Beach Essentials

Have you ever encounter a moment when you have no clue on what to bring to the beach or that maybe you might be carrying more than you should be? Well here's an ultimate guide of what you need and what are essential to bring when hitting the beach for some relaxation and sunbathing.

I know quite a bunch of people who tend to over bring stuff to the beach though most of them do not do that intentionally. I guess some people don't know or have no clue what to bring. Therefore I thought of writing a blog about it, and hopefully, this could be of any help to anyone who needs it or know someone who does.

WHEN TO HIT THE BEACH

So when do we start hitting the beach? It has to be during the summer season, of course. If you enjoy being in the crowd, then weekends would be the best option for you. While if you prefer some peaceful yet relaxing beach moment, then you should go during the weekdays, where it is less crowded. 

Secondly, make sure always to check your local weather forecast a few hours before you head to the beach - depending on before your travel journey to the beach you're planning to go. 

Take some time to plan some beach, sunbathing sesh or picnic with your best pals. This beach day does not only help you relax, but it also allows you to bond with your friends, especially if you barely meet them due to your busy schedule.

According to the scientific experts, it is advisable to head to the beach during morning time in between 8:00 am to 11:00 am. These time around is good timing if you are after sunbathing as it is safer to stay under the sun during morning time to avoid some possible skin complications or skin disease and some other health issues that may affect you. Avoid going for sunbathing during the sun's prime hour, that's around the afternoon time.

Be sure to always apply some sunscreen from time to time to protect your skin.

BEACH ESSENTIALS (THINGS YOU REALLY NEED)

• TOWEL (for showering)

• BEACH TOWEL OR BEACH MAT

• BIKINI OR BEACH SHORTS & TANK

• A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES

• EXTRA CLOTHES (optional)

• A PAIR OF SLIPPERS

• PORTABLE CHARGER (for your mobile phone, optional)

• A SMALL BOOK TO READ (If you fancy reading, optional)

• CAMERA OR MOBILE PHONE CAMERA

• SHAMPOO & SHOWER GEL (in small containers)

• SUNBLOCK LOTION OR TANNING LOTION

• EXTRA UNDERWEAR, BRA

• COMB OR BRUSH (for hair)

• A PLASTIC BAG (for wet clothes)

EXTRA THINGS THAT ARE NOT ESSENTIAL BUT COULD BE USEFUL

• CARD GAMES (such as playing cards, Monopoly Deal, UNO, etc)

• A SMALL BOTTLE OF COLOGNE/ PERFUME (if you want to smell good)

• A SMALL BOTTLE OF LOTION (ALOE VERA - good to apply on your skin after sunbathing)

• BLUETOOTH SPEAKER (if you want to share your music with other beach-goers)

• A PAIR OF EARPHONES (if you want to listen to your own music privately)

• WATER SPRAY (this is good to spray off your face and body while sunbathing to cool yourself down)

• ESSENTIAL MAKE-UP SET (for people, who can't live without applying make-up)

• INFLATABLE FLOATS (some relaxation in the water)

• BASIC INFLATABLE PUMP (OPTIONAL - some beaches may have pumping services)

• SMALL UMBRELLA (in case of rain or too sunny and hot weather)

• LITTLE SNACKS AND DRINKS (in case you get hungry and don't want to leave your spot to buy some food or if there's zero food stall on the beach you're going to)

WHAT "NOT" TO BRING OR WEAR

• YOUR ENTIRE MAKE-UP KIT (for once be natural after spending your day at the beach, pease don't bring your entire kit, especially when you are just heading back home)

• YOUR ENTIRE COSMETICS (just like what I have mentioned above, be natural)

• BRINGING MORE THAN 2 OUTFITS (you're not doing any photo shooting, so bringing 1 outfit should be more than enough)

• BRINGING OR WEARING TOO MANY JEWELLERY (trust me, you'll feel lighter and you might even lose it accidentally)

• DON'T WEAR HIGH HEELS OR WEDGES (that is just unnecessary and it is not the most comfortable footwear to wear at the beach)

• DON'T WEAR SHOES (not unless you want to have sands as souvenirs inside your shoes)

 

TIPS ON HOW TO FEEL LIGHT AND CARRY LESS CRAP (OR THINGS!)

• WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT (wearing the same outfit on the way to the beach and leaving the beach would be for your own convenience as you can save space in your bag and the weight of your bag too)

• CARRY ONE BACKPACK OR TOTE BAG (it will be nice to carry just one bag or a tote bag so it will be hassle-free and you only need to check on one thing whenever you are away fromt your spot - if you're in the water)

• SEPARATE YOUR THINGS IN SMALL PURSES (stuffing everything in your bag would be a bad idea. Not only it will look messy but it will also give you a hard time finding your things)

• BUY SNACKS OR DRINKS WHEN YOU GET TO THE BEACH (it will make you feel a lot lighter if you don't bring your snacks or drinks on your way to the beach. Not unless there isn't any food stall at the beach you're going to or you're planning a beach/ picnic date with your loved ones)

• SHARE SUNSCREEN LOTION, SHAMPOO AND SHOWER GEL (it's good to have at least one person to bring one of these, so it can reduce everyone some weight in everyone's bag. Not unless you have to use a specified brand for personal reasons or if you are going alone)

• BRING A SMALL WALLET/ PURSE FOR MONEY, CARD AND PERSONAL ID (trust me don't bring your big wallet, it will save a lot of space storing your money and cards into a smaller wallet or purse.)

