Pam, your memory amazes me (sly fox that you are). I forgot, that was one of the fun parts of planning this trip!

Memory??? Pam is the best -

I need the help of this group:

The topic is: Hats

Of course, I need one. The question is which?

An Indiana Jones style Australian hat or a baseball style hat with a drape off the back & down the neck ala Larry of the desert.

What do you all think? The price is about the same, so that is of no matter.

Doug

Doug, the packing list said a wide brim hat so I will be bringing an Indiana Jones style hat. Of course, pith helmets might survive being crammed in a duffle better.

Doug, when I was on Silversea a couple of years ago on a cruise to Asia, There was a dermatologist aboard. His clothing, though wise, was almost comic. He had on long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wore white gloves on every excursion. I would suppose they also had DEET imbedded in the fabric. In addition, he had this white hat that had it all. Big brim all the way around, in addition to that drape off the back and down the neck. You pick the look. I for one think Marc has it right with the Indiana Jones look (with a rope to hold it on your head!) We'll all have plenty of SPF 30 with us. Hell, the game drives are almost before the sun comes up, and after it sets!

We have had Tilley hats for years, I'm bringing those plus a couple of widebrim hats for me, just for 'fun' on the tours.

Pam:

I had never heard of Tilley hats. I just googled; they look pretty good. Did you get directly from Tilley or from third party?

I bought them in a store in the French Quarter, in New Orleans, simply because that was where I stumbled across them. We have always done a lot of saltwater fishing, and I was going through hats like mad until I found those. Plus, my son (who is fair and burns badly) has a really big head, and they could fit him. They are great hats and come with an awesome warranty.

I just bought a Tilley Hat and wore it in India. It is a little too light in color for me but they really have a neat way of staying on in the wind. There is a chin strap but also a strap at the back that keeps it really snug even in the wind. I kind of like the look of the Columbia hats better but sticking with my Tilley hat for now.

I washed it when I came home and it washed like a rag and did dry very quickly and looks like new.

NOT cheap! I bought mine in a baggage store and sure I paid top dollar for it but it was the day before we left for India. Mine was about $60 I think.

I wore my Tilley Hat all the time in FP, including in the pictures I posted. I'm sure I'll wear it all the time on TUSK. There are a few different styles, and I think they have a lighter and darker beige. They come in exact sizes, so it isn't a bad idea if you can try one on, if you're not sure. As was said, I think they have a lifetime warranty, they wash easily, and they pack flat. Marc, I happened to find mine in a store in Georgetown, but that was several years ago. (I'm pretty sure I have a T3.)

-------------

Eugene

Yup! $60 is right.
I just bought one today.

It fits, looks rather well & it is waterproof W/ UV blocking stuff.
BUT, I am told that you can mash it down when you pack & it springs back to life!

& I do look good in it.....

Doug

Doug, I just bought mine today too! Here is a photo of me in it!
Oops, worked today when I sent it to Suzanne! Its the Hemp thing, big brim! Still trying, with Karen's help!

Do you folks think we're really going to need one in the early am and evening? Would a baseball hat do?

Andi, exactly my thoughts. But since I live at the beach, and have done almost NO shopping for this trip, luggage or otherwise, I liked the idea when I heard of the Tilley hat! Last hat I bought was a La Scala Collection straw hat. Love that hat, but it is getting squished from my cruises. Since Ngaire said this one washes "like a rag", I bought it as much for the beach as this trip! A baseball hat will be fine, I'm sure! Even though Doug got sucked into the Tilley thing like me!

A baseball cap will be 100% perfectly fine Andi that is all I normally wear. I bought my hat on a whim and more for India than for Africa.

Great. I bought very little for this trip...just my jacket and a backpack.

No luggage? Editing to say that I remember luggage being bought for a birthday...but not squishable stuff for this trip! Tumi...the best!

I got a Tumi backpack which is light and totally squishable. I also got two Tumi normal carryon rollabouts in 20 and 22 inch. All three suitcases came to under $300. We have a Tumi discount store. I am giving Doug my duffle to weigh this week. I can lift it fairly easily, so it probably isn't at the 44 lb. limit. Just to check...the 44 lb does not include the backpack?

44 lbs is for checked luggage only. There was an earlier post from Marc that said there is a limit for carry-on, but not sure that this is our airline for flight to Livingtone

Marc

Moderatee


posted March 18, 2006 07:56 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andi:

Here are the regulations from Nationwide Air's site:


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabin Baggage Allowance:

Cabin Number of pieces and max dimensions
(length+width+height)
max weight
Business Class
1 piece
Total dimensions 115 cm
(length + height + width)
Not weighing more than 12kg

Executive Economy Class
2 pieces
Total dimensions 115 cm
(length + height + width)

Total not weighing more than 12 kg

Economy Class
1 piece
Total dimensions 115 cm
(length + height + width)
Not weighing more than
7 kg

This was my mistake. We are flying COMAIR instead of Nationwide. However, the 7kg number is pretty standard. I think we might have to pay excess charges as will have a rollaboard (around 7kg), camera bag, and small tote.

I'm just going to bring a visor. I have never worn hats, mostly because of my height deficiency. When I put on a wide rimmed hat it makes me look like a mushroom ;) .

Marc, is COMAIR associated with British Airways?

Yes. I think I posted it under COMAIR thread.

We just came back from a spur of the moment shopping trip. Sports Authority had all Columbia gear 25% off. We both got hats and I got shirts and pants.

Now I have to go and refigure the packing list.

I'm nervous now. I am right aren't I? Since we aren't taking any pre or post trips, only Vic Falls, our duffles can be 44 pounds each?

Andi - if you need to shop here, let me know, I can direct you to the jungle gear stores.

Thanks, Kathy. I think I have everything and am all packed.

Don't be nervous Andi - you're right. 44 lbs is the limit if you're just doing Vic Falls.

Best of luck on your interview! :)

Just a suggestion. I always take one of those small fold out duffles with me. They fold into a tiny pouch, are made of strong but light nylon, This way if you have a full case and buy any "goodies" you have an extra bag to bring them home. They weigh nothing and usually are about 5x5 total size when folded down some even smaller. I often use it for a dirty clothes bag as well. It always comes in handy. If everyone has full bags this is a good idea to bring.

I have one of those, bought it on one of the Carib islands for just this purpose. Thanks for reminding us, now all I have to do is FIND it.

As usual, my Joanna is the last to start packing. She doesn't have "the book", so she didn't know the neutral colors rule, and bought the wrong hat.

Olivia, Joanna didn't have to buy that hat, she could of just borrowed mine :)