SKYAUCTION... How to travel in luxury on a budget!

I am in love with a travel website called Skyauction. I've probably used it successfully a dozen or so times - all for hotels. We have stayed at amazing places we could never have stayed had it not been for this site. An example of that is our trip next June - Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands.

Recently, I have had several people ask about the website I use, and how to use it. So, I've written a step by step guide that will help walk you through it. You too can find some awesome deals!

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY TRAVEL ON A BUDGET- USE SKYAUCTION!

Happy traveling!

DREADED ISLAND FEVER

Dreaded Island Fever is a malady, which eventually affects all those who travel primarily to the Caribbean and truly let the varied sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings into their bones. Dreaded Island Fever, hereinafter known as DIF, is a real, not imagined, affliction which is contracted by most first time visitors to the Caribbean! People contracting the disease usually start showing symptoms within the first twenty-four hours of being in the Caribbean. It manifests itself in a myriad of different ways, depending on the sufferer. There is no known cure, only treatments, given in bouts of one, two or at the most three weeks, depending on the funds available to the sufferer.

I suffered my first bout of DIF in March, 1992. My family and I spent a week in the British Virgin Islands, 7 days on a sailboat named Island Fever, viewing spectacular sunsets, and enjoying all that the islands had to offer. I felt the first real symptoms of the malady as I gloried in snorkeling in the bath-water-warm waters of the Caribbean. I had never snorkeled in my life and remember (after the fear wore off) being amazed at those beautiful fish. Once contracted, DIF is never cured. The malady did not have a name for me then and in fact remained dormant thereafter–through a combination of divorce, lack of money and time and other factors--until 2001, when I again visited the British Virgin Islands aboard the Windjammer Barefoot Cruises Flying Cloud.

Over the years, we have taken many trips to the Caribbean, on land and sea, trying to visit all the islands in the Kokomo song. On land and sea, we’ve visited Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, St. Thomas, Grenada, Bequia, St. Lucia, Mustique, Mayreau, Canouan, Carriacou, Puerto Rico, Petit St. Vincent, St. Vincent, Barbados, and many other islands, shopped for dark chocolate bars from the Grenada Chocolate Factory, fed bananas and petted a monkey who lives in the Grand Etang rainforest, spent hours hunting for enough little nutmeg graters to give as a gift to each of the teachers I work with, making numerous scrapbooks to keep memories alive just a little bit longer, ALL symptoms of one variant or another of DIF.

In between those trips to the Caribbean, the deadly disease continues to affect us, as it does other victims. Victims have been reported posting pictures and even posters of a tranquil island scene on office walls and near their desks and purchasing a $1,000 Nikon D70 digital camera so that they can take digital pictures for the computer. Many folks’ computers reflect computer wallpapers and screen savers of Caribbean scenes, keeping the malady more alive in the sufferer’s mind, but not necessarily helping folks to recover. Reporters have observed folks checking in on travel forums 6 times or more a day, many of them while they are SUPPOSED to be working, and hurriedly shrinking their browser as the boss walks past. Very severe DIF sufferers have been observed pounding their computer keyboard in frustration, as they are unable to get any Caribbean Beach Bar web cam to come up. People with DIF have reported that they often daydream about that special island in the sun, while at work. Others have reported seeing people in serious business meetings with a silly grin on their face and a far away look in their eyes.

At home it doesn't get any better! The poor sufferer forgets about the lawn, housework, kids, little league, friends, neighbors, family and even their job! In an extreme case, one forgets about house payments, car payments and social responsibilities. All they can think of is, "If I don’t eat lunch at all this month, can I afford another trip to the islands this year?" Many are observed listening to Jimmy Buffett or the Beach Boys or a tape or CD from some no-name band they listened to in the Caribbean (that sounded a WHOLE lot better down in the Caribbean!!) blasting out of the player, bugging the neighbors and the dog.

