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travel tips

My Adventures in Bundle Wrapping and Carry-On Travel

May 23, 2013

In March 2012 I set out on an 18 day, 6 country solo trip to Europe, my 1st ‘real’ solo trip. Yes I had travelled numerous times on business, to see friends around the globe and even once to Cuba to sit at a resort for 1 week by myself, but this was different. The first 8 days were going to be busy as I was going to travel 4 countries in that time. The beautiful thing about Europe especially when you are time limited like I am as a mom who travels solo, is that the cities and countries are so close together. If I wanted to go to Innsbruck, Austria for an afternoon/evening jaunt from Munich, Germany, I could and I did.

I was going to be travelling by train and bus and I really didn’t want to be carrying a large suitcase. So I started to google things like “packing light” and “carry on travel”. I came across One Bag. It was there that I discovered the bundle wrap packing method. Back in 1998 I went backpacking around Scotland with a friend and had one of those large backpacks. I’m not gonna lie, I did not like that pack on my back; it was bulky and it was heavy. This time around I wanted to be free of a heavy pack. I decided that I was going to be a carry-on traveler and was going to limit myself to a carry on backpack.

Off I went to Mountain Equipment Coop in search of a pack. My only real criteria was that it had to be carry on. With all that travelling, I didn’t want to take a chance at the airlines possibly losing my luggage. I came across the MEC Pangea 40 and was sold.

It fit well and it was carry on. After I decided on what clothes to bring I attempted to pack it all. Although I managed to fit everything inside it was bulky and packed to the brim. I wanted to see if there really was a difference between the way I normally pack and the bundle wrap. Amazingly the bundle wrap really does work and make a difference. It took me about 10 minutes to do the first trial wrap and I got it down to about 3-4 minutes on my travels. It’s a little intimidating at first, but if you follow the diagram at One Bag it’s pretty simple – for how to pack using the bundle wrap method, visit here.

Here’s my clothes all wrapped up with space left over! It’s really freeing to be able to travel with just a carry on.

My clothes packing list:

1 black dress pant
2 jeans
2 turtlenecks
1 long sleeve shirt (dressier)
1 sweater (dressy)
2 tshirts
2 tank tops
1 pajama pant
a small case which is the ‘core’ that contained 2 bras and 5 underwear and 4 socks
1 trench coat (I figured by layering I’d be warm enough, I was right. Had great weather in March too)

The toiletries were in a clear case and I laid it flat on top. I also
brought a clothesline, sink stopper and woolite for hand washing. Ya I kick it old school. My Gran used to always do her clothes by hand, I learned from the best. I also carried a small make up case and some scarves for when I needed to dress up for the opera or ballet.

On my solo travels I always travel with a Pacsafe and wear it cross-body. It is said that people that pickpocket go for the easy grab. The packsafe is slash proof, cross-body eliminates the grab and it has locks so it can’t be unzipped easily in a rush.

I started off with one of the smaller pacsafe bags but now carry the pacsafe metro 200 and LOVE it. I feel more confident and safe walking around with one. I have the one shown below but in grey.

ipad
iphone
notebook, pen, passport, 4 currencies (british pounds, euros, korona and forint), europe adapters, iPhone/iPad chargers & cables, 1 wallet, 1 neck wallet (I never wore it but I kept money separated and in different areas of my Pacsafe).
miscellenous items like mints, accessories for my iPhone etc.

While I did love travelling carry on, the backpack gets to you after a while and I really wanted something light, carry on and more stylish. I did some research (I’m such a researcher) and came across the Travelite luggage company in the forums, I believe it was the Flyertalk forum and the One Bag forum. They are from Germany and from what I could tell at the time aren’t sold in Canada or at least not directly. I happened to be going to Munich and found out where I could buy one there so that was my mission for my arrival in Munich at the end of the 8 day whirlwind to 4 countries. On my first night of 3 nights in Munich I picked up a red Travelite StarLITE carry on rolling suitcase, I bought it at Maria Buscher. If you go to Maria Buscher, say hello to Peter.

