Monthly Archive March 22, 2016

Travel Pack Selection – Buying a new Travel Pack

Travel Pack Selection

When travelling for long times, a Travel Pack is your most important travel companion. It will be your most important investment for your trip.

Qualities you need in a travel pack

  • Durable – you do not want it falling apart en route
  • Water resistant – you do not want your clothes all wet in the next rain
  • Comfortable – you want to be able to enjoy the travels
  • Secure – you don’t want to be the easiest target for thieves.
  • Easy Access – you want to be able to find your stuff easily
  • Flexible – you want to be able to just take the day pack during the day

The following provides a guide of what to look for when buying one.

Water proof or water resistant material

This keeps your kit dry even when everything else is getting wet. Canvas is the most waterproof material. However, there are also some high end synthetic materials almost as good. A completely waterproof would be a dry sac. However, for a travel pack this would be overkill. As long as it keeps your luggage dry in a big storm, it will be fine.

Lockable Zippers at the base so nobody can put anything in.

The best quality zips are YKK ones. Furthermore, zips need to lock at the base to prevent anything being pushed into your pack.

Multiple Compartments

There are 2 compartments. This allows for separating for example, laundry in one or travel gear in one and clothes in the other. The compartments should also be able to be combined back to one when you need the extra space.

Internal Frame (that can be taken out for washing)

There are 3 types of pack. An external frame, an internal frame and no frame pack. External packs have excess of frame that can be obstructions. No frames mean that there is no support. An internal frame in many models can also be taken out for washing.

Handles at top and side

Handles at the top and side allow a person to carry the pack as though it was premium luggage used in 5 star resorts. It makes it easy to bypass the hippy backpacker mentality that some hotels still have. It also makes it easy when to carry when you have packed the straps away to protect them during a long plane or train ride.

Padded Adjustable Hip Belt

The hip pads support the weight of the pack. A fully adjustable hip belt will spread the weight best. The best travel packs will be both durable and comfortable to wear.

Padded Adjustable Shoulder Straps

The rest of the weight is spread to the shoulders. For the same reason these need to be adjustable and durable.

Chest belt

The chest belt is important for spreading the weight well. It allows the weight on the shoulder straps to be better distributed.

Zippered compartment that allows straps to be hidden

The zippered strap protection compartment is important to protect your travel packs straps, especially when your pack is in transit on planes, trains and automobiles. It transforms your travel pack into high quality luggage.

Zip flap

A zip flap hides the zippers and makes the pack more water resistant.

Padded Back

The back needs to be lumbar padded to ensure that the pack is comfortable against your back. It also protects you from objects that may be pressing against the material of the pack.

Zip off day pack (can be used for cabin baggage) with internal zip compartment

A zip off pack allows you to take your essentials (minus your Swiss Army Knife ) on the plane. It also doubles as a day pack that you are able to use during the day

Size

A 65 – 75 litre pack will be big enough to take what you need for a long term trip but not too big.

Wheels

Wheels add extra weight and as such are not generally a good idea. For most people doing a long term trip as they are no good on cobbled streets, stairs, snow, dirt tracks (or roads), etc they can become quite cumbersome quite quickly.

Internal compression straps

Internal compression straps are an advantage at times to hold clothes and sleeping bags inside. They can help to reduce the size of your luggage. External straps are more at risk of getting broken.

Uzip

U shaped Zips open like a suitcase providing easy access to your belongings and easier to find what you want. It is not just a small hole at the top and bottom.

Clips

Clips can be used to attach extras such as a tent or something that you do not want inside your pack.

Materials

There are a number of materials used for travel packs.

  • Canvas – The leader in water resistant material
  • Nylon – Is too lightweight, not water resistant and can easily tear
  • Newer synthetic materials – Lighter than canvas but not as water resistant

Double Stitching

Holds together better. Single stitched packs will save small change and make big problems. If your pack starts to come apart, you will need to find a replacement fast as it carries everything you need on your trip.

Luggage Strap

Luggage Straps can be an advantage but are not an essential feature.

