Covid 19 has left many of us in travel despair, depending on where we are in the world. For some, it's a case of closed borders; for others, it's a game of Russian roulette with the bug to satisfy their wandering lustful urges. Wherever it is you can manage to go to, there are absolute necessities upon returning home that should not be forgotten.
From bubbling over with excitement pre-holiday to now having post-holiday funk—swimwear that has turned a delightful moldy mess in your luggage, discovering that your sunnies are missing, or being greeted by an over-fed lazy dog that hasn't been taken care of as per your instructions—post-holiday life can be a bitch.
Pedantic and super tidy souls will unpack the moment they cross their home's threshold. In contrast, others will dump their stuff and recline on a cushion-stuffed lounge with a strong drink in their hand and an after-holiday glow of contentment. Whichever post-traveler personality you are, at some point, you will need to do a post-travel checklist.
Below are some tips to keep you sane and your bank balance intact as much as it can be:
Travel Insurance Claims
Don't mess around with this one and make any insurance claims that you may need to, straight away. The fine print on travel insurance policies often stipulates a time limit for claiming. Ring or email and ensure that you have all of the details/documents on hand when making your claim.
Eyeball Your Bank and Credit Card Statements
Check for expenditure that you didn't incur and double charges, especially if you have been using unsecured Internet connections in foreign countries. Report any issues you may have to your bank immediately. For those who can't remember splashing out on that thousand-dollar dinner in the restaurant that you just had to go to, it may be time to do a post-holiday budget.
Mobile Phone Antics
If you relied on Whatsapp, Skype, or another similar way of staying in touch, this reminder wouldn't apply. If you arranged for an international cell phone package pre leaving home, make sure to remove this package from your phone. There's no point in paying for something that you are not using anymore.
Empty Your Email Bulge
If you totally disconnected and went off-grid, your email box is probably about to explode. Grab a drink of your favorite beverage—nutritious but smelly durian fruit juice to put you back in Malaysian beach-side bliss, or maybe a Manhattan cocktail to reminisce about your night at the sexy bar of the Regent Hotel in Singapore. Whatever your pleasure is, you will need libation to wade your way through your email inbox. Zip through on a mission of delete-delete, unless it's from your boss telling you to get back to work. Remember to turn off your "out of office" auto-message. Maybe send a quick email to friends or family that you have returned home and are open to any dinner invitations for a home-cooked meal.
Be Gentle with Yourself
Gallivanting around on holidays can take its toll on your body. Indulge in some 'me' time. Replenish your fluids of the healthy type, have a nana nap to overcome jet lag, and eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit to counter-balance your penchant for overindulging in camembert slathered on crusty bread.
Did You Get Those Loyalty Points?
Who's counting? Everyone loves to see their loyalty point balance go up, whether for hotel stays or flights. Hang onto your receipts until you ensure that you have been credited with all the points you deserve.
Feel Good Post-Travel Actions
Are you overflowing with the milk of human kindness? Think about donating to a charity giving back to wildlife or the locals of where you have been on holiday.
Photograph Critic
Do you really need to keep those fifty photos of a sloth hanging in a tree? Hit the delete button on excess or out of focus holiday photographs. Take the time to label with a name that picture of a pile of rubble, which is actually ancient ruins. Otherwise, you will be scratching your head, five years down the track, as to what the picture is.
Sharing is Caring
If you weren't busy posting on social media while you were in the throes of your holiday, you might want to when you get home. Whether it's for self-validation of how great you are at picking a fabulous holiday destination, or you want to share your most embarrassing holiday moments. Your social media peers will have the opportunity to comment or post emojis ad nauseam.
Don't forget when you have finished doing your post-travel checklist to start planning your next holiday.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
