10 Hour Flight and no TP (Or The Essential Travel Accessory)

United Airlines Forgets Toilet Paper On 10-Hour Flight
From San Francisco To London



A great reason to carry one of these with you anywhere you travel:

   
      



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Business Traveler Must-Have Travel Gadgets

Business travel is exciting fun and, some of the time, productive. However, it can also be quite stressful for the same reasons that it is interesting. You are traveling to a new destination which is most likely nothing like your office set up back home. And the expectations are higher as you are the brand representative.

Additional stress point is of course the travel itself. The time it takes to travel to the location could have been spent doing something productive. Standing in line in the checkpoint, waiting for the flight and so on are all time wasted. However, that is when having the right travel gadgets along could help you be more productive or just help you chilax.


Kindle

- it is easy to pack a bunch of books that you would like to catch up on in this one small device
- or you can load up PDF documents to review while en route.
- easy to read and use on flight
- long lasting battery charge



IPad
- iPad is very versatile.
- you can do more book reading or online reading, view movies and shows, and serve the web.
- with business apps for iPad, you can also complete a few of the productive tasks
- such as build out presentations

Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100

Scanner
- might not be the most obvious business travel gadget, though the technology has advanced where the scanners are now wireless and quite compact
- keeps all the paperwork assembled during travel in one place
- can scan in credit card receipts, and other receipts, business cards, standard size paper documents, and more
- easily manage the documents with the app that comes with most scanners
- tax preparer and auditor delight


Wireless Mouse

- Until recently I didn't even think about this little computer gadget as I was dragging it around with my laptop. A wireless mouse is an essential gadget for anyone traveling with a computer. Track pads while convenient, since they are built-in, are quite uncomfortable to use, can cause unintended edits, and are not ergonomic. I have the Logitech Wireless Mouse M310and it has been awesome. It is very easy to set up. All you do is plug a tiny wireless connector into a USB port. The mouse is ergonomically design so it is great to use. They also thought of it while in transport. The wireless connector can be stored inside the mouse next to the battery, so you always have both in the same place. It has an on/off switch on the bottom so you do not waste battery life while it moves around in your bag.

Micro projector
- Pictures speak louder than words
- instead of relying on the folks at your destination to have all the equipment, you can be ready with your own that you actually know how to use
- no need to huddle over the small screen of a laptop with clients not able to see or be a little too close for comfort
- integrates with smartphones through apps
- when done with presentation, watch movies in hotel room on the big screen

ReVIVE Series Solar

Battery charger
- myCharge® Peak 6000 - What's in the name? It is a rechargeable 6000mAh battery pack. This little charger has enough juice to able to charge a smartphone 4 times, and even charges iPad and other tablets. You can charge up to three devices at once. Available at Amazon.com

ReVIVE Series Solar ReStore External Battery Pack with Universal USB Charging Port for e-readers , MP3 players , smartphones and otherUSB powered devices. Power up your gadgets with the energy of the sun.


Travel Bags
- There are many pain points associated with travel especially business travel. One of these is travel bags.
While vacationers tend to gravitate to bags that are light and roomy, for business you want bags that are sturdy, great ride-along, and easy to pack and transport. They also need to protect your valuables such as iPad and laptop while en route. And offer a multitude of compartments and pockets to organize everything you need to conduct business on the go.

Smartphone
- Per a recent survey, technology is a top tool for business travelers to balance personal and professional lives and achieving overall work-life productivity. Gadgets that they find most helpful are smartphones, as they help them keep in touch with their family as well as social and professional networks.

It is also important to keep things clean and presentable during a business trip:

Travel Laundry Clothesline Flexoline

Travel Laundry Hanger

Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets

Travelon Stow-Away Laundry Bag

Kushies "On the Go" 2 Pack Wet Bag

Lewis N. Clark Wrinkle Wiz


How do you prepare for your out-of-town trip? Let us know below

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Most important pack when traveling

First aid kit is an essential pack of supplies that can be a difference between continuing a great vacation and not.

Smart Travel kit, is designed to support one or two people on an extended trip. The kit is essentially a well stocked medicine cabinet that you can take with you wherever you go. Weighing in at just over a pound, the Smart Travel comes packed with bandages, gauze, a thermometer, tweezers, medical tape, and much more. It also includes medications to treat a variety of stomach ailments, blisters, dehydration, fever, and other minor aches and pains.

Baby-proofing kit by Travel Tot is a great pack to have while traveling and home also. The easily packable kit comes complete with corner, outlet and doorknob covers, plus a cabinet lock, cord-wind up and other assorted gadgets. Other items included in the kit are: finger pinch guard, electrical outlet plug covers, foam corner guards, door knob cover, cord wind-up, sliding door lock, cabinet lock, multi-purpose straps, water thermometer, bandages, forehead thermometer, and “shhh, Travel-Tot sleeping” door hanger.

Why good to have on a trip:
- things happen
- keep all travelers on the go
- quick access and treatment of medical issues
- provide basic medical supplies to treat common ailments
- eliminate the need for trips to a pharmacy
- travel safe

Did You Know?:

Some things to pack in a first aid kit:

• Prescription medications (with labels for use)
• Band-aids
• Antibacterial ointment
• Hand sanitizer
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Antihistamine pills (for any allergic reactions)
• Advil (or pain relief of choice)
• Vitamins (you may be subsisting on cereal bars)
• Nasal decongestant (will help relieve nasal pressure during flights)
• Hydro-cortisone cream
• Gauze All Purpose Dressings 
• Scissors 
• Tweezers 
• Water 
• Ice packs 
• Flashlight

Top 15 Holiday Gifts for your Travel Gadget Geek

As holidays fast approaching and we struggle to come up with the perfect gift for everyone on your list, it’s worth considering that traveling is one of the most past times for a lot of folks. And travel accessories might make a great gift. Especially since many travelers have a favorite item or gadget they can’t leave home without. Even if the person on your list is not looking for the latest tech gadget, there are quite a bit of great travel items that would make their day and even year.

Here are some favorites from folks who spend a lot of time away from home, as well as a look at a few new and interesting items:

Tumi Plug Adaptor - This little gadget offers four different plug configurations in one unit, good for 150 countries for powering devices like MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. It comes in a little black case and the prongs can be pushed in and out for easy storage and transport. http://www.tumi.com

Noise-Cancelling headphones - Sometimes all you want is a little peace and quiet, or just tune out all the things going on around you. And that is when noise canceling headphones are life enhancers, if not life saver in some situations. Read more: Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?
Latest headphones for travel that I recently came across are SleepPhones. Unlike earphones that require you to lie in the same rigid position, AcousticSheep SleepPhones are flat, removable speakers built into a soft fleece headband. They let you fall asleep naturally, without popping drugs or jamming in uncomfortable plugs. Available in several colors from Amazon.com: SleepPhones

Travel Size Bottle Kit is a great travel gadget for packing and organizing and, most importantly these days, abiding by the TSA rules. Read more: Travel Bottle Kit - TSA approved, ready to go

Portable chargers —  to provide hours of extra power when the battery runs out on an iPhone, BlackBerry or iPod.
Solio Bolt charger - eco-friendly, versatile and packable. The charger has an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, and it can juice up from the sun, a USB port or the wall to power your phone, MP3 player, e-reader, GPS or camera.

EBook readers are becoming more and more popular since you can carry with you an entire library for the size of just one paperback. And with with the low price of eBooks and newer and cooler versions of readers coming up, such as Kindle Fire, they area great gift for a person on the go.

GPS - an essential gadget when traveling. One of the most annoying things about going on vacation is getting lost. This tech gadgets will keep you on track in the car, on a boat, or if just walking around town


Smartphone - A smart phone lets you access travel tools such as emails, maps, GPS, compass, check the Internet for hotel reviews etc. For holiday commuting or standing in line, there is no better gadget. Check out our weekly post: "There is a Travel App for That" for some useful travel apps.

