What do you take overseas?

[JBillyGirl]

I'm leaving home for New Zealand next weekend, and -- yikes! -- I don't feel ready to go yet. I'm trying to think of all the things I might need that I don't have, and its all a bit overwhelming, so I'm trying to come up with ideas of what to shop for before stores close tomorrow. For those of you who have gone overseas: Aside from the glaringly obvious (clothes, underwear, deodorant, toothbrush, etc.), what do you make sure you take or, alternately, wish you had taken with you? (I will be going to a reasonably civilized country during its summertime, so nothing winter-related, please.) Thanks in advance!

[peacock2121]

Get that thing that changes the electrical current for you.

Get a thing that you blow up and put around your neck to sleep on the plane.

If you are not a picky eater - don't worry about food. If you are - bring peanut butter.

[kayrharris]

Well, I always freeze to death on the plane. I got these two things at Brookstone and take them with me on long flights. I also put a pair of socks in my carry on bag for the flight.

A little stash of high protein food, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, etc is not a bad idea. M & M's are good and not too messy for a chocolate fix. Those 100 calorie snack bags are great for traveling.

The travel pillow and the n.a.p. blanket. Love them both!

http://tinyurl.com/353h87


Check with the hotel first & you may not have to pack a hair dryer if you use one. They're heavy and take up a lot of room and you need a converter. None of that may be necessary if the hotel has what you need.

[a1mamacat]

Spare glasses if you wear them

Prescriptions you are taking in the original containers.

camera, of course

sunglasses, hat, etc.

[BackInTex]

A good set of noise canceling headphones.

An MP3 player with hours of your favorite music.

Me

[Sir_Galahad]

Lady G's sister and B-I-L just returned from a month's stay there. They had a fabulous time. They primarily just travelled up and down the country all the while staying in the local B&B's and hostels. The pictures they took were pretty cool. I was trying to imagine the scenes from Lord of The Rings as most of the film was shot there. They told us that there are lots of little placards and such while tell you which scenes were shot in that particular location. But, since all the scenery was returned to its original state you pretty much have to use your imagination.

They travelled very light and only brought a minimum of clothes changes plus the basic amenities and toiletries. They pretty much back-packed it all over the country. So, depending on how much you really need as you travel will determine what you bring. Have fun and enjoy!

[andrewjackson]

My general rule is more money and less stuff.

Backups for your camera: memory card, batteries
International calling card
A small notebook with a pen



Have a great time!

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I'm leaving home for New Zealand next weekend, and -- yikes! -- I don't feel ready to go yet. I'm trying to think of all the things I might need that I don't have, and its all a bit overwhelming, so I'm trying to come up with ideas of what to shop for before stores close tomorrow. For those of you who have gone overseas: Aside from the glaringly obvious (clothes, underwear, deodorant, toothbrush, etc.), what do you make sure you take or, alternately, wish you had taken with you? (I will be going to a reasonably civilized country during its summertime, so nothing winter-related, please.) Thanks in advance!

I have always heard that you should bring half the clothes and twice the money.

[MarleysGh0st]

Get a thing that you blow up and put around your neck to sleep on the plane.

Two words that you should never mention in connection with planes.

[JBillyGirl]

Thanks, guys! These are mostly things I've thought of bringing -- well, maybe not BiT. I'm bringing sunglasses but no real glasses as I don't need them -- yet!

It seems like I'm spending money like there's no tomorrow in getting stuff I need (or think I might need), but fortunately I will have money left over for the big trip and beyond. What's the best way to pay for stuff overseas -- by credit card or by withdrawing cash via an ATM? I guess traveler's checks are mostly a thing of the past, right?

[kayrharris]

Amex now does Travel Cheque cards as a choice instead of travelers checks that are quite convenient and just as secure. Check with your bank to see if they offer them. Certainly safer than carrying large sums of cash.

[tanstaafl2]

Even when going to semi civilized places (you can never quite tell about the kiwi's...) I like to carry a flashlight or three and a multi tool unless I am not checking a bag in which case the multi tool is out. For a flashlight I like at least one to be the type you can crank up to get light. I always seem to need a light just when I am out of batteries.

