Don't leave home without it!

[Trisha]

What are some of the little things you've learned to take with you when travelling?
Things that make a plane ride more comfortable? Things that cure the blues during the two-hour wait in the security line? Things that help when sleeping aboard a rocking boat, or in an unfamiliar bed?
I'm guessing that, over the years, you've looked over at another diver and said, "Wow! I should have thought of that before I left home."
Thanks for your time, Trish

 

[SueMermaid]

-Starburst fruit chews for between dives
-A neck pillow that I got from Bed, Bath and Beyond made of walnut hulls. Good for the plane ride--its long and shaped like a snake, so you can fold it up in luggage. Also can put in microwave or freezer. It's the best thing ever for headaches, muscle aches, or just to rest your head on.
-I always carry on change of clothes, bathing suit, and toiletries in case luggage is delayed
-Aspirin
-Eyeshades (an absolute necessity when traveling in a very different timezone)
-Earplugs
-MP3 player

 

[Charlie J]

Well from previous experience - don't leave home without patience! Delays and minor upsets are bound to happen on any trip.

Like Sue said - always pack basic toiletries and a change of clothes in a carryon - spent a long weekend in Germany one time waiting for luggage. I use an inflatable neck pillow to sleep, and a sleeping blindfold and ear plugs for the plane! Good book of course.

Usta try and take some local currency B4 I left (to avoid the airport changer penalties), but today its not so important as the US$ spends almost anywhere.

Dried fruit mix for snack and energy - both plane and boats.

Charlie

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Drugs! (No...not those kinds of drugs...)

I travel a lot, on business. One of the things I've learned to check carefully is the mini-medicine cabinet that goes with my shaving kit. Zantac75 for acid stomach, Immodium for the occasional bad hotdog or whatever, Sudafed 12 hour for the flights, tends to unstuff your head if you're moving through many time zones on different flights, and then something like Tylenol or Motrin for the muscle aches and headaches that are part of the game. I use Triptone for the boats if it looks like weather offshore, but some use Bonine successfully. You may have your own meds favorites, but I don't leave home without these anymore. These tend to be overlooked until you need them, but often (at least where I go) if you need them they are not available.

For irritating people on the plane, I second what Sue said about the earplugs - but I recommend instead of or in addition to the MP3 player, a pair of those noise-cancelling earphones. The best ones I'm aware of are made by Bose, but Brookstone (which is what I have) makes a decent pair for $100 less. There are others, but they tend not to be as effective (at least judging by my ears!) I've tried a lot of them, and the two I mentioned seem to be the most effective. They generate a wave pattern that cancels out the high pitched whine of the engines and much of the background noise on the planes. With a pair of earplugs in, the headphones on, and some soft music playing in the background, you can cancel out screaming babies sitting around you and other factors that tend to negatively categorize 8 or 9 hour (or longer) flights.

For the long delays, nothing beats a couple paperbacks that you pick up the week before and really anticipate reading. Also, snacks like nuts or jellybeans travel well.

Have a great trip.

Doc

 

[inter_alia]

I second the meds kit Doc mentioned above. And after the regular maps/ copy of passport/ travelers checks (yes, still), etc., I just pack light enough to run but...
I never leave home without my best night cream and an ancient, packable seersucker short bathrobe. For longer backpacking-type trips (Southeast Asia springs to mind), these are my luxury items. The bathrobe is a welcome respite from grime for the fifteen minutes after bathing when you still smell nice/ aren't sweating yet. I pack the robe in its own plastic bag, sometimes with a dryer sheet for the Downy Fresh olfactory satisfaction.
ahhh...

 

[ScubaTexas]

In addition to all the previous suggestions, I always bring a small battery powered travel alarm clock. It seems like many hotels don't have alarm clocks and wake up calls can be undependable. Nothing worse than missing an early boat for diving because I didn't get a wake up call. Extra batteries for cameras, etc. are also good to bring given the cost of them in some non-US locales.

 

[alcina]

Won't go over what's been offered...

large plastic bags: ziplock and the big garbage bag type. These are the number one asked for item from travellers here and an invaluable item while travelling. I try to remember two big trash ones and a couple extra ziplock ones.

Dirty clothes, wet/damp items, shoes, extra protection for purchases, somewhere to sit (one goes in the day pack), shelter for gear from unexpected elements...too many uses to list...

 

[ABQdiver]

I second and third the earplug offer. It's a major PITA to try to sleep in the sometimes crowded sleeping areas with a heavy snoring going on. Plus it definitely makes the engine noise less of issue as well.

Don't forget extra o-rings for your camera equipment too.

 

[Trisha]

Thanks for the tips! I've also been informed that a small sewing kit is helpful, as is dental floss (popcorn, anyone?)
Is it worth the effort to bring a hairdryer? My husband could care less, but my daughters and I might not want to constantly have wet hair, particularly if the hotel air conditioning is on. Also, some judicious drying might help before final packing for the return trip.

 

[diversteve]

Last year on the Redeye from LAX to San Juan we brought a laptop with a DVD drive and 10 movies - watched two each way. We bought a y adapter from Radio Shack for two sets of headphones and a mobile power inverter so we didn't have to rely on the laptop's battery. And since the battery stays charged, you have something to do during a layover without having to look for a power outlet.

Or one of those portable DVD players - the prices keep dropping.

American has power takeoffs on every seat up front in First or Business - and every third seat in coach. You can actually see which rows they're in prior to booking your seats online. The jack is a standard cigarette lighter plug receptacle, an inverter costs about $60 at any electronics store.

I also always carry my own set of good quality earbud headphones, they're much less tiring on long flights than the cheap airline sets.