Adventure Awaits
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, as it is for many other people. Every person has a particular type of trip they enjoy. Some people enjoy cultural trips, historical trips and in my case, adventurous sports trips. This year, I have had the pleasure of taking a few trips, and one of the biggest things I’ve noticed is the best trips are the ones that you’ve prepared. Though this list is made based on my experience with surf trips, the items and tips below will make your traveling a ton easier.
Right Clothing
You should always pack the right types of clothing for your trip. Pack layers of clothing if you are going to a winter climate. If like you’re like me and you usually go to warmer tropical places, make sure to bring plenty of extra clothes. Warmer climates mean more sweating and few things are as bad as wearing the same sweat infused shirts; my suggestion is to always pack an extra 2 days worth of clothing.
Dress Appropriately
One thing that has helped me more times than I can count is being well dressed when I travel. People react based on what they can see. As shallow as that sounds, it is a truth. Present yourself with good attire and more doors will open for you than you’d expect.
Bring Extras
Make sure you have your essential gear and pack some backup parts. It does take up a little more space in the suitcase, but when you are out on the slopes, or in my case out on the water, nothing is worse than realizing that one piece of crucial equipment is missing or broken.
First Aid Essentials
The only thing worse than missing a key piece of gear is getting sick while traveling. Bring vitamins. Emergen-C and Airborne are two of my go-tos when it comes to staying healthy on a trip. Liquid band-aid, disinfectant and sealant for wounds helps prevent infections while you are on a trip. Sunscreen is also a great thing to remember whether in snow or sand; a horrible sunburn can make any trip awful.
Time Fillers
Waiting in airports, long bus rides, bad weather can be tedious. It is always handy to bring something with you to help pass the time. A good book is usually my preferred method. I also travel with a hackeysack (a great way to make new friends and as a as stress ball or a massage therapy ball for any kinks you may have developed during your trip).
Bring a Benjamin
I personally suggest bringing cash on most trips. The best way to do it is to split it up so that you are not carrying it all in one place. Sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised to find out how many people make this simple mistake. If you opt for travel with plastic over cash it is always a good idea to bring at least $100 in cash with you. I usually do it in a combination of smaller bills like 5, 10, and 20s if you ever find yourself stranded, stuck or your card doesn’t work.
By no means is this a comprehensive travel checklist. These are just a few of the many lessons I have learned while traveling. The best way to figure out what you need on any trip is to do some research on the place you are going to and what you will be doing. The best teacher of all (and also the harshest grader, so always do your homework) is experience, so go out there and travel. There are so many great places to see, things to do, food to eat and people to meet!
