[Dragan]

What is absolutely essential when going overseas?

I would say an electrical adapter, or a second credit/debit card.

edit: Medical insurance if necessary.

Also, a "rider" on your insurance policy for any item worth more than a couple hundred dollars (for your laptop for example).

[Windom Earle]

An aeroplane or a floating vessel.

[Dragan]

(04-10-2018 09:09 AM)Windom Earle Wrote:  

An aeroplane or a floating vessel.

Yep that's pretty essential.

[STEEL_WARRIOR]

• Microfiber travel towel - Dries super fast and takes up little space.
  

• Good pair of shoes - Comfortable sturdy shoes are always good.
  

• Jacket/Vest with zip and internal pockets - There is no way people can pickpocket you if you have something with an internal pocket and you are zipped up.
  

• Ultrabook- not essential but a long battery-life lightweight computer is always a boon
  

• Waterbottle- I use a BPA free water bottle (metal is good too) you can fill it with fresh clean water and save yourself getting robbed with ridiculously high bottled water prices.
  

• New smart phone - I hated these things because they make people zombies, but they are a useful evil so many things can be done with a smartphone.
  

• Powerpack battery - I got a cheap one of these and it is 10000 mAh that is enough for 3 full charges from 0-100% on most phones.
  

I am not an expert in any way shape or form these are just some things I myself have found to be helpful.

[Sandstorm]

Something I never remember to bring but always seem to find I need is a bloody bottle opener for wine!

[Dragan]

(04-10-2018 09:29 AM)Sandstorm Wrote:  

Something I never remember to bring but always seem to find I need is a bloody bottle opener for wine!

I second that. A wine opener, or a multitool that has a corkscrew on it. So crucial-- I always forget my flask as well.

[WhatTheFuck]

(04-10-2018 08:40 AM)Dragan Wrote:  

edit: Medical insurance if necessary.

Also, a "rider" on your insurance policy for any item worth more than a couple hundred dollars (for your laptop for example).

What I'd be curious to know is has anyone ever used their travel insurance successfully?

In my experience, it's been one of those things that seemed like a great idea in theory, but if you ever have to actually use it to claim anything they make you jump through so many hoops, it is almost not even worth it.

[Dragan]

(04-10-2018 09:32 AM)WhatTheFuck Wrote:  

(04-10-2018 08:40 AM)Dragan Wrote:  

edit: Medical insurance if necessary.

Also, a "rider" on your insurance policy for any item worth more than a couple hundred dollars (for your laptop for example).

What I'd be curious to know is has anyone ever used their travel insurance successfully?

In my experience, it's been one of those things that seemed like a great idea in theory, but if you ever have to actually use it to claim anything they make you jump through so many hoops, it is almost not even worth it.

I haven't used the insurance yet, and it's not travel insurance, but rather on your homeowners policy. But if you have a computer worth like 1k or more and you're in EE or something where incomes are low, I think it's worth it if you're gonna be there a while in case anything is stolen. Computers are freaking expensive to replace in Europe, esp. if you have a Macbook. The Tax over there on stuff is really high.

[mickeyd]

Im cheap as hell on most things, but im willing to drop $10 per pair or more on those fancy wool socks (smartwool, or darn tough). amazing for your feet and they make wool socks both hot and cold climates.

[ksbms]

(04-10-2018 09:32 AM)WhatTheFuck Wrote:  

(04-10-2018 08:40 AM)Dragan Wrote:  

edit: Medical insurance if necessary.

Also, a "rider" on your insurance policy for any item worth more than a couple hundred dollars (for your laptop for example).

What I'd be curious to know is has anyone ever used their travel insurance successfully?

In my experience, it's been one of those things that seemed like a great idea in theory, but if you ever have to actually use it to claim anything they make you jump through so many hoops, it is almost not even worth it.

Yes. When in Oslo I lost (or have stolen?) my travel documents (I know, stupid), so couldn't fly back home. First thing, had the case registered with the police, kept all the receipts and documents from the Police. Sent the originals and relevant print outs and photocopies with a detailed write up what exactly happened when and where. Got a full refund on my claim pretty fast, no questions asked.

[ksbms]

(04-10-2018 10:27 AM)mickeyd Wrote:  

Im cheap as hell on most things, but im willing to drop $10 per pair or more on those fancy wool socks (smartwool, or darn tough). amazing for your feet and they make wool socks both hot and cold climates.

Absolutely. I wear only either Icebreaker or Smartwool, both for walking and sports. Best thing for your feet.

[ksbms]

(04-10-2018 08:40 AM)Dragan Wrote:  

What is absolutely essential when going overseas?

I would say an electrical adapter, or a second credit/debit card.

edit: Medical insurance if necessary.

Also, a "rider" on your insurance policy for any item worth more than a couple hundred dollars (for your laptop for example).

I always take my multi-tool knife with me.

[Batka]

Medical Insurance.

[VincentVinturi]

Black electrical tape to block light on appliances, air conditioners, door key slots, etc.

Huge for sleeping soundly.

[Suits]

There's a big difference between "going abroad" for a trip and "going abroad" to live for an extended period.

Very different packing lists.

Here's a dirty little secret that the specialty travel gadget industry doesn't want you to know. Most everything you really need can be bought locally.

Recently, I've been experimenting with taking trips with nothing more than the contents of a small messenger bag.

Less is more when you have to fucking carry it.

