Travel Essentials - Travel Tips — The Travel Museum .Org

Travel Tips

There is plenty of this stuff out there, but this is our essentials list. It has worked for us, but every one is different, so you may have your own take on it, but hopefully some of this might give you some ideas. We have a standard pack - saves having to think about it - there is a back up for everything, but not so much that we are paranoid about it. We take a reasonable amount of stuff to get by and make life easier. Of course it changes from trip to trip and country to country and the type of adventure, but this is our base kit, and pretty much goes everywhere.

One thing you will realise as you read this is everything is good quality - we have tried cheap for the most part it doesn’t work. Save and buy the best you can afford is our advice. As our grandfather used to say “buy cheap - buy twice.”

Our essentials

Man Bag - Samsonite has worked for us over the years - we have tried many but still come back to this. 23 X 21 x 10 cm carries everything you need for the airport, plane, the mini bus, and day trips and out a night. Some contents we would leave at home when going out at night, IPAD IPOD etc. (It also helps you carry a little bit more extra weight and stuff - but don’t tell the airlines). Also has 2 lockable S Biners micro carabiners (3.5cm) and a cheap aluminium bottle opener, we have added as zip openers.
Mini Camera (Sony DSC HX99) 3 -4 lens wipes (Zeiss). You can do panoramic, it has an optical zoom in enough to take birds, whales etc, it has an essential range finder so you can still see on sunny days, which is often a problem with LCD screens. A lot of the pictures on the website were taken with this camera, including all the panoramas. It fits in the palm of your hand or pocket and you get a 720mm zoom lens (equivalent). To be quiet honest we are using the camera less and less these days and the mobile phone cameras (and battery life) are such that for most photos this will do. You can’t beat the Sony for wildlife though.
Leica 10 x 25 binoculars these are brilliant - better than most larger binos and because they are small you tend to have them on you when you need them. They are our essential day to day birding and mammal bino’s.
Spare camera batteries X 2 and memory cards X 2 32gb each. Batteries die very quickly in extreme cold temperatures, so we would double this in cold climates.
Sun Glasses (best you can afford - we mainly have Oakley as they wrap around) and these days a pair of reading glasses in the bag. We also have some neat folding Foster Grants reading glasses, but any will do. We also use Julbo for specialist climbing sunglasses to stop your nose getting burnt.
A Mini IPAD - films, music, notes, internet - and noise canceling head phones Sennheiser PXC 250 are small and good for the plane too when you need to get some sleep. JVC do some really cheap ones no noise canceling and they work fine - we used them for years. Spare AAA battery for headphones.
Mini Ipod - or use your phone as back up music / camera. (Many people use their phone as main camera now, but we prefer a dedicated one and the phone as back up).
Pens at least 3 (leakproof or in a bag if they not), a biro and a pencil.
Moleskine Note Book (small) - The Best (not cheap). Notes, Sketching, Bird lists, your thoughts. They are leather bound and have an elastic band to keep closed / your page, & a little pocket for mementos beer labels, tickets. It quite fun looking back.
Debit / Cash machine card; Credit Card in 2 different types (Visa and Mastercard) in RFID blocking wallet - anti scan. We use Rohan.
Dive Cards (Scuba and spare Photos x 3)
Cash - but not stupid amounts split between local and one of £ $ €.
Cheap quartz watch worn on the man bag - easy to read and you don’t have to take in off at airport! If some one wants to take it they can - no one has to date.
Bush Hat - as unmilitary as you can - sun, rain and ours has a pocket with emergency money in. Rohan. We also use Tilley Hats and have one that is now 25 years old and still going. the wide brim really helps.
Rain Pro Umbrella flat foldable 0.16kg and 22.5cm folded - Samsonite again, lasts for years. Think sun and rain. We have used it more more sun. Just fits in the man-bag, but we often put it in the daypack.
Pack of Kleenex type Tissues x 2 (emergency loo) etc
Small 50ml factor SPF 50 sun screen, Lip Screen SPF 30 and Lip repair (don’t forget to take out and bag up at flight time security - including liquefying solids).
Passport photo copy - this has got us out of trouble on more than one occasion, and even entry in a country!
General Vaccine Cards (Particularly Yellow Fever) and current Covid Test / Vaccines as well these days.
Ear Plugs (3M SNR 25) - Eye Mask - essential these days for hotels, festivals and flights.
2-3 Insect repellent wipes. Deet works, but beware it melts sunglasses and plastics - burns our skin too. Sunscreen first - insect repellant on top. Let sunscreen dry first. For those ankle biters which appear at dusk.
FP3 Mask and not just for Covid / SARS also traffic pollution for example Kathmandu - Nepal.
Tickets and instructions (at airport time) - any tours or excursions.
Aluminium waterproof tube with a large value emergency note - at least you can get a taxi or a cheap hotel.
Water Bottle 350 - 500 ml
Small pack of 3 anti Diarrhea, 6 Ibuprofen, (cut the blister pack up with scissors) a sachet of Dioralyte 2 Gaviscon anti-acid, 3 plasters and 1 padded blister plaster. 1 interdental TEPE.
Small multifunction penknife (Not at FLIGHT TIME) taken from medi-kit.
Micro head torch PETZL, e+LITE with headband - perfect for caves and dark bedrooms and keeps your hand free for stairs etc.
Insurance card or document / emergency contact numbers (also in phone and address book).
Very small address book (Moleskine) with addresses for post cards.
Mini bag of skittles for sugar lows and packet of extra strong mints.
ALL OF THIS GOES IN THE MAN BAG!

