Getting in (and out) of countries can sometimes be a challenge. I once (a long time ago) took a . . . → Read More: Essential Documents]]>

Getting in (and out) of countries can sometimes be a challenge. I once (a long time ago) took a ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco (a 2.5 hour journey), only to be turned back as I tried to disembark and had to return to Spain.

The problem was a missing stamp in my passport which could only be obtained in the passport stamping office on the boat, and by the time I found this out the place stamping the passports had closed. Of course, nobody tells you this when you get on or while you are sailing, and I wasn’t the only one turned away that day.

Needless to say, I was at the front of the line on the boat the next day, got the stamp, and entered Morocco without any further problems. Of course, it may be different these days but I will know to check next time.

The moral of this story is, make sure you know before you leave what it takes to enter the countries you want to visit. This section lists a few things to watch out for when travelling around the world. Some may seem obvious (a passport, for example) but there are other less obvious things you have to look out for.

It is also a good idea to make sure you have these documents well in advance of your trip. For example, if your passport only has a few months before it expires then some countries will not let you in. It can take a few weeks to renew a passport (months at busy times of the year), and getting vaccinations takes time too (making appointments, taking a course of pills, waiting for them to take effect).

There are companies who can get passports in a hurry, for example,RushMyPassport.com can get your US passport to you within 24 hours.

The following is a list of some common and not so common illnesses and diseases to which you may . . . → Read More: Diseases from Insects, Worms, Bacteria, Viruses, etc.]]>

The following is a list of some common and not so common illnesses and diseases to which you may be exposed while travelling.

It is probably not complete and may not even be accurate, so again, make sure you consult a qualified professional before travelling and don’t rely too much on the information contained herein.

The list is in no particular order but commonest health hazards tend to be nearer the top.

For each there is a section listing where in the world it is usually found, what is its cause, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Most of the diseases and illnesses below can be prevented by either vaccines or pills, good hygiene and safe food preparation practices, drinking and using (e.g. for washing, cleaning teeth, cooking with, swimming, cleaning fruit and vegetables, for ice in drinks, etc.) only treated or clean water, and avoiding being bitten by various insects and worms.

Diphtheria

Found – rare in developed countries due to vaccination, but is still endemic in developing countries and the former states of the USSR.

Vaccine is recommended for those who will be in close contact with infected people in endemic areas.

Cause – a disease of close contact, a bacterial illness transmitted through droplets in the air.

Symptoms – sore throat and fever. Can be life-threatening.

Prevention – by updating your diphtheria vaccine.

Tetanus

Found – rare in developed countries due to vaccination.

Prevention – by the tetanus vaccine. A booster is recommended every ten years, perhaps even every five years for developing world travel. Sometimes can be fatal.

Polio

Found – virtually eliminated in the developed world, but is still a threat to non-vaccinated travellers in developing countries.

Cause – by a virus.

Treatment – there is no effective treatment for polio.

Prevention – with either the oral or injectable vaccine.

Cholera

Found – mostly in the developing world. However, risk to travellers is slight.

Cause – infection is by ingesting food or water infected with the bacteria, but especially from shellfish.

Symptoms – severe water loss due to watery diarrhea and vomiting. Death can result in a few hours from rapid fluid loss.

Treatment – immediate rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration and death. ninety-nine percent of victims recover given adequate rehydration.

Prevention – drink only bottled or boiled water. Be careful with food as possible. There is a vaccine but this is not usually recommended due to its ineffectiveness, expense, and the rarity of cholera in travellers.

Dysentery

Found – bacillary and amebic. Both are prevalent in many developing countries, but rare in travellers.

Prevention – (for both types) eating only cooked vegetables and peeled fruits, and by only drinking boiled or purified water.

- Bacillary dysentery

Cause – from infected food handlers not washing hands and from unclean flies landing on food.

Symptoms – sudden watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and fever, then passing blood and mucus after a few days.

Treatment – rehydration therapy, with no solid food for the first day or two. Antibiotics can help. Most people start to recover after about a week. Death can be caused by dehydration in vulnerable people.

- Amebic dysentery

Cause – swallowing the histolytica cysts from infected water or food (lettuce, uncooked vegetables, and unpeeled fruit).

Symptoms – range from a few loose stools with rumbling pains in the stomach, to a severe case with high fever and bloody, watery diarrhea. Shaking chills, fever, weight loss, and painful enlargement of the liver.

Treatment – rehydration therapy and drugs (e.g. metronidazole). Doesn’t go away on its own, unlike bacillary dysentery.

Hepatitis type A

Found – worldwide. Most common serious disease among travellers in the developing world where food preparation standards are poor.

Cause – transmitted by a virus through contamination of food or drinks prepared by an infected person with poorly washed hands.

Symptoms – either nonexistent or begin abruptly two to six weeks after exposure. Similar to flu, fever, aches, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and liver pain, darkened urine, light yellow stools. Four to seven days later the symptoms may become more severe, with diarrhea, vomiting, itching, and jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes).

Treatment – there is no treatment for hepatitis A. Most people recover within six weeks. Hepatitis type A does not lead to chronic hepatitis. Rest and abstaining from alcohol until recovered are recommended.

Prevention – take care of what and where you eat. Vaccination with the full, two-dose series of hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. Immune globulin is available for short-term protection (approximately 3 months) and must be administered within 2 weeks after exposure for maximum protection. Good hygiene, including handwashing or use of hand sanitizer after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food is essential.

Hepatitis type B

Found – in body fluids of infected persons. Type B is found worldwide, but is much more prevalent in Asia and Africa.

Symptoms – are the same as for hepatitis A, except sometimes more severe. Many people have no symptoms. About 10% of hepatitis type B cases lead to chronic hepatitis, a severe inflammation and destruction of cells within the liver, leading to cirrhosis.

Prevention – the hepatitis B vaccine, although this is usually only recommended for health care workers, people who have many unprotected sex partners, and drug addicts.

AIDS

Found – worldwide. The hardest hit area is sub-Saharan Africa. Also spreading rapidly in Asia.