[Preussen]

Honest question, since your name is suits do you bring them along and how do you pack them to minimize wrinkles in a messenger bag?
I also travel for a week or two with only what I can fit in a medium backpack, a size accepted as a carry on with any airline.

[Cobra]

Sheepskin condoms in case they don't have em.

[Suits]

(04-10-2018 09:52 PM)Preussen Wrote:  

Honest question, since your name is suits do you bring them along and how do you pack them to minimize wrinkles in a messenger bag?
I also travel for a week or two with only what I can fit in a medium backpack, a size accepted as a carry on with any airline.

I'm on my way back from a four nights in Kuala Lumpur. For this trip, I wore a single pair of jeans and a suit jacket on the airplane. I wore one shirt and brought a spare. I altered between the two each day (or mid day if necessary). I didn't wear the jacket for casual errands, just for meetings.

I was travelling so light that when I checked out of my hotel room, the manager asked me where my stuff was.

If I'm somewhere for a week or more (and I want to travel light), I'll bring three jackets in a carry-on suitcase and two or three pants options. I'll select them carefully for maximizing the number of combinations that can be pulled off.

I stick one sleeve inside the other and roll the jackets to reduce wrinkling and then I hang them in the washroom and run the shower for a while to steam them once I arrive. If I'm travelling somewhere for longer, a month or more, I may bring a hand steamer along with me. Many hotel rooms have an iron as well. It's not a major challenge to stay wrinkle free while travelling.

[Tail Gunner]

(04-10-2018 08:40 AM)Dragan Wrote:  

What is absolutely essential when going overseas?

   

[Tiger Man]

I agree with Suits here. Less is generally more. If it's a quick trip, you don't need much. If you are relocating, it's better to just buy what you need once you arrive. Because, you will guess wrong and end up with a bunch of stuff you don't need if you do it before you leave.

However, I will share a tip that has saved my ass on more than one occasion. I travel to and through a few places that you wouldn't want to get hassled by local authorities. In truth, I mainly stick to expensive, developed areas, but I have to slum it from time to time. As I'm paranoid, I wanted to make sure that I had everything covered if I got picked up by the police, in, say, the PRC. I phoned a friend of mine at an international firm that does KRE insurance, and explained what I wanted and this is what he told me to do. First, do a "wallet biopsy" where you remove pretty much all non-essential crap from your wallet. So you are down to DL, maybe one CC, and cash. Then, add two business cards. One for an international law firm that deals in the country and another for the highest ranking person (that you can get a card from) in the local embassy or consulate of your country. You can often get these just by walking in to the place and saying you are setting up a meeting with such-and-such and you want to grab his card. I have never had a problem with it.

This is only really useful if you have a habit of or think you might be getting in to trouble. I usually don't, but I got "arrested" in the Carribean once in what was obviously a shake-down. I refused to pay, so they took me in to the station. The guy in charge put me in a cell and started going through my stuff. The minute he found the embassy card, he walked over, let me out, gave me my stuff, and apologized for any inconvenience.

Now, if ever I am going to be in a grafty area or somewhere I just don't trust, I employ some variation of this tactic.

[Tail Gunner]

(04-12-2018 04:52 AM)Tiger Man Wrote:  

First, do a "wallet biopsy" where you remove pretty much all non-essential crap from your wallet. So you are down to DL, maybe one CC, and cash.

I do this before every trip, whether domestic or international. There is a much higher risk of losing your wallet on a trip, so there is no reason to lose everything in your wallet when you really just need to carry a few items.

[Biz]

This all sounds useful.

I'm planning my first long trip overseas (SEA) and have been overwhelmed with all the info that's out there, it's mostly just travel bloggers that I've extracted info from. I find that most of the planning, budget, etc info that's out there by travel bloggers is just all over the place so I don't really know what to take as truth.

Figured RVF would be the best place to get the best info.

***

I'll be traveling around SEA for 6-9 months and plan to bring a 45L backpack, mostly just summer clothing and the odd one piece of clothing like a pair of jeans, a denim shirt, jogging pants and a light windbreaker just in case.

What I came across last night was that packing sunscreen and bug repellent may be the most important thing you could do because Asian sunscreen is made with whitener in it -- fuck that, I'm already fair skinned, I'm looking to get a nice tan while I'm over there. And the repellent is hard to come by and incredibly expensive.

Do I pack a shitload of 100 ml sunscreen? Those small ass bottles would prob last 2 weeks, 4 tops.

[tobehero]

-Bug spray
-Sun protector
is a must. Often I would think you could just buy it when you are there, but it's always a different brand, in a foreign language or doesn't walk as well.
-Carry spare set of clothes in your carry-on. Missing luggage happens and you could be stranded.
-the tiny sim card key that you need everytime you want to change sim cards. that tiny bstard you never remember to bring but need it when travelling. attach it to your keys and never have to think about it again.
-UV light - i prefer to stay in hotels or airbnbs. after watching YT video - freaked me out. super cheap and easy to carry. do a quick scan of the new place and be good to go.

[ElFlaco]

One thing you DON'T need: a guide book. Consider not taking one. Sometimes a guidebook can solve a very specific problem for you, but if you don't have one, you'll have to find another solution that probably involves contact with locals. That makes your trip richer.

[SamuelBRoberts]

A passport case that goes around the neck like this.


It's not the most fashionable thing in the world, but because it goes around your neck and not in your pocket, nobody will steal it and leave you stranded in a foreign country with no cash, no card, and no passport.