Tumbrella

By Jo Tilley

You’ve all read lists of essential travel items: backpack, clothes (they are handy), shampoo, blah de blah. But if you’re anything like me this useful information flies in one ear and out the other. “Come back, come back,” you yell. But it won’t.

So Tumbrella has created a magical term to help you remember the most valuable items. What is it? It’s SPACE JAB of course! Just think of SPACE JAB as a little travel injection of knowledge before you start your adventures. Three, two, one…. Let’s do it!

S is for SUNSCREEN – Director Baz Luhrmann who’s both an Australian and intelligent (a very unusual combination) knows just how important sunscreen is. Watch this for confirmation.

P is for PARACETAMOL – Why is it that when you feel like shit you never have paracetamol? Is it because the parrots ate them all? To avoid this problem make sure you pick ‘n pack a few packets of pills into your backpack (now say that fast). People might think you are on a suicide mission but it beats walking around for pharmacies when you feel like death.

A is for AUSSIE PHRASE BOOK – Or alternatively watch a few episodes of Home and Away before your departure. The phrases these guys come out with are something else. For example, they really do say fair dinkum, struth and splash the boots (that means going to pee).

C is for CONDOMS – You probably don’t want to come back home with a baby, aids, or an aids baby so condoms are a good plan. But just make sure they don’t expire if the trip turns out to be longer than expected (I’ve learnt my lesson from this one).

E is for EAR PLUGS – They come in handy when people are using the above-mentioned device in the same dorm as you.

J is for JUMPERS – It does get cold in Australia. Fact.

A is for ADAPTOR – There’s a reason why your mum always insists on shoving an adapter in your bag even when you are screaming at her to fuck off (or is that just me?). It turns out they can be quite handy if you want to use electrical devices from home (ie hair straighteners, computers etc).

B is for BRANSTON – I don’t miss food from home but on occasion I strangely pine for Branston pickle. Whilst they love their sauces in Oz, unfortunately, I haven’t come across any Branston yet. And if anyone ever sings “Bring out the Branston”, you’ve got one neat party trick.

So guys, be serious, start organising, get packing and don’t forget to take your SPACE JAB.

Brought to you by Tumbrella – travel advice that’s out of this world.