Tuesday’s Travel Essentials – Page 2

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Lonely Planet Guides on Your Travels

Posted on August 8, 2017August 8, 2017 by Jonny Blair

If you have followed my journey the last 10 years on here, you will know that I love to be the tourist, every day of my life. I am a very spontaneous tourist who ventures anywhere and everywhere I can.

“If it exists as a place, I’ll go there” – Jonny Blair.

Whackpacking my way through Nukus, Karakalpakstan

I am a perpetual tourist and I believe that it is important to research and read about your destination rather than just backpack it willy nilly – I use Lonely Planet Guides.

My surprise arrival into Mongolia in 2017

My latest tour to Mongolia was actually a bit of a surprise trip, organised at late notice with a last minute visa application in Warsaw in Poland and in a week where I toured 7 countries in 9 days, not seeing much of them. I quickly got myself a Mongolian Lonely Planet though and I added it to my bookshelf! Now having an actual flat in Poland, I have a HUGE bookshelf with travel books – if anyone is keen, I’ll even put a photo of it on my Facebook page someday. I am so surprised how many books I have, considering how much of a light backpacker I always claimed to be. I was leaving Lonely Planets in Hong Kong, Australia, Bournemouth and Northern Ireland. Now, I have them all in my flat.

Using Lonely Planet Guides on Your Travels

Apart from Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. I had to bung a lot into three days in the city, so the Lonely Planet was the best option as I love their format. I stayed in the Hotel Kaiser Ulan Baatar. I backpacked the sights of the city and even concocted a depressive “Thirsty Thursday” – the series’s only post in probably a year?

Best five things about the Lonely Planet Guides? Here’s my quick take on them:

1.Consistent Format
I got used to Lonely Planet Guides over the years, pages always the same. I use the maps to plot my route and write my notes. When a brand is consistent, it is easier to use. You might think this is ridiculous given my hatred for commercial capitalist cow excrement, but the Planet is a winner, just like Kebab King in Poland. Addicted!

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Lonely Planet Guides on Your Travels

Kebab King – addicted! Best kebabs in the world for me!

2.Good Maps
The maps in the Lonely Planet Guides are good, especially the city maps, they also mention important places that are just off the map…UZUPIS made the Vilnius map which scores points but they need to add Austenasia into their England, London or Kingdom United guides.

3.Non Political
I hate political guides or biased tour books. Lonely Planet doesn’t take sides which is great. My only real complaint is that they don’t include enough Wacaday Micronations! That said they have a separate book for that, and if one day they come knocking “hey Jonny can you write us a book on 100 wacaday nations that don’e exist?” I might do it for £100 and some good beer and pierogi. Stranger things have not happened.

The Lonely Planet guide to micronations (recommended)

4.Good Bar, Cafe and Restaurant Sections
As a person who loves to hone in on some bars, cafes and restuarants on my travels, the Lonely Planet does well in this because it doesn’t list all of them, it picks and selects just a few. I have previously, without direct reference included them on my Thirsty Thursdays and Friday’s Featured Food sections.

delaneys rugby world cup — Working Wednesdays: Happy Times during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Delaneys!

Probably my only complaint is my own downfall i.e. once a bar is in the Lonely Planet, lots of fellow tourists go there. But should I complain? Not really. I remember when I worked in two of the best Irish Pubs in the world, and both mentioned on Lonely Planet, “Irish staff is a bonus” probably didn’t refer to me, but I made new friends and selfishly I smiled that night in Hong Kong Delaneys…

delaneys irish bar 2 continents — Behind the bar in Delaney’s in Hong Kong on the Day I worked in 2 continents…

5.Lonely Planet is NORTHERN IRISH
Perhaps the main reason why I love it is because Lonely Planet is 50% Northern irish (and probably more as we know how females rule the world). I am a Northern Irish nationalist – I love being from the wee six, Northern Ireland, 6 counties of Ireland that are undermined and often confused with being “Protestant”, “Unionist” or even worse “political terrorists”. We are not. We are geographical. We were given 6 counties to work with and we are 4 years shy of 100 years as a real country. Of that we should be proud and guess what – 50% of the Lonely Planet is Northern Irish! Yes, Maureen Wheeler is a Belfast girl. Perhaps one day she dreams of meeting me for a tourist interview and a chin yarn with Stevie Lomas, or KEEF Gillespie. I’ll Instagram her in a bit. Thanks Maureen! Keep er lit.

On the rip with Keith Gillespie. A man who should have got 100 caps.

The night Stevie Lomas told me “sure I never touched him”, thon time he elbowed a Liechtenstinian!

So do it – use the Lonely Planet.

“If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for you” – Dodgy.

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Taking The #CB12testdays Challenge with my New Mouthwash – CB12!

Posted on June 21, 2016August 24, 2021 by Jonny Blair

You might have read that around 2 years ago, I visited a dentist in Hong Kong and had a few problems with my teeth. Well this month was dentist time again for me as I visited the dentist twice in the space of a week in my hometown of Bangor, Northern Ireland. I went to the Oasis dentist.

After getting a full clean and examination, I had drillings and fillings to get. Ouch. Then I decided to do the 12 day breath test using CB 12 Mouthwash and tablets! Here’s the details on it: http://www.cb12.co.uk/breath-test/testdays/

Even a dentist in Tampa Florida and anywhere around the world would advise one to take proactive measures in order to promote good oral health, so I made sure to follow my own dentist’s advice and used the mouthwash once a day while also taking one tablet daily. Your breath should stay fresh for 12 hours at least. This was a brilliant 12 day test to do and good timing for me, as I knew I would be drinking a lot of beer and coffee and eating a lot of pizza, salad and pasta due to the fact that I toured Italy, Monaco, France and the Republic of Ireland during my 12 day test. Here are my three advantages I found by doing the CB 12 day test.

1.Always fresh breath
Yes, my breath has never felt better. I always had fresh breath during the 12 day test and as soon as I finished my last beer of the night, I cleaned my teeth and retired to bed.

Fresh breath for a night on the beers with my brothers and Dad

2.Chatting to Girls
An ultimate turn off for girls is bad breath so I was now squeaky clean, mouth wise and having just kissed the Blarney Stone, I could chat away to local girls everywhere I went, knowing they’d be like “this guy has good breath”.

3.Overall Dental Care
My teeth have felt better. I have to admit I’m not a fan of visiting the dentist and after my recent visit, I’ve been using whiter toothpaste, eating less food with bones in it (after my tooth cracked) and I’ve been flossing my teeth a lot more. Overall with this on top of the CB12 challenge, my teeth and overall dental care feels better than it has in years.

free toothpaste and toothbrushes — Keep them clean!

I’m in France now for the Euros and have enjoyed this 12 day challenge, I will be hoping to continue it. I’d recommend giving CB12 Mouthwash and tablets a try for 12 days, here are the details:

http://www.cb12.co.uk/breath-test/testdays/

Top 5 Reasons For Getting Travel Insurance When Backpacking

Posted on April 26, 2016April 29, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Down the years of backpacking, people always ask me about travel insurance and though I’ve had some serious issues with insurance companies, it pains me to say that we need insurance, as I did on my times backpacking in Afghanistan and Antarctica. But with so many companies out there, so many different figures brandished around, it can be hard to choose a company. If you go by these simple reasons why we need travel insurance, you can use them to decide on the best company to use.

The importance of getting Travel Insurance When Backpacking

1.Cancelled Flights
As a long term traveller, I’ve been through enough cancelled flights to tear a lifetime of hair out. Cancelled and delayed flights can cost us money, time, employment and a lot of stress too. In my experience, there are some seriously excremental airlines out there including Jet Star, Air ASSia and the horrific Air Algerie, Air Tunis and Vueling.

With travel insurance of course, this can be easier as the insurance company can sort it all out for you. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, with travel insurance you should get part or all of the money back, and they may also cover any days missed off work due to extended delays.

2.Lost Luggage
Yes I hate companies like Tunis Air, They’ve lost more bags of mine than I’ve even owned!! Yes, the same backpack was lost and found a hat-trick of times. The worst culprit is Tunis Air, who currently owe me $1,500 and I beg and beg them for it every week, until they go bankrupt. You may never see your luggage again but at least you can claim some of the money back. In short – keep your sentimental stuff in your hand luggage.

