Last Minute Packing Instructions

Bula!

Naturally, as the clock ticks down, people are actually starting to pack,
and stuff that either wasn't mentioned, or covered a while ago, keeps coming
up.

Bug spray: Hey, it's the tropics. There will be bugs. Lots of bugs.
Really BIG bugs. Okay, live with it. In my opinion and experience, bug
spray is worse than useless, but I still see the kids in the troop and crew
spraying tons of it on, every time they meet a bug. That should be a clue,
but they don't get it. The bug spray should be lightly applied, and you
will get all the effect that is going to happen, and adding more does
nothing. Also, the kids seem to think the bug spray is an insecticide and
should kill the little buggers, but it is repellant, it makes you marginally
less attractive to them, that is all. But they never listen, so I don't
know why I bother... Anyway, you should all know YOU CANNOT TAKE AN AEROSOL
CAN on a plane, not in your carry, not in your checked. So, if you insist
on bringing bug spray, it has to be pump or lotion.

Sunglasses - uh, yeah.

Sunglasses strap - your preference.

Sun screen - you *better* bring it. But remember, NO AEROSOL!

Money - I've been recommending about $200 on the kid's debit card. We'll be
only an email away, so if they do run out of money, they can "phone home"
for a reload. US currency is much more costly, as the exchange for currency
is always much higher than for an atm or credit card. Just remember, after
Dec 23, we will have no access to a bank, only atms. NZ banks close for
Christmas eve, Christmas day, Boxing day and weekends. Boxing day??? Google
it.

Mess kit - it's not on the packing list, and there is a reason. Not needed.

First aid kit - not a bad idea, but our crew doctor will have everything
that is needed.

Laundry - Bwah-ha-ha. Its only 12 days, just like a Philmont trek. Enjoy the
fragrance when you pick up your kids on 30 Dec, or bring some clean clothes
to the airport and make them change. If they *really* feel the need, then
bring some soap and some zip locs and do the laundry Philmont style. The
women on the trip have conspired to bring some fabreze. Wimps.

Snacks: NZ and Fiji have some pretty strict regulations about bringing
consumables into their countries. Unless you KNOW FOR SURE it is allowed
in, don't bring it, because if you bring anything that is restricted, there
is a big fine and I am NOT paying for you, and they don't just let you ash
can it while still in customs.

I will have some capacity to store photos from your camera media (if it is
one my media pc can handle, of course), but it doesn't hurt to bring extra
memory cards (I am not about to say film. Who still uses film? Yuck.).
Doesn't hurt to bring extra batteries either, but both can be bought in
country. It's not like we are going to the deepest darkest jungle, you
know... It all depends how much they like to take photos. Anyway, I will
put together a DVD of all the photos that get submitted to me during and
after the trip, and I will make them available at the January party for cost
of media (about $1 per dvd), so don't get too concerned if junior comes home
empty handed!

Power: NZ and Fiji use the same plug, so you only need one converter if you
bring one. Remember, Chuck will have a power strip so you should be able to
plug into that and not need a converter.

ONE WEEK TO GO!
Don Roberts
Trek Organizer