In the ever-changing saga of luggage fees and luggage weight allowances, it is prudent to check with your airline before flight to see what the rule du jour is. I was convinced we were allowed two suitcases, totaling a weight of 100 pounds. However, as we snagged the "super sweet" discount deal from Air New Zealand, fine print reveals that we are only allowed one bag weighing no more than 50 pounds. Shoot, there goes my plan to bring in the Wii and the karaoke machine.
 
This revised weight limit did throw a wrinkle into my packing plan. We are bringing one giant suitcase with us full of donation items. The bag is stuffed with dog collars and assorted vet supplies for the Esther Honey Animal Foundation, and the other half is stuffed with books for the Rarotonga library. Thanks to friends and family who have donated these items; your efforts are greatly appreciated. Now it's our job to get this stuff there (finally!) I'm hoping that if we go over our allotment, that Air New Zealand with sympathize and let it slide. Are you reading this Air New Zealand? Work with me people.  :)
 
Anyway, what to pack for a short trip of one itty bitty week in Raratonga. Here's our recipe. You don't need more than  three pairs of shorts and three tank tops. The reality is that after day three, you just don't care what you look like anyway. Your clothes will be sweaty, bug sprayed, and sandy. Hair will be frizzed ala Richard Simmons 1980's style. I pre-apologize to the locals for our appearance starting on October 27th, 2010. However, the soothing balmy weather, and constant call of the turquoise waters, will basically mean a bathing suit will be the primary garb of choice. One 'nice' outfit will suffice. I'm packing a sundress that will be my nighttime dinner outfit. We will probably eat in most of the time, but we simply must squeeze in one Cultural Night Dinner Show. The Garroting Dance/Dinner show just shames the Hawaiian Luaus. Whatever the Hawaiians do, picture it four times faster, with more vocal emphasis, and more firepower.  The drums are also insane - and we can't wait to pick up another locally produced CD of island drumming. If this can't get you through traffic hour, nothing will.
 
Other than these basics, I'm packing a light rain jacket. It may rain, it may not, it doesn't matter either way. The weather will be warm enough, and humidity high enough, that there is a negligible difference between damp and wet. Why bother, right? The important thing here is that my skin will look fabulous. Bye, wrinkles!
 
Shoes. Ah, shoes. This is where the packing weight comes in. Tevas, or hiking sandals are essential for island trekking. Water shoes are essential for water activities. Although the lagoons are relatively safe, coral, rock fish and rays are still a real concern. No need to take a chance. Dress sandals or dress shoes may be necessary for the one 'nice' outfit I'm packing. I'm not quite convinced my blue watershoes go with my brown sundress, so I think I'll squeeze that in.
 
Toiletries. Besides my face creams, shampoos, and other face-modify elixirs, the biggest items in weight and bulk are my favorite sun screens, and gallons of bug spray. Dengue fever does rear it's ugly little buggy head on this Island, so again, why take chances. After a day or two, you will learn to like the pungent lemony Picaritin poisony smell of bug spray. After all, the smell means safety. Ahhhh..cough, cough...barf....safety.
 
Books, games, playing cards, movies, coloring, 220 New Zealand electric plug adapters, etc. are also necessary weight evils. You don't NEED these things, but life is so much more fun with a little diversion. Besides, you can only do hermit crab races for so long.
 
Stay tuned! Time to dig out the Passports.