Most lately the symptoms for us have settled in to, more often than not, one particular Island in the Sun, as they do for many folks here. If a person is lucky, they find their own particular island in the sun, that one place on earth that makes their soul sing. That place is different for many folks and could be an otherwise deserted island, on a sailboat, a villa overlooking a fabulous sunset, or a cruise ship. That one particular “Island in the Sun”! For us, it means a sailboat sailing to small islands with the friendliest people you have ever met. It is there that we experience the highest, purest form of DIF. The initial symptom is an uncontrollable urge to lie on a beach and do absolutely nothing. All those "must do" plans seem to melt away in the Caribbean sunshine. When the afflicted are asked about going somewhere or doing something, the reply is usually, "What's the DIFference? It can wait until tomorrow!" The effects of a strange force found only in the Caribbean further compound DIF. It is called "Sand Gravity!" When the disease meets up with this force, the poor afflicted soul finds it hard to even get up to retrieve another cold beverage! That's why some resorts employ beach waiters and waitresses. The far-gone sufferer has taken to bringing along a portable collapsible cooler so that liquid libations will never be more than an arm’s length away. The disease gets progressively worse as time goes on. Even couch potatoes are more active than DIF sufferers! Flight attendants, who say that spouses have been observed dragging their mates aboard aircraft leaving for home, have reported another symptom of the disease. The afflicted have been heard to scream, "One more day -- just one more day!!!"

There is no known cure for DIF! All of the people, who tried to find a cure, were themselves afflicted and ran off to some Caribbean location! There are only "treatments" for this dreaded affliction. The treatment consists of a large "dose" of warm Caribbean sunshine, soft sandy beaches, warm Caribbean sea water and many cold drinks served at a beach bar. There is a downside to this however. The afflicted build up a resistance to the treatments and have to return more and more frequently and for longer periods to relieve the symptoms! Most of the regular travel internet forum goers are hopelessly and helplessly afflicted and will never recover! The CDC and your government don't even acknowledge that this disease exists because they don't want to have mass panic and have all of the citizens rush to the Caribbean. The main problem is, DIF is something that you either already have -- or something you WILL get!

So, how ‘bout it? When did YOU first realize that you were suffering the effects of DIF???

And DIF is just not the Caribbean alone, but includes all destinations in the world. The type of place where you say going in -- this is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME shot and it will never happen again -- but.......will it or not -- who knows -- but DIF is................ and there will never be a cure and we are glad for that!


(The above is rather cheerfully plagiarized from a similar piece written some ten years ago by one Ray Ousley. Ray hung out “sometimes in the Caribbean” and sometimes on the Prodigy BB service. Ray was somewhat of a philosopher, sanguine and cantankerous all at once. Apologies also go to Jamaica Jim Jordan, and Carol & Eric (TTOL), from whose websites we recently stole a version of Ray’s original piece. JJ hangs out mostly in Easley, South Carolina and sometimes in the Caribbean.)

La Luna - The Grand Finale of our Trip!

Thursday, 7/2/09 – 7/6/09
This was another day of transition. Kathi left Grenada for her home in Oregon. Larry and I left the comforts of Bel Air to experience yet another property in Grenada. I must say we felt trepidation about leaving, as we were so very comfortable in our unit at Bel Air Plantation Resort! We left Bel Air around noon, and headed for La Luna Resort. http://www.laluna.com/


I have read about La Luna in the past, and this year we were lucky enough to have obtained the property on a Skyauction bid. We were in a cottage at the top of the hill, #11. It has a gorgeous view, and the plunge pool was the perfect place to enjoy a sunset happy hour (although each day was too cloudy to get the best sunset viewing during our stay).

Someone described La Luna as "Shabby Chic", and truly that most likely does fit this property. It has a Bali feel, dark woods with lots of cushions and pillows. As you approach the unit, you walk up to a deck with a large couch/day bed filled with white cushions and pillows. There is a coffee table with a large lantern complete with candles; and various other seating types all white and comfy, contrasting with the dark woods used. The doors to the unit were double French doors with white curtains tied on each side. The flooring inside the unit is sealed cement, and the walls on the property appeared to be ragged with either a blue or terracotta color. The canopy bed was dark wood, with white coverings. The bathroom is truly an outdoor bathroom, yet very private. I was worried that we would be bothered with bugs – and the entire time there I did not even see a bug. (I’m not sure how they accomplished that, but everything was immaculate.)






The pool/bar area was stunning - again, dark woods with white cushions everywhere. Under their covered area were a variety of seating areas designed for your comfort. I found a favorite spot - a large daybed - the perfect place for curling up and reading a good book.




We ate in the restaurant each night (four dinners), one lunch and two breakfasts. The service was excellent, the food very good. We even ordered off the menu two times – and nothing was too much trouble! The Italian chef came out each dinner and spoke to the guests making certain everything was to their liking. We were very pleased.

One thing I noticed is that La Luna works hard to get to know each guests name and calls them by their name. This is always such a nice touch, and a touch that not many establishments accomplish.

