My 14 Travel Essentials --- What's yours?

***UPDATED LIST*** I'm obsessive compulsive. But I've always seen this 'trait' as an advantage. Not only does being OC keep me on my toes. It also helps me to be coordinated and disciplined at all times. Being an OC traveler has certainly pushed me to be more organized with my trips. And whenever I plan my travels (local or international), I always make sure to produce certain 'lists' that will help show my progress in the planning stage. This way, I won't have any excuse to forget things. 

Moving forward, I have my (1) things to do, (2) things to bring, (3) trip itinerary, (4) and of course, my expense/budget sheet. These four elements always assist me from the beginning until the end of my trip.

Now, as a traveler who's always on the look out for reasonably-priced trip deals, I'm also constantly searching for affordable travel essentials that will help keep my trips more meaningful. So with that in mind, I'll be sharing to you some of my travel must-haves. Some of which never fail to keep my trips fun and hassle-free.

My Travel Essentials:

1) Point & Shoot Camera - I traded my DSLR Nikon D40 for a Nikon P300. Yes, it was a downgrade. But purchasing the P300 was super worth it! Not only did it lessen the load off of my shoulder (considering its weight), the bulk of having to bring the camera bag, my lenses, weren't a burden to me anymore. I did enjoy having a DSLR back in the day. But I enjoy more, the lightweight wonder of my new camera. 

The Nikon P300 is remarkable for a Point and Shoot. It has a Nikkor 4.2X wide optical zoom, and a bright f/1.8 lens. Other than that, it's also able to capture FULL HD movie/s. Awesome gadget, right? :)


2) Go Pro Camera - I always bring Rubel's Go Pro Camera in case some underwater action needs documenting. The Go Pro camera that we have now has both the photo and video features. But it's not capable of capturing any sound during video recording (still the old version). But it's still as helpful. 

What we usually do is just click, and then select/delete photos in our computer afterwards. The last time that we were able to use it was during our White Water Rafting adventure in Cagayan De Oro


3) Waterproof Bag - Aside from the Go Pro Camera, I also bring my  Waterproof Bag Case. Now, it's not the most reliable product in the market when it comes to protecting your beloved camera. But I've risked using this specific product for three local trips. A little water leaked into the bag last time I used it, so I decided to replace it. But it was just as useful. Although you may have to use it with caution. Anyway, I bought mine for an affordable price at eBay.com.ph. 

Photo grabbed from perksgalore888 (eBay seller)

4) A Handy Monopod - I used to have a tripod for my DSLR. I would've kept it for future use. But it was also as bulky as the DSLR! So I bought an alternative tool --- the MONOPOD (now known as the selfiepod)! 

My Monopod from CDR-King can slip perfectly inside my small bag. With it, you'll no longer have to ask random people to take your pictures. You can instantly whip it out of your bag, and just snap away! It's also suitable for digital cameras that carry the standard tripod screw; and can also stretch out to a length of about 70 inches. I bought this for only PHP250.


5) Dry SackRubel and I invested on an 8-Liter Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack a couple of years ago (PHP800++). We found the need for one since we would usually explore both land and sea areas. It's been tried and tested since we've managed to keep our valuables (i.e. camera, phones, dry shirts, towelsintact during some of our trips that consisted both sun and sea explorations.


6) My BLACK American Tourister Bag - I used to pack my clothes inside ziplock bags UNTIL I was given my own American Tourister bag! It's the sleekest and most clean-looking clothes bag that I've ever laid my eyes on. Of course, I'm bias. But it's just something that I can't travel without. It keeps all of my garments intact. :)

7) Footwear - Aqua Shoes - I don't have my own pair yet. But my cousin and I have been sharing a pair of Speedos, which she got for only $5 in Florida. I've already used it a couple of times now, and it has been great for walking by the beach (especially those with pebbly shores) or for hiking uneven terrains. The same goes for my Ipanema New Temas AD Flat Sandals, which has been a constant travel companion for me since 2010.

8) Lotions and Lip Balm - Rain or Shine, Sunny or Windy, you should always bring with you some lotions and lip balm. And if you're going to get yourself tanned during your vacation, applying layers and layers of sunblock is a must. We all know that it'll keep you from getting that sunburnt feeling, and from acquiring skin cancer. Also, remember that our skin is the largest organ of our body. We should be able to protect it at all times.  



