To My Bali Travelers!

I don’t have each of your names or email addresses!

I’ve sent an email to Sew Many Places so that THEY can forward this note on to you, but as our flight leaves in a week, I wanted to get this out to you as soon as possible so you can plan!

Are you excited? You know that I am!

I have a pile growing by my suitcase of things I don’t want to forget to bring.

Some things were already listed in the info that was sent to you --- like a converter for your electric items.

There are other things I’ve thought of so I’m posting this open letter to you all here!

To my Travelers:

I'm so excited that our Bali trip is finally here, and I am looking forward to spending this fabulous once-in-lifetime trip with each of you!

As I pack, I'm thinking of things that might be of benefit to your suitcases as well! Pack to dress CASUALLY. Pack comfortable clothes that will work for our many excursion days. Plan on heat and humidity.

I spend a lot of time on the road, so there are things that always live in my suitcase. Antacids, headache relief, and sometimes over the counter medications for intestinal distress symptoms -- when traveling to places where I am unfamiliar with the food, it's just a good idea. You might want some of these, and any medications you regularly take in your carry on.

The flight is long --I pack my toothbrush, a travel toothpaste and deodorant in my carry on too. I also pack eye drops for dry eyes because of the canned air on long flights. (And hours spent reading my kindle!) Antibacterial wipes are a good thing too and don't take up a lot of space. EAR PLUGS! I sleep better on long flights if I have my ear plugs. Ever tried to sleep next to a loud snorer on a flight? You will be grateful for ear plugs.

Ladies especially -- think sports bra. It's easier to get through the xray machines with no hooks or under-wires. You will sleep more restfully on our red-eye flight to Hong Kong if you are comfortable.

Bali is hot, but planes are USUALLY cold when you are 31,000 ft in the air. There is a sweater in my carry-on and I travel in socks and running shoes. Cold feet make it hard for me to sleep on a plane, the flip flops can wait until we reach Bali! I fly in long pants for the same reason. I sleep better warm.

I'm planning on bringing a handwork project, not only for the plane, but for any down time we have in the evenings to enjoy a sunset together. Nothing is more relaxing than sitting and stitching and talking about the day's activities in a group! Since we don't have any particular "classes" going on for this land tour, something to keep your hands busy and stitching is a great idea. Just remember to bring things that are TSA approved in your carry on. A dental floss container can become a great bobbin thread holder, and the cutter works well. I also keep a needle threader for threading fuzzy ends when I can't get a good clean cut on the thread.

Bring some red work, some applique, some wool applique, knitting, crochet or anything that will travel light for you!

You can pack scissors for an "away from home" project in your checked luggage, just remember to pack them back into your checked luggage and not your carry on when we head back home. I find it is harder to get back IN to the USA with scissors in a carry on than it is to get OUT of the USA. TSA rules have been if the blades are blunt tipped and are not more than 1" long they are okay, but these rules can always change. I have a pair that have gone to the Netherlands twice, to France, to Germany, to Canada --- but I know that they may be taken away on the next trip without notice or reason. “Keep ‘em CHEAP” is my motto!

My hexagons are coming with me ---and if anyone wants a demo and to try their hand at doing some, I've got some sample kits so you can give it a try! I'm just going to ask you to bring some thread and your own needles (Don't forget your thimble if you are a thimble wearer!) so there is less stuff to bring in my OWN carry on.

I'll be meeting up with you all that the gate for our Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong at LAX!

See you soon!