Freshly returned from my holidays, I can quite categorically say that the art of packing is as important as the holiday location itself. You can book the best hotel in the world on the most spectacular riviera known to man, but forget your swimming trunks, shaver and suntan lotion and you’ll soon look like a naked, hairy lobster.
You’ll feel like one too as you try to squeeze into a Bruno-esque Euro swimsuit freshly bought from Hotel Cannes’ Gucci boutique. If you’re still not convinced, simply ask anyone who has had their luggage lost in airline hyper-space, and they’ll tell you that a holiday without essential items is worse than staying at home.
If you’re like me, packing for a trip is often more like the road to hell (paved with food intentions). I’m an expert on the subject; it’s only the implementation that I keep postponing till there’s no way out but to dump everything at hand into a rucksack.
Needless to say, this approach is fraught with peril so this is a compilation that I’ve prepared as much for my benefit as for yours, so that the next time around, I have a ready reference for all the things that I need to remember.
I’ve also squeezed in a couple of other noteworthy points that flashed in my mind from time to time.
· Plan ahead. Don’t rush in or you’ll live to regret it. A step-by-step plan is rarely necessary, unless you’re planning to hike to the Himalayas; but having a general idea of where you’ll go and what you’ll do will stand you in good stead. An example? If you like camping, take a repair kit. It will stop the rain drops falling on your forehead – an inverted panchakarma, alpine style and a sleep deprivation nightmare.
· Remember all road maps. Aimless wandering just leads to frayed nerves and an inflated gas bill. If you have a SatNav, remember that Euro addresses use a different type of postcode system so get prepared.
· It’s fun to eat on the road, savouring the outdoors. But to ensure that your food doesn’t go bad, you’ll need to arrange for a cooler in your car. Avoid tuna sandwiches.
· Before you leave, check the tyres. They should be completely filled before you head out.
· Carry the smallest bag you possibly can to carry all the stuff for the trip. When the miles add up while you’re walking, so does the weight of your bag. A large backpack is generally good enough for most trips.
· Take a pair of backup shoes without fail. Also, an empty bag for dirty laundry.
· First-aid supplies and medicines are very important. Some of these have a tendency to leak, so wrap them in plastic separately.
· Toiletries – get them in travel-size versions. The regular ones take up too much space when you’re on a trip and if you’re forced to travel by plane, they’ll end up in a security anti-terror bin.
· Remember to carry some books, iPod, Kindle or any other stuff that’ll come in useful when you’re off the roads.
· Finally, test the weight of your bag before you set off, unless you want to hurl out stuff at regular intervals. If there is anything that you can buy, borrow or rent on the way, take it out. The more you unburden yourself, the better you’ll feel during the journey.
So that’s about it. Be safe and have a great trip! Just don’t forget the suntan cream.