From La Luna, you could walk to the Grand Anse area. Yes, there are some hills – but after 3 weeks of vacation, and delicious pasta from an Italian chef, I absolutely needed to burn some calories! We walked to Grand Anse two different times, and on one of those jaunts took a bus the rest of the way into St. Georges to do our final souvenir shopping. The goal - to buy up all the dark chocolate bars we could put out by the Grenada Chocolate Factory! Our last walk into town looked as if it might rain, so we took the La Luna umbrella. Boy, did it rain! Not just a little rain, or a mist, but we were caught in a huge downpour – wind & rain. Well, the little umbrella helped to keep our heads dry anyway! The rain stopped as quickly as it began, we dried out and continued on our journey.


Our flight was an early morning flight, so we settled our account after dinner on our last night at La Luna. We were asked if we wanted them to put together something for our breakfast since we had an early flight. They put together a nice muffin and some fruit for us to have prior to our flight. Very nice touch!

All in all, La Luna was a very nice experience and a fantastic way to end our amazing trip to the “islons”!

One of the meager homes...

If you had the good fortune to win the HGTV dream home, this would be one of your neighbors! This home sits on an entire city block. It appears to have a pool house, and at least one guest house on site. Rumor has it the owner owns a winery in the area. Not too shabby huh?

Who will win??

Well, during our short time in California we were able to find the new HGTV DREAM HOME in Sonoma, CA. Some lucky person will be winning this home in a week or so! It is in a cute little area in Sonoma - wine country. I thought it would be grander and larger... but it actually was a nice farm style home. The other homes in the neighborhood were gorgeous (and actually more lavish than the dream home). Not that I would complain mind you! The lucky winner will have to cough up about $700,000 for the tax man.

I learned while there that actually HGTV picks several names; then does interviews with the perspective winners finding just the "right" person to win the home. So, I'm betting I did not win or I would have heard by now! Oh well, back to reality.

Off to California!

Well, I'm gearing up for a week long trip to northern California. I leave Wednesday morning for San Francisco to attend a yearly summit put on by a company called CORE. I will be in Burlingame (near the airport) for the first part of this trip. Some well known reading researchers are going to lead sessions, so I'm looking forward to hearing them!

Part two of the trip is spending the weekend in city itself - near Fisherman's Wharf. I'm hoping to get in touch with a friend who lives in the area and be able to see her! It truly has been years since we have been able to see each other.

Then, finally part three of the trip will be in Sonoma. I was lucky enough last year to be part of an intensive reading training. It was the best training I've ever experienced! (four trips; 12 days of intensive training - and it "WAS" intensive) I will be involved in a follow-up session focusing on grades 4-6 this year with the same trainer.

I'm hoping for warmth and sunshine, but in looking at the weather report it will most likely be chilly and possibly rainy as well. Oh well, it will be warmer than here in Alaska! Now to figure out what to bring...

TOP 10 Beaches...

Well, I just found the Weather Channel's Top 10 Beaches.  Looking at their list (and the pictures that go with it) I think I need to add these to my list of possible vacation destinations!

1.  Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

2.  Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

3.  Ipanema, Brazil

4.  Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

5.  Manly Beach, Australia

6.  Paradise Beach, Greece

7.  Plage Malendure, St. Kitts and Nevis

8.  Plage de Tahiti, France

9.  Trunk Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands

10. Tulum Beach, Mexico

Well, out of this list (there are many), I have been to two of the beaches.  Looks like we have a number of beautiful beaches on this planet!

Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Our trip ended with a stay at the Le Meredian Resort in Sunny Isles Beach.  We arrived from the ship early, and our room was not ready (sound familiar?).  Well, we had quite a different experience waiting for our room this time.  They suggested we change into our swimsuits and enjoy the beach - which we gladly did.  The beach attendants set up chaise lounges and a nice large umbrella for us.  We immediately got in the water - it was warm and clear, hard to believe that this was the Atlantic Ocean!  We had a lovely day at the resort.

The next day was my shopping day!  The Aventura Mall is a large two story mall with wonderful major department stores, and many upscale smaller stores.  We enjoyed the cool indoors (as outdoors was quite hot, humid and complete with thunderstorms).  We shopped and had lunch, I bought a baby gift (the cutest little girl outfit) and a new first day of school outfit, all on sale I might add.  After lunch, we headed back to the resort with the plan of enjoying the beach again.  Thunderstorms started up again however,  so much for another beach day.  We found a wonderful Italian restaurant within walking distance for dinner - which was the perfect end to a perfect trip.

Our flight was at 7am the next day, so lots of flying and our Miami trip seems a world away.  We wanted to turn around and go back to the warmth, the pampering, the sightseeing and that beautiful, warm clear ocean!