Separate in clothing in a zipped pocket (harder to pick pocket)

Passport (at airport time)
Cash - but not stupid amounts split between local £ $ €, and we usually have a few Swiss Francs as well. We keep some in the hotel safe / suitcase, some in our back pack - small bills - some in a zipped trouser pocket - small bills, and change, and the rest in a money belt. Take only what you can afford to lose. Make sure you know where you cash is (don’t put it in too many places) and make sure you have it accessible - small amounts - medium amount (for that must have purchase!) and your bulk funds back at base. Last thing you want to do is pull out $100 bills in a crowded market. Don’t flash the cash! Unless you want to be mugged. Make sure notes are clean with no markings or tears in them - some countries like Vietnam and Cambodia are really - really!! fussy and even a micro tear will have them in pieces. As a rule of thumb the more filthy and dirty the countries notes are the more fussy they are about the condition of USD and UK notes.
Put the bulk of your day cash in a thin - two section money belt that you can put under your trousers.
Mobile phone - charged. We use Samsung - cheapish but with good camera and features for the money. Many of the Museum pictures on the website were shot on this.

Back Pack - Osprey 35 Litre

Spare Water at least one litre in 2 500 ml small bottles (aluminium rather than plastic tastes nicer).
Rain jacket - North Face - thin - we used these at the North Pole - great wind stoppers and robust. Smart enough for evening wear to the restaurant.
Warm hat - New Zealand - possum - marino is the best or Brynje.
Puffer Jacket or fleece - thin gloves - RAB for puffers, Mammut or for Fleeces and North Face thin gloves.
Big Camera and Len(s) we have tried all types but never found anything that really works - we are currently on a mirrorless Cannon EOS R with a 100-400 zoom and a 17- 85 zoom, which does most things. The price of lenses is now crazy and we probably wouldn’t buy one now. £22,000 for a Cannon 1200 lens!
Bird Book - Helm if you can get them - they are the best. Collins if you can’t. Buy before you go - look no further than NHBS. great service and range. If they don’t have it - it probably doesn’t exist. Or more likely an app these days such as Merlin.
Travel Guide - Lonely planet, we also like Top 10 for city breaks, but mostly don’t take guides, or read them when we do - sometimes to our detriment.
Spare Sun Glasses - back up cheap pair (polarising so you can see into water if needed, but annoying for certain types of windscreen).
Itinerary and travel notes if you are on a group tour.
Travel Companions - toys - someone to talk to at night if you are a solo traveller.being able to tell a stuffed toy about your day stops you going mad. Not sure if that is ironic or not?
Scooby snacks - something to munch on - chocolate (but be careful in hot climates or you will have pool of Chocolate in the bag). Mini bags of skittles for sugar lows.
Small / Medium Plastic zip bags (6) rock samples, accidents, airport, wet stuff - they always come in handy. 2 sample jars plastic for bugs and stuff (if that’s your thing).
Spare pair of socks, pants (underwear), and a thin T-Shirt. This has got us out of trouble on numerous occasions with lost / delayed luggage / dumped and delayed flights. Nothing like a clean pair of socks and pants and a bar of chocolate to lift the spirits! Also gives you the opportunity to wash and wear.
Small laptop (on occasions) but normally left back in the hotel. MacBook Air has good battery life.
Block connector for all power supplies - ours does every type and has UK and Euro outputs as well as 2 USBs. Charging cables mini D, C and Apple normally, for camera(s) iPod iPad laptop, mobile.

