Having recently returned from a three-month-long trip from Antarctica to Zimbabwe, we thought that we would have everything we needed for our upcoming Surf-to-Sands adventure from French Polynesia to the Atacama Desert.
We were wrong.
And so we present the twelve days of packing as we go through all of the items* that have broken, been misplaced, or need upgrading.
- GoPro and Accessories
Photo Credit: GoPro
Our GoPro Hero 8 has provided us with some truly spectacular footage, from the sea lions of Galapagos to a hot lap with Kees Nierop.
Five generations later – and with some world renowned snorkelling on the horizon – it’s time to upgrade.
We had hoped to pick up a GoPro Hero 14, but unfortunately the most recently press announcements were related to a 360 degree view camera and a GoPro with a light – which won’t be available until late October.
So – we bought the GoPro Hero 13 along with a waterproof case and some tinted filters on the recommendation of our local dive shop and one of our fellow Silversea cruisers.
- Straps for Glasses
Photo Credit: Amazon
Sunglasses straps just disappear in our house, even though we buy them in bulk. Right now, only my wife and daughter knows where theirs are – while the rest of us suspect that the squirrels are using them to create miniature rappel lines off the kids’ playground.
- Outlet adaptors
It never fails – we do one last check to make sure that we’ve packed up everything, and one of the plug adaptors gets left behind. At least we’ve found a reasonably priced universal adaptor that comes in bright colours. Whoever manufactures these should add reflective strips and a flag – they’d make a fortune.
- Water shoes
Photo Credit: Amazon
Despite what our children might have hoped, we did not need water shoes for our trip to Antarctica – but they will be absolutely essential for all the snorkelling that we have coming up.
Stonefish are a real risk in French Polynesia, and this is one area where you do not want to go with the lowest bidder – a solid, thick sole is essential, and you will thank yourself when you don’t have to uncurl a paper-thin insole for the umpteenth time.
- Dive skin suits
Photo Credit: SlipIns.com
Dive skins – also known as stinger suits – are hugely helpful in preventing sunburns and jellyfish stings, and making it easier to don and doff wetsuits. Bar none, this was the item which we were asked about the most during our trip to Galapagos. Yes, they look a little silly – but the looks will turn from curious to envious faster than you can say, “How do I get this wetsuit off?”
- Charging cables
Photo Credit: Amazon
These three-for-one power cables pair very well with the universal adaptors, and include USB-C, a lightning connection, and a micro USB. This has reduced – but not eliminated – the fights over who gets to charge what and when. Brightly coloured and well-built, they are also slightly harder to leave behind – but not impossible, as we have repeatedly demonstrated.
- Packs of Dequadin
Very rarely does one come across a ‘magic bullet’ for certain health related conditions, but Dequadin is the closest we’ve ever found to cure a sore or scratchy throat. They are dissolving antiseptic tablets which are at once anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial.
They also taste pretty good, too – though they work best when you let them dissolve as slowly as possible. The perfect pairing for an extra-long, extra-dry airplane flight.
- LifeStraw filters
Photo Credit: Amazon
Another of our secret weapons against travel illness is the LifeStraw Go water bottle. Each membrane micro-filter is able to process 4,000 litres or roughly five years of regular use, though the carbon filters should be changed roughly every two months. It’s as simple as unscrewing and filling a water bottle, which has encouraged us to use them even when drinking “safe” water – and has undoubtedly saved us some gastric distress in the process.
- Packs of Bonine
Photo Credit: Bonine.com
Friends of ours told us about this novel motion sickness medicine, which works incredibly well and doesn’t interact with other medications, unlike Gravol. Bonine can be taken even once you’re feeling ill, and lasts for 24 hours. Coincidentally, this is the very same medicine brought on board by the Silver Wind’s boutique team – and which sold out almost immediately. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any new medication, and bear in mind that Bonine is not suitable for children under 12.
- Sleeves of Tissues
Photo Credit: Amazon.ca
You can never have too many tissues – particularly given the state of many bathrooms around the world. Though sometimes the worst mistakes lead to the funniest stories…
- Electronic Gadgets**
Photo Credit: Lenovo.com
I do try to disconnect while we travel. Honestly! But if you’re going to write a blog, you need to have a laptop. And you need a camera so that you can take really good photos. And a GoPro – for underwater! And an iPhone, so that you can edit photos on the fly. And an emergency satellite communicator, for when you get lost while editing your photos. And then there’s the plane rides, which are a lot more bearable when you have a Nintendo Switch, an iPad and over-ear headphones.
Wait, this is ridiculous! I really do need to disconnect and get some exercise – good thing I have an eReader for my books, an Apple Watch to count my steps, and airpods for my podcasts.
(**This is just me, by the way – the rest of us have gadgets of their own. Though we are quite responsible, managing to get by with only a single satellite communicator!)
- Tubes of Sunscreen
Photo Credit: Amazon
This may seem ridiculous, but hear me out – you need regular mineral sunscreen to ensure you don’t damage coral reefs. Some prefer spray-on, and others prefer lotion. Either way, it stains your clothes, so sometimes you want just regular ol’ chemical sunscreen. But you might also want sunscreen that’s specifically for your face – and one of us wants it tinted. So that’s five different types of sunscreen, multiplied by two months of travel.
Hmm. Twelve tubes of sunscreen. Maybe we need just one more?
Do you have any travel items that you can’t live without?
* We may receive a small commission from affiliate links. Each item was purchased ourselves at retail price, and is something we personally use and recommend.