Packing a Bag for Vieques (Sorry Ladies)

    Twenty Five Pounds. Remember that number and learn to love it because it will make your travels to Vieques much easier! Our first trip in 2008 my awesome wonderful wife Li Li protested that one carry on weighing 25lbs was not enough for a seven day stay. One of the few times Li Li  has ever protested our vacation plans. Quick relationship advice, always be flexible and fair. I knew 25lbs was going to be an issue and being fair and flexible I grabbed two of our carry on bags and put them on the bed. I told Li Li to get what she thought she needed for our trip and I grabbed my two things. Seriously, you should do this well in advance of your trip! I took my three swimsuits, four shirts, one pair of shorts and some flippy flops and rolled them up into a neat little spot in my carry on. Remember I will be wearing a pair of everything on the flight down so I can pack one less day of clothing. Plus most places for rent have a washer and dryer and you can wear the same said outfit on the flight back.

Green Beach aka Punta Arenas 

     Li Li gets enough clothing out for a month but that is okay I only used one third of my carry on. We went through all of the scenarios that could happen and why she would only need seven days of clothing. Yes, seven days of clothing even though we will be at the beach everyday. Yes dear you need all of that clothing, why not you only live once. Fair and flexible guys and gals. After rolling clothes, shoving shoes, cameras, and everything else under the sun we had two very stuffed carry on bags. Now to the weight scale for the tale of the tape. In his corner 22lbs and hers 31lbs it looks like we have a winner by clear knockout. I would like to thank the Boy Scouts of America for always being prepared! After further negotiations we were able to get both bags to the 25lb limit, now I call that team work! Li Li is the best at getting everything needed for all of our trips. She is very detailed and saves my butt every time we travel.

     We learned a lot of things on our first trip and one was we didn't need near the clothing we thought was needed. We laughed at all of the time we spent packing to use half of the clothes we took with us. Since the first trip there have been times I just pack my backpack, to me it is easier then a roller bag. That is me mister simple and easy, not everyone is that way. We promise you will pack too many things and find out the same as us. You have been warned of over packing for an island getaway.

     The reason for the 25lb weight is borne out of ease of traveling. We have not checked a bag in over eight years of traveling together. No standing in line to check the bag, no extra fees and puddle jumpers like for you to keep your bags to 25lbs. It is a safety issue so the little planes are not overloaded and go down in the Caribbean Ocean. Rule number one is get to the Island in one piece!  We have never missed a flight to San Juan or to Vieques and that is because of no checked bags. It also gives us less time of travel and layover in San Juan. We get off the jetliner walk a hundred yards to the stairs and down to the puddle jumpers. Layover time in SJU for us is never any longer then forty five minutes. Easy cheesy!