Flights to Pulau Bunaken, North Sulawesi from NT$17,061

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Pulau Bunaken could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. Below are some useful hints that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to be as comfortable as possible. Opt for shoes that are easy to slip on and off, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will make your trip to Pulau Bunaken quick and painless. We've compiled some handy tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.