9) My Smartphone - I used to print my itineraries, and would always bring a small notebook and some colored pens for jotting down stuff during my trips. But when I was gifted with a very sleek smartphone, I immediately went on a paperless spree! I purchased the DocsToGo App on the Apple Store, and immediately used it for filing my Microsoft Excel/Docs Sheets. I used to note and make revisions on paper during my travels. But having the phone now made things more easier for me. I could log every detail with it anytime I want, and then just save my notes into my computer afterwards.


10) A Pair of Sunnies - Since I already have sunscreen products for my face and body, I make it a point to carry a pair of sunnies as well. A pair of cool sunglasses is a must-have on every trip. So if I were you, invest on a really nice brand, as protecting your eyes from the sun is also just as important. My favorite pair until now is my Vans Off The Wall Spicoli 2 shades.


11) Over-The-Counter Medications - I am allergic to crabs, shrimps, and squids. But I still gorge on these sea creatures when I get the chance to. That's why I always bring a few packets of anti-histamines wherever I go (Claritin). Besides my anti-allergy meds, I also bring some anti-mobility meds in case my tummy acts up (Imodium or Diatabs), and some Biogesic. Of course, I never leave the house without a few strips of band-aids too.


12) Hand Sanitizer - My personal favorite is the Hygienix Antibacterial Hand Spray. It simply smells good. 



13) Chewing Gum - I've been buying the same gum for several years now. And I would never ever trade my Orbit Sugarfree Gum for any other brand. Not only does chewing sugarless gum help freshen my breath. It also helps protect my teeth.


14) Electronic Chargers and Powerbanks - I try not to go on any trip with a dead battery in tow. That would be the end of me. So I never fail to pack my chargers (for my camera and phone) and my Powerbanks whenever I travel. 

So far, these are the things that I bring with me whenever I travel --- other than the usual toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, candles, etc.). 

What are your travel essentials? Care to share what you usually pack inside your bag?

Explore & Be Free!
Mai

You Might Also Like

56 comments

  1. These are great tips for travelers. Like you, I always have allergies so it's really helpful to bring meds on trips. This is not only to make the trip better but it can also save a life. Some allergies are threatening when not managed correctly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fantastic list of your travel thingies! Ang dami grabe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's true, KC. Some of us in the family are allergic to seafood. That's why it's a must to bring anti-histamine meds just in case the urge to eat seafoods goes berserk! =D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Travel musts kasi. OK lang madami, basta secured and happy ang future trips. =)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're travel essentials are much of what it required..
    Like you, I like travelling light, but I can't give up my DSLR..
    Not soon! Not yet! 

    I agree with other essentials though, and probably, take an underwater camera with you instead!
    Nikon, Lumix or Canon has a lot to offer.. very useful and fun!

    If I may add, music pods are essential for me, so my music phone with tangle free headsets or use a bluetooth one.. the road is an adventure to itself, one can't tell how long it would take to get to your destination sometimes.. 

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Francis! I appreciate what you've left on my post. Means a lot that you've really read through my page, and left your own thorough insights as well. And I agree about your DSLR, and not giving up on it yet. I guess 'that' time' came for me after two years after holding it in my hands. =D I will forever owe some of my lovely photos from my DSLR.. as for the underwater camera, I'm still thinking about investing on an actual one, as not to compromise my P300 anymore. =D MP3 players are also handy.. I have one na din in the form of my iPod touch. =)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very organized traveler...  Me too, as much as possible I want everything to be as handy as possible... Carrying a lot of things adds to my burdens.

    Me, I bring a notebook, a pen and my map including devices with GPS... they are helpful too as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Super helpful noh Edmaration (love your name!). Although I've never tried any GPS devices. But I'm sure they're very helpful. =)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ILIKE..... vain lang kung vain sa mga dadalhin ha.. hehehe.. ako more on camera things... 

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, bilib talaga ko sayo sis! :) I hope I can learn from you and eventually become capable of planning everything for my travel trips.. ^^ Anyway, I very much agree with everything on your list. I don't have an iPod and an underwater camera though, but I'd trade it with an umbrella.. :D I've never went out the house without bringing one! haha

