DOC AUX'S MAGICAL, CURE-ALL TRAVEL TIPS

DOC AUX'S 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, I'm 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 didn't I think of that?!

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

Miss TWA's 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 can't beat the ones that the car rental places give out!  Ask for one at the counter even if you're 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!

Let's 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...you're on your own!!

-In today's modern world, except for the most remote places, you really don't need a plethora of cash.  Credit cards and/or debit cards work great!  And ATM's 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 driver's 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 today's e-age, I can't 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 I'm 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:

Travel guides: Ever since my virgin international sojourn to Japan in 1986, my personal favorite guide has always been Lonely Planet; amazingly candid and non-commercial, I felt it was speaking to my very soul (I still remember the quote that sold me:  "The Japanese can read and write English flawlessly.  They can spot the difference between a gerund and a gerundive at 60 paces; but they can't order lunch.")

My best friend swears by Rick Steves.  The College budget backpack crowd swears by "Let's Go" series.  My other best friend just swears...And you can never go wrong with a good Frommer's!

-Gifts: bring a bunch of little trinkets from home: IheartNY key chains, Grand Canyon buttons, etc., to give as gifts to those you meet.  You'll be repaid in kind - exponentially!

  Now that's one savvy traveler!

-As a "non-rev" (flying non-revenue standby), I try to NEVER check my luggage; if I get bumped, my bags could fly without me; conversely, who among us hasn't had the lovely experience of our checked luggage getting rerouted to the rings of Saturn?

-As for hotel rooms: Never by the elevator! Never by the ice or drink machine! Never above the 7th floor (limit that the firetruck ladder can reach!)   Never by the Honeymooners!  Never by the drunk frat/bachelor/bachelorette party!  Never by the freeway! Of course, this may leave few options left.  If stuck, turn on the a/c, stick in those earplugs, and do your best.  Or...go join the party next door!

  Home sweet home!  Er, coffee shop...Petra, Jordan

Anything I skipped or missed?  Got a good travel tip??  Please comment, or contact me at capnaux@gmail.com!