Throw in a poncho

Know what "rainy season" and "dry season" mean when you schedule your trip. I had to keep reminding myself that South Africa was headed into fall while the United States was headed into spring, and we checked the temperature of Jo-burg on the Internet the few days before we left home. Of course, there can always be a surprise or two -- heavier rain than usual or a cold spell -- so plan for these with a poncho and an extra shirt. An umbrella is an excellent idea year-round in the tropics (and subtropics), for both sun and rain protection (also an good idea for a hostess gift, as umbrellas made in South Africa, for instance, don't last long). "Wrinkle-free" garments will keep you looking nice (I took a beautiful wrinkle-free Talbot's light blue, long-sleeved shirt that I found on sale, which kept its brand-new look through several washings), but soft cotton garments and washed linen also travel well. A small deodorant crystal will keep you smelling nice. You can always feel good, however. There's great stuff to experience everywhere, even if a hard rain or the hot sun keeps you indoors, the mountain gets socked in, or the humidity wears you out. Have a Plan B -- a magazine, TV, solitaire, or talking with the other visitors who are also waiting for the weather to break.

No matter how fickle the weather is, your trip can still be fun. Well, it won't all be fun. We had a rental car and were traveling alongside Swaziland in the mountains and got caught on 50 miles of a dirt road in a rainstorm. When the floods started across the road, I got nervous. My husband had had some experience driving on bad roads in mountains, so he got us out, with the only damage being a very dirty car. We were there in the rainy season, but there was only that one day of hard rain. Even if rain had kept us in our rooms for days at a time, we had playing cards, bars, Milo, and good attitudes.