Digital Camera - You can't go on a holiday without a camera. A digital camera is probably the most essential travel tool so make sure you have a good one ready for the "Kodak moments". We love our Canon Powershot SX

A Watter Bottle is not only a great accessory to have on a trip but it can also save money and protect your health and invigorate. Instead of purchasing multiple water bottles or drinking from street fountains, a waterbottle would provide clean drinking water that you can fill up from a water filter or at a rest stop. Drinking water is very important. It is even more so on trips when you spend a long time in between stops and walking

Digital Luggage Scale - Take the guesswork out of packing and avoid paying extra fees by finding out luggage weight before check-in.

Venturesafe 200 bag - a small daypack with a lot of security measures. First of, the shoulder strap is slash-proof and snatch-proof. A thief can’t quickly cut through it with a knife because there is wire mesh inside. The same wire mesh goes through the whole bag as well, so the old trick of slashing the bottom of a pack and taking what’s inside won’t work either. The extra-strong zippers tuck into little pockets so they are hard to reach. This bag has essential compartments for several gadgets, keys, and headphones. Read more: Top 5 ways to keep you and your gadgets safe while traveling

SteriPen - small, light and now rechargeable UV water purifier. Its UV light destroys over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium that might be found in some water traveling abroad. The Pen recharges via a micro USB B port using a computer, AC outlet or compatible solar charge. Other versions use batteries, lithium type are strongly recommended.

Digital Travel Clock & Photo Frame - "Love the Digital Travel Clock and it comes with a photo frame. Perfect gift indeed for those people who travels a lot."

Amazon Gift Cards - something for everyone. Never expire.

Swiss Army knife - its a classic multi-tool. Everything you need and more within one device.




Did You Know?:
How to Avoid Paying Retail for Christmas Gifts
Airplane travel gadgets to keep you moving

Travel Bottle Kit - TSA approved, ready to go

Travel Bottle Kit is a great travel gadget for packing and organizing and, most importantly these days, abiding by the TSA rules. (TSA regulations) It is also great for health and for the environment since these are made from food grade material and resuable again and again.
A kit consists of leak-proof and break-resistant travel bottles that can be filled with shampoo, lotion, body wash, vitamins, and other travel essentials. In the eBags 3-1-1 Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit, the bottles also have different color tops for easy identification and they come in different sizes as well, ranging from 2oz down to 0.5oz. These bottles easily fit into a 1-quart zip-top bag.
Travel kits help reduce the amount of space in your suitcase when packing up various personal and hygiene products Since you can take only so much with you on the trip, its a great idea to not drag a full size shampoo bottle or lotion with you. Most bottles can provide sufficient volume to hold enough shampoo/conditioner/shower gel for a week trip. This way can pack more of other essentials and pack less in your suitcases. Or, as we have done on our trip, not take suitcase along at all, by packing everything tightly in small containers and Space Bags. Save on airline fees and your health.

Why good to have on a trip:
- easy to pack and carry
- portable and convenient
- leak-proof and break-resistant
- get past security without a problem

What do you pack for air travel? Leave a Comment

Top 5 ways to keep you and your gadgets safe while traveling

I am not going to discuss the storm as there are many posts and tweets about it already. What I will do is tell you about some of great and interesting gadgets that will keep you safe as well as your gadgets while in route.

  One such great gadget is a GPS. It is a great tool while on a road trip as it shows you step by step directions of where to go and knows where you are located in the wilderness of our country. We have been using ours extensively on short and long trips. Recently, we have been musing how we have traveled before without it. On our first trips with my wife, we were using a paper map and it was not easy. During the longest road trip we have taken at that time, my wife let me know that she was not sure how to read the map. We were on the highway at that time by the way, speeding along to somewhere. 

 The GPS could also be used while walking to find your way around town or forrest, as well as while biking and boating. Though while in a boat it would be a great idea to put it in a water proof pouch.

How to Use Your Car GPS in Pedestrian Mode

Keep your gadgets dry and secure:
As we all know water is a top enemy for anything electronic. I know first hand, since I thought that my phone could go swimming in the pool with me. But it was not so. There are many different cases and skins available to protect your electronic gadgets from getting ruined by water. The LifeProof case for iPhone 4 is one such case. It has a super thin and light profile that barely increases the size of your phone, has two parts with a back plate that clips onto the front with a ridge all the way around and secures via a clamp on the bottom edge. It prevents dust, water, and other stuff from getting inside.

