Visiting Remote Areas
When visiting remote areas, many first world amenities do not exist It is not easy to think about what is missing in everyday life when you travel remotely. For that reason, I have made a specific list of tips for traveling to remote areas
Cell Phone usage while on trips to remote areas:
- Check with your carrier to see if you will have coverage where you are going. In most of Europe, you can now text without charge.
- If you don’t have coverage, or it is very limited, take your cellphone and get a SIM card when you arrive at your destination. This allows you to make local calls very cheaply. Cell coverage is now almost worldwide and will be available in towns.
- SIM cards are available in airports and near places to stay in cities.
- Make sure you check with your carrier before you leave to be sure the phone is unlocked, so it can use a SIM card. If not unlocked, you won’t be able to use a SIM card.
- Remind people who contact you by cell that your regular cell number will not be available while you are using a SIM card, and any texts and messages received on your regular number will be lost.
Camera and other electronic equipment:
I have gradually reduced the size of what I take. Juggling lenses while sightseeing is a lot of trouble when today, even cell phones take great photos. I do always have a camera that will take raw, because it is so easy to edit with Photoshop.
- I now take a camera and a good zoom lens, currently 18 – 200.
- I also take a waterproof camera for bad days as well as when on small canoes, snorkeling, etc.
- Always take extra batteries. Today, all of mine are rechargeable.
- I take plug adapters. Some like universal plugs adapters, but I find them too heavy. They don’t stay in the wall outlets, so I take several small ones specifically for the outlets in the area I am visiting.
- Check to see what plug adapters are needed where you are going. This information is available online. See my links to the right to see the site I use.
- I no longer take voltage adapters because today, all my electronics can use 220 as well as 110 volts.
- With a cellphone, two cameras, a tablet and a laptop to charge, I also take a small multiple outlet plug.
- I prefer camera cases that will strap around my waist so my hands are free, and while not in use, the camera is not around my neck, but always with me.
- Remember to take cleaning cloths and lens cleaner, because lenses get dusty.
Avoid missing days due to illness:
- Always check with the CDC for vaccinations needed and antimalarial medications that work where you are going. The CDC link in on the right.
- Things to take with you:
- All prescription medication. I always take at least a week extra.
- I have a spreadsheet that I keep updated that lists all my medications with generic names and how much I take. This list also has all the vaccinations I have taken with dates. I put it with my pills and with whatever I am carrying. It is good in an emergency.
- I usually ask my doctor to prescribe an antidiarrheal such as Cipro as well as a generic Z-pak and take the pills with me.
- Carry hand sanitizer, I use a small container that attaches to my camera bag or belt loops. I take a refill in my suitcase.
- Small package of antibiotic hand wipes. I have used these to clean a cut, and sometimes instead of hand sanitizer.
- Flushable wipes in small or individual packets.
- Small packets of tissues.
- Medical kit in a zip lock bag. Take what you would normally use, remove extra packaging. My kit always includes:
- Pepto Bismol, Imodium and a laxative.
- Aspirin, Tylenol, and Aleve.
- Band aids, antiseptic ointment.
- Benadryl and Sudafed.
- Stye and Ambesol.
- Dental repair kit for lost filling.
- All prescription medication. I always take at least a week extra.
Take An Emergency Kit
This is what I take:
- Duct tape wound on a piece of flat cardboard
- Shoe laces to tie things up with
- Small sewing kit.
- Safety pins
- Eyeglass repair kit
- Swiss Army knife
- Small bottle opener
In addition I always carry a spot remover accessible wherever I am. Nothing worse than to spill something when you get on the plane and not be able to change for a day.
Protection from the elements.
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Always take more money than you think you will need.
- Check to see if there are ATMs that work where you are going. If not, take extra cash.
- Cash and credit cards are best. it is difficult in remote areas to cash Traveler’s Checks.
- Always take new looking, unblemished bills. Always take bills 2006 or later with the newer design.
- Usually you can use US Dollars in third world countries, but you may need some local currency. Check to see what bills are easier to convert to local currency. I Google this by country.
- Sometimes the rates are best with large bills.
- I always take a variety denominations.
Check the local weather before you pack as current weather might not match the usual temperatures.
Staying in Primitive Accommodations
If your trip has some overnight accommodations that do not have adjoining bathrooms, I recommend taking Travel Johns!, disposable urinals that can be used by women and men. Use once and throw away the next morning. They are small to pack, but expand with gel to hold the liquid solid. I hate to go outside in the middle of the night looking for the restroom. These will not work in places like a Grand Canyon raft trip, because everything brought in must be taken out.
Travel Links:
US Passport Information – to get or renew a US Passport
Transportation Security Administration – check current restrictions for air travel
Electricity Plug Information by Country, scroll down for country list
International Weather: Accuweather can be more accurate for remote sites than weather.com but it is wise to check both sites.