If you are going to a missions trip to the Philippines or other countries with the same climate, click
here to download the checklist for packing your luggage. Listed below are here are our tips for you:
1. The basic travel documents, wallets and ID's should be in your personal bag. It is advisable to use bags that has pockets and zippers so it will be easier to pull them out when needed. If you are carrying a carry-on bag (or a small luggage), it will be good to put the travel aids such as reading materials (or kindle), games and emergency kit.
a. It is important to read the rules of the airlines before the flight so you will be able to maximize the allowable luggage weight you can carry and you won't break your heart because your brought with you some items that is not allowed in the flight. Normally, you have to be there three hours before the flight so keep that in mind. Communicate with your team if you are traveling with them.
b. Always write your name in luggage tags in case something went wrong. Taking pictures of your luggages before checking them in will help in case you loose them. We use ribbon marks in our luggages to make them standout that way it make it easier for us to recognize them when we pick them up from the luggage claim area.
2. The Philippines has a warm and humid climate so the clothes that you would want to bring are decent shorts, skirts, tank tops, T-shirt, dress, sandal and flip flops. It will be great to bring at least a pair of pants and tennis shoes too if you think you will need it at one point. If you are attending a special occasion, it will be great to bring some dressy attire with you.
Here are our tips on how to pack your clothes and shoes:
a. The best way to pack your clothes is by rolling instead of folding it. It will save you up some space. Rolling two or three clothes that can match together helps for convenience too.
b. When you arrange your clothes you should consider the weight of the items you are carrying. It is advisable to put the heavier ones close to the wheels of the luggage, as it is going to be the base of the weight when you carry it.
c. Fill the shoes with socks so you can make good use of the space in the shoes. I wrap them in used grocery bags to protect other items from getting dirty because of the shoes.
3. We have included a list of things to carry with you in the
downloadable file we created. Here are some tips on how to pack them:
a. Put the creams or liquid items you are carrying in a
Ziploc bag. It will also be good to protect the cover of the liquids and cream by covering the mouth of the bottle with cling wrap before covering it with the cap. This will prevent leakage. Believe me, we have learn the hard way from our previous flight when we wasted a big bottle of alcohol and found our clothes smelling like alcohol and covered with white substances.
b. If you can avoid carrying breakable items, do so but if not, wrap it with bubble wrap and put in between your clothes for extra protection.
c. It will be good to organize things in pouches and bag. Make good use of the space in your bag by filling it with your hygiene and grooming stuff. Being organize will be help you a lot.
d. Maximize the space of the bag put in your checkin luggage by filling in your purse with lotions, perfume and other travel size items. Make sure to cover it cling wrap plastic to avoid leakage or put them in a Ziploc bag.
e. Jewelries can be kept safe either by using pill boxes or small bead box.
4. This is how we take care of other miscellaneous items.
a. We normally hand-carry our laptop, phones, camera, charger and plugs. During stop over we take the opportunity to charge our electronic gadgets when we get a chance. Carrying it with you will give you some sense of assurance that your possessions are taken care of well and will have less chance of breakage because you are handling well. If you think you won't necessarily need to use you electronics it will be advisable not to bring them anymore.
b. We carry with us copies of passport and other vital documents like drivers license, citizenship/permanent ID and other valid ID; birth certificate, marriage certificate and other document that will prove your identity. I secure them in a folder/pocket carry it with me in my carry on bag. It will also be great if you scan and save it in a
flash drive for additional backup.
c. To avoid being held at the airport for carrying drugs or somethings, carry your prescription with you when you bring your pills with you. Avoid carrying unlabeled medicines.
d. Carry some business card with you in case you need it. Writing down number of your family members, some close friends and contact person from your country of destination will help you during unfavorable instances.
e. Carry some powdered laundry detergent will help you wash some clothes that you wish to re-use. Although you can have someone clean it for you, there will be a chance when you have to do it your self. There are chances that there will also be no
hangers/clothes pin available so bring some with you as well.
f. We love making coffee when we go to hotels and sometimes it results in leaving some unclean dishes/cups. After watching a video that shows how some hotels clean the dishes, we decided to include dish washing liquids in our list.
g. Having an over the door shoe rack will help you a lot if you want a less cluttered room.
h. Adding some sheets of fabric softener will help avoid too much wrinkle in your clothes and it will take out the unpleasant smell in your bag specially when your luggage you used is new.
I hope this will help you when packing your things for the trip.
Click
here to download the FREE printable copy of the packing list.
