ottawaguy,

International travel does add challenges. You will unlikely be able to pack your get home bag with you. But it would be a good idea to bring a decent first aid kit, with sealed meds - pain killers, anti-diarrhea, poly-sporin for minor cuts and antacid tablets - Gaviscon. But you will probably have to keep the kit in your checked luggage.

Once in country, make a trip (daylight) to a market district. Get at the very least a good local knife. Don't spend much on it, you will probably have to leave it behind. But while in country you will have a blade. Other local purchases could include a disposable lighter.

When I was doing the fly-in/fly-out camp job, I carried a Star Flash signal mirror in my carry-on bag. Never was asked to take it out. However, once I have my mini-sewing kit to repair a button on my work clothes and did have the scissors confiscated. They had a 1" blade/cutting surface. Very tiny scissors. But what do you do. Play by their rules or you don't get a seat on the plane.

Check the CIA World Handbook online, and check for current hazards in country. Food-borne diseases, water diseases or outbreaks of Hep-C. Make sure you get your travel immunizations before you go. If malaria is active take a mosquito net.

I guess have a list of items you want to have in country and go to the local market and buy the stuff. But then you will have to leave behind for the most part.

I am not sure that helped at all.

Mountainman.

you can bring a disposible lighter with you. i.e. smokers.
sun screen, bug repellant, tums, and q-tips are a few more things to add to gc's list.

if you go on an excursion, be sure to go to sou soua beach (pronounced sa-sue-ah), its a large market on the beach where
you can wheel and deal yourself to great bargains for personal items and souveniers. normally a lot cheaper then at your resort. for
example, the wife wanted braided hair. on the resort they wanted 2500 peso's (250$) and we got it at the beach for 150 peso's. (15$)