Waterproof cases: Amazon collection and REI matrix of waterproof cases

Hold on to your gadgets securely
Handstand iPad case - The Handstand case fits snugly around your iPad -- so far, nothing overly different from other cases on the market. Where the Handstand excels is a neat rotating hand grip on the back of the case. Simply slip your hand through the elastic strap, and you can hold your iPad with just one hand and rotate it in any angle you want. The rotating rear also doubles as a stand, allowing you to place your iPad on a flat surface and angle it up a couple of degrees for watching movies. The whole construction feels very solid, and even when you shake your arms around, your iPad won't budge. - Gadling.com

Keep an eye on your homestead while traveling:
Logitech Alert HD home monitoring system provides peace of mind for you while away with apps for IPhone, IPad, and Android that lets you easily access cameras located at home with secure remote access.

Keep things secure and with you while touring:
Venturesafe 200 bag - a small daypack with a lot of security measures. First of, the shoulder strap is slash-proof and snatch-proof. A thief can’t quickly cut through it with a knife because there is wire mesh inside. The same wire mesh goes through the whole bag as well, so the old trick of slashing the bottom of a pack and taking what’s inside won’t work either. The extra-strong zippers tuck into little pockets so they are hard to reach. This bag has essential compartments for several gadgets, keys, and headphones. Find out more on Pacsafe.com

Keep your laptops secure:
When traveling on business and otherwise with a laptop, you would want it to be where you left it when you come back. Be it in the hotel room or lounge or library. Sooner or later you will get up and leave you laptop alone. You might need to get up to get a napkin, or when nature calls and you need to leave your computer behind to go to the bathroom. Laptop locks attach to your laptop computer equipped with a lock slot. Simply loop the lock around a desk or chair, then insert the lock into your notebook's lock slot and set the combination or lock it with a key. It is a best practice to lock it to something that is bolted down.

12 essential Android security apps McAfee WaveSecure (free) mSecure – Password Manager AppScan Beta (free) Antivirus Free Titanium Backup PRO Key eyeD Biometric Password Manager - iris scanning Kryptos - encryption to scramble smartphone calls MobileMe Find My iPhone - pinpoints your lost phone's location online and do a remote data wipe

Security Apps That Can Help Recover a Stolen Laptop GadgetTrak - a cross-platform tracking app Hidden - a Mac-specific tracking app Prey - a cross-platform tracking app LoJack for Laptops Laptop Cop

Did You Know?:
Secure Your Stuff: Top Hack-able Passwords (Infographic)

GPS - an essential gadget when traveling

"Travel Tip: Outdoor GPS Gadgets" an article by Peter Greenberg on PeterGreenberg.com:

  "Even if you like to get away from it all, no one wants to actually get lost in the wild. The good news is with GPS technology out there, outdoor experiences have gotten a lot more manageable. A handheld GPS is probably your best bet for staying safe in the wilderness. One of the more affordable and reliable options includes the Garmin eTrex Venture HC. Or check out the SPOT Connect Satellite Communicator. When out of cellular range, it links your smartphone to a global satellite network to send messages and track your location.
  If you’re looking to keep track of where you’re going and where you’ve been, North Face now has a free app that helps find hiking, biking and skiing trails. You can see your progress on an interactive map, and share advice with other users.
  But never rely entirely on your electronic devices when heading into the great outdoors.
Always keep extra copies of maps and contact information, and always alert a friend and/or ranger to where you’re headed." (PeterGreenberg.com)

Did You Know?:
GPS stands for "Global Positioning System." As a lot of cool gadgets, it was originally developed by the military. It is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS (don't let anybody tell you otherwise :) )

- The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
- A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994.
- Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built and launched into orbit.
- A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended.
- Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less.