I hope you find these information useful and I hope this could help you organise yourself when heading to the beach. If you got any other questions, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I will be more than happy to help!

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Travel Tips - How To Pack Like A Pro (Luggage)

Are you having trouble on what to pack for your holiday? Let's be honest, packing has many complications. Sometimes you over bring things, sometimes you are short of some items. It is advisable to take some time to plan on what to bring and what you need to buy before heading off to your holiday. Here's a list of tips I would like to share and to help you organise yourself.

TIP #1: MAKE A LIST OF THE THINGS YOU NEED

It is important to list down the things you need for your holiday. The reason for this is that you can avoid forgetting something and you foresee whether you may be bringing too much or too less. Making a list is a must when you are traveling for more than 2 weeks to help and organise yourself. This can also help you know what items you are missing such as, your shampoo is almost running out or your waterproof bag is still with your friend. Making a list of things to bring need to be done 2-3 weeks before your initial trip. It may sound too advance but trust me, it is better to plan early than too late. 

Sample of "Things to bring" for your holiday. This sample list is good for 1-2 weeks of travel time. 

TIP #2: TAKE SOME TIME TO BUY THE THINGS YOU ARE MISSING FOR YOUR TRIP

When you finish listing down the things you need to bring, take some time to buy the missing items that you need. For example, shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, cologne, perfume, clothing, sunblock lotion, maps and many others. 

TIP #3: PICK THE RIGHT LUGGAGE

You must make sure to pick the right luggage. This is where you are going to place all your belongings and picking the unsuitable luggage may cause you to hassle for re-packing or having to carry 1-2 more extra bags. I would suggest you pick the largest luggage you have and in case you do not have any large luggage, try borrowing from your family members, friends or simply buy your own luggage (Only if you have the spare budget for that). Please also note that you need to check how many KG you are allowed to bring to the plane, this will make it easier for you to know what kind of luggage you should bring

TIP #4: START ORGANISING THE THINGS YOU NEED

Before packing your belongings, I would reckon you to organise your belongings separately in a large shopping bags. You may separate it to 5 shopping bags - Tops/ Dresses, Bottoms, Shoes, Amenities and Others (chargers, camera, equipments, books, etc). You may randomly pick the clothing you wish to bring and you can decide later when you are packing whether you need it to not. 

Sample on organising your belongings by separating them to different shopping bags

TIP #5: FIND THE RIGHT TIME TO PACK YOUR BELONGINGS

Findling the right time to pack is also important. Normally you may need to pack 2-3 times. The first is when you compile all the belongings that are ready to be place in your luggage, the second is when you place all your newly washed clothes and the third is when you will place your "last minute" things such as, amenities, snacks, chargers and other necessities. 

TIP #6: HOW TO PACK YOUR BELONGINGS LIKE A PRO

This is the part where it may became challenging for you. Packing is like trying to complete a puzzle. You must try your best to fill in the things inside the luggage and find a spot to place your remaining belongings. There are many techniques on how to pack and fit all your belongings in your luggage.

A. Roll all your clothes, DO NOT FOLD!

Rolling your clothes and pile it up in vertical or horizontal lines will make your life easier as it consume space and easier for you to see what you have. You may squeeze as many clothes as long as it can still fit.

Roll them all

B.  Bras, Socks and Underwear

These are the clothing that you cannot fold. However, you may squeeze your underwear in the tiny remaining spots. You may fold your bra into half and place them on the side of your luggage. You may place your socks into your sneakers to save space, you may place at least 2 pairs in 1 shoe.

C. Place all your amenities in a big pouch

Since most of your amenities could be liquid, it is best if you place them in a separate bag with zipper to avoid any leakage. 1 medium or big pouch should be enough to store all your amenities. That is possible as long as you place all your liquid things such as, shampoo, bath soap, toothpaste, lotion, cologne, perfume and facial wash in a small plastic containers. You can find these containers in Health & Beauty stores or Supermarket such as, Watsons, Mannings, Japan Home and many more.

D. Place all your non-clothing belongings on the front side of the luggage

It is wise to separate your clothing and your other belongings such as, shoes, bags, amenities and other things. It will be easier for you to look for your belongings.

TIP #7: DO A LAST MINUTE CHECK OF YOUR BELONGINGS

Before locking your luggage, make sure that you do your final checklist of your belongings. You must check if have missed anything important or you might have place something that you may not need and it is taking up spaces. Remember that once you reach the Airport, you may not be able to catch back home to pick up the things that you have forgotten to bring. 

TIP #8: WEIGHT YOUR LUGGAGE, USE LUGGAGE PROTECTOR AND TAGS

Before leaving your home, make sure to weight your luggage, whether you can on the right KG or you have exceeded to your KG limit. The advantage of checking your luggage weight is that you have time to remove some belongings that it is heavy or something that you do not really need to bring. I would also highly recommend you to use a luggage protector to secure your luggage and a tag in case of lost & found for your luggage. 

Always remember not to over bring your belongings, simply bring the things that you really need for your trip. Best of luck in packing your luggage

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan