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Alli’s Mom Is The HULK (7.1.09 – Day 62)
July 8th, 2010Personal Review of Travel Alarm Clocks For the Frequent Traveler
July 7th, 20100
Travel alarm clocks are featured in this article due to their demands with frequent traveling business people and tourists. Therefore, this type should always be reliable and accurate while keeping its size to the smallest since they are mostly used for business or vacation and pleasure travel. This article will take a closer look at why digital travel alarm clocks should be your best choice.
Travel alarm clocks have targeted masters and they are those that require these tickers to be small and handy while keeping it safe with battery as the source of power. This is to address the unpredictable situations most travelers encounter in the past where one doesn’t have access to an outlet for electricity. It will come fine in metropolitan cities like London and will be your savior in camping sites or the hostel in a small town in a rural setting. Thus, I always tell my friends to bring a digital travel alarm clock when traveling anywhere. You just never know where you’ll need it.
Battery powered alarm clocks are very suitable regardless of your destination. This is particularly clear in places where there is a lack of availability on electricity outlets. Regarding size, most of them are small enough that you can easily put it in your pocket so it will not be a problem.
In terms of features, although you travel lighter with the smaller devices, the more sophisticated of features needs a larger size for memory storage and attachments. Therefore, it usually can be found on the larger versions of these travel devices.
Nevertheless, one can shop for a digital travel alarm clock that has lots of available features even though it might be small in size. In shopping for one, remember to require certain features to get the most from your bargain.
One feature I always require is the automatic adjustment for Daylight Savings Time. This automatic adjustment feature allows the time of the clock to systematically adjust itself back and forth by an hour twice a year. This saves you the unnecessary burden of getting confused of changing your timer once in a while. Another comparatively new feature, relative to the automatic adjustment, is the automatic synchronization. Newer models synchronize its time to the Colorado atomic clock so setting the time will need not be worried in the future.
If you are the extreme and wild type, I highly suggest you get the sports version of the digital travel alarm clock. When camping, you will need its built-in features like a flashlight and a temperature display. These flashlights come equipped with a white LED with shock-proof feature. This flashlight will go with you for a long time as it can survive the wild like you would. Of course, the temperature display will come handy with many uses.
5 Reasons to Travel
July 6th, 20100
Have you ever dreamed of traveling around the world? There are many people who long to quit their jobs and get out there to see the world but for some reason they never make the leap. Below are some of the most common excuses people use and the reasons you should ignore them and just go traveling.
1. I am Afraid – Leaving the comfort of your life, your home, city and country is scary. It’s possible that you have heard or read traveling stories that ended badly. Traveling is an experience and there are dangers out there but nothing much more serious then you would experience at home. Millions of people safely travel the world every year, and so can you.
2. I Hate My Job But… - You hate your job but hope that something will change next year. You are convinced that you will wake up one day and everything will be different and your job will be everything you always hoped for? Keep dreaming, the only way to change your life is to change it yourself. Travel can change not only your perspective on things but also your career path. In the end about the worst thing that can happen is you have a great year traveling and then return to the job you hate with recharged batteries and a new outlook.
3. I Can’t Afford It – There is no way around it, travel is expensive. You can minimize the costs by traveling, as cheaply as possible but in the end you will need enough money to fund the trip and a minimum of 3 months worth of expenses when you return to real life. Save, Save and then save some more. Cut back on anything that is non-essential, get another job, and sell your car. In the end it will be worth it.
4. Maybe Next Year - The longer you keep putting it off, the less likely it is that you will go. Sooner then you imagine you will be sitting around an old folks home regretting your procrastination. Most people avoid change and tend to get comfortable in their routines and ruts. It takes effort to motivate yourself to make some changes. Make a reservation; buy a plane ticket, do whatever it takes to motivate yourself.
5. Test Run - If you are still not sure, do a test run. Take a short trip to someplace that is slightly exotic but still a very well traveled tourist destination. Thailand or Cambodia are good locations to start. This will help you figure out how comfortable you are traveling alone and get an idea of what it costs.
Is Travel Insurance Really Necessary?
July 5th, 20100
Expensive Vacations
If the vacation that you’re booking is costing you a small fortune between the flights, hotel rooms and other details, then travel insurance is probably a good idea. Unlike a cheap vacation, if your expensive holiday plans fall through or are otherwise compromised, you could be out a great deal of money. Rather than take that kind of chance, you should at least purchase cancellation/interruption insurance when your trip is going to cost you a pretty penny. If something happens and you have to cut your trip short or cancel it altogether, the nonrefundable part of your reservation – as well as other fees – will be covered.