Tuesday's Travel Essentials: My New Rucksack - An Osprey Aether 70 — Lost Luggage

3.Accidents
Accidents happen. You might drop your camera, you might lose $1,000 in a river, you might break your leg. You might catch a disease. Travel insurance helps you out in these bad times, so get on it and get a decent policy booked.

Footloose and legless - 2007 hat-trick of broken metatarsals. — Footloose and legless – 2007 hat-trick of broken metatarsals.

4.Theft
Yes, fellow travellers steal and you can trust no one. My laptop was stolen from a flat I was staying at in Australia. Twats! I lock everything up in dorms and everywhere I go. But people still find a way to steal if they want something. With travel insurance at least you can get some money back, if not the sentiment of something close to your heart. Even still – lock up your valuables.

pete dark — The window the burglar climbed in through

5.Fraud
Unfortunately fraud still happens when we travel. Credit and debit cards can be cloned, stolen or our details can also be stolen online by hackers. In such instances, we go crazy. We get on the phones to our banks and cancel the cards, we try to claim money back. A quick call to our insurance company can be much simpler – they can often wire over some money to you.

Those are just five reasons of many out there about Travel Insurance and its huge benefits. U.S. based readers can purchase travel insurance from MedEx of UnitedHealthcare Global.

Please Note – Travel Insurance plans of MedEx are not available for purchase for residents of Washington State or New York.

Safe and happy travels.

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Slick VPN to Access The Internet Abroad

Posted on April 12, 2016May 9, 2019 by Jonny Blair

As I whackpacked my way through the Stan countries and India the last 4-5 months, there were some real challenging moments as an online worker. It was infuriating, I’ll be honest. I tore my hair out and yelled at people and I cursed at my computer and the sh*t internet day on day. Yes, initially I announced on here that I wouldn’t be using a VPN while in these countries, but my webpages kept crashing. I was losing writing, patience, time, money and weight. Yes, weight! Less time to eat while I was busy pressing refresh for hours for screens to load. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! After Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, it was time to finally get a VPN and I opted for Slick VPN. SO I’m testing it out the next few months and will update on how it goes. I’m pretty excited by it and impressed so far.

Before deciding to get a VPN, as a relative internet novice despite being a professional travel blogger, I had to do some research and work out the benefits of such a network. First up, let’s be obvious:

What is a VPN????
Yes I had to ask this myself! VPN stands for ‘Virtual Private Network’, and it creates a connection between your computer and a remote server so you may obtain an anonymous IP address, i.e. where the server is. In short, hopefully it prevents screens like this, which have been all too common for me recently…

Backpacking in Tajikistan - oh bollocks! — Backpacking in Tajikistan – oh bollocks!

pressing Reload is useless!

Why Choose Slick VPN?
There are many VPN companies out there, so why choose Slick VPN? I’ve got a good reason for you – because it comes recommended by Torrent Freak, it has a good reputation and if it works for a long term digital nomad like me, it can work for you!! I’m just a few weeks into my trial period and I love it so far. This hasn’t happened once since I started using it…

No more of these screens (Ulsterman tears his hair out)

Pressing “show saved copy” is useless!

What are the advantages of a VPN?

Obviously the security and anonymity are the key points about having a VPN, but also how about these reasons:
You can access Facebook in Tajikistan!!
You can access YouTube in China!!
You can watch Netflix anywhere you want!!

Here are just some of the cool features, I’m enjoying about Slick VPN:

Anonymity: TorrentFreak.com has twice listed SlickVPN as a “VPN Service That Takes Your Anonymity Seriously.” It’s nice to be anonymous in Wi-fi cafes!

Additional Security via SlickVPN HYDRA: With Slickj VPM, the HYDRA Multi-Hop Feature adds an extra layer of security that other providers do not offer. This extra hop over their internal network completely disconnects your traffic to the outside world from the connection you’re making to the SlickVPN gateways.

Thirsty Thursdays: Top Five WiFi Cafes For Digital Nomads in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Using Slick VPN to Access The Internet Abroad

Enhanced Security: These days, it’s important not to overlook your personal, online security. There are huge risks logging onto to shared networks and sadly as a traveller, I’m almost always using shared networks. However with the security that comes with SlickVPN, I can relax more. SlickVPN provides enhanced security by establishing a private connection between your computer and their servers. This ensures that when you browse the web you’re doing so with an added layer of security to help keep hackers at bay.

