Travel tips!

As I mentioned last time, I am going on a trip soon (woohoo!) and I thought I would share my best travel tips with you. They are mostly common sense, but I think we all know that sometimes, when packing, common sense takes a break. So I hope these tips are helpful, even if they just serve as  a reminder of that very good idea you had to bring something, but then you forgot to put it on your packing list.

The tips:

1. Scan all your travel documents and send them to your email. That way you can always access them and get policy numbers etc. off them. Bring a copy with you too, in another bag than where you keep the originals, as the internet is not always available....Shock!
2. Use one of those pouch/wallets that go under your clothes to keep your ATM card and any big wads of cash in. And go somewhere private when you need to get something out of it! It's a hazzle to lose your money and/or your card! And yes, it is SO touristy and lame, but the security is better than your purse or backpack.
3. Bring comfortable shoes! I like sightseeing and that usually involves walking a lot, even if it is just leisurely strolling through town, but even that stroll will be murder on your feet if they are tucked up in fashionable but uncomfortable shoes. Of course it is possible for shoes to be both fashionable and comfy, but if given the choice I would choose comfort over fashion any day! (Just take pictures from the knees up ;) )
4. Bring plastic (or cloth) bags! All sorts and sizes. Big ones for dirty clothes and/or shoes, and smaller ones for creams and shampoo and the like. For creams etc. plastic bags with a ziplock are especially good as they will contain the damage should the containers break. 
5. Lightly used T-shirts and socks can be washed with shampoo at night and hung to dry, and next day you have a (semi) fresh outfit.
6. Bring a scarf. Preferably one of those thin, but large ones. It packs up quite small, but can be used for cool nights, sunburnt shoulders or for extra cover when entering churches or other places that require modest clothing.
7. Bring a watch! Don't be late for flights and meet-ups or your fellow travellers will probably not like you very much! YOU might not like you very much when you miss that last connection home because you got caught up in the duty-free shop and your cell phone was out of power!
8. Bring a roll of toilet paper! This is mostly for days trips as airports and other transit hubs usually have decent provisions (although I have experienced having to pay for toilet paper in Delhi airport, and having just arrived we had no rupees. The lady was not pleased!) Of course this is not an issue in many places, but having travelled in Asia (where it often is an issue) I prefer to have too much rather than none!
9. SUNBLOCK! Yes, I know, it's greasy and smelly and sticky, but I prefer that to having my trip ruined by the pain of a sunburn! I speak from experience... I do have very pale and sensitive skin, but I think we all need to think twice about going on any sort of trip without sunblock. The sun can do serious damage and once you are red it is too late to fix it! (That was my lecture...I'll stop now...) I have invested in an expensive sunblock. I tried it on in the shop and it didn't seem too greasy. So it will almost be like a body lotion and then it will feel just like pampering....right?
10. Bring pharmaceuticals from home. You don't want to be testing random over-the-counter drugs with a banging migraine.

 Well, that was my best travelling tips. I will now go and make sure they are all on my list...