Oh how I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this suitcase. It’s so light, weighing in at about 4.5lbs. It’s a hybrid of a suitcase, the back is hard and the front is light soft material and it opens up like a book. The roller part of the suitcase does not sit inside where you lose space. On my travels, flight attendants have asked where I got it. It’s THAT good! 🙂

my lovely Travelite starLITE carry on roller

So after Munich I put my souvenirs in my backpack and my clothes in the starLITE. My next stop was Paris where I was to be for 5 days. I then went to London for 3 and left my backpack in the lockers at Gare Du Nord for the weekend as I was going back to Paris for one night before I flew back home to Canada. It was a great plan and now anytime I travel solo, this is what I take as well as I pack using the bundle wrap if I need the space.

Until next time,

Andrea… and my wandering iPhone

Why This Mother and Wife Travels Solo

February 24, 2013

If you knew me you would know that I absolutely love my husband, sons, friends and family. If you knew me you would know that connections are important to me. So why does this mother of 2 and wife leave behind my family to travel solo?

WHY THIS MOTHER AND WIFE TRAVELS SOLO

I travel solo because sometimes there are places I want to go that others don’t.
I travel solo because it is such a feeling of accomplishment. I research the places I want to see. I choose the accommodations, the activities, my transportation and my meals. I go from one end of the city to the other, from one city to the next and from one country to another.
I travel solo because I get to meet like-minded individuals from all over the world who are also travelling. It is amazing to learn of where they have just come from and where they are going next. It makes the world feel smaller and more connected.
I travel solo because it gives you space. Space to reflect, breathe and appreciate.
I travel solo because there are places all over the world that I want to experience for myself.
I travel solo because there are people all over the world that I have yet to meet.
I travel solo because it gives you time for yourself and to come back home more renewed than ever. Often when you travel with others, it’s a series of compromises. Sometimes I just want to take a while longer while photographing something or to really be present.
I travel solo to take care of myself. Some people shop, I travel. Travelling is so much a part of me that when I don’t travel I am itching to get back out there. It is much more than just a destination, it is all the experiences that come with it. It is living life.

Solo travel gives you as much or as little time as you want, to see, to listen, to touch, to smell and to taste. It’s only up to you to decide how much. All your senses truly come alive.

SOLO TRAVEL QUOTES

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. — Henry David Thoreau

Solo travel not only pushes you out of your comfort zone. It also pushes you out of the zone of other’s expectations. – Suzy Strutner

Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time – Hannah Arendt

Traveling alone doesn’t mean living lonely. It is when you travel alone you are most open to others. – Salil Jha

LONE TRAVELLER EXPERIENCES

Sometimes I just want to sit a while longer with my vin chaud (mulled wine) and people watch at the café in Paris.

Vin Chaud in Montmartre district in Paris, France — sipping vin chaud and people watching in Montmartre – Paris, France

Sometimes I want to enjoy the views a little longer.

Neuschwanstein, the fairy tale castle in Bavaria — Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle in Bavaria

Sometimes I want to take more time to photograph what I see or wait for a shot I envision while listening to the calls of the wild in the Kruger National Park.

Sometimes I want to enjoy the culture of the city I am visiting and go to a ballet in Vienna or opera in Prague at the historic theatres.

Yes, you are physically alone when you travel solo and sometimes I feel lonely for a spell, especially missing my family, but I never feel truly alone. As a solo traveller, it is easy to meet people, mostly without even trying. I feel that the connections you make with yourself, the people of the world and nature can only be genuinely experienced while travelling solo.

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to travel to and spend time in a village in the Eastern Cape to witness a Sangoma (traditional healer) graduation ceremony in South Africa.

An amaXhosa elder in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have taken Djembe (African drum) lessons with a Master djembefola at a neighbourhood cultural centre in Dakar, Senegal and be invited to watch his group practice for a performance after. I was the only foreigner amongst 30 drummers, dancers and local children. We also chatted about life over mint tea after the lesson.

djembe lessons in Dakar, Senegal, solo traveller experiences — still photo of me drumming in Senegal (from a video).

