I actually packed rather well this time. We took gifts for everyone with us, which left space on the way home for their gifts to us. We also travelled with half-empty suitcases so that we could bring local goodies home with us. I like to buy local beauty products, summer clothing and snacks.
Instead of lugging two large suitcases everywhere with us during our stay, we borrowed smaller suitcases for our short trips. This made an incredible difference because we just took what we needed and could leave our winter clothes, gifts from family and extra purchases with family while we did a road trip. Another great thing for us this time was the ability to do laundry along the way, meaning we could pack fewer clothes, and also did not have to do giant loads laundry when we arrived home. The laundry smelled of sunshine, and dried within an hour!
The luggage allowance was 2 x 23kg (total 96kg for both of us) hold luggage each, plus 7kg hand luggage each. In the end we had 23kg + 17kg (40kg for both of us).
I bought three pairs of light cotton trousers, one dress, two tank tops, one t shirt and one pair of flip flops. I also bought local beauty products, which did weigh quite a bit, but all in all we did come back relatively light. I like rooibos beauty products and products for very curly hair, so I tend to buy my favourites.
The only thing I overpacked was jeans. I took three pairs and I could have only taken one pair. You never know what the weather is going to do though, so I am rather pleased with myself this time.
I bet you really miss being able to dry clothes outside all year round
Well done on the packing. This is something that I never really manage to get right. One year, we were going to Mallorca and I thought I would be minimalistic and hand wash a few things but it took absolutely forever to dry (over a day!…) and it was still a bit damp… I also like the idea of going with a half empty suitcase and buying clothes on site when needed!…
For me it all depends on the weather. When I go to Ireland or the south of Sweden I always pack too few warm clothes and end up buying some. When I got to South Africa from Sweden I tend to overpack warm clothes, even though I could always borrow some from family.
It’s the other way round for me: plenty of warm clothes, not many “cool” clothes… One day, maybe!…
The first time I went to the USA (Southern California not far from LA) I took a half empty case, my wife took another, and we bought clothes locally as we needed them, we made friends there and visited quite a few “Swap Meets” where we could buy almost anything we needed (I don’t trust underwear to be washed before buying). We both came home with two full suitcases (including gifts for people at home).