One Bag Debrief

Background and context:

1 bag 1 device 10 days in Bali

I do not recall the last time I traveled by myself. That is actually a good thing because of course I travel with my wife, my son and sometimes even my parents. I almost never travel by myself. The only occassion I recall is when I had to urgently go

Mere CivilianMereCivilian

It has been a week since I got back from Bali; it would be an understatement to say that it has been an eventful week. It often puzzles me that the world works in such mysterious way that after every vacation, the amount of work I have often doubles the amount of work I left behind.

7KG does not sound like a lot but this trip has proved that it's more than enough. There is a special sense of comfort carrying around everything one needs and having the assurance of permanently removing the risk of losing the luggage. I remember, I took a trip to Fiji prior to COVID and the airline lost my luggage. I still recall going to a store in Fiji to buy new underwear because a man needs underwear. From that day, its always at the back of my mind that my luggage might not be traveling with me. AirTags provide some comfort, but it is not a sure thing.

At the airport, the process was seamless because no physical check-in is required. Two nights before, I checked in online and added my boarding pass to my Google Wallet (this also tracks my flight, how cool).

So, when I got to the airport, I went straight through security and passport control, quickly walked past duty-free and grabbed a coffee. Since I had time to kill, I thought I would keep myself busy playing around with my only electronic device, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Unfortunately, while propping it up on the MagSafe stand, I accidentally hit my coffee mug and spilled it over the table. Thankfully, none on me or my things. Not the best of starts and didn't feel good spilling coffee that I paid over AUD8 moments ago.

Anyway, after hanging around the gate aimlessly, in no time, I boarded and was on my way to Bali. I have travelled a lot and over the years; I have found airports to be more stressful, but this time around, things were a lot calmer, a lot easier. Perhaps because I was travelling by myself, perhaps because I had everything I needed close to me, or perhaps I just got lucky. It is probably a combination of all of the above.

Coming back was equally easy. Same process: checked in online, downloaded boarding pass to Google Wallet, and went straight through passport control and security. Meanwhile, on both occasions, I noticed a huge line of people checking in and dropping off their luggage. Bali airport had better food options compared to Melbourne. I enjoyed a very well-made kaya toast. Oh boy, I love a good kaya toast. So even at 7pm, I had toast. That was my dinner. By 8pm, I was boarded and ready to take off.

Despite my many attempts, I probably got an hour's sleep in the 5.5 hour flight from Bali to Melbourne. I landed at 5am Melbourne time, 2am in Bali. I was tired and sleepy and, admittedly, a little cranky. While others waited for their bags, I walked out like a king, grabbed an Uber, and was on my way home. That feeling boosted me for the rest of the day.

The Bag

When I weighed the bag at Melbourne Airport, I couldn't believe that it was exactly 7Kg. It turned out I was worried needlessly because, other than myself, no one else weighed my bag.

In that bag, I packed:

• 5 t shirts
• 6 underwear
• 5 socks
• 4 shorts
• 1 long pants
• 1 vest
• 1 slippers
• 1 tech pouch
• 1 toiletry kit

Looking back, I would have been fine with 2 less t-shirts and shorts. I did laundry once, and that is all I needed.

This bag comes in two versions; I bought the smaller 30l one (paid AUD 200) and I think I made the right choice.

There is a balance to be struck here because other than carrying the bare essentials, anything extra is basically dead weight on my shoulders, and these shoulders are not getting any younger.

So when is the next 1 bag only trip?

I am going away for a week in April but that is a road trip so the benefits of 1 bag are limited, but I still intend to only take one bag on that trip. However, we have a family holiday coming up in June to go New Zealand and I am currently in deep negotiations with my wife encouraging her we should be a one-bag family on that trip. We will have three carry - on bags between myself, my wife, and my son, equating to 21kg, which is more than sufficient. She has not given in yet, but I am persistent. The bad news for me is that my wife is the most persistent person I know. She is unlikely to give in.