Cost

Your travel pack is an investment. Buying a poor quality travel pack may be the worst mistake you make in your trip. It can turn a good trip into a bad experience.

 

 

However, not everyone thinks the same about back packs. See what Steve Climber thinks about backpacks

 

Travel Money Tips

Travel Money Tips

You will want to spend money whilst overseas. There are a number of ways that you can carry your travel money.

Cash for Travel Money
Where to exchange?

Travel money Travel money

When exchanging money, look for exchange houses that show both sell and buy rates. This way you can verify that the spread is reasonable and you are not being ripped off. If this is not possible, look it up on www.xe.com or in the currency exchange below and add a few percentage points to determine what a good exchange rate should be. Haggle.

In India I saved between 5% and 10% by shopping around and haggling over the exchange rate.

You may want to carry a small amount of currency for when you arrive. Airports always give the worst exchange rates. Hotels also give very poor exchange rates traditionally. Banks can take significant time to change money. Money changers, especially where there are multiple changers together are your best bet.
Bring cash in a variety of currencies such as $US, GBP, Euro, AUD and CHF. Also, possibly bring it in your own currency or the currency of your host country. Where do I change the currency? Given that labour rates make up a large percentage of the commission, it is normally better to change money in the country with the lower labour rate.

If your own currency is in a downward spiral and you are heading off in 6 months, it can pay to obtain some cash at home.

Bring new notes

Always remember to bring crisp new notes. Often torn, written on or old and dirty notes will not be accepted. Also, be aware of counterfeit notes.

Larger amounts

Exchange in fewer larger transactions to get the better rates.

Black market

In some countries, there is a black market in the currency. This happens where the country ‘pegs’ its exchange rate artificially high or low. This ’black market’ is illegal to access but in some countries is accessed quite readily. In others, police are there ready to extradite or fine those people accessing it.

Currency limitations and declarations

Some countries have limitations as to the amount of currency that you can bring into or export from. Other countries require you to complete currency declarations, even for small amounts.

ATM for Travel Money

Depending on where you are travelling, using an ATM may be an option. If you are travelling in first world countries such as Europe or USA, you can use credit cards and ATMs more easily.

Availability of ATMs

In third world countries, however, normally, this means carrying cash. In some third world countries there are normally ATMs at the airport or in the capital city but not necessarily in other areas.

High transaction costs

However, these ATMs may have very small cash advance limits. This translates into large transaction costs. In a first world country, you may be able to withdraw $1000 per transaction. If there is a $4 transaction cost then this becomes 0.4% of the transaction. However, when the limit is only $100 then the transaction cost becomes 4%.

If withdrawing from an ATM make it the largest possible withdrawal to save on withdrawal and exchange fees by your bank and the foreign bank. Some banks have reciprocal ATM arrangements in certain countries that may make international withdrawals cheaper.

Citibank advertise a fee free Visa Debit card that allows fee free international transactions on purchases and ATM withdrawals.

Apps for finding ATMs

There are apps for finding ATMs such as ATM Hunter and ATM Finder. These will help you find the nearest ATM. Your bank may also be able to provide you with information on ATMs in the countries you will visit.

Travellers cheques

Travellers cheques are an alternative. However, they will cost you money and may not be easily changeable. They are not used very often these days. I recommend against using travellers cheques these days.

Credit cards for travel money
Transaction costs

Credit Cards are a good alternative for larger purchases. On smaller purchases, the transaction costs can be too high to make it worthwhile.

Local or home currency

Be careful. Often vendors will ask if you wish to pay in local currency or your own currency. If you ask for your own currency then exchange rates can be very poor.

Let credit card company know you will be away

Let your credit card company know you will be travelling so that transactions are not cancelled by the company in your interest when they are flagged as abnormal.

Good credit cards

Hailfax Clarity in the UK is advertised as a card without ATM charges worldwide. If you are from USA, then a Charles Schwab account makes sense. It allows you to withdraw money from any ATM worldwide without paying a single cent for the transaction.

Travel money cards

Travel money cards allow you to lock in an exchange rate before you go. This can be useful. However, exchange rates can be poor and running and transaction costs can be high.