Cause – spread primarily through heterosexual sex, blood transfusions. Nearly 20,000 people are infected every day.

Prevention – travellers in Africa should bring their own hypodermic needles for emergencies. Many countries now require HIV testing for long-term visitors of greater than six months, or applicants for work or residency. In most cases HIV testing is not required for visitors of a few months or less. Most HIV carriers don’t know they’re infected, and HIV is thought most infectious the first year after infection.

Typhoid

Found – developing parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Cause – is caused by the bacteria salmonella typhi. Feces, urine, and contaminated food and water are the principal sources of infection. Again often through a food handler with poor hygiene. Sewage-contaminated shellfish is also a source.

Symptoms – limited to a fever of one week, but can include headache, anorexia, general malaise, and constipation, giving way to diarrhea, a non-productive cough, nosebleed, and raised pink spots on the upper abdomen. Complications may result, and the death rate for serious cases is ten percent for those untreated, one percent for those treated.

Treatment – with antibiotics.

Prevention – by cautious eating and drinking, and by an oral or injectable vaccine, both of which are about sixty-five percent effective for five years. The oral vaccine is four pills taken every other day; the injectable requires two shots one month apart. The oral vaccine has fewer side effects. Antibiotics are not recommended as a preventive since they disrupt normal intestinal bacteria and can facilitate infection with salmonella typhi.

Malaria

Found – Africa and Asia. Poses the greatest health risk to travellers in warm climates, and is in fact the greatest health threat to humanity with up to 300 million cases occurring worldwide each year, with about one million deaths. The tragedy is currently increasing as mosquitoes become insecticide-resistant and forms of malaria become drug-resistant.

Cause – spread by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, which generally feeds dusk through dawn. It is caused by four types of a single-celled protozoa: vivax, ovale, malariae, and falciparum. These parasites attack and explode red blood cells.

Symptoms – for the first three types may include the classic malarial fever in three stages. First is a cold stage characterized by severe shivering, followed by a high fever stage of up to 105F (40C). Finally there is intense sweating which brings the fever down. The victim may also vomit and have a bad headache. The patient is left weak and tired, and sleeps.

These stages may occur cyclically, either every other day or every third day, but only after the disease is well-established. Malaria can be very difficult to diagnose in early stages.

Falciparum is a more severe type of malaria as all red blood cells are attacked. Death may result a few hours after symptoms begin. The brain may be affected, and liver and kidney failure are common.

Treatment – usually with a big dose of chloroquine. Falciparum malaria is resistant to chloroquine, however, so other drugs must be used. Discuss treatment with your travel clinic before you go, and immediately with local medical professionals if you acquire malaria-possible symptoms.

Prevention – is complicated, so only trust a high quality travel clinic to prescribe the proper medications for your specific destinations and physiology.

Yellow fever

Found – Yellow fever is found east of the Panama canal, in parts of South America, and in much of Africa.

Cause – a virus hemorrhagic (bleeding) disease transmitted in urban areas from person to person by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which feed during the day. In jungle areas it is transmitted from monkey to man by various mosquitoes.

Symptoms – begin three to six days after infection, are relatively mild in eighty percent of cases, and include fever, headache, and weakness, which last up to four days. The other twenty percent are more serious, including high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, bleeding from the gums and nose, and severe pain in the neck, back, and legs. These may last a few days, followed by a remission, and then followed by a more severe illness, including increased fever, vomiting of blood, and jaundice due to liver damage, hence the name yellow fever. Approximately five percent of all victims die within days of the onset of symptoms.

Treatment – maintaining blood volume and fluids. No drug works against this virus.

Prevention – by the yellow fever vaccine, which lasts ten years. A yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) is required for entry into and from countries where the disease is prevalent.

Dengue fever

Found – in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Cause – a viral, hemorrhagic disease transmitted by day-feeding Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Symptoms – appear five to eight days after a bite from an infected mosquito, and include high fever, severe muscle and joint pain, and rash. They subside and recur about every three days. Recovery takes several weeks, with victims rarely dying.

Treatment – pain killers to relieve symptoms. There is no specific treatment.

Prevention – avoiding mosquito bites. There is no vaccine.

Plague

Found – While a few cases of plague occur every year in the American Southwest, it is mostly a disease of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and India.

Cause – transmitted to humans by the bites of rodent fleas. The risk of plague to travellers is almost zero, especially if you make a habit of not handling rats, dead or alive.

Rabies

Found – worldwide.

Cause – a viral disease of the nervous system. Transmitted by animal bites, scratches, or even licks on an open cut.

Skunks, raccoons, and bats are the major carriers in North America. In Central and South America dogs and vampire bats are the primary vectors. Jackals are the primary carriers of rabies in Africa. In Southeast Asia and India dogs are the leading vectors to humans. Note, however, that any mammal bite may transmit rabies. Ireland, Britain, Norway, Sweden, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand do not have the disease, and require an extensive quarantine for pets entering the country.

Symptoms – begin from nine days to many months after exposure. These include fever, hyperactivity, seizures, and often an intense thirst that cannot be quenched since liquids produce violent and painful spasms in the throat. The victim will die within three to twenty days from onset of symptoms.

Prevention and Treatment – passive immunization before symptoms appear, and ideally within two days of exposure. Competent medical advice should be immediately sought after a bite in a rabies endemic country. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least five minutes, but don’t stitch it closed. The sooner vaccination is begun, the better the prognosis. Today’s vaccines are not so painful, and are no longer given through the stomach.

There are about 30,000 deaths every year from rabies, nearly all in developing countries. Almost invariably fatal if left untreated.

Chagas’ disease

Found – rural Central and South America, but especially Brazil. Also called American sleeping sickness. Can be fatal.

Cause – transmitted by the bite of the assassin bug, which makes its home in thatched roof and adobe huts in This bug prefers to bite on the face and defecate. Single-celled parasites called trypanosomes enter the body, grow to huge numbers, then attack many organs, including the heart.

Symptoms – a hard, purple swelling which appears on the bite site about a week later.

Treatment – effective only if caught early.

Prevention – not sleeping in mud huts, by using mosquito netting, or by at least sleeping in the middle of the room away from walls. This disease is extremely rare in travellers.

