A Short Commercial Break

Are you one of those people who is an expert at packing for trips or are you like me and spend way too much time and energy overthinking before packing?   I never know exactly what to bring and how much of it to bring.  I am getting pretty good at long weekend trips, but this trip was particularly challenging because we were traveling in two...maybe three different climates!  I started gathering my clothes and travel items a week early, the mental packing began as soon as we planned the trip.  I also had to bring Christmas gifts, which were going to take valuable packing room, but totally worth it!  My backpack was very heavy for the beginning of the trip!  Every time I wore or used something in my suitcase, I felt justified that it had "earned its place in the luggage"!

Here are the winners and losers in my backpack and suitcase for which I get no kickbacks because I'm just not that important.  I just figured if this list helps anyone packing for a trip, then my work here is done!

The MVP on my packing list!

It turns into a super lightweight backpack.

The Nanobag

The clear winner of the trip was my Nanobag.  It was something I saw on the internet before the trip and decided to give it a try. I used that bag every day in Japan and most days in New Zealand!  It folds up so small you can fit it in your pocket or your purse until you need it and it weighs nothing!  It was a shopping bag (very important because most places don't provide shopping bags), it carried extra layers of clothing like sweaters or raincoats for those pop-up showers, it carried a lot of snacks, it carried water bottles, and it hid some of Santas gifts for a few days.  You would be surprised at how much stuff you can fit into this tiny bag!  I also noticed before our trip people said the airline we flew to Japan had really lame pillows...and I needed a pillow.  I saved some valuable packing room by folding my puffer jacket and vest into the silky soft Nanobag and used it as my pillow on the flight over.  It worked like a charm! Get one!  

Vacuum Bags

The runners up were vacuum bags!  Since we were traveling to two distinctly different climates I first packed my summer clothes in a medium sized vacuum bag and squeezed all the air out of it before packing it in my suitcase.  I have never used these before but wow...a game changer for sure!  Once we got to New Zealand, I repacked and put most of my cold weather clothes in one and kept the warm weather clothes loose in the suitcase.  Not having to deal with extra items especially when having to pack and unpack every couple of days made a big difference.  Not to mention I could fit a lot more in my bag with the vacuum bags.  They also came in handy for sequestering dirty clothes in the suitcase too!

Raincoat

The next item earning its spot in the bag was sadly, my Columbia raincoat.  I seriously debated on whether to bring it or not...it takes up valuable space.  After the drenching we got on our first night in Tokyo I was so glad I had a real raincoat with me.  I wore it several times in Japan and at least one more time in New Zealand.  It takes up a bit of room in the suitcase but was very much worth it.

Sometimes it rains!

And sometimes it pours!

3 Pairs of Shoes!

  Shoes present a huge packing dilemma! You need them, but they take up so much space!  I managed to make the trip with 3 pairs of shoes...almost.  The MVP by far in Japan were my black Clarks lace up boots.  Warm, neutral and comfortable.  Second place were my Brooks trail shoes.  Third were my "nice shoes"...my black leather Ecco shoes, comfortable and nice enough for dinner.  Once we got to New Zealand and it was summer, I decided I needed some sandals and bought a pair in Auckland.  

Camera

Surprisingly another winner was my new camera.  Over the years I have grown tired of lugging a camera around on trips.  One reason I got rid of my old camera and bought a new one.  I just didn't think it would be right to own a decent camera and not take it along on such an epic trip.  I will say I loved the new small size and it fit in my purse!  I'm calling it my small but mighty camera.  The photos are a much higher quality than cell phone ones, especially if I want to print them.  I know...so old school.

Real colors plus definition and clarity.

As far as wardrobe goes, I feel pretty proud of our minimal yet sufficient packing.  We had access to a washer about every 4 or 5 days which really helped!  Did I get tired of wearing the same things over and over?  Yes! My daughter and I joked that we were wearing the same clothes in every photo! (mostly just coats, pants and hats) Were there items I wished I had packed?  Of course!  I really need to find a wrinkle free "nice" easy dress to pack for trips because there were a few times I wished I had a dress.  I figured I would not wear a dress in the winter in Japan and also figured New Zealand was going to be super casual and a skort or pants would work for dinner.  Mostly right...but still need that all-purpose dress.  Open to suggestions!

We did not need the long underwear we both packed!  Before leaving the forecast showed temperatures in the 20's F in Japan.  It didn't get that cold.  

Toiletries?!

Finally, toiletries.  Always a challenge...for me.  TJ had no trouble fitting his toiletries into a small bag.  I, however, need a few more items.  I am willing to compromise on a few things but anything I use on my face or hair is non-negotiable.  As the trip went on, I was thankful for body wash in the rooms and if there was a good body lotion, I took it with me or filled my small bottle!  I brought my own but not enough for 4 weeks!  I took a funny photo of the toilet kits we each brought on our one-night cruise in New Zealand.

His and hers toiletries for the night.
I could not decide...so I brough it all!

I am still not sure how TJ managed to pack in a carry-on for this trip!  I will say, he had a couple satellite bags that took up the slack as the trip went on.  I packed in a medium sized checked bag and my backpack.  I don't like to keep track of too many things!  The trip was definitely casual...and we are pretty low maintenance!  We had the kids with us in Japan, so fancy restaurants were not on our agenda.  Plus, the food was good everywhere!  TJ and I had one special night out in Singapore, and we managed to follow the dress code just fine, a nice pair of black pants is a wardrobe staple.  I guess all the pre-planning helped.  Hopefully I can remember some of these tips the next time I get to pack for a long trip.  Still...packing is such a gamble.  I have to look at it like a practice that teaches me it is not about the things; it is about the people and the places.  I can live with less and if I can't there is always a store nearby most of the time.  Happy Packing!