Things I learned

While in St. John I learned some things about packing for tropical destinations.  Being a woman, I’m probably always going to pack more than I need.  At least now I know what I can do without and bring the things I do need in its place.

1. Between the two of us, for a week long vacation, Casey and I need 3 bottles of spray sunscreen.  Two isn’t quite enough and 3 is too much but better too much than not enough.
2. This may seem obvious but SPF 4 will not fully protect your face against a burn when its layered over moisturizer with SPF 15.  I’m gonna make sure I either (a) buy face sunscreen next time or (b) bring my moisturizer container to the beach with me and reapply.
3. I will not use foundation while at the beach.  Hopefully, I’ve already worked up a good enough tan that while my skin tone won’t be even – it’ll be something I can live with and not have to deal with the cakey feeling.
4. Pack aloe vera gel in a travel container and don’t tote the entire bottle down there.
5. The one day we actually wore tan accelerator, there wasn’t a noticeable enough difference to necessitate brining it along.
6. After this trip, I have proof that two bikinis is adequate.  Although these really don’t take up *that* much space to begin with.  So maybe more next time?
7. Even if there’s a washer and dryer, don’t pack less than you normally would and vow to do laundry.  No one wants to spend time doing laundry on vacation.
8. I will not use a flat iron – the hair dryer (if it doesn’t blow up while gone like mine did) should make your hair look good without looking over done or having to spend too much time on it.
9. Bring koozies.  They don’t take up any space at all and will keep your drinks from sweating all over the place in the heat/humidity.
10. Make sure to put makeup bag on the list.  Of all the things I could have forgotten and never in a million years thought I would have, I forgot my makeup.  Not so much fun when the cost of everything is considerably higher.
11. Make sure the soap container actually has soap in it.
12. Two travel size tubes of toothpaste is just enough.
13. Burt’s Bees bug spray is more effective than other cancer-causing brands at preventing mosquito bites.
14. Regardless of the time of year, sleeping in the airport is going to make me cold.  Make sure to snag a travel blanket from the plane if not bringing one along.

I’m sure there are probably more but those are the ones that jump out in my mind.