As I prepare for my first trip(s) of 2017, I am ever so carefully curating what is going into my suitcase. The last thing I want to do is forget my ‘travel essentials’

___________________________________________

SHOP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS NOW

I am the most anxious traveller. If I don’t have my list of ‘to-dos’ and ‘to-packs’ written out well ahead of time, I lose the plot. There is a legit freak out that everything is well out of my control. It is a curse, but it has also led me to better understand the things that I absolutely cannot travel without.

We have all been there before – in a foreign country, denied access somewhere because of inappropriate dress (much to Australians’ dismay, denim cut offs aren’t exactly ideal for exploring ancient or religious sites), or desperately trying to find someone to mend the hole we just put in the butt of our favourite skirt. It isn’t fun feeling unprepared or frantically trying to find a solution, so now, whenever I leave Perth, I absolutely must prepare myself by packing and doing a few things first…

FIRST THING IS FIRST, PACK A LARGE, SQUARE SCARF OR TWO.

Not only does a large silk scarf act as a cover up for 4-day old hair, but it comes in handy at many religious sites too. I always pack a scarf into my day bag to throw over my shoulders/around my waist should I stumble across a temple or place of worship I wish to explore. Most religious sites require that you cover your shoulders and knees before entering, but if you don’t particularly want to dress that way all day, carrying some scarves is a good way to ensure you don’t miss out on seeing the sites!

FILL A TRAVEL CONTAINER WITH LIQUID WASHING DETERGENT

Most hotels have a laundry service, but at upwards of $1.00/pair of underwear, it is a pretty exxy service. Sometimes I like to treat myself to the laundry service at the very end of a holiday so I come home with a suitcase full of clean clothing, but if I realise I need to wear a top again half way through the trip, I prefer to just give it a quick hand wash in the basin. Rather than buying a whole bottle of detergent from my destination, I just pack a little bottle from home into my vanity kit. No wastage, and no unnecessary expenditure!

IF YOU KNOW THERE IS A CHANCE YOU WON’T MAKE THE 20KG LIMIT, PRE BOOK EXTRA LUGGAGE

There is nothing worse that being ‘that guy’ at the airport check-in, rearranging your bags, trying to work out what you can leave behind to avoid the ridiculous fees. Be prepared for heavens sake! If you know you are packing heavy, pre book extra baggage to save the embarrassment (and money!). World Baggage is a great service that helps you find the cheapest international freight option to get your belongings where they need to be. It is especially good for oversized luggage like surfboards, guitars and large props/shoot wardrobes etc.

STAY CHARGED – PACK A POWER BOARD

It is all well and good to pack the international power adaptor, but when you only have one adaptor, you only have one charge port. When I go away with my man, between us we have 2 phones, an iPad, a laptop and a camera charger… at bare minimum. As you can imagine, it would be an absolute shit fight for the one charging point! A 5-port power board doesn’t take up much more room than a hair straightener in your luggage, and avoiding the arguments over whose electronic devices are more important is SO worth it.

FIX ANY OUTFIT BASED MISHAPS QUICKLY AND EASILY WITH A MINI SEWING KIT

No bigger than a little first aid kit, a travel sewing kit is so valuable to your luggage. Fix the button on your shirt quickly, easily, and for free. I always pack a bunch of safety pins too, just in case you bust something as you are running out the door. Thankfully I have never actually had any major blow outs while away, but at least I know I am prepared for if I do!

What do you religiously pack in your luggage when you go away? Anything you think I could use to ease my anxious mind?!

** In collaboration with World Baggage