i have been travelling since i was in my 20's, but i never had the need to have a pillow with me. sometimes on overnight flights or long haul flights, the airline would provide a small pillow and a blanket. these days, that rarely happens anymore (the airline providing pillows and blankets, but if you request they do have something to give you in flight). when i started to have neck problems, i used a neck brace when travelling as it prevents me from sleeping with my neck bent to a ridiculous angle. plus, it brings out the kindness in people - they see you wearing a neck brace and instantly they think you had some kind of affliction and they help you carry your luggage and stuff. :-)
in any case, last january, when my bff and i travelled to manila, i succumbed to getting one. it was a 12-hour flight and i realized i'm no longer a spring chicken but an old hen, a very old hen, in fact, so my old neck needed support when sleeping in vertical. the good thing about this pillow is it also doubled as a face pillow when i was getting a massage. they look odd though, these neck pillows, to me they look like a toilet seat. but whatever...
@maggiemae - no, it's not that kind. methinks this has little foam pellets. the outside cover can be washed but not the pillow itself. thank you, maggiemae.
I have a long haul flight coming up for the first time in 15 years. Perhaps I better get myself a travelling neck pillow too - thanks for the heads up.
@summerfield Ah somehow I missed the first reference to the new challenge. I'll see what I can do. Unlikely to be travel pillow as we don't travel until November and I tend to be very last minute in preparations.
@yorkshirekiwi - please don't forget to take a photo. :-) thank you, carole.