7 UNUSUAL ITEMS I NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT

After years of travelling for both business and leisure, I have had extensive experience in packing for my trips. Varying travel situations have taught me to always pack for the best and the worst situations. My travels have resulted to a list of some of the oddest things I can’t travel without.  Here’s my unique list of items I must bring when I go on a trip.

1) Clear Pouches

It makes packing convenient and my belongings easy to locate. It saves me from the tedious inspection process during security checks. Whether to hold my cosmetics, toiletries, first aid kit or my travel documents, clear pouches give me easy access to things I need as I move around.

2) Essential Oils

Change in weather conditions, air travel, trying out new food can change your health situation in an instant. I always make it a point to bring my basic essential oil blends for immediate relief. Some of the blends that I bring are: Immunity Booster, Sweet Slumber, Tummy Tamer, Muscle Soother, Headache Blend and Allergy Blend. I make sure to put them in small 5 ml bottles so that it’s light to carry.

  

3) Extension Cord

Ever shared a hotel room with 2 other people?  This situation often poses an electric outlet shortage.  Ever booked a hotel room where the electrical outlet is peculiarly positioned?  Bringing an extension cord can double the number electrical outlets in a room. It also brings an oddly located socket nearer to your bedside.

4) Bag Rain Cover

I must say that a bag rain cover is one of the most versatile travel item one can bring in a trip. As I board the plane, I place my handbag inside my bag rain cover and slide it under the seat. This gives me peace of mind that my bag is safe from the germ laden air plane floor and is protected from stains, scratches and spills. As I go along my journey, it doubles as laundry bag, an extra envirobag or as dry bag for water activities.  It’s also a real lifesaver. Made of waterproof fabric, I have found myself using it several times as cover during unexpected downpour.

5) Shawl

A shawl can keep you warm from sudden drop in temperature. It can add style to a rather boring outfit. It can also be used as a lining for annoyingly musty hotel bed linen or as an extra blanket for chilly nights. There are a hundred and one ways I can think of how a shawl can come in handy during travel.

6) Oversized Envirobag

At least 32 countries around the world have a plastic ban regulation in place. In China and Hong Kong, shops will charge you extra if you ask for plastic bags. Bringing an envirobag during travel not only makes you greener, it also prevents you from leaving items you’ve purchased from stores by fusing all your purchases in one big bag.

7) Re-usable water bottle

More than 1 Million water bottles are used every day worldwide. That’s over 365 Million water bottles a year and each water bottle will take 700 years to decompose. In my own way, I try to reduce my environmental footprint by bringing a reusable water bottle. Another upside to this habit is that I do not spend for water when I travel. At the end of a meal I usually ask the waiter to refill my water bottle. Bringing your own water bottle not only saves mother earth, it also allows you to save money.

It is said that to travel is to take a journey into yourself.  What you bring and how you pack for a trip can certainly reveal interesting facets to your personality and your priorities in life. My numerous trips made me realize that I am a creature of comfort and surprisingly an environmentally conscious person.  What has your travel and packing style revealed about you?   What are your unusual travel essentials? My company Storage Solutions offers usual and unusual travel accessories to accompany you as your wander and discover yourself.  Visit our website https://storagesolutions.ph to know more about our products.

Author, Apple Caballes-Suntay is President and founder of Storage Solutions. She finds inspiration in travelling and is an advocate of proudly PHILIPPINE made products.