Thursday, February 16, 2017

DOC AUXS MAGICAL CURE ALL TRAVEL TIPS

DOC AUXS MAGICAL CURE ALL TRAVEL TIPS


DOC AUXS MAGICAL, CURE-ALL TRAVEL TIPS

  With the family on our annual "River Trip" to the California Sierras--
a tradition started by Dad and Grandpa pre-WWII!

Hello, you’ve reached Cap’n Aux.  I’m out of the flight deck right now.  In fact, Im off backpacking some random corner of the globe!

So, I thought a few quick travel tips gleaned over the past (X) decades might be apropos, and perhaps suffice to cure your Airline/Adventure fix for the week...

As mentioned in a previous blog, the best travel tip I ever received came from my dad: "When you plan a trip, first lay out on your bed everything you want to take.  Then, put away half the clothes and take twice the money."
But of course, there are Essential travel tools.

Ideally, try to limit yourself to:
-1 big backpack/roller board, and
-1 sturdy day pack/carry on.  

  Backpack/rollerboard, with detachable day pack
--the only way to go!

I LOVE the new all-in-one backpack/rollerboard/detachable day packs now available out there.  Perfect for world travel!

**slaps head** Now why didnt I think of that?!

PS: I have used the same wonderful, sturdy fanny pack since college (thank you, Julia!)

Miss TWAs personal shoe-toting carry-on!

In the Daypack/Carry on:
-PASSPORT/ID!!!
-Boarding pass(es)!!
-ear plugs
-eye masks
-blow up pillow
-ipod/music/earphones
-Local map: You cant beat the ones that the car rental places give out!  Ask for one at the counter even if youre not renting their car.
-Compass, strapped outside of pack (essential when emerging from a subway/train station/airport in a foreign city!)
-toothbrush/paste/deoderant
-1 used, thick paperback
-1 change of shirt or equivalent
    While we all may cherish our Kindle or iPad (see below), nothing beats a paperback that you can toss around, beat up, read during taxi and takeoff, and...TRADE!!  And it NEVER runs out of batteries!
-Small sketchbook/journal, pen/pencil
-power converter plug(s) for the appropriate country(ies)

-a VAGUE--not set in stone!--plan.

BE READY TO VEER WILDLY OFF COURSE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT!!!!

Images reprinted courtesy of (i.e. blatantly stolen from) Synz at From Sea to Summit blog:
http://from-seatosummit.blogspot.com/

CLOTHES-Unisex version
Depending on climate:
-light rain resistant, hooded jacket
-1 or 2 zip off pants<-->shorts
-at least 1 long sleeve, button/collar shirt
-1 or 2 t-shirts, but NO MORE! (buy local souvenir shirts as u go!)
-Swim suit/workout shorts
-a few undies n sox
-squishable, rain repellant hat
-cheap, ditchable sun glasses (if prescription, take your old pair!)
-plan to dress in layers, as the climate demands. Ex: undershirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, jacket...

Indiana Jones--my inspiration for practical world travel!

-1 pair of nice hiking shoes (they will be your dress shoes, walking shoes, etc!)
-1 pair of sandals (optional, or could purchase at destination)

  Uh, minus the whip...Petra, Jordan

Plan to wash your clothes every 4-5 days or so; again, buy shirts as you go, as souvenirs!

Lets go on an ADVENTURE!!

$$$/Security
-Try not to carry too much cash; what you have, stash in 2 or 3 separate places.  If you get picked or robbed, you still have the other stashes.

  Remember, guys:  practical, versatile shoes!  Uh, ladies...youre on your own!!

-In todays modern world, except for the most remote places, you really dont need a plethora of cash.  Credit cards and/or debit cards work great!  And ATMs abound.  Use them to withdraw cash.  They often give the best rate, and the extra charges on are worth the minimal hassle; consider the charges "insurance."  Just withdraw a few hundred at a time, worry free!  Take 2-3 credit and debit cards, all stashed separately.
-Scan of drivers license, passport--2 copies with you, stored separately (if with a travel buddy, trade copies), and at least one back home with a loved one who can fax it in an emergency.
The right backpack(s) is essential! Photo courtesy
(i.e., stolen from) Hedgehogs W/o Borders: http://www.hedgehogswithoutborders.com/blog/entry/backpacking+without+backpacks

Electronic Extras:
In todays e-age, I cant fathom hiking the Himalayas or exploring the Amazon without my iPhone and iPad.  So, some app recommendations for the smart phone/pad/kindle:
-a buncha books
-a buncha games
-a fully charged recharger



Random Recommended Apps:
-Next Flight -FlightTrack -TripTracker
-AroundMe -Urbanspoon -Yelp
 -Free Wi-Fi  -BedBugAlert
-e-Travel Guide(s) for your trip: Still in the fledgeling stage, but out there.  Lonely Planet has multiple city guides available on apps now; usually, however, you need to buy each separately, which all then load into the one "Lonely Planet" app.  They have a ways to go, however, before Im really impressed with their e-guide.
-Dictionary/translator app for locals (Can anybody out there recommend a good one?)


Images reprinted courtesy of (i.e. blatantly stolen from) Synz at From Sea to Summit blog:
http://from-seatosummit.blogspot.com/
OTHER RANDOM TIPS:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)