Wait, BayouGal, that's singular. It would be a GREAT trip if it were plural, lol ;)

Credit card - there is rarely anything you can forget and not buy at most destinations.

Doesn't hot sauce burn holes through condoms? :-?

I can hardly get away from this forum for 5 minutes without some kind of scandal starting and my name is usually right in the middle of it. I make a few innocent remarks and looks what happens! :)

Seetheworld, now you are gonna have everyone thinking I might be a little TOO interested in his trip . . . when I was merely hoping that his short list was about traveling as opposed to his being a serial killer. Then TXTravelPro comes along with her duct tape question . . . and my, my! The plot thickens! ;-)

travel_addict

Perhaps that's what the duct tape is for? ;)

Mine are boring (and most repeats):
zip lock bags
swiss army knife
wine opener :-)
ibuprofen (see above)
wet wipes
fruit leathers/ granola bars
bottled water
sunscreen
sun hats
umbrella/ ponchos (seasonal)
Beach or picnic blanket
small flashlight
batteries

I take things that I will need on the trip but do NOT plan to bring home with me (shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.). For many items, I take just enough to last my trip. Whne packing to return home, not lugging these items back leaves more space for souvenirs.

If it is something that I have not used it at all (aloe sunburn lotion, unopened snack bars, etc.) I leave a note for the maid that she can have it or throw it away. Why haul all that heavy stuff home when I can use that space to haul my new goodies!

Another one I learned here on Fodors:

Hair clip. Great for pinning those drapes closed.

Love the shoes with the built in bottle opener. jlm mi, if you think "ewwww" then you just ain THIRSTY ENOUGH! ((B))

By the way, my husband has had his Swiss Army Knife stolen - twice! - from his checked luggage. The last time, we were coming home from Nevis, we watched them go through all our stuff in front of us. The knife was there. We connected in San Juan, (when we went through customs we were not made to open our suitcases) gave our suitcases to our ongoing airline, and when we arrived home it was missing.

Kind of leery about buying and bringing another one...

joan - :D

I was just thinking a bottle opener is small enough that I can bring one in my pocket that hasn't walked through gutters or stepped in dog poo. ;)

...wife ...?