Jet Setting, part 1

My sister is going to Amsterdam on Saturday for work and going Emirates Business Class and it got me to thinking about packing for an overseas trip. I have been to Amsterdam about 4 times and I love the city, it is really lovely and the people very friendly and welcoming and they speak absolutely perfect English which certainly lessens the angst of travelling.

I cannot confirm or deny if I have had any "special" cafe treats while there, but I think I might have inhaled some passive smoke (if you get my drift!)  I actually have a funny story about a space cake but you'll have to come back for that one!

I like to think that over the years I have got packing for a trip down to a fine art. I can do a 3 week trip to the US with just carry on luggage! One year for work I did 7 international trips and earned my stripes for packing!


So I thought I would share with you some of my packing essentials.

Do you remember the old American Express traveller cheques TV ad?  Mr Wong said never leave home without it? Well I never leave home with my....

 

My Qantas Club Card! If you fly enough you can get complimentary membership, and I have in the past, however I still pay for my own membership it makes international flying a great deal more pleasant. Lounge access and champers before flying, showers and refreshments during stopovers and extra luggage, dedicated check in and seat preferences. After all I am worth it! :-)

 A good travel wallet, to keep all your documents, itineraries, hotel and airline cards etc (always have your tickets and bookings in a printed copy as well as e copy)

 A small travelling umbrella so you are ready for whatever the weather throws at you. I love this one as it has the kangaroos on it and it does draw people to ask you if you are from Australia, a good conversation starter.

Shoe and lingerie bags,  (a BIG thank you to Ms Karen "Pats" Brown for these gorgeous gifts) I have a collection of them, not all quite as swish as these.

 Something comfortable to  relax/sleep in . I have a collection of these Morrissey Qantas PJ's from my days of international business class jet setting, but tracky dacks and a warm T shirt will do, as I find that planes can get quite cold during a long flight. Also your clothes won't get crushed and you will look a lot fresher when you get off.

 A good eye mask, ear plugs and lip balm. The eye masks you get in economy are crap, so I have a collection of classy comfortable business class ones, but if you don't have them, go out and invest in some. Ear plugs at a minimum, noise cancelling headphones are great if you have them,  or if you are in the pointy end you'll get them anyway.  As we all know air planes are a very drying  environment so I always use a liberal amount of moisturisers, lip creams and eye drops to reduce the red dry eyes.

  Do not get on an international flight without this! I have used it for years. It does a number of things, keeps you nose moist so you don't dry out,  it also has eucalyptus added so it has a natural protective effect on all those bugs on the plane, and I am pleased to say have never had an "plane cold" since using it.

Compression stockings, I am not sure if they help much with Deep Vein Thrombosis  (but hey they can't do any harm) but they do stop your feet from swelling so much so that you can wear your shoes at the other end!

A Pashmina for a number of reasons. Extra warmth and you can wrap it around yourself as you exit the aircraft and look a million dollars. Have you noticed all the superstar jet setters always have one on them when photographed in airports?














A power-board and electrical plugs for your destination. Given that we have so many electrical  appliances these days this makes it easy, plenty of slots to keep everything charged and you only need 1 adapter!

Happy Packing Travellers, I'll do another post in the next few days on packing for your trip!