Oddly enough I have also routinely found a small roll of twine to useful rather more frequently than I would have initially thought. A plastic garbage bag or two, just in case, has occasionally proved invaluable and doesn't take up much space.

Don't know what the plugs and currency is like there as I haven't been but I always carry an adapter/converter as well. Someone mentioned a notebook and pen (I carry several pens). I do that as well.

When I am not going to be in semi civilized places I like to carry my trusty spork as well. Actually I pretty much take that everywhere now also. Never know when it can be useful!

In Mongolia last summer I even brought my compass. Didn't need it but you never know...

My next trip will be a bit of a challenge. Hoping to go on "safari" in Zambia and Botswana this fall. Already working on that packing list. Need to pack light, not my forte, but want to be sure to have what I need to fend off the wild beasts!

The most dangerous of whch may well be the mosquitos...

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Thanks, guys! These are mostly things I've thought of bringing -- well, maybe not BiT. I'm bringing sunglasses but no real glasses as I don't need them -- yet!

It seems like I'm spending money like there's no tomorrow in getting stuff I need (or think I might need), but fortunately I will have money left over for the big trip and beyond. What's the best way to pay for stuff overseas -- by credit card or by withdrawing cash via an ATM? I guess traveler's checks are mostly a thing of the past, right?

When I went to Italy, I did most of my spending on my credit card and got cash via ATM when I needed it. The exchange rates were really nice, because the dollar was strong. By the time the bills hit my credit card, the items cost less than I thought they should.

[Bixby17]

Have fun.

I am not much of a medication taker, but I do like me a quarter of a pill of xanax for long flights.

Xanax for anxious people makes them less anxious.

Xanax for people without anxiety problems, well it knocks you out. When I travelled back and forth to Alaska, I would take a quarter of a tiny xanax pill after take off, and then one right before bed the first night I was there. I could sleep for 7 hours in a row on a plane if I took a xanax.

Then I'd stop taking them because I don't like being dependant on pills. Never makes me feel groggy or hungover.

I took a half of one the night before being on Millionaire.

[wbtravis007]

Seems like just about everybody is saying "bring" or "bringing" when I'd say "take" or "taking."

Hmmm.

Anyway, have a great trip, jbg.

No special advice from me, since I'm assuming that you've already checked out our catalog on this subject and what not.

[15QuestionsAway]

NZ's totally first-world. No worries if you forget anything. I was there almost 2 years ago and had a blast. Things do cost more, so I'd buy extra camera memory cards here.

You may want to get a few Kiwi dollars before you go, but your cards will probably work in the ATMs there. I had no trouble pulling cash out of machines in either NZ or Australia.

If you're carrying electronics that work on multiple voltages like computers or many cameras, you may only need a plug converter. It's a small, inexpensive item that fits on the end of your US plug that allows you to plug your devices into the wall, and you can get them in the Auckland airport.

Be aware that NZ and Australia use 230 V power, so make sure your electronics operate in that range.

Have a great time - New Zealand is a beautiful and wonderful country.

[marrymeflyfree]

Take only what you really need...most of the 'what if' and 'just in case' stuff will just weigh you down and will likely never get used. If you have an emergency and need one of those things, buy it. Chances are you won't need to buy anything anyway, and if you do, then you will have some funky acetominophen (or whatever) from New Zealand that no one else has - and you'll remember your trip fondly every time you have a headache. (FYI, it is probably called paracetamol there.)

MMFF's travlin' light tip o'the day: save those clothes that you were planning to give to Goodwill, and pack them on your trip instead. You can donate them after wearing them while you are abroad, and end up with an EMPTY! suitcase for the return, or plenty of space for all of those fab souvenirs you want to bring home. You will feel good, especially if visiting an impoverished country - and save yourself a trip to the donation center.

[marrymeflyfree]

One more thing:

Always keep a photocopy of your passport in a different bag than the one that carries your actual passport. It won't replace your official passport, obviously, but it can save you some headaches and grilling by INS if you were to lose the actual one.