What is the one thing you forgot?

[Kathrine]

Having just returned from Abaco, I thought it might be helpful for others to start a thread listing the one or two items that you didn't bring that really would have been nice to have. The item we didn't think to pack: BINOCULARS!!

[Knockdown]

Great idea for a post!

Wasabi, ginger and soy! For the fisherman.

[netphreak]

Heh.

Enough sunscreen and a surfboard repair kit

[Summerview]

2 Flashlights, as many people forget there are not a lot of lights, especially out on the cays.

[Hank G]

Kneepads, for getting home from Cracker P's after dark.

[momshell]

Enough time or cash.

[abacomah]

Insulated drink holder with top and plastic straw. Really need those on boat and golf cart so you don't waste your drinkhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

I forgot a piece of me when I left Abaco because I really hate leaving. Guess I just have to go back and get it...nope I guess I have to go back and stay with it....I'll take Willy back and we'll just stay there one day for good!!!!!

[siestalola]

The one thing I forgot...was to leave 75% of the contents of my suitcase at home. We had way TOO much stuff.

SiestaLola

[Shelby]

I'm with siestalola - I always pack way too many clothes. What I did forget, however, was LONG PANTS. We were in Abaco over last Christmas/New Years and on a couple of windy days, it was cool and I would have loved some long pants. :-)


S.

[f-stop]

couple of candles

[johnrudy]

needles for getting daily splinters out of our feet from the pool deck. Had to buy a pkg.

[Henz]

Alot of humerous posts, all very true though.I will go along with "enough money" meaning enough CASH..I was down to my last bills when we got to the airmort in Marsh..Thought we were all set. Until I was asked for $40 for the departure fee for the wife and I..Only had $27 in cash on me... Had to grab a cab and find an ATM, then back again..Had to pay the cab $20, luckily I took out alittle extra!

[BahamaAngie]

I always forget my binoculars, well actually it is only one thing to look through, is it than a binocular? But you need that to check out what is going on out on the water.
And luckily they had this big yard sale, so we were able to pick up plastic cups with tops and straws that had Dolphin encounter on them. They were something like 50 cents each. Such a deal! And we could bring our soda (?)on the beach, hee hee. Oh, just to be sitting on a nice beach chair sipping a drink staring at that gorgeous color water. I remembered candles two years in a row! But flashlights is a great idea. There always seem to be a blackout at some point.

[conchyjoe]

Really need those on boat and golf cart so you don't waste your drinkhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif
You should not drink and drive. you might hit a bump and spill your drink!

My wife never understands why I ALWAYS pack those kind of things.

[abacomah]

siestalola (http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/member.php?u=3417) has a good point. Instead of saying 1/2 the clothes and twice the money maybe we should change it to "1/4 the clothes and four times the money".

ConchyJoe, I never drink and drive....I am always the passengerhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif That reminds me of a time when we were doing one of our golf cart tours around Treasure. Down Windard Rd I think there is a half circle road which has some houses on it on opposite side of the Sea of Abaco. We had three full golf carts with the whole family. My daughter, now 33, had one of her favorite beverages and they took the turn down this road...too fast I guess and she spilled her drink. She yelled "PARTY FOUL". We all still laugh about that years later. She wasn't drivin either. http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[luvabaco]

I have been a lurker for a while. This is my first post. This Board is great and this thread is very entertaining.

Bug Spray and hats. Got to have hats in that sun. Good news is if you forget something you can probably buy it there.

[elcahun]

I forgot to quit my job, so I had to leave...

[darnold]

I forgot my name one afternoon at Nippers...

No REALLY, I forgot that the surcharge is $3.00 per minute for using your cell phone, that was an ugly cell phone bill reminder a month later.

Gator

[siestalola]

One other thing I forget....to bring the kids!

Next time we are bringing them with us.

SiestaLola

[abbyliz]

I forgot my hairdryer (don't own one anyway) and hair product, heels and dress-up clothes.

I forgot my work, my stress and my neurosis over slightly annoying things that my significant other puts up with oh-so nicely in the real world.

I forgot that I'm a vegetarian and don't eat fish. Or that I am scared of boats. Or that shots of tequilla are a bad thing. (And forgot why frozen nippers should be outlawed)

I was glad I did.

Seriously, though ... I forget to bring my favorite comfy sundress with built-in bra that feels oh-so good after a day in the sun. Never enough books (I don't fish, I read while others fish). Camera issues: Either bring a laptop and a USB cord to upload your photos off your camera, or bring an extra memory card. Some days, it's so pretty you can only keep clicking. Every year I say I'll bring my favoirte meal-replacement bars so that my picky-eating habits don't hamper the rest of the people in our group. Brad, every single year, says he needs to bring bait (or at least buy it on Marsh Harbour) because we've had a hard time getting it on Guana.

