Just a quick follow up to the packing experiment. The biggest danger for me is going to be over packing. I managed to go the whole week, with a variety of events in two skirts and three shirts. But I did cheat on the shoes.
And it really wasn't a very effective experiment in that it's really easy to pack light for 1 week, and I still think that 8 weeks is going to be tough. If I learned anything, it's that I have to take things I REALLY like because I'm going to be wearing the same things over, and over, and over again. Lucky for me, I can pack at least 4 pairs of shoes in the same space that Tom needs for 2 pair. But I have a feeling that will just leave me packing some of his stuff...
Anyway, we are doing a lot of research on China right now, and came across a marathon of a beautiful show on the Travel Channel called "Wild China." It's making us feel like there is no way we'll see even a portion of what we want to in only 2 weeks. We'll have to make some tough choices.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The great packing experiment
One woman, 4 skirts, 6 shirts and 60 days.
So, for the next week we are taking the popular "staycation" and becoming tourists in our own town. And conducting a bit of an experiment.
How do you pack for a 60 day trip in one bag? Not one of those lovely, big rolling suitcases, but a softside backpack? Back when we planned this trip the first time in 2001, we purchased these great bags--good sized backpacks, with zip-off day packs turning them into two carry-ons. OK, so this was back when you were allowed two carry-ons, but that's beside the point.
Here's the experiment, can we put everything we need for a week's vacation (with a wide variety of activities) in our bag and live out of it, shunning the dressers and closets full of way too many clothes that we have at home?
I've been shopping at Travelsmith and REI and picked up a couple of things that seem to be working well so far (it's 5 days in), but my favorites are skirts from Goodwill, and t-shirts from Target and Academy Sporting Goods. They wash and dry overnight hanging in the bathroom, and run an average of $7 each. If I get tired of all of it before Croatia, I won't feel that bad about ditching any of it.
Two things I'm finding are important. Underclothes and shoes. I've always heard about the rule of three with it comes to underwear--wear one, wash one, have one spare. I really hope that the timing of the trip will not put us in 105F degree weather, but if so, the rule of three just doesn't work. Shoes--that's a tough one, too. We need to be able to dress for some light hiking, lots of walking and hopefully some nice nights out.
My mom sent me some wonderful, really lightweight flats (black and brown) which I want to take, but I'm not sure they are going to be the best choice for lots of walking in cities (no padding or support). I have nice hiking boots, so those will go, too. Sneakers are so bulky, I'd really like to find an alternative for city walking.
So far, I've only needed about 1/4 of what I packed to cover me for a Tiki party, concert, pool and golfing (twice), shopping around town and lounging around the house--and that seems about right. I did cheat and wear sneakers for golf today, but otherwise I'm sticking to the plan. Tomorrow night we are planning on a nice, "fine dining" dinner, so we'll see if I can make what I have work for that.
So, for the next week we are taking the popular "staycation" and becoming tourists in our own town. And conducting a bit of an experiment.
How do you pack for a 60 day trip in one bag? Not one of those lovely, big rolling suitcases, but a softside backpack? Back when we planned this trip the first time in 2001, we purchased these great bags--good sized backpacks, with zip-off day packs turning them into two carry-ons. OK, so this was back when you were allowed two carry-ons, but that's beside the point.
Here's the experiment, can we put everything we need for a week's vacation (with a wide variety of activities) in our bag and live out of it, shunning the dressers and closets full of way too many clothes that we have at home?
I've been shopping at Travelsmith and REI and picked up a couple of things that seem to be working well so far (it's 5 days in), but my favorites are skirts from Goodwill, and t-shirts from Target and Academy Sporting Goods. They wash and dry overnight hanging in the bathroom, and run an average of $7 each. If I get tired of all of it before Croatia, I won't feel that bad about ditching any of it.
Two things I'm finding are important. Underclothes and shoes. I've always heard about the rule of three with it comes to underwear--wear one, wash one, have one spare. I really hope that the timing of the trip will not put us in 105F degree weather, but if so, the rule of three just doesn't work. Shoes--that's a tough one, too. We need to be able to dress for some light hiking, lots of walking and hopefully some nice nights out.
My mom sent me some wonderful, really lightweight flats (black and brown) which I want to take, but I'm not sure they are going to be the best choice for lots of walking in cities (no padding or support). I have nice hiking boots, so those will go, too. Sneakers are so bulky, I'd really like to find an alternative for city walking.
So far, I've only needed about 1/4 of what I packed to cover me for a Tiki party, concert, pool and golfing (twice), shopping around town and lounging around the house--and that seems about right. I did cheat and wear sneakers for golf today, but otherwise I'm sticking to the plan. Tomorrow night we are planning on a nice, "fine dining" dinner, so we'll see if I can make what I have work for that.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Inspector Gadget
So, the Frugal Traveler blog on the New York Times listed what he considered the top 10 travel gadgets. Some of them seem obvious (first aid kit, cable lock) and other just silly (the money clip with a flash drive). Some we already use -- my Spacebag travel pouches have been passed around numerous times; I think half the people in my office have borrowed them. As we are starting our shopping these are the kinds of things we could use some help with... what are you best suggestions for travel paraphernalia?
