upside down in search for it).
6. BAG it! Bring a laundry bag where you can pack your soiled clothes. Avoid bringing plastic bags because they are non-biodegradable.
7. Fully BOOKed. Bring a nice read on your trip. This will keep you occupied in case there are some delays in trips.
8. No sWET! Keep all important travel documents, travel money and personal effects in a waterproof container. And once you reach your destination, get a safety deposit box to keep them secured during your stay.
9. HEALTH is wealth. Bring basic medicine that you usually take, such as pills for fever, upset stomach, allergy or asthma. It might be difficult to look for your own brand should there be an emergency. And speaking of emergency, it would be smart to write on a sheet of paper (which you could hang in your bag) the following important information about yourself: your name, address, phone number and contact person in case of emergency, allergy to medicine/food/insect/animals and present medical condition.
10. Global warming. Global WARNING! Still about health, don’t forget to pack your sunblock lotion with high SPF content to protect your skin from the sun. Toss in your fab eyewear to shield your eyes as well.