We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that didn't happen. 2021 hasn't been so good either!
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Let's hope we can all be traveling again in 2022!
When people ask us for travel advice the first thing we say is...
Wear a moneybelt.
What kind of travel advice is THAT?
We think it's the best kind.
Nothing will ruin a trip faster than to lose your passport and credit cards or cash.
The best way to protect them is to wear a money belt.
We've seen leather belts with a little zipper in them...
...and people ask how can you get anything in there?
That's not what we're talking about.
Travel moneybelts are small, zippered nylon pouches that you wear under your clothes.
They're usually about 5 inches by 12 inches. (12 cm x 30 cm). You wear them around your waist, either in the front or in the small of your back.
That little compartment is big enough to slip your passport in.
Paper airplane tickets fit. (Yes, you may still get those once in a while!)
You should put credit cards, debit cards, and your driver's license in there.
Once you've gotten cash from the ATM, keep just enough for one day in your wallet and put the rest in your moneybelt.
These days, you should be looking for one that's made with RFID blocking material. In case you're wondering that stands for Radio Frequency Identification blocking material.
Some cards today can be scanned from a distance if not protected. Keep your cards in this RFID blocking moneybelt or in sleeves that are made to protect them.
We use them anytime we go away from home for more than a day trip.
When we're traveling, we put them on when we get up in the morning, and we don't have to worry... all those valuable documents are safely tucked away with us all day.
When you arrive in a foreign country, you've gone through passport control, then you've probably found an ATM for money.
Now before you do anything else... find a Toilet or WC (in most countries they are marked as Toilets or WCs not restrooms). You can put that passport, ATM card and most of the money away in your moneybelt in privacy....
Don't say you'll put money and valuables away later.
Wear a moneybelt now and USE it.
This is one time when you're most vulnerable.... You're jet lagged, taking public transportation into town, juggling your luggage.... You're a prime target for a pickpocket. If you stop and tuck everything away, you'll have greater peace of mind.
If you need more money or a credit card during the day, there will always be a restroom or a private corner where you can dip into your moneybelt safely.
Once you're done with your transaction... put your credit card back in your moneybelt.
We always keep our passports in our money belt unless we are going through borders or we are asked to get them out.
Keep a good photocopy of your passport with you where you can get to it quickly. We have copies of the information page and the signature page, and we have them laminated.
Sometimes that will be enough to show.
Hotels sometime need passport information to register you... show the copy to the hotel desk clerk, it might be enough. If they need your passport to register you, you can always get it out for them in a lobby restroom or in your hotel room and bring it down later.
Be sure to safeguard your copies too...
you don't want your passport information to fall into the wrong hands any more than you want to lose your passport.
We put the passports, money, and paper documents inside a plastic zip-lock bag.
If you get hot and sticky, you might sweat through those money belts... soggy passports and money are no fun.
The plastic bag protects your documents and money.
And here's a story for you....
We were in Gombe National Park in
Tanzania... It was calm and sunny when we arrived on our "yacht". (Doesn't look like a yacht, does it?)
We had a wonderful two days observing chimps in the wild. As we were taking the trip back to Kigali to catch our flight... in the "small fast boat"... a storm sprang up over Lake Tanganyika.
Waves started crashing on the beach where we were supposed to wade ashore.
We'll cut out the drama here (and there was plenty!), and just tell you that my hubby ended up in the water.
The good news is the airline tickets and his passport were just fine because of that zip-lock bag.
There are neck pouches that some people prefer. Those might be easier to pull out from under your top.
We just prefer the money belt style because we can really tuck it in under everything.
Which ever style you use is up to you, but wear a moneybelt. It will give you peace of mind.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
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The Holidays are Here!
Time to remind you we have tips on
Surviving Holiday Flights
Holiday flight may be more frustrating than usual. Try to stay calm.
Remember, if you DO travel and if you’re carrying gifts, it’s better not to wrap them… airport security might make you open them!
And if you're not traveling far, reminisce about past trips.
European Christmas Markets
German Christmas Markets
Seiffen Germany Makes Christmas Decorations
Cold Weather Packing List
The holidays can be hectic, but treat yourself...
Take the holiday time to explore more pages here... Get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip next year.
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Things to See in Europe
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Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
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