I get to spend a lot of time in the air and on the road as a videographer. My work takes me to all kinds of hidden gems around Australia – some places I can’t even pronounce the name of.
Sometimes I’m in and out of a town or city in less than 24hrs, or hopping interstate – on and off half a dozen flights in a quarter of a dozen days. It can be exhausting, but it’s always a blast.
High turn around travel jobs have taught me some valuable lessons about travel comfort, and there are a few items I will never board another flight without…
1. Thongs
I learnt the hard way to always bring a pair of thongs (or flip-flops if you aren’t in Australia!) on an away trip.
I recently travelled to Tasmania for only one day and I packed really light… what could happen?
We were filming on a Stud farm for the afternoon before flying home, right in the field with some beautiful horses. Magic.
Until, I walked through a puddle disguised in the long grass wearing my only pair of shoes, that were mesh joggers.
There wasn’t a pair of emergency thongs in sight to buy at the airport or at petrol stops on the way. I spent the next six hours with soggy feet… and now thongs are always in my travel kit.
2. Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sitting on a plane is a great opportunity to catch up on work, reading, Netflix and of course, sleep. I do often switch the noise cancelling headphones on for the sole purpose of catching some zzz’s on a noisy flight.
They are also great for answering phone calls in busy airports and listening to shows and podcasts without having the speakers maxed out!
Some piece and quiet on the way home from a long trip is priceless.
3. Peppermint Chewing Gum
Apart from the satisfying ear-pops and pressure relief that chewing gum provides on a flight, research shows that peppermint stimulates the brain, improving alertness while maintaining a sense of calm – a quick pick-me-up without the caffeine spike from a cup of coffee.
In a study by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush from Wheeling Jesuit University, peppermint scent was found to decrease anxiety and fatigue, and keep drivers more alert during long distance travel.
4. Protein Bars
Visiting regional areas for film shoots on a tight schedule can mean meal times are stretched few and far between. It isn’t always a great idea to bring fresh fruit on a plane or on a long trip with no refrigerator.
My go-to snack that is less perishable is a protein bar or packet of protein balls.
They’re great for in between meals because they give you an energy boost without the sugar crash later on.
5. Extra Socks
A pair for everyday and a spare is the general rule right?
Well, chuck another pair in for good measure, because even if you haven’t gotten your shoes soaked through in a paddock with horses, there’s no freshness that beats changing into a clean pair of socks before getting on a flight. Trust me.
Do you have any others to add to the list? Leave a comment below with your travel must-haves.