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Universal Orlando Resort: Where to Stay & Play for a Few Days

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My recent stay at Universal Orlando Resort was so much fun and I’m going to share and highlight my favorite moments with you. First and foremost, I stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort on the property which allowed me early access (one hour) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. It was my first time experiencing Diagon Alley™. I took advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida and was able to … [Read More...]

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Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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Strike a pose at Pose Selfie Studio

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Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

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The Most Practical Beach Item I Packed in St. John

A beach day in St. John can look deceptively simple: swimmers, sunscreen, a towel and perhaps a phone for photographs. The reality is a little messier once sand gets into every zip, wet swimwear is mixed with dry clothes, and small natural finds keep turning up along the shoreline. The item I used most was also one of the least exciting in my luggage: a lightweight mesh bag.

I originally thought of it as a convenient way to carry a few shells. By the end of the trip, it had become a beach organiser, drying pouch and rubbish collector. For Australian travellers used to carrying reusable shopping bags, hats and water bottles everywhere, it is the kind of inexpensive accessory that quickly earns a permanent place in a day pack.

Why It Earned Space In My Beach Bag

The mesh bag took up almost no room before it was needed. It folded flat inside my larger beach tote and weighed far less than a canvas bag or plastic container. That mattered when walking from the car to the sand, especially on beaches where the approach involved uneven paths, steps or a reasonable stretch of hot ground.

Its main advantage was visibility. I could see what was inside without emptying the bag, and the open weave allowed water and sand to fall through. Damp shells, a snorkel, goggles and a child’s sandy toys could be kept together without creating a sealed, gritty pocket in the main bag.

It was also easier to handle than a plastic bag. Plastic tends to hold water against wet items, while mesh lets everything breathe. That made the trip back to our accommodation less unpleasant and reduced the chance of wet swimwear developing that stale smell that appears surprisingly quickly in tropical weather.

A Better Way To Handle Shells

St John’s beaches make shell spotting tempting. A walk along the high-tide line can reveal small, beautifully patterned pieces, fragments of coral and other objects that catch the eye in the sunlight. The mesh pouch gave me somewhere to place interesting finds temporarily while I photographed them and decided what to do next.

The important word is temporarily. Virgin Islands National Park protects its natural resources, and visitors should not remove shells, coral, rocks or other natural objects from the park. A shell can look empty while still forming part of a living shoreline ecosystem, and taking several pieces from a busy beach adds up over time. The most responsible souvenir is a photograph.

The bag still had a purpose when nothing came home with me. I could carry shells back to the waterline for a closer look, then return them before leaving. It also held a few bits of litter collected during a walk, which felt like a more worthwhile use than treating the beach as a free gift shop.

How It Worked Across St John’s Beaches

At a calm beach, the mesh bag was easy to hang from a chair, beach umbrella or the strap of my day pack. At busier spots, I kept it close rather than leaving it unattended. The open design made it quick to grab when moving out of the sun or packing up after a swim.

It was particularly useful when our plans changed during the day. A towel that began dry could end up damp, while sunglasses, snacks and a phone needed to remain protected. The mesh bag separated the wet and sandy items from everything I wanted to keep clean.

The island’s heat made the drying feature especially practical. After rinsing salt from goggles or shaking sand from toys, I could leave them in the mesh pouch while walking or driving. It was less effort than finding a separate towel for every small item, and the contents were easy to check before packing the car.

Choosing The Right Mesh Pouch

A shell-collecting bag does not need to be marketed specifically for shells. A drawstring mesh laundry bag, produce sack or small gear pouch can work just as well. I prefer one with a firm drawcord, reinforced seams and a handle that can be clipped to another bag.

Size is worth considering. A pouch about the length of a forearm is large enough for goggles, small toys and a few temporary beach finds without becoming awkward. A very small jewellery-style bag is too limited, while an oversized net bag invites overpacking and becomes difficult to carry when wet.

The mesh should be fine enough to retain small items but open enough to drain. A bright colour is helpful because neutral bags disappear quickly against pale sand. Before a trip, I would check the stitching and drawstring, since cheap bags can fail when a wet towel or several pairs of goggles are pushed inside.

Beach Etiquette For Australian Travellers

Australian visitors are often familiar with the habit of leaving shells, coral and interesting stones where they are found. The exact rules vary between beaches, marine parks and councils, so I treat a protected place as a viewing area rather than a collecting area. In St John, that approach is especially important within the national park and around marine habitats.

There is also a practical Australian reason to avoid bringing natural beach material home. Australia’s biosecurity controls are strict, and shells, coral and other marine items can carry soil, organisms or organic residue. The Biosecurity Act 2015 supports stringent controls on goods entering the country, and an apparently clean souvenir may still attract questions at the border. A photograph creates no customs problem.

The same principle applies to beaches at home. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane all have popular swimming areas where visitors are accustomed to using reusable bags, taking rubbish away and following local signs. Marine parks and protected areas can have additional restrictions, so a mesh bag is best treated as a tool for carrying personal gear and rubbish rather than collecting wildlife or natural objects.

Packing It For Future Beach Days

Once I started using the mesh pouch, it became part of the standard beach kit rather than a specialist item for St John. It held wet swimmers on the journey home, kept sandy footwear away from the car’s floor and gave small children a place to put their goggles after swimming.

At home, I rinse the bag with fresh water and hang it open to dry. That simple step removes salt and sand before they become embedded in the fabric. If the bag has carried rubbish or muddy items, it needs a more thorough wash, and I would avoid storing it while damp.

A mesh pouch also works beyond the beach. It can hold laundry on a hotel balcony, separate dirty shoes during a road trip or keep cables together in a suitcase. For Australian travellers comparing prices in outdoor shops, camping stores, supermarkets and the local market, it is an inexpensive item with far more uses than its name suggests.

Practical Details To Look For