Destination Friday: All the Preparations

We are now only 2 weeks away from departing, and the preparations are well underway.  Every time we go somewhere, I tend to be in one of 2 camps:
1.  The overly packed with too much stuff OR
2.  Leaving everything I need at home

This time, my goal is simple.  Have everything I need, carry no excess, and avoid sunburn.

To this end I have been trying to pack for the last few weeks.  I bought a new suitcase, as my last one was too easy to overpack.... and the airline managed to rip the handle off on the last trip.  It has been needing to be replaced for a while.  Knowing I will have crutches has been a bonus as well, because I have had to really think about how I will journey.  The new bag is a back-pack, with the facility to pull along on wheels.

And I bought a rash-vest.  Yep, I will be soooooooooo untrendy.... but who cares.  I *hopefully* will avoid sunburn, without giving up snorkeling.  The worst part of the last trip was learning that coral reefs can be killed with sunscreen, so you are not supposed to wear it into the water.... which of course leads to major burns, and a lack of fun later on.  So the long sleeved rash vest will be handy.

Also, Tonga has strict laws against the exposure of flesh.  Wearing the vest will totally prevent me from being arrested on the beach!  Traveling with my multi-use skirts and cover-up sarongs will have another hidden benefit.

So, where have you been?

The Travel Tote

Those of you who know me well are aware of my need for the perfect bag.

And, personally, I need to get this one right.........

So, I decided to do the Solid Colour Tote Challenge.  This way I can think through and create the perfect travel bag..... (Though, I keep actually leaning towards a rainbow fabric, which isn't a solid at all........ so watch this space)

As far as I have figured, the perfect travel tote needs to be easy to carry, cool, remind me of something awesome, be easy to find stuff in, strong enough to carry my books and things, ideally have a pocket for the things that keep sliding to the bottom of my bag, and be unicorn friendly.


This next trip coming up for me will have crutches involved.  So, the easy to carry has to reach an epic new level of easy to carry!