Watching a local Djembe group practice in Senegal, solo traveller experiences — watching a local Djembe & Dance group practice in Senegal

If I didn’t travel solo I wouldn’t have been invited to sing Christmas carols with 5000 locals against the backdrop of Table Mountain under starry skies and the shimmering lights of Cape Town in the background.

Carols by Candlelight - Cape Town, South Africa — Carols by Candlelight – Cape Town, South Africa

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVELLING SOLO AS A MOTHER

One of the biggest reasons I travel solo as a mother is for my boys. I want to show them that I am not just a mother, but that I am a woman that has dreams and that dreams do come true.

I want them to know what living life to the fullest is all about. They can’t always come with me, but with technology, I can share my travels in real time (FaceTime or photos) or when I get home.

I want them to learn that there is more out there than just our neighbourhood or country and that the world is not a big bad scary place as some make it out to be.

I want to inspire them to find things they love, to follow their hearts and go after their dreams.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly as I am raising men, I want to raise them to respect, encourage and support women in their dreams. The best way to do this is by example and what better way to learn what it takes to be a man than witness their father support my dreams and travels around the world.

I am grateful for my dear husband, but I know that is not the reality for many. I hope for a near future where “let” and “allow” are replaced with “encourage” and “support” when it comes to mothers, wives, girlfriends and daughters in following their dreams of travels around the world.

All these reasons are why this mother and wife travels solo.

SOLO TRAVEL RESOURCES

BreatheDreamGo – http://breathedreamgo.com/2013/02/ode-to-the-lady-traveller-wegosolo/

Mariellen Ward has travelled solo to India for a total of 17 months of the last 7 years. Find out about why she started the WeGoSolo movement. Mariellen is a great resource for solo travel in India. As well, you will find countless posts, tips and resources by other woman solo travellers.

Journeywoman – http://www.journeywoman.com/

Evelyn Hannon of Journeywoman has been travelling solo for more than 30 years and has inspired women from around the world to do the same. Her site is a fantastic resource for woman travellers.

Solo Traveler – http://solotravelerblog.com

Janice Waugh began travelling solo after a loss and hasn’t looked back. Her site is another great resource for solo travellers.

I Dreamed of Africa

January 9, 2013

My stomach began to flutter as I walked to the jeep. The feeling grew as I climbed into the open game drive vehicle for the first time. I was both excited and nervous going for a 3-hour drive in the Greater Kruger National Park. The times in front of the TV watching Wild Kingdom with my dad and Gran and the hours spent leafing through National Geographic magazines as a child came to mind at that moment.

Was this real?

I wondered what animals we’d see on our drive. Though I would be happy to see any animal that was allowed to roam free, I secretly wished for a giraffe sighting. Suddenly we came upon a lone giraffe walking gracefully in front of us; I was ecstatic. It was too far away to get a decent photo, and we were moving slowly behind it.

It turned left and disappeared into the bush. We caught up to where it was, but the thick bush separated us. We watched for a moment and continued driving. Unexpectedly our jeep turned left; I smiled as I knew our guide would get us closer. The giraffe was eating off to the side of the dirt road, but the area had a lot of trees and thick bush. You’d be surprised at how quickly giraffes and even a herd of elephants can hide in it.

The giraffe moved, and the bush gave way a little, but still, I waited.

I soon noticed that the sun was beginning to set and the scene unfolding before me. The beauty of the sky and the road in front would add to the photo I thought. The light was disappearing, but I continued to wait. I enjoyed watching the slow manner in which it ate and moved, but I wondered if I would lose my chance.

Before I travelled to South Africa, I envisioned scenes I wanted to capture. This view was one of them. I wondered if the giraffe would ever come out of the bush so I could see it silhouetted against the sky, just as I had imagined. Someone asked why I wasn’t taking any photos, as she knew that I was a photographer.

“I’m waiting for the giraffe to walk out in front of us so I can take a photo of it against the sun and sky.”

“Spoken like a true photographer”.

Little did she know that I had been waiting my whole life for this, what was another minute or two? The giraffe stopped eating and moved away from the bush. It appeared in front of us.

