This week GeniAus hosted another Hangout – to which she’s become somewhat addicted <smile>>
The topic this week was “Packing for a Geneajaunt”. Since this time next week we’ll be sailing through Sydney Heads on the 4th Unlock the Past (UTP) cruise. My spare bed is currently inundated with bits and pieces of packing which looks like it might need an old-style steamer trunk. My husband asked, ever so politely, do you think that’s all going to fit?
So what I have got on my long-list and have I forgotten anything?
THE ESSENTIALS
My Sea Pass and relevant paperwork, including personal ID.
Laptop with my life’s work, photos etc (lightweight as that’s a key selection criterion)
iPad for reading and music on the plane flight and Feedly/FB etc when I have a connection, plus download cable for connection with SD card
Mobile wifi goes with me on every trip
Smart phone (mobile download to be turned off when not in port)
Chargers for each of course!
SLR digital camera, spare battery and SD card (spare)
US power converters for the cruise
Binoculars (in my packing but forgot them off this list)
A sheet of bubble wrap – for gifts etc (weighs nothing and can be thrown out if desired)
Society membership cards for visits to interstate genie societies
Sign-up forms for archives if required.
“Business” cards with my family research names on the reverse
Genealogists for Families postcards for the promos we want to do
My Flip-Pal scanner is coming because I’m visiting a cousin to do lots of scans & spare batteries
Notebook for reminders, planning and lecture notes
A hard copy of my presentation (insurance!)
Blank DVDs (maybe) and memory stick
Printed list of attendees
Headset for hangouts and skype calls home.
A geneabook for Jill Ball’s genea-reader forum.
A couple of zip-lock bags
Remote control for my power-point presentation
Small torch and red cellophane (for Melissa Hulbert’s sky tour)
Blogging badge
A couple of Australia Post post-packs
ODDS and ENDS (some suggested by geneacruisers, some from online cruise reviews)
suction plug for extra hanging space?
small sink plug
Small amount of laundry detergent and some pegs
Febreeze to spray on clothes and eliminate wrinkles
SPACE for gifts for my grandchildren, whose eyes sparkled when they saw the Disney characters.
WHAT HAVE I FORGOTTEN?
Hmm, clothes perhaps??
Some suitable evening wear tops to wear with black trousers on formal nights
Swimsuit in the optimistic thought that I’ll get to the pool
A weather-proof jacket and umbrella
A light jumper and pashmina for the conference room, having been warned how chilly it is.
Comfortable shoes
Let’s hope I can pull off a Mary Poppins, and fit everything into my usual suitcase and hopefully <17kgs (not counting my laptop bag).
Family history across the seas 
That looks like a wonderful list for a geneacruise! Don’t forget to warm up your learning and laughing muscles since Thomas MacEntee, will be the keynote speakers. Bon Voyage!
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Thanks Diane, for a moment there I was worried that you were telling me to warm up my non-computer muscles. Whew! Laughing muscles sounds like fun.
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Great list and I love the shoes 🙂
Don’t forget the lycra for the gym 😉
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What’s a gym?? I photographed the shoes in Dubai -can’t imagine wearing anything that high any more!!
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Love the focus on tech toys. Way to go.
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Tech toys +10…clothes, not so much…though I do have a little “sparkle” for formal nights.
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Packing? What’s that? Six days to go and I haven’t even found the suitcases yet! Presentation – well, at least I have started that, but geez, its got a long way to go. When’s my gig? Sunday? Heck, that’s almost a whole extra week of preparation time yet. She’ll be right on the night, err, day. Checklist? Yep, gotta do that to. Yes, we will be there – be prepared to be amazed!
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What’s the rush Geoff 😉 Ready and willing to be amazed by your gig.
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Great packing list – thanks! Is there a Gadgets for Dummies – I feel so illiterate when it comes to anything other than a regular mobile/cell phone, let alone all the other bits and bobs on the List. Di Foster, WA
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Sometimes it seems we could all do with that book, Diane, except perhaps Jill aka Geniaus who’s the gadget guru.
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Good luck with the packing! That’s an impressive list of gadgets. Remember the days when we just used a notebook and camera?
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Indeed I do Frances, and all the notes we had to carry because we didn’t have them on a laptop…and the books we had to throw out after flights….There looks like there’s room for a few clothes 🙂
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Just not enough room to take everything. Okay throw half of the clothes out and then start again.
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Funny how it’s the clothes that are expendable…I can relate 😉
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