We take this regardless of where we are going - hot - cold - wet - dry, weekend or a month, business, pleasure. This is our standard pack. It just works.

On Pen-Y-Fan on one blustery day my favourite hat blew off and so I chased it - almost off the edge of the mountain. It was raining and wet, I nearly didn't stop - and I thought how stupid it would be to die for a hat. In short if it is precious to you - leave it at home. Don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose. We could fill a book of precious necklaces ripped off by scooter gangs etc. Leave it at home.
If you are abroad - let them take it. We were mugged in a street distraction robbery in Ethiopia in Addis Adaba. They got away with $90 USD- it could have been a lot worse. We could have have been stabbed - lynched (if you start wading in) - let it ride. This has happened once in 40 years of travel and 100’s of countries so put it in context. We had zip pockets - spread cash, so if you loose, try not to lose it all.
Losing your temper will not help anyone - least of all you. So Don’t. I know you may be tired - emotional, but keep it real. If you can’t - make an excuse and leave - calm down. Grab a coffee or whatever. 9 times out of 10 by the time you come back the “petty official” has gone and then you want have a problem. It is like a referee - it is very simple - they are right and you are wrong. Even when they are wrong they are right and you are still wrong. Smile and wave.
I’ve got a photo of the boarder - yay! I’ve got a strip search and a very angry boarder guard now refusing us entry. Just don’t - not only are you endangering yourself, but potentially every one else who is with you.

Some Don’ts

Some Do’s

Yes it’s late - you’re tired and they are being totally unreasonable. But keep your sense of humour - in few moments they will be gone and so will you - is it really worth a dust up? Sometimes walking away and coming back will make a difference, or they may have been replaced! It might be you have been dumped by the airline and everything has not gone to plan. So what - smile and wave. It will all sort itself out in the end.
This is just stuff we pack - that works for us. You will have your own favourites. I’ve known people to travel with kettles and tea bags, and indeed cup a soup and pot noodles along with some PG tips often makes it into the bag, particularly in Scandinavian countries where the pound doesn’t go as far as you would like. Nothing. wrong with a bit of cost saving.
Believe it for not they have shops abroad - you can buy stuff! So don’t over pack on things you can get anywhere, but some things like camera memory cards, Duracell batteries of good quality ones, medicines etc can be hard to get / impossible. Back stuff up and don’t take anything you don’t want to loose. Have a photocopy of your passport, spare photos - you’d be surprised how often they come in useful. Spare sunglasses are another one, we always carry a spare hat. If things don’t go to plan, and they frequently don’t - don’t worry about it - that’s often when the good stuff happens and real adventure begins.
You are in someones else’s culture - try to understand a little about it and be respectful. We don’t get it right all the time, but a few words in the language or understanding. What hand gestures to use - or not! The OK scuba dive symbol is offensive in many cultures. Cover up in places of religion, don’t wear offensive or political T shirts, be quiet and try to avoid poking your camera in peoples faces. Some cultures will be offended / you are stealing their soul if you try to take a photo. Read up a bit before you go if you can. Don’t get drunk and loud and if you do be prepared for the consequences!

