Packing for an adventure can be nerve-racking, particularly for the young or inexperienced traveller. Before my recent solo adventure to Southeast Asia and Australasia, I was used to relying on others in my travel party to share the burden of luggage. Travelling on your own however brings the added pressure to pack for all eventualities.
Knowing what to take on a round-the-world jolly was one of the most anxiety provoking aspects of my trip. With this in mind I have decided to do a number of posts about the packing lessons I’ve learned having spent a number of months living on the road, starting with my thoughts on gadgets and gizmos.
Personally, I travel with a number of devices and accessories. They make life easier. Help me document and organise my trip. Keep me connected to home and in touch with new people I meet. Provide entertainment in times of relaxation or boredom and give me access to endless information I need.
Here’s a run-down on some of my fave travel gadgets and gizmos…
1. Smartphone
Bit of a no-brainer but I wouldn’t dream of leaving the country without taking my smartphone. It’s the primary connection I have to friends and family, my go-to for information and lifeline in case of emergency. It makes me feel better prepared for the challenges of travel, particularly when I’m flying solo. There are so many handy travel apps that I’d otherwise be lost without, plus I find I use my phone everyday for the time, torch, camera, calculator, notes etc. Wi-fi is generally available in most places that you will visit, which only looks rise as we live in a world of increasing connectivity. The way I see it travel can be tricky enough on it’s own, without adding any more difficulty!
This said, I would recommend cancelling any pricey phone contract you may have before departing on a lengthy trip. International fees will cost you a fortune over time, which is totally unnecessary given the availability of free internet. Plus investment in a local SIM will let you to make cheap calls within the country.
2. IPAD
Without doubt one of my most valued on-the-move possessions. During my trip I invested in a VPN blocker which meant I could continue to watch Netflix, and other TV accounts. It helped keep myself and friends entertained in evenings and on drizzly days- not to mention save those pennies. I was able to download programmes to watch offline in airport lounges, planes and long bus journeys. Plus it meant I had another device in my arsenal in case I lost or broke my smartphone/ ran out of battery. It also made travel planning, booking and blogging much easier.
3. Kindle
Don’t get me wrong there is something so wonderfully satisfying about thumbing through a new book that no electronic reading device could ever hope to replace. But on the move? A kindle definitely warrants it’s rucksack space. I was kindly gifted a Kindle PaperWhite when I left my old company. The battery life is phenomenal- a single charge can last up to six weeks! There’s no screen glare so it’s perfect for reading by the pool or beach. Plus the built-in back light means you can read in the dark, so you are sorted if you find yourself in a hostel with no bed lights.
It was great when I was travelling in more remote locations, especially Asia, as I could purchase books immediately online, instead of waiting to stumble across a suitable book shop. It also made my backpack heaps lighter as I didn’t have to cart around lots of paperbacks. (Trust me when I say, every little helps when it comes to space!)
4. power-pack
Given the amount of gadgets I had a power pack was pretty much essential- particularly on all those long bus journeys! I would charge my power pack during comfort stops when on the move. It meant I could share the juice between my devices rather than charge one gadget at the expense of another. Unlike my other more valuable electronics, I didn’t mind leaving my power pack on charge in communal spaces like lobbies or cafes.
I carried the free power bar given to me by my mobile provider EE, however there are plenty of others available at a low cost. Just make sure they are compatible with all the devices you plan on charging.
5. Wifi enabled Camera
I can’t stress this enough- photographs really are the gifts that keep giving. I only have to look at my photo albums to be instantaneously transported to the places I visited on my trip. Shapshots help you remember the beautiful complexities of a destination and the amazing people you met and adventured with.
For my travels I invested in a Fujifilm FinePix S9400W Bridge Camera.
It was marketed at £149.99, but I got a further £50 discount in the Currys cashback scheme. I didn’t want the worry of handling multiple lenses, or the bulkiness of carrying a chunky DSLR. Instead I wanted a good all-rounder; something reasonably
priced, robust and discreet- for which this model is great. Above anything, I wanted a camera that was wi-fi enabled so that I could instantly download the images to other devices and share with friends and family. People felt like they were living my adventures with alongside me, plus it served as a back up in case my camera got damaged or lost on the trip.
The quality of images I have to remember my travels are much better than if I had only used my smartphone . It’s something that I get use of outside of travelling too, so is a great investment in documenting all life’s magical moments, not just those created on the road.
Unlike earlier models, the Hero 4 has a built-in touch screen display which enables you to frame your videos, adjust settings and review footage on the device rather than a computer. Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity means you can send over the images to your phone using the GoPro App. The Quick Capture Mode is super handy as the camcorder can be switched on and start recording with just one click. It’s ultra-wide angle lens captures amazing panoramas in impressive HD quality. The camera is conveniently small and lightweight, plus can be fully submerged in water.
The GoPro was great for capturing action and underwater scenes. I only wish I’d invested in additional mounts and accessories to maximise it’s utility. In particular I felt I could’ve benefited from a extension arm or floatation device- I got pretty nervous handling it in open water without a mount to keep it safe. Likewise, GoPro’s require effort to edit and compile footage- so not the best for those wanting results instantly.
6. 3m charging cable
Drew the short straw and got the top bunk? No problem. Power socket at the other end of the room? You got this. Seat in a café furthest away from a plug point? Don’t sweat it. You’ll be surprised at how much freedom investing in a longer than standard charging cable will give you.
Trust me when I say those extra metres will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
7. HEADPHONES
Short story- invest in decent ones! There will be lots of times on your travels when you will be using your headphones in noisy, public areas so make sure they have good sound quality. The more noise-cancelling the better. Listening to music and podcasts can be a great stress-reliever when things are going pear-shaped or when you want to zone out for a bit. . Headphones with microphone functionality are great for keeping skype catch-ups more private as wifi tends to be strongest in communal spaces.
8. Torch
Despite all the above, I still like to kick it old school on occasion. Yes, most phones have built-in torch lights nowadays, but it’s still handy to have a real one tucked away. (Particularly if your iPhone light stops working like mine did the minute I left the country!)
9. PORTABLE SPEAKERS
I actually didn’t have any portable speakers on my trip and it’s something I sort of regretted. They are nice to have on hand for social gatherings and to soundtrack getting ready with friends. Plus you can get good quality ones quite cheaply and in travel-friendly sizes.
10. WORLD ADAPTER PLUGS
Again, I’m kind of kicking myself about this. I bought a number of adapters on my travels but none of them were universal. Life would have been so much easier if I’d carried world adapters instead!