havecarryonwilltravel

Murray and I have a saying and it is “Travel Mode”. We tell each other this during a trip, especially at the start of a long trip. It means we can handle anything that happens, we can deal with it calmly, diplomatically and respectfully. Travel is sometimes about overcoming obstacles and any obstacle can be hurdled with the right attitude. Everything will work out in the end. Our trip to Indonesia, using Lion Air, is a good example of using travel mode.

I didn’t sleep well last night, as is usual for me the night before an alarm has to go off at a time like 4:50am. When it does go off we are both awake already so we jump out of bed, shower, dress, cinch down bags and cross off lists and still have 10 minutes to spare before the taxi arrives.

Out first hurdle is the key in the front door gets stuck. Got that resolved. Second hurdle, which isn’t really a hurdle, is a very cautious cab driver, overly cautious I would say. Drove me crazy! But we still got to the airport in the allotted time. Cruised through check-in and security.

It is amazing how once we get to the gate, all my anxiety just drops away. We are on our way and it’s travel mode now. 

Below is the second half of Murray’s post from 2012.

In 2001 the United Nations adopted a resolution drafted by the World Tourist Organization entitled ‘The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism’.  It outlines 10 points that, if implemented, will aid tourism while minimizing negative impacts.

Article 1; Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies, explains that both tourist and host should respect each other and their cultural biases.

Article 2; Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment, encourages people to use tourism to enrich their lives and not exploit others while fulfilling that pursuit.

Article 3; Tourism, a factor of sustainable development, implores those involved to take steps to ensure that any tourism has as small an impact as possible. Not only on the environment but also on the culture of the area.

Article 4; Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its enhancement, speaks to the idea that history and cultural ikons should be available to all, that the host area take responsibility to maintain the ikons and that part of the proceeds obtained from the tourism industry be available to help with maintaining said ikons.

Article 5; Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities, indicates that the local population should be involved in and benefit from the tourism activities that take place in their locale.

Article 6; Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development, outlines the obligations of those that participate in tourism activities.

Article 7; Right to tourism, promotes the idea of universally accessible tourism.

Article 8; Liberty of tourist movements, encourages the powers that be to make it as easy as possible for tourists to move within any given country as well as from country to country.

Article 9; Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, implores that all those that are employed within the tourist industry be respected and treated with respect.

Article 10; Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, puts forth the proposition that both host and tourist buy into the Code and do their best to comply with its intentions.

This framework is still relevant in 2023. If you are interested, the following link is a brochure that has the exact wording of the resolution and the articles that comprise “The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.”

There are as many reasons for travel as there are travelers. It is up to each of us to get out of our excursions what we are searching for, but we cannot do so at a cost to others. We share the world and we should do so respecting all aspects of the environment and our neighbors.

I had a special request from an over packer to put my packing list in the blog. I stopped packing my rubber boots in case it rained in 1988. They sit in the basement pining to leave the continent on a jet plane.

My first trip abroad I had two shoulder type bags. I lugged them around Australia and vowed not to do that again. From that trip on I strive to pack carry-on only. Then the ridiculous airline restrictions came into effect and everyone was learning how to pack less. If the lines at the airline check in counter are any indication very few got the hang of it.

Taking just carry-on not only means you don’t have to lug oversized bags around, it means you can get your ticket at the kiosk and go directly to the security line, completely bypassing the check in line. An extra ½ hours sleep by my calculations.

The theory is you only take what you are going to wear for sure. There is a backpackers saying “If you need it, and you don’t have it, you don’t need it”. It is sort of the same when traveling, except most of the time you are somewhere where you can buy what you really need. This means there is no panic if you leave your rain jacket at home, umbrellas are available everywhere, except Edmonton maybe.

So here is the list

Carry-on Bag

One pair of linen pants. People that live in hot climates wear linen clothing.

One pair tech fibre shorts

Flip Flops for wearing around hotels

2 pair of underwear

2 pair of socks. One shoe top height for when I wear shorts. One regular pair.

One Merino wool T shirt. Good for cool or hot weather.

One collared sports shirt. Restaurant wear.

Two T shirts.

A Bathing suit

Assorted drugs. Old peoples drugs, malaria pills, drugs for illness.

First Aid kit

Clothes line in a large pill bottle that I have wrapped with duct tape.

Head lamp

Shaving kit, tooth brush etc.

T.P.

Cloth shopping bag to carry in lieu of a, dead give away for a tourist, backpack. Try as I might it really is impossible to look like a local.

Wide brim Tilley hat

A pair of socks I will wear to climb the sand dunes, san shoes. They will be left in Namibia.

Backpack

Camera

Laptop

Noise cancelling headphones

Spare batteries

Liquids

2 pairs of binoculars

Camera battery charger

Glasses

Sleep masks, ear plugs

Water filter bottle

Airplane Clothes

Neither of my bags are full but I will have more than enough to get me through 5 weeks in Africa. We will do some washing in the shower and might even splurge and send our clothes out if we have enough time in one place. Local laundry establishments are very inexpensive and it is like a new start to the trip with clean clothes.

Murray originally posted this in 2012 and we thought it was appropriate to revisit it as we are headed to areas very different than where we live.

Several years ago Dive Training Magazine (July 1999) published Ten Guidelines for Travelers. The author is unknown. After I read them I passed them on to my traveling friends for perusal. I think they are great and read them from time to time to make sure that I am on track with the reasons for visiting other places.

1. Do not expect to find things to be like at home. You left home to find things different.

2. Do not take anything too seriously. A carefree mind is vital to a good vacation.

3. Do not let other travelers get on your nerves. You paid good money to enjoy yourself.

4. Do not forget: you are a representative of your country at all times.

5. Try not to worry, because he or she who worries will have no fun. Remember that few things in life are fatal.

6. Know where your passport is at all times because a traveler without a passport is traveler without a country.

7. As a stranger in a strange land, be prepared to do as its people do.

8. Do not judge all people of a country by the one person who has given you trouble.

9. Learn how to say thank you in the language of the country you’re visiting. A sincere thank you, along with a smile, doubles the value of any tip you may give.

10. Remember that you are a guest and those travelers who treat their host with respect will be treated likewise.

These are excellent guidelines and we will endeavor to be faithful to them.