What we use

We prefer hard cases, they are easier to pack, and you can wheel them along. They also keep you stuff dry when it pours with rain and they are on top on the bus. I’ve got a trendy soft bag = I’ve got soaking wet clothes! Soft bags have their uses and we use them when they are needed, sailing, expeditions, rail journeys - basically anywhere there is water (Northface and Orlieb backs are waterproof) or anywhere space is at a premium - a yacht or underseat of a sleeper train for example. You can also squidge them into place. We have many different bags depending on the need. Try to avoid overly flashy ones that say come and rob me - aluminium for example (they are also very heavy). You may need a posh bag for that 4 or 5 star hotel (be aware that many places abroad 4 star is really 3 star). We use good quality bags, and have only ever found two (so far) indestructible bag. The rest regardless of how much you pay all get smashed by the airlines eventually. Here’s what we currently use.
Zero Haliburton - zip case - medium 70 plus countries and territories and battered but never broken. Takes everything you need for several weeks. organise with packing cubes takes 2 large folders and 6 cubes - plus boots and junk. Our go to bag. You can also sit on it whilst you are waiting! It was recommended to us by an airlines bag repair centre after Emirates had smashed our Remova case in. It was a good recommendation - we have never looked back.
Remova - cabin bag - zip hard case, polycarbonate - redicuously expensive - it is value for money. 50 plus countries and territories it is fine and still looks good, unlike the larger versions which are all broken. We had a set of 3 - the two large ones have spilts - welded - but not nice.
Man Bag - Samsonite small shoulder bag - on 2nd one after 1st gave up the ghost (zip went) after 100 countries and territories.
Osprey 35 litre back pack - usually instead of Remova cabin bag. 2nd Osprey bag, first one still works, just didn’t look nice, slightly smaller at 30 litres.
Kipling duffel type - soft pull along - with hard bottom compartment. will fit on Trans Siberian Express under seat if you don’t over stuff it. Packing cubes are an essential with this bag. Also you will need 2 TSA locks. It won’t stand upright which is a pain, so you have to lean it against the wall the wrong way around. Other than that great bag.
We also have for expeditions large North Face duffels, (3 off various sizes) and a Mountain hardware ultra lightweight expedition duffel which we used at the North Pole. Not robust but lightweight means you can take more stuff! We also have Musto soft bags for sailing and various specialist scuba bags, which have large plastic zips etc as metal ones corrode with the salt.
Lightweight Eagle Creak (ripstop type) Packing cubes. These are essentials - you will be organised - never messy and its easy to find stuff. We colour code ours. Red underwear, Green T Shirts and Shorts. White accessories, gloves hats etc. We have 2 shirt / trouser folders in rough order use, as as we use items - one becomes dirty and one clean, ditto the packing cubes - makes it so much easier. We also have a lightweight laundry bag we can velcro up, one wash / sunscreen bag, and one medium bag (red so you can find it easy), and one tech bag - cables, chargers etc.
They have doctors abroad - so don’t go crazy, and be mindful common medicines at home may not be available, or you might only be able to get out of date medicines in some countries. This is what is in our medi-bag - yours may be different, and you may have allergies or serious reactions, so this is not a recommendation, just a list of what we take.
Always seek medical advice from your GP or Travel Clinic first.
Warning - Check on Opoids / Opiates - some countries will put you in prison for many years if you have them, even over the counter medicines such as Co-codamol which contains codeine (morphine). We have now taken these out of our general medical bag, but do take them to remote locations where they are allowed.
Personal Medi Kit
Get advice, make sure you know what you are doing, and what you can and can’t take together, before you take it. get yourself First Aid at work trained as a minimum or remote first aid trained if you need it. You might need a bigger kit! - check dates and clear the crap out now and again.
This is what has worked for us over 40 years of travel. We have only had to seek medical help twice in this time (both Anaphylactic shock), so if you getting worse - see a doctor / hospital - as soon as.
Equipment
1 small First Aid bag - goes in day to day bag - Life systems and
1 red (easy to find) 26cm x 12cm x 6cm mesh front zip bag eagle creek. Everything fits in these 2 small bags.
Nail file (hotel type), offset - tweezers good quality metal. plastic zip bag for dirty stuff. Leatherman Squirt 5.5cm small knife, pliers, scissors - screwdrivers, nail file, crown cap opener. 1 pair latex free gloves. 1 pair good quality sharp metal scissors - 9cm curved, with plastic tip cover.
Random
