Traveller’s Advice

I’m no Michael Palin. In that I’m not the most travelled person on the planet. (there are, of course, many other reasons why I'm not Michael Palin). In fact, the furthest distance I’ve ever travelled for a trip is probably Antigua to the west (4000 miles) and Turkey to the east (2800 miles). And my longest holiday is about 2 weeks at best.

Therefore, travelling to quite literally the other side of the world (Kosrae is 11 hours ahead of UK time, just 1 hour off the dateline in Samoa, oh, and 8000 miles away) presents a very new, and rather daunting travel experience.

My attitude in life towards gaining insight on experiences where I have utterly no familiarity is – find someone else who’s already done it and pick their brain! Now then, I’m fairly sure that no one in my circle of friends has been to Micronesia before. But fortunately I do have a number of close acquaintances who’ve travelled to tropical islands or been on trips lasting longer than your average holiday.

On quizzing their wisdom, the collective guidance was as follows:

Talcum powder should be your new best friend. In high humidity, after having a shower, you’ll never get dry. Talc can soak up all that extra moisture. Genius!

Take towels and clothes that aren’t your most prized possession. For a number of reasons: if they get ruined in the different laundry conditions they’ll go through, you won’t be all that sad. Plus, if at the end of your trip you’re short of space, you can leave some of them at your holiday destination.

Sleep on the plane/in transit. There was debate about whether you should try to act like the time zone you’re heading to once you get on the plane or follow whatever timetable the airline throws at you re meals/dim lights etc. but sleeping on the plane seems to be the thing to do wherever you can get it when travelling for a looooong time as I will be (2 and half days travel in total).

Take basic toiletries and changes of clothes in your hand luggage – this way you can at least change between flights in the airport toilets, although, I’m told you’ll still feel pretty gross. Without this, you’re in the same clothes and won’t have brushed your teeth for well over 48 hours (!).

Take music that will help you get to sleep. For me this is either classical music or some sort of radio 4 show like Just A Minute or The Unbelievable Truth. Getting to sleep can be tricky in a new setting, new time zone and on a plane so taking something like this can be just what you need to drift off.

Accept that you will do laundry whilst you’re away. And therefore don’t take luggage to cater for every single day.

When purchasing shoes, clothes, toiletry supplies etc. for your trip, go for weight rather than cost (within reason, of course). If there’s an option to get a lighter version of something – do it. With only 23kg allowance, grams will count. Oh, and take everything out of its packaging!

And finally, and possibly of most relevance for this trip,

Be open to all the unusual and unfamiliar cultural behaviours you’ll get thrown into.

Sound advice.

If you’ve any other thoughts or nuggets of travel advice, I’d be more than happy to hear them.