Vacation time is an exciting time for all.
The prospects of resting, indulging in delicious foods, and experiencing new
places and adventures, all raise the excitement levels in the home. I
personally recall my very first time arranging a vacation to the Cabinas Playa in Costa Rica. A week in the surfing
splendor of South America had everyone in our house in a euphoric mood.
However, I had to get out my checklist of what we all had to do to ensure not
only a great vacation but also a smooth return within 7 days. The following
outlines the things to do to prepare for a vacation.
Take Care of Deliveries
You should suspend all deliveries for the
vacation period, for example, milk deliveries, newspapers etc. You may also ask
a neighbor to get your mail from your mailbox as an overstuffed mailbox is
almost an open invitation to burglars.
Alert Caregivers
If you have kids and there are babysitters,
teachers, or private tutors who attend to them, alert them that the kids will
be away. Find someone to look after your pets and plants and give them proper
instructions on what to do. Be sure to give them and a responsible neighbor
your emergency contact details.
Clean Up
Do a thorough cleanup of the house. Empty
the trash, do the dishes, do the laundry, and remove all foods from the pantry
and refrigerator that may go bad within the vacation period. At the same time,
stock up with non-perishable foods so that when you get back you have food at
home.
Electricity
Unplug all electric and electronic
equipment from the socket outlets, and then one by one just plug in the
necessary ones. Leave the thermostat, water heaters, and air-conditioning at
low temperatures. This is to ensure that cold weather does not damage the
pipes. This saves energy (and bills) and protects equipment from power surges.
You may also leave a few lights on and consider leaving a radio or TV on to
give the impression that there is someone home.
Bills
Any bills that will be due during the
vacation period should be paid in advance. This is to avoid disconnection and
late payment fees.
Check Car
If your vacation involves a road trip, take
the car for a thorough check up and tune up. Fill up the gas tank, check the
battery, change oil and other fluids, and check the toolbox and tires,
including the spare. Even if you will not be using the car, it gives you peace
of mind to return from your vacation to find the car in great shape with a full
tank.
Pack Early
Pack your toiletries, clothes,
swimwear/beachwear, tents, towels, mobile lamps, surf-boards, climbing gear,
and anything else you may require at least a week in advance. This gives you
time to remember anything that you forgot, and gives you an idea of what kind
of luggage you will be dealing with. Some vacation spots like the Cabinas
Playas will rent you surfboards, bicycles, and other equipment. If you will be
using planes, the kind of luggage and weight should be monitored. Aerosol cans,
gels, and liquid carry-ons should be of stipulated sizes and should be carried
in one single, clear plastic bag. The bags should have locks that are approved
by Travel Security Administration (TSA) to avoid having them broken while being
inspected by authorities.
Travel Preparations
Choose a vacation destination that will be
suitable for everyone in your group. Check for age appropriateness and cater
for everyone’s interests. Organize passports, visas, inoculation certificates,
notarized birth certificates, and notarized authorizations from parents who
will not be accompanying their kids (both parents, especially in cases of
divorcees). Jointly prepare your itineraries, purchase airline tickets, and
book hotel rooms in advance. Confirm everyone’s health insurance status and
purchase travel insurance. Refill any prescriptions since not all countries may
have the drugs you require. At the same time, make sure not to carry medication
that may be considered illegal in countries you may stop by. If in doubt, check
with their respective embassies first.
Personal Preparation
Break in new shoes early to avoid
discomfort and injury. Start getting in
shape even months in advance, especially if you are going to do a lot of
trekking, climbing, or adventures. Check the weather and also learn the dress
codes and cultures. This will guide you in making appropriate dressing choices
and choosing gear. To avoid boredom on long trips, carry a book or an iPod.
Carry decongestants, antiseptic spray, mosquito repellents, anti-diarrheal, and
analgesics. Remember any contact lenses, cameras, charge converters,
flashlights, alarm clocks, hair dryers, cell phones, and all the chargers.
Safety
Carry wallets in the front pockets, they
are harder for pickpockets to access. Remove all ATM and credit cards and carry
only one or two and just a little cash. Alert your credit card provider of your
travel plans so they do not lock your credit cards when they see transactions
from strange lands. Carry the bulk of your cash in money belts or neck wallets
and put those under the shirt. When you need to remove cash from those, go to a
private washroom and take out what you need and put in your normal wallet.
Office
Delegate duties and make sure everyone
knows who handles what. This will ensure you do not get too many office calls
while on vacation. Arrange your files well and leave your desk tidy. Share
passwords with your boss or an authorized colleague. Set your email to
auto-reply. Take your call-in numbers and the passwords for voice messages.
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