Packing
 

I was planning on bringing those wipes and Purell you all suggested along with me. If I run out, can you buy them in China?

Yes, you can get them here. Not only the stores catering to the foreigners (Jenny Lous, CRC, Watsons) but local stores as well. Look for the pin yin "Xiao Du" which means disinfectant. And bring some hand lotion... they dry out your skin.

Thanks, Bchen!

How do you all get everything you need in one luggage weighing less than 44 lbs? We'll be gone 2 weeks and I can't imagine bringing only one checked in luggage and one carry-on.

LostinCHina, doing laundry in China is dirt cheap. Even in Hong Kong you can get 8 lbs of laundry done for 25HKD. Just find a storefront laundry shop and they will have it done for you in about 4 hours.

I had some laundry done in hotels also and it was really reasonable compared to hotels in the US or Europe.

LynnieD,
I was planning to do laundry, good idea. Thanks!

44 lbs is more than you think. I have never learned the art of packing light but I've never exceeded the weight limit, and I bring enough for 5 weeks on a two week trip! I carry one suitcase, one carry-on and I pack an empty expandable suitcase inside my main case for stuff that I buy. I will be challenged on my next trip however. I'm going to Costa Rica in 3 weeks and while there, will be flying a domestic airline that allows 25 lbs maximum, including carry-on! Needless to say, I'll have to really cut down on what I bring. Hopefully I'll learn that less is more, otherwise I'll be thumbing my way back to San Jose.

Put all the heavy stuff in your carry on!

That may work for LostinChina but not for me. The domestic Costa Rica flight is 25 lbs INCLUDING carry-on!

They don't mean that my carry-on AND the checked in luggage has to be under 44 lbs, right? I thought the check-in luggage has to be less than 44 lbs. and the carry-on less than 11 lbs. Or am I mistaken?

I'll give it a try. I do tend to pack heavy. Will have to learn how not to this time! Thanks for the encouragement, laurieco! Good luck on your Costa Rica trip!!

LostinChina, on international flights that allow 44 lbs, that's usually for checked luggage only so don't worry. If I can manage less than 44 lbs with all the stuff I carry, anyone can! The Costa Rica thing will really be a test for me. I'm bringing the lightest suitcase I own (4 lbs) and limiting my wardrobe to nylon zip off pants, some tops and a cotton dress just in case I need to get a bit fancy. I'll have to do some surgery on the cosmetics and bring the bare minimum, that stuff tends to weigh a lot. I replaced my cd player with an ipod and my old digital camera with a new tiny one, both of which should cut down on weight. I also have to leave several pounds open for things I want to buy while there. If I can pull this off, I'll deserve a medal.

Hi Lost in China.

Travel to Asia and you are Ok for 20 kgs in checked luggage (44 lbs) AND 7 kgs in hand luggage (11 lbs). 55 lbs in all.

I am of to Singapore and India tomorrow flying Singapore air. Their luggage allowance is the same as for most all other SE asian airlines.

BTW it is not only Costa Rican domestic airlines that limit your bags so much. In the Cook Islands for instance domestic travel on Air Rarotonga has the same 25lb weight restriction as Laurieco is going to face. A good thing to find is a nice storage facility or an ameniable hotel which will look after excess luggage whilst you are traipsing round the countryside.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks, Steve and laurieco!!