UsefulGPS.com

The secret is out ... Comfortable in-flight Travel supplies

While flying to the business meeting that I mentioned in the previous post, I got reaffirmation just how uncomfy airplanes can be. It is especially more so these days with a lot less extras available on planes. There were no blankets on the seats, no giving out of headphones to listen to music and or videos. We did get a tiny bag of peanuts and pretzels.
Awhile back I came across Magellan's site that has a large variety of travel supplies. It has clothing, accessories, gadgets, trial-size items, guides, and much more. The latest portion of the site that I found is the Get Comfortable En Route collection. It is an awesome gathering of things that would make a flight a lot more comfortable, clean, dry, and relaxing. As part of its listings this collection, of course, also has headphones. I have mentioned noise-canceling headphones in several of my entries (10 Travel Gadgets for the warm weather travel, Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?, How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?) and just how much of a benefit they are for a relaxing and more enjoyable flight.
Travel Pillow is a great idea to have along to not strain your neck or end up on someone's shoulder while relaxing or taking a nap. I have one and usually take it with me for a long flight, though I did forget it for this one.
On the flight back home, the plane did not even have a built in video player in the back of the seat. So it was up to you to entertain yourself and hopefully you have some airplane travel gadgets. I had a laptop with me that provided something to do and get good use out of the time, however it did not last long as the battery was drained. So having a portable multimedia player is also a great idea to have. And once I upgrade my phone from a media phone to a smart phone when I am up for a renewal, I will have multimedia player with me anywhere I go. Can't wait. Though for now, it was a good book and some Sudoku puzzles the rest of the flight

Other great collections:
Ease Airport Security Checks
Getaway Essentials
Packing For Carry On

Make boring business trip and meeting more exciting

This week I was on a business trip for a great big small company sales conference.

While out and about one of the sales reps pleasantly surprised everyone when she turned on some music. It was surprising since the music was loud and for the most part clear, yet it was not coming from a boombox. It was from an iPhone that was connected, at least at that time, to a set of small rectangular speakers. Quite a few people were interested to find out what kind of speakers those are and how come she had them with her on a business trip. Her answer was very interesting and both cool regarding the gadget and insightful regarding its application.
The speakers that she had along were Jawbone JAMBOX. The 12-ounce box can produce extreme high and low frequencies from a small dome speaker. The Jambox promises up to 10 hours of continuous play. She brings this little gadget, which is about 6x2x2 inches, to meetings with clients. That is such a great idea. What is a better way to lighten up a mood of another business meeting and break the ice than with some good music. Music revitalizes, divert, and entertains. The client coming into the room with one expectation, but a greeted with a much better one.
This speakers can be connected either through Bluetooth or wires. Since the sales person already has her iPhone with her at all times, her music is also there waiting to be released. It makes a great accessory for a trip to lighten the mood and share the tunes.

Comment below and let us know if you use any gadgets to entertain the clients or yourself that might be a bit of a different tune

Why good to have on a trip:
- compact size
- great sound
- easy connectivity, can be used with no wires
- music lightens the mood and great to share

Did You Know?:
Music has the ability to strengthen or weaken emotions. It can calm, inspire or energize you. It transcends language, culture, gender and age. Music affects us whether we know it or not. Music can help you concentrate or distract.

Make your travel buddies jealous.. and be green

 I have been talking up traveling with a reusable water bottle in a few of my posts. There are quite a few benefits of using these bottles such as keeps you hydrated during the trip, keeps the liquid cool, saves money, saves you from drinking water that could cause issues, as well as helps save the planet by keeping the plastic bottles out of the landfills. It can also make your friends jealous...
 Last weekend we and a couple of our friends took a trip to Botanical Gardens. It was a sunny day but quite muggy for Spring. As we have been there once before, we knew we need to travel light and also have some essentials with us. We took with us sunglasses, a hat, put on sunscreen, and a bpa free plastic water bottle very similar to this one: Nalgene Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle. In the Botanical Garden they do not allow outside food and drink unless it is water as they have a cafe that sells these. When our friends saw the water bottle their reaction was a slap on a forehead saying "That's great idea. Why didn't we think of that."
 As we continued on our tour of the gardens we visited some greenhouses that had tropical forest plants and were very hot and humid, desert native plants with very dry atmosphere, and the garden itself which was warm in the sunlight. We were very glad we had the water with us to keep us hydrated and going. And we were able to fill it back up at our pit stop. Our friends also filled up on water from the fountain. The water bottles at the cafe were selling for $3. It was a great trip as the weather held up and also got a bit cooler towards the end of the walk through, we saw a lot, hung out with friends, enjoyed a lot of greenery and oxygen, and also did our small part in keeping the planet green.

