What's your little luxury item?

[serfty]

... Another vote for the QF PJs too. I always feel a bit of a fool getting changed into them, but the feeling of being able to put some fresh (ish) clothes back on at the end of the flight helps you get over it.

That lasted about 1 flight for me; wearing the fresh(ish) clothing as you arrive overrides any such self-consciousness.

FWIW, I use an 8 yo pair of navy blue F PJ's.

 

[thegurio]

Like Dot, i also dont leave home without my travel router... Its a Belkin and it rocks - ive had it for about 3 years and it has had its problems but all in all it is pretty good. Another thing that i wont be leaving home wihtout ever again (unlike last time) is my 6 outlet powerboard. I tried last time (as i thought i was only going CO, which in the end i coudlnt as my work tools were considered "weapons") and therefore as i was trying to cut down on what i was taking only took usb chargers and as a result almost missed my flight as my phone went flat.

So much like the others i also dont leave home without my NC Sonys but then again they are more of a neccesity than a luxury.

 

[whereishome]

Luxury :

- Fold-up iPod charger : bought this in Japan. The prongs fold up into the
body of the adaptor and it's smaller than two matchboxes together and about as thick as a CD. It will run 100v-240v so when I'm travelling domestically I just get a socket adaptor from hotel reception or plug it into the razor socket in the bathroom.

- 2nd pair of shoes : I have size 14 feet and a pair of shoes takes up too much space if I'm travelling like a carry-on warrior.

Essentials :

- iPod touch : IFE is often cough for me (My DVD collection is ridiculous), plus the wifi lets me check e-mails pretty much anywhere.

- USB drive with portable apps : keep my own version of firefox and a mail client all set up with copies of all my travel docs in PDF.

- Ibuprofen : I keep this in a little pocket my passport lives in. Oh lordy, I have lost the number of times I have dry swallowed a few of these in line waiting for bloody customs, surrounded by school groups. I envy you APEC card holders.


After reading all this guff about noise cancelling headphones - I am buying, y'all.

 

[NM]

Luxury item? Hmmm .... that would have to be my mandatory packet of Tim Tams for every overseas trip .

 

[winetraveller]

Luxury item? Hmmm .... that would have to be my mandatory packet of Tim Tams for every overseas trip .

My mouth waters at the thought. Am currently on a very strict diet, trying to regain fitness after putting on weight at dinners, lounges and aircraft, too much travel not enough routine. Actually dreamt of chocolate last night.

My local supermarket in Boston occasionally sells Violet Crumbles, but I don't like them. Used to buy Tim Tams in London at some ridiculous price.

 

[NM]

My mouth waters at the thought. Am currently on a very strict diet, trying to regain fitness after putting on weight at dinners, lounges and aircraft, too much travel not enough routine. Actually dreamt of chocolate last night.

Now you are making me feel guilty ... especially as we enter the Christmas silly season .

My local supermarket in Boston occasionally sells Violet Crumbles, but I don't like them. Used to buy Tim Tams in London at some ridiculous price.

Crunchies are much better than Violent Crumbles IMHO. I often take two packs of Tim Tams - one to share at a team meeting and one for me to devour in the hotel room while dreaming of home.

 

[serfty]

Every Friday morning around 10am, the office has a group coffee break. The bikkies come out several packs of which are Tim-Tams ... I generally score one or two ...

Only another hour or so to wait ...

 

[winetraveller]

Now you are making me feel guilty ... especially as we enter the Christmas silly season .

Crunchies are much better than Violent Crumbles IMHO. I often take two packs of Tim Tams - one to share at a team meeting and one for me to devour in the hotel room while dreaming of home.

I'm being allowed a little lapse over Christmas. You don't have to feel guilty, yesterday I took delivery of a box of Alaskan King Crab Legs (if you've seen the Deadliest Catch, this is the outcome), which will go very nicely with the Maine Lobster and Steamers for Christmas lunch. The longest of the crab legs is about two feet long.

All washed down with Krug Rose.

For the uninitiated Steamers are perhaps the most wonderful culinary discovery I've made in New England, they are Little Neck Clams, which are steamed in their own juice, then served with clarified butter. You dip them in their own juice to wash the sand off then in butter to make them DELICIOUS.

 

[sr81]

I'm being allowed a little lapse over Christmas. You don't have to feel guilty, yesterday I took delivery of a box of Alaskan King Crab Legs (if you've seen the Deadliest Catch, this is the outcome), which will go very nicely with the Maine Lobster and Steamers for Christmas lunch. The longest of the crab legs is about two feet long.

All washed down with Krug Rose.

For the uninitiated Steamers are perhaps the most wonderful culinary discovery I've made in New England, they are Little Neck Clams, which are steamed in their own juice, then served with clarified butter. You dip them in their own juice to wash the sand off then in butter to make them DELICIOUS.

Ok, you need stop showing off now as I may just track you down and take your crab legs!

Saw some Alaskan crab in Japan during my last trip and it really is huge. The legs were twice the price of the bodies but given the size and meat difference this is understandable.

I also think we may be a little OT as Alaskan crab with Krug Rose is a more than a little luxury. :mrgreen:

 

[winetraveller]

Ok, you need stop showing off now as I may just track you down and take your crab legs!

Saw some Alaskan crab in Japan during my last trip and it really is huge. The legs were twice the price of the bodies but given the size and meat difference this is understandable.

