Trip Packing Reminders

Piggy-backing on last weeks message about summer vacations, I thought it might be a good idea to talk about some trip packing reminders, whether you are going in the summer or any time of the year.  Here's some things you might want to remember to pack with you:

Flashlight—A small flashlight is a valuable and necessary item to remember to pack.  We have a hanging one that we can hang in a dark closet to find the right colored clothes to wear.  It's nice to have it on a night stand next to the bed if we have to get up in the night.

Nightlight—Nighttime, when the curtains are pulled or when you have an inside stateroom on a ship, a nightlight plugged in to the dresser saves some stubbed toes on the chairs and the bath room step.

Multi-plug strip—Speaking of plugging in a nightlight, one reminder.  Usually on a ship there is only one plug with two sockets on the dresser in the room.  In this day and time, with all the battery-operated phones, cameras, and laptops, two sockets just won't handle your electronic needs.

Ear Plugs—If you have trouble sleeping with the slightest noise present, such as your partner snoring, or the racket in the hall, or the band with the heavy bass two floors above you, you might consider packing a couple of those foam ear plugs.

Eye Mask—These are necessary items if you have trouble going to sleep, especially if you are in Alaska!!  Even with the curtains pulled, it is still a little light for 17-18 hours.  With an inside cabin, there is no problem, you close the door, turn off the lights, and you can't see your hands in front of your face.....unless you have a night light.

Thermos Bottle—I've never done this, but I've seen others, especially on ships, who fill their thermos mug full of hot coffee before going to bed and when they wake up, they have some ready-made coffee without having to wait for room service.  You might also consider going by the late buffet on the way to your room and wrapping a few cookies in a napkin—they go good with that coffee in the morning.

Small Extension Cord—If you need a plug for your laptop while checking out facebook, a game, or a book, and there is not an outlet anywhere next to the bed, this item is a lifesaver.

Phone Charger—In this day and time, you would be lost by the second day without having your phone charged.  It's a necessary item, but easy to forget... until you need it.

First Aid Kit—This necessary item is very handy.  It doesn't have to have every pill or item in the medicine cabinet.  Just an antibiotic gel, band aids, advil, and aloevera gel for sunburn or scratches will do the trick.

            Offhand, these are some of the items that over the years we have found to be necessary when we take a trip or a cruise.  I'm sure there are others, and we are always open to hearing what others consider necessary items to take with them, so please give us a call with your other packing tips.  We are at The Travel Factory, located at 4150 Southwest Drive.  Our phone is 325-698-1421, or we welcome you to our website; www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.  Remember to pack smartly!!!