Useful travel tips

[richard]

Hello Everyone
1. Take only one bag. My choice is the North face Heckler backpack (in black). It’s got a convenient sleeve for my computer, and plenty of room for the camera and other items – your mileage will vary.
2. Pack less. This is what makes #1 work. You’re going to be tempted to pack for every eventuality. Don’t. only to find out when you get there that you only need 1/3 of what you brought.
3. Carry a power bar. Usually you can find food wherever you are, however for the small cost in space having something handy that gives you some energy and that you can trust to not get a stomach bug over, this is my first choice.
4. For the techies… USB devices are great for transferring information, applications and pictures use one. However, remember that there are no condoms for USB devices and that every PC and internet cafe device should be treated as a pox-ridden carrier of digital STDs for your virgin device. Keep it faithful to only your computer (and vice versa).
5. Paperbacks trump hardbacks. There’s a lot of waiting around when traveling, which makes it nice to have a book handy.
6. On mobile phones. You have two choices on your phone. a) buy a cheap one when you get there ($20-40) and get a local SIM card. b) get an unlocked phone before you leave and just buy a SIM card when you hit the ground. For multi-country travel I suggest going with “b”, which is what I do. If you lose a lot of phones, or are terrified of being robbed, go with “a”.
7. Bargain for everything. Have a great conversation with the first seller of whatever service or product you’re interested in. Never buy from that person. Instead, figure out exactly where the line is and then haggle harder with the next vendor, tout or merchant.
8. On Cameras. A lot could be written about this, but suffice it to say that smaller is better unless you really like to take good pictures. I would suggest something that is waterproof. However, I could equally suggest getting something that runs off just a couple AA batteries.
9. Spread your money out. Never carry all your money in one place. This isn’t just for security reasons, its for bargaining as well. I suggest carrying varying amounts of cash in 3 different spots and knowing what the amounts are so that you never pull out too much.
10. Eat local. This is especially true if you’re going on the cheap, don’t be afraid to eat the cooked foods at the road-side kiosks. You’ll see me regularly eating beans and chapatis on the streets of Nairobi for lunch.


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[Frosty]

Originally Posted by richard

Hello Everyone
1. Take only one bag. My choice is the North face Heckler backpack (in black). It’s got a convenient sleeve for my computer, and plenty of room for the camera and other items – your mileage will vary.
2. Pack less. This is what makes #1 work. You’re going to be tempted to pack for every eventuality. Don’t. only to find out when you get there that you only need 1/3 of what you brought.
3. Carry a power bar. Usually you can find food wherever you are, however for the small cost in space having something handy that gives you some energy and that you can trust to not get a stomach bug over, this is my first choice.
4. For the techies… USB devices are great for transferring information, applications and pictures use one. However, remember that there are no condoms for USB devices and that every PC and internet cafe device should be treated as a pox-ridden carrier of digital STDs for your virgin device. Keep it faithful to only your computer (and vice versa).
5. Paperbacks trump hardbacks. There’s a lot of waiting around when traveling, which makes it nice to have a book handy.
6. On mobile phones. You have two choices on your phone. a) buy a cheap one when you get there ($20-40) and get a local SIM card. b) get an unlocked phone before you leave and just buy a SIM card when you hit the ground. For multi-country travel I suggest going with “b”, which is what I do. If you lose a lot of phones, or are terrified of being robbed, go with “a”.
7. Bargain for everything. Have a great conversation with the first seller of whatever service or product you’re interested in. Never buy from that person. Instead, figure out exactly where the line is and then haggle harder with the next vendor, tout or merchant.
8. On Cameras. A lot could be written about this, but suffice it to say that smaller is better unless you really like to take good pictures. I would suggest something that is waterproof. However, I could equally suggest getting something that runs off just a couple AA batteries.
9. Spread your money out. Never carry all your money in one place. This isn’t just for security reasons, its for bargaining as well. I suggest carrying varying amounts of cash in 3 different spots and knowing what the amounts are so that you never pull out too much.
10. Eat local. This is especially true if you’re going on the cheap, don’t be afraid to eat the cooked foods at the road-side kiosks. You’ll see me regularly eating beans and chapatis on the streets of Nairobi for lunch.


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Planning starts before you leave for the airport. I have a house. I have to stop my newspaper and get the post office to hold my mail: nothing says to a crook that no one is at home like a stack of mail or newspapers! I have to set my alarms for intrusion and use a timer to set my lights to come on at various intervals. I notify my neighbor that I can trust that I will be gone ( I watch his place when he is gone) and give him one of my clickers in case my car alarm is set off with wind or some innocent manner. Don't forget to take the trash out, especially if you have seafood remnants or meat wrappings or any garbage - nothing sucks like a rotten garbage smell greeting you after a month out of the country!