Package Deals
Package deals are great ways to save money while traveling; all-inclusive deals are even better still. However, they usually come along with very strict rules regarding cancellations. Many times, changing even a single part of your reservation will be penalized by all of the rates being reverted back to their full price. This can turn a cheap vacation into an incredibly costly one. Insurance can help protect you against this type of situation, allowing you to make your plans without fretting about any unforeseen problems ruining everything.
Cruises
Like package deals, cruises usually have very strict rules about cancellations. In fact, cancellations are usually not allowed at all. Booking a cruise can feel a lot like signing your life away, knowing that if anything comes up you are basically out of luck. Travel cover can mitigate this worry, covering you in the event of a problem that forces you to cancel your cruise. Obviously, you would never cancel a cruise without very good reason; travel insurance is just a way to give you peace of mind and can help you avoid losing a lot of money if you need to cancel.
Intricate Plans
Sometimes an itinerary can look like a puzzle, with many complicated maneuverings involved in getting you and your travel companions from point A to point B. If your trip is going to involve a complex series of flight connections, back-to-back flights or other similar details, then travel cover is a smart way to go. Missing even one connection or flight can throw a major kink into the works of your carefully planned itinerary; rather than lose a lot of money booking alternate flights, you can protect yourself with a travel insurance policy.
Other Great Reasons To Get Travel Insurance
Beyond the situations outlined above, there are many other very compelling reasons to purchase travel insurance. Take all of these into consideration when booking your trip in order to determine whether or not travel insurance is right for you.
If you or a traveling companion suffers from a medical condition, travel health insurance is a smart move in case medical attention is required during your vacation.
In the event that your bags are lost – prescriptions still inside – travel insurance can work to get your prescription filled in a foreign country.
If your wallet is stolen, along with your passport, you can be in quite a bind. Good travel insurance will let you get access to emergency funds and to more easily get a temporary passport.
Airlines sometimes go bankrupt; if yours does, don’t lose out on the nonrefundable parts of your reservation; use travel insurance to have everything reimbursed to you.
If you become seriously ill or injured in a foreign country, a medical evacuation may be in order. Travel insurance can make this easy to arrange, protecting your health and well being.
With travel insurance, a cancelled flight doesn’t have to ruin your trip or cost you a lot of money; both can be covered easily.
Travel Information For Phuket
July 4th, 20100
Phuket is a great place for a holiday, but as with any destination, it pays to have an idea about the place before you visit. With a little bit of research, you’ll be able to save money and have the best time possible. There’s no need to make notes, but when it comes to travel information for Phuket, it’s best to try and digest as much as you can.
The unit of currency in Phuket is the Thai baht. Travelers checks can be cashed on the island and there are a large number of ATMs that accept international cards. It’s also possible to use a credit card to withdraw money from an ATM, although you’ll likely incur a charge for doing so. There are money changers in all of the island’s most popular destinations (Patong, Phuket City, Kata-Karon and so on), but be careful that you don’t get stung by a hefty commission.
In general, most people in Phuket speak at least a little English, especially people who will be trying to sell you stuff. If you get lost, try and find someone younger to ask for directions. Asking an old person might lead to a few confusing exchanges.
Getting around the island is easy enough, but it can be expensive. Taxis will take you from the airport to your hotel, but it’s against the law for them to pick up on the street. Tuk-tuks are everywhere, but the fares are expensive. You’ll need to negotiate a price, but even then you will still be paying over the odds. However, if you’re stranded at night, you may have no other choice.
During the day, there are buses running between the major parts of the island. The fares are usually 20 baht. Motorcycle taxis will take you short distances for about 40 baht. If you are confident on a motorbike, there are numerous places that rent them out for about 200 baht a day.
Staying in touch with friends on the island can be expensive using foreign SIM cards. It works out a lot cheap to just walk into any branch of 7-Elevent and buy a new SIM card for less than 200 baht. They can cost as little as 50 baht from phone sellers. Credit can also be bought from 7-Eleven stores.
If you’re buying something from a street seller, unless it’s DVDs or CDs, it’s best to do a little haggling, especially for clothes. Though some tourists may try, you can’t haggle at legit shops in the malls, although you may be able to get a deal from some of the indoor market stalls.