Back to the U.S. - Key West

Thursday was a day completely packed with activities.  After a very brief interaction with customs, Larry and I were one of the first to get off the ship in the morning.  It was already incredibly hot and humid, little to no wind at all.  We had an afternoon excursion planned, so only two hours to explore this colorful town.  We took the advice of various frequent visitors and decided to take the Conch Train Tour - 90 minutes of seeing all the major sights in Key West.  Those 90 minutes gave us a taste of Key West, enough of one that we want to return and spend some time exploring the Florida Keys.  What a great area!

Our afternoon sail and snorkel was the perfect activity for a hot day - sail to a reef (well, not enough wind to sail, so motor to a reef) and snorkel (unfortunately it was with 100 other people - too crowded).  However, most of the snorkelers stayed around the boat, so Larry and I swam away from the crowds and enjoyed seeing the beautiful, colorful fish!

Once we returned to the Majesty of the Seas, we spent a couple of hours sitting in the pool - drink in hand.  How very relaxing!  This was our last day on board the Majesty... just when we were getting into the swing of "cruising" it was already time to go.  Proof that vacations are never long enough!

Our Own Private Island - Coco Cay

Wednesday was a great day! We started out with our own private tour of the galley by the Executive Chef. It is quite amazing how they can prepare 15,000 meals a day in such a small area. There was a small group of chefs on duty, prepping items for the dinner menu. The chef said the key to making all these meals is "organization". You could see that was true just from spending one hour in the galley. Size is also important - they have HUGE soup pots, HUGE mixing bowls and mixers; HUGE ovens... So, when it comes to serving 4,000 passengers and crew three meals a day - size does matter!

After our galley tour, we went ashore to spend the day in the water floating. What a gorgeous beach. Once we arrived on the island, the first and only thing you could see were a massive amount of people! We actually thought about going back to the ship - it was that crowded. But, we followed a path to the right (as an internet source suggested) and the crowd started to thin out. We got our floating mats, and spent the afternoon in the beautiful warm water. Before we left for the day, we continued on this path to the right, and came upon THE most gorgeous uncrowded beach! We just had not gone far enough... next time we will know. This beach was pristine and everything you imagine when you think of the perfect Caribbean beach!

Majesty Of The Seas... Nassau

We were able to slip onto the ship with ease thanks to the organization of Royal Caribbean's check-in process.  This trip (since our trip was free) we decided to upgrade to a junior suite - a room with a balcony.  Oh my - how nice was that!  It will be difficult to go back now that we have had the luxury of an outdoor space to call our own.

Our first day was spent in Nassau.  It was an extremely busy day in town with three big ships and a smaller ship in port.  We took the ferry to the Atlantis Resort to meet our dolphin friends.  What a gorgeous place!  It is truly like another Disneyland (for adults and kids alike).  We experienced two of the dolphins in a shallow water setting.  They are amazing creatures and we enjoyed our time in the water with them.

Tip #1:  If I were to do it again, I would sign up directly through the Atlantis Resort ahead of time (not through the cruise line) for their actual "Swim with the Dolphins" experience or their "Trainer for the Day" six hour program.  Both of those give you many more interactions with these magical dolphins and would be amazingly fun!  The cruise line does not offer either of these experiences as an option.

Tip #2:  The resort is HUGE with many different ways to spend your time.  However, the day was SO busy and crowded!  I understand that there are days in Nassau with only one ship in port.  I believe this would be the best day to actually experience all that Atlantis has to offer.  So, before I do a cruise like this again, I will be doing a bit of research to find the least crowded ship day when I'm selecting my cruise date.  It was very fun, but we spent much of our day trying to find a place to hang out that wasn't mobbed with people (which we finally did do at the very end of our day).  It was a little overwhelming to say the least!  You couldn't find a chair to put your things (all saved), you couldn't find a spot to relax that was not overly crowded.  I bet by 4pm, the resort was a totally different experience as all the cruise shippers would have gone back to their various ships and the resort would have only had guests...

Art Deco in South Beach

Well, we made it back to Juneau on time and are at home trying to stay awake.  Our body clocks are still on east coast time + we got up very early to leave our warm weather beach getaway for Miami International Airport to catch our 7am flight.