Brucellosis

Found – rare in the US but not in Latin America and Mediterranean countries.

Cause – bacteria from unpasteurised dairy products.

Symptoms – high fever, shaking, sweating, and severe depression.

Treatment – antibiotics and rest.

Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis)

Found – is common in tropical regions worldwide, affecting about 200 million people.

Cause – several species of flukes (flattened worms) called shistosomes. They live in fresh water lakes and rivers, where they live part of their life cycle in snails.

Symptoms – vary from none to serious. The first is usually an itchy rash where the parasite has burrowed through the skin. Weeks later flu-like symptoms may begin, including high fever, chills, muscle aches, and diarrhea. The symptoms may go away and recur a month or two later. Long-term damage includes cirrhosis and kidney failure.

Treatment – a single dose of an anthelminthic (antiparasitic) drug, which kills the flukes.

Prevention – avoiding freshwater rivers and lakes in the tropics, but especially the Nile Valley, where schistosomiasis is rife.

Leishmaniasis

Found – the Middle East, South America.

Cause – a single-celled parasite transmitted via sandfly bites.

Symptoms – Some varieties affect mostly the skin, producing large ulcers at the bite area. In the Middle East this is known as the Baghdad boil. South American forms of the disease may cause more severe tissue damage, especially to the face. Another variety, called kala azar, causes internal organ damage.

Treatment – sodium stibogluconate.

Prevention – avoid sand fly bites by wearing shoes, socks, pants, long-sleeves, and by using DEET.

Filariasis

Found – in the tropics.

Cause – larvae or worms, and transmitted to man by insects.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)

Found – in Central and South America, and Africa.

Cause – a worm infestation. The parasite is transmitted from person to person by the black simulium fly, which is found only near fast-moving rivers and streams.

Treatment – with diethylcarbamazine, which must be administered under close medical supervision since severe reactions to the dead and dying worms may occur.

Prevention – avoid black fly bites.

Giardiasis

Found – in the United States and worldwide, especially in the tropics and the public water systems of the former Soviet Union.

Cause – an intestinal infection caused by a single-celled parasite. Giardia cysts (eggs) are spread from the feces of infected animals.

Symptoms – the cysts hatch two or three weeks after ingestion, causing abdominal symptoms such as violent diarrhea, foul-smelling gas, and cramps. Sixty percent of those infected, however, show no symptoms.

Treatment – giardiasis clears up on its own after two or three weeks, although metronidazole speeds recovery.

Prevention – drink only pure or treated water.

Jiggers

Found – a type of sandfly found in tropical areas of the Americas and Africa.

Symptoms – burrow between toes and under toenails, where eggs are deposited under the skin causing a painful and itchy pea-sized swelling.

Treatment – removing the jigger with a sterile needle, and thoroughly cleaning with antiseptic.

Prevention – wear shoes or at least sandals, and by keeping nails well-trimmed.

Chiggers

Found – worldwide on grass and weeds.

Symptoms – red mites attach themselves to bare legs and ankles and feed on blood. May cause a painful, itchy swelling about a half inch in diameter.

Prevention – wear socks and pants, and by applying DEET to exposed skin, socks, and pant cuffs.

Bedbugs

Found – worldwide. Small, flat, usually brown bugs found in beds and furniture during the day, and come out at night.

Symptoms – a straight line of red bites across the skin. They rarely spread disease, but the bites should be cleaned with antiseptic to prevent infection.

Prevention – check bedding carefully, look for tiny red splotches on sheets and blankets. If found, take another room or use a hammock.

Sandflies

Found – tiny, nearly-invisible long-legged flies common to tropical areas.

Symptoms – walking at at dawn and dusk stirs up flies and results in bites. Can transmit several diseases to humans.

Prevention – remain indoors or in a hammock during dawn and dusk. Cover exposed skin, especially legs, ankles, and arms, and use DEET. Wear socks.

Lice

Found – tiny, flat, wingless bugs found wordlwide.

Treatment – body lice are killed by washing clothes in very hot water, or by using a hot dryer. Other lice can be killed with lotions and shampoos containing benzene hexachloride.

Scabies

Found – are tiny mites found worldwide that burrow into the skin and lay eggs.

Symptoms – intense itching, especially at night.

Treatment – with an insecticide lotion.

Hookworms

Found – half-inch long worms that live in the small intestines of 700 million people around the world, especially in the tropics.

Cause – burrowing into the feet, or by ingestion.

Symptoms – a red and very itchy rash on the feet that lasts for several days. A cough and pneumonia are also possible when a heavy infestation passes through the lungs.

Prevention – wear shoes or sandals.

Treatment – an anti-worm drug.

Guinea worm

Found – numerous African and Asian countries.

Cause – drinking water containing the cyclops crustacean water flea.

Symptoms – begin a year later when the worm is fully grown and ready to reproduce. It comes to the surface of the skin where a blister forms. Hives, diarrhea, and vomiting often occur at this time. When the blister bursts the end of the worm is exposed, and debilitating pain begins.

Treatment – wrap the exposed worm around a stick, and then gently wind it out over several days. This is dangerous (although impressive) as if the worm breaks an infection can develop.

Beefworm (botfly larvae)

Found – Central America. It is common in the jungles of Belize.

Symptoms – like a mosquito bite that doesn’t go away. After several weeks it resembles a boil, except for a tiny hole in the center. If you look closely with a magnifying glass you will see something pushing to the surface every so often to breathe and expel waste. As it feeds it occasionally delivers a sharp pain like a hot needle stabbing into flesh, which lasts only a few but very long seconds.

Treatment – the traditional Mayan method is to pour tobacco juice into the hole which kills the beefworm in about an hour. You then easily squeeze it out. Another method is to suffocate it overnight by covering the hole with multiple layers of glue and plastic wrap. It becomes poppable if you manage to cut off 100% of its air.

Tumbu fly

Found – in Africa.

Cause – fly lays eggs on clothing left out to dry, which later hatch with skin contact.

Treatment – similar to the botfly.

Prevention – ironing clothes to kill the eggs.