Working from my hotel room in Shenzhen, China

Added Firewall Security: A VPN account from SlickVPN can also protect against direct attacks, as it hides your computer’s IP address and shows a different one instead. The false IP address is protected by advanced hardware and engineers working to ensure that any attacks on the targeted IP address are thwarted, nice!

Anonymous Web Browsing: With a SlickVPN account, you can browse the web anonymously so that nobody can see your real IP address. An IP address may be tracked when filling out an online form, purchasing something online, or by websites and search engines.

Who's that anonymous travel blogger? — Who’s that anonymous travel blogger?

Sometimes hackers with ill intent track them. Instead of your real IP address, an anonymous IP address is displayed. Some services allow website owners or others to track where visitors to their website are from and allows them to see their IP address. SlickVPN makes your online presence anonymous.

Perfect for Backpackers: If you’ve ever tried to access the internet on your backpacking journey (for me, it’s a daily thing unless I’m hiking!), you know that certain countries put restrictions on what users can and cannot access. It’s infuriating. Facebook in Iran? No chance! Netflix in Tajikistan? Nope! Step in Slick VPN and you’ll be uploading Instagram and Facebook photos from Gorno Badakhshan!!

Backpacking in Khorog, Gorno Badakhshan bereft of internet

Wi-Fi Hotspot Security: Most people will use a Wi-Fi hotspot at some point, myself especially I’m always logging into them – airports, bus stations, cafes etc. They are common at airports, hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and other locations. But, unfortunately, a public network like this can be laden with security risks as hackers attempt to steal passwords or usernames from others who are using the network. SlickVPN hides your activity so that you can surf the web anonymously.

Overseas Calls: I haven’t used this feature yet, but phoning my family and keeping touch is something I do as often as I can on the road. With Slick VPN, when you use Skype and certain other programs, the rate you pay is determined by the location of your IP address and the person you are calling. So with SlickVPN you can vary your IP address location to get the best rate.

Living Overseas: Many governments around the world censor the Internet to some degree and those who do not travel are often unaware of this, including my IT friend Alan Scott who Tweeted me to ask why I need a VPN! Having spent 2 years in Australia, 3 years in China and Hong Kong combined and a huge number of months in countries like India, Iran, Tajikistan and Venezuela where internet sites can either be restricted, limited download and upload speeds, or completely banned. If you’ve ever tried to access PayPal in Myanmar for example – OUCH! Don’t do it!! For other VPN choices, check out the list on blokt.com.

So I’m enjoying testing out the Slick VPN and will update on my progress once I’ve crossed a few more borders with it. To get yourself a Slick VPN, simply go to this page and get started, from $48 US a year, this is really really worth it for long term travellers, believe me!:

https://www.slickvpn.com/pro-vpn.html

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Introducing My New Rucksack – An Osprey Aether 70

Posted on January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

On my journeys down the years I have backpacked through more places than I can remember. While I keep an actual list of all those towns, cities and villages, I know there are those that I will forget until I check that list again. Some people start off as backpackers and then become suitcase travellers. With me, it was the opposite. I once used a suitcase, can you believe it?? Neither can I, yes I once pulled and tugged a suitcase through the streets of Poland and Germany. I soon learned my lesson and became a backpacker ever since.

Backpacking! But I once went Suitcasing you know... — Backpacking in Brazil! But I once went Suitcasing you know…

But since 2010 I have had the same backpack. I bought my Tahoe in Australia when I was based in Parramatta and that black backpack with grey straps had some memories – I travelled to over 70 countries with it, including all 7 continents. So at the end of 2015, I needed a new big rucksack to go alongside my day bag/hand luggage bag, (the Rotation 180 hand luggage backpack which is my hand luggage and day backpack, used for my laptop and hard drives). For the last three months, I have been travelling with my new backpack, loving it!

When you travel as much as I do, the best place to look for rucksacks these days is online. It saves us the time or going out to shops and searching around for the best deal, besides I hate shopping. I use E-Outdoor.co.uk to order all my backpacking equipment these days, you might have seen my recent post about them, I also used E-Outdoor to order my latest Snugpak Sleeping Bag. It’s based in England, UK, so if you are UK based (even temporarily like me) then this is the place to get your equipment from. Here’s an overview of my latest awesome piece of gear – my new rucksack/large backpack – my Osprey Aether 70. I normally order from them and pick them up when I’m back in the UK – not having an address doesn’t exactly help when I’m backpacking in Kyrgyzstan or Chernobyl!

