Travelers advice needed (friend going to china)

**cruelpupet** · 09-21-2005, 01:44 PM

Hey all you apexers...a good friend of mine is going to china for 12-14 days and I'm planing on making her a small bag to take with all the crap she will forget she might need (mostly flight stuff)

So what I'm looking for is advice on if i forgot anything...
(keep in mind she is going first class...so i might remove some of this stuff)

Melatonin (to help sleep) and asprin
Hair rubberband thing/clips
Chapstick/lip balm
ear plugs
mints
Pocket Maderin Chinese --> English translator (ESSENTIAL)
a Pre-paid calling card (with a post-it with US Embassy info)
Coloring book
small book to write in
Bugspray with 100% DEET (small bottle) (is malaria still a problem there?)

**Gothic Girl** · 09-21-2005, 01:48 PM

A bottle of water. I always take a bottle of water on a plane with me. Oh, and some gum to help out with the ear popping.

**esme** · 09-21-2005, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by cruelpupet

Hey all you apexers...a good friend of mine is going to china for 12-14 days and I'm planing on making her a small bag to take with all the crap she will forget she might need (mostly flight stuff)

So what I'm looking for is advice on if i forgot anything...
(keep in mind she is going first class...so i might remove some of this stuff)

Coloring book

^ how old is your friend??

**attgig** · 09-21-2005, 02:22 PM

one of them protable rolls of toilet paper.... very useful depending on what parts of china she's going to.

and/or kleenex

**cruelpupet** · 09-21-2005, 02:23 PM

shes 23 but a coloring book is amusing at any age

**Butch** · 09-21-2005, 02:34 PM

If she's going 1st class to China, I expect the plane will have just about everything available to her that she may ask for.

On a 12-14 day trip, she's already bringing a ton of stuff . . . I don't see a big reason to add MORE stuff to it . . . the calling card is a good idea, but other than that, I'm not sure it would really HELP . . . it would certainly be a nice thought . . . but not sure it would help . . .

Of course, the dictionary may be helpful . . .

**cruelpupet** · 09-21-2005, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Butch

If she's going 1st class to China, I expect the plane will have just about everything available to her that she may ask for.

On a 12-14 day trip, she's already bringing a ton of stuff . . . I don't see a big reason to add MORE stuff to it . . . the calling card is a good idea, but other than that, I'm not sure it would really HELP . . . it would certainly be a nice thought . . . but not sure it would help . . .

Of course, the dictionary may be helpful . . .

Shes a light packer....and she only speaks english and polish..so the dictionary is essential. As for everything else, she can throw out the larger stuff after the flight.

**esme** · 09-21-2005, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by attgig

one of them protable rolls of toilet paper.... very useful depending on what parts of china she's going to.

and/or kleenex

why take t.p.? ....it's just gonna take up room. can't she just buy some over there ??

Originally Posted by cruelpupet

Shes a light packer....and she only speaks english and polish..so the dictionary is essential. As for everything else, she can throw out the larger stuff after the flight.

is this just for the flight or for the entire trip??

**cruelpupet** · 09-21-2005, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by esme

is this just for the flight or for the entire trip??

mostly to make the flight more enjoyable...she gets annoyed at the person shes traveling with, so i want to provide her with stuff to do so she can ignore him a bit. Im tempted to get her an Ipod, but thats a bit $$$

**Acy** · 09-21-2005, 06:05 PM

* definitely bring plenty of those kleenex packets or toilet paper. unless you only use restrooms at nice hotels and restaurants, this is essential
* also bring aspirin and other medicine just in case. can be difficult to find non-counterfeit Tylenol and other drugs
* Lonely Planet makes good travel guides

**Cubsfan** · 09-21-2005, 06:15 PM

Pocket knife. That'll make sure the trip isn't boring!

**adjaw** · 09-21-2005, 08:13 PM

On my last trip to China I watched 5 movies, and a one hour news thingy. She can always just put on her headphones to ignore the friend. Also she can take a portable dvd player and bring some dvd's. If she isn't going to be with someone who speaks fluent Mandarin while she's in China....then the translating dictionary is a MUST. If she spends any time in Hong Kong before she goes into China, most everyone there speaks at least some English.
What area of China is she visiting?
Business or pleasure?
Any other questions feel free to send me a message.