I dreamed of Africa, and I dreamed of being able to capture this very scene… a giraffe photographed against a sunset sky. Dreams do come true.

Travel, travel tips

My top 10 Travel Apps for the iPhone

August 8, 2012

When I travel internationally there are a number of apps I use for anything from finding a restaurant or my way around to video calling my family. I prefer to do so without the high roaming charges associated. See my post on data plans and travel here.

Please keep in mind that a good data plan is best in order to use some of these apps, especially for calls, video calls or maps. Having said that, you could still make good use of this list with wifi only. I am speaking as a Canadian user though I’m certain most of these would apply to our friends north of the border and International users as well.

Top10Travel — Top 10 Travel Apps for iPhone

Updated for relevancy in 2015.

1. FaceTime, included with your Apple product — I love video calling my family and close friends back home and sharing some of my experiences while travelling. FaceTime is my number one choice for video calling both for clarity in video and sound. Of course to use FaceTime the other person needs an Apple product such as the iPhone, iPod, iPad or Mac computer. You also need a good data plan so if your data plan is not 1gb or more or I would wait until you find wifi. If your internet connection is not as great, you can still use FaceTime without video.

2. Skype, a free app – A fantastic alternative to FaceTime for video calling and calling. It is also available for android phones. I have the Unlimited US and Canada plan for $2.99 per month which allows me to call landlines and mobiles anywhere in those countries from anywhere. If the other party has skype on their mobile device or computer then skype is always free. Again be mindful of your data plan when travelling.

3. WhatsApp, a free instant messaging app that allows you to share photos and your location as well. While I do use iMessage a lot within my family, not everyone I communicates with has an iOS device. This is a fantastic app regardless of the operating system your phone uses. — iOS, blackberry, android and windows.

4. Vonage, free to download works with credit. When I first mentioned this app, it was free to call any phone number in Canada or the USA. Now you need to purchase credits. Vonage works well and the clarity of the call is wonderful. Vonage to Vonage calls are always free anywhere in the world.

5. Google Maps, a free app. I use this app often, even at home. The map will find where you are (blue dot) and get you where you want to go. As you move, the iPhone updates your location automatically. If you have a favourite location, drop a pin to mark it and bookmark it to find it again. You can also search along the way. You can type in something like “cafe or coffee” to find places associated with the keyword and it works with addresses and business names. When you find what you’re looking for, tap the pin and touch the blue arrow to bring up more information, such as phone numbers and web or location addresses. If you see a circle icon with a person inside then that location has street view. I love to use street view to see where my hotel is and to get an idea of what is around it. Tip: Bookmark your hotel/hostel as soon as you know the information so that wherever you are in a new city/town, you can always find your way there. It’s a great idea to keep the map open when you’re in a cab as to keep tabs on your cabbie as there are many cities that are notorious for ripping off tourists. Hello Prague, I’m talking to you. Saved some money by doing this there. If you’re driving, it has the GPS function with turn by turn information. Also be mindful of your data plan before using it.

6. Yelp, a free app – a great app to find recommendations for restaurants, entertainment, services, shopping and more. You can sign up to give reviews and check in as some places have check in offers. It also has the “nearby” feature which locates restaurants or everything close to you.

7. TripAdvisor, a free app – it is my go-to resource for accomodation reviews and activities as there are plenty of reviews to be found.

8. XE Currency, a free app – a great app for converting Canadian dollars to whatever currency you’ll be using. Came in really handy when I recently travelled to 6 countries but needed 4 different currencies.

9. iTranslate, a free app – a fantastic app that you can type into that translates in 50 different languages. Works well if you’re typing in a word or phrase. For an additional fee you can have the option of talking into the phone with voice recognition. I haven’t used that part of the app so cannot say whether the voice recognition is good or bad.

10. TripIt, free app. Admittedly, I was late to jump on the bandwagon. Many of my travel friends have mentioned this app, but for some reason I didn’t look into it. Now that I have, I can’t travel without it. It organizes your travel plans so beautifully, so seamlessly. Flights, accommodations, car rentals. It’s all there for you and it can be accessed offline.

Until next time,

Andrea… and my wandering iPhone