 Our next weekend trip is to Atlantic City. With lots of casinos, restaurants and entertainment, it is well known for pricey outings and nutty prices for bottles of water. We already have a couple of reusable water bottles ready to go, as well as camera, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

 What are some weekend trips have you taken? And how do you keep them green and fun?

How to take care of reusable water bottle

Make love not landfill

New Cool Gadgets for Today: bike power, lifehammer, and pearly wipes

1. Phone charger powered by bike power. Nokia came out with a gadget that is able to charge your cell phone while paddling. Speed of 8 mph is enough to generate juice that equates what a wall charger can output to your phone.
There is also ReeCharge power pack by BioLogic that can charge most any USB-chargeable device, including iPhones, iPods, cell phones, cameras or GPS units
Why good to have on a trip:
- power up your cell phone while bike touring,
- no need to stop and look for an outlet
- no extra batteries to carry around
- use less electricity
- make the planet greener

2. LifeHammer® allows people to escape from being trapped in vehicles by cutting jammed seat belts and breaking car windows. Saw a demonstration of how it works on a show today, and it is definitely a tool to have in the car and it can have other uses in emergency situations.

3. Pearly wipes - moist towelettes for cleaning your teeth from stains while on the go.
These wipes have all natural ingredients as described below from the official website (http://www.winewipes.com/pearly-wipes.php)
Ingredients: Baking soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Calcium, Glycerin, Peppermint oil
Why good to have on a trip:
- remove coffee and tea stains, red wine reside, and other staining beverages from teeth
- freshen your breath
- keeps teeth and gums germ-free
- quick and easy to use
- compact and cheap
- peppermint oil can naturally relieve toothaches, stress, headaches, and indigestion

Travel essentials for easy travel by frequent flyers

6 essential items to ease your travel experience

article by By William Bailey from Budget Travel

The folks on this list have quite an extensive travel itineraries and a whole lot of miles under their belts. In the article the provide some of the essential travel items that they always take a long on their journey. I found this post very interesting as it included some of our favorite items to take a long as well.

Matthew Kleinosky, one of the travelers on the list, always has a water filter with him while traveling as well as a water bottle.

From another frequent traveler: "My first aid kit and my Swiss Army knife (in checked bags): I've used the knife to open items, to eat, and for other useful functions..."

Another one takes along earplugs to tune out "loud, unhappy children." While that is great, I like to not only tune out but also tune into some enjoyable relaxing music. And that is where noise-canceling headphone come in handy as they do both and work great to get you through the flight, train ride, or just the wait for both.

Did You Know?:
Be a Packing Genius: Step-by-Step Photos

10 Travel Gadgets for the warm weather travel

10. Digital Luggage Scale - an essential gadget for today's traveler. Take the guesswork out of packing and avoid paying extra fees by finding out luggage weight before check-in.

9. Charging pad - lets you charge multiple electronics at once without having to plug all of them in an outlet. Only the charging pad gets plugged in and all other gadgets are placed on top of it. The devices are charged using inductive charging. It is a wireless charging method used for mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs.

8. Joby Gorilla pod - Gorillapod is a very bendy tripod composed of more than two dozen plastic “leg joints” that once connected to your camera’s tripod mount hole can be twisted around and secured to virtually any surface

7. Noise canceling headphones - Music just makes the day go faster and helps you immerse in your own world and your relaxation.
more here:
Gadget that would be considered a must have by frequent travelers
Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?

