Important Things to Remember on a Long Term Travel Overseas
Mary Odunuga
Whether short or long travels, what we want is for you to travel without leaving anything important behind. Most of the things you need you can certainly get at your destination on arrival but there are some important things, sometimes of sentimental value, that you may desire not to forget; things that remind you of home, for instance.
The most important thing you need to invest in for a long term travel overseas is a great luggage bag. Any type of a luggage bag is not an option. You will carry in it the first things you own into a new country and if they made it into your luggage, then they are valuable and ought to be kept safe and protected. You want a luggage bag which you can easily move around as you will be on the move between airports and security officials for awhile. So keep all these in mind when choosing your luggage bag.
Here are some other important things you must not forget to pack on a long term travel overseas:
1. Original and copies of important documents: This includes your passport, visa, tickets and itinerary. If your reason for travelling is official, security officials might need to see the original documents proving that that your trip is authentic. Make copies in case you need to drop some of the documents with security officials.
2. Cash in the arrival country’s currency: This you will need to have if you don’t have anyone coming to pick you at your arrival airport.
3. Address Book: where you store important contact information in the country you are leaving and in your arrival country.
4. Notebooks, stationery, good camera: This is to record your travel experience. You can write something about it or take pictures. Believe me, they are memories you will love going back to every time.
5. Visa or MasterCard: For some reason, you might need to withdraw some more cash or pay for something you buy, so go for a card that is widely accepted
6. Clothes: Depending on where you are going, what season your arrival country is in and your reason whether official or leisure for travelling, you may have to tailor the clothes you buy for your journey. Make sure you go with lots of underwear, at least two flip flops, at least a jacket and at least one sleepwear. You’ll thank me for it.
7. Toiletries: Most importantly, don’t forget your prescriptions and drugs, hair products, lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste and brush, make up bag, razor, mirror, shaving cream, sunscreen, soap, tampons, pads e.t.c.
8. Other items you should pack are batteries (A+, AA+, AAA+), your favourite books, memory card for your camera, snacks, chewing gum or mints, key locks, flashlight/torch, travel guide print outs you might specifically need, iPod/MP3 player, laptop, mobile phone, passport photographs, pocket dictionaries for countries where they don’t speak the language you know, chargers for all your electrical items e.t.c.
9. Gift: If you will be meeting with someone in your arrival country, take a gift from your country with you for them. It will be deeply appreciated.
Packing for a travel is personal thing. Make sure you pack the essentials and try to pack less.