7 things I wish I knew when I was a Newbie: packing & Luggage suggestions

If travel were a religion with its own commandments, “Pack light” would certainly be one of them. It is widely accepted advice, benefiting any type of traveler and earning the seal of approval of many travel experts around the world.

Yet it is probably the most challenging to put into practice. When I’m at the airport, I always spot travelers nervously opening their bags to make unwelcome adjustments. and it’s not just the beginners! even seasoned travelers find themselves unable to tame their overpacking urges. I know this because I was like this too (haha)! and if overpacking were a vice, you would probably see me in a support group meeting or something.

Hi! I am Yosh and yes, I was an overpacker. Was, let’s get that straight. For the first several years of my travel history, I would always pack my entire world and carry it with me. until something happened: complaining of an intense pain in my marshmallow abs after a month of backpacking, I got hospitalized. According to my doctor, I had a condition that was aggravated by lifting heavy things constantly. I was confined for a week. Ouch, my tummy shrieked. My purse said the exact same thing.

It was only then that I took “traveling light” seriously. I mean, really seriously. and I was amazed by just how freeing it was to decrease the number of things that I needed to look after and carry. If I delighted in travel then, it became much much more pleasurable (and comfortable) now.

I still have a lot to learn, but I’d like to think that I’m wiser than the dude who used to carry the world. If I could go back in time and give some guidance to the newbie-traveler-me to lighten up a little bit, these seven suggestions would be it.

1. invest in a durable bag.

To be fair, this is something that I learned early on. When I was starting out, I used the same school bag that I used back in college. because it wasn’t developed to accommodate heavy things, it gave my shoulders hell the whole time. but I just brushed it off and pretended it was okay.

The only reason I replaced it was because it broke mid-trip, fell to the ground, and damaged my laptop with it. What horror! but as my new life peg Catriona gray famously said, always look for a silver lining. Well, I got a new bag and no much more take on pain.

2. backpack vs Suitcase: Which is Better?

I hate answering questions with “It depends,” but it depends.

Depends on what? depends on what you’re putting inside, what your health conditions are, and where you’re going. If you have breakable items, a hard suit case is the best choice. A backpack doesn’t offer much protection to things as delicate as your feelings.

Health conditions are also a consideration. back when I felt invincible, the backpack was also my bag of choice even for check-in. It was just way simpler for me to carry. but because I have a no-lifting directive from the doctor, I now walk with a wheeled suitcase in tow.

It also depends on the destination. Some places just demand a backpack. Venice, for example, is a awful place for a wheeled suitcase. because it’s riddled with uneven ground and hundreds of bridges, you’ll find yourself lifting your suitcase way too numerous times. It’s also as noisy as your last Tinder encounter. Nakakahiya sa mga kapitbahay. In this case, a backpack is the better choice.

I typically use a wheeled suitcase for check-in and a small, light backpack for carry-on (hand-carry).

3. too numerous bags = too numerous worries

Avoid traveling with too numerous pieces of luggage!

First of all, know that many airlines have a limit not just to the weight but also to the number of pieces you can check in. For example, Cebu Pacific’s conventional baggage offer now allows up to 2 pieces only. Here’s the most recent baggage allowance policy:

Standard – 2 pieces, up to 20 kilos total

Large – 3 pieces, up to 32 kilos total

Extra large – 4 pieces, up to 40 kilos total

If you want to know much more about their baggage allowance policy, READ: ➡️ Cebu Pacific Baggage Allowance Advisory.

If you have inquiries, check out their social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. You can also check out their site here. #CEBTravels #FlyKnowHow

Aside from that, it’s also simpler to travel with fewer pieces. Previously, I used two backpacks and a messenger bag on trips that are longer than a week. but here’s the problem: I wasn’t used to longer trips back then. many of the time, I traveled with just one backpack. early in one of my longer trips, I completely forgot that I was carrying two backpacks. I left it at a restaurant where I had lunch. Thankfully, it was still there when I returned.

