3 Travel Accessories You Should Have

When it comes to travel, you will need to pack some items to help you with security and keeping your items safe and working properly.    Below is my list of items that you need when you travel to keep your belongings and electronics safe.

Locks for Suitcase

I travel with two kinds of locks.  The first set is for when I am actually travelling via air.  I lock my suitcase with a cable tie. While this isn’t a lock, it does add a level of security.  You can purchase locks that say they are TSA approved and that they have a skeleton key for them but I have also heard that they will not bother; they will just cut it off so I prefer to use my cable ties which are pennies a piece.

Once I arrive at my destination, I cut off the cable tie and use a regular lock.  I typically have a key lock but you could use whatever type of lock you prefer.  I don’t like to use a “real” lock while I am in the air as I am paranoid they will cut it off and I am out the money for the lock.  

Converter with USB Port

When I started travelling in the early 2000s, you simply needed a power converter.  But with so many people traveling with smartphones, it’s pretty much a requirement to be able to use a USB cable with your charger.  I had to borrow this on my last trip as I didn’t consider how some of my items charged when packing.  That said, I plan to buy something that will take USB cables for my next trip.

One thing to consider when you are purchasing a converter is the size.  The first converter I bought was big and heavy which would cause it to fall out of the outlet.  I ended up borrowing from others occasionally or putting something under the converter to hold it up. 

RFID Devices for Credit Cards

With credit card theft on the rise, it’s a good idea to get some RFID sleeves for your wallet.  I don’t know how they work but they are designed to block the signals from skimmer equipment.  These sleeves are thin and allow you to put your card into the sleeves and have it still fit into the slots in your wallet.  Even though these sleeves are thin, they are durable and shouldn’t tear or puncture.

TCM's First Camping Trip

In 2015, I had my first experience camping.  Being a minion, I don't typically get taken with as I am expected to stay at the house and clean or something.  But this time, I was honoured and taken with.  I had a great time!  Let me share some of my experiences with you!  This took place in St Brieux, Saskatchewan.

When we first arrived, and we pulled up in this empty spot, I was scared.  While I may be a fuzzy minion, I still like the creature comforts like a real mattress instead of lumpy rocks in my back.  I found out that I would have something softer to sleep in and I was much happier.

Our campsite

Yay!  Real beds in here!

One of the nights we were there, we went to watch fireworks.  Unfortunately, they hung me up to watch but really, who am I to complain?

Hanging out watching the fireworks

This minion ate really well while we were at the camp.   Below is supper one night, steak and potatoes.  Yummy!   And then later that evening, we hung out in front of the campfire and made marshmallows.  I even managed to sneak a drink from the adults in the group.  Unfortunately, they caught me and took it away before I was able to have too many sips from it but I was still walking a bit funny after.

Yummy supper!

I didn't get to drink much before they took it away.

Sugary goodness!

I managed to eat this before it fell off

I decided to walk out to the dock one evening.  It was getting a little nippy out though so I figured it was best to stay out of the water and just look.  It was very relaxing, the dock was swaying a bit underneath me.  It took me a minute to get my balance but then I was ready to go sailing.  Too bad none of the boats belonged to us so I wasn't able to.

Typically each evening the group unwound before bed by playing cards or reading.  My preference was to steal a kindle and read or a few minutes.  There wasn't a lot of minion reading material on there but well, I couldn't be too choosy.  I typically just gave up and went to bed after that.

Time to relax

I can't wait to go to the lake again!  

Happy camper

 Want to see more from TCM?

Who is TCM?

TCM's First Flight

TCM's Africa Adventures

Keeping a Journal While I Travel

One of the things I do when I travel is have a notebook to journal in.  My goal is to journal every night but that is not always possible for a variety of reasons.  For instance, my trip to Africa, a lot of nights we were in bed early and there was nowhere to sit down and write.  So when we got somewhere that had a bench and a place to write, and we weren’t going to be making supper immediately or something, I would get caught up.

What Do I Write?

http://amzn.to/2bavyS3

Start with the basics.  Where was I, what were we doing, any key points that stand out to me.  These journals are what I use when I blog the trip.  Relevant information like what we saw that day, special notes, things that are unique that I want to remember in the future or something interesting the guide told us.  Sometimes my entries are very short and not very informative beyond what creative thing I may have tried to make in the kitchen with limited resources.  On a tour, I may make notes about the meal we had or a food that I tried.  Depending on where I am, there are notes about the weather. 

Spending

At the back of my notebook, I keep track of the money I have spent.  I like to have a good idea of what I spent and how I spent it.  Of course, I can always track it based on how much money I converted or put on my credit card.  The other advantage of listing my spending is that it can help me remember where I was on a certain day, especially if I haven’t journaled for a bit.  I typically keep the spending list current.  If I convert cash, I will make a note of the exchange rate I got when I did the exchange.

Do you keep a journal?  What do you record?