Pack Your Bags!

Pack your bags!





For those of us who still love travelling, these words would set the adrenalin shooting up! It's not the packing that creates the excitement, but rather the expectations of fun and discovery to come. Packing, to me, is the part the least I look forward to. It can be mundane and yet stressful. Decisions have to be made on whether to bring 3-4 jeans? how many blouses? tudungs to match or just neutral coloured ones? 10 undies ( disposable, too)??? Munchies ? Serunding? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Once we've decided where to go some homework have to be done. The costs, the itinerary , the places to stay and contingent plans if our first plans do not materialise. When travelling on official duty this would be the most important part. The appointments to be made was sometimes a hair-pulling saga because of trying to match venue and travelling time. Cancellations at the last minute were very distressing. But the good part about official duties is the budget for accommodation and transportation expenses is deeper than when travelling on our own! Of course, it's not close even by a mile the fun we have with our loved ones on holiday.



Travelling on holiday especially if not too many unpleasant unexpected things happen puts a big smile on me just thinking about it. The sightseeing, the shopping, the discovering of interesting places , looking for food and souvenirs and taking of pictures, pictures,pictures is so much fun. But the downside is it can burn a big hole in the bank account. So always be conscious of the budget we've committed to. It is a good habit to jot down expenses to tally our debits and to note down our observations for story-telling when we return.


Budgets aside, when we really like something at the bazaar or shops just get it. Forget about looking around first and buying later. You may not find it again and will regret not getting it then.

If we are holidaying in a developed country on a free-and-easy-trip (not with tour agent) eating out can be an expensive affair. In less developed places, food can be unsafe in some outlets. It is a good idea to prepare sandwiches or easy foods to bring along for brunch or lunch. Biscuits and chocolates can give instant energy. Dinner can be home-cooked food or eating out if within budget. While touring, watch out for halal food outlets for meals later. In most countries, Nandos serves halal food. We can check the net for halal food restaurants.

Flights to these places can be long and boring. But being an optimist can make flights more tolerable. We can just take a nap (snoring and all), watch umpteen movies, read, play games, daydream or even watch someone else drooling. Solat obligations can also be fulfilled. Just ask the crew for prayer space. Asking for extra peanuts and juices after mealtimes is not a sin. Be sure to ask a pleasant-looking crew and not the scowling tired-looking one who can just ignore us!

For those of us who are more 'mature' stretching our legs and emptying our bladders have to be done more often. Otherwise we'll suffer the consequences. Our toiletries bag should be kept in the cabin bag to freshen up lest we come out of the plane with unbrushed teeth and less than fragrant b.o.

Oh yes, at the airport we would be forwarned by security to ensure that we don't leave our bags unattended. There are unscrupulous opportunists who can insert contraband items in unzipped/unlocked parts of our bags. For guys and gals and also makciks travelling by themselves, be sure not to entertain strangers who are too friendly no matter how good-looking or naive-looking they are. It's better to be curt and brief than to fall prey to conmen/conwomen.


When we were having fun touring and shopping we may just felt the sore feet and aching hands carrying shopping bags. But the minute we land at home our whole body aches and resting in bed would be just heavenly. We wish a flurry of maids would be at our beck and call. We just need another small recovery holiday after our big holiday! So for those who are students or career people, be sure to have time to rest before the routine starts. Mothers...we rest in between doing the laundary and unpacking.