How to travel light….what not to bring to save weight …..Part 4

Let's Jom to No 4.....

1.To pack what you need only

2.Type of bags (luggage, Hand, knap-sack, Computer, money-bag)

3.To pack things with multipurpose or reusable qualities

4.To plan and pack electricals (Computer, handphones, alarms, GPS etc)

5. What you need not bring

6. What you can and should purchase at destination

Electricals are essential to our lives now…what objects of creature comfort that you have is electricity free? Tooth brush? Some are…. Comb or hair brush? Shavers? Even thermometer are now electric…

Do take note…Voltage…Malaysia and other South East Asian countries is 220V – 240V….if you’re going to a 110V country, make sure your gadget can switch voltage

Adapter….make sure u have an International adapter …see picture

A good reminder of 'Females' sockets of the world...

Interchangable 'Male'....aka International Player!!

 What are the most common electrical equipment/gadget for travel: Computer (Laptop, Notebook, Netbook,iPad etc), Audio (iPod, MP3, Recorder), Travel Cooker, Phone, Shaver, Camera, travel iron, Portable GPS, a smart phone with all the apps like currency converter, translator etc…..also a small flashlight is good

A great one to have is an Energizer Battery Pack…this can re-charge your phone, camera, iPad/Pod/Poo?, netbook….whatever…a life saver I tell you!!

Get one!!

Make sure your electricals are all fully charged before you travel. All necessary chargers or cables should be in your checked in luggage. These things are pretty darn heavy and you don’t want to drag it all over the airport….just bring the Energizer Battery pack in your carry-on…

Electrical stuff may not be as reliable as manual gadgets of yesteryear…sometimes I just hate it when my private jet has electrical problems and I HAVE to use my 70 foot yacht instead, damn…..(The power of positive thinking..)

Everybody should dream..but I really hate it when my million dollar dream is interrupted early in the morning coz I gotta get up to take a leak….Talk about dreaming… here’s a true story…Husband and wife are in bed asleep. Wife is dreaming and suddenly yells, "quick, my husband's home"... husband then jumps out the window....baddabinggg!!!!

5. What you need not bring

6. What you can and should purchase at destination….

I will cover this as one…

Basically, to save weight…you should not bring thing already provided by the hotel you are staying…like a Bed, Table lamp,…..bla bla bla…NOT!!!! Unless you’re those filthy rich Arab families on Edgware Road lah…

Here’s a list for you….just read on and ask yourself…have I ever brought these items before…did I actually use them??

Towels….staying at a hotel? No need..unless you suspect that the hotel towels are being used by housekeeping to wipe the toilet bowls clean and dry before being sent to the laundry…..Eeeeuuwww… points to ponder eh??? How do they get the toilets super dry every time?? Heheheheee now close your gaping mouth and carry on reading 

I was told...it happens..OK...

Shower soap….No need, just bring all body shampoo, or just shampoo/conditioner if you like a particular smell and brand. To get this crucial info I had to survey 100 men and asked them what shampoo they used when showering during their travels... 98 of them said, "How did you get in here?”….Some people are just mean and unhelpful lah!! Hmmmphhh!!

5 Star establishments actually spend quite a lot for branded toiletteries...what u see here are the cheap stuff..

Leave most of your identification….just have your passport and driver’s licence if you plan to rent a car….leave everything else behind, social security, Bonuslink, Real Rewards, y’know all those rubbish that’s making your wallet look fat like u wished it was full of money….

Make sure everybody knows if you have a Superhero name laaa...

Leave precious jewellery….. why would you wanna take the risk of losing it or being robbed??? Anyway.. If love truly is blind, she probably can't tell the difference between a gold necklace and a chain of paperclips, right?

Leave keys…office keys, house keys…unless you have no one at home and you’re taking the cab from the airport-home. If you leave your car at the airport…just take your car keys….house keys in the glove compartment…

Computer !!! Surprised? Well in this age of Smart Phone…that’s all you need…unless you’re an avid blogger…even that, most hotels have public use PC at the lobby with internet access…the phone is also an alarm clock!! Many forget this feature.. Remember the time before smartphones ? when we had to update our Facebook statuses from our laptops? God, it's like we were cavemen!