The Travelex Multi Currency Cash Passport Prepaid Mastercard is an option for Australians. There are no overseas ATM fees and there is a $15 setup and $10 closing fee. Providing you do not switch currencies, withdraw in Australia or keep it open over 12 months after you stop using it, it is worth considering.
See www.travelex.com.au

Fee Free Cards

Revolut offers a no fee and great exchange rates for 90 currencies. See revolut.com. They use an APP on your smart phone for the transactions.

Wiring travel money

You can even wire money across to yourself or have someone wire it to you from home. If you wish to wire yourself money, this can be done over the internet from a bank account or credit card you setup.
See www.westernunion.com and www.moneygram.com

You may be thinking if it is that dangerous to travel why travel at all? In fact, most places are much safer than reported. Also, if you start heading into dangerous areas, locals will usually tell you that you should not be there. If you develop the travel bug, you will probably go to places that people warn you against travelling to because of crime or disease or something else. However, these places can sometimes provide the most amazing travel experiences. If you lost money, you can make some more. If you contract a disease, in most instances, if you are prepared, you will recover quickly. However, if you don’t go, you will never have the experience.

Highest quality travel products, services and information.

Highest quality travel gear

We are currently in the process of sourcing highest quality travel products and services.

If you are looking to buy travel packs, accessories, guides, etc, we have an online store. If we do not have what you want, please ask. We are constantly new high quality travel products.

If you are looking to buy highest quality travel products stay tuned. We sell the following:

  • Travel Products
  • Books
  • Guide Books
  • Phrase Books
  • Luggage and Packs
  • Backpacks
  • Dry Sacks
  • Travel Packs
  • Travel Accessories
  • Knives and Tools
  • Laundry
  • Liners
  • Locks
  • Power
  • Shoe Organisers
  • Silicone Bottles
  • Toiletry Kits
  • Torches and Lights
  • Travel Money Wallets
  • Travel Pillows
  • Umbrella
  • Waterproof Cases
  • Travel Services
  • Travel Courses

We carry only the very best travel products. Brands that we carry include:

  • Victorinox
  • Sea to Summit
  • Eagle Creek
  • Pacsafe
  • Human Gear
  • Power Traveller
  • Maglite
  • Rough Guides
  • Bradt Guides
  • Footprint Guides
  • Berlitz
  • Travel Ideology

Is that you Yoda? Philippines travel

A Fascination Philippines Travel experience.

Recently, I visited the island paradise of Bohol, one of 7000 islands of the Philippines archipelago. At about 4pm on a Wednesday, I walked out from the Tagbilaran ferry wharf, and was approached by taxi and tricycle touts, after a fare.

The odd looking Bohol tricycle was an unusual form of transport so I decided to take a ride. It was colourful mini vehicle fashioned from a motorcycle with a side car. At its rear was space for my luggage and a roof to make sure that the driver and passenger stayed dry.

As we passed other tricycles, the driver explained that the every tricycle had a tag line from the bible at the rear of the vehicle that was required by law. Apparently, originally, they had allowed advertising and because the adverts showed beautiful women in bikinis, it caused problems with morality. As such the government had implemented this interesting law.

Philippines tarsierThe next day, a shiny black limousine pulled up at the front of Cherrys Hotel at 7am. We visited the interesting Chocolate Hills, thousands of small hills, all about the same height and shape. Originally called the Carmen Hills consistent with the name of the nearby town, the name was changed to Chocolate Hills to attract more tourists.

We passed through the man made mahogany forests, a fantastic place where huge mahogany trees provided shelter for all sorts of small animals whilst stabilising the ground to stop landslides. In a brief stop there, we were lucky enough to see an 18cm millipede.

We passed beautiful green rice fields surrounded by coconut trees. Eventually we stopped at a small conservation park. It was home to 4 tarsiers, one of the smallest primates in the world. A full size adult would fit in the palm of your hand. However, the most interesting thing was that the creature looked almost the same as Yoda from Star Wars. Is that you Yoda?