THE first part of “Travel writers give advice” dealt with helpful tips when travelling as a working writer. It is not simply a matter of throwing in some clothes in the luggage and grabbing the camera and passport. There are things to consider because, after all traveling is part of work, too. If the journey is not easy for the writer who has a job to to, let’s hear it from Sigrid Lo of www.lovinglymama.com who has to travel with children.
Sigrid is a prolific writer and has been blogging for 20 years! How does she do it with the kids in tow? She travels with her husband, and two daughters, and zero yaya. Dindin is now 10 and Siobe, 5, but the Lo’s began traveling as a family when Dindin was only months old. What does a parent do when traveling with children? To lessen the stress, the following are what Sigrid packs for the trip:
1.Food, snacks
2.Entertainment i.e. books, pens, craft materials, and no gadgets (for the little ones)
3.Insect repellant
4.First aid kit
5.Chewable vitamins (no water needed)
6.Alcohol, tissue paper, wipes
7.Full sets of daywear for each day with at least 2 sets of extra clothes
8.Jacket and hat in all weather conditions
9.A tripod to assure the fambam of good pictures
10.For fun photos, costumes for the kiddos!
It helps that the family has its own porter – the very patient Daddy Dennis.
Packing Up
Choose your luggage wisely. Will a backpack suffice, or will your back appreciate a bag on wheels? How many bags are you allowed for handcarry? The following proved very valuable for me:
1. List down what you are going to wear for each day right down to footwear.
2. Coordinate your wardrobe in such a way that you can wear your skirts or pants or shorts at least twice. Choose solid colors for easy mix-and-matching. The ladies can opt for dresses in thin fabrics to minimize space and weight.
3. List down other items that you need e.g. hat, foldable umbrella, sunglasses, camera and accessories, coat or sweater, toiletries, underwear, waterbottle, medicines, etc.
4. Traveling with less will enable you to eschew checking in your luggage, hence, avoid the waiting time at Baggage Claim.
5. Can you fit in a small pillow? Pillows are worth the extra space in your luggage. You will need a pillow to support your neck, your head, and the small of your back. You will need a pillow for extra comfort while seated on the plane or long bus ride, and while in bed in your hotel room.
6. Be kind to the environment by buying refilling small bottles for your travel kit instead of stashing sachets.
7. Take with you small items preferably made locally which you can give as gifts to new friends you make during your journey.
8. Have you thought of buying travel insurance to ease travel anxiety?
Mind the rules of the destination, be good, and have fun!/PN