    Btw sis, I understand the story behind your #1 din. I used to have a point-and-shoot cam that I love, but I've neglected it when I got my SLR. But now that my P&S is broken, super ramdam ko ang inconvenience of always bringing a bulky camera. And I can't take discreet shots too, unlike sa P&S kahit nasan ako shoot away lang.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have a long list of travel essentials, not just for me (+hubby +3 kids) so I wouldn't want to eat space here hihi...but you definitely are one organized gal! I see a lot of similarities in our "travel" bag although I use a belt bag or a small messenger bag to put in passports and some cash too...I'd surely put hand gel or spray next time. I don't know why but I just got used to having my dslr with me (two) and also thr nikon underwater cam whenever we're out, I hope it doesn't give me problems later on though. (And still I ate a lot of space) :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Travel book is very useful to me. Camera yes! (I have a very good mobile phone with camera built in with GPS, Google Map and can be used as sat nav in case you get lose, games, radio and etc) But I prefer to use my DSLR. I always take my first aid kit 3 times thicker than iPhone4s. it has every thing I need in case there is minor injuries. I take sunblock stick or sunscreen spf 50 I prefer that but one it depends on the destinations. I don't wear sunglasses because I wear waterproof heavy mascara (lol) and hat. I prefer isoprophyl alcohol travel size. 2 bottle of water. Coin purse with loads of local coins and few cash in my secret pocket in case of emergency they don't accept card. One bag fits them all (lowepro camera bag)  You see every traveller has it's own style to manage their exciting escapades. Yours are unique. Thanks for sharing this article it's very useful I tell you that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wish i can be as organize as u--- very nice post

    ReplyDelete
  14. i agree with bringing a digicam, it saves luggage space and pretty easy to take snaps too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do agree that you must be ready, and bring some underwater camera. You don't know what you might capture with it. Lol. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. cool! nice tips... i'm looking forward to our Misibis bay trip this april... I like your cam Nikon P300. i want a downgrade to (if that's what they say about it) I like it because it comes in-handy... not too heavy unlike the nomrmal SLRs. My husband wants to know how much is the go pro camera?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Likewise! The camera is in your first list! Hindi talaga mawawala yan :D I want to have underwater camera :DD

    ReplyDelete
  18. Naka-relate ako!! And sa lahat! ;) specially #1, a lot of people are bombarding me to buy a dslr and I told them it is not convenient to carry around those heavy gadgets and imagine carrying the lenses too and tripod! Whew! But instead of a point and shoot I opted for a bridge camera, at least that way I can use the complete manual settings... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I will definitely keep tis in mind when I travel this summer.  These are great tips!:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I could just imagine, AXL, especially sa photo walks that you do. =) and hindi vain items yan ah..hahaha!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am on the look of that bag organizer, where can I get one

    ReplyDelete
  22. Essential din talaga ang umbrella sis, kaya naman ang ganda ng skin mo. =) As for my #1.. at true di ba. The quality and the enhancements that you want to do further with your photos really stands out when you use a DSLR. But my camera has some of those features na din, so I'm good na with what I have. =)

    ReplyDelete
  23. hahahaha.. ok lang chan! =) I love reading and replying to long posts. It feels more meaningful. =) As for your travel essentials, andami mong camera's! Nakakatuwa naman. Ako kasi talagang tamad na to bring any bulky stuff na..and may underwater cam na ang nikon?? ano yon??? =D I want na din! hehehe.. and as for the belt bag, my boyfriend has one. Pero I still don't trust him with my stuff kahit meron na siyang belt bag. He even forgot the bag sa loob ng plane when he disembarked from Japan. =))

    ReplyDelete
  24. cute! Do you wear mascara on your summer destinations too? =) and thank you Jenny! We travelers really have our own ways of managing our essentials during short or long trips. It's just a matter of prioritizing which ones should be in the bag. =)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Why not try to be one? It's going to be really helpful.. thanks for acknowledging my post Eigroj. =)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey Carizza! P&S cameras talaga are super handy these days.. I started with one, shifted to a DSLR, then went back to it again. First love talaga. =))

    ReplyDelete
  27. Naku, I'm still thinking if it's even worth it.. to buy an underwater camera I mean. That's why I bought na lang the protector for the mean time. =)

    ReplyDelete
  28. hi dear! Yes, they say it like it's a bad thing, the downgrade I mean. Well, in my opinion, it's a pretty good downgrade! =)) It has some of the best features of a DSLR, so I'm quite satisfied with my P300. As for the GoPro, my boyfriend actually had it for free when he bought a pair of pants at Stoked. It was priced at more or less Php4,000 then (2008). I just don't know how much this type of camera goes these days. But you can check this manila-based website that sells GoPro cams: http://manilatech.net/store/gopro/ =)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Me too.. but still thinking if it's worth it. =) What's your preferred brand for an underwater camera? =)

    ReplyDelete
  30. oh wow! what's your camera's brand? I actually loved the look of the LUMIX bridge cameras.. But since those were killer expensive (for me that is), I opted for the Nikon P300 instead. No regrets!! =)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you so much Blanca! =)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi! I think you can find a few sa BEABI or sa malls, like SM. =) Mine was bought lang sa Divisoria. =)

    ReplyDelete
  33. how much is that Go Pro camera?  I want one too. 

