Michael- You'll build and refine this "list" after years of travel. I
never go to all inclusives- unless that means "all the SCUBA tanks you
want", but I have some things that always go along. Remember- this is
not for your standard Club Dread resort. (Below)
Michael wrote:
>
> I'm trying to make a list of useful things to bring to an all-inclusive
> resort. I'm not talking about normal things like sunblock, shirts with a
> collar, etc. I'm talking about things you wouldn't normally think of,
> especially if you've never been to an AI resort before (this will be my
> first time). So far the most interesting are:
>
> - a thermal insulated mug for drinks. I would have never thought of that.
> Is it really useful?
> - snorkel gear (if there is snorkeling nearby) - I read that the free
> snorkeling is usually for one hour and the equipment is not very good.
> - business cards (to exchange with people you meet)
>
> Can you think of others??
A carry-on bag should have survival gear in case your luggage disappears
or your flight gets redirected for an unexpected overnight in Sierra
Paradiso. A bathing suit and at least one T shirt, if you are XL to XXL,
take two or three. All your medications, underwear, toothbrush,
sunglasses, alarm clock, a seperate copy of your itinerary, phone
numbers of airlines and travel broker, pen, FRS radio (if you are
traveling with others), cable ties, silver (duct) tape, and on and on.
Thermal mugs are great, I always have one, they're perfect for taking
(keeping) ice to your room or sipping tea in a hammock. Make sure you
get the one with the straw. Downside: few other people will have one and
you will look nerdy. I found a gal who loves them, now we travel with a
pair! At an AI? Hard to say if they would be needed, but you can easily
use them to pack delicate items inside of on the way down, and no local
will ever refuse one as a gift upon departure.
Business cards are highly over-rated. Remember from whence they came...
calling cards. By all means, have one. Go to a quick print place
(anything will be cheaper than Kinkos- they're high) and have a fun
calling card printed up with your name and how about a title such as
"world traveller" or "bon vivant". Put your contact info on it, and
you'll be surprised at the smiles and friends it will generate. Skip
your ********
pleasedonotreply@************ and place your real addy
somehere in your posts as well as card.
Snorkel gear has been discussed previously. See GOOGLE Groups and enter
"scuba snorkel equipment". In general, if you like snorkeling, buy your
own quality gear from a professional level SCUBA shop, not Walmart. Do
you want to suck on a snorkel that has been in that Tupperware rental
bin for 18 months?
Other strange things I drag to the remote places that I travel:
Benadryl (insect bites)
OFF spray
20' string
copies of passport and visa cards, spare photos
Equal sweetener
batteries for whatever I have
decongestant
q tips
lighters
small flashlight (carry on)
45' of parachute cord and clothespins
zip lock baggies to protect any munchies
sun protection (cheaper at home)
slip on sandals (not Tevas) for quick trips
water shoes- those slip ons that look like nylon sneakers
a football jersey for sun protection when snorkeling (surgical scrub
suit)
rubbing alcohol- tape the top well
triple antibiotic ointment (walmart) in a baggie
band aids, big ones
swiss army knife
single edge razor blades
theral mug and powdered drink mix (crystal light, etc)
sew kit
As I said, the above (and a lot more) applies for my travel to some
fairly exotic places. In terms of the Caribbean, we're talking about Los
Roques, Cisne, Cayos Cochinos, Roatan, outer cayes of Belice or Bahamas,
Half Moon, San Andres, etc.
If you're going to Nassau or Aruba, you can pretty well shop for
whatever you want at their local Git-N-Go.
If you're looking for adventure, bring condoms, but I'd skip the thermal
mug... or bring two!
Keep notes and build a checklist. I pack for long trips the day before-
just go thru the list.
--
Doc _(:)0
"I'm hiding in Honduras, I'm a desperate man,
Send Lawyers, Guns & Money...The sh*t has hit the fan"
-Warren Zevon
Useful things to bring to an all-inclusive resort 