Facilities for keeping clean while travelling vary greatly. Guesthouses and hotels may (or may not) have showers, sometimes you . . . → Read More: Keeping Clean]]>

Facilities for keeping clean while travelling vary greatly. Guesthouses and hotels may (or may not) have showers, sometimes you may get hot and cold running water, sometimes it may be just a tap and bucket of hot water. There is no guarantee that the water you use is clean either.

Keeping your hands clean is probably the easiest way to keep healthy in some countries, although this can be hard to do if you aren’t close to fresh water and soap for most of the day. Keeping your hands away from your mouth and eyes will help (especially after handling well-thumbed bills), as well as stopping any nail-biting habit.

Some countries don’t use toilet paper in the toilets, they just aren’t designed to handle it. If you use it you are supposed to put it in the bin provided. Locals use a tap, a bucket, and their left hand. Whichever method you use, it pays to keep a bar of soap handy wherever you go.



A better way to keep clean is to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer gel with you (and use it) at all times. If you use gel you don’t need soap or water so is really useful where both of these are scarce (you can also use hand wipes but you will go through these quite quickly which can get expensive).

Sanitizing gel should be used before eating and drinking (or after touching suspect surfaces). To be effective gels require a 60% minimum alcohol concentration to kill most harmful bacteria and viruses.

You can carry a small bottle around with you (they come in travel sizes), either in your pocket or clipped to your belt or bag. These clips can be bought anywhere, for example, here.

A far better solution is to buy a purpose-built hand sanitizer gel dispenser (shown right). These are the ones used in hospitals and contain 50ml of 70% ethyl-alcohol gel and are refillable so you can use your own gel if you prefer.

They are light and compact, are easy to carry and use, and are always on hand. You can carry them on a lanyard or clipped to waistbands, belts, bags or pockets.

They can be very hard to get hold of, however, and can be expensive if you want to buy just one. If you can’t find one then email me as I can get hold of them in the US or the UK.

You use them as illustrated below. Just flip the dispenser and push, and a small, measured dose of gel comes out, then rub your hands together for a few seconds and the gel evaporates and that’s it.

Travelling in the ess developed parts of the world is not like a camping trip. You will find plenty . . . → Read More: Sleeping Gear]]>

Travelling in the ess developed parts of the world is not like a camping trip. You will find plenty of cheap food and accommodation everywhere, so you won’t need a stove, tent or sleeping bag,

There may be occasions where you would think a sleeping bag might be useful, in a cold room, sleeping outside (when it is warm), protection against insects, as a seat or cushion, etc., but consider the alternatives first.

Long underwear or other warm clothing will be fine in emergencies, on buses, trains, and cold hostels. A sleep sheet packs small, is light and easy to wash, and should suffice for all other times. Combine this with a plastic sheet, bivouac bag or poncho and you can replace a tent and sleeping bag.

If you do decide to take a sleeping bag then you there are certain things to look out for when choosing one.

Sleeping bag

For camping, cold climates, and trekking in the mountains, you can buy the most expensive, warmest bag you can find. But this will be way too warm to use in the tropics. It will also be bulky, heavy, oftentimes flimsy, as well as hard to wash and dry.



So look out for a small-packing, light bag that is both easily washable and hard wearing. Choose one that is inexpensive so that you won’t mind if it gets damaged, lost or stolen.

The new super-light synthetic bags are good, and one with the zips in the right place can turn it into a blanket for sleeping or picnics.

Down bags can sometimes be too warm (unless you are going somewhere really cold) and don’t perform well when wet. You also need to dry them properly after you wash them to maintain their insulating properties.

I use a Western Mountaineering ExtremeLite down bag. You can find a good selection of both down and synthetic bags at Blacks in the UK or REI in the US.

Using a sleep sheet (see below) inside your sleeping bag will delay the need to wash it for a long time.

Sleep sheet/Sleeping bag liner

Basically a sheet, made from either cotton or silk, folded and sewn into the shape of a sleeping bag. These are mandatory for sleeping in hostels. If you don’t have your own then you will have to buy one. A good substitute for a sleeping bag in warm climates.

I use a Lifeventure Advance Sleeper Cotton bag (shown here). This comes in a rectangular shape (for hostel sleeping or rectangular sleeping bags) or a mummy shape (for mummy-shaped bags). It has anti-bacterial, anti-bedbug and anti-mosquito treatments, and packs quite small.

You can read more about sleep sacks and buy them here or here.

Bivouac sack

The waterproof version of the sleep sack. The cheapest are made of plastic, some are made of nylon, the most expensive are made of Gore-Tex and are like small one-man tents, some with built-in mosquito nets.

Mostly used as emergency shelter when hiking or mountaineering, but can be used when travelling to protect your sleeping bag (on the outside), for extra warmth, and as a replacement for a sleeping bag or tent in warm climates.

They are lighter and easier to wash and dry than a tent/sleeping bag combination, but can be colder and more cramped to sleep in.

In warm weather you don’t usually have to worry about the rain, just the insects. When I am sleeping out in hot climates I use a Bug Hut 1 tent from REI (shown here). This is an ultralight shelter that is fast to put up. It fits completely over your sleeping bag and the poles keep the mesh away from your upper body.

Hammock

A good compromise sleeping solution is a hammock. These are lighter than a tent and more comfortable to sleep in. I use mine for emergencies when travelling.

You would be surprised at the number of places you can use it. The best manufacturer and model I have found (and one that I own) is the Hennessy Hammock UltraLite Backpacker A-Sym (shown here).

Read more about hammocks and sleeping in them here.

Sleeping Pad

This is what you lie on when sleeping on the ground when camping. It both insulates your body from the cold and the hard, sometimes rocky ground.

They come in two basic types, the closed-cell foam type, which is thin and bulky which either rolls or folds up, and the inflating type, which insulates better and packs smaller, but is heavier and more expensive.

Therm-a-Rest (shown left) make the best of the latter kind. These are ‘self-inflating’ (although they sometimes need help).

The lightest weighs just over 1 pound, (455g) but this model is also the shortest and least insulating.

