The Packing List

Before we left for St. John we set a goal of only checking 2 bags, each being under 50 lbs.

Our purpose was not only to reduce baggage fees, but also to make us ultra conscious about what we packed. We wanted to find a balance between being comfortable in St. John with our familiar stuff, not having to buy too much stuff that we already had (remembering we were moving into a mostly unfurnished efficiency apartment, onto an island with limited and expensive shopping), having our fully functioning office and not over-packing.

We’re proud to say – we met the goal, with 3 lbs to spare!

Our goal did not include our carry-on items, and we did end up shipping over a couple priority flat rate boxes of stuff we wouldn’t need immediately.

We’ve had a few requests to share our packing list of what we decided to take with us for our five month stay in the islands, so here it is:

Checked Baggage:

Medium Rollerboard Suitcase:

Cherie’s Clothing:

• Shoes: Vibram Treks, Vibram Sprints, Crocs Sandles, Ecco Sandals
• 7 Tops
• 5 interchangeable bathing suit pieces / halter tops
• Wrap Pants
• 2 Sarongs (multi use: towels, clothing, curtains, couch covering)
• 5 lightweight stretchy dresses
• 2 Skorts, 1 pair of shorts, 1 pair stretch knit pants
• 3 bras & 10 pair of undies
• Pair of socks
• Hiking Pants
• Dressy skirt (for possible upcoming business trips)

General items:

• Pinnacle Base Camper Cookset by GSI Outdoors (the nesting cookware we’ve used in the RV for years, love it!)
• Global 5-Inch Cook’s Knife (a perfect all around high quality knife for small spaces)
• Silicon hot pad
• Lighter wand
• Spatula
• Small scissors
• Fusionbrands Ice Orb -Vertical Ice Cube Tray (best ice tray ever, great for RV freezers.. or any freezer without an ice maker!!)
• Jetz Scrubz Scrubber Sponge Round (love love love this sponge!)
• 2 melamine plate bowls
• 2 forks, 2 spoons
• 2 Tervis Tumbler 17 oz. Mugs (awesome versitile insulated hot/cold cups)
• Quick fix meals for first day (rice/beans, Tasty Bites)
• 3 lbs of cat litter
• 2 week supply of cat food
• Go Kitty Go foldable travel cat litter pan
• 6 month supply of Advantage heartworm & flea/tick prevention
• 2 collapsable hiking sticks
• 2x Sets of Ogg Poi (multi-use hobby & mood lighting)
• Basic toiletries (baking soda. apple cider vinegar, bath soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, hair brushes, razors, etc.)
• Basic medicines (pain relievers, allergy meds, first aid kit)
• Pillow cases (to initially be stuffed with clothing)
• 2 foldable re-usable shopping bags
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Electric Trimmer / Attachements / Charger
• Roll of toilet paper (fit inside ice orb perfectly!)

REI Backpack

Chris’ Clothes:

• Shoes – Vibram Treks, Vibram Sprints, Croc Santa Cruz, Croc Flops
• 10 button down casual shirts
• 4 T-shirts
• Wrap Pants
• 2 sarongs (multi-use)
• Swim trunks
• 2 pairs of hiking pants
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 1 belt
• 8 pairs of undies
• 3 pairs of socks

General Items:

• Calphalon Nonstick 10-Inch Wok (best.. small size wok.. ever!)
• DVD Binder (Install discs)
• Hypermac external battery for Macbook Pros (MBP option no longer available, due to lawsuit with Apple)
• Nexaira NexConnect 3G/4G SOHO Router (Note: NexAira sent us an evaluation unit, so far – loving it!)
• Partial role of paper towels
• Tool Kit: Snap-On Screwdriver, Mini-Screwdriver Kit
• Queen fitted sheet
• Lapdome (Note: Lapdome sent us an evaluation unit – great shade tent for using a laptop outside!)
• Book (Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life)
• La Crosse Technology WS-9080U-IT Wireless Temperature Station
• Power Strip & Extension Cord

Carry-on Luggage:

Over the shoulder soft cat carrier :

• Cat
• 2-days food
• Retractable leash

Rollerboard laptop overnight case:

• 15″ Macbook Pro (Cherie’s old laptop, to be an emergency back-up) & charger
• Altec Lansing iMT620 – iPhone speakers/dock/FM radio
• Canon PIXMA iP100 Mobile Color Printer (Power Supply, USB Cable, Ink, Photo / Regular Paper)
• 6 lbs of cat litter
• REI Microfiber Towel (used to cushion tech, and our initial towel)
• Queen size flat sheet
• Essential documents & check books
• Stamps & Envelops
• Technomadia photo books

Laptop backpack #1:

• 17″ Macbook Pro (Cherie’s primary computer) & charger
• iPhone 4 & charger
• iPad 3G (Stand, Case, Sync / Charge Cable & USB Chargers)
• Sprint EX720 Aircard
• Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Still my favorite ultra compact HD still/video camera)
• Small Flashlight
• Cherie’s waist pouch

Laptop backpack #2:

• 15″ Macbook Pro (Chris’ primary computer) & charger
• 5 external drives (media & back-ups)
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera (Still Chris’ favorite camera)
• Cradlepoint CTR-350 Cellular Travel Router (Black)
• LED Headlamp & Small flashlight
• Elgato Systems EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner Stick
• Extension cord
• Bluetooth headset & charger
• iPhone charger

Mailed boxes:

Box 1 – 10.5 lbs – Large Flate Rate Box

• Tension Training bands gifted to us by Muscle Activate.
• Spices
• Cat treats / toys
• Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets
• Sunscreen
• ‘when I grow up I wanna be like me’ stickers (cuz we plan to spread the joy around the island!)

Box 2 – 7 lbs – Medium Flat Rate Box

• Crafting kit
• Fire & practice poi