10 Terrific Tools for the Safe & Savvy Traveler

I know, I know, I’ve been missing in action for a couple of days. My apologies, I was traveling halfway around the world. I’m now up at a godforsaken hour, dealing with jet lag and waiting for room service to start operations. *insert stomach grumble*

Travel is a lovely but sometimes rather nasty business, so it’s always good to have a few tools that’ll make the nasty bits a bit more tolerable. Here are ten that I highly recommend:

1. Kindle or Nook

I’m not going to get into the Kindle vs. Nook debate. Take your pick, they’re both pretty awesome. Point is, get an e-reader. Why on earth would you want to lug around 3-4 bulky, heavy books when you can have over a thousand stored in a sleek, snazzy little package? That’s just crazy. 

Incidentally Amazon also just released Kindle for PC software (sorry, Mac freaks, yours comes later) which makes a lot of sense if you’re already traveling with a laptop and would rather cut down on the gadget count.  With the Kindle for PC, you can bypass the Kindle completely.  

2. Universal Travel Adapter and USB Charger
 
Yeah, if you don’t have one of these… just shoot yourself now. Especially if you’re traveling to London or Australia with their weird “what the frak??” outlets. With just a simple flip of the switch, this single, compact unit can alternate among four built-in international plugs, so you can power your electronic devices in more than 150 countries. It can also be used to recharge your USB-compatible camera, PDA, MP3 player, GPS unit, and more via the attachable USB port.

3. SteriPen Adventurer Fantastic gadget! Zap microorganisms that swim in suspect water with the SteriPEN JourneyLCD, an ultra-violet-light-emitting device purported to kill well-known stomach wreckers like giardia and cryptosporidium. Its user-friendly interface includes just three steps: Press the button to turn it on; wait for the light to shine; and watch as the timer ticks to zero on the LCD screen. Your water is then purified and ready to drink.

4.  iCache All-in-One Credit Card

   Combine every credit and debit card in your wallet into a compact, secure device no larger than a Motorla RAZR.  The iCache digitally replicates all your credit card magnetic strip signatures and is basically rotated depending on which card you need and then expires after a certain amount of time or until the next card you want to you use is pulled up.

5. Powermonkey Explorer Solar Charger

  PowerMonkey stores up to 96 hours of reserve power for cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, PDAs, Blackberry, MP3s, PSPs, iPhones (including iPhone 3G) and most electronic devices.

6. Voyager 14-Language Talking Translator

This lightweight, palm-size talking translator speaks and displays more than 300,000 words and phrases on an extra-large, backlit screen.  Languages included are: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese. Oh, and it also includes metric and currency converters, a world clock with alarm, voice recorder, phone book, calculator, calendar, and games. Pretty cool!

7. Pocketed Security Socks

  Brilliant, because no one really wants to go nosing around a traveler’s socks. These travel socks contain a zippered pocket that securely hides your credit cards, cash, keys, and ID for pickpocket-free travel. Made from high-grade combed cotton for superior softness, each form-fitting sock has a nonravel top to prevent sliding and an impact-absorbing, double-cushioned heel and sole for all-day comfort.

8. PacSafe TourSafe Sling
  Perfect for a quick day of touring the sights or checking out a market, the PacSafe TourSafe Sling protects your valuable possessions from theft. Made with eXomesh® technology, the straps and panels feature slashproof, high-tensile stainless-steel wire laminated between nylon, and a metal clip allows anchoring to a secure fixture.  The bag can be worn as a sling or backpack, and tamperproof zippers prevent pickpockets from accessing the interior.

9. USB Rechargeable Batteries

These are really handy if you carry gadgets with batteries that need constant recharging. Just stick ‘em into your USB port and voila! Problem solved.

10. Stashcard

  Remember that unused PC card slot in your notebook? Now there’s a good use for it. The Stash Card from Wireless Garden is a secret compartment that slides into the slot to stash away all sorts of stuff:  money, cards, and whatever else you can fit into it.

 So now you’ve got the gear.. enjoy your travels and stay safe!