What in the World do people put in those huge suitcases when they go on beach holidays? I often manage with only carry-on for even as much as a week.

A jet-ski, water skis, inflatable raft, beach umbrella to avoid renting one, and full scuba gear? A full wardrobe of flip-flops? Gallons of sun-block?

When traveling with a friend, you save on airfare that way. Heads you get the airplane seat, tails...

Their own sheets and pillowcases... don't you know how filthy the hotel's are? Oh, and towels too. And jars of peanut butter.

The first time we went to Thailand, we did not know about the laundry situation and took enough clothes for 14 days. Each suitcase weighed 69.5 pounds with an international limit of 70 pounds. Thai Air let us slide on internal flights. Left some stuff there so we could bring back other, better stuff.

They party every night in designer gowns. When a young friend went on her beach wedding, she borrowed my 30" suitcase which was sitting in the garage collecting dust just to pack her wedding gown in it and nothing else.

My husband has become the luggage nazi, and NEVER lets us check bags any more, even on three-week trips to fashionable destinations or multiple climates. He is so committed to carrying on that he has even driven to LAX before a vacation to make sure our bags will fit in various international airline's sizers.

For a detailed account of what it's like to travel with a luggage nazi, take a look at my in-progress trip report on the Afica board:

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-adventure.cfm