Useful Travel Tips - TIWIK #4

1. Back up your photos on a USB, an online storage space (Dropbox, Google Drive and many others offer this service), or both as you travel.

2. Pack your shampoo, perfume and all other products that are prone to leakage in a sealed plastic bag (Ziploc zipper bags are the best). This is also true for makeup removing wipes, which tend to leak when hard pressure is applied on the packet — i.e. whenever you check-in your bag on a plane.

3. Keep a travel journal. You don’t need to describe in detail everything you saw and what food you ate and how the bus was late — guaranteed to have you quit after 2 days —, but rather try to focus on your impressions: how it made you feel, what that smell reminded you of, how you bonded with that person. It’s a pain to do this on the spot, but you will thank yourself forever. Oh, and also write down the address of that cool place you visited so you can find it again.

4. Don’t use a vintage film SLR in the San Francisco fog.

5. If you are on some sort of medication, set an reminder alarm on your phone and take it. Everyday.

6. Bring as many pretty swimsuits as you want, but also pack a solid simple black bikini that you’re not afraid to damage: that way you won’t ruin your favourite swimmers during the unplanned river adventure/hammam session/surf lesson.

7. Wear sunscreen. SPF 30 will not prevent you from tanning; it will, however, prevent you from the dreaded peeling-skin-turning-pink look (and from, you know, cancer).

8. Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, don’t sit in the sun past 10 am if you’re anywhere near the equator.

9. Your skull is skin as well. Put a little bit of sunscreen on your parting, or it will burn, peel, and make you look like you have dandruff.

10. Don’t leave you phone on the table when you’re sitting outside at the restaurant. Don’t ask why.