What not to forget when you are going out of the country for months

It's not the first time we've spent a long time abroad, although you wouldn't know it from our ‘packing skills’. We started making a packing list over a week in advance and still forgot to bring a few essential items. And the embarrassing thing is: for some items, it's absolutely not the first time we've forgotten them... Of course, almost everything can be bought abroad (unless you're on a deserted island), but it's still a bit of a shame that we have things at home in triplicate because we keep forgetting to pack them. So to prevent you from making the same mistakes: this list is now marked with big exclamation points in my notes as ‘standard packing list’. Plus a few essential tips to keep your suitcase from getting too heavy.

Consider what you can and cannot buy on location

In the past, I used to take three bags of beauty products, vitamin pills, etc. But if you're staying somewhere for more than a month, it's much more convenient to buy a few of those heavy items (shampoo, body lotion, pill bottles) upon arrival. Who knows, you might discover some cool brands that aren't available in the Netherlands!

If you're traveling light

Double-check the essential packing list! I've once driven around the entire island of Curaçao twice looking for a specific baby formula (with no results). And I swear by certain baby wipes, so I also take some extra packs with me.

Don't take too many clothes!

Especially if you're away for a long time, it's tempting to want to bring a stack of nice outfits. But you also have to lug all that stuff back and forth, not to mention what you might potentially shop for. So don't take too much and make the washing machine your new friend at your temporary address.

Universal power adapter

Literally forgotten five times already and soon there will be six of them at our home. For anyone who wants to borrow one...

All chargers for your devices

Have you ever experienced that you just can't find that specific adapter for your camera abroad? Say goodbye to all those nice vacation pictures.

HDMI cable

This allows you to connect your laptop/tablet to a TV and watch Netflix on the TV, which is nice when you're away for a long time and don't have to squint at that small screen all the time.

External speaker

I quickly feel at home when I can play my own music in the background. Also handy to keep Otis entertained with Nijntje songs.

Sunglasses

Jon is now a pro at this. He always forgets to pack his sunglasses. Now he loses them anyway within a month, so it doesn't really matter whether he buys one on location or takes one from home (he lost it here in LA after a week and a half...).

Extra bag/suitcase

We have this ultra-handy trolley that you can fold down to a very small package. Ideal if you think you'll be bringing back more stuff than you took with you (the count is already at 2 extra pairs of sneakers for Jon, 2 pairs for Otis, and one pair for me...). Of course, you have to take that bag with you in your suitcase.

Games

We usually play Yahtzee or cards abroad, so you would expect that you wouldn't forget this. The count at home is, I believe, four Yahtzee sets and 3 decks of cards.