I also think we may be a little OT as Alaskan crab with Krug Rose is a more than a little luxury. :mrgreen:

Will take some pics and post them, the legs are incredible.

The Crab was a Chrissy present from my sister and her husband, and the Champagne was free as both myself and the GF work in the trade. We swap samples with others in the business. Very lucky, also the lobster is currently only $5.99 a pound. A quarter the price of Fillet steak.

 

[Febs]

I'm being allowed a little lapse over Christmas. You don't have to feel guilty, yesterday I took delivery of a box of Alaskan King Crab Legs (if you've seen the Deadliest Catch, this is the outcome), which will go very nicely with the Maine Lobster and Steamers for Christmas lunch. The longest of the crab legs is about two feet long.

Saw these at Pike Place Market in Seattle recently. Huge! Will try to dig up the photo. 2ft easily.

Tried some in Anchorage recently too..nowhere near 2ft, but you're right - very tasty!

Cheers,
- Febs (bored, and crossing fingers his Alaskan SEA-LAX flight isn't too delayed and boards soon!)

 

[winetraveller]

Saw these at Pike Place Market in Seattle recently. Huge! Will try to dig up the photo. 2ft easily.

Tried some in Anchorage recently too..nowhere near 2ft, but you're right - very tasty!

Cheers,
- Febs (bored, and crossing fingers his Alaskan SEA-LAX flight isn't too delayed and boards soon!)

Febs, glad you got to try them anyway. Is the flight weather delayed? We're in for a big one tomorrow, they expect 12 and possibly 18 inches of snow tomorrow and Saturday. Glad I'm not trying to get anywhere tomorrow, other than posting Chrissy presents and digging out the car and the 30m long driveway.

Logan will be hell tomorrow!

 

[jaffa]

My Husband !

 

[Evan]

My Husband !

Thats a nice luxury to be able to travel with a partner is better than alone most of the time.
E

 

[Alanslegal]

I'm currently watching Season 3 of the Deadliest Catch now. The excitement of the first season is starting to wear off given that the boat operators now each have quota restriction which IMO definitely is a thumbs down. I want to C see fast, furious and risky fishing. Now the boat operators like to play hide & seek with the storms - how boring.

And I saw some Alaskan King Crabs on sale at the Sydney Fish Market the other day. And I then also saw them on sale at Sam's Club at Honolulu last month and yes the legs are LONG - almost scary looking!

 

[Mal]

And I saw some Alaskan King Crabs on sale at the Sydney Fish Market the other day. And I then also saw them on sale at Sam's Club at Honolulu last month and yes the legs are LONG - almost scary looking!

One of our esteemed moderators recently had Alaskan King Crab legs at a FT meet-up (Kingsley's Brisbane). They were huge and kinda scary looking!

 

[NM]

For the uninitiated Steamers are perhaps the most wonderful culinary discovery I've made in New England, they are Little Neck Clams, which are steamed in their own juice, then served with clarified butter. You dip them in their own juice to wash the sand off then in butter to make them DELICIOUS.

A US work colleague who grew up in Nooo England took me to his favourite restaurant chain - Legal Seafood. There he order a bowl of Steamers for his starter. Then a bowl of steamers for main (entrée in US terms), and then finished off with a bowl of steamers for desert.

 

[Ms Lucy]

My mouth waters at the thought. Am currently on a very strict diet, trying to regain fitness after putting on weight at dinners, lounges and aircraft, too much travel not enough routine. Actually dreamt of chocolate last night.

I'm sure I read somewhere that brown calories don't count!?!!!

 

[Ms Lucy]

1. Own teabags (Twinnings or pot-strength Dilmah); it's a rare hotel / motel that supplies decent tea in rooms.

2. Crabtree and Evelyn Jojoba bodywash /shower gel

3. Silk sleep sheet; purchased from Aussie Disposals years ago when I was off on a semi-camping tour. It was meant to line the sleeping bag but, due to the temperature at the time, it became the main cover while I slept on TOP of the sleeping bag. Being silk, it rolls into a tiny handful so now goes into almost any case or overnight bag. Very handy - just a little extra warmth on occasions or a light cover in places where bedding provided is too heavy (like the occasional European hotel which provides doona/quilt only!). One of my all-time, best value purchases.

 

[anat0l]

I just thought of a few proper things to add to the list:

• Face Cleanser. Great way to keep that face clean, non-greasy and supple. No, cleaning your face with soap is not satisfactory (unless it's a very good soap).
• A decent moisturiser, more important when in a cold environment. Some of the hotel moisturisers are OK (e.g. Crabtree & Evelyn), but others smell worse than Vaseline.
• Sunscreen. 'Nuff said, and in short supply. Especially one that doesn't smell awful.
• A decent set of disposable razors and shaving gel (not shaving cream - pointless stuff). The standard issue QP razor cuts well - in fact, waaaayy too well; it's too easy to nick yourself. The QP shaving cream is horrible for your skin and does a stupid job anyway. And yes an electric shaver is an alternative, especially since it doesn't conflict with any LAG or sharps rules, but (a) a manual shave is almost always better at the job than an electric razor, (b) a manual shave doesn't need a power point, (c) a manual shave makes you feel better compared to an electric shave, and (d) it's cheaper to manually shave.

These are luxuries to me, since I could travel without them if I really, really needed to, but as suggested by the OP, they do make travel far more pleasant.