 |
|
Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay,
offers his tips on things to take with you on your honeymoon.
|
|
|
Chances are, your upcoming honeymoon is going to be somewhat more exotic and elaborate than vacations you've taken before.
So what kinds of things should you bring?
Here's my list of "honeymoon gear"...things you ought to consider bringing with you on your honeymoon.
You're going to want memories for yourselves, of course,
but your friends and family members will want to see too-especially if they've bought part of your trip as a
wedding present from your honeymoon registry. A snapshot of the two of you in a restaurant...on a snorkel trip...the
view from your room--these are all great to include in your thank-you notes.
Amazon.com
is a good place to start looking and compare features. Once you find what you want, try
Froogle (Google's shopping search engine)
and search for the make and model to see pricing from different stores.
If you're using a film camera, buy your film back home where it's cheaper.
And, buy a lead-lined bag (you can find them at most camera stores) to put your film in so that the x-ray machines
don't cook it. This way, you can put your film (exposed or unexposed) in the lead bag and put that inside
your luggage...less to haul around. Most airports will tell you that the machines won't hurt film under, say, 800
speed...but you'll probably be going through a number of scanners, and honeymoon photos can't just be re-taken! Also,
the bag helps you keep all your film in one place.
If your camera has rechargeable batteries, get a spare so that you can start each day with two fully charged batteries.
If your camera doesn't take rechargeables, pack an extra battery or two, as they can be tough to find at some destinations (and expensive!).
Can you use your camera charger (or cell phone charger, or hair dryer, or....) in Tahiti (or Italy, or Australia, or Kenya...etc.).
The answer is...YES!
Well, as long as you bring the right converter, you can. And while it's pretty much either the 110V/60Hz that we have in the United States or 220V/50Hz everywhere else, there's an absolutely dizzying array of combinations of plug layouts.
We found a great website that lays out what kind of plug(s) you'll need for any given country (and some countries have multiple types).
It's Steve Kropla's Help for World Travellers site.
Once you figure out what you need, try World Import.com for ordering (it's where I got my converter for my own honeymoon to Kenya and the Seychelles).
| Disposable underwater camera |
|
These are fairly inexpensive (typically $12 to $20), and are great to take along on snorkel trips,
sunset cruises, or just to the beach, where you might worry about sand or water getting in your more expensive camera.
Look for ones that are good to at least 30 feet, so that you can snap a couple of fun shots of each other underwater,
or maybe get a shot of that turtle you saw. You'll probably find these at your local grocery store or department store.
You might not want to have to ask a stranger every time you want a picture of the two of you somewhere.
Using a mini tripod and your camera's self-timer can work great for getting a shot at dinner or at a scenic spot.
I found one on eBay for under $10, and it's only about 7" long,
very lightweight, and fits easily in even small luggage.
If you're going somewhere where you'll be spending time on the water or at the beach,
it's more important than ever to have good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes, as you're probably combining
strong tropical sun with the added exposure from the sun reflecting off the water.
And while you're at it, get some of those elastic straps so you don't lose them overboard when you're on the water!
If you're going to be getting on boats, walking the beach, going on hikes, etc.,
it's nice to be able to just take your room key and a little cash (and maybe some sunscreen),
and leave your wallet in the safe in your room.
Pick something that zips up completely, so you can toss it in a corner of the boat;
waterproof is a plus to keep your money dry. Tip: put all your jewelry, watch, phone, etc.
in the fanny pack before you get to the airport, and it'll be a lot easier to get through security.
You're going to want something on your head if you go out on a boat to keep your face from
frying (sunscreen only goes so far!), but don't take something you really care about,
in case it gets blown off in the wind. Voice of experience, here *sigh*.
Tevas or reef booties are great for exploring the beach, kayak trips, surfing/windsurfing or on the boat.
Some places (like Waikiki beach, for instance) you'll find coral in the sand on the bottom,
and that'll carve your feet up bad if they're bare.
Sure, it'll be available at the hotel, but at what price?
Stock up with a bottle from home, and throw in some Aloe Vera as well.
If you put it in your carry-on luggage, make sure it's 3 oz or less (so you can take it through airport security)...otherwise, enclose it in a zip-lock plastic bag
before placing it in your checked luggage, as air pressure differences on the plane might
cause it to leak all over the inside of your suitcase!
Take two, because often in tropical climates, one won't completely dry out overnight.
And climbing into a cold wet swimsuit is NOT a joyous experience.
If it's time for new luggage, check out eBags.com.
We picked up hard-sided luggage with wheels etc., just small enough to be carry-on, for just over $30.
And here's a tip: get a bright, obnoxious color! Navy or black or dark green luggage looks like everyone else's,
which not only makes it harder to spot on the baggage carousel, but makes it easier for someone to
accidentally (or deliberately...) take your luggage and not be spotted.
Oh, and you GOTTA have wheels on at least one piece of luggage each (you can stack your other
luggage on top of one with wheels). If you're not buying new luggage, here's an idea: get a couple of
sheets of brightly-colored paper, stick them in your printer, and print yourself some luggage tags.
Take them down to your local department store or drugstore and get them laminated, then punch holes
in the end and zip-tie them to your luggage. It'll help your luggage stand out, and the tags will be virtually indestructible.
One more luggage tip: take a little more luggage than your clothes need-you're bound to buy a bunch of T-shirts,
souvenirs, etc., and how else will you get them home?
Essential if you're going to more exotic destinations.
Check www.walkabouttravelgear.com to see what's
required for where you're going, and get an adapter if you need one.
Think about what you're taking that might need power or recharging: camera...MP3 player...hair dryer...cell phone.
| Mask & snorkel - don't bother! |
|
Nearly everywhere you go, you'll be able to either borrow these for free from the hotel, or rent them for a nominal fee.
Generally they'll be provided for free on snorkel trips and day cruises as well.
The exception to this: scuba divers may want to take their own mask with them,
as a good fit matters much more under pressure.
OK, this isn't something to take with you...but something you may want to hook up at home. Your house or apartment
is less likely to be burglarized if the lights come on and go off at regular times. You can buy simple little timers,
of course...but the gear that REALLY rocks here is called X10. You can control your lights (and many other things)
using remote controls and/or software on your PC. You can even dim or brighten lights that aren't on a dimmer switch!
I've got my house set up to turn on most of the main lights one at a time, with a couple seconds delay, each day at
around dusk, so it looks like somebody's walking around, turning on the lights. All sorts of cool stuff you can do
with X10, it's really easy to set up, and you can get a decent starter kit for under $100 at
www.smarthome.com.
|
|
