A pocketful of anticipation mixed with a dollop of excitement, with a dash of mischief thrown in. Oh, if only I could flit and fly anywhere with just these, then life would be so much better. And lighter. Alas, that really isn’t doable, so we’re forced to improvise.
Just as a sumptuous dish requires the right ingredients, every adventure also requires certain elements to make it a success. In my book, successful adventure = fun and memorable adventure. Everything may not have gone according to plan, but everything turned out right in the end.
When on vacation, these are the things that I make a point to bring with me.
1. An itinerary. It could be as detailed as you want it, with ETAs and ETDs clearly marked. Or it could simply be a rough list of places to be and things to do for the day. This will serve as your guide. Of course, you should also throw in maps and clear directions on how to get to the places listed. In this age of the interwebs, where sharing is now the norm among travel buffs, you can get access to these maps without spending a penny on those expensive guidebooks.
For first-time and newbie travelers, their first hurdle would have to be getting past the airport upon arrival. I could never get used to this part of the travel, so I make sure to research as much as I can about the airport, especially on how to get from the airport to where I will be staying at. In my Japan trip, I thought navigating the Chubu airport was daunting, so I even printed out the layouts of the airport, all the way to the area where the available modes of transport are located.
You’d have to check the modes of transport available. Is there a train or subway line? Do you have to take buses, and if so, what bus numbers and what are the times of departure? If you only have cabs as options, how much do you expect to pay as fare from the airport to your destination? If you are availing of airport car rentals or airport shuttles and you’ve made reservations beforehand (there are now several service providers that do this exact sort of thing, and one of them is Turo, formerly Relay Rides). If this is what you opted for, make sure you got all the details down, from the timetables, to the exact area around the airport where you’re supposed to find them.
Airport car rental services may seem like they are quite expensive, but if you look – really, look – you are bound one that fits your budget. Of course, they also have the advantage of taking the hassle and stress out of leaving the airport and heading towards your destination, so you can get your adventure started!
In our Hong Kong trip, I drew up a very detailed itinerary, with hours ticked off because there were certain trip schedules of ferries and buses that we had to adhere to, and we also had to consider the closing hours of some places we were going to visit.
When drawing up itineraries, I tend to pack too many places to see and things to do within a limited period. This is because I want to see as much as I can. But I also do so with the full understanding that I may not be able to check them all out, since there are such things as “unforeseen events and circumstances” that may crop up.
2. The essentials, which include clothes, toiletries, and other necessities befitting your trip or adventure. Of course, it goes without saying that you should pack what you need. Take note: “what you need”.
In the past, it used to take me at least a week to start planning what to bring or what to pack. I even started out creating long lists – spreadsheets with appropriate columns for the dates, locations and activities. The packing will usually begin three or four days before the actual day of the trip. I’d like to think that I’ve improved, because on the last outdoor adventure I went on, I packed my gear just hours before we had to depart.
Cash (or credit/debit cards) will also fall under this category. When travelling to a foreign country, try to have as much of that country’s currency as you are likely to need. This will save you time (and the trouble) of having to look for a place that does foreign currency exchange.
3. Your camera. Seriously, there is nothing sadder than to be in a new place chock-full of interesting places to see and NOT be able to get at least one or two photos to bring home with you. So what if it’s just a point-and-shoot and not a DSLR? Remember, it’s not what took it, it’s how you took it.
I tend to go overboard when taking pictures; my friends can vouch for that. In fact, a friend even referred to it as “insaaaaane”. That explains why I have an extra 8GB memory card. 🙂 What can I say? I’m a camwhore (of the other kind).
4. I make it a point to bring at least a smartphone or similar gadget with me. It was during my trip to Japan that I came to fully appreciate the usefulness of my iTouch’s GPS and Google Maps. My friend rented pocket Wi-Fi, and we used it to look things up online, particularly directions, train trips and schedules on Hyperdia.
Of course, since it is me we’re talking about, I also made sure it had all my music, and I also packed it with ebooks, the latest two episodes of Running Man, and several episodes of Misaeng. This way, I was never bored when waiting at the airport, in-flight, or just sitting at Yoyogi Park while giving my feet a rest.
It goes without saying that you should also have with you…
5. The chargers for your phone or other gadgets. Better yet, bring extra batteries; there is no assurance that there will be a power outlet where you are going, so your charger would be useless. If you’re using your smartphone’s camera, battery usage will even be faster.
Or, even better, bring a power bank or an external battery. It will give your draining battery life a boost until such time that you can properly recharge it.
6. And lastly, do not forget to bring with you your thirst for adventure. Bring your curious self with you, and look forward to what lies ahead. This, in my opinion, is the most important. It’s the secret ingredient to having a trip, a vacation, or an adventure that will stick with you (in a wonderful, wonderful way!) for years and years to come. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having that “wide-eyed with wonder” attitude with you. After all, travel or an adventure – at least for me – is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and learning about new things.
So these are what’s on my “to-bring list” whenever I go traipsing off someplace else. What’s on yours?
Reblogged this on My Life according to me.