My brand new backpack!! Exciting!

1.Size
In terms of size, it’s about the same size as my previous backpack. I went for the medium size by the way – I don’t carry tents or camping mats anymore and 70 litres is ample.
Backpacking/Mountaineering purposes – 70 Litres / ~ 4,300 Cubic Inches
Sizes: S M L XL (I chose medium)

Off backpacking again, through London on the underground here at Leicester Square!

2.Weight
In terms of weight, the Osprey Aether is slightly lighter than my previous backpack. Obviously this makes an ever so slight difference to my travels. Despite the lower weight, it doesn’t lack anything that my previous backpack did – in fact, the new one is better.

3.Compartments
My Osprey has a load of compartments and random pockets. So many in fact that four months into backpacking with it, I still find new parts to it!

Side pockets where I keep plastic bags, toilet roll, water and my flask. Bottom pocket for sleeping bag and dirty clothes (in bags). Top pocket for flipflops, coat, rain/snow cover.

Front pocket for toiletries and easy to access items. It also opens from the front and the top, two access options, easy and fast to organise when I’m backpacking fast through Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

My normal entry point from the top, also opens on the front.

4.Comfort
The traps are well padded and the backpack fits evenly round my shoulders. It has an equilibrium to it and even though I’m horrendous at sciences, I worked out that this means it fits well, and is easy to backpack with.

Very adjustable straps to fit to your body for comfort.

I have to admit that my previous backpack I had got used to it – it was so comfortable and this one has taken a while to get used to, which is only natural. It was like a love of mine – the last backpack – think of it – my 100th country and all seven continents secured with that backpack. But my old backpack is no longer in production and I even e-mailed the company to ask them about it and got no response! Customer service eh?

My new backpack at Lagoan Isles, Portsmouth

5.Extras
Every day I find extras, hidden in my Osprey Aether! This week it was a sleeve at the back that I can fit a magazine in and two new straps to tighten round the frame of the backpack that I had missed initially.

I am always learning new things about my backpack and I’m excited that I have a pristine state of the art modern 2015 backpacking rucksack for my latest adventures. This backpack has already toured England, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as well as two disputed regions, the Empire of Adammia and the Lagoan Isles. So it’s well on route to outlast the previous one, but another 5 years to go I guess…

Backpacking my way around the perimeter of Baffin's Pond and the Lagoan Isles — Backpacking my way around the perimeter of Baffin’s Pond and the Lagoan Isles

Also my previous backpack was lost 4 times by airlines, some shit ones. The new backpack is pristine and hasn’t been lost yet. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

I love this new backpack, of course I recommend it and buy it from my mates at e-Outdoor if you can.

Here is a video of my latest backpack:

How to Keep Clothes Clean While Traveling Abroad

Posted on November 15, 2015November 16, 2015 by Jonny Blair

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on 10th October 2015.

It’s an age-old traveler’s dilemma: How do you to keep clothes clean while traveling around the world? Clean clothes may be easy to maintain if you’re visiting popular U.S. tourist destinations like Disney World or Washington, D.C., but laundry can be considerably less accessible (or more expensive) in places like Budapest or Addis Ababa. Here’s how to keep clothes clean no matter where travel takes you.

The Bag Method

The Vagabond explains that this simple technique involves stuffing dirty clothes into a heavy-duty plastic bag (the aLOKSAK bag is a popular option). Add soap and hot water, knead the bag’s contents for approximately five minutes, and then let the whole shebang soak for another ten minutes before rinsing and hanging clothes to dry.

This method can also be replicated without any special equipment. Simply use a regular two-gallon Ziploc (for small “loads”) or a plastic grocery bag. Just be sure to wash over a tub or sink to avoid puddles on the floor. Or simply bring clothes into the shower with you.

Sink washing

The word “sink” can be interpreted pretty loosely, here — basically any container filled with water will do (in addition to sinks, think coolers, Tupperware, etc.). Life Remotely explains the simple concept: Dump dirty clothes in the sink (or container), add soap and water, swish and squeeze the clothes in the soapy water, rinse, and hang to dry. If you’re planning to use the sink method, be sure to invest in a universal drain plug (though in a pinch, a rolled up sock or washcloth will do).

