I recently embarked on a journey, and there were a few items that I hadn’t packed on previous adventures but ended up being essential this time around. In this blog, I’ll share my experiences with these newfound travel companions. When traveling to the pacific, I like to bring everything I’ll need because inevitably, we’ll end up on very small islands with limited supplies. Also, the goal is to relax, not to spend time shopping for toothpaste or other necessities. I like to balance being prepared with minimalism. This trip, my 55L backpack + daypack provided plenty of room.
#1 – The Dry Bag
One of the items that seemed so obvious yet had somehow escaped my packing list was a dry bag. It was a no-brainer back in 2008, but for some reason, I’d been neglecting it lately. However, I quickly realized its significance for island travel. A dry bag is a must-have for snorkeling cruises, tours, or whenever you find yourself on a boat. It ensures that your valuables, passports, electronics, and phones stay dry.
#2 – Reef Shoes
Having spent a lot of time on islands, I surprisingly never owned a pair of reef shoes until now. I purchased an affordable pair on Amazon, and I was glad I did, especially in places with shallow water and abundant snorkeling opportunities. Reef shoes are perfect for strolls along the beach, snorkeling, and swimming to protect your feet from coral and stinging sea creatures.
#3 – Toiletry Bars
On this trip, I decided to experiment with toiletry bars, including a shampoo bar, a shaving cream bar, and a lotion bar. I had used shampoo bars back in the early 2000s, so I decided to give them another shot. They not only save space but also prevent messy spills. The shampoo bar worked great. While the shaving cream bar was quite large, cutting it in half (and only packing half) made it more manageable, especially since I couldn’t find a small tube of shave cream in time. The lotion bar was intriguing; despite a somewhat odd texture, it did the job and reduced the mess in my luggage. I’m not sure I’d use one all the time as it did feel like I was rubbing off my skin to get the lotion to stick.
#4 – Currency in Advance
Ordering foreign currency ahead of time is a practice I hadn’t considered until this year, when I traveled to Mexico. My travel companion easily ordered pesos from his bank, which were delivered before our trip. This approach saved me from exorbitant fees at airport ATMs, including unexpected charges. Most ATMs have somewhat low limits of how much cash you can pull out in one day so multiple trips are necessary. Since I don’t bank at a big bank, I opted to skip ATMs altogether during my trip to the Cook Islands. On the smallest island we visited, ATMs were non-existent, and even on the second smallest island, ATMs sometimes didn’t work. Ordering currency in advance proved to be a wise choice, with only a minor exchange rate loss, well worth avoiding the hefty ATM fees.
#5 – Prescription Snorkeling Mask
A new addition to my travel gear was a prescription snorkeling mask. On a previous trip to Hawaii, I faced a windy day at the beach which made it impossible to put in my contact lenses. Considering that I wear contacts only when needed due to dry eyes, I decided to opt for a prescription mask to eliminate the inconvenience. This decision proved to be a game-changer, allowing me to go snorkeling within minutes, free from contact lens hassles.
#6 – Laundry Sheets
Lastly, in the realm of non-liquid toiletries and packing products, I found great value in tiny laundry sheets. These are now widely available and come in handy when I’m uncertain about carrying detergent. I also carry Dr. Bronner’s, which doubles as a detergent for quick sink washes. The small laundry sheets take up minimal space and weigh almost nothing, yet they were a lifesaver for a couple of sink washes during our trip. Moreover, our last accommodation had a washing machine, so these sheets saved the day.
In Conclusion
When traveling to warm destinations like islands, I prefer to go carry-on only to minimize luggage. This not only helps avoid extra fees but also ensures quick and hassle-free packing, which is particularly important when moving around frequently. I aim to strike a balance between minimalism and comfort, allowing me to relax and fully enjoy my trip.