Random Travel Thoughts

Over the years, we have picked up a number of useful hints and tips.

First and foremost, be safe.  Let your family know your itinerary.  This includes the cities and countries you will be in, the dates, airline and hotel information.  Second, create an account with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) from the Department of State.  This is a free service to provide important updates in the event of an elevated concern in the locations you will visit.  Early in our trip around the world, the tension between the US and Iran grew and we received email warnings from most of the countries on our trip with information about safety.

Packing. While small, there is always a risk that an airline might mishandle your luggage, which could be a nightmare. Here are a few ideas to reduce the inconvenience. First, right before zipping up your suitcase, add a document with all of your contact information and destinations. Include email addresses and phone numbers that will be accessible while traveling as well as hotels and flight data with the applicable dates. If your luggage doesn’t arrive, this could help the airline locate you and deliver your bags in a timely manner. When traveling with a spouse/partner, consider putting half of your clothes in their suitcase and half of their clothes in your suit case.

Put important things in your carry on. This includes jewelry, expensive electronics and most importantly, any prescriptions. Consider packing a couple pair of undies and an extra shirt as well. A disposable toothbrush, small toothpaste, travel size deodorant and some lotion can make you feel more human after an overnight flight or if your connecting flight is cancelled or delayed.

Bluetooth trackers.  Apple AirTag and Tile Bluetooth tracker bring a piece of mind to traveling.  AirTags only work with Apple ios and tile is Andriod and ios.  Keep these quarter sized devices with anything you don’t want to lose.  They connect with cell phones via Bluetooth.  When they come within range of the phone, the location of the tag is updated.  You can put one inside your suitcase or get a luggage tag that holds the tracker.  That way you always know where the item is.  Our neighbor is currently following the adventure of her luggage.  When she returned home, the AirTag showed the bag in the Athens, Greece airport.  Next flight was to Toronto and finally Cincinnati.  She doesn’t have the bag back, but she knows where it is.

I also use it as a homing beacon when I am out walking around.  With the suitcase in the room, I can use the tracker app to get turn-by-turn directions back to my room.  I also have one under the seat of my bike, attached to my keys and in my back pack.  Our son, Mark, was traveling alone in Guatemala and Belize  We gave him an AirTag and asked him to keep it with him so we could keep tabs on his whereabouts. 

Taxis.  Walking and public transportation are great when you are exploring around your local residence.  Taxi rides are another option, but beware.  Twice now we have been scammed by unethical drivers. 

The first time was in Madrid, Spain.  We had to take two cabs and the drivers tried to gouge us.  Fortunately, the doorman was an NFL defensive end sized man that came to our aid.  He told us what to pay – NO TIP.  The drivers were angry and threatened to call to police.  The doorman pulled out a badge.  Seems he was part-time doorman and also a cop.  They took the lower fare and the doorman got a nice tip. 

In Bogota, Colombia, the driver tried to charge us 382,000 pesos ($86 US) for what our AirBnB host said should be a 30,000 peso ride.  When I took his picture, the price dropped to 120,000.  I told him no more than 100,000. (still too high).  Before he opened the trunk, I took a picture of his license plate and the price dropped to 50,000, which was fine because we only had 50,000 peso notes.  So, we will now ask the price BEFORE we get in the cab. 

Our host recommended Cabify, which is the Colombian version of Uber.  We have used other rideshare apps in other parts of the world.  Open an account, provide a payment method and get the price and estimated drive time when you are ready to ride.  Here is a link to different rideshare apps around the world.

Everyone Poops, but toilet facilities around the world can be very different than what we are accustomed to in the States. First and foremost, always always always carry a couple of strips of toilet paper or kleenex.  Lots of toilets do not have toilet paper.  In many places, TP cannot be flushed, so there is a garbage can next to the toidy.  Put the used paper there or you may damage the pipes.  Occasionally you will have a bidet or a spray hose like a kitchen sink.  Sometimes toilets do not have seats, so you need to hover.  Sometimes toilets don’t have toilets, so work on your squats before you go.

If you don’t speak or read the local language, Google Translate can be of great help. There is an App or use the internet. If you use the App, you can download the language beforehand and use the program without the internet. Type a phrase in English and see it in the local language. Speak to Google Translate and see it in the local language. Press the speaker button to hear the pronunciation.

One to the coolest things is that you can use your phone camera, point at the text and it will change the words to your language. We were in the Museum of Americas in San Juan. All of the picture descriptions were in Spanish. I pointed the camera at the description and you can see the results below.

 

This is great for restaurant menus, signs, newspaper, etc. Never leave the country without it.

On the 8th day, God created Duct Tape. We use an expired gift card and wrap 5 feet of duct tape around the card. Once, the gentle baggage handlers ripped a wheel off one of our suitcases, leaving a 3 inch hole in the corner. Duct tape to the rescue! We covered the hole and avoided having to replace the bag during the trip.

Power converters. Most electronics now have the 110v-220v built in and will not need a power transformer. However, an adapter will be needed to access electric outlets. There are lots of options. This one works in 200 countries and has 3 USB and 1 c-type outlet for under $20.00 (USD). Consider bringing a thin power strip also. It is always nice to have extra outlets.  Here is the one we are using.  As you can see, this $20 power strip has lots of plug options.

Don’t waste time in long lines for tourist attractions. Check the attraction’s website for the availability of pre-purchased and/or timed tickets. There is nothing more satisfying than walking past 300 people waiting to ascend the Eiffel Tower because you had the foresight to get your ticket in advance. Don’t forget to check the city’s tourism bureau. They often offer discounted museum/tourist attraction tickets.

And speaking of tourist attractions, where are they in relation to where you are staying? Google maps with satellite and street view are great. Google maps can be downloaded to use when you are off line. For us, a great way to get a lay of the land is on the ubiquitous hop-on hop-off tour bus. Treat it like a giant taxi. Finally, don’t discount the Segway tours. Yeah, you may look a bit goofy, but these are easy to ride and they are a blast!

Be sure to use TripAdvisor or Google for walking tours, events and interesting things to do during your stay. We are big fans of Rick Steves. He offers a free walking tour app for Apple and Android devices that covers a number of European cities. Download any applicable tours for your destination before leaving home and you won’t have to worry about spotty internet. We have used them and they are great.

Ear plugs. They are cheap, don’t take up much room and if you don’t have them, you will wish you did. Trains, thin walls, traffic noise, the room next to the elevator, the boom-boom club below your Airbnb (you didn’t use google street view to check out the area) or the 5:00 AM call to prayer blasting from the loud speakers could mean a bad night sleep. Pack an ample supply of ear plugs.

Binder clips not only hold your documents together, but they can be used as a clothes pin for drying your laundry or to hold curtains tight to keep out the morning sunshine.

Check back to this page periodically. As we traverse the planet, we will undoubtedly discover some new travel tips and tricks to share.s