Packing

I recently saw a FB post of a “test packing” I did for when Mike and I visited Europe (including Disney Paris). Our goal was to travel with just one carrying sized suitcase plus a regular sized backpack since traveling light in Europe is the only way to go when you are traveling to multiple cities. We didn’t mind at all finding a laundry mat half way through the trip and doing a few loads of laundry. And there’s nothing worse than hauling oversized suitcases through the crowded streets of Venice trying to find your Hotel. The test packing was to make sure I could get everything I wanted to bring into my carry-on. (I was). The fact that I did my test packing weeks before our trip shows I am not a last minute person when it comes to packing. 

For our Asia trip we are essentially going door to door from each hotel and airport via taxi so we won’t need to ever haul our bags very far. No need to pack light. We will each use a large four wheeled suitcase (I really like our 4 wheeled suitcases! So easy to wheel around.) plus a backpack. We imagine we’ll be bringing home some souvenirs and gifts so we’ll pack a duffle to chuck all of our dirty laundry in and pack the gifts in the suitcases for the flight home. 

We are only two weeks out and I’ve begun to pack. The clothing will be the last thing to go in the suitcase. So far I’ve packed my international  plug converter, several Via Starbucks instant coffee pouches (I know, gross but I hear he instant coffee in the hotels is worse and I am caffeine junkie), mini bottles of hand sanitizer and several Off Bug Repelant wipes in case there are mosquitos in Hong Kong. (It’s pretty Tropical there.)

I like to use packing cubes to help keep things organized. I also usually use a garment folder for all of my shirts. This compacts them nicely while keeping them less wrinkled. I also use compression bags for dirty laundry.

In the backpack I have prescriptions, Tylenol, Advil, pens, glasses cleaner, spare contacts, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, chargers, and backup batteries. Still to come, iPad, noise cancelling headphones for the flights and a few snacks.

Update: Three days from departure

I mentioned above about the garment folder. Here’s what my Eagle Creek Garment folder can do with 14 shirts:

Tada!

Gadgets!

I’m bringing normal gadget like my iPhone and iPad. Here are some other neat gadgets I’m bringing.

Chilly Pad

Technically not a gadget but several travel sites suggested these for keeping cool when it gets hot. The towel uses the science of evaporation to keep you cool. Get it wet, wring it out and put it around your neck. When we started planning this trip we saw the potential of hot weather and gross humidity. I doubt if we’ll use these for Japan since he forecast is calling for pretty mild weather…

…but the deeper we get into our trip the hotter and more humid it’s going to get. I imagine these will help in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Back up Battery

This little powerhouse can charge my phone something like 20x before it needs to be recharged. Since we are likely to spend long hours in the parks and since I’ll be using my phone as a camera, video camera, boredom mitigator (when standing in line), and park guide (with he park apps) burning through my iPhone’s battery by midday is likely. Plus it can also charge the GoPro and the Gimble!

GoPro3+

I got this little guy to shoot video while scuba diving. I’m bringing it with me to grab video of any ride where I wouldn’t feel safe using my iPhone…any fast or wet ride. The handle on the GoPro has a strap so it is unlikely that I will drop it and it is waterproof so it can get wet on wet rides!

Smooth Q Gimble

Perhaps the most ridiculous gadget I’m bringing. My iPhone gets locked into the Gimble which has three little motors that make handheld video incredibly smooth. If you decide to check out any of the videos I post you’ll really notice the difference between the jerky GoPro footage vs. the very smooth footage shot with the Gimble.