Being retired I don't really care for a backpack and like to take advantage of my check in bag allowance. So, I carry a pretty good load onto the plane with a duffle bag something like this: http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Bag...6/product.html

For the check in bag I use a wheelie now. The days of someone really going on real treks with backpacks is a little limited. In my experience I find that most people carry their gear from airport to bus or taxi and then from there to a hotel where they switch to a smaller "walk around" bag. But it sounds sexier to say "I have been backpacking in Asia or Europe" than "I have been suitcasing in Asia!" When you look at luggage coming off a carousel overseas you will notice lots and lots of suitcases.

For the past 14 years I have been traveling around to different places, mostly in Asia where my pension allows me more leeway. I have been using a flash drive with FIREFOX on it which I use in internet shops. When I plug that FD in it is like being at my big Mac back in my home. I have the same favorites, same toolbar line, same add-ons that I have on my home computer. Yes, you do have to worry about picking up a virus. In addition to Firefox I have ClamWin antivirus, notepad and Bootex on the FD. I run a virus check pretty often on that FD, especially just before I head back home. I do have a Toshiba laptop that I use in my country when driving on trips but not at airports. Just too big and clunky for me to feel comfortable with it.

I will pick up a small cheap 10 inch netbook during the Christmas/after Christmas sales. I think most of the bugs have been worked out of them by now and there are times I have long layovers at airports or want to surf from my hotel.

I do keep copies of my flight itinerary, need to know information, emergency contacts in email form. I write that info in an email and then send it to myself and save it into memory. I also have copies of my passport info page scanned into memory in case my PP comes up missing I will have that data available. When I need that info I find the nearest internet shop and pull up the info. I even record Travelers Check serial numbers in emails (you can get them free of commission from many credit unions) as well as my $100 bills. In case they are stolen I will have a record - probably won't help but it is better than nothing. Some credit unions pay for overseas debit card ATM charges. When using a debit card overseas you first should notify your bank or CU that you will be out of the country and where or a withdrawal may be denied.

As a frequent flier I find it more convenient and cost effective to fly with the same airline (or one of the partners) all the time. With my platinum or even a gold card I get lots of free upgrades and use of the business class lounge for overseas flight. Also with an "elite card" you get preferred seating and first on privileges. Not to mention double mile credit which means fly to Asia twice from the US and the third flight is free using miles!

Have fun flying.

[Barrett26]

Keep handy all the essential numbers with you. Leave one copy of it at home so that in case you lose it you can always call back home and ask. This will prepare you from avoiding any hassle in case of an emergency.Have a nice time..

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Barrett26

Keep handy all the essential numbers with you. Leave one copy of it at home so that in case you lose it you can always call back home and ask. This will prepare you from avoiding any hassle in case of an emergency.Have a nice time..

A handy way to keep "need to know info" is to write it in an email and then send it to yourself and save it into memory. When you need that info pull up that email and get the data. I keep copies of my passport information page in each piece of luggage and a copy scanned into memory and saved in email form too!

Good luck.

[hmedical]

You have posted very useful travel tips. I personally believe these tips are very important to us. I had a very bad experience in last December. I traveled to Mexico in last December and my baggage was stolen robbers. So I faced lot of difficulties because of that. So I kindly request you to follow travel guide and tips before your travel.

[angel]

Hello
1. Be at the airport on time.
Isn’t it stressful to race through the security and immigration with just a short period of time; knowing that you may get offloaded if you don’t get to process all the papers you need? The stress you get from this experience can really turn you into a stressed out passenger when or if you finally get onto the plane. Travel stress brought by this kind of situation may be avoided by allotting more time for all the things you need to do at the airport.
2. Get the best seat!
Studying the aircraft configuration before you travel will help you get the best seat. You will have more time to request for a seat with more legroom especially when you reserve online.
3. Dress comfortably.
Remember that you will have to sit and stay in one position for several hours and the least you can do to make yourself comfortable during these hours is to make sure that the clothes and the shoes you are going to wear don’t make hard situation harder.

[Susan]

Thank You very much. Your information is quite useful for me. I will also forward this link to my friend also.
Paris Hotels

[kally003]

Hello Friends.....

A nice post .Thanks for sharing the information.