What u should purchase at destinations are stuff that may be a wee bit heavy to drag from home but cheap to buy at the destination, such as:

Moisturiser lotion, sunscreen lotion/oil, bottled drinking water, duty free perfumes, snacks for the room…

Keith needs to slap some magic cream, maybe Minyak Gamat laaa....

Always think positive...I should've swollowed this stuff before my SPM laaa....

Buy the local pre-paid phone SIM card (Check the service provider at country of destination from your local service provider)..most countries use GSM system like us.

Always buy a few cans of Coke before you check-in the hotel….I do it because the moment I arrive, I’d like a cold drink…and u can swap that warm coke you just bought with the cold one from the Mini bar….Make sure the drink that you buy is an international brand….u can’t go wrong with Coke…Do you know Coke was initially invented as a remedy for illness?? Even death!!! Do you know what's the difference between Amy Winehouse & Jack Daniels???? ................. Jack Daniels comes alive when you add coke! My friends tell me laaa….

A typical Mini-Bar in your room....

So now that you know how to travel light…….Let’s Jom!!!

How to travel light….type of bag and must have...Part 3

For me the 5 basics are :

1.To pack what you need only

2.Type of bags (luggage, Hand, knap-sack, Computer, money-bag)

3.To pack things with multipurpose or reusable qualities

4.To plan and pack electricals (Computer, handphones, alarms, GPS etc)

5. What you need not bring

6. What you can and should purchase at destination

Type of bags

For fellow super bilionnaires like me out there who insist (read : Forced) to travel Economy or Coach @ Chee-Kai @ Cheapskate @  Bala-Chi Class (All are South East Asian colocial words) or Economically Challenged or just being Prudent…. We would usually have in the region of 20 kilograms of luggage. 15 kilogrames if you fly Stingy Airlines  aka Low Cost Carrier. I am not talking about overnight travel where you can hand carry your luggage and usually don’t change your underwear for a couple of days ….I know who you are….that’s why you’re smiling…you filthy soiled soul!!

So buy good strong but light material luggage...why waste all your allowed weight on heavy leather luggage???

Hand luggage only permittable for certain luggage size and approximately 7 kilogrames. Usually if need be I get away with 10 kilos…OK…for easy calculations, U have approximately 25 to 30 kilos…if you travel Economy...

A good strong and waterproof bag is a good investment!!

But if you have loads of money and don't give a toss about excess baggage...you won't be reading this in the first place!!!

If you have a computer (lap top, Note Book, Net Book) DO NOT check them in…hand carry them on flight….u can check in the other accessories like extra batteries, chargers and all those cables…

The best type of bag for this is the padded knapsack which u can also double as a light travel bag..

This is my choice...I travel mostly through pretty good airports...I would think twice if I'm going trekking to the Himalayas laa

Point 3… pack things with multipurpose or reusable qualities

What do I mean by this?

Such things are usually a waste of money....

A gadget that can be your toothbrush, raincoat, bag, sunglasses, disposable underwear and shoes all at the same time??? Is there such a thing…if there is please let me know…

If you're travelling long distance (over 6 hours) and have no entertainment console (obviously flying Low Cost Carrier laa)..you need this, but if you snore like a pig in an abatoir, please read a thick fat book or do whatever you can but SLEEP... I've been on a flight where a passenger snores like a wailing banshee on deathrow which made the children cry, which made the parents of the children scream, which made the flight crew grumpy which made her spill hot coffee on my lap which made her feel really guilty and embarassed!!! What happened next is my secret laaa.....Hehehehee

Always bring a recycled bag or those that can be folded and stred to the size of an egg!!! If you need to use as emergency, you can….

Maybe bring a bag that can be turned into a bicycle or a push bike??? Interesting…I will dedicate an entry just on this soon…

I want one!!

A multi-tool like Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife is a must for me…but make sure you check them in your luggage…not hand carry…or you will be crying away when the airport security confiscate it from you….and you know he’s gonna give it to his son at home!!

Even Fred Flintstone had one!!

