TRAVEL HINTS FOR Sketchers

TIPS AND HINTS I’VE FOUND HELPFUL WHEN FLYING
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MY ‘CARRY ON’
•My art bag is my carry-on luggage.
Here’s what goes in it.
•Passport and boarding pass - put it in the easiest place to grab when needed.
•Print out of all your travel and accommodation documents go in a plastic folder - that way you have all the info at hand.
•Small sketchbook and Aquarelle pencils to sketch while traveling.
•A gripping book to read - give it away to someone else on the tour when you’ve finished it.
•Phone cable and plugs for use in transit.
•Toothbrush, undies and lipstick - in case we have to stay somewhere overnight without your main suitcase. - heaven forbid!
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MY SUITCASE
•I take one suitcase to check in. Usually weighs in about 17kg. Sometimes less than 10kg.
•Make sure you can lift your own suitcase.
•Take clothing that can be mixed and matched.
•I roll everything to pack.
•I have 3 or 4 pairs of trousers and tops which can be mixed around. A dress. A pair of shorts. Swimsuit.
•Scarves large or small, for evenings if it’s cool.
•I often buy sun hats when I get there.
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WEATHER
•A cardigan or jacket or big wrap for when it’s cooler.
•A light rain jacket and umbrella.
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CABLES
•My laptop, cables and backups for phone are packed in my checked luggage.
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JEWELLERY
•Simple jewelry which goes with everything, but don’t be tempted to take good stuff which might attract unwanted attention
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COSMETICS
•I only take the cosmetics I’ll use. No double ups.
•Where possible I’ll get travel sizes of shampoo toothpaste etc. Hotel stuff isn’t always great quality.
•You can purchase every brand and more when overseas.
•Underwear can be washed every day.
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MEDICATION
•Take any medication you need for the time you’re away. You can’t always get your exact thing overseas.
•Pack some bandaids and antiseptic cream. Hopefully you won’t need either.
•Keep warm on flights in that freezing air conditioning to avoid getting a chill. Wear a jacket which you can take on or off
•If you get swollen ankles wear compression knee high socks. I don’t like them much but they do make a difference.
•Wear shoes you can get on and off easily if your feet swell.
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SHOES
•Only take 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. They take a lot of space in your suitcase.
•Mainly good walking shoes and sandals. These will look fine at dinner too.
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ART MATERIALS
•Spare sketch books and tubes of paint to top up my paint set.
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AIRPORTS - KEEP SMILING

•Keep your cool. Yes, airports can be frustrating but don’t become a grump. It makes no difference. You may even get worse service if you behave badly!
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GET THERE EARLY
•It’s smart to get there at least 2 hours before and go straight to your checkin counter.
•Or 3 hours before the flight and there may not be a queue.
•Find out what gate your flight will leave from and keep an eye out for gate changes.
•I put the flight number into Google, which tells me of changes way before the airport info does.
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GOING THROUGH SECURITY
•Check you don’t have fluids or containers in your carryon bag over 100ml.
•Best to put them in plastic bags as that can be the reason they’ll pull you aside.
•I’ve found that if you have a small pair of scissors- they’re ok if under a certain size. Whew.
•Not all airport security seems to have the same rules!!
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GO GET A COFFEE
•Get through security as early as you can, often less queues.
•You’ll now have time to sit down and have a coffee or nibble or even shop duty free.
•Make sure your phone is fully charged, or find a charging station for it.
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CURRENCY
•Don’t exchange your money at Currency Exchange counters. They all overcharge you.
•Much smarter to have a Wise card or similar, which you’ve loaded the currencies you’ll need.
•Go to an ATM on arrival and take out enough cash to get started. You’re not paying exchange rates that way.
•At the end of your travels, if you have left over currency, leave a decent tip for hotel staff, drivers etc.
•Do put it the charity envelope some aircraft have (Qantas does) - it does make a difference to children worldwide.
•Or take it home and keep for next time.
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DO LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY TRAVEL HACKS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE😀