Our first experience was the "interesting" South Beach.  Wow - what a great place to people watch!  We had to wander for about six hours, as taking a red eye flight and getting into Miami at 5:45am, our room was not ready at our hotel.  So, we got in our fill of major heat, humidity and thunderstorms and showers.  We also had time to look at all the beautiful art deco buildings in the area.  Once we finally were able to check in to our hotel, I had three new blisters...  That was wearing my comfortable shoes!

The best part of our SOBE stay was having a fabulous dinner at Emeril's Restaurant in South Beach.  Wow!  We decided to go all out and order from his "tasting menu", complete with wine pairings with each of the six courses.  It was wonderful, and I wish I had kept notes of what we had.  There was so much food I have already forgotten!  You definitely want to go on an empty stomach...

Off to the Bahamas we go!!!

Well, this will be my last post as we leave for our "free" trip this afternoon at 2pm. We are on the "red eye" to Miami out of Seattle, arriving in Miami at 6am. 

I'm hoping our hotel has a room for us at that very early hour, but they may not and we may end up taking a very early morning walk.  It would be good to stretch our legs I guess, but I think after our long overnight we would prefer to be in our air conditioned room!

LAST MINUTE CHECKS:
1. Packing - done
2. Reading Material - got it
3. Passports - check
4. Camera & charger - got them
5. Cruise Packet - got it
6. Bahamas weather report - High 90's; Low 74ish; Thunderstorms daily (doesn't sound like any big storms are coming)
7. Boarding Passes - printed and have them
8. How to care for Abby notes - printed and on counter
9. House - clean
10.Beds & Towels - switched & clean
11.Fridge - cleaned out

So, I'll post when we return on August 10th. And, to my Juneau friends - I'll try to bring some of that sunshine and heat back to town with me! We need it...

And there she goes... Mandalay's transit through the Canal!

As I have learned through Mandalay's adventure, the transit of the Panama Canal takes about 11 hours to complete. Wednesday night she went through the first set of lockes - the Gatun Lockes. The slower (smaller) vessels usually have to sit on a ball overnight about 27 miles past the first set of lockes. Mandalay went through the last set of lockes late last night - the Miraflores Lockes. We captured a picture of her as you can see!

Mandalay will continue her journey (with our beloved Captain Neil at the helm) all the way to Ecuador for her refit. She will be hauled, her complete hull repaired, the engine room will be totally redone with new machinery, the deck cabins will be replaced with an enclosed saloon. She will be converted into a 32 passenger luxury vessel and spend her days cruising the Galapagos.

I have looked at the Angermeyer Cruises website, and they look like a "class act".  I think S/S Lady Mandalay will have a good life (and I will be saving my pennies to go on her Galapagos adventure).

Here she is sitting on the ball, waiting to go through the second set of lockes...
GOOD LUCK S/V LADY MANDALAY!

Fair Sails and Gentle Breezes Mandalay!

If you know Larry and I well, you know how we loved the experience of the Windjammer sailing ships.  We were lucky enough to have gone on the Yankee Clipper last year (June 2007), just prior to the company beginning to cancel their cruises, leaving passengers stranded, and finally - the company's demise.  Between Larry and I, we spent about 25 weeks on these lovely ships.  Such a sad thing for those who loved the casual, fun atmosphere on these beautiful sailing ships, as well as the wonderful crew that were like family and worked so very hard!

The Mandalay, a gorgeous 236 ft long, 3 masted tall ship, is in the process of making the Panama Canal transit on her way to her final destination - the Galapagos Islands.  She was auctioned off from the bankrupt company Windjammer, and purchased by Angermeyer Cruises.  This lucky lady will have an extreme makeover, and hopefully will have a good life cruising the Galapagos Islands.  She was built in 1923 for E.F. Hutton.  Each of these ships have such history!

 So, Mandalay - as you leave Panama, where you have been for almost a year, we will always remember the wonderful times we enjoyed with you and your sister ships.  Please teach the new owners and passengers about hermit crab races, jumping off the top deck into the "pool", the PBLT Party, and Swizzle Time.  As you sail into the sunset of your new home, know that many hearts and souls will be on the back deck enjoying the wonderful sunsets and watching for the green flash!

Look very closely and you can see what looks like a ghost ship - Mandalay under partial sail. Isn't she beautiful! Fair Sails and Gentle Breezes Mandalay!

Baggallini Anyone?

If you are in the market for a nice organized bag, purse, or piece of luggage - check out Baggallini!  The company was started in 1995 by two veteran flight attendants who recognized the need for functional tote bags, but fashionable as well.

I purchased their Expandable Tote for our upcoming trip.  So, instead of carrying my day pack, I will have a stylish tote which will be perfect for cosmetics, jewelry, travel documents and my book.  There are pockets for a water bottle, sunglasses, and your book on the outside.  I love the organizational elements woven into each bag or purse style, as well as their light weight!  Hmm - you can tell that women designed and made these.

This company has wonderful colors as well - many fabric and color choices to choose from.  They even have introduced a new eco-line of products where 100% of the outside fabric used to make the bags used to be PET plastic bottles!  Way to help Mother Earth Baggallini!

Check them out! For my Juneau friends - Foodland Super Drug has a few left... not in the pretty colors though.
    BAGGALLINI

The Packing Test.... the bundle method - does it work?

Patty's 22" Carry-On

Well, yesterday was packing day for our trip.  I had the brainstorm of an idea that we should carry-on.  Trying to carry-on for a cruise is next to impossible!  I started with my well put together list, assembled all of the clothing, and followed the directions of STEP BY STEP PACKING LIGHT METHOD exactly.  Their site not only has step by step directions, but diagrams to assist visualizing what they want you to do.  Very helpful!

By the time I got everything carefully layed out in/on my suitcase in the proper order - it looked immense!  Larry told me there was no way everything was going to fit.  He shook his head, made fun of me (some comment about when pigs fly) and actually went downstairs to get the large rolling duffel.  Well, we continued following the directions, folding this layer on top of that layer, forming bundles within this huge heap of clothing.  At that point, I agreed with Larry - it couldn't possibly fit.  However, the directions said to not give up hope, to keep going, to trust them.  So, we did.  Lo and behold - everything did fit and when the bundling process was complete, the suitcase closed with no problem!  Actually a bit of room to spare... Totally amazing!

Contents for Patty:

4 pair of shoes (yes 4!)

Undies and socks

2 capris

3 shorts

3 skirts

3 dresses (one of them a long formal dress)

3 bathing suits

1 sarong

8 shirts

After being reenergized with success, we tried Larry's bag and clothing.  His bag is a little smaller, and a bit oddly shaped.  The task here was even more difficult - we had to pack a suit and a man's pair of dress shoes!  Could it be done as carry-on?

Again, we followed the directions exactly, making our basic bundle.  Once that was complete, the suit went on the top forming its own bundle.  It worked and we are packed for nine days, including clothing for a cruise using only carry-ons!  Woo-hoo...

Larry's 21" Carry-On

Contents for Larry:
2 pair of shoes
Undies and socks
2 shorts
8 shirts
2 swimming trunks
1 pair of workout clothes for Patty
1 suit
1 small steamer (just in case there are wrinkles)
1 medium size duffel rolled up to bring back souvineers

I'm impressed!  We both will carry a small daypack with toiletries, cruise documents, reading materials, camera, etc.  If you too want to try this amazing "bundle method" of packing, visit the Packing Light website.  You will be amazed - I know we were!

THANK YOU PACKING LIGHT!

Carrying off the art of one carry-on!

I just found an article written in 2006 by the San Francisco Chronicle.  In it, the writer gives tips and a variety of reason why carry-on is the way to go.  His reasons seem all the more appropriate in today's times of airline restrictions and fees.

General thoughts & tips:

The amount of items you think you need is directly related to the size of your luggage.  Get a smaller bag, and you'll make do with fewer things.

There is really no difference between packing for a week and packing for a month.  (Boy, I'm having a hard time with this idea...)

Carry-on allowances vary by airline.  A bag measuring 9 by 14 by 22 inches fits the most restrictive rules.  You are also allowed one "personal item", such as a day pack.

Some international carriers are getting more rigorous about enforcing carry-on weight limits of around 15 pounds - so be careful.  I saw some carriers make customers put their carry-on bags on the scale.  Luckily - they did not do that with mine!

If you think something "might" come in handy, leave it at home.  If you know you can't live without it - bring it.

Make a sensible packing list and stick to it!  Resist those last minute urges to toss in an extra sweater.

Pay close attention to matching clothing.  Make sure every top can be worn with every bottom!

Limit yourself to one pair of shoes.  (Oh-oh.  I cannot do this!)

Don't worry if you needed that extra sweater.  You can buy it there!

After you return from your trip, examine each garment and decide if you could have done without it.  If so, leave it off your packing list next time!  Keep your old packing list (complete with notes and comments) for your next trip.  It will make life much simpler than starting from scratch!

Now for a little airline travel humor...

YOU KNOW IT'S A "NO FRILLS" AIRLINE WHEN...

The Captain asks all the passengers to chip in a little for gas!