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PACKING TIPS FROM THE PROS: VERUSHKA RAMASAMI

( travel light )

PACKING TIPS FROM THE PROS: VERUSHKA RAMASAMI

Verushka Ramasami was born in South Africa and lived for almost a decade in London where she got to feed her travel bug. She has returned home to South Africa in 2010 where she has fallen in love with local travel and now seeing her home through the eyes of a traveller.

She is a Travel and Tourism Lecturer at a local college during the day and a blogger by night. Her blog is a combination of all her passions and is a collection of travel, food and culture writings.

Over the years, Verushka learned to pack lighter, faster and not carry her entire home with her. She has yet to try travelling with a carry-on but she's thinking about it. Her travel explorations have taken her to 18 countries and she hopes to add more to the my list before 2017 is over. With an ever growing list if places to still visit, she would love to win the Lottery so she'd never have to work a day again and spend her days travelling the world while writing.

What's usually in your carry-on?

Toiletries, a set of clothes, spare copies of documents, electronic gadgets and cords, medication , a soft cardigan and a cotton scarf, not forgetting a notebook and a travel wallet with my passport.

Tell us about the usual type of clothes you bring when traveling?

I plan according to my itineary in terms of formal and casual. I carry comfortable clothes that do not need to be ironed and can be mixed and matched with what I am carrying with me. I tend to carry more tops so I can mix and match. I tend to keep the colours plain so I am not restricted in choices.My dress sense is rather conservative and this helps a lot especially in places where the dress code is much stricter.Before I travel I like to read.

What's the best packing tip anyone has given you? Who gave it?

The best tip I got was about planning your packing from Mum.So a few days before you travel take out what you intend on packing and leave it in a pile.Then when you are packing you realise that you don't really need all this and you actually condense your packing taking out unnecessary items.The key here is planning your packing.

How does your packing for a travel routine look like?

I pack the night before but add toiletries just before I leave home.A few days before I start making a list of things to take and start taking them out. Generally I rarely forget things as I have my list which I tick off as I pack. Checking the latest weather update at my destination also is included in my routine as it my change what I have packed. However for weekend destinations or overnight stays I literally pack just as I am leaving.I tend to also have a cosmetic bag with a toothbrush and a few other bits and bobs pre-packed so I don't ever forget to pack my toothbrush.

How do you deal with "excess baggage" situations?

I refuse to pay more instead I take it as part of my hand luggage. Yes, I have even popped a pair of high heels into my handbag on an international flight.

What's your best-kept packing secret?

Rolling your clothing it takes up less space!

Quick Qs:

  • Favourite region? Kerala
  • Favourite country? India
  • Favourite city? London
  • Favourite beach? Mauritius
  • Favourite food? Middle Eastern
  • Favourite mode of transpo? Air
  • Favourite book? The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
  • Window or aisle seat? Window
  • Carry-on or check-in? Depends trying to do carry on only
  • Hostel or hotel? Hotel
  • What's your favourite design from the Cabin Zero collection? loving the Limited Edition Flags

You can follow Verushka's adventures on her travel blog, Spice Goddess.

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