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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Sept 15, 2019 22:54:48 GMT
I also have a hand held luggage scale which comes in handy. I am surprised by just how happy I was to have my luggage scale for this last trip. Also very surprised to see that my bags were still WELL under the 50-pound limit. LOL. littlemama, I think the best gift you all can get yourself for traveling is TSA precheck (or Global Entry if a trip to Jamaica requires you to go through customs). You will feel positively giddy when you go to the short security line and get to leave your shoes on. And then, you don't have to take your electronics OR your liquids out of your luggage (though the liquids do still need to comply with 3-1-1). If you don't all have little battery packs for your phone, I'd get everyone one of those (note that they don't all come with a cable, so check the packaging info). I actually picked up a couple of mine from Office Max on clearance a few years ago, after back to school time. NOTE: your battery packs absolutely must go in your CARRY-ON luggage. |
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Post by melanieg on Sept 15, 2019 23:05:52 GMT
Sun bum Rocky mountain soap company (although this might just be a Canadian one) |
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Post by jubejubes on Sept 15, 2019 23:26:45 GMT
I love this! Are you pretty sure that the items you generously leave behind are used, and not thrown out? Yes, I am sure that these items are used. I explain it to the housekeeper on our last day. Every day I leave a "gift", such as a big box of tampons, or OTC medication or kids toys & similar. In Cuba, I was alone on that vacation and unfortunately got a bit of a burn on my back. I was able to ask my housekeeper (there were a group of housekeepers talking) using showing a bottle of afterburn lotion and pointing to my back and she smiled and followed me. After she had rubbed the lotion on my back, I offered her a couple of CC Pesos. She shook her head no & said that I had been too generous towards her & the other staff. I simply couldn't believe that she wouldn't take the money. I then explained that I would be leaving behind my sandels and some clothing. She was so appreciative. At the front desk, after I checked out, I asked the lady if she could use my 2 Epi-pens. They were close to expiring and my benefit plan covers them at 100% cost. She came around & gave me a hug and cried. Her son was going into the army & had an allergy. She said that I probably will be saving her son or someone else's life with this gift. I have left clothing in other islands as well. The people are simply so grateful for what is left for them. I used to bring along the clothing that my kids had out-grown. The maids would gather & take the clothes & shoes (I provided plastic bags from home) for them to take. I also bring along infant liquid tylenol and other OTC meds that are sealed. |
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Post by birukitty on Sept 15, 2019 23:36:25 GMT
I never travel without my DSLR which is a Nikon 3300 which at the time I bought it was the lightest body they carried. It was inexpensive too as far as Nikon DSLR's go-around $400.00. It came with it's own lens but I never use that one-I use my Nikon 18-200mm lens instead which is heavy but when combined with the super lightweight body it's not that heavy at all. The current replacement model is the Nikon 3500 which comes with a lens are runs $446.95. Lots of folks travel with laptops, I travel with my camera and leave my laptop at home.
My favorite website for travel products is magellans.com They have everything you could think of as far as travel supplies you could ever think of and more. Travelsmith.com is another one but I prefer magellans.com
I travel with a very small carry-on bag that fits under the seat in front of me even on really small planes like the ones with two small seats on either side that fly between countries in Europe, and I check a medium sized bag a bit larger than most larger sized carry on bags that fit planes that fly in the USA. The reason? I don't ever want to be parted from my camera gear or my medication. Numerous times I've seen folks told they have to check their carry-on bags even though they meet that airline's carry-on size dimensions. When I flew from Poland to Germany a couple of years ago I saw this happen to almost everyone but I got the okay to take my small carry-on bag aboard with me. I was so relieved and happy with my decision to purchase this bag prior to that trip. I got it on ebags.com and it's a Samsonite. It's called the Samsonite Wheeled Underseat Small. It doesn't have spinner wheels but that's okay because it has a slip on handle that goes over the handle of your larger suitcase that you check. Once you've checked your larger suitcase it has a telescoping handle that you can wheel through the airport-it doesn't weigh much even fully loaded (and it can hold a lot with it's clever design) so you don't really need spinner wheels. There is an updated version with spinner wheels but it's wider and taller and won't fit under the seat of the person in front of you-especially in smaller planes.
Really small bags of Woolite and a hang up clothes line-for those times I'm not in a hotel that offers laundry service and I'm desperate for clean underwear, socks, a T-shirt, whatever. I get this at either site above.