Their construction means that they can get damaged on thorns and other sharp objects, and will stop working if they get punctured. They can be hard to repair (they come with a repair kit).

They come in a variety of sizes (long, regular, short lengths) and insulating properties (3- 4-seasons, for example). I have the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 Regular which is a 4 season, regular length (72″, 183cm) sleeping pad.

You can buy them from Blacks in the UK or REI in the US.

Pillow

Inflatable pillows can make it easier to sleep on a plane, train or bus. There are two types, one that fits around your neck like a collar and ones that look like regular pillows.

You can also buy a stuff-sack which, when filled with clothes, can make a good pillow, particularly the ones that are specially made for this that come with a cloth lining (turned inside-out when used as a pillow).

Check them out here. They come in two sizes, I use the 10″ x 20″ model for my sleeping bag stuff sack.

Tie/scarf/bandana

A wool scarf can be very effective in cold weather but can be bulky. You can always buy . . . → Read More: Middlewear]]>

Tie/scarf/bandana

A wool scarf can be very effective in cold weather but can be bulky. You can always buy one wherever you are if it gets too cold.

A good substitute is something like a bandana or a sarong, or maybe a towel or just buy a thin locally bought scarf. This can also help vary your outfits as it makes a good accessory.

A cotton bandana is probably the most versatile for not only can it serve as a neck or head scarf, you can use it for a cravat/tie, a hat or headband, sun shade or sleep mask, a mini-curtain in a bus or car, napkin, handkerchief, dust mask, tablecloth, mat for sitting on, towel, washcloth, bandage, tourniquet, cold compress, short cord, pot scrubber, or a small carrying sack.

Shirts

Counter-intuitively, the more covered up you are in hot weather the cooler you can be. Loose, light, long-sleeved shirts will keep you cooler than wearing t-shirts (or bikinis). They will also protect your arms from sun and mosquitoes.

Not only this, in some countries bare arms are considered immodest for both men and women. You will also look more presentable at border-crossing and other formal occasions.

Two or three long-sleeved shirts (or blouses for women) and a couple of short-sleeved shirts should suffice (and remember, you can always roll up the sleeves on a long-sleeved shirt). They should be comfortable, washable, and look good even when dirty.

A cotton-polyester mixture is best. You won’t have to iron them and they can be washed and dried easily. Collars can be pulled up to protect your neck from the sun, and buttons can be undone for when it is hot or buttoned up when it gets colder.

Any colour other than white should be fine as these will show less dirt. Also, the more robust they are the more they will stand up to the sort of vigorous washing you may sometimes do (or have done) down at the river.

A great shirt that you can wear in any climate is the Craghoppers Nosquito Long Sleeved Shirt (shown right). This has mosquito repellent and an anti-bacterial treatment built in, as well as protection from the sun (SPF 40+).

It can be washed in the sink or a machine and is quick drying (and there’s no need for ironing). It also has a secret, zipped security pocket. I have two of these shirts, in Stone and Khaki colors and I am very pleased with them.

I also have a shirt from Coolibar. This is an American company that brings Australia’s approach to sun protection to the US market. Their sun protection products block 98 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Another good idea is to take a heavier, long-sleeved shirt in flannel or heavy rip-stop cotton which can be used instead of a sweater, especially when it gets cold, almost like a thin jacket. These are more durable and protect against the sun and insects better than thinner fabrics.

T-shirts

Very useful and fashionable at home, maybe not so much when travelling. They can sometimes be hot and, if too tight, can be constricting, so if you must take them make sure they are loose-fitting and light-coloured.

Sweater/jumper/cardigan/hoodie

A warm sweater is essential travel equipment. Even in the hottest climates you will probably need one when it gets cooler in the evenings. Choose a fine-woven wool over a bulky-knit.

A cardigan (or a thin hoodie) is good for layering, and can be used as a substitute jacket at a pinch.

Jacket

Can be useful if you anticipate more formal occasions and some companies make special travel jackets (Tilley and TravelSmith, for example).

Trousers/pants

Two pairs of trousers should be enough. Take one pair for general, everyday use that is tough enough for hard, dirty travel, and a second (just as tough) pair that can be used for walking in cities, at border-crossings and customs, public offices, and more formal occasions.

Try to buy a lightweight cotton or cotton-polyester mix and choose a fit that is not too tight. They should weigh under one pound (454g) each, and should be easy to wash and dry quickly.

One of the best pairs of travel trousers you can buy (and one which I own) is Craghoppers Kiwi Trousers (show left). Like the Craghopper’s shirt above, they have UV protection, as well as a water repellent finish. They are easy to wash and dry and don’t need ironing. As worn by Michael Palin on his world travels.

I also have a pair of Rohan Cargos (non-convertible). These are anti-bacterial treated, are windproof, protect against the sun, and have zippered security pockets.

Travelling with jeans, however, is not such a good idea. They may look good but they are heavy (about 1.5 pounds (680g) a pair), bulky, are hard to wash, and take forever to dry. They are also pretty hot to wear in the tropics. If they are tight against your skin then you will also be vulnerable to insect bites.

Shorts

Very popular these days with travellers are trousers with zip-off legs which convert them to shorts or capris (sometimes both). They are probably quite useful, and can certainly cut down the number of items you have to carry by one, but anything with extra zips will mean more things to break or go wrong.

You also have to find somewhere to stash the extra bits when not in use (and make sure they don’t get lost). And, when used as trousers, they just look like shorts with bits zipped onto the bottoms, so they may not be suitable for the fashion-conscious. Better to take separate trousers and shorts (and anyway, swim trunks can be used as shorts if necessary and are a lot lighter).

Craghoppers make Kiwi Zip Off Trousers in which the legs zip off making them into walking shorts.

Be aware that shorts that show lots of bare leg (on men and women) can be seen as indecent in some places (or even effeminate for men in some countries!) and for women can invite unwanted attention.

Long trousers protect your (lower) legs from the sun, poison plants and thorns, cuts and scrapes, bugs and insects, and hot (and cold) metal bus parts, things that shorts don’t often do.

