Heathrow-Seoul - Travel Diaries #5

I write to you  from Seoul. Well that's exciting isn't it. After a 10 hour flight I'm not sat in the transit lounge at Seoul airport for five hours before another 10 hour flight to Brisbane. Oh joyful.

I say that but the first flight wasn't too bad - food good, sleep 4 hours, 2 movies, 3 pages of The Catcher in the Rye. So far, so good. And definite hats off to Korean Air. 

I'm a little tired and a little hungry and definitely craving a Big Mac so I'll be off to find a McDonalds or something in the next five minutes to save me from eating the person next to me's head. Just a short and sweet post today as I don't really have a lot to say as all I've seen so far is airports and planes and we all know what they look like.

Hopefully next time I'll be coming from Brisbane with something more exciting and a little more travel diary worth. 

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for a more frequent account of my travels. 

The Suitcase | Travel Diaries # 4

Up until two days ago I was going to be using a rucksack for my hold luggage, but due to extra baggage circumstances I'm now taking a suitcase. So after an evening of re-packing and adding a few extra, not so essentials, I now have a suitcase ready for an unknown length trip to the other side of the world. After packing, unpacking and re-packing, I feel pretty well (though not fully) equipped to give you a few tips to make the most out of the pace you've got in the case. Particularly if you're using a rucksack as, although they're far easier to carry and fold away, they don't hold anywhere near the weight you're like to be allowed. With the rucksack I had 12 kgs of stuff fitting in, with the suitcase 22.5 kgs, so you can see the benefits.

Roll don't fold.
Particularly key if you're taking a rucksack. You'll fit way more in a rucksack by rolling your clothes up and stuffing them into every crevice, even into your shoes. In a suitcase this isn't as necessary as you have more space but rolling your underwear, socks and swimwear up means you can squeeze them into the gaps once you've got everything else in there.

Unbox.
If you've bought anything new for your holiday that's it in a box or packet, take them out. They might look like they're taking up less rom squeezed into a box or packet but out of the box or packet you can separate things and squeeze them in easier as smaller things than one large thing. Obviously if the item is breakable don't worry so much but if you can take it out.

Pockets = bathroom.
It's quite amazing how much space all that wash stuff and bathroom stuff takes up so use the pockets. I've got pills, contact lens solution, and all my wash bits in the pocket of my suitcase rather than in the main section. A) if it leaks it's less likely to ruin all my stuff, B) it's not taking up room for an extra pair of shoes.

A ribbon.
Accessorize your case, make it unique so you know it's yours when it's coming round the carousel at the arrival airport. Ribbons, material or even painting your name all over it. Whatever you fancy. Just make sure you can pick it out amongst the crowd.

Double Check.
Check your weight again and again and again on as many different scales as possible. You don't want to get to the airport and find your a little over because they WILL charge you the earth so make sure you're definitely within your weight limit right up to the minute you walk out the front door.

So they're my top 5 packing tips. Hope they're helpful, what tips do you have for packing the case?

Hand luggage packing | The Travel Diaries #3

Bag

I'm using a backpack purely for ease. Lugging a massive handbag around is not ideal and also I can use a backpack when I'm out and about doing outdoors things in Australia. I'm also taking a tote bag in my main luggage for days where I don't need such a big bag but for hand luggage this bag is the perfect size and really easy for carrying around busy airports.

Travel Wallet

I can't find the exact travel documents wallet I have but it's by an Italian brand called Sienna de Luca but I got mine in TK Maxx which is great shop for things like purses and travel wallets. Travel wallets are great for keeping all those important documents together, passport, boarding pass, money and anything else you need to carry with you. Definitely a good investment for travelling.

A Plastic Wallet

Whilst travel wallets are great, I need to take quite a lot of paper work for the bank and visa requirements so I'm also taking a zip close plastic wallet so all the paper work can be kept in one place and won't get lost or crinkled shoved in the bottom of my bag.

Notebooks, Kindles & Books

I'm taking a notebook with me to keep as a sort of travel journal and no doubt I'll want to write in it on the plane so it's going in my hand luggage. I got my notebook from Homesense (the home version of TK Maxx) and I love it. I'm also taking my Kindle, and two real books - The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I've got loads of books on my Kindle to read in Aus (check out my goodreads for the full list) but the two hard books I'm taking are books I've had on my shelf for ages and really want to get around to and I thought the plane could be a good oppurtunity.

Purse

Again I couldn't find my exact purse but it's by a brand by Golunski and I got it in TK Maxx. I love my purse it's so bright and has plenty of space for everything I need in it. It's a really good quality and of course I couldn't leave the country without it.

Headphones

The bag I keep my headphones in came with my Louis Vuitton bag but it's really handy for keeping my headphone's in them to prevent them from getting damaged. I love my headphones, I think the colour is lovely and they're really comfortable. They're great for flights as earphones have a tendency to fall out and hurt my ears after a while they also help to drain out the noise of the engine which can make me a bit nervous if I can't distract myself from it.

Cables and stuff

I'm taking my chargers in my hand luggage so I can keep all my devices charged if I they run out and I'm sure something will run out. I'm also taking my earphones that come with my phone as if I want to skype or facetime someone when I'm away I can do it a bit more privately and also headphones aren't always appropriate.

Beauty Bag

For more information on what's in my on flight beauty bag check out yesterday's blog post. 

Cameras

I'm taking two cameras with me my DSLR, Canon 1100D and my compact camera, Nikon Coolpix S3100.  I explained more about why in my technology post but it's basically because of the possibility of not being able to keep both charged and also I won't want to be lugging my DSLR around everyday if I know me and Jack are going to be popping into a supermarket and that's it, or something. 

I'm also taking my laptop with me as hand luggage but purely because I can do so for no extra cost with Korean Air. I probably won't go near it on the flight but at least I know it's not being bashed around in the load. 

So that's it, my hand luggage done and dusted. What do you take in your hand luggage? 

The beauty bags | The Travel Diaries #2

We all want to carry on looking good when we're travelling but weight restrictions, and not wanting to pack your face with make up whilst trying to get a decent tan can make it a little tricky at times. When I'm abroad the last thing I want to be doing when I'm hot, and therefore pores are open, is putting make up on my face everyday, so quite frankly I don't. But there are a few occasions when putting a little make up is wanted to I always take a few bits and pieces with me just in case such occasion could arise.

I take two bags of beauty things with me, one for in flight beauty (but more skin care needs) and one for general make up. For in flight beauty bits a clear bag is necessary as a lot of beauty items are liquids, this also means they have to be under 100 ml. I got my clear plastic bag in Asda and it came with travel sized Nivea items which was handy. However, some plastic bags just come on their own or with empty plastic bottles. It can be a pain decanting lots of your full sized items for one flight so this is the time when samples come in handy. A lot of brands also now do travel sized products, all under 100 ml which is great.

In my handy little purchase I got Nivea Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes. These will be really handy just for a quick freshen up when I get on the plane but more for when we're landing and I just feel a bit gross and want a quick way to feel a bit less groggy. I also got a Sun Protect Lip Balm. I was going to get an SPF lip balm anyway as I don't want to take my Carmex because it will probably melt so the fact that this came with the bag was handy. The bag also came with the Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream and the Pearl & Beauty Roll-on deodorant. Both these items will be handy throughout my trip but also on the plane making sure I'm as fresh as possible and also that my hands aren't drying up. The whole bag with those items cost £5 so it was a great bargain cause there's no way I could have got all those things and the bag for that price otherwise.

In my carry on beauty bag I'll also be taking my Champneys Cleansing Milk, Superdrug's Vitamin E Eye Cream and a small pot of Nivea Soft Moisturiser (this didn't come in the bag). When you're on a flight, even if it's not a long one it's so important to keep your skin moisturised as the plane air will dry it out so much. Regular moisturising sessions throughout the flight will make sure your skin remains soft and well hydrated to avoid any break outs or horrid dry patches. Nivea Soft is my all time favourite moisturiser and I was so happy when I found a flight friendly size in Boots but I'll also be taking my regular 300ml pot to keep me going on my travels.

I'm not taking any make-up on the plane and I probably won't wear any to the airport, if I do it will be just mascara. However, I am taking a few bits and pieces in case I feel there's an occasion when I want to wear some. You never know Jack might surprise me and take me to a fancy restaurant.

So in my make up bag for Australia I've got Olay's BB cream with a touch of foundation. This blends perfectly to your skin tone so it's great for if you get a tan as you don't need to worry about buying something different when your face starts getting darker. I don't like wearing foundation in the heat anyway, I don't even like wearing it in the summer in England so this is great alternative because it's light and more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation but with enough coverage to get rid of any redness. I'm also taking my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. This concealer is beauty staple and I'm just taking mainly for dark circles over blemishes just in case there's days where we're not slobbing in the van and I want to look human rather than zombie. I've got my Body Shop Baked Bronzer safely in my bag for a bit of extra glow and shimmer cause my skin is bound to begin looking tired and dull after a few weeks so this should help liven it up a bit if needed. And obviously I'll be taking my Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner in black and my Revlon Lash Potion Mascara also in Black. I literally look dead without mascara so I'll probably don a little everyday and the eyeliner is always necessary. I'll never forget watching America's next top model once and Tyra said all you need is concealer, mascara, eyeliner and lipgloss. So that's the theme here.

I'll also be taking a couple of brushes with me just incase and also for blending and obviously for the bronzer it is necessary. So I'll be taking my real techniques buffing brush from the core collection and powder brush (which I use for bronzer). I'll also be taking an eyebrow brush to tame those unruly caterpillars and my eyelash curler because it's essential okay.

So that's it my travel beauty bags in a few paragraphs. Let me know what you're taking on your holidays in your beauty bags and if you think there's anything I've missed.

In my week off | The travel diaries #1

My Instagram

So I've been absent for a week, I know so much for daily blogging. Well last week was my last week at NCTJ and I had two exams but I wasn't living in Hove so everything felt very rushed. I decided, after missing two posts, that I'd give myself a week off, a half term of sorts, and get back to it this week. So this week is my last week at home before Australia so this weeks posts are all going to be very travel orientated and then posts will be probably few and far between due to inconsistent wifi. But today's post is a bit of a wrap up of what I did on my week off.

The week actually began quite well. I had a friends graduation party so it was the perfect way to let my hair down after a day and a half of exams. There was lots of dancing with friends and lots of out of tune singing but it was a really enjoyable evening and I think the graduate had a good night and thats always a good thing. It couldn't carry on though of course.

My mum stood on my toe. I thought she'd just stood on it turns out she'd bent my big toenail back. That was nice of her right? What are mum's for if not sending you to A&E at the end of a good party with your brother's girlfriend to hold your hand. Thank god  Millie copes well with blood and crying me. She can be my midwife when, in the very distant future, the time comes. Anyway a couple of hours later I was at home and in bed and still a little high from some gas and air - a horrible experience. But it's pretty much back to normal now so that's good.

The rest of the week was pretty much spend revising for public affairs and practicing shorthand. Oh the joys. But that's done now and hopefully I can now do shorthand to 100 words a minute, I'll find out Wednesday so keep everything crossed for me. I did manage to keep the healthy eating up though, even if exercise was long abandoned in between Eastenders in shorthand and learning about local government structure.

We hit 1 week til Aus, that was exciting and slightly scary. Everything's finally coming together. I have all documents needed printed and in my new travel documents wallet. I've got money pretty much sorted so that's good. And me and Jack are finally able to really look forward to seeing each other.

Had to say goodbye to some of my favourite people though. My fellow NCTJers who will be sorely missed after 3 months of quite intense time together. I'm hoping to keep in touch with them cause they are lovely people and I get on with them so well. But I also had to say goodbye to some friends from home over the weekend. Jack's brother's. It's the last time I'll probably see them before I go and James joins the army on July 20th so it got a touch emotional but we all know he'll be fine if missed a lot. I'll miss them all of course they're lovely lads and I'm not afraid to say they've come to mean a lot to me.

But a send off wouldn't be a send off without a fire, some marshmallows and a homemade meal, profiteroles courtesy of me. A good evening once again and know dodgy toenail incidents so onwards and upwards.

The past couple of evenings I've enjoyed evening walks with my family in the local area. Enjoying the beautiful Sussex scenery that I'm lucky enough to call home before jetting off.

So that was my week away from blogging. Quite hectic, emotional but enjoyable. So tomorrow will be a bit different again so here's to some travel posts.