Laundromat

These are not available everywhere, and the rules and prices can vary widely around the world. Hand washing is pretty much the only guaranteed way to keep clothes clean. That said, laundromats do exist in many places, and they can be a great option for travelers looking for a deeper clean than hand washing affords. Some laundromats will have coin-operated soap dispensers, change machines,English instructions, and the like, but don’t count on this being the case. Wash and dry at clothes’ own risk!

Laundry service

In many places, hotels, landlords, and shops offer full laundry service, and sometimes it’s worth the splurge. Asia in particular is well known for its high-quality laundry services. Do some research in advance of a trip to learn about the laundry situation at your destination.

Tips for Hand Washing

Many travelers decide to go the DIY approach because it’s simple, cheap, and can be done anywhere (all of this makes it a particularly great option for people traveling on a budget). If going this route, keep the following tips in mind.

Bring the right supplies. A sink plug, lightweight clothesline, liquid soap (or small packets of laundry detergent), and large plastic bags will make any hand washing session more efficient and effective. If backpacking or traveling in an area with a low-quality septic system, be sure to choose a biodegradable soap.
Embrace multiple wears. You’ll do laundry much less often if you wear clothes multiple times. Wait to wash clothes until they’re actually dirty.
Wash small loads. It’s much more efficient to wash just a few items at a time. Each wash, prioritize underwear, socks, and the smelliest item(s) in your pack. Extend the wear of other items until washing them is truly a necessity, and then wash those items in small batches.
Choose smart fabrics. Synthetic clothes will dry much faster than cotton ones, while non-wrinkles fabrics will eliminate any worry about having to press clothes.
Dry right. Start by rolling up wet clothes in a dry towel and wringing them out to absorb some of the extra moisture (a pack towel is ideal, as they can absorb a ton of water and dry quickly). Then hang clothes on a line (either outside or inside) or drape them around the room in a hotel or hostel (just be sure not to damage anything with water — remember to be a respectful tourist).

Don’t re-pack clothing until it’s fully dry; this will prevent mold and smelliness. If laundry is still damp and it’s time to get on the road, consider wearing the damp clothes — your body’s heat will dry them in no time.

Be resourceful. If clothing gets wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom while you shower so steam can naturally relax the fabric. If clothing gets linty, use a piece of tape to pick up the worst of it. By thinking outside the box, you’ll be able to solve most any laundry dilemma.

Armed with these tips, you’ll keep clothes clean and comfortable as efficiently as possible — so you can get out of the hostel and back to sightseeing. Got a good travel laundry story? Share the horror (or the success) with us on Facebook!

Why It’s Important to Travel With Cash and Cards When You Travel

Posted on October 15, 2015October 16, 2015 by Jonny Blair

I’ve been travelling for years on end, it seems like a crazy dream of a life. I sleep in about 230 different beds/floors/seats every year. I never have a set home, but yet I managed to survive money wise through the jobs I’ve had along the way, and thankfully now through my blogs, websites, app planning and e-Books. But some new travellers out there might be scared where to start – how to save, what way to pay for things. I’m very much a cash in hand person. I like to pay for things in cash first and foremost. I still hate internet banking, paying for things on card and internet transactions. When I started out, it was always cash cash cash. But the world has changed.

Here are my top five money tips which highlight why it’s important to travel with cash and cards.

Money exchange place in Balka, Tiraspol. — Money exchange place in Balka, Tiraspol, Transnistria

1.ALWAYS Carry US Dollars
It’s essential. Even if you don’t like the USA, or their Dollar, you should ALWAYS carry US Dollars. They are the most accepted currency around the world in banks, offices, businesses and visas in embassies. In the following countries, the US Dollar is also the official currency: Ecuador, USA, El Salvador, East Timor, Panama. So make sure you have them! I had to use them to get my Suriname Visa in 2011, which was a crazy time to be in Venezuela as the black market crashed.

Jonny Blair how to get a suriname visa in caracas — US Dollars were not just essential for getting a Suriname Visa they were MANDATORY!!