The Nigella Lawson Special Edition

Swiss Barbie

Have u ever heard of the Swiss Army??? Swiss Army knives maybe...This army officer has just gone loony...no action have turned his brain into Swiss Cheese...

And you thought the Swiss Army are fruitcakes?? The Russian on the other hand is very focussed !!!

This is a Leatherman...the difference? the main tool is the pliers instead of a knife...

A waist bag or what people call a fanny pack is actually very good for travel, its light, easy to manage and keeps your hands and shoulders free….it even carries a bottle!! But be sure to wear it in front of you, do not put important  documents and cash in it (better to hang it in your shirt) as these fanny packs are prone to pick-pockets….I even know a case where thieves use blades to cut the straps from behind….so they can just snatch and run… the more expensive ones have steel wires within the straps..

Fanny Pack....derived from the Scottish pouch over the Kilt that was used to hold down their morning salute!! ....

This is something cool, solar or wind up radio, cum charger cum torchlight cum…cum…cum….for all you know, this is also a food processor!!

This invention has been a saviour in Africa...where children from far reaches of Africa where no electricity is available are now accesible to education thru radio....

Bring a few Carabiner…somehow u can always use this to secure stuff….I have at least 2 of various sizes…

Superb to hold bags together, especially in groups...thieves can run away with 1 individual small bag but if all the bags are linked together.....No Way!!

Wet Wipes….crucial for mothers….for us men…u will love it if u have it…unfortunately most men think its not macho to keep it near you, but would gladly receive it when offered during toilet emergency situations!!

If you plan to use or charge your electrical equipments, make sure of the voltage of the destination…110V or 220V

Gotta have one!!

Always bring a multi head adapter…it’s a cheap investment, if you don’t have one, borrow from a friend…usually the reception of the hotel would have one to borrow, but some don’t….its light and easy to carry, don’t take the chance..

This is a life saver for me for the last 22 years!! I bought it in Japan in 1990 and it still works perfectly today!! To all my friends that who were with me in Japan during those fun times…I’m sure you would agree…cause we all had 1 each!! The model was recommended by stewardess and stewards of the time…I was in Akihabara last year and saw that it is still selling like hot cakes!! This Sanyo Cooker I will cherish forever!!!

During those days in Japan, 4 of us with one cooker each would get together, 2 used for cooking rice, 1 for Curry, 1 for soup or vegetables!!! Me? They used mine whilst I made the Salad!!! just Iceberg and Japanese Mayo!!!

To be continued in Part quatre….

How to travel light….Only pack what you need …..Part 2

Only pack what u need only

For me the 5 basics are :

1.To pack what you need only

2.Type of bags (luggage, Hand, knap-sack, Computer, money-bag)

2.To pack things with multipurpose or reusable qualities

3.To plan and pack electricals (Computer, handphones, alarms, GPS etc)

4. What you need not bring

5. What you can and should purchase at destination

U can lay off the beef for a while...

Depending whether your trip is for business or pleasure, these are the things and the amount  that you must bring :

Slippers …..1 pair of good and light  approx 150 grams…(C’mon, this is Adventures of Travel Slippers laaa…of course its priority !!) Please refer to

http://travelslippers.blogspot.com/2012/02/travel-slippernever-leave-home-without.html

Mr President, you left your slippers !!!

Toileteries 500-700 grams….Remember to use small clear plastic bottles. Big container liquids will be confiscated by airport authorities. I’ve seen sooo many cases of adults women crying like a retarded Camel with gingivitis pointing at the bin where her recently opened Chanel No 5 lies…No matter how loud she wails….No husband can help her…infact No husband would want to help a wailing Camel with gingivitis!!! Opt for clear plastic bottles as they are lighter than glass bottles. If you use moisturizing lotion like a molting Iguana, it is advisable to buy a family pack bottle at the destination. 

Please…for heaven’s sake get a brand new tooth-brush when travelling….Its so embarassing when they check dangle your clear toileterries bag and we all can see your old brush that looks like Macy Gray’s hair and brown stains like a public toilet bowl!!

Clothes…all in approx 3-5 kilos…

This is tricky, I can only give advice for men…real men…not metrosexual men or transexual men….Women, well you can read this too, but I doubt you will agree with a simple Amoeba like me..I am covering the essentials in clothes….It is best to roll your clothes like a spring roll to save space in your luggage or bag.

