Jul 08 2008
Po Chai And Duct Tape: 10 Unlikely Things To Pack
Here’s a look inside my suitcase. Some of my unusual packing items may come in handy on your next trip.
- LED keychain flashlight. I like Photon Micro Lights. They are purely amazing!
- Foam earplugs for hotel and airplane. To me, these are all about personal preference. Some just fit me better than others, which is more important than 1dB plus or minus.
- Nylon rope. Useful for, among other things, tying up rolled down pillows in luggage or as a bathroom clothesline.
- Duct tape (several feet, wrapped around a can, i.e. shaving cream). This is useful for sealing, labeling and much more. I’ve used duct tape with a plastic garbage bag to seal up or redirect a misbehaving A/C duct.
- Po Chai Pills. I learned about these many years ago from a Chinese friend. They have been around over 100 years. For me they are a lifesaver when air travel expands the intestines, leaving my gut feeling rotten. I would not travel without them.
- Extension cord (light weight) and 3-way plug adapter. This comes in handy when the power is in the wrong place for my laptop, phone or toothbrush charger and more.
- Assorted bags. Quart, one and two gallon zippered, plus trash bags. The uses are unlimited.
- Reusable plastic envelopes for itineraries, hotel/car reservations, boarding passes, maps, coupons and notes.
- Traveling food supplies. Check out one of our most popular articles, Eating Well At 30,000 Feet. It was viewed over 300 times just this past weekend.
- Light bulbs (100 watt) for poorly (fluorescent) lit hotel rooms.
Now it’s your turn. If you have anything to add to my list, please share them with our readers.
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Re: Unlikely Things to Pack
We get up in the night, and I always pack two night-lights – one for the bathroom (where there is always a receptacle for shaving and the alternative is a full-on bright light) and one for the room (where there isn’t always an outlet) so you can see to get to the bathroom.
Instead of regular nylon rope, i would use 550 cord (aka para cord). It has many more uses and packs well. You can usually find it at a local military surplus store. A 50 foot hank should be under $5 US, but you can find great deals online. You can sometimes find 500 and/or 1000 ft. rolls if you find that you use it a lot. It is also handy to have around the house, in the car, camping, etc.
Thanks for the additions Lynne and Dylan!
I like to pack a nightlight too. When I forget I unscrew all bulbs in the bathroom except the dimmest one, and partially shut the door. But a night light works a lot better.
I’ll look for the 550/para cord. If only we had a military surplus store. Oh well, next trip to the mainland.
Aloha,
Jeff
As of late I have been carrying around a cheap slide dimmer. It can act as a night light for the kids. Or, for holiday without kids, it can make a room feel much more relaxed or romantic. It is also great If I want to sit up reading after the wife goes to sleep.
It is 100% a comfort item, but after a few trips, I would miss it if I left it behind.
I like your idea Andy. But what do you do if the lightbulbs turn out to be non-dimmable compact fluorescent? I’m already carrying lightbulbs, not that I couldn’t run and buy them, but who wants to spend all the time shopping for this stuff. I’m going to look at the dimmers at Home Depot. Thanks.
Jeff