Life in a shell: What's the best way to pack suitcases?

Packing is annoying for some people who plan to go on a vacation. I never knew anyone who likes and enjoy packing. Packing a suitcase needs skill and planning. You have to know the right techniques in packing whether you are going to a business or pleasure trip, domestic or abroad.....short or long trips.

I was packing suitcase for almost an hour. While packing, it is really important to know the destination and the weather and accordingly pack the suitcase. For me, travelling in a warm country is much more easier to pack than travelling to a cold country as I only have to pack light clothes. Also travelling to my home country, Philippines, is much more easier to pack than travelling to other countries. Usually, when I am travelling to my home country, I just only pack my bikinis, underwears, toiletries, few shorts and shirts and one or two of my favourite summer dresses. I borrow dresses from my sisters (luckily, we have the same size) for the first week until I buy new clothes in a shopping mall. Clothes shopping in the Philippines is much more cheaper than Finland. There are also a lot of items / varities to choose to (alternatives) and places to buy. And that's why I don't pack clothes and just buy new one there.

My Mom's house.....always great to visit!

.....and always great to party!

And huge shopping malls.....


Source: http://betterphils.blogspot.fi/2011/04/philippines-giant-to-take-china-malls.html

.....to hang around and to explore!

Source: http://www.markmaranga.com/sm-mall-of-asia-the-3rd-largest-shopping-mall-in-the-world/

Besides destination and weather, to know the strategic steps in packing, is also important. There are two ways to pack. It is either to use the method of folding or the rolling of clothes. Folding clothes are less likely to wrinkle but take up more space. Rolling clothes, on the other hand, is the most space-efficient packing method and helps to reduce wrinkles. So don't fold—roll everything up. Below is how my packed suitcase looks like.

Besides folding or rolling clothes technique, packing clothes in the suitcase should be arranged from the heaviest to the lightest. For instance, rolled pants should be first because they are heavier and larger followed by lighter shirts and then topped with undergaments. This order makes it easier for the items to compress when the suitcase closes. Toiletries then go on top as they are often contains liquids and needs to be removed quickly for security screenings. For more details, please check this link, http://lifehacker.com/5788501/how-to-pack-your-suitcase-as-efficiently-as-a-flight-attendant.

Now that you have finally packed your suitcase, the next thing to do is to pack the hand baggage. In addition to my passport and flight tickets, I have usually a long sleeve / pullover in my handbag, in case I feel cold in the airport or in the airplane. I have also the following in my hand luggage: wallet, ballpen, chewing gum or candies, laptop, camera, cellphone, car and my flat's key, make-up kit, tissue paper and allergy pills. Whichever way you pack your suitcase doesn't really matters. Whether you pack smartly or pack in a hurry with half of what you needed in the trip are missing; your flight will not wait for you. Check out Packing List, Travel Tips and Trip Planning Guide to help you get the most out of your trip by planning well and packing everything. Below are some amazing shots that will motivate you to pack.....amazing beaches that would probably wait for you to explore!