Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
HERE’S some tips for all those expats aiming to escape Bahrain’s summer heat …
Packing
Packing is an art. It requires discipline, creativity, and a great deal of patience.
Choosing that luggage
Carrying your luggage saves you time and hassles. Your travel wardrobe should be like a well-planned itinerary. That ‘carry on’ luggage should have everything you’ll ever need.
Whether you need it for a week or a big weekend, you need to include just the things that you would wear and nothing more than that. You’ll need to choose from items that will work together – you know the mix-match type.
You also have to choose a suitcase that is light and durable at the same time. Avoid luggage that is heavy when empty. Also avoid the kind that has no bend or give to it.
Colours
You will have to restrain yourself from bringing all the colours found in your wardrobe. If I may suggest choose ivory and black and you’ll have to add one more colour for dimension… for instance, add red for a dash of pizzazz.
Clothes
Take few key pieces with you according to the climate you are visiting. Add some accessories that will carry you through. Lay it on the bed and create different combinations.
Getting packed
All heavy and bulky items should be placed at the very bottom and sides of the suitcase. This will prevent it from falling down and will avoid wrinkling clothes.
You can fill shoes with socks and underwear, and then slip them into a plastic bag to protect your clothing. Heels of your stilettos should be placed in the middle, so as not to ruin your luggage. Use plastic bags as they are slippery and you can definitely pack more. Perfumes should be slip in shoes – this will not only protect the bottle it will also maintain the shape of your shoe.
Cosmetics
First of all, try to find that compact beauty case. I use something that you can hang behind the door – it’s like a roll type bag. Bring only travel size bottles or cosmetics. Samples given at the department store are great.
And I just discovered a great new product (though I have not tried it ) whilst I was watching Rachel Ray last night (which was actually so timely as this was the topic that I wanted to write about in this week’s GulfWeekly), she had Dustin Hoffman and his wife Lisa as guests. Quoting from her website on lisahoffman.com:
When Lisa and Dustin decided to have a family, they made a promise to keep the family close together.
So, when her husband was called away on location, Lisa’s life has to go on location too. She soon became an expert packer of sorts, but there was one thing she really hated packing – her skin care.
Then one night a few years ago, Lisa literally had a dream that she was packing for a trip. Her skin care products were neatly organised into daily packettes, each containing the exact amount of product needed for her complete regimen.
She woke up the next morning, came to her senses and Lisa Hoffman Night and Day 24 Hour Skincare was born. Find out more about this wonderful product on her website.
Packing tricks
A good example of this will be – pack your elegant silk around your jeans. Never pack anything you do not wear at home.
Pack a scarf, or two, as you may find them useful. You can use as a sarong, a swimsuit cover, to wear under suits in place of a blouse and to cover stains or anything you want to hide.
Upon getting to your hotel room, unpack immediately and hang clothes. And hang crumpled garments in the shower to steam away wrinkling.
Make sure you bring scissors, a sewing kit which might have that handy pair of scissors), a clothes brush and fashion tape. That hairdryer comes in handy to dry hose, lingerie and small stains.
The plastic bags you’ve packed can be used for wet swimsuits and for dirty laundry.
A good size tote to carry things like glasses, contact lens, money, camera, medicines, jewellery, passport and some reading materials.
Pack a foldaway bag for the souvenirs you won’t be able to live without.
In-flight
I have the experience of travelling as an airline employee for 10 years and I do know what I am talking about when it comes to flying.
First, drink lots of water as it counteracts the drying effects of “canned” air (I take luke-warm water with a slice of lemon). Constantly spray water on your face – Evian is great but if you want to be more practical buy an atomiser and fill it with distilled water.
Wear glasses instead of lenses (I think that is self-explanatory).
Try to pre-order a special meal (it will be fresher).
Immediately grab a pillow and a blanket upon boarding.
I always bring my own toothbrush and toothpaste particularly as I always take long-haul flights.
Always change into something comfy when you are done with meals – to get ready for that sleep/ rest. An oversized sweater is great to cuddle up in.
Avoid, or don’t drink more than one glass of alcohol. It is very dehydrating.
The air in the coach is relatively better than it is in first class. That’s because more bodies mean more humidity.
Always wear roomy shoes so as not to have a hard time slipping on to your feet later on just before the plane descends. And put your feet up as much as possible.
Use a silicone-based de-frizzer to coat your hair as it can get static.
Epsom salts will relieve jet lag. After a flight, add three cups of Epsom salts to your bath water. The magnesium chloride will draw out wastes and leave you feeling tranquil.
Just make sure that you always put on that moisturiser and sunscreen wherever you go to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
I know that many readers will be out for a holiday at this time of the year as it really gets hot here in Bahrain during the months of July and August. Hope this article helps you get prepared for that long awaited trip! (And don’t forget the brolly if you’re off to the UK!)
Enjoy your vacation and have a wonderful and safe trip!
