2012 Travel Lessons

"Pack smart"

- i have traveled a lot this past year. I learned that maximizing the weight limit when traveling is not a good idea especially if traveling to different successive countries or even cities! I learned to pack clothes that i can mix and match so it won't actually look the same in all the places i'll be going to. I also lessened bringing of too much shoes. Haha! Plus, it's impossible for me not to shop when i travel so i have to have enough space for all the stuff i'll be bringing back with me. I didn't travel with my laptop coz i know i won't be able to use it anyway and it's a heavy carry on!

"Dress smart"

- i got used of wearing a blazer, leggings, tank top, ballet flats when i hit airports. It's comfy enough to look smart and easy to move around especially if i have to hurry to check in or whatever.

"Avoid a heavy carry on"

- Still learning this! Having a heavy carry on is such as hassle (as for me) especially placing them to overhead cabins. Plus it caused a great deal of hassle on me when i have to carry a heavy carry on while on queue on immigration. Hay naku!

"Strategize seat choices"

- i choose window seats if i don't have a carry on on the overhead cabin, long haul flights, night flights and long transit time between flights. Meanwhile, i choose aisle seats if i have a heavy carry on as i have to figure out how to remove them from the overhead cabin (con of being short. Haha!) and catching a connecting flight with short transit time.

"It's ok not to have an itinerary BUT research on good food choices"

- the obsessive-compulsive part of me when it comes to making itinerary has mellowed down this past year. I went to several places this past year with no detailed itineraries but i realized that you have at least have a list for good food places to dine since if you have nothing to do, you can always do food tripping! I got restaurant recommendations from friends and tripadvisor prior going to trips.

"Change foreign currencies prior to traveling"

- airports are not good places to exchange currencies. I always change my money to the currency of the place i'm going to. Just like this Past holiday, i exchanged my money to singapore dollar, malaysia ringgit and indonesian rupiah. Less hassle for me especially if i need to purchase something right away and have no time and energy to look for a forex.

"Have a travel kit"
- mine would be a scarf, book, travel pillow, ipod and sleeping eye mask. I never travel without these items.
Dear 2012, thank you for the great travel memories! It was truly awesome and epic! Hoping my wanderlusting days continues this 2013. Fondly, the vain traveler.