Hand digital luggage scale is a must-used to have non-digital and it's hard to read those while you are trying like heck to hold up the luggage and read at the same time.
Good earbuds that fit me are a must! One time I'd just gotten a new ipad and the apple earbuds that were shaped like the white plastic discs-anyone remember those? I hadn't had a chance to try them out before my flight to Holland until I was on the flight. Well those darn suckers kept popping out of my ears. I thought I was doing something wrong. Nope-it was just the size of my ears. I have really small ears for an adult female. The only earplugs that fit me in the Earplanes (we'll get to those next) are the children's sizes. So yeah, great earbuds that you try out at home before the trip that fit your ears are a must! I like Sennheiser earbuds because they come with 3 sizes of ear pieces and because they are inexpensive (I paid $30.00 for the last pair of CX-200).
Sunscreen-I forgot this when I went on my Germany/Poland trip and when I was in Poland in May it got to 39 degrees F (a low not expected) but when I got to Germany near the end of my 28 day trip it got to 86 degrees F and was very sunny. I got sunburned so I went looking for sunscreen. It was very hard to find, expensive and greasy. I'll never forget sunscreen again no matter where I go.
I'm still scrapbooking and I really love using memorabilia on my scrapbook pages. I collect things like brochures, postcards, tickets, menus, paper money, basically anything that is paper and flat. I don't like it to get wrinkled and I like to keep it organized so before leaving for each trip I take a Creative Memories File Mate. It's basically an accordian file that is plastic that is 10x12. They no longer sell them so I get them off Ebay. To save weight I take them without the cardstock file folders they come with. They have small file pockets on each pocket and I label them before I leave with each date of my trip. I gather the memorabilia during each day and at the end of the day when I'm at my hotel I just put that day's pile into the corresponding pocket. On the outside of the file is a small pocket and I label that with the trip name-Poland/Germany and the year of the trip. Then, sometime in the future when I'm ready to do a scrapbook of that trip I just pull down that file and I'll all organized to scrap that trip. I also like to add any memories of that day on a separate pieced of paper and slide it in it's slot.
We've been using LLBean Toiletry Bags for over 20 years. I just love them. They hold so much even the smallest ones which I prefer. They unfold and have a hook which hangs in the bathroom of wherever you are staying. This way everything you have inside is easy to reach. There's even a tiny mirror inside, and they last for a very long time. They are so cleverly designed.
For Jamaica where are you going and are you staying at a resort? I've been to Jamaica once for our wedding and honeymoon 24 years ago. If you are staying at a resort things like beach towels will be provided for you. Have an extraordinary time on your vacation!
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Post by kamper on Sept 16, 2019 1:29:27 GMT
Sunscreen is also a liquid issue for us. We are going to need a ton of it. Also, I was reading that hotels in Jamaica dont typically provide shampoos and conditioners. I go back and forth on the checked bag issue. Today, we are definitely checking a bag. Yesterday, we werent. It changes day to day😁 Why don't you just email the hotel about the shampoo and conditioner? I'm pretty sure the one I stayed in had them. That being said, if you are taking a transfer to the hotel then it doesn't really matter if you check bags or not. You will be waiting for other people to collect their checked luggage. |
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879 
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Post by likescarrots on Sept 16, 2019 1:39:39 GMT
Sunscreen is also a liquid issue for us. We are going to need a ton of it. Also, I was reading that hotels in Jamaica dont typically provide shampoos and conditioners. I go back and forth on the checked bag issue. Today, we are definitely checking a bag. Yesterday, we werent. It changes day to day😁 I check a bag every time I travel, I think it's a lot less hassle, and then I don't have to think of things like sunscreen, shampoo, my big ass can of hairspray, etc. It's really not a big deal, I find it harder to deal with everyone else's carry ons and the plane having enough room in the cabin for mine, not to mention dragging it through the airport. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Sept 16, 2019 2:34:51 GMT
This is soooo important!!!! |
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Post by cindytred on Sept 16, 2019 4:12:56 GMT
I have to have my portable light up make up mirror that has 10x magnification. It suctions onto a mirror. My old eyes can't see well enough to put make up on in a hotel without a magnifying make up mirror that lights up. They are on amazon for about $25.
Cindy
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