
This $14 Dry Bag Survived The World's Biggest Water Gun Fight — And Now It Lives In My Suitcase
As I packed for Thailand's famously splash-happy festival, there was one thing I refused to leave home without: a $13 dry bag that I recently bought on Amazon.
Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year celebration and comes from a Sanskrit word meaning 'passage of the sun,' according to National Geographic Kids.
This year Thailand welcomed over 666,000 tourists for the New Year events. The festival was even featured on the latest season of 'The White Lotus,' where the characters Jaclyn, Kate and Laurie get soaked as they walk down the street. I went to experience it firsthand, and I can say with confidence: no one makes it out dry.
All around me, hoses sprayed from balconies, strangers ambushed me with buckets of water, and kids squirted me point-blank with giant neon water guns. But inside my bag? My phone, cash, and passport stayed bone-dry. I even pulled my phone out mid-fight to snap a photo, and the inside of the bag was as dry as the Nevada desert.
Beyond Songkran, I've already used this dry bag on beach days, boat rides, and even just rainy city walks — anywhere you need to keep your stuff dry without worrying.
My bag was easy to carry as I ran through the festival grounds with my super soaker.
The translucent material helped me find my belongings quickly.
Most importantly, it gave me peace of mind in absolute chaos.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five sizes and 11 colors).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
6 days ago
- Time Business News
Om Swastiastu Meaning: A Cultural Investment Every Traveler to Bali Should Make
In a world where business, travel, and culture increasingly intersect, understanding Om Swastiastu meaning is more than just a tourist skill — it's a cultural investment. This traditional Balinese greeting is a bridge to respect, trust, and opportunities that go beyond the holiday experience. In Bali, relationships are built on harmony — with people, nature, and the divine. Om Swastiastu isn't a casual 'hello'; it's a blessing meaning 'may divine harmony be with you.' For business travelers, cultural workers, and curious tourists, this simple phrase sets the tone for authentic interactions. First impressions matter. In Bali, beginning a conversation with Om Swastiastu signals that you're willing to engage with the island on its own terms. It's the difference between being seen as a short-term visitor and a respected guest. Om Swastiastu Meaning The Om Swastiastu meaning is rooted in the Sanskrit 'swasti' (well-being, safety) and 'astu' (may it be so). The opening 'Om' connects the greeting to a universal spiritual vibration recognized across Hindu traditions. For travelers, this is not just a linguistic detail — it's a key to entering spaces and conversations where respect is the currency. From temple ceremonies to village gatherings, those who use the greeting appropriately often find themselves invited into moments no guidebook can arrange. In business, ROI is about measurable returns. In travel, it's about experiences that last beyond the trip. Mastering Om Swastiastu meaning can pay off in several ways: Trust Building – Locals open up faster when they see cultural effort. – Locals open up faster when they see cultural effort. Access – Opportunities to witness or join in rituals and celebrations. – Opportunities to witness or join in rituals and celebrations. Negotiation Advantage – Market vendors are more inclined to offer fair prices. In essence, learning this greeting is a low-cost, high-impact investment in your Bali journey. When: At temples, religious events, and when meeting elders or community leaders. At temples, religious events, and when meeting elders or community leaders. How: Place your palms together at chest level ( sembah ), give a slight bow, and say 'Om Swastiastu' smoothly. Place your palms together at chest level ( ), give a slight bow, and say 'Om Swastiastu' smoothly. Avoid: Using it casually at bars, beach clubs, or with children in informal settings — the context matters. Getting the pronunciation right is part of the respect you show. Break it down: Om (soft hum) – Swas (rhymes with pass) – Tee (short) – Ahs (open) – Too (gentle ending). Say it calmly, as if offering something valuable. That's exactly what you're doing — offering a blessing in return for the hospitality you receive. In an era where 'cultural awareness' is a buzzword in both tourism and business, Om Swastiastu meaning is a practical example of how small gestures can carry large meaning. Whether you're in Bali to close a deal, attend a cultural exchange, or simply recharge, understanding and using this greeting is a strategic move for deeper connection. For a more detailed and accurate breakdown — including historical roots, common mistakes, and pronunciation audio — visit: Om Swastiastu Meaning Decoded. 'In Bali, every word you speak builds a bridge or a wall. Om Swastiastu is the shortest bridge you'll ever build — and the one worth crossing every time.' — Giostanovlatto This article was written by Giostanovlatto Founder Hey Bali, for Time Business and for every traveler in the world who dreams of visiting Bali. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Cosmopolitan