Have a nice day and Good Luck for future

Thanks

[
Bansko]

very nice post.it is always important to organize urself

[aaren34]

Hello

Thanks for sharing these useful Tips. you really doing great job. All tips are very useful

Thanks
Have a nice time ahead

[ryan46]

Hello Friends...

What a post. Great job.

Keep on sharing

Thanks

[marvin46]

Hello Friends....



Woo... A great job. Keep sharing such useful tips in the future.



Thanks

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by angel

Hello
1. Be at the airport on time.
Isn’t it stressful to race through the security and immigration with just a short period of time; knowing that you may get offloaded if you don’t get to process all the papers you need? The stress you get from this experience can really turn you into a stressed out passenger when or if you finally get onto the plane. Travel stress brought by this kind of situation may be avoided by allotting more time for all the things you need to do at the airport.
2. Get the best seat!
Studying the aircraft configuration before you travel will help you get the best seat. You will have more time to request for a seat with more legroom especially when you reserve online.
3. Dress comfortably.
Remember that you will have to sit and stay in one position for several hours and the least you can do to make yourself comfortable during these hours is to make sure that the clothes and the shoes you are going to wear don’t make hard situation harder.

One advantage of flying with the same airline company all the time is that you eventually achieve an "elite" status. When you have a silver, gold or higher frequent flier card you can choose your seats ahead of time, some premium seats are also free to you. With silver, gold and higher you may also get free upgrades too! Don't wait until you get to the airport to get your seat, choose ahead of time even if you have to actually call and talk to a real person at the airline. Elite card holders of gold or higher often have special telephone numbers for more prompt service (not to mention bonus miles for every mile actually flown!)

I have a bum leg and get up often during long flights to stretch out and lessen the chance of getting blood clots. In economy I always choose aisle seats so I don't have to wake some fat guy up to go to the toilet, etc. Remember that seats that have trays that come out of armrests will have narrower seats! So if you have a big butt you will have a tighter fit than a regular seat with a tray on the seat in front of you. Seats that have emergency windows behind you usually do not recline as much as other seats without emergency windows behind them. A fully reclined seat would get in the way in an emergency egress.

Good luck.

[emma333]

I also can add some tips for travelers:

- Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in emergency information page of your passport.
- Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, etc.) for countries you plan to visit.
- Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Keep your host program informed of whereabouts.
- Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs, while you are overseas.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its law!
- Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
- While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
- When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly.

[ruthlopez22]

Its a nice.

[Frosty]

If you photograph your bags with a digital camera before you check them in you will have a photo description of what the bag looks like if it is routed somewhere different. This may make it easier to get that bag back. Don't need that photo anymore just delete it!

Don't put any really valuable items in that checked in bag of course; such as jewelry or cash! On a long trip overseas, keep your valuables to a minimum with fewer items that you would cry over if it ended up stolen!

Good luck.

[alice45]

Thanks for your nice tips. Well, It is very important to enjoy yourself when on a trip, whether it be for business or pleasure and you must not be constantly worrying about what you should or should not be doing. Fortunately, most people in most countries that you will meet on your travels abroad will be honest, friendly and hospitable. But it is an unfortunate fact of life that not everyone you may meet will be as such. There are unpleasant types out there, all bit very few.

[samuel1]

Hello

1) When snorkeling or diving, NEVER, EVER stand on, our touch, the coral. It is VERY damaging to the coral, and we don't want to ruin the very thing we've gone there to enjoy.
2) When booking your vacation, be specific, eg ocean view does not = ocean front. Beach property does not mean swim able beach.
3) If the cab driver has a small TV mounted on his dashboard for HIM to watch while he drives, do NOT get into cab. It is an accident waiting to happen. Take the hotel minibus instead.
4)Keep a few toilet seat covers folded in a zip lock bag. Flushing is discouraged in many public restrooms and toilet seats can be dirty or even non-existence. It can also double as toilet paper.
5) Bring thermal mugs with lids to keep coffee hot in the morning and keep drinks cold and sand out on the beach-and they hold more tequila than a plastic cup.
6) When traveling, always take a dental repair kit with you (Cheap at Wal-Mart) in case a filling or crown becomes loose or falls out. Many times dentists are difficult to find in foreign countries.

Have a great day

[SomeBoy]

Keep your valuables safe (home) because if you lose your money you can get in serious trouble, but always carry some money with you.

[nicky17]

Thanks Richard For Sharing such a Useful Tips With us
I Found this Tips Really very Useful For Myself.

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