Don't leave home without it!

[divebunnie]

Depending on where you are going and for how long:

Short or long term, an ipod is a must, being able to store days' worth of music in one tiny box the size of a cigarette pack is a godsend, and like others have mentioned, very handy if you feel the need to zone out of your surroundings enroute.

I also found a peg-less washing line was great, two intertwined elastic strings, twist and hold your undies in place, allowing you to wash and dry them anywhere. It came complete with suckers and hooks for attaching to walls or trees.

Last time I was in Sharm there were mosquitoes!!! Odd for a desert, I can only guess that they were there because of all the irrigated hotel gardens that are now thriving,(or maybe it was a seasonal thing) so a mosquito net would stop that late night frenzy when you just can't get rid of that one little b***er buzzing around your ear while you are trying to sleep.

Aside from that I would say sit back and enjoy whatever the journey brings along!

 

[Kat]

The pillows & blankets on the aircraft do get cleaned. I've seen them thrown into large bags & taken off the aircraft. I also knew someone many years ago, who owned a dry cleaners/laundry & had a contract with United.
As far as the hotel pillows & blankets...please, somebody tell me that they wash them. Please!

 

[Trisha]

The "don't leave home without it" list, so far... to be amended as necessary (excess weight charges not included.)

Airline Kit: ear plugs, sleep mask or ballcap, inflatable pillow, snacks, water, collapsible lunch box to carry the above (doubles as a lunch box/small gear washing station on boats.)

Bag of Boredom: CD player and CDs, computer games, other items to pass time/drown out passenger noise, extra batteries, extra camera film or digital storage.

Hotel Kit: travel alarm clock, night light, flashlight, citronella candle, foam pad (depends on mattress), mesh laundry bag or woven clothesline to drip-dry clothes.

Medical Kit: suntan lotion/ aloe vera gel, bug repellant/ anti-itch cream, bug spray/ fly swatter, pain reliever, band aids, triple antibiotic cream, decongestant or antihistimine, seasickness meds, anti-diarrhea meds, hemorrhoid cream, baby powder, athlete's foot cream, sore throat lozenges, lip balm, eye drops, thermometer, meat tenderizer, vinegar, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, sewing kit and scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, mirror

Also: thermos, hot chocolate mix, collapsible cups, can opener, ziplock bags, small and large trashbags, extra zip ties, airline locks for luggage, regular locks for scuba lockers at diving facility.

 

[Mako Mark]

handheld GPS. find your way back to your hotel, check to see if the taxi driver is taking you the long way round.. and the newer versions have basemaps on so you can see roads airports etc etc..

 

[SteveDiver]

"Things that help when sleeping aboard a rocking boat, or in an unfamiliar bed?"

How about an unfamiliar person to go with the bed... LOL (-:

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

... to third-world countries.

I second the photocopy of credit cards (stored separately) and would add photocopies of your passport / travel documents (also stored separately, of course).

One thing I like to carry is a flat, rubber, one-size-fits-all sink drain stopper (can be found in the plumbing section of your local everything store). That way if I want to take a soak in the tub or wash my undies in the sink I don't have to try to cram a towel corner in the drain.

Maybe you guys can always stay 5-star, but I've stayed in hotels up to and including 4-star that didn't have drain plugs.

 

[DennisS]

Paper back books
ear plugs
Wind up alarm clock
Gallon size ziplocks
Utility knife, spreads peanut butter, cuts apples etc
single pack-coffee, creamer, cocoa, soup
Immersion heater

 

[PlanoDvr1]

Don't forget pen and paper to write down while your on the plane what you should of brought but didn't!!!!!!

Doug

 

[justleesa]

Uh! just remembered one more thing I do. Thanks to the digital age I take a picture of my luggage as I check in. In case it gets lost, I have something to show them.

 

[Trisha]

Taking a picture of my luggage in case it gets to Paris without me -- that's so sad! I don't want my underwear to be more travelled than I am.
And to all the ScubaBoard friends, may the waves rise up to meet you this holiday season!