LESSONS OF SUCCESS

Tether your important items: wallets, sunglass case, keys, passport wallet, items easily lost or easily left behind. Distractions happen and time crunches can cause us to not notice items on night stands, on the floors, on counters etc. Carry a few extra carabiners. Have the right gear to ensure a fun, memorable, stress free travel experience! 

Keep it simple and light! 

Pack for one week. Carry one bag. You can wash your things along the way or buy new items if you feel you have the need which keeps your wardrobe interesting. It does not matter where you are going or for how long. Most of our world is civilized and there are clothing stores and shops all over.

"Simplify, simplify. That was the secret to a happy life."
— Dean Koontz

Buy good socks and shoes. I have found that the best socks are made of merino wool. They do not promote odor or bacteria growth, if managed by airing them overnight. Do not store them in an airtight bag. If you are going to store them, keep them in a meshed pocket or mesh bag to allow ventilation. They also come in a variety of sizes: Tennis, Crew, boot... I also carry dryer sheets and a small travel size fabreeze & essential oils to help with odor. I travel with 3-4 pairs in various thicknesses and heights for all purposes and to allow alternating between washes.

Camera battery packs, efficient chargers and cases. Make sure you have several batteries and a dual charger. There is nothing worse than your battery losing its charge and you miss the photo opp even though our phones take great pictures these days, if you love your camera its good to be prepared.

Mini First Aid Kit is essential if you like to hike when you travel. Keep it simple. Carry smart items, 6-Blister bandaids, 2-waterproof bandaids, 2-4 suture bandages, alcohol wipes, triple antibiotic ointment and cortisone ointment. Take travel sizes or indiviual packs.

AWARENESS. Always be aware of your surroundings. Stay focused on what is in front of you, be aware of what is behind you and listen to your gut to guide you. So many people are so focused on what is in their phones which makes you a perfect target for the predatory opportunists. Read as many reviews on the areas you will be traveling to learn as much as you can from others that have ventured there before you. Use common sense, don't walk down dark alleys. Keep an eye out for suspicious characters. Download a local map and make note of the landmarks so that you can maneuver around like a local.

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Travel with a Sarong. This is not just for woman. Men pay attention. This item comes in handy in many situations. It can double as a towel, light blanket, scarf, body wrap, head wrap/veil, skirt, shorts, privacy curtain, pillow, makeshift strap, tie down, belt... etc. 

They dry fast and are lightweight. They come in your favorite color 

and are super functional. 

I usually carry 2, but that is just me. 

 Travel with a lightweight flexible, tough hat.

 I carry a black runners visor I picked up at REI. It is ultra-light, washable, dries fast and tough for the packing. 

It has come in handy on most of my travels. It can be used for sun protection and is very functional in the rain. keeping the rain off your face while you are wearing a raincoat with a hood helps with visibility. Never fun to be caught in the rain on a hike and can not see your feet in front of you. I stick with black as it universal and shows little dirt.

Print (2) hard copies of your Passport and ID's

Hide one set somewhere in your bag. Keep your bag locked up when you are away from it. Even if you feel secure with your place of stay, someone you do not know has a key to your room and can access your things when you are not there. 

Do not believe it won't happen to you. This is when it happens. The second copy is for someone you trust at home. I also make copies of my credit cards and my itinerary, along with a set of keys and give it my sister. I suggest you give it to someone you trust, your mom, sister, brother or someone very close to you. If anything happened while traveling solo I feel confident that my sister would be able to either help with resolutions of business issues or her ability to track my steps if I was to go missing.  I like to hike beyond boundaries of safety.  As a solo traveler, my children and family would be worried sick if I was to go missing. I could fall, get stuck or something else. 

I can not predict the future. 

All I can do is provide my information to someone I trust with my important information if I should need assistance. 

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