This is why I now travel with only one light backpack (carry on) and one suitcase (check in). Anything much more than that can spell disaster for me. Not only is having too numerous bags a challenge physically, it’s also mentally distressing for me. having fewerbags implies fewer pieces to keep an eye on, fewer pieces to wait for at the carousel, and fewer pieces to carry!

4. purchase a portable weighing scale.

If you don’t want any surprises at the airport, purchase a weighing scale and measure best after packing. This way, you’ll know right away if you’re over and avoid paying much more or leaving items behind at the airport.

The rise of inexpensive carriers has allowed us to pay for only the things we need, and that also applies to baggage allowance. If you only need 20 kilos, pay for only 20 kilos and no much more than that.

Again, for Cebu Pacific Air, here are your options:

Standard – 2 pieces, up to 20 kilos total

Large – 3 pieces, up to 32 kilos total

Extra large – 4 pieces, up to 40 kilos total

Know how much you need upon booking, because that’s when it’s cheapest.

You can also choose to add it afterward using the “Manage Booking” option on the site; this option is available up to four hours before flight departure. From the four-hour mark till the gate closes, you can only purchase the 20 kilos (2 pieces) option at the counter.

On the day of travel, no bag ought to exceed 32 kilos per piece.

5. Do the laundry or have it done while traveling.

I used to bring at least 12 sets of clothes for a 12-day trip. LOL. Doing the laundry was just not part of my itinerary.

But when I started traveling for at least three weeks, I knew I needed something else. Surely, I couldn’t bring 21 sets of clothes! That’s when I discovered the delight of going to laundromats. It was therapeutic in a way. Does it sound crazy? I finally had an excuse to just sit and wait, and read a book or listen to music in peace. I know I sound like a tito, but it’s true.

In destinations where laundromats aren’t a thing, I just find a laundry shop and have it done there. Yes, that’s extra cost, but at least I didn’t have to endure carrying heavy bags during the trip.

Either way, taking care of laundry during travel minimizes the amount of load you need to carry.

6. pack your bags yourself.

Once upon a time, I foolishly agreed to carry a suitcase that my sister packed. I knew they would mostly be clothes and pasalubong, but I didn’t view her do it. That was a mistake.

While I was at Narita Airport, waiting for boarding time, my name was called and I was asked to proceed somewhere near the area. then an airport staff appeared with my sister’s suitcase. She said that the x-ray machines (or whatever) detected something that was not allowed and they needed it removed. The thing is, the suitcase was substantial and practically bursting with clothes and chocolates. When I opened it, I had to dig deep and remove my sister’s clothes to find the item. I was so nervous the whole time because I didn’t know what was in there! The culprit [turned out to be] a power bank. think of if it were something worse. What’s much more embarrassing was that I couldn’t close the suitcase anymore. Hahaha.

Another reason why you need to be on top of it is because some countries apply penalty fees to violations. For example, Japan prohibits meat or meat products to get into their country. If your bag has them even if you don’t know it, you’re still liable and will be required to pay the fine.

And please don’t carry anybody else’s bag, especially if they’re from strangers!

7. Bring a power strip.

A power strip is a series of electrical sockets that allow multiple electrical devices to be powered from a single source. If you have a number of gadgets that you need to charge, this is a useful device.

But what I like about having a power strip is not just being able to charge my gadgets, it also stops me from forgetting them or leaving them behind. because all the cable televisions are in one place, you can find them rapidly and never forget about them. It’s not uncommon to unintentionally leave behind the pocket wifi charging by the TV or the video camera battery charging on the floor. true story! Haha.

However, because you’re handling electricity, it is essential that you don’t misuse it. First, don’t leave it plugged in. only use it for light-load devices like mobile phone or camera. and don’t overload it. just because it has seven sockets doesn’t imply you have to use all of them at once.

Also, do research on the voltage requirements and local laws of the destination where you’re heading before you go. For example, cruise ships don’t allow power strips onboard.

This post is brought to you by Cebu Pacific Air.
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