If you must wear them, find shorts that are as tough as your trousers and loose-fitting. Mid-length (just around the knee) are a good compromise, not too short, not too long.

Skirts

Worth considering for female travellers as they are good around town in hot climates and for areas where trousers on women are considered inappropriate (in some Muslim countries, for example). They are also cool, comfortable, compact, and easy to wash and dry. They should fall far below the knees to be acceptable in most places.

Belt

Nylon or canvas are best as they dry quickly and don’t rot in humid conditions like leather. Don’t use a cheap plastic belt, and try to make sure the buckle is of reasonable quality.

I wear an Eagle Creek all terrain money belt (shown right), which is good quality and has the added advantage of a hidden money compartment on the inside.

Sarong

Worn all over Asia and the Pacific, this is a length of thin cotton cloth a few yards/metres square. Like the bandana, it is another multipurpose item. You can use it as a temporary wrap on the beach or hotel corridor, a shawl, hat, sheet, towel, bag, curtain, pillowcase, tablecloth, blanket, shorts, trousers, skirt, and a mosquito defence.

As well as a passport, many countries require a visa to enter. This is simply a document or stamp . . . → Read More: Visas]]>

As well as a passport, many countries require a visa to enter. This is simply a document or stamp issued by a country giving you permission to enter for a given period of time and for certain purposes, which is usually stamped or glued inside your passport, or issued as separate pieces of paper.

Here are some examples of entry requirements around the world (check with the country’s embassy or consulate before you leave, though):

New Zealand doesn’t require US or EU citizens to obtain a visa in advance but you do need a return or onward ticket (plus a visa for the country where you are heading, if required).

Some countries (for example, Australia) use electronic “visas” where you can apply online and, if successful, your name is added to a database which is checked when you enter the country.

Indonesia requires an onward ticket for entry but these can be bought cheaply after landing at the Indonesian airport and then sold later if not needed.



There are reciprocal arrangements between various countries, too, like the US Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa and vice-versa. The reciprocal arrangement means that most European countries will admit citizens of the United States with just a valid passport.

Canada just requires that US citizens have official identification (usually a driver’s licence), and sufficient funds to enter.

Mexico requires just an id to travel within 26 kilometers of the border, and a $15 visitor card beyond that (bought at checkpoints).

Thailand will issue a free transit visa valid for 15 days to those arriving there without a visa as long as you have an onward airline ticket. For $25, paid in advance at a Thai embassy or consulate, you can get 30, 60 or 90 day visas (valid from the date of entry), with no need for an onward ticket.

A visa for visiting India is multiple entry (you can leave and re-enter on the same visa), and can be obtained at your local Indian embassy. You will get an application form which you send back with your passport and the required fee by registered mail. Your passport is then returned with the visa inside. This will take about two weeks, although, for an additional fee, you can get next-day processing. The visa is valid from the date of issue, not from when you enter the country.

Other things to be aware of are such things as the fact that there are certain countries that will not let you enter if you have an Israeli entry stamp in your passport (or if you use an Israeli passport when entering). Luckily, you can make alternative arrangements, for example, by applying for a second passport if you travel frequently to Israel.

The World Travel Guide says this: “Tourists [visiting Israel and] continuing [on] to Arab countries, excluding Egypt and Jordan, are recommended to request that an Israeli stamp does not appear in their passport. The granting of such requests is at the discretion of the authorities.”

As with passports, applying for visas is another thing that can take time (for visas to enter some countries it can take months), so, again, check the requirements for the countries you are visiting well in advance of your trip (here, for example, on the World Travel Guide website).

Once in a country it can be possible get visa extensions but sometimes it is easier to leave the country and come back on a new visa.

Finally, it also pays to take extra passport-sized photos for any additional visas that you might need while travelling.

Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on . . . → Read More: Books]]>

Below is a list of just some of the books that I have bought and found useful on my travels. I usually read these before I leave and try to memorise as much as I can, as carrying even just one book with you when you travel adds considerably to your load. (That said, I do carry the first book on the list with me as it is tiny).

To be honest, these days I tend to listen to audio books on my iPod mainly, as I can fit a considerable number of books onto it and listening in this way also keeps your hands free when walking around. You can buy these online or in major bookstores on CD. Just search online for audio books.

(Click for US supplier) (Click for UK supplier)

Travel Health

Bezruchka, Stephen. The Pocket Doctor: A Passport to Healthy Travel. Mountaineers Books; 3 edition (March 1999). The classic reference for international travelers – completely updated.

Dawood, Richard, M.D. Travelers’ Health: How to Stay Healthy All Over the World. New York: Random House, 1994. With six hundred pages of advice from sixty British and American travel medicine specialists, this is the most complete travelers’ health guide.

Dessery, Bradford L., and Robin, Marc R. The Medical Guide for Third World Travelers: A Comprehensive Self-Care Handbook. San Diego: K-W Publications, 1992. This is a good health guide by two nurses with practical experience.

Schroeder, Dirk G. Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Chico, CA: Moon Publications, 1993. Another good travelers’ health book.

Equipment

Fletcher, Colin. The Complete Walker. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984. Dubbed the “hiker’s Bible,” this is a highly detailed look at the gear and philosophy of a wilderness backpacker who has also written several other books.

Working Abroad

Griffith, Susan. Teaching English Abroad. Oxford: Vacation Work, 1994. This is over three hundred pages on the subject, including numerous personal accounts. Distributed in the U.S. by Petersen’s Guides, Princeton, NJ (tel. 800-338-3282).

Communication

Hall, Edward T. The Silent Language. Garden City, New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1959. A groundbreaking work on nonverbal communication.

Pei, Mario. Talking Your Way Around the World. New York: Harper & Row, 1971. Interesting reading on languages by the popular linguist, although you won’t quite be speaking Indo-European come page 288.

Miller, Stuart. Understanding Europeans. Santa Fe: John Muir Publications, 1990. This is an incisive book by an American former professor of European comparative literature who has lived and worked extensively in Europe. It also helps you understand Americans.

Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on . . . → Read More: Websites]]>

Some of the following links are on other pages of this website. I have brought them all together on this page, plus a few others that I found useful when researching long-term worldwide travel.

