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Monday, August 13, 2012

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!

16 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:28 PM EDT

    Even better is to take no electronic gadgets. We did 33 days in India with only a large carryon. Make sure clothes are loose and most important comfortable.

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  2. Anonymous2:44 PM EDT

    Oh I wish I was going!! What a wonderful trip. Have a great time, and we can't wait for the updates!!!! Keep um coming!!!!!! Jan

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  3. R u going to be doing a webcam while you're there?

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  4. Anonymous3:38 PM EDT

    wonderful trip, have fun..

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  5. Anonymous3:47 PM EDT

    Advice for Bali: Drink ONLY bottled drinks- do not pour drinks over ice as the ice may not be made from bottled water. And make sure you are the one to open the bottles!!! We had the BEST ever vacation to Bali but all got sick with giardia so the return flight was NOT fun! It is a magical country- try and get to UBUD - the wood carvers and craftsmenship is amazing. I drug my husband kicking and screaming- and he readily admits is was truly the BEST vacation we ever had. I wish I was able to join you!!! Have fun ladies! Joy in Alaska

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  6. I know you will all have a wonderful time - wish I had been able to join you!

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  7. Anonymous5:02 PM EDT

    Enjoy the trip and heed the water advice! My niece went and they all got "Bali belly". No fun! You should have Internet at the hotels. We will be anxiously awaiting your posts!

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  8. I am so wishing I was going too!!! This is going to be an amazing trip!!! Have a great time!!

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  9. Another good tip is not to open your mouth in the shower or the pool, and consider not eating salads as they could have been washed in unbottled water.
    Enjoy - I am going in six weeks so will be checking your blog and facebook to see what I can look forward to

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  10. Bonnie,
    I used to cross-stitch on long trips and a very small pair of fingernail clippers was OK to take to snip threads on the flight. I even found them at a gift store past the security check, so they are TSA compliant. Plus, they were only $1!
    Hope this helps!

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  11. Hi Bonnie On the subject of Bali, I live in Western Australia and have been to Bali. When you are there you must not drink the water - that includes to be careful cleaning your teeth, salads that have been washed in water and ice. It is very easy to get very sick very quick. Also, I would suggest taking along a good insect repellant, as the mosquitos can be really bad and some have nasty tropical diseases. Finally, on the subject of scissors, I found the USA very lax where they were concerned, but everywhere else is very strict, and any scissors in hand luggage are confiscated; so be careful. I would love to be with you all, and hope you have a great time. The batiks are wonderful. Sam

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  12. OK now I am officially pea green with envy. Wish I was going along. Enjoy your trip everyone!

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  13. a suggestion for anyone wanting to sew on the plane...I take a comuter bus to/from work every day - I travel about 2 1/2-3 hours a day and spend about 3/4s of that time sewing. In the evening, when I'm prepping sewing for the next day, I thread several needles onto a spool of thread, that way all I have to do is take the first one, pull the thread thru the others, snip off the end, secure the thread on the spool and get sewing. Saves time and eyesight!

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:41 AM EDT

      Great tip! Thanks. suzanne in Maine

      Delete

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