long haul essentials #1: going

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Hello my friends!  Can you believe Tom and I head off to Australia tomorrow?!

The past 24 hours has been a mad rush of getting organised for the trip.  At the moment our living room is a mess of bags as we try to cram in gifts for family and friends and enough clothes and shoes to tide us over until I can hit Big W for some cheap summer essentials at the other end.  It's been hard getting our heads around packing for warmer weather when we've walked home in sleet for the last two nights!

This will be the third time I've done this trip in the past four years, and I've picked up a few tips that make the never ending stretch of hours on a plane a bit more bearable.  I thought I'd share my long haul essentials with you.  I'd love to hear your tips too, from you frequent flyers out there!

1.  Comfortable clothes

Now is not the time for skinny jeans.  If I could wear pyjamas on this kind of flight, I probably would!  My outfit of choice is yoga pants, layers of light cotton tops, topped off with a warm cardigan or jumper.  Comfort is the key word here.  Don't worry about looking a bit daggy, there are no papparazzi waiting at the other end for you!!  Have some killer sunglasses or a nice handbag to offset the dagginess if need be ;)

2.  Tiger Balm and Rescue Remedy

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Having always had dodgy ear drums, I find Tiger Balm a wonderful astringent for clearing the airways (nose and ears!) on a long flight.  You can sniff it straight from the jar or put some on a hanky or tissue and breathe in.  You could also use olbus oil.

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I don't find flying stressful - it's more the whole getting to the airport and getting checked in, through security and on the plane that stresses me out - but it's nice to have something calming readily at hand if I need it.  I'm a big fan of Bach's Rescue Remedy.  I have needed a drop under the tongue at bed time nearly every night for the last month (a story for another day) and I don't know why it works, but it seems to do the trick for me.  Before I discovered it, I used to take a small bottle of lavender oil on a long flight with me.  Lavender is one of my favourite smells in the world, and it is a lovely, comforting thing to inhale when you're feeling a bit stressed out.

3.  Books

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I never travel without a book!  I read books very quickly so usually have to take 2 or 3 with me for a flight of this length which can be a pain when it comes to finding space in your carry on.  And then what do you do when you've read them?  What you can do is get a few books from your local charity shop - where you can find books for something ridiculous like 40p! - that you can read and enjoy on the flight, and then you can pass on once you're at your destination.

4.  Writing implements

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Journal and pen, and my netbook will be with me, it's a given.  Make sure it's not one of those pens liable to leak easily, and that your laptop is fully charged!

5.  iPod or music player

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Fill your iPod or music player with some new tunes.  Put on some lovely easy listening music on that helps your mind wander.  Or you could download heaps of interesting podcasts to keep you entertained.  One of my favourites is Conversations with Richard Fidler, from ABC Australia.

6.  Treats

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On my last flight from Melbourne to Singapore, I had a big bag of Twisties and a giant Melanie LaBrooy novel to keep me entertained.  I was fully occupied for the entire 8 hour flight!  Well, the Twisties only lasted the first hour....

I think it's essential to have something to look forward to on the plane so go on and get yourself something nice to enjoy to make those long hours go just a little bit faster - a travel sized glossy magazine perhaps, a book you've been waiting to read, or a box of Lindt chocolates from duty free :P

7.  Order a vegetarian or gluten free meal

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It's brilliant because 1) it's always healthier and usually chock full of vegetables, salad and fruit and 2) you get served first!  And drink lots of water.  It's tempting to load up on all the free booze, but you'll pay for it at the other end!  Start the flight with a nice drink if you want (depending on the time of day of course) but keep drinking water to keep hydrated.

8.  Do yoga at the back of the plane

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Maybe not quite at the level in this photo (!) but I do recommend getting up and walking around.  Do some stretches at the back of the plane while waiting for the loo.  Uttanasana (standing forward bend) and a modified version of dancer can be done in a small amount of space!  It really does make a difference.

9.  Make friends

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Admittedly, some people just want to put their headphones in and not emerge until the end of the flight, but it's nice to strike up conversations with your fellow passengers, particularly if you're travelling alone.  It can make the time absolutely disappear!

10.  Baby wipes, hair brush, tooth brush and moisturiser

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When you're not far from your destination, go to the bathroom and wash your face with warm water - I don't know about you but a hot face washer does wonders for reviving me - and brush your teeth.  Come back to your seat and moisturise your face and hands, brush your hair and give yourself a reviving jolt of tiger balm or olbus oil.  I've never bothered taking a change of clothes but if you have, change into a fresh t-shirt while in the bathroom too.

You normally get a little pack when you arrive at your seat, which contains things like toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, etc, so don't worry about bringing your own unless you really want to.  I find travelling with baby wipes is very useful.  They can mop up spillages on your tray or on your clothes, remove makeup, or be used to refresh your face, neck and hands.

11.  A good attitude

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It amazes me how grumpy some people can get when they travel.  A long haul flight usually does test your patience; even the most seasoned of travellers find themselves antsy and cranky sometimes.  It does sometimes feel like you're never going to get there.  But it is only a temporary situation, and something you have to do in order to get what you want (a holiday in an exciting place, or in my case, seeing my family and friends again for the first time in years!).  Remember, everyone on your plane has the same goal, to get to the other end.  So try and plaster a smile on your face if you can, even if it's the last thing you feel like doing.  It really does help.

Sometimes you get a shit seat or get stuck next to a misery guts and there's usually not much you can do about it.  All you can do is settle back, try and relax and think about all the fun you're going to have at your destination.  Don't rise to any bait - if people are being rude or unhelpful, counteract it by being extremely polite back.  It always works.  If it's really that bad, just put your iPod on, order a large gin and tonic, and think about all that is waiting for you at the other end!  As in lots of other areas of life, getting through a long haul flight has a lot to do with your mindset and your ability to go with the flow!

Well, I'd better get back to my packing.  Catch you on the flip side :)

What are your long haul essentials?