3 spare passport usable photos x 1 passport photocopy, 1 BIC biro, 1 pencil. 3 pairs ear plugs. Small removable - mirror is on the wash bag. 1 lucky coin with a hole in it, and emergency cross in case you get really ill.
Situational
Covid test kits x 7 - lateral flow
Pain and Cold relief pack
We take 12 aspirin- sorts out sore throats etc. 1 pack 12 paracetamol for pain and 1 pack 12 nurofen (Ibuprofen) for inflammation. 3 lemsips for colds. 1 pack day and night nurse (tablets), for same and 12 Sinus pain relief tablets.
Burns
4 Burn Gel sachets, 1 Non adherent dressing.
Bites and Stings
1 14ml after bite (baking soda). 1 blister pack of Piriton (anti-histamine). 4 Repel anti insect / repellent sachets. 1 Hydrocortizone cream.
Guts and Bottoms Pack
6 loperamide / imodium. 5 sachets Dioralyte rehydration body salts. 6 10ml tubes of Gaviscon anti acid.
Mouth Teeth Ulcers Gums
Lipsalve SP30, Bonjela 15ml, mouth ulcers, 2g Zivirax cold sores, 6 interdental - 1 pack floss. 1 dental tooth pick (metal). 1 Aloe Kote plus .25oz tub.(tiny) for sunburned lips and mild cold sores.
Eyes & Ears
Hypromellose 10ml Boots - dry eyes - Cotton ear bugs x 6
Foot Fungus
5Ml Nailer or similar
Cuts and Blisters
12 plasters (various sizes Hypoallergenic). 1 crêpe bandage (sprains etc) 1 small and 1 medium bandage - in date. A blister pack 6 padded plasters. silicon soft - Pack of safety pins. 1 20g Savlon Antiseptic.
Specialist (Remote Travel).
Self medication should only be done with advice from a GP or travel clinic. Most cruise ships and the like will have doctor on board, so if you don’t need it leave it home.
Malarone Antimalarial if needed such as Atovaquone / Proguanil (Malarone) but get advice on what you need and what works for you. Antimalarial can have nasty side effects.
Acetazolamide is for altitude acclimatisation, prescribed only - doctors or travel clinic. Ideal to support at altitude at over 3500 meters, but slow acclimatisation works best.
Azithromycin is an antibiotic medicine of a type called macrolide antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections. Same as ciprofloxacin seek medical advice first. Prescription only. GP or Travel Clinic. Can be used to treat a range of ailments, chest, ear, Pneumonia , lymes disease (ticks) https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/azithromycin
Ciprofloxacin 1 pack of (can get from your GP or a good travel clinic), but check medical advice first, as it can have serious side effects. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic for serious bacterial infections - we use it for serious stomach issues, bit it works on a range of bacterial infection form chest to conjunctivitis. It works when everything else doesn’t!
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/
Steri-strips
Temporary means of holding deep wounds together - painless stitch free. But see a medic / hospital as soon possible as you might need internal stitches. Useful in jungle or polar environments where medical helps could be days away. We have used them, they work a treat.
Haemostatic Dressing - (pre hospital care).
Temporary means stopping serious bleeding*. But see a medic / hospital as soon as you might need internal stitches / internal bleeding. Think of it as pre-hospital care. Useful where medical helps could be hours away.
*Works independently of your own blood clotting system.
Please do check with your GP / Travel Clinic and country you are going to as to what is legal, and to make sure you are not going to do yourself more harm than good.
This is mainly aimed at men, but most will work for ladies too, plus any specialist sanitary / ladies requirements.
The Bag
Life Ventures - Hangable (pull out hook) wash bag (with detachable velcro mirror). 2 main compartments and a zip pocket.
25cm x 15cm x 7cm. this takes everything else not in the Man Bag and Medical Kit.
We also have as pulls on the zips 2 twist lockable micro S (3.5cm) carabiners with gate - ideal for securing hats, keys / pack pack zips in markets etc. We have 2 more on the Man Bag and 2 on the Ruck Sack - they are great.
Random
1 coin with hole in it for good luck. 3 plastic clear zip bags. 1 film canister empty and 1 plastic sample jar. 6 Zeiss spare lens wipes. 4 spare ear plugs.. Duracell Ultra Power only 2 AA and 2 AAA spare batteries. (these can be hard to get abroad especially good ones)
KIt
1 small needle and thread sewing kit and spare buttons. 1 one size fits all bath plug - emergency. 1 Sea to Summit titanium fork / spoon (Spork) and a serrated knife (butter eating). 3 trouser turn up bungy cords. 1 pipe cleaner bungy cord - holds lights - cameras etc in place. Short length para cord (bracelet)
Shaving
1 Braun - battery shaver - we have used these for 25 years. They work fine. Duracell AA batteries lasts 3 -4 months, replace with new before you travel. 1 kings shave 15ml shaving oil, and 2 new BIC type disposables. as emergency / to give away. Or go hairy!
Ablusion - Washing
They have soap shampoo almost everywhere abroad and even in suprisingly run down places too.