09-08-2025
- Cosmopolitan
The Fortune Hotel's Fred and Min have stolen the show: here's everything you need to know about the couple
The Fortune Hotel season 2 has returned to ITVX with a bang and we are lapping it up. The gameshow, which fans have likened to The Traitors and The White Lotus, jets contestants off to the tropical Caribbean island of Grenada (sign us up!). 10 pairs checked into the glamorous Fortune Hotel for a rollercoaster of challenges, alliances and poker faces. Each couple acquired a briefcase, with one containing the mighty prize of £250,000 and another with a not-so-fortunate 'early checkout' card, signaling elimination. From business partners to mother-and-son duos, one partnership has come out on top… but not from their own doing. Fred and Min were completely puzzled by the first race to complete a crossword and find a clue… leaving them in last place. But in some strange twist of fortune, they sneakily ended up with the £250,000 briefcase that evening! But what do we know about Fred and Min? The retired life partners are 60 and 59-years-old. They live together in Blackpool, Lancashire. They are currently the only retired contestants, as ex-police officer John was knocked out of the competition when he received the early checkout case in episode 2. Their game plan? 'Bluff them, blag them and fake it til you make it! It was our last hurrah!" Fred said. Well, their plan is certainly working so far… When asked by Media Mole how they would spend the prize money, they weren't in agreement. Fred said, 'Wisely!', while Min said, 'Unwisely! We need a new van, so it would go on that.'


New York Post
09-08-2025
- New York Post
Kate Hudson rocks bikini on adventure getaway with family in Colorado
Advertisement Kate Hudson is enjoying some time away with her family. The 46-year-old 'Almost Famous' star posted a series of photos on Instagram from her family vacation in Colorado, which included some familiar faces. One of the photos shows Kate giving the camera a smirk as she brushes her hair out of her face. In the photo, she's wearing a brown bikini top and holding a guitar. Advertisement She captioned the post, 'Soul reset.' Also included in the carousel of photos were pictures of Kate with her famous family, including her mom, actress Goldie Hawn. In one photo, the mother-daughter duo poses for a photo with Kate's daughter, Rani Rose, and actress Dakota Johnson. 5 Kate Hudson rocks a brown bikini top while strumming a guitar on a family trip to Colorado. Kate Hudson/Instagram Advertisement 5 Kate Hudson wears a sun hat as she explores the Colorado wilderness. Kate Hudson/Instagram 'Kate, Goldie, Dakota all my favorite women!!!' one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, 'Is that Dakota in second picture?' Other photos in the post showed Kate horseback riding with other friends and family members and photos of the surrounding beauty, prompting one follower to comment, 'Beautiful country with great people.' Hudson and Johnson were also recently spotted together soaking up the sun while on a yacht off the coast of Ibiza in July to celebrate the birthday of Naomi Campbell's partner, Mohammed Al Turki. Advertisement 5 In one photo, Kate Hudson and her mother, Goldie Hawn, pose for a photo with Kate's daughter, Rani Rose, and actress Dakota Johnson. Kate Hudson/Instagram 5 Hudson poses for a selfie during her trip to a trail ride expedition on her trip. Kate Hudson/Instagram 5 Other photos in the post showed Kate horseback riding with other friends and family members and photos of the surrounding beauty. Kate Hudson/Instagram Prior to that, Kate posted a series of photos from yet another family vacation in Greece, which featured more members of her famous family, including brothers Oliver Hudson and Wyatt Russell. When speaking with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of her Netflix show, 'Running Point,' in February 2025, Kate shot down the notion her family could ever star in a reality show, bluntly saying, 'It'll never happen.' 'Listen, my dad, he's just too cool. He'd rather just be in Colorado just being dad. … Snake Plissken doesn't do reality,' Kate said, referencing stepdad Kurt Russell's character in the movies 'Escape from New York' and 'Escape from LA.' Russell and Hawn began dating when Kate and Oliver were both young, and although the couple never married, he shares a close bond with them both. Advertisement 'Essentially, he raised me. … I'm the man I am today because of him,' Oliver said on 'Sibling Revelry,' his podcast with Kate. 'There was a moment when he asked us — myself and Kate — if we wanted to be adopted, and we said no. Not that we were, you know, very aware of probably what it even f—ing meant. … We just said, 'Well, we don't need it. The love is right there.' 'At the same time, when you don't have your biological [father] around, it's hard to replace that, no matter what. The love was there with Kurt, no doubt about it. He is my dad. I call him Pa. But there was always, not something missing, but it was always sort of like, 'Wow, but there's that other side.''