Chicken Curry at 38,000 Feet

I am not an avid traveler, but I am aspiring to be one. Part of this journey includes researching travel destinations and travel tips...a lot of travel tips. Tips on what and how to pack, what to wear on the airplane, what to eat on the plane and what to avoid. All the tips out there can become overwhelming and contradictory in some cases, and they certainly do not always apply in real world travel situations.

After flying for 12+ hours multiple times with a preschooler in tow, I am going to throw my hat in the ring with all the travel advisers and share my most useful tested travel tips.

Tip # 1 - Pack at least one pair of clean underwear for each day! Washing up clothes in the hotel basin - or in other places without a dryer - take FOREVER to dry! It takes at least 48 hours for clothes to completely air dry indoors.

Tip # 2 - Wear super comfortable clothing on the plane. Avoid buttons, ties, straps and even zippers if you can! These extras will only annoy you when you climb the seats to avoid other passengers and flight attendants constantly moving up and down the aisles in order to get the bathroom at the very last minute before you embarrass yourself. You will also want to ensure any straps or extra cloth is secured and not soaking in some unknown substance.

Tip # 3 - Refresh yourself in nearest lavatory AFTER disembarkation. There is very little you can do or will want to do in the airplane bathroom. You will not want to take in extra clothes or an extra bag to freshen up nor will you want to brush your teeth in there.

Tip # 4 - BYOW. Bring Your Own Water. Purchase a few bottles after passing through security or better yet bring an empty bottle to fill up at the filter station at the airport to ensure you keep hydrated. Water is a scarce commodity especially at 38,000 feet in the air.

Tip # 5 - BYOF. Bring Your Own Food. I am a bit skeptical about airplane food albeit I did try the Chicken Curry once - whilst worrying about proper food handling and storage. It was NOT an enjoyable meal. The three bottles of wine were fantastic though! The next few trips I brought along fresh and dried fruit, nuts, chips, replacement meal bars and cheese, which were all "approved" snacks. Just make sure to eat the fresh fruit before landing.

Tip # 5 - Always bring a print-out of your accommodation details. There may be some technological mishap or another and you will not be able to view your details online. I once spent the better part of two weeks in London without cellular connection. It was a nightmare! Old school print-outs saved me getting me lost and stranded in an unfamiliar city far from home.

Tip # 6 - Do not over-schedule your day. You will spend months planning your perfect trip away scheduling every waking moment to ensure you to experience everything. Things rarely go according to plan - there is the weather, your mood, your exhaustion level etc. Have a general idea of what you would like to and go with the flow.

Happy travels!!

TC