Your perfect holiday abroad checklist

I'm a terrible packer. There's something about having to get all that stuff ready that just doesn't agree with my disposition. If I had buckets of money, there are two people I would hire - a full time masseuse. And a personal packer. Seriously. I get really grumpy packing.

The only way I've managed to get around this terrible task, is by creating a list that I tick off as I go thereby making sure I've got everything I need and it's as painless and operation as possible.

And today, lucky readers, I'm sharing this list with you:

Travel Documents
1. Passport (with necessary visas)
2. Yellow Fever vaccination
3. International Drivers License
4. Medical Aid / Travel Insurance details
5. Ticket
6. Travellers Cheques
7. Hard Cash in Dollars in two places
8. Local Currency if you have some already
9. Bank Cards
10. Details of how to cancel card if necessary
11. Local Driver's License
12. Copies of Passport
13. Important Telephone numbers written down
14. Hotel Booking
15. Any other booking numbers

Electrical
1. Laptop
2. Laptop Cable and spare battery
3. Camera, batteries, cards, charger
4. Cell phone and charger
5. Torch and spare batteries
6. MP3 player, earphones and charger
7. Plug adapter

Practical:
1. First Aid Kit incl general antibiotic and flu meds.
2. Mini Sewing Kit
3. Clothes Washing soap
4. Elastic Bands
5. Ziplocks
6. String
7. Binoculars
8. Alarm clock
9. Travel Pillow
10. Daybag / handbag
11. International Calling Card
12. Luggage locks
13. Penknife
14. Safety Pins
15. Security pouch
16. Ear plugs
17. Water bottle
18. Map, guidebook
19. Notebook and pens
20. Novel
21. Laundry Bag
22. Sporting equipment required for your type of trip
23. Sleeping bag
24. Wallet
25. Sunglasses
26. Cards/travel backgammon

Clothing:
1. Socks
2. Jocks (and bras)
3. Summer shirts
4. Winter jumpers
5. Light jumper
6. Swimming costume
7. Towel
8. Kikoi
9. Raincoat
10. Jacket
11. PJs
12. Sandals
13. Walking Shoes
14. Closed shoes
15. Some formal just in case
16. Hat/beanie
17. Gloves if cold
18. Shorts
19. Jean
20. Pants
21. Skirt
22. Belt
23. Scarf

Toiletries:
1. Hairbrush
2. Toothbrush
3. Toothpaste
4. Deodorant
5. Lipice
6. Delntal floss
7. Aftershave/perfume
8. Razor
9. Body soap
10. Shampoo
11. Face and body moisturiser
12. Sunblock
13. Medication
14. Personal hygiene items
15. Insect repellent
16. Contact lenses and solution
17. Nail Clippers
18. Tweezers
19. Mini mirror
20. Vitamins
21. Malaria pills if required

Actions before you go:
Check expiration date of your passport
Change money
Get maps
Book Taxi
Out of Office
Inform your bank
Check in online
Send Itinerary to a friend
Stop Newspaper coming
Turn of Geyser
Book first night's accommodation
Activate roaming on your phone

So that's it. Hopefully this will come in handy. So now, just to get packing. And enjoy wherever it is you're headed.