I am a passionate traveler, and from the time I was a child, travel formed me as much as my formal education. – David Rockefeller
Sunday, April 26, 2015 (DAY 1,147)
While I've written several blogs on items that are useful for travelers, I've decided to return to this subject by discussing six essential items for international travel that may save you money and/or the headaches of wanting to 'kick yourself' for not taking the time to do your proper research, whether for short-term trips or long-term international travel, whether for business or leisure trips, these suggestions may be things that you haven't considered. Finally, as I continue to emphasize greatly, DO YOUR RESEARCH OR HOMEWORK, if you have time, because again this can save you both time and money.
While I've written several blogs on items that are useful for travelers, I've decided to return to this subject by discussing six essential items for international travel that may save you money and/or the headaches of wanting to 'kick yourself' for not taking the time to do your proper research, whether for short-term trips or long-term international travel, whether for business or leisure trips, these suggestions may be things that you haven't considered. Finally, as I continue to emphasize greatly, DO YOUR RESEARCH OR HOMEWORK, if you have time, because again this can save you both time and money.
1. WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM
There are numerous portable water purification and filtration systems available, but, for international travel it's VERY important to understand the difference between the two (*source via ebay), because this can save you not money, but depending upon your travel duration–even to so-called 'First World countries–the water may not be 100% safe. I've realized that I have saved not just a few bucks by using a portable purification water system, but thousands of dollars, plus the added benefit of using water sources such as; tap water, streams, dirty looking rain water, etc. This is not only a health concern depending upon the country or countries that you are planning to travel to, but also the added benefit of being more environmentally friendly. (below information source taken verbatim from ebay)
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURIFICATION AND FILTRATION:
The difference between the two is that a purification process removes that which is unwanted from the water, while a filtration process prevents what is unwanted from entering a water system. If the difference still seems a bit murky, it is. When chemicals added to water cause contaminants to coagulate and sink, it is considered filtration because it keeps the unwanted particles from passing through. Also, when the pores of a filter are so fine that even viruses are restrained, this is referred to as purification because most impurities are removed, even though it is through a process of filtration.
Because both processes overlap, and because the term "purification" seems a bit confusing, some companies avoid using the term in labeling. This is one reason why many water quality systems are labeled filtration, rather than purification systems.
FILTRATION:
The word filtration is easier to understand. The base word is filter, and that is what filtration does. Water filtration acts like a sieve to remove unwanted particles from the water. The two most common water filtration systems are sediment filters and activated carbon filters. The two are often combined. Sediment filters generally remove contaminants according to size. They remove many microscopic contaminants, but some, such as viruses, dissolved pharmaceuticals, and some unwanted minerals are too small to be trapped, and these pass through instead.
Most filtration systems use activated carbon to filter out contaminants, which is very effective. Carbon filters trap any carbon-based particles that pass through them. Carbon-based particles account for the majority of the harmful contaminants that are present in most water.
PURIFICATION:
Of the two terms, purification seems to be the one that is most misunderstood. Most people believe that if water is "pure," it means that there is nothing else mixed in with it. However, the root of the word "purification," is "purify." Purify, by definition, does not refer to removing all extraneous matter. Rather, it means to remove what is unwanted. So, a product that claims to purify water does not claim to distill it (i.e. make the water pure). It simply means that it removes what is not wanted, what is unhealthy, from the water.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURIFICATION AND FILTRATION:
The difference between the two is that a purification process removes that which is unwanted from the water, while a filtration process prevents what is unwanted from entering a water system. If the difference still seems a bit murky, it is. When chemicals added to water cause contaminants to coagulate and sink, it is considered filtration because it keeps the unwanted particles from passing through. Also, when the pores of a filter are so fine that even viruses are restrained, this is referred to as purification because most impurities are removed, even though it is through a process of filtration.
Because both processes overlap, and because the term "purification" seems a bit confusing, some companies avoid using the term in labeling. This is one reason why many water quality systems are labeled filtration, rather than purification systems.
FILTRATION:
The word filtration is easier to understand. The base word is filter, and that is what filtration does. Water filtration acts like a sieve to remove unwanted particles from the water. The two most common water filtration systems are sediment filters and activated carbon filters. The two are often combined. Sediment filters generally remove contaminants according to size. They remove many microscopic contaminants, but some, such as viruses, dissolved pharmaceuticals, and some unwanted minerals are too small to be trapped, and these pass through instead.
Most filtration systems use activated carbon to filter out contaminants, which is very effective. Carbon filters trap any carbon-based particles that pass through them. Carbon-based particles account for the majority of the harmful contaminants that are present in most water.
PURIFICATION:
Of the two terms, purification seems to be the one that is most misunderstood. Most people believe that if water is "pure," it means that there is nothing else mixed in with it. However, the root of the word "purification," is "purify." Purify, by definition, does not refer to removing all extraneous matter. Rather, it means to remove what is unwanted. So, a product that claims to purify water does not claim to distill it (i.e. make the water pure). It simply means that it removes what is not wanted, what is unhealthy, from the water.
2. MONEY POUCH?
Unfortunately, I have met too many travelers that have had their valuables stolen–and not to say I've also had my fair share of items stolen from legitimate companies such as #AirAsia, but also from locals, therefore ALWAYS when traveling carry your valuables (i.e. passport, cash, bank cards, travel or transportation tickets, etc) under your clothing in a concealable waist wallet. It doesn't need to be cheap, but you do want to make sure it is relatively durable. I tell people ALL THE TIME, that even leaving something out in the open for even a few minutes imagine if you came back and it was gone! So, therefore take the time to lock up and secure your valuables PERIOD!
3. DOCUMENTS
Once again imagine losing or having your passport stolen, forgetting your passwords, or not having other various important documents, including additional color passport size photos, that may determine your ability to enter a country (i.e. WHO aka Yellow Health Card) as well as keeping both laminated hard copies and digital encrypted copies.
4. DURABLE SMARTPHONE CASE
Since we leave in the digital age of smart phones and we all know how expensive they are and the valuable information they hold, it's important to protect them not just again water but also against dust, drops, climate changes, etc. Therefore, I HIGHLY suggest spending the extra money (even if this makes your device heavier in weight or thicker in size) for protection from the amount of abuse it may take. Check out: Five of the best: Rugged smartphone cases, according to Gizmag.
5. STRONG LAPTOP CASE
If you choose to travel with a laptop, as I mentioned before, DO NOT GO CHEAP! First, consider where you are going or may be going. For example, many companies in Asia, as ridiculous as it sounds, still use Internet Explorer and non Unix based systems (i.e. Apple) and here are two articles that discuss: 1) Web Browsers: Whats the difference between them? --
AND that Microsoft is killing off the Internet Explorer brand.
AND that Microsoft is killing off the Internet Explorer brand.
6. BICⓇ LIGHTER
Believe it or not, but in my personal opinion through travel experience, BicⓇ lighters are THE most durable. I've left these in my pocket and swam in the ocean, put them through washing and drying machines, and somehow they continue to work without any issues. They come in handy to be used as a torch (a light when you are in areas where the electricity suddenly goes out and you need a light source to navigate, light mosquito coils, and many other various uses. I do realize that technically you are not allowed to travel with these as carry-on items, but these are the best lighters because of durability, they last an extremely long time, and if you purchase the smaller ones they are light in weight.
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