Roll it, Roll it, Roll it

 If you are travelling on official visits please add whatever you need to wear to the list, just make up your decision what to wear from home!! don’t blame me if you’re gonna see the Queen of England and you have only shorts and a singlet!! On second thought, maybe the Queen would like to see people in shorts and singlet… It’s about time she finds out the truth about how normal people live….she thinks everywhere in England there’s a bouquet of fresh flowers in every room!! Cause there’s one everywhere she goes!! All the time!! Ever since she was Queen at 25 years of age!!! That’s 300 years ago!!!

The essentials….

Underwear…maximum…3 pieces!!! 150 grams (part of the 3-5 kilos of clothes)

 If you are travelling for more than 3 days….say 24 days??? U still need only 3 !!!! U don’t want stinking underwear piling up in the closet!! Wash em’ every day and wear a fresh one!! Its small, we’re not talking about a Duvet cover here!! It’s the size of your palms!! If u complain that its still too big, you lazy bugger….buy a thong!! 

Then its half your palm size but a wee bit tricky to wash especially the stringy part that goes between the globes of the moon….I’d use those ridiculous toothbrush provided by the hotel’s vanity kit…I don’t like thongs personaly…they make me spontaneously and uncontrobly laugh and giggle too much..pretty awkward when you’re in a serious meeting with Government officials…. Hmmm…maybe Government officials should start wearing thongs….meetings would be much livelier!!

Borat's No 1 fan

Simple Black/White round neck T-Shirt

This is essential because it goes with everything….its simple….its always fashionable, it goes with Jeans/Khaki/Slacks, It goes with a Jacket, Suit top…..entering a Club in a black one is fine….in a plane is OK with a suit…U can also use it as a Pyjama top! With all the thick duvet and bedsheets etc…who needs a pyjama bottom???....its the Swiss Army knife of shirts… 

Just beware that u should not buy the thinnest material in the market for it may not conceal your areola and raisins in public. We don’t want people staring at your chest like a wet t-shirt competition right? Especially from fellow blokes with a single earing!!! The best material is the new tech dri-fit that sports brands make....u can easily get them at reputable sports stores.

How many to bring? 4 maximum….250 grams

if you are travelling for more than 4 days…say 24 days??? U still need 4!!! I sound like a broken record now….just see above (Underwear) for the finer and detailed reasoning.

Jeans/Khaki

U need at least one of these…people don’t give a toss if they’re creased, a bit dirty or whatever…they’re Jeans for heaven’s sake…Everybody wears em’ from Presidents to Katoeys of Pattaya!! To save more weight, wear one when you are travelling….Jeans are not light in weight.

Even this famous Polish man wore Khakis...yes he is Polish...not German...

Swimming /Shorts

This is essential if your going to a place where u don’t have to wrap up yourself before going outdoors…most hotels do have a pool, you may not want to swim but there might be a reason for you wanting to be near the pool….please use your imagination…Do I have to spell out everything for you?? Are you a 40 year old Virgin??? 

If possible the shorts is OK for you to wear it as a sports wear too i.e. jogging/ walking/gym….Please do not wear this item of clothing with your leather shoes with socks….the pre-war rubber plantation manager of  Malaya ‘look’ only works if you are trying to impress an 80 year old British grandma who keeps screaming ‘Long Live the Queen’…..’ The Repulse will save us!!’….

Fashionable before the war

Even a famous clown can't get away with it...

Don't even think of wearing this in public...

Socks

These things are light and cheap….do bring enough…if possible get those polyester ones, they don’t absorb the bad cheese aroma that well. Please when packing socks, do it in a bright lit room…even un-matching black socks look different in a room with sufficient light… You’d have to make excuses if you are caught in  such a situation….A man met his friend in a shopping centre. The friend had a look at his feet and asked, "Why are you wearing one red and one black sock"? The man paused for a moment then said, "I have married this stupid woman. She buys funny things. I have another pair like this at home".

Wear comfy clothes when you travel...comfy doesn't mean embarassing...

To be continued in Part trois….