6. Swiss Army knife - its a classic multi-tool. Everything you need and more within one device. Now it also comes with tech gadgets such as USB, flashlight, digital clock and thermometer. (Traveller Lite)

5. Reusable water bottle - keeps you hydrated during the trip, keeps the liquid cool, and can be used over and over instead buying and carrying multiple water bottle. Hence these bottles save money space and weight. And they also help save our planet.
How to take care of reusable water bottle
Review of the Best BPA-Free Water Bottles
Green travel: how to ditch the plastic water bottle

4. First aid kit -
Good items to include in the kit are:
•first-aid manual
•sterile gauze
•adhesive tape and bandages in several sizes
•antiseptic wipes
•antibiotic cream/solution (triple-antibiotic ointment)
•hydrocortisone cream (1%)
•acetaminophen and ibuprofen
•tweezers
•sharp scissors
•safety pins
•disposable instant cold packs
•calamine lotion
•alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
•plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)

3. Digital Camera - an essential gadget on any trip. A good camera will give you great resolution shots and memories

2. E-reader - These gadgets hold multiple books and magazines within one small light package. No more dragging multiple heavy books on a trip. They also come with wi-fi and a web browser included.

1. Smartphone - Built in gps, cameras, emailing and texting, Apps with maps, directions, games, reviews and recommendations. Needless to say these phones make a great companion on any trip.

Did You Know?:
Travel Tip: Avoiding International Roaming Charges

Cool Find of Today: How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?

As a follow up to several posts (More on making travel fun with cool headphones,Travel gadgets for the frugal traveler, Traveling in comfort, Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?) about headphones and especially about noise reducing headphones that make travel oh so much better, here is an article that explains different types of headphones available and how they work to reduce outside unnecessary noise:
HTG Explains: How Do Noise Reducing Headphones Work?

Did you know that listening to music can make you more productive?
- studies done by F. F. Cripe (1986) , L. Morton, J. Keshner and L. Seigel 1990) that conclude that music with a prominent beat stimulates an increased arousal in students which overrides the effect of environmental distractors…repetitive beat produces a reduction in muscle tension, thus reducing hyperactivity… (there was) significant reduction in distractability among students after being exposed to music. Short term memory was also beneficially affected by having to listened to music

25 travel gadgets under $25

25 travel gadgets under $25
http://www.nydailynews.com/travel/galleries/25_travel_gadgets_under_25/25_travel_gadgets_under_25.html

This list includes some of the T&TG favorites such as:

RingerWraps - clear, disposable protective sleeves that allow you to use the touchscreen on phones and other devices

Safetytats - this one is a new find for us. SafetyTats are temporary tattoos that read 'If Lost, Please Call' and includes a space to write a parent's or guardian’s phone number.

MicciMicci Snapback Bags

Digital Luggage Scale - an essential gadget for today's traveler

TuGo Cup Holder

More on making travel fun with cool headphones

In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) / Portable Headphones
Great information from Head-fi.org about some cool in-ear headphones to use while traveling. My earlier post describes great and fun benefits of having one of these on a trip - Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?