2.ALWAYS Carry at least one other Currency
When I’m in Asia I try to also carry Chinese RMB. Sometimes it’s Hong Kong Dollars. In Europe, I always carry British pounds, and as much as I hate the Euro currency, unfortunately I have to use them, so I carry them. It does still feel weird paying for things in “Germany” using a European note rather than a Deutsch Mark. But that’s what happend when you sell your country out.

Guesthouse Amice knows all about currencies - you can pay in Suriname Dollars, Euros or US Dollars. — Carry a few different currencies

3.Be Aware of Restrictions
Certain countries have tight money laws and restrictions. For example, if you backpack through North Korea, you cannot use North Korean Won (pick them up as a souvenir). If travelling to Cuba, please be aware of the plastic and money tips for Cuba to get you by. If you are in Gibraltar or Northern Ireland, the pounds you use there may not be accepted everywhere in countries like Wales and England. It is also advised to carry cash when backpacking through Iran and Nagorno Karabakh – those countries do have ATMs but they only give out money to local card holders.

4.Carry Multiple Bank Cards
I opened bank accounts in 4 different countries along the way, this means I carry multiple cards. If one card doesn’t work in a certain country, then others will. Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted, but here are a few countries I’ve been to that didn’t accept them (at least on my visit):
– North Korea
– Myanmar
– Bangladesh
– Austenasia
– Iran
– Nagorno Karabakh
– Transnistria

north korean notes — North Korea is very much cash only

5.Be Aware of Fees and Hidden Charges
I’ve learned from my mistakes. I have been overcharged manys a time so I am well aware of scams, hidden fees and money vendors taking advantage. Always check the exchange rates in advance, check your change before you leave a venue. Over the years these little things will save you more money than you’d expect. There are rip off merchants and asswipes on every corner, of every street.

Don’t fret too much though, safe travels!

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: My New Sleeping Bag – Snugpak by Chrysalis

Posted on September 29, 2015September 18, 2018 by Jonny Blair

On my journeys down the years I have slept in more places than I can remember. Though one day, I will try to remember them all (through photos it will help) and make a list of all the places I have slept or stayed on my journeys. I’d had the same sleeping bag for the last 5 years and I used it in every continent as well as on the Inca Trail in Peru and in my time sleeping in my tent in Poatina. But I wanted a new, exciting durable sleeping bag for all seasons.

Relaxing by my tent in Poatina, Tasmania, Australia. Great mountain views!

The best place to look for them these days is online. It saves us the time or going out to shops and searching around for the best deal. I use E-outdoor.co.uk to order all my backpacking equipment these days, you might have seen my post about them. It’s based in England, UK, so if you are UK based (even temporarily like me) then this is the place to get your equipment from. Here’s an overview of my Snugpak by Chrysalis.

The Snugpak by Chrysalis
The Snugpak by Chrysalis is an innovation award winner. I went for an ocean blue Chrysalis 3, with an orange bag, which weighs 1.6 kg all in, including the bag and torch and in extreme weather, it can keep you warm in places that are -10 degrees. Here are my favourite features of the Snugpak.

1.Roomy
Once you get inside, you can move about. It’s a sleeping bag that can be expanded or shortened if need be. When I’m not in a cold country (I’m currently backpacking in England and it’s Autumn), I just sleep in it loose. Loads of leg and hand room.

2.Clips
You can make the Snugpak tighter and warmer with the clips to shorten it. The normal length is 220 centimetres, the shortened length is 175 centimetres.

3.Warm
The Snugpak can be adjusted depending on the temperature around you. This sleeping bag can withstand temperatures of up to -10 degrees if adjusted properly and you are well equipped with rations and clothing (and a tent of course!).

My new sleeping bag the Snugpak — My cosy new sleeping bag the Snugpak. Goodnight all!

4.Low Packsize
The Snugpak fits into a small pack and is easy to carry and transport, the only slight issue is the weight. I try to travel light and keep my main backpack down to the size of 8 kg in weight. This one takes up 1.6 kg of that, but means I don’t need to carry the torch I used and I won’t carry a blanket either.

5.Removable Torch
I always carry a torch anyway but now that I have the Snugpak, I don’t need my main torch anymore. This tiny torchlight that comes with the Snugpak is three times brighter and about 20 times smaller than my other torch.

Here is a quick video overview of my Snugpak which you can order through e-outdoor.co.uk :