We only take Lush solid shampoo honey and ginger - leaves hair great, does body too. No risk of spillage. Comes in a tin 6cm x 6cm. Last months! (with short hair).
1 small non perfumed soap - wash in an emergency and to do laundry in an emergency. 1 small 30 ml posh shampoo if staying in non posh hotels, for a luxury day or two.
1 new boxed unused toothbrush and small toothpaste (to give away or emergency use).
1 NEUTROGENA® Clear & Defend - face wash - as some perfumed soaps are really nasty. Also helps keeping spot free.
1 non perfumed hotel soap - can also be used for laundry. Or better still use the laundry, or pack enough so you don’t need to.
Anti insect - Anti Sun
1 Microweave head net. 6 Deet wipes (More in medibag and day pack) and 1 x 100 ml incognito deet free repellent. or SMIDGE midge repellent 100 ml. DEET works but is awful stuff. It melts plastics (sunglasses) and burns skin, but sometimes its the only thing that works. - Sunscreen first - deet second. 1 once a day Calypso SPF 40 150ml and 1 Riemann once a day SPF 20 or 30. 200 ML lotion. We use this dingy sailing / scuba and have never been burnt. It is the best. Plus if needed 1 200 ML in a plastic bag in suitcase. and 50 ml SPF 50 in man bag as back up.
Travel Vaccines
We have pretty much a vaccine for everything over the years. Check the Country specific advice and Vaccine advice which changes as we learn more about them. Some are now for life - such as Yellow Fever” and some become for “life” after a number of boosters such as “tetanus”
Some clinically vulnerable people - immune suppressed etc may not be able to have certain vaccines or will need medical advice before they do.
We keep ours up to date as a matter of course and keep a record of what we have has and when, useful as frequencies and advice change.
Ones we keep up to date
Flu - SARS 2 (Covid 19) Hepatitis A (faecal matter) tetanus, diphtheria and polio, then whatever we need country specific, such as Cholera.
Some have had are no longer needed such as Smallpox.
Many Yellow Fever prone countries will not let you in without a Yellow Fever certificate. Ours is very old - it still gets you in - it is for life.
Some are situational for example we have had rabies (handling bats) and Hepatitis B (blood borne ).
Others such as Tuberculosis - TB (BGC), Measles, mumps and rubella, are typical childhood ones in the UK.
Vaccines are also now available for Japanese encephalitis, Meningococcal meningitis, Tick-borne encephalitis
You can find out more about vaccines from the UK National Health Services or speak to your own health service.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/jabs/
Not all diseases can be vaccinated against so try to avoid being bitten.
Braun Alarm clock - BC08 Digital Travel Alarm Clock - easy to read and set alarm - hard to mess it up, even after a few beers. Loud and gets louder! Back up of phone for not missing flights, boats etc.
Charging Cables (Halfords fabric) feel nice - 1 long D 2 short D & C and 1 Apple Type - charges most things. Block converter with multi country connections, we haven’t been anywhere it hasn’t worked, with USB outputs. Beware some cameras Nikon P1000 type will not charge from some USB outputs and need to go direct to mains to get the volts amps they need.
Reinmann P20. Spare sunscreen if needed. 1 x 200ml. It works for us even in and out the water. Spare insect repellant. 100 ml.
CRKT Folding Knife. Small 3 inch tanto blade skeleton knife for cutting chopping etc. Very sharp, keeps good edge.
Mini Speaker - sometimes its nice to dance around the room! We use a tumbler selfie bluetooth in wood - small sounds ok and looks great!
Diablo Inferno Torch. - insanely bright. Variable 1700 lumens. Gets hot, short battery life. But when you need it its like having a car headlight to hand.
1 USB / USC convertible flash drive, blank - useful to get / transfer stuff.
Garmin - in reach Mini 2 It is very small. GPS and Track back, with SOS feature via call centre, just 9.5 x 5 cm. Direct satellite communication, two way messaging, weather forecasts, digital compass. As with fellow Yellow Brick beware of military / spy connotations. Most useful feature is trackback. Slaves to app on the mobile phone for easier use of the features. Can also be used as a Scuba SOS with a water proof case, and replaces / supplements our 121.5 MHz Dive SOS.
YB Yellow Brick - Tracker / Website. Direct satellite communication. Automatically sends your position, at present times, and allows you to send and receive short text messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. used with our Mini iPad it is a complete communications device. Beware of military / spy connotations. Does not use wifi or GSM network so will work when mobiles don’t - anywhere! We used it at the North Pole, and have a lovely track of the Trans Polar drift. Web only use this on expedition.
Occasionally - power bank - but airlines (understandably) are getting fussy* over these. (Hand luggage only now). Power limitations may also apply - check with your airlines.
*Runaway exothermic reaction with huge amounts of smoke and 1000c heat might explain it.

