Handy tips when you go on a vacation
OFF on a holiday break with the family? Check out these handy tips first.
Cross-pack
Have everyone pack one of their outfits (shoes, dress/trousers, undies, top) in a suitcase that’s not their own. That way if you go to Jakarta and your suitcase takes a holiday in Bangkok, you will have something to wear while it’s all sorted out.
Must-have items
A mini sewing kit, in case a seam rips or a button falls off. Mini packs of soap and shampoo; in case you’re allergic to the stuff in the hotel. A fold up extra bag; just in case you go nuts with the souvenir shopping!
Contact list
If you’re going abroad, make a list of your embassy and consulate, complete with emergency numbers, as well as local police and hospital numbers. Hopefully you’ll never need them, but if something does go wrong, you won’t have to waste precious time finding help.
Pack lavender
Buy a sachet of sweetly scented dried flowers and throw it in your case, in between your clothes. That way, if you’re delayed, or your case is stored temporarily in a fusty place, your clothes will come out smelling fresh.
Bring an adapter
If you’re going abroad, buy a “universal adapter” so your Malaysian electric razor or camera plug can be connected to American, Australian and other types of sockets. They’re cheap and available in hypermarkets and hardware shops.
Pack for connections
When you’re at home, you’re set up for moving media from one source to another. But when you’re on holiday, can you backup your camera chip to your laptop rather than your desktop or spare hard drive? Or do you need a do-dah that can hold your chip and connect it to your backup? Think before you travel and visit your local computer shop to make sure you have everything you need.