Become a Home
Based Travel Agent

Travel Gadgets, Gizmo’s & Tips!
Harvey E. Morse - www.Groups-Travel.Com  - (386)760-7500

Everyone in life has a certain burden to carry. Unfortunately, mine is my reputation of being known as the Gadget King: I either own it, have owned it, it is on order, or it just plain not worth having! Here are a few tips, some simple and some more complex, that will undoubtedly enhance your traveling experience, as well as a few tips:

1. Suction cups with hooks. They adhere to mirrors, tile, and other smooth surfaces, and will enable you to hang that towel, washcloth, bathing suit or ditty bag in a convenient place. Once you start using them, bring at least a half-dozen. You can get them in various strengths at any of the super stores or super drug stores, capable of holding 10, 20 or even 50 lbs. You’ll never travel without them again.

2. Translation device. Ever go to a foreign country and you can’t speak the language? “Lingo” makes a 20 language translator that includes popular phrases and a 270,000 word dictionary.  You type the word or phrase in your native language; press a button for the language of the place you are visiting, and it will show the word on a screen that you can then point to, in addition to saying it aloud. It is small to carry and great for restaurants, medical & travel emergencies and much more. The device also includes an alarm, time, date, voice recorder and currency converter. Why the voice recorder? See next item. Tip: Always get a business card from the front desk of your hotel, so you can show it to a taxi driver.

3. Picture book. There are some terrific pocket size picture books for travelers. You simply point to what you need or are looking for. They contain all the various foods, travel things such as airport, bus stop, train stations, restrooms, police, fire, and body parts in the event of a medical emergency. No words are necessary!

4. Pocket size tape recorder. First, it will help you note what bus you took, what route, and other things you deem important, but how about going to the front desk and asking the bilingual clerk to say: “I want to go to the theatre at the Opera house on Champs Elysee”. The clerk does this, you hail a taxi, press the play button, and with perfect native language you are on your way. This is also great for instructions to restaurants and finding restrooms!

5. Cell phone tip: The only major US carrier who has international service is AT&T. However, you must request the service to be turned on and there is no charge to activate the service. Typically, they require you to have been with them six months before they will do this, but they can be flexible. Nextel, Sprint, Verizon and most other carriers offer no international service. For those who are more technically oriented, look into “Skype”, an Internet based phone service that allows you to talk worldwide for free through your laptop, ships computer, at hot spots, etc. You can also purchase a Skype phone at any of the major electronic stores.

6. 220 volt converter plugs. In the old days, it was suggested that you take a converter box to change the voltage in addition to the plugs. Thanks to technology, look CAREFULLY on that cell phone, camera or laptop charger. If it says 120-240v you can plug it directly into any current you will encounter without a converter box, such as on a cruise ship, just by having the right adapter plugs. While in Europe, I went to a hardware store and purchased a 4 outlet extension plug, so I can charge 4 things with just one wall plug. I also purchased an electric toothbrush for use abroad. DO NOT plug anything that only says 110v into a 220v socket or you can kiss it goodbye!

7. Disposable underwear and socks. I know you think I am joking, but there are at least two companies who sell cotton, not paper, underwear and socks that you wear and toss. The socks are a one size fits all, and the underwear for men and ladies is available in sizes. These things come so tightly wrapped, at a little less than a dollar each, that you can put 14 days supply inside your shoe. (I have a big foot)! No more laundry, more room in your suitcase, and let’s not get into dirty laundry odors.

8. Portable clothes line. These take up no space and are simply a length of rope with a suction cup on either end.

9. Twist ties. Ever find the zippers on your suitcase open when you retrieved your luggage? I purchase a roll of ties used to hold up rose bushes or to close garbage bags, cut them into 4” lengths, and then twist them through the two zippers. TSA can just unwind them without damaging your luggage, and you’ll know if it has been opened.

10. Colored ribbon. Tie the ribbon onto your suitcase handles to help identify your luggage from the rest of the group. You can also use duct tape to make designs or otherwise, be creative. Always carry a small roll of duct tape in your luggage. It will repair a zillion things in an emergency.

11. Camera buff. Bring your own blank CD’s with you. Photo places charge a fortune to download your photos onto their discs which they sell you at a very inflated price. On a cruise ship, you can often use the computer at no charge, and put your photos on your own discs.

12. Walkie-talkies. These things are great on ships, keeping track of the kids, and provide a nice long leash when you are shopping, and hubby wants to look at electronics while the wife is checking out perfume a few doors away. Read the charger requirements unless it uses replaceable batteries.

13. Personal safety. I am a law enforcement trainer, and I could write an article on this subject alone. Here are a few tips: Men, keep your money in two front pockets, never the back. Divide it up just in case you get hit in one pocket and not the other. Ladies, don’t wear a purse around your shoulder. An attacker will pull it from you and the action will knock you to the ground. Belly Bags: If you are going to put your valuables there, get a bag that has an imbedded wire around the belt so it can’t be cut, and tie wrap the zippers together. Always bring a small keychain type flashlight with you, especially for your cabin or hotel room in the event of a power failure. Use your room/cabin safe. If you travel as a couple, make two or more color copies of your passport and distribute them amongst all of your luggage, especially carry-on. You may also want to make a few copies of your credit cards and insurance documents, but storage will need to be more discreet. Try unzipping the lining in your suitcase. There are travel door locks you can purchase from a locksmith or online, that allow you to lock the door from the inside, so no one with a master key or card can enter the room while you are there. There is even an electronic device that you hang on the inside of the door handle, and if someone merely touches the outside, it sets off an alarm.

14. Money. Make sure you get enough of the local currency from your bank, so you can get from the airport to your hotel or cruise ship in a place that does not accept dollars, or will rip you off with the driver’s estimate of the fee in dollars. Always ask the front desk or an airport welcome center for the approximate cost of the taxi ride to your destination, especially if there are no meters.

15. Hand sanitizer. We bring a bunch of the small bottles of hand sanitizer and use them frequently, especially on cruise ships. We also purchase some disinfectant wipes, and wipe things down in our room/cabin when we arrive. Guess what item has the most amounts of germs? The TV remote followed by the telephone!

16. Baby wipes. Always carry a package of baby-wipes. You never know when you may have to use a public restroom that has not been properly maintained, or simply to clean your face and hands.

17. State Department. Do you know you can sign up on line with the State Department and give them your dates of travel, the cities and countries you will be visiting, and who to notify in case of an emergency? It is all free, and they will automatically put you on an email list for travel advisories and warnings in those areas, during your travel dates. I always print out the US Embassy information data for each foreign country I visit, just in case. Imagine trying to do that in Russia or Japan using their yellow pages?

Have a WONDERFUL time, be careful and stay safe.

Harvey