**cruelpupet** · 09-22-2005, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by adjaw

On my last trip to China I watched 5 movies, and a one hour news thingy. She can always just put on her headphones to ignore the friend. Also she can take a portable dvd player and bring some dvd's. If she isn't going to be with someone who speaks fluent Mandarin while she's in China....then the translating dictionary is a MUST. If she spends any time in Hong Kong before she goes into China, most everyone there speaks at least some English.
What area of China is she visiting?
Business or pleasure?
Any other questions feel free to send me a message.

its for pleasure...shes going to a few cities, hong kong being one...but thats also the city where she has a friend from college living there for translation. I think shes gonna do what i do and just pack a small bag...so portable dvd player is out...besides first class tickets im sure shell have plenty of movies.

But i will have to add to that list immodium. I lucked out in paris and had no stomach issues but trying to get some stuff just incase from the pharmacy there was a 45 min experience.

**Merlin** · 09-22-2005, 05:02 AM

You would be amazed at how many people in China speak English and speak it well. I was in Bejing for a week earlier this year and had no problems with communication at all.

As some have said toilet paper should not be taken for granted. Yes, it will be available in nicer places but if she takes the day trip to the Great Wall or something she'll want to bring a supply.

As for making the flight better the best thing you can get for her would be a pair of noise cancelling headphones. On long flights like that they are a must. They will also make it easier for her to catch some sleep. These are simply a must.

A travel book is also a good idea. I like Lonely Planet myself but any of them will be useful.

**cheapie** · 09-22-2005, 05:18 AM

make her a cake or something

**adjaw** · 09-22-2005, 09:22 AM

While she's in Hong kong she MUST see the Mongkok Market....it's like the biggest flea market with the best stuff you've ever seen. When they tell you the price of something, quickly figure out 20% of that price and start with that for an offer.
And yes pack light for the trip, she'll be coming home with LOTS of souveniers and new clothes. The prices for things there are extemely cheap. Last time I went I ended up buying an extra suitcase at one of the markets to bring everything I purchased home.

**esme** · 09-22-2005, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by Cubsfan

Pocket knife. That'll make sure the trip isn't boring!

yeah .....she'll have a blast explaining that at the airport!!

**cheapie** · 09-22-2005, 09:38 AM

hence the fun. lol.

**attgig** · 09-22-2005, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by esme

why take t.p.? ....it's just gonna take up room. can't she just buy some over there ??

Originally Posted by Acy

* definitely bring plenty of those kleenex packets or toilet paper. unless you only use restrooms at nice hotels and restaurants, this is essential

not every place is as blessed as america to find TP anywhere and everywhere.

**cheapie** · 10-04-2005, 10:27 AM

you should buy her this stuff.

**avlena** · 10-04-2005, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Butch

If she's going 1st class to China, I expect the plane will have just about everything available to her that she may ask for.

When I flew business class to London, they gave us these little kits, that included things to make the flight easier. It was mostly Origins spa stuff, so they had fancy names, but it was pretty much:

-socks (which I found surprisingly useful, since I tend to wear flip flops everywhere)
-lip balm
-antibacterial handwash
-moisturizing face spray (10 hours on a plane can dry your skin pretty bad)
-moisturizer
-soothing foot lotion
-an eye mask for sleeping
-ear plugs
-a travel tooth brush & paste (a lifesaver, cuz I hate the cottony feel you get after a nap)
-floss

I flew American Airlines, but I would think that most major airlines would give out something similar in first class.

Other ideas to keep her occupied during the flight and trip:

-a good paperback book, that she can finish during the flight and leave behind if she runs out of space in her luggage. or a few magazines.
-go to Fry's and buy an electronic pocket game, like solitaire or poker (should run about 10 bucks)
-granola bars or fruit snacks in case she doesn't like the airline food

**cheapie** · 10-04-2005, 10:55 AM

hehe...my post was a joke. i'll let cruel explain why.

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