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| What to take, and what to leave behind | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 yoavbo Yoav B Post Count: 28 Msg: #1 24 weeks ago, July 8th 2009 | Hello everybody, | I'm going to start an 8-months trip soon, in Thailand,Australia,New Zealand and China. In my "normal" life I use a handful of electronic devices and I can't really imagine living without most of them. The question is, what should I take with me, and what should I leave at home. I plan to stroll around the beaches of Thailand, travel in Australia and New Zealand by car, and get around in trains in China. I have a 80L backpack which I may use... Here are my things: 1. Headphones - very highend Sennheiser headphones, which I've been using for about 7 years. They're quite compact and lightweight, but also expensive. 2. Electric toothbrush - a little bigger than a regular toothbrush, requires charging every two-three weeks. 3. Wake up clock - looks like a normal wristwatch, but actually it can scene the exact moment when you should wake up in a specific timeframe. It's a real life saver when you have to wake up early and/or after you've slept only a few hours. 4. Digital Camera - DSLR camera (the lower highend). It's a very good camera but I'm afraid it will be stolen. 5. GPS - The ultimate saver, especially in Australia and New Zealand. I also plan to buy a netbook towards the end of my stay in Thailand. So, what do you think? What should I take and what to leave behind?  Mell Mell Post Count: 14880 Msg: #2 24 weeks ago, July 8th 2009 | I would leave the electric tootbrush at home, in favour of an ordinary one. | GPS - Is that the electronic device that shows you where you are and helps you with directions. If so, I would leave that at home too. You will easily be able to ask people for directions and you can use a paper map or the maps in a guidebook. There is a chance your camera could be stolen. So, have a bag that is separate from your main luggage for it that you can take to the bathroom and everywhere else you go. A netbook - You mean a computer? I would skip that too, unless you will be working while you are travelling. Mel Mell Mell Post Count: 14880 Msg: #3 24 weeks ago, July 8th 2009 | Here are a few threads which may interest you. | The ultimate travel gadget Travelling light Minimalist Travel - Zen and the Art of Travelling Light Travellover5 Amy Levin Post Count: 1 Msg: #4 24 weeks ago, July 9th 2009 | I love to bring the newest high tech gadgets on my vacations as well. I never go anywhere without my digital camera and also my handheld video camera for moments that I want to capture more than a picture. If the netbook is in fact a computer I would purchase a <snip> It's always a pain taking your laptop out of its case when going through security and with this you only need to open the case. It's super easy and makes your travel smoother! | I hope this helps! [Edited: 18:02 - Mell ]  Warmapple Ian Robinson Post Count: 28 Msg: #5 24 weeks ago, July 9th 2009 | A netbook is indeed a small laptop, i am typing on one now, it weights about 2.2lb (1kg) I plan on taking mine to Australila mine cost me 150 GBP and i think its the dogs! im not sure im allowed to post a link to it on here so i wont unless im told other wise :) | I am also going to take a digital camera, ( the memory card plugs straight into my netbook so no data cable needed!!) a Zune mp3 player that also has small games such as suduko on it. Im going to take my m3100 mobile phone too because i can put any sim in it, use it as an alarm clock wifi etc. another reason for this phone is that it can charge via USB, this is where netbook comes into it again!! I also have a plug adapter that can plug into UK,Europe,Aus and USA. The output can do UK, Europe, Aus, USA and USB!! good for when i want to charge my phone without getting my netbook out same for mp3 player :) [Edited: 19:29 - Warmapple ] yoavbo Yoav B Post Count: 28 Msg: #6 23 weeks ago, July 10th 2009 | So how do you keep your gadgets safe? | My friends just had their cellphones stolen in Thailand... Mell Mell Post Count: 14880 Msg: #7 23 weeks ago, July 10th 2009 | Here are a few thread which may be of interest to you. | security while travelling Carrying Camera Equipment in Risky Situations. Safety when carrying electronic equipment. [Edited: 09:13 - Mell ]  The Travel Camel Shane Dallas Post Count: 1065 Msg: #8 23 weeks ago, July 12th 2009 | Apart from the usual electronice gadgets mentioned above, there are a couple of non-electronic ones that are very useful: | 1) Portable clothes line - great for hanging somewhere in your room to dry your clothes - if you bring some washing liquid then you can wash your own clothes and hang them to dry as well. 2) Travel pillow - they scrunch into a smaller size, but when opened are great on planes, buses, and substitute for some of the awful pillows one can find in cheaper establishments. 