[Cathy Arizona]

I never forget to relax, enjoy, eat too many loaves of Vernon's bread and too many slices of key lime pie, too much sun, too much fun, too much JOY.

What I have forgotten was a rain poncho during December. And matches. One year I had a key lime pie for my birthday. I picked up a few candles (don't want to burn the house down) but couldn't find matches without buying a big ol' box of them. Through the streets of Hope Town I tried in vain to bum some matches from someone, any one. Just a match to light my candles. Finally, a young guy who worked at the marina gave me his cigarette lighter. Knowing how much everything costs over there I made sure to return it.

[wendywolford]

Batteries!! We usually don't forget them, but always are in need.

[chestnc]

I agree, this is a good thread. One time there I forgot to bring my tooth brush. But that was an easy fix. Also the first time there we brought too many clothes. We had two suitcases each for one week. We know better now. Keep it casual and simple. Will be going back next week, Nov. 3rd. Can't wait!

[Cathy Arizona]

Chestnc:
I'm envious of your upcoming trip. Be sure to give us a trip report when you return and hopefully a few pics. 218 days for us. Meanwhile, I'll keep lurking on this board and enjoying hearing about everyone else's trip.

One thing we hate to forget is our favorite spice. I'm amazed how many times something as simple as seasoned salt is not in the kitchen cupboards.

[netphreak]

I forgot my name one afternoon at Nippers...

No REALLY, I forgot that the surcharge is $3.00 per minute for using your cell phone, that was an ugly cell phone bill reminder a month later.

Gator
You don't know a bad Bahamian cell phone bill until it comes back at a little over $4,000. ;)

[johnj]

This actually happened.

In the early 1980's, a group of us returned to TC for an annual vacation. I told everyone in the group that each of us HAD to bring a couple of cans of COCO LOPEZ, which is a coconut mixer used to make rum drinks. They all grudgingly obliged.
When we arrived, two of the ladies discovered that the cans of goo had exploded in their suitcases.

They were further irked at me when we walked into the TC grocery to find about 600 cans of COCO LOPEZ stacked neatly on the shelves!
The moral is that you can USUALLY find what you need in ABACO.

[abacomah]

One other thing I forget....to bring the kids!

Next time we are bringing them with us.

SiestaLolasiestalola (http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/member.php?u=3417)
Willy and I forgot our four children on purpose for eight years. Finally in 1996 we took them and now they won't ever let us forget them again! If we plan a trip just for the two of us we get the "poor poor pitiful me I can't go?" You'll love trips with your children. Abaco is a great family place.

This reminds me of a little ceramic plaque I picked up. Now I have to say I LOVE my four children and they are now all voting age so we have a lot of laughs. Here goes:

Ichild-proofedthe house

But they keep

Getting in Anyway!

[Henz]

Netphreak......did you add an extra "0" to that phone bill?? Please say you did..How could anyone have a bill like that for cell usage????????

[Cathy Arizona]

ABACOMAH:
Same thing happened to us. When we finally took the kids we got them addicted. Now it's passed on to the grandkids!! We have to sneak away to go to Abaco alone. I think they're finally on to our country code "Ocaba". (You know that that country of Ocaba in South America somewhere?!?)

[Sunchaser]

Cork screw for wine bottles. My daughter learned a little trick in college. She can crack the top off of a wine bottle without puting any glass into the bottle. Makes you wonder what else she learned in college....Also, raincoats. Spring for the $5.00 ones versus the really cheap plastic ones. They come in handy if you get caught in the rain...going into the terminal at M.H. or a quick storm that gives you a good chill in the boat. Does any of this sound familiar???

[netphreak]

Henz: No, it was $4,218

Think about a teenager who likes to call people, often. Add to that some rum and coke, and you have yourself a really steep phone bill. Thank god it wasn't mine, but a friend that came with us.

[watertoots]

Kneepads, for getting home from Cracker P's after dark.

And a helmut! :o

[elcahun]

You mean a "little shower" like this?

[Kathrine]

Thanks for all of your replies everyone! Like several of you, we (as usual) took WAY more clothes than we needed. We decided that we would have been fine with a couple of pair of shorts, a couple of swim suits, 4 t shirts, maybe some underwear, and that's about it. Maybe next time.....................

[AbacoRica]

This is a great idea for a thread -- I have been away for a while, but wanted to check out the Board since I have an upcoming trip. Always a pleasure to get back!

