Big in Japan - My carry-on essentials

Next week Friday, I will be jetting off to Japan for 3 whole weeks! I am more excited than an audience member getting screamed at by Oprah to look under her seat... 

It has been four years since I last traveled overseas and I am relieved to once again quench my undying wanderlust. My mom is a travel nut, and even though we did not have a fancy car, or DSTV (or even a washing machine for a few years) growing up, we used the money that we would have to travel. I would choose to travel over constant reruns of Keeping up with the Kardashians anyday anyway. (Thanks mom!).  As soon as I started to work I began to put money aside to travel and I am finally off! 

After travelling to 25 countries, I think I have a pretty good packing system down so I thought I'd share my travel essentials that I bring on the plane, especially since I love reading about everyone else's ... #nerdface! 

My little stash so far that I have collected to take on the trip

Unless you are one of those lucky people who can afford to fly first class (*sigh*) then like me you will inevitably be stuck in "cattle class". You will be stuck in a seat next to the large human whose only possible profession could be a competitive Mcdonalds burger eater. That person will unapologetically take up half your seat as well. Not to mention that you will have the luck of sitting behind a family that decided to bring their 6 month old baby screaming monster from hell with them. The dad who is in the seat directly in front of yours will immediately recline his seat into your lap and fall asleep, oblivious to the shrieks of his angelic bundle of joy  monster from hell. The thirteen year old  directly behind you will be vlogging every second of their journey: what they ate, their toilet habits, what they watched. All the while, kicking your chair every two seconds.... 

It will not be that bad. 

Ultimately, flying can be very uncomfortable and thus the main aim of  everything I take with me in my carry on bag is to ensure maximum comfort. 

1. An empty water bottle to hand to an air hostess to fill up at the beginning of the flight. It is common knowledge how dehydrated one can get on planes. I have been stuck in a situation too many times when I was so thirsty but the air hostess would only fill up a tiny paper cup with water each time I asked and all I really wanted was a large bottle.   

2. Tissues. In case you have the sniffles. In case the impossibly large person next to you has the sniffles. In case you spill something. In case the bathroom has no toilet paper. In case you feel like spit balling wet tissues through a straw at the teenager behind you for funzies. Just kidding... 

3. Face wipes to take off your makeup before you attempt to sleep, or if you were confident enough to get on the plane bare-faced, to refresh your face at the end of the flight. 

4. Hand sanitizer. Germs. Are. Everywhere. 

5. Some snacks to keep your inner hanger-troll at bay. I tend to get hangry... I don't know about you but if I don't eat I can be quite unbearable.  Also the food on planes can be pretty gross. 

6. A moisturising mask. This may seem bizarre. But I think that since you will be sitting for such a long time, you might as well utilise the time to pamper yourself. I bought a moisturising mask that you can leave on your face while you sleep. 

7. An eye mask. To cover your eyes especially when the person next to you puts on their reading light and you want to try sleep. I bought the cutest panda eye mask from typo, you can get a similiar ones here.

8. I also grabbed some moisturising eye strips to place under my eyes while wearing my cute panda eye mask. 

9. Vitamin E Face Mist. Probably unnecessary but it refreshes and moisturizes your face. A few spritzes after sleeping makes me feel less-zombie like. 

10. A neck pillow. 

11. Some sleeping pills or mild sedatives to ease those pesky nerves and assist with sleeping 

12. A make up bag with samples of foundation, mascara, lip-ice, blush and eyeliner. Just before we land, I like to put some make up on. Not 100% necessary,  it just makes me confident. If I look great, I feel great too. 

13. A jersey and some warm socks. 

14. Gum. To prevent your ears closing when the plane takes off. I also take some decongestant tablets to take on the flight and it works wonders if you have problems with your ears hurting on take-off and landing. 

15. Your own comfortable headphones. 

16. A notebook. 

17. A magazine to flip through. 

18. A small perfume and a sample sized deodrant. 

19.  A hair tie to put your hair into a bun and if the flight allows, some dry shampoo to freshen up your locks on landing. 

20. Just remember to put all your liquids in a ziplock bag!

I would love to hear what your travel essentials are. 
xxx