One thing I've seen suggested that I think we'll invest in are sleeping bag liners. As we plan some serious train travel, especially in China, as well as some places where hotel hygiene could be questionable, this seems like a good idea--it comes from Bite Me With Dr. Mike on the Travel Channel, though after reading his "travel tips" it makes me wonder--not for the first time--why we are doing this.
One thing I've seen suggested that I think we'll invest in are sleeping bag liners. As we plan some serious train travel, especially in China, as well as some places where hotel hygiene could be questionable, this seems like a good idea--it comes from Bite Me With Dr. Mike on the Travel Channel, though after reading his "travel tips" it makes me wonder--not for the first time--why we are doing this.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Where to begin, then where to go
OK, so this is where all of you come into play. We are budgeting 60 days, with a rough itinerary heading west: China, 14 days; Uganda (or somewhere in East Africa), 7-10 days; Croatia, 7 days; and Spain, 10 days. Possible stops between: Delhi, Istanbul, Cairo, northern Italy, southern France. Right now it's all still debatable.
We're looking at buying around the world tickets from Airtrek.com. So, the first question--has anyone out done a trip like this, or can recommend a ticket broker. We're not dead-set on Airtrek, it just happens to be the one we know about.
The other thing is train travel. We are thinking about extensive train travel in China, and possibly making the journal from Istanbul, through Croatia and then Madrid via train. My first instinct had been to by rail passes ahead of time, but I'm starting to read that it's better (i.e., cheaper) to buy single leg tickets once you are in your departure country. Again--love to hear if anyone has had any experience with it.
And if any of you local folks have travel books for any of these places, we'd love to borrow them. We have several, but books from different publishers (Frommers, Fodor, Lonely Plant, etc.) is always helpful.
We're looking at buying around the world tickets from Airtrek.com. So, the first question--has anyone out done a trip like this, or can recommend a ticket broker. We're not dead-set on Airtrek, it just happens to be the one we know about.
The other thing is train travel. We are thinking about extensive train travel in China, and possibly making the journal from Istanbul, through Croatia and then Madrid via train. My first instinct had been to by rail passes ahead of time, but I'm starting to read that it's better (i.e., cheaper) to buy single leg tickets once you are in your departure country. Again--love to hear if anyone has had any experience with it.
And if any of you local folks have travel books for any of these places, we'd love to borrow them. We have several, but books from different publishers (Frommers, Fodor, Lonely Plant, etc.) is always helpful.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Opening it a crack
"Remember what Bilbo used to say: 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.' " -- J.R.R. Tolkien
And, so, we start with a quote...
Those near and dear to us, have heard us talk for years (many, many years) about the idea of an around the world trip. We tried it once before, and were only weeks from purchasing our plane tickets, then the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 changed it all. Nathan (our son) was only in middle school and we just weren't ready to take the plunge in January of 2002 as we had planned.
Seemed like there was always something that came up--work, graduations, etc.--and we never quite made it. Not to say that we didn't have some travel adventures along the way. We went to the Amazon jungle in Peru (and began a wonderful friendship with Chris and Lev) and took a trip to Scotland that we still talk about all the time (sorry, folks).
So, we learned our lesson, and we are saying that we are "planning" our trip. Once the tickets are in hand, we'll switch it to we are "taking" a trip.
We knew we wanted to keep a blog during the trip, but by starting it now hope this might be a great way to get travel tips from other folks--so this is not just our ramblings (yet), we can really use all of the help any of you can give on where to go, what to do, and sometimes, what not to do.
So, this is our first step to opening our door and we'll just have to see where we may be swept off to!
Robin
And, so, we start with a quote...
Those near and dear to us, have heard us talk for years (many, many years) about the idea of an around the world trip. We tried it once before, and were only weeks from purchasing our plane tickets, then the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 changed it all. Nathan (our son) was only in middle school and we just weren't ready to take the plunge in January of 2002 as we had planned.
Seemed like there was always something that came up--work, graduations, etc.--and we never quite made it. Not to say that we didn't have some travel adventures along the way. We went to the Amazon jungle in Peru (and began a wonderful friendship with Chris and Lev) and took a trip to Scotland that we still talk about all the time (sorry, folks).
So, we learned our lesson, and we are saying that we are "planning" our trip. Once the tickets are in hand, we'll switch it to we are "taking" a trip.
We knew we wanted to keep a blog during the trip, but by starting it now hope this might be a great way to get travel tips from other folks--so this is not just our ramblings (yet), we can really use all of the help any of you can give on where to go, what to do, and sometimes, what not to do.
So, this is our first step to opening our door and we'll just have to see where we may be swept off to!
Robin
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