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TRAVEL TIPS Oversæt:

One of my great passions is minimalism. I learned it on my travels: The most balanced and happy people were those who owned almost nothing. My travel has mainly focused on seeing and experiencing as much of a hot country, as possible. In other words, travel light and quickly. Most times, my luggage for 3 weeks weighed 500 grams. Clothing that dries quickly and a small bag of washing powder ensures clean clothes every morning.

Superfluous things are:
 Warm clothing, medicine, heavy boots, nice clothes and anything over 500 grams! Why? Because: When other people can live there, you can buy what you need and then you can give it a poor, when you no longer need it. This includes warm clothing, rainwear, medicine, life jacket, etc. It is also easier to be picked up when hitchhiker and you are less interesting as a mugging victim. I also do without shampoo, usually there is a blunted left piece of soap or a spot of shampoo. If it is really difficult, can also be used washing powder!

 The little light luggage can be taken as hand luggage, so you and your luggage ends up in the same airport - at the same time. On many occasions, I have changed money, been on the toilet and had a cup of coffee, while others are still waiting for their suitcase.

When you get to the cities, you do not take the first and best hotel. When you leave a dubious hotel, to go out to eat, you do not leave anything.

Important thins:
A plan of what you will see and how to get there. A small camera with good lens. A waterproof ink and paper to take notes with. Experience says; if the holiday is really rewarding, you can not remember where you woke up that morning! Therefore, the notes, in combination with photos, are gold worth. It is better to look worn out and poor, than checked. You get easier in contact with local, you will not hassled nearly as much and the chances of assault will also be smaller.

Back-up:
If you have the option; scan your vaccination and insurance papers, passports, driving licenses, telephone numbers of family and friends, airline tickets, travel plan and everything else you may need. If your luggage is lost or wet, you only need a internet cafe to be up and running again. Upload it to a private site that requires code or mail it to your selves.  (This is my travelling companion Jesper.s great idea).

Medicine:
I am not taking malaria pills, although I am in malarial areas. Some pills have severe side effects, some cursed expensive, some you have take for several months and common to them is that there is great resistance. That means they give false security. I wear long sleeves / pants, move me, keep close to others with more mosquito-thatch than me, and avoid sitting out in the mosquito-soup in the evenings.
I have pain-killers and some "stop-pills" to the stomach, but fortunately have never had use for them. I do not think you need more. Disposable syringes arouse too much attention. If you're not well enough to get the doctor to sterilize the syringe, would you find your own, and how many? The local doctors / wizards can usually cure the local disease, appendicitis, and we will not, do you?

Vaccinations:
One should contact the official "institute of foreign diseases", to learn what vaccinations are required and recommended. Your own doctor will probably suggest some, but experience says they do not know what they are talking about. When we have three going, the same place for the same period, we are recommended three different combinations of vaccinations - very reassuring!
 
Insurance
:
 Remember to have insurance in order, if you travel outside Europe. Repatriation can be expensive! A while there is no reason to insure the 500 grams of baggage - save 25%.

Money:
 Take plenty!, once you are there, it is annoying not to be able to afford to see anything. Visa cards are generally the best, combining with 10-15 $ 20 notes or some places €, sewn into your clothes, if anything else fails. If you have a lot of cash: petty for the street trade, a