The links are not listed in any particular order, although I try to keep them arranged in the same order as they appear on this site.

General:

How to travel overland comfortably and affordably
General Travel Hints and Tips
The Traveller’s Toolkit – Independent travel resources
Round-The-World Travel Guide – The Travel Library
Lots of very useful travel advice links
Using a cell phone overseas
Maps of the night sky

Money:

Visa worldwide ATM/cash machine locator
MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus ATM locator
Credit card travel tips
Lost VISA card toll-free numbers
Lost MasterCard card toll-free numbers

Health:

Health Information for Overseas Travel
World Health Organization latest information by country
Health information by country and by illness plus a world list of doctors
Vaccination information by country
Malaria information – Generate a personal anti-malarial report by country
Malaria information – World map of risk areas

Water purification:

Water bottle purification systems
Steripen handheld, pocket-sized water purifier

Working/Volunteering Abroad:

Volunteers Abroad – Worldwide volunteer opportunities
Help Exchange – Volunteer to work at farms, homes, ranches, lodges, etc.
Voluntary Service Overseas

Packing light:

Lightweight Backpacking 101 – For hiking and camping
Travel light out of one carry-on sized bag
For the First-time Traveller
Packing light for vacations and air travel

Equipment stores:

Magellans International Travel Inc

Backpack security:

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products
Travel Security Products

Country guides:

Government Advice for UK travellers
Government Advice for US travellers
South East Asia specific travel advice
Weather information by country

Accommodation:

Hostel information by country
Youth Hostel Association – UK
Youth Hostel Association – Worldwide

Phrasebooks:

www.lastminute.com
www.collinslanguage.com

Stock photos:

www.tssphoto.com
www.the-lightbox.com
www.availablestockphotos.com

Links to the suppliers of the travel gear I use and recommend can be found through out this site. . . . → Read More: Suppliers]]>

Links to the suppliers of the travel gear I use and recommend can be found through out this site. Here is a list of those suppliers on one page.

I don’t work for any of the companies listed, neither do I receive any money from them to list them here. The list changes all the time as I add new suppliers and test out new gear.

I buy my equipment from companies on both sides of the Atlantic (I am both British and American). US-based companies and website links are preceded by and those in the UK by

For example, most of the things I buy I get from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

When I am in the States I frequently shop at REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), and have bought equipment from them online too. All the products have been high quality, including their own brand. You can also become a member of their cooperative by paying a small joining fee which entitles you to an annual dividend (about 10% of what you spent with them the previous year).

I have bought equipment online from Magellan’s International Travel Inc (based in California). They have a US website and a UK website. I order mostly from the UK website as if they don’t have what you want they can get it quite quickly (I assume from the US).

Another supplier with websites for both the US and the UK is Tilley Endurables. I have bought hats and travel underwear from this company and am very happy with both. Everything is very good quality and worth the little extra it may cost.



I bought my main travel pack, the MEI Voyageur, directly from the manufacturer, you can read about them here. The website has their email address but you can also contact them by clicking here: mei-legacy@netscape.com

I bought one of Kiva Design’s lightweight backpacks for carrying small amounts of shopping and sometimes laundry. It packs away really small in its own stuff sack and fits in a pocket or clips to a belt.

A good clothing store where I shop in London is Rohan. They also sell travel accessories and have an online store.

As well as being a travel equipment supplier both in their stores and online, Nomad have a travel clinic which gives advice on travel health and can give vaccinations and supply you with malaria pills.

Craghoppers don’t have their own store but many stores stock their excellent gear. They also have an online store from which I have bought equipment before.

Other US suppliers I have used are Campmor for camping equipment, and Sierra Trading Post, an online outlet mall for clothing and equipment.

All my hammock requirements are met by Hennessy Hammocks, I have the Ultralite Backpacker model.

You can find Eagle Creek gear in a lot of other stores and websites but they also have their own online store. I like their money belts and pouches (I have two).

For water purification I use products like the Aquapure Traveller water bottle and the Steripen handheld, pocket-sized water purifier.

The MIOX water purifier is supplied by Mountain Safety Research. They also make some great stoves, tents and other gear.

Good knives and other tools are supplied by Leatherman and Victorinox (Swiss Army knives) and can be bought anywhere.

Camera

There are two types of camera (apart from a camera phone) you can take travelling. Either an SLR . . . → Read More: Gadgets]]>

Camera

There are two types of camera (apart from a camera phone) you can take travelling. Either an SLR digital with a selection of lenses, or a point-and-shoot camera. For the difference in quality and performance you get between both, you are better off taking the point-and-shoot.

I am a photographer and regularly use both types of camera, but if you don’t believe me or want a second opinion, read more about it here on Ken Rockwell’s excellent photography site.

Personally, I have been using an Canon PowerShot S95 (shown here) which gives great results.

The only thing you really have to worry about is batteries. Some cameras use standard batteries, such as AA size. If you you can’t find one of these then you will need to take your charger (plus a spare rechargeable battery).

The size of memory card to take depends on the megapixel count of your digital camera and how many photos you normally take.

As an aside, 6 megapixels is more than enough resolution for pictures. Higher resolutions are just wasted, it is just a way for camera manufacturers to make you buy the latest model. And anyway, larger pictures are always reduced for printing, emailing or displaying on the web (and you can print excellent 12″ x 18″ prints from a 3 megapixel camera). I use the 5 megapixel setting on my 10 megapixel camera.

If you intend to keep all your photos on your card for your entire trip then a larger card is best, but if you take a laptop or can upload them to the Internet at any time then a smaller card will suffice. Remember to take the camera/laptop adapter/cable.

To give you a rough idea of how many pictures you can fit on one card, an 8 megapixel camera taking JPG images at full resolution will fit just over 300 pictures into 1GB of card space.

Many photographers keep at least two high-capacity cards with them, not only for the extra capacity but for the security too. That way if they lose a card, or if it becomes corrupted, they have another one on hand.

Cell/mobile phone

Having your phone with you is useful for emergencies or business trips but not for the kind of travelling where you are trying to get away from it all.