3) Universal sink plug - it's very annoying having water continually run down a basin when you are trying to shave or wash.  matty1 matt Post Count: 124 Msg: #9 23 weeks ago, July 13th 2009 | travelling is one of those unique opportunities in life where you can put material objects low on the priority list and you may find the longer you travel for , the lower they become. the key is to carry things that can be easily replaced and be prepared emotionally and financially for the possibility of losing something. because you will... | if i were you heres what i would bring: alarm clock: cheap small one (nice to have one that tells the temperature or humidity, as this will always be changing. your one sounds cool but if its expensive i say leave it at home or sell it to fund the travels. net book: if you have a use for one then ,yes! a cheap one, there are loads of options for remote file storage now (do not save your passwords on it, and do not use for photo storage)....maybe you dont need to wait till you get to thailand.. they are pretty cheap anyway nowdays. and there may be insurance options if you buy it at home. external cd drive for netbook this will alllow you to make cds with your fotos and send them home if you want . and also to watch dvds, listen and copy cds (i think that combination is still cheaper and lighter than a laptop with built in cd drive) 1gb mp3 player a cheap & cheerful friend for the netbook. camera: bring one that you will use! this depends on your preference, but remember a big camera is not going to make local people give you a warmer smile, than a small one will. but if your big into hiking than the argument for a big camera is stronger. electric shaver i think this is a handy accesory to have, especially if money wears thin towards the end of the trip. i would not bring GPS: (perhaps you could have the GPS posted to you when your in Oz ..if you still want it) i dont think you will want it. but make sure it has the necessary maps installed if you decide to bring it. electric toothbrush: (more important to have a brush that can fold up or so to keep the brush head clean)  Universal sink plug - it's very annoying having water continually run down a basin when you are trying to shave or wash. wet toilet paper does the same thing enjoy your travels [Edited: 22:57 - matty1 ]  Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3913 Msg: #10 23 weeks ago, July 15th 2009 | Take what ever you like - but try to keep the total weight down to about 15kgs. As tech gets lighter and more compact - this gets easier. |  natawas Denise Post Count: 23 Msg: #11 20 weeks ago, July 31st 2009 | i seriously feel bad for having to take a netbook, or feeling like i have to anyway. nonetheless, seeing as my mother is not going to be okay with me just writing her a random email here and there once in a few days, but instead expects me to be in contact with her every single day, writing emails to her through a netbook seemed like the better safer alternative to spending money on calling cards, which have been a total drain on my budget in the past. i fgure ill have to use the internet in the cafes anyway, so i may as well do my hostel bookings and reservations on my own laptop and write to my mother as well. it will save me over a hundred bucks easy. | besides i leave in 3 days, this is the busiest time of the year in europe in terms of tourism. im scared i wont be able to find accomodations once i arrive in a certain town or that i'd have to postpone travelling for a few days because i cant reserve a sleeper train (they go the fastest) when i'm already on a very tight schedule. id much rather secure something online, feel safe to open my bank account and use my visa to my heart's content without worrying that my password is being saved in some internet cafe. my laptop is the smallest that they have in north america right now, aside from the dell vaio which is ridiculously expensive but literally seem the size of a wallet. likewise im scared it will get stolen and it if wasnt for the sake of my worrisome mother i'd leave it at home and take my chances with the internet cafes and the train/hostel reservations. i dont know, im scared it will make me worry about whether its going to get stolen too much to enjoy my trip. :( Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3913 Msg: #12 20 weeks ago, July 31st 2009 | Netbooks are great - I'm using one right now - and drinking a coffee in a bar rather than crammed into some internet cafe with keyloggers and viruses... :) | Plus they weigh about 1kg... Good luck with the daily emails!  Dj Barbie DJ Barbie Post Count: 75 Msg: #13 20 weeks ago, July 31st 2009 | 1) Portable clothes line - great for hanging somewhere in your room to dry your clothes - if you bring some washing liquid then you can wash your own clothes and hang them to dry as well.2) Travel pillow - they scrunch into a smaller size, but when opened are great on planes, buses, and substitute for some of the awful pillows one can find in cheaper establishments. 3) Universal sink plug - it's very annoying having water continually run down a basin when you are trying to shave or wash. So your taking: 1) String 2) a Jumper 3) Tolilet Roll? :p Also everyone who has just listed all the great notebooks and new cameras they are taking with them this year, be sure to mention somewhere on this forum where you're going and when to make the Gypsies job a bit easier :) lol Gotta say am guilty of taking crap as well! BUT I refuse to fly this year so no major weight restrictions... apart from those in my back and legs! :) system TravelBlog System User Post Count: 952 Msg: #14 19 weeks ago, August 7th 2009 | 1 posts merged into this topic from: Politics | system TravelBlog System User Post Count: 952 Msg: #15 19 weeks ago, August 7th 2009 | 6 posts moved to this new topic: Thieves, on the road |  joalex joalex Post Count: 3 Msg: #16 13 weeks ago, September 18th 2009 | it may sound strange, but I am sooo satisfied with my cell phone. | It has - WiFi-functionality for checking mail/updating blog/whatever - memorycard and mp3 player for the long bus rides - a decent camera -gps functionality with a trip counter All this in one pocket means less stuff to carry around and getting stolen. It replaced my netbook, iPod and camera from my previous travels. [Edited: 17:58 - joalex - forgot about the gps] Number of Users: 11 | Number of Posts: 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