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hello RC Gweniful! I don't know how much this type of camera sells these days. But you can check out this Manila-based store: http://manilatech,net/store/gopro for more details. =)

    ReplyDelete
  35. A well-organized traveler is a person who goes out always in order. I like your principles of things to do. I may term it as a tickler. I just put them in writing all the essential things I need, then one by one tick or check so as not any one be left. Keep it up what you've started for it really saves you from any mess, any disorder, or whatever.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for the compliment, Sir Gil. I appreciate it. And yes, I've learned to be more organized throughout my years, as it really does help minimize any 'disorders' =)

    ReplyDelete
  37. i like the bag organizer.
    hindi na kailangan ang maraming lalagyan.
    sa sobrang dami ng bitbitin, pwede pang makalimutan kung
    saan-saan na nailagay ang mahahalagang bagay...
     

    ReplyDelete
  38. i love the Go Pro cam. hangkyut, anliit!!!
    that, and sunscreen. if only i can tell my wrinkles to Go away! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I agree with you on the first post. Digicams are really handy especially when traveling. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  40. The pro cam is cute..
    but for underwater..
    amphibious cam, underwater cams are the best.
    May need to include it in the essentials.. heheh!

    when I travel, I always bring with me my music phone..
    very useful during long rides and road travels..
    of course my personal accessory, my lip gloss!
    I never go anywhere w/o it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Aside from camera which is very important for me. I always bring mossie spray lalo na pag pupunta ako ng bukid, pero pag ang travel ko international eh small amount of clothes/shoes, cash, docus and camera ang talagang importante sakin. tnx for this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. So true Marri, kaya super handy ng bag organizer ko. =)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hey Shawi! What wrinkles? Naku, kung meron man signs lang yan ng living life to the fullest! =)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hey Mark! Sakin kasi mas handy ang digicam. I guess diko lang talaga carry na ang DSLR's dahil bulky at mabigat nga. But at least I tried using one for 2 years before switching back to P&S.=)

    ReplyDelete
  45. hahaha.. pagiisipan ko pa kung kailangan ko bumili ng underwater cam! =P and ako rin, my iTouch has all my needs na (notes, music, internet access, etc). As for the lip gloss, good for you! ako sobrang tamad maglip balm hahahah

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hello Novie! Good strategy, ako din ganyan, pero I usually pack on some extra clothes pag international trips. =) and what's a mossie spray? Sorry, diko pa na-google! =D

    ReplyDelete
  47. a very nice list.  Ang OC nga pero okay na yun kesa pagdating mo sa pupuntahan mo dami mo nakalimutan di ba? :) 

    ReplyDelete
  48. You're right. Levy! mabuting ng prepared kesa magWorry later on na andami mo pa lang nakalimutan. =)

    ReplyDelete
  49. I needed this list! Aalis ako for the weekend. Hahaha! I super agree with all of them lalo na with the waterproof pouch! 

    ReplyDelete
  50. Nice! Hope you don't forget anything. =)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks Stef! =)

    ReplyDelete
  52. i also have my own version of the things i bring during travel hihi, having children in travelling is a different thing, i need to bringthe whole closet ahaha

    ReplyDelete
  53. I read that Ms. Joy! I also left a comment.. hehe! I also understand the need to bring the whole closet..hehe!

    ReplyDelete
  54. You're travel essentials are much of what it required..
    Like you, I like travelling light, but I can't give up my DSLR..
    Not soon! Not yet! 

    I agree with other essentials though, and probably, take an underwater camera with you instead!
    Nikon, Lumix or Canon has a lot to offer.. very useful and fun!

    If I may add, music pods are essential for me, so my music phone with tangle free headsets or use a bluetooth one.. the road is an adventure to itself, one can't tell how long it would take to get to your destination sometimes.. 

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hey Mark! Sakin kasi mas handy ang digicam. I guess diko lang talaga carry na ang DSLR's dahil bulky at mabigat nga. But at least I tried using one for 2 years before switching back to P&S.=)

    ReplyDelete

Top Categories