If you do take one you need to make sure it will work in the places to which you will be travelling (also make sure the charger will work), and that you won’t get charged a fortune to make calls.



A phone can be used for other things too, which can make them worth taking, even if you don’t make any calls. Some have alarm clocks and calculators, your phone’s address book can be packed with useful numbers before you go, and in some cases you can record addresses (geographical and email), even websites.

In the same way that you do at home, your phone’s LCD screen can also be used as a mini-torch/flashlight in emergencies.

Most cameras these days have both still and video options. They won’t replace a good point-and-shoot (yet), but they can be used as a kind of ‘visual notebook’.

You can browse the Internet for travel info on the road with some phones and plans, but this can get expensive (especially overseas).

One feature you may not think of immediately is that because most phones can accept memory cards you can use these for storage, not only of pictures, but of any other type of file you can copy from/to a computer. Such uses may include storing financial details, scanned documents (all encrypted, of course), maps, guidebook pages, etc. See the Papers – Security page for more ideas.

This is also true for camera memory. You will take away space that could be used for images but text files are very small so this shouldn’t be a problem.

iPods can also be used in this way as storage devices but this is a little more tricky and you can sometimes overwrite the information you have saved when adding songs to them if you aren’t careful.

If you are worried about losing the card/phone/camera or memory card and someone finding your files, then (again), make sure that the data is encrypted. You can also hide files in various ways (consult an expert!)

Laptop

Having a portable computer when you travel has its advantages and disadvantages. They are heavy and can be bulky, fragile and tempting for thieves, but they do have their uses.

I carry an Asus EeePC 1005HA which has a 10″ screen and is thin and light. I have been using these small laptops on the road for a while now (way before the MacBook Air came out!). It is as small as a piece of standard letter/A4 paper.

Remember, you will also have to carry the power supply and cord, plus adapters and any other accessories, which adds to the total weight.

For the number and types of use you get out of it, however, it may be better to use Internet cafes.

If you carry a flash drive you can keep data (and some applications) on this and use the computers you find overseas to get to it. Also, if you keep your data on a server or in your email then you can get to this too.

Be careful when using any computer that isn’t your own, as some could have viruses or password stealing programs loaded on them.

Calculator

Some watches and phones have these but if yours doesn’t you can buy one, they are cheap and light. You can use them for currency and tip calculations and some come with language phrasebooks built in.

Alarm clock/watch

Watches with batteries will eventually run down, so make sure that replacing it is easy and cheap, not as easy as you might think (find out how to do it before you leave).

Cell phones (and some cameras) have built-in clocks too.

Phones and watches both come with alarms but sometimes it is useful to have a separate alarm clock.

Torch/flashlight

Always a very useful piece of equipment. Good for reading, finding your way, and exploring at night.

There are really two choices, either a Mini Maglite or an LED flashlight or headlamp, such as those made by Petzl. I personally use a Petzl Tikka XP LED Headlamp (shown here).

Modern LED flashlights have different power settings, some flash for emergency signalling.

Hands-free operation is a bonus, a lot of LED lights come with a headband. You can also buy adjustable headstraps for Maglites and other AA-battery-sized lights.

Other things to consider are battery life, availability of batteries, bulb life, and brightness. Whichever you choose it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Multi-tool/knife

Another useful item to have while travelling. Carrying one these days, however, is complicated by airline rules as knives of any kind are banned from carry-on luggage.

The options are to leave your multi-tool at home or to check your bag. You probably won’t be travelling on planes that much, so having such a useful tool with you is worth the extra hassle of the odd checked bag.

You can also put the tool/knife in your day sack and check that instead (bulked up with laundry or newspaper), thereby keeping your valuables with you in your main bag.

I carry a Leatherman Wave multi-tool (shown here) with a leather sheath (sold separately but sometimes they come bundled together), both of which you can buy in the US here or in the UK here.

Eating utensils

Buying food in supermarkets and local shops is a good way to cut down on expenses. You will need something to eat it in and with, however.

You don’t need to take plates and cutlery with you, you can always improvise, often using the containers in which you buy the food.

One useful item to take, though, is a cup. There are a number of collapsible cups designed for travelling, some better than others. I use one made by Flatterware.

It holds both hot and cold liquids (about 12 fl.oz), and come in a variety of colours. They collapse into a convenient size for travel. I carry mine in my day pack.

If you carry a multi-tool you should already have a knife, so all you need is something to use as a spoon and fork, or the two combined into one, i.e. a ‘spork’.

In the past these were a bad compromise between the two implements, but these days you can buy a better version, for example, a Light My Fire Spork (shown above).

Fire Steel

Another great tool made by Light My Fire is the Swedish Firesteel (shown here).

This is not an essential item for travelling around the world (and would probably not be allowed on a plane either), it is more of an item for camping or backpacking. You can always find a lighter or matches wherever you are in the world. But if you are miles from nowhere, your lighter runs out and your matches are wet then this is very useful.

When struck it makes a 3,000 degree spark which ignites many different types of tinder in any weather and at any altitude. I have the Scout model on a leather lanyard which I wear around my neck.

Compass

Another useful item I keep on the lanyard is a compass. These are good for hiking but also for finding your way in unfamiliar cities.

If you have a city map, then it is even more useful. Just stepping out of a subway onto the street can make you feel disoriented, so this is good for finding your bearings.

I have a tiny Silva Caribiner 28 compass (shown here). This is from a quality manufacturer but is small and light (and works just as well as a larger model).

If you can’t find any of the Caribiner range then another good model is the Silva 1-2-3 compass, which measures just 2″ x 3″.

Whistle

The last item on my lanyard is a whistle. This is lightweight and emits a 100+ decibel sound.

It has multiple uses (mainly security related). You can use it to deter muggers, or avoid other unwanted attention in the street, as an alarm, say in a hotel room at night if someone breaks in, or as an emergency signal if you are lost somewhere.

Rubber door stop

Another good security device to have when travelling is some kind of door stop which can be used to wedge a door firmly closed at night. Some come with alarms built in which activate if disturbed. You can buy these online (here, for example).