Some examples from the Museum collection of water bottles - stops single use plastics, cycle, trekking and touring bottles.

Some examples of sunglasses in the museum collection - about town, skiing, sailing, fly fishing (Polaroid) Shooting, driving or just trying to look cool!

Examples of headphones in the Travel Museum from top to bottom - the cheapest JVC phones - fold flat - fit in the manbag - a decade of service, Middle posh ones Bowers & Wilkins for Barcelona! or whale song like you have never heard before - great quality. Bottom - essential noise canceling from SENNHEISER - they fold flat - fit in the manbag, battery lasts ages and if you need a good night sleep or to drown out the Wailing kids* on the plane, or that spontaneous festa at 3am - then with some SNR 35 ear plugs you won’t hear a thing! *Unless they are your kids!

Some of our go to tech - Sony 30x zoom camera - takes ok bird pictures, great panoramic shots - all our panoramic are shot on this camera. It had a pop up range finder lens so you can shoot in any sunlight. Pretzel head torch with built in retractable string type headband, great for reading in the tent. Garmin GPS / tracker / direct satellite communications and track back, and crazy bright Exposure - Diablo Torch 1100 - 1700 lumens.

If it looks steamy and hot - it is steamy and bloody hot - enough to burn the skin off your hands - this is cooking dinner in the geothermal - the food is in the bag - Fuji

Travel Essentials Travel Tips

We have crossed boarders over 400 times, visiting more than 152 countries and territories on every continent - this is what has worked for us!

Travel Tips

Some Don’ts

Some Do’s

What we use