Travel hack: the duct-taped pen

You've been flying internationally for many hours. You have the customs and immigration forms in your hand, and all you want to do is land, get your luggage, clear customs and immigration, and go to your hotel to get some sleep. But you don't have a pen on board, and flight attendants do not have any to loan out, so your plan to have the forms already filled out, thus expediting your customs and immigration process, does not work. (On US airlines, pens are not provided in economy class. Some non-US airlines will offer pens, but most do not.)  You finally get your bags, only to find that a zipper has broken, and half of your belongings are now poking cheekily out of your bag.  And as you grab your bag off the conveyor belt, another suitcase hits your hand, cutting it and causing it to bleed. So far, the day's off to a lousy start.

But it doesn't have to be! The pen problem, the cut-on-the-hand problem, as well as the busted luggage problem can all be solved with one easy travel hack: the duct-taped pen. It's always a good idea to travel with a pen when flying internationally, because there will usually be forms to fill out, and you never know when you might need to write something down. And since you have a pen, anyway....wrap a long piece of duct tape around the pen. Now, you are traveling with your own fix-it kit: you can use the duct tape to fix your bag, create an emergency bandage, and do other repairs, and you also have a pen that is distinctive enough that you are unlikely to lose it. 

I don't have to tell you how useful duct tape is! From first aid to fashion emergencies to holding broken things together, duct tape is pretty much an all-around miracle product. Having some with you when traveling is a great idea. But few of us want to waste luggage space on a big roll of it, so having a long strip on something you will be taking anyway (the pen) is a cheap and convenient way to travel with your own fix-it kit. 

Rainy day in Honolulu?

A rainy day in Honolulu threatening to ruin your vacation? Don't let it! The island of Oahu offers many things to do beyond beaches. Here is a list of activities to consider on Oahu when the rain is threatening to cancel your surf lesson.

DIVE INTO THE ARTS

•  Honolulu Academy of Arts.This museum offers one of America's finest collections of Asian art, with world -class curators and a lovely open-air cafe inside. The museum also includes a film theater, which regularly shows independent and art films from around the world. There are also regular jazz and classical music concerts given here. www.honolulumuseum.org

•  Doris Duke's Shangri La.  Heiress Doris Duke fell in love with Islamic art on her honeymoon, and after moving to Hawaii, built a mansion that combined her love of surfing and water elements with her love of Islamic art. The result is Shangri La, a beautiful five-acre seasonal home which showcases Duke's impressive collection of Islamic art.  Built in the 1930's with spectacular views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the home functions as both a museum and a foundation of Islamic art.  Even if you're not interested in the art, the architecture and views from the home make a visit to Shangri La worth it! Tours are given daily. www.shangrilahawaii.org.

•   The Bishop Museum.The Bishop Museum is a museum of science and history, focusing on Hawaiian and other Pacific Island history. You won't find a museum like this on the mainland! The museum is also a good choice for kids, as it usually has some exhibits targeted at children, and includes a Science Adventure Center and a Planetarium.  www.bishopmuseum.org.

SWIM THROUGH HISTORY

•  U.S. Army Museum Hawaii. This museum focuses on Hawaii's participation in the United States Army, and has many exhibits that focus particularly on the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Admission is free.  www.hiarmymuseumsoc.org.

•  Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Missouri.No trip to Oahu is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. When people talk about going to Pearl Harbor, they really mean visiting the Arizona Memorial, the ship that sustained the greatest amount of damage in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. (Pearl Harbor itself is a naval base.)  Tours are free, and the site includes a well-developed museum dedicated to the attack. After browsing through the museum, you'll be taken on a boat out to the actual memorial, built directly over the sunken ship. The ship leaks oil to this day, and in the clear blue water, you can easily see the ship that is the final resting place for over 1000 sailors.  The grounds include a Japanese kamikaze attack submarine as well as the U.S.S. Bowfin, a submarine that was in service during WWII. I suggest you begin the day with a tour of the Arizona Memorial, and then move on to a tour of the U.S.S. Missouri. For America, WWII began with the attack on Pearl Harbor, and it ended with Japan's surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri, which was in Tokyo Bay at the time. Beginning with the Arizona Memorial and ending with the U.S.S. Missouri provides a nice bookend for America's involvement in the war. The U.S.S. Missouri is now a floating museum. Older kids (and history buffs) will love seeing the big canons and climbing ladders up and down to different levels. There are several different levels of tickets for sale. Wear walking shoes!  www.ussmissouri.com

•  Iolani Palace.The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace on American grounds.  www.iolanipalace.org

•  Pacific Aviation Museum. This museum is on Ford Island, near the Arizona Memorial and the U.S.S. Missouri. It houses several wartime airplanes and showcases military aviation in the Pacific.   www.pacificaviationmuseum.org

SAIL INTO SALES!

The island of Oahu has multiple shopping opportunities, at many different price points.

•   Ala Moana Shopping Centeris one of the only malls in America that has Tiffany's and Cartier in the same place as Claire's Boutique, the Gap, and Long's Drugs. Whatever you need, you'll likely find it at Ala Moana.

•   The Waikele Outlets. This shopping center has many brand outlets, including outlets for Saks, Coach, Samsonite, Barney's, and Zales Jewelry.

•  Ward Center and Ward Warehouse. Lots of local boutiques.

•  Ross!Ross Dress For Less has several locations on the island. In particular, international tourists love to stop here to pick up American bargains on clothing, shoes, luggage, and homewares.

* TJ Maxx. Another discount department store. Particularly good for bargains on home goods.

ADDITIONAL RAINY DAY OPTIONS

•  Waikiki Aquarium.If the rain prevents you from seeing the fish in the ocean, come see them at the Aquarium! Fun for kids of all ages.

•   The Bus.The bus system is very well-developed on Oahu. For just a couple of dollars, you can ride a bus all around the island and just enjoy the views. One price for tickets, no matter how far you go.

•  Wet and Wild Water Park.Yes, it's raining, but when you're on a water slide, who notices the rain? This water park has kiddie options as well as a Flo-Rider and other high-adrenaline rides. hawaii.mywetnwild.com

•  Massage Schools and Massage Centers.There are several massage schools on the island that offer inexpensive massages. and Waikiki also has many day spas and massage therapy centers.

Afternoon Tea.Several hotels in Waikiki, along with Tea at 1024, and A Cup of Tea in Kailua offer lovely afternoon tea services.