A trip to Phuket needn’t be a hassle with a little local knowledge.
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Where to Get Backpackers Travel Insurance
June 30th, 20100
What is backpackers travel insurance?
Backpackers travel insurance is an insurance designed to target specific risks associated to traveling as a backpacker. This type of insurance provides a high level of coverage for the duration of your travels. Most backpackers travel for a longer time than the average traveler, so policies are made to last for as much as a few years. The cost of your insurance is going to stem from you want to do in that period of time. Location, season of travel, methods of travel, and activities will also be key factors in your insurance quote price.
Personalize Your Insurance
While you are shopping for your policy try to provide as much details as possible. Your quote will depend on the type of coverage you want, and the eventualities you are insured for. Backpacking has unique risks that other methods of traveling do not experience. Most backpackers travel inexpensively putting them in riskier situations. The tendencies to travel with strangers, live in common rooms, and travel by foot increases the cost of your insurance. Backpackers tend to be adventure seekers traveling the world at their own risk, leaving their insurance companies at a higher risk of expense.
Shopping
Insurance companies know the needs of backpackers, and have made policies specifically for them. If you have a computer available you should try finding your policy online. There are companies that specialize in comparing different insurance company quotes for you. Online insurance is also substantially cheaper in most cases compared to travel agency policies. The internet truly expedites the shopping process. This is especially good if you are buying your insurance at the last minute.
What to Look For
Backpackers travel insurance takes the risks that you expose yourself into account and finds you the coverage you need. You are looking for an insurance company that gives you the confidence you need to travel into the unknown. Here are some specific lines of coverage to look for while shopping for your policy:
Luggage: You may not take much of it, but you don’t want to lose what you are bringing.
Currency: You never want to be traveling alone, and without money. Insuring your money could keep you from suffering from a long walk home.
Medical Coverage: Intensive medical care is extremely expensive, and usually out of the budget of most backpackers. Your insurance policy should cover you in the case of a medical emergency.
Personal Liability: You are a liability while traveling abroad, especially when traveling alone. Unintentional damages to someone or someone’s property could you put you in a difficult financial position.
Look intensively for your insurance. The internet will quickly provide you with numerous options to choose from. Backpackers travel insurance can be expensive, but with the right company you can find an affordable insurance policy that fits your needs. Backpacking is a slightly more dangerous way to travel, so be sure not to skimp on your insurance policy. You want to know that you will have the coverage you need, when you need it.
Travel Wallets and 4 Other Often Overlooked Travel Items
June 29th, 20100
If you are like me, planning for your holiday can often be as exciting and rewarding as the trip itself. The sense of anticipation and the unknown can be exhilarating as you plan your getaway. In order to make sure your travels go smoothly, it is very important to ensure that you pack the necessary gear. We all know about the basic essentials; clothing, money, passport, maps, travel guides, camera, cell phone, watch, and toiletries. However, when making your checklist you may also wish to bring along these often overlooked travel items.
1. Travel wallet – Travel wallets come in a number of shapes and sizes. The advantage a good travel wallet has over a regular wallet is that it comes with additional slots and space to carry important travel items such as credit cards, passport, airline tickets and other important travel items. Carrying a travel wallet is a great way to keep your personals organized and safe.
2. Money Belt – Money belts can be key to your piece of mind, especially if you are traveling in a country where pickpockets are a problem. A money belt is a small zippered pouch fastened around your waist and worn under your clothes hidden from public view. You can be comforted by the fact that your valuables are out of sight of potential thieves and securely fastened to your body..
3. Earplugs – These are cheap and great for light sleepers like myself. Earplugs are handy when sharing a room with a snorer or sleeping in a bed beside a busy roadway. Don’t discount the importance of getting good sleep. Nothing is worse than not being able to get rest when you have a busy day of fun and exploration in the morning.
4. Postcards from home and photos of your family – Interacting with locals and fellow travelers is one of the joys of travel. Bringing along a collection of postcards from your beautiful homeland and photos of your loved ones makes for a great conversation piece. Sharing your photos and experiences can be fun and you’ll be sure to make some new friends!
5. Wet wipes – These are small moistened pieces of paper or cloth that often come folded and individually wrapped for convenience. They are great for traveling because they can be used to clean and disinfect surfaces quickly and with minimal fuss. They can also be used as napkins when there is nothing else to clean your hands with.
In closing, always remember to pack light and respect the customs of the country you are visiting. I wish you many safe and happy travels!