Things I Take for Granted as a Frequent Flier
My nephew is taking his young family on a wonderful trip in a few days time to experience a White Christmas (one of the things still on my bucket list) and to do skiing in Austria. While sitting discussing his upcoming trip over a quiet G and T, I realised that some of the things which I take for granted as obvious, might not be quite so obvious to others who do not travel as often as I do. So let me discuss a few of them in this 2nd post.
Always plan for the worst and hope it never happens!
How many of you remember important cel phone numbers? I must admit, I do not even know my wife's phone number. When I want to phone her, I just go to my "favourites" on my phone (yes - she is on my favourites list and is, in fact, on the very top of list) and press on her photo on the phone. The phone "knows" her number - so why should I remember her number? So what will happen if my trusty phone gets lost, stolen or I drop it over the side of a boat when overseas? How will I be able to phone her to let her know that I am in the Poof? I always have a list (an old fashioned printed paper list) with a few of the critical phone numbers on it. In fact I normally have two of these lists which are kept in different places, one in the hand luggage and one in my suitcase (checked luggage).
Next important set of documents to have with you is a photocopy of your passport. Again I normally have two different sets of all important documents. Same procedure as with the list of phone numbers. Store them in two different places. Also have a few copies of your plane tickets, other tickets, hotel booking information and any other important travel information. Much of this information can also be stored on various Apps on the trusty phone as well (I will discuss a few of these later). Also have a copy of the page in your passport with the visa on. In this era of technology a few countries have started issuing e-visas. An e-visa is just like a visa but is on a loose piece of paper. I am really happy about this as my passport does not get filled up too quickly with all of the visas. Have a few copies of the e-visa also stored in different places.
I would very strongly recommend to anyone who is travelling to have at least two different credit cards, or cards which are pre-loaded with the currency of the country you are planning to visit. These credit cards should not be kept in the same place. I have a separate "Travel wallet" which only has the local currency in and the main credit card that I will be using. My normal wallet is safely tucked away in my camera bag or computer bag. Also if you do have cash with you, also do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Split up the cash and have it in different places. Just remember where you hid the cash!
Have a very specific place to put all important documents which you will be using when checking in or boarding your flight. When I reached Gold on Emirates for the first time, they sent me a very nice travel "pouch". All of my documents and passport and kept in this pouch. My yellow fever vaccination certificate is also stored in the pouch. Get into the habit of replacing any documents or passport back into your special place as soon as you are finished with it. Never walk around with your passport in a pocket. It is very easy for the passport to fall out and the very last thing you need is to be stuck overseas without a passport! Ask me - I had this experience in Ecuador. I will tell you all about that one day. Here are a few photos from my last trip to Ecuador.
I have attached a video of my Nephew practising getting off the train in Germany with his luggage. Well worth the view!
Always plan for the worst and hope it never happens!
How many of you remember important cel phone numbers? I must admit, I do not even know my wife's phone number. When I want to phone her, I just go to my "favourites" on my phone (yes - she is on my favourites list and is, in fact, on the very top of list) and press on her photo on the phone. The phone "knows" her number - so why should I remember her number? So what will happen if my trusty phone gets lost, stolen or I drop it over the side of a boat when overseas? How will I be able to phone her to let her know that I am in the Poof? I always have a list (an old fashioned printed paper list) with a few of the critical phone numbers on it. In fact I normally have two of these lists which are kept in different places, one in the hand luggage and one in my suitcase (checked luggage).
Next important set of documents to have with you is a photocopy of your passport. Again I normally have two different sets of all important documents. Same procedure as with the list of phone numbers. Store them in two different places. Also have a few copies of your plane tickets, other tickets, hotel booking information and any other important travel information. Much of this information can also be stored on various Apps on the trusty phone as well (I will discuss a few of these later). Also have a copy of the page in your passport with the visa on. In this era of technology a few countries have started issuing e-visas. An e-visa is just like a visa but is on a loose piece of paper. I am really happy about this as my passport does not get filled up too quickly with all of the visas. Have a few copies of the e-visa also stored in different places.
I would very strongly recommend to anyone who is travelling to have at least two different credit cards, or cards which are pre-loaded with the currency of the country you are planning to visit. These credit cards should not be kept in the same place. I have a separate "Travel wallet" which only has the local currency in and the main credit card that I will be using. My normal wallet is safely tucked away in my camera bag or computer bag. Also if you do have cash with you, also do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Split up the cash and have it in different places. Just remember where you hid the cash!
Have a very specific place to put all important documents which you will be using when checking in or boarding your flight. When I reached Gold on Emirates for the first time, they sent me a very nice travel "pouch". All of my documents and passport and kept in this pouch. My yellow fever vaccination certificate is also stored in the pouch. Get into the habit of replacing any documents or passport back into your special place as soon as you are finished with it. Never walk around with your passport in a pocket. It is very easy for the passport to fall out and the very last thing you need is to be stuck overseas without a passport! Ask me - I had this experience in Ecuador. I will tell you all about that one day. Here are a few photos from my last trip to Ecuador.
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