• JH Audio JH16 Pro. Jerry Harvey (the "JH" in JH Audio) is the man who pretty much invented the custom IEM segment. After leaving Ultimate Ears, he set out to improve on all his previous designs via JH Audio, and he did it, forcing JH Audio's competitors to elevate their games, too. In 2009, the JH13 Pro set our Head-Fi world on fire, with its excellent soundstaging, and an ability to convey detail and treble extension like no IEM before it. Not surprisingly, the JH13 Pro continues to be one of the best-selling custom IEMs available. The JH16 Pro might reasonably be described as similar to the JH13 Pro, but with subwoofers--the low-bass on the JH16 Pro is extremely detailed, yet thunderous. With its boosted bass, the JH16 Pro remains my top recommendation for money-no-object IEMs for frequent travelers. The 6-drivers-per side JH13 Pro starts at $1099.00, and the 8-drivers-per-side JH16 Pro at $1149.00.
• Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitor. Designed in conjunction with Capitol Studios, the In-Ear Reference Monitor was designed to have a flat curve--to be neutral--to be used as a studio reference monitor. I found this piece to be very resolving, and currently one of my favorites to turn to when evaluating gear further up the chain, as well as for listening for pleasure. As it was designed to be, I find the In-Ear Reference Monitor virtually uncolored, which brings with it its own flavor of fun. As might be expected from something intended to be used as a studio reference monitor, the UE In-Ear Reference Monitor's imaging is wide for an IEM, yet very precise. The UE In-Ear Reference Monitor starts at $999.00, and I suspect it will be one of the most popular custom IEMs in the coming year.
• Westone ES5. It might be fairly said that Westone was last to the custom IEM game with what I'll call a latest-generation piece, but their effort paid off. The ES5 was introduced at CanJam 2010 in Chicago, and it is now starting to make big waves in the rarified world of bespoke IEMs. More on the neutral side--though not as dead-flat as the UE In-Ear Reference Monitor--the ES5 is highly resolving, and an amazing all-'rounder. I also find Westone's heat-activated tips (that soften at body temperature) makes the ES5 the most comfortable custom IEM I've yet worn (not to mention the most isolating custom I've yet worn). The Westone ES5 starts at $900.00.
• Westone 1. Of all the IEMs I've used (universal-fit and custom), none can match the Westone universals for comfort while laying one's head down, as the earpiece bodies of all the Westone univerals I've used sit deeper than flush with the ear. And every Westone universal I've heard so far also sounds exceedingly good at its price point, so, even if your budget is higher than the Westone 1's price, look at the other Westone universal-fit IEMs. MSRP $199.99.
• Monster Cable Turbine Pro (Copper Edition). This IEM (often referred to simply as "The Copper" in our forums) is so far the best sounding headphone from Monster Cable, to my ears. It is also among my favorite of the vast universal-fit IEM heap. Fun and resolving is how I'd describe The Copper--I enjoy it a lot. Easy to drive, and scales up with good gear. MSRP $399.95.
• Bowers & Wilkins P5. B&W's first headphone, the P5 is the only over-ear headphone I've ever carried with me pretty much everywhere. With a sound signature tailored for mobile use (as opposed to straight reference listening), very good passive noise isolation, and one of the most durable builds I've yet seen in a portable headphone, the P5 is almost perfect in its execution for what it was designed for--being used on-the-go. With its included microphone/control cable, it can be used as a headset with an iPhone, too (and will control iPhones and the later-generation iPods). I'll be posting a review of the P5 this coming weekend on Head-Fi. MSRP $299.95.
• SHURE SE425. SHURE's SE425 is their latest-generation two-driver-per-side universal-fit IEM. The SE425 has all the richness and detail SHURE has become known for, and it's not surprising that the SE425 is a popular choice for pro audio applications. The new 360-degree rotating cable plugs on the SE425 make for a more comfortable, tangle-free cable, compared to most other IEMs I've used. The durable SHURE "olive" foam tips make the SE425 very comfortable and very isolating. MSRP $349.99.
• HiFiMAN RE-262. This is the best of the RE family of earphones so far, with more extended bass and a more balanced output, to my ears, than its predecessor. I've found the RE262 to be a great match for the HiFiMAN digital players (HM-601/602 and HM-801). It's also matches up well with my portable rigs with dedicated amps, and also with the VentureCraft GO-DAP (see below). With its 150-ohm impedance, the RE-262 is best suited for use with these dedicated amps, so keep that in mind. The RE-262 is so new I can't yet find it on the Head-Direct website. I believe MSRP will be around $249.00.
• Sennheiser PMX 680 Sports. Yes, it sounds good--so do a lot of other headphones by Sennheiser. But unlike my other headphones, I sweat all over my PMX 680 Sports, and then rinse it under running water. It doesn't fall off--or even budge--when I exercise, and yet it's very comfortable. For those who wear their iPods in an armband while exercising, the two-part cable can be quickly shortened to the perfect length for that. The styling by adidas is very cool. The Sennheiser PMX680 Sports is my #1 recommendation for exercise headphones. MSRP $79.95.
• Etymotic MC5. I heard the MC5 at at CanJam 2010 (Chicago), and was mightily impressed. Etymotic calls the MC5 "The world's most accurate noise-isolating earphones under $100." I was surprised to hear a bit more bass emphasis than I might expect from something bearing the Etymotic name, but I found it done well, and considered it a positive MC5 trait. Etymotic's claim for the MC5 is a bold one, but the MC5 certainly does sound exceptionally good for $79.00.

Belt Bank Money Belt

This is an interesting travel gadget that is a regular belt, at least it looks that way to everyone else. However, it has a secret compartment for paper money to carry around with you securely when traveling abroad or unknown territories.

Belt Bank Money Belt Review on TechyZone.