According to Lonely Planet’s recently released Travel Hack Handbook it is always useful to pack a sarong whatever destination you’re headed to, regardless of the weather
A travel expert has urged all holidaymakers to pack a sarong on their holidays.
When working out what you need for a holiday and what will just needlessly take up room in a bag you’re hoping will stay under budget airline bag allowances, it can be difficult packing for all weathers and occasions.
Travel guide Lonely Planet has recently released its Travel Hack Handbook, which offers some top tips about what to do before, during and after a holiday to make sure you have the best and easiest time possible. The guide presents a bit of advice which should make the packing process that much easier – pack a sarong.
“It’s a blanket when the air-conditioning is icy. It’s an emergency towel. It’s privacy for getting changed on the beach. It’s modesty when you can’t enter a temple with your legs or shoulders showing,” it is written in the guide.
According to Worldwide Insure, the sarong has even more uses. “Ideal as a picnic blanket. Works well as a lightweight towel. Use as a curtains to cut out the light. Or keep out light by making an eye mask, just wrap the sarong around the top of your head and over your eyes,” it argues in an article highlighting 30 uses of the garment.
“Sarongs are also great when made into a papoose for carrying small children. Some people fashion them into a hammock for their babies.”
In more extreme situations, having a long bit of strong fabric might be useful as a tourniquet, as an emergency bedsheet, a bandage or even a makeshift sail if you find yourself at sea without a paddle.
It was announced earlier today that a new policy designed to make packing luggage a little easier will come into force a year later than planned. Originally, scanners that allow passengers to bring two litres of liquids in their hand luggage rather than just 100ml were due to be operative from June 1 this year in most UK airports, but that has now been pushed back to 2025.
If you struggle to pack light – and the addition of a sarong hasn’t solved all your bag related woes – then there are some simple things you can do to make the process easier. Lay all your items on the bed and get rid of a third of them. You should aim to wear everything you pack so only take things you love. And remember that a few well-chosen accessories can add variety to your outfits and transform them from day to night.
Rolling up your clothes and placing them in inexpensive vacuum compression bags not only saves space but prevents creases, meaning there will be no ironing to do upon arrival. Or organise outfits or separate types of clothing in zip-up packing cubes. They come in various sizes and will help you find what you are looking for, especially if you are on a long-haul trip with a larger case.
Roll up your underwear and stuff it into your shoes to save on space, and pack light coloured clothes inside out to avoid any stains.
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