I ALWAYS bring too many clothes, you would think after almost 10 years I would learn! I am going to pack my bag and then go through it to take out half, but the essentials such as a float, digital camera and tumbler with top will stay. I forget to bring enough books when I go -- with nothing to do but relax, I usually zoom right through them in Abaco. Anyone read any "must reads" lately that I should pick up at the bookstore?

[bobkalm]

If you stay in a house & plan to cook ( a lotta fish, we hope) bring your favorite SHARP chef's knife or filet knife. They hurt a lot less than a dull knife when you cut your thumb....
The Grumpy Old Fisherman

[coldhands]

" bring your favorite SHARP chef's knife or filet knife."

Be sure NOT to put it in your carry-on!

Okay... once I left for the airport without my passport. Another time I'd handled all the travelers' check buying/cash getting, and without telling me my husband packed it in HIS bag, we didn't find it until near the end of our trip, after waiting for the bank to open to get a cash advance on the credit card... aaargh! (With him blaming me for 'forgetting' it all)

You can't find any contact lens supplies on the cays. Trust me I checked all the stores!

Another thing we forgot - the customs rules. Hubby loves the Cuban coffee down there, so we bought $80 worth at Vernon's to bring home. Several conversations later (via Pattie, the local consulate as well as Cruisers' Net hostess extraordinaire!) we realized that while not likely, the maximum fines were in the thousands with detainment a real possibility, family or no, and the sense of humor our immigration/customs officers have right now it wasn't worth it. Fortunately, the folks at Vernon's were wonderful and exchanged it for us. But I understand you could theoretically put the rest of your opened bag into a Maxwell House can and nobody would likely question it. ;-)

One of the handiest things we bring is our 2-way radios - they're great for splitting up on the cays and keeping in touch.

And I'm with many of you, the reason our bags are heavy is all those books for leisurely reading!

--Kim

[Cathy Arizona]

As far as books, most the houses we've rented had plenty books to read but I also buy a few in the shops. There's a little shop in Hope Town that usually has some good ones by local writers, like "The Fledgling" and "The Long Day Wanes. . . A Memoir of Love and War" by Chester Thompson and "I Wanted Wings" by Leonard Thompson. Does anyone know if Chester Thompson has his sequel to "The Long Day Wanes" out in the book stores yet? When I was there in June I was anxious to read the next book but was told it wouldn't be out until summer.
The lady in the shop said she was anxious for the next installment too and Mr. Thompson had said it would be completed soon but wouldn't tell her the answer to the question we all have after reading his book.

[rgroseclose]

I was blessed to vist with Lenord Thompson at his home in early august and he showed us some of his new Book and even read some storys from it. This is something I will never forget he and his family were very Gracious to us. It has some Beautiful art work done with each story done by a nephew in Canada. I would expect his book will be out soon if not already, I think Steve Dodge is Publishing it. I don't know about Chesters Book though. Does anyone know if Lenords Daughters shop Monkey shines is open yet in Marsh Harbour.

[FISHBONE]

A box of tissues, so when you leave you can wipe the tears away. One week is never long enough.

[abacomah]

A box of tissues, so when you leave you can wipe the tears away. One week is never long enough.
Speaking of a box of tissues. It helps to already have your return trip planned before you leave Abaco. Not as many tears. So, don't forget to plan your next trip before the one you are on endshttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Lime Cooler]

Spare reading glasses! I had to use my prescription sunglasses to read at Cap'n Jack's at night........not good! But guess who happened to have found some and let me use them: Vernon. (Vernon has everything and can do everything, can he not?) I was sure to return them so that another needy soul could borrow them too.

[abacomah]

Inflatable float to lounge around in the Sea of Abaco and read a book for HOURS! I'm not going to forget them this time. Just ordered three for my girls and I from Overton's. (Willy doesn't want one, he can't be still for that long unless he is sleeping http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif ), Should be here today. These fold up so they are easy to pack. That's not me....that's the Overtons pic! Also we'll bring a light line long enough for each of us to have a loop on it while we are floating so we don't have to work to stay together ..... we get really lazyhttp://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif
http://www.overtons.com/graphics/products/medium/10545M.jpg

[dede]

A small notebook. The first time we went I didn't even think of it. It's fun to re-live your day with your family and enter things that you did that day or things you never want to forget. It will make a trip report easier too. I have a couple of notebooks from our trips.
Something very useful I got from the board-I took the Doge book and lamenated all the pages we were going to need. It had the tide charts, bank hours and locations, fishing spots, gas marinas, etc. Everything we needed all lamenated. We took these pages everywhere on the boat. We are planning a wedding for our daughter in 2008 and I plan on making an info. book for all the guest. Especially the guests that will rent a boat. It was so useful to look at the page and know exactly where to find stuff and how to transverse the Sea. Thanks so much to whom ever posted that suggestion a few years back. (: