Packing Light #1

Hey guys 。(⌒∇⌒。)

This is the first of (hopefully) many more Packing Light series to come. Here I will be sharing tips and videos on how to not only pack light but ensuring you pack every essential item for any kind of travel anywhere, for any duration, at any season.

So this first video is a video I basically live by. I try to keep this in mind anywhere I go, from an overnight at a relative's or weeks of travelling overseas. 

This video was posted by the official Heathrow Airport YouTube account and it compiles the tips from cabin crews themselves. Their lives literally revolve around travelling which is what makes this very brief video very, very effective.

If you're reading this, thanks to Heathrow Airport and to the cabin crew who lent this information! Enjoy the video to everyone else! ( ˘ ³˘)♥♥

Ideas for Layovers #1

Hey. 

The Monday blues hit me hard today so I hope you are feeling better than I am.

I decided to distract myself by thinking about what to blog today. I'm gonna start a series of tips to keep yourselves sane busy and entertained during long haul flights.

If you have too little time to explore the country you are having your transit at, but enough time to drive you bored mindless, here are some tips help keep yourself entertained.

#1 Learn the cup song

Since the internet is head over heels for this song, you'd have plenty of time to jump into the internet bandwagon by leaning this during your flight haul. Plus all you need is a cup and a bit of rhythm :)

So here's a good tutorial of the song....

...and here's a good cover of the song :)

Lyrics:

I got my ticket for the long way round.

Two bottles of whiskey for the way

And I sure would like some sweet company

And I'm leaving tomorrow, what do you say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my hair

You're gonna miss me everywhere

Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

I got my ticket for the long way round.

The one with the prettiest of views

It's got mountain, it's got rivers

It's got sights to give your shivers

But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone, when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

You're gonna miss me by my walk

You're gonna miss me by my talk

Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

(Original song: "You're Gonna Miss Me" by Lulu & the Lampshades)

Enjoy!

Camping hacks

Hey!

I've been going through some camping tips and here are some hand-picked camping hacks that I think would actually help. 

This looks like an easy way to increase the ambient of your headlamp/ flashlight. Instead of just directing light to single point, you could illuminate a whole camping tent by doing this.

Personal experience taught me that lemongrass/ lemongrass spritz keeps mosquitoes and flies away.

An idea in case you decide to keep your matches in a more waterproof casing.

I love, love, love upcycling..which is why I love this tip. If you need to keep delicate items safe from nature's elements, there are tons of household items that you could fit them in. A tub like this fits toilet paper just nicely.

Since you won't be having an oven to bake pastry, whip up some crescent roll dough and bring them along on your next trip. According to this guy, it makes for a tasty (and addictive) snack while outdoors.

Did I mention I love upcycling? Use tic tac containers to store powdered cooking ingredients or cooking spices.

A tip for personal hygiene: One-use toothpaste packets, so you don't need to bring entire tubes. Don't forget to seal the ends! (Do this by burning them slightly).

More single-use items! Carve soap so you can save from bringing an entire bar. This also helps avoid contaminating your only soap bar from being used for different kinds of washes (ew).

Personally if you can start your own fire I don't believe you need hacks for anything. But just in case, doritos are apparently great for kindling. 

More fire-starting tips! Cotton pads dipped in wax are also apparently really effective fire starters. 

Finally, a towel with pockets. 

Why didn't I think of this before.

All in all, I think some of these tips are pretty useful even for regular travels :)

Sources here and here

Themepark Survival

If you see me at a themepark, I am only either one of these two personalities:

cheezburger.com

or

tumblr.com

To avoid being the Eeyore in your group of friends, keep in mind these must haves for your next trip to the amusement park:

Shades

It's always sunny in amusement parks............ALWAYS.

Sunblock

Else your ethnicity might get mistaken, or you will look like a shrimp.

Drinking water

Or prepare to pay $10 for a single cup of juice

Cash

For random booths or amusement park games

Camera

Because you will have 1,808,382 photos of your trip and still feel like you didn't take enough. Also, you never know when Bumblebee will make an entrance.

Fan

Manual or automated, a breeze in you face feels the same.

Raincoat

Not wanting to get soaked on wet rides vs. not wanting to get on wet rides:

choose the lesser of the evil.

Optional:

Change of clothes

No, you can't avoid wet rides.

Umbrella

Because in very, very, very, very, very, very, rare occasions.. it rains.

Riddle from the post: Can anyone guess exactly where I was last weekend? ;)

Travel Planning Sites - Part 1

The Internet is my best friend when it comes to planning my travels. These are some sites used on my most recent trip.

Schedule & Activities

www.utrip.com
Thumbs up: The site is very detailed and takes into account all aspects of your travel.
Thumbs down: They only cater for travels in some European countries (booo)

Packing

upl.codeq.info
Thumbs up: Looong and detailed explanation about which items you need / can leave behind.
Thumbs down: May miss out on some personal preferences. (Example: They missed out thermal inner wear for winters below  10°C, which is something I would need)

Finally, some good packing videos for those who have medium to small sized luggage :)

Tip: Your actual best friend to plan travels should be someone who travels the most similar to you. The Internet actually comes second ;)

Stay tuned for part 2!

Long Airport Transfers

Longest airport transfer experienced: 16 hours in Hong Kong

Most recent long haul: 7 hours in Abu Dhabi :(

I always underestimate the effect of a long haul, especially at night time......

Big mistake. 

These hauls can get you bored, irritated, restless and also worsen your jetlag. So here are some tips* on facing long transits comfortably :)

1. Cash*

When I left UK, I had finished my pound currency and didn't prepare any cash for the flight haul, since I thought I could survive without it. Bad idea! Cash is always essential, even if a little, for emergency cases. 

2. Charged phone or tablet

I emphasize "charged". Otherwise, never board without a charger in your hand luggage.

3. Meals

Plan your meals so that you have breakfast, lunch and dinner on time. Pack food or find out suitable places* to eat at the airport you are heading to. Otherwise you will be stuck for 7 hours surviving on crisps!

4. Cozy spot

This depends a lot on the facilities of the airport. For me, I find multi-faith rooms a blessing. There I can sit, sleep, lie down, eat, drink, basically do anything in private (just remember to keep clean to respect others)

5. Clothing

I sometimes forget how cold it can get when staying long hours in an airport. If you're on a commercial flight and they hand you a free blanket, remember to take with you (most airlines won't mind this)

6. Company

Most important of all, try your best to travel with a friend. Having an actual person to talk to instead of looking through Twitter is always a better choice when travelling <3

*Refers to travellers on a budget, not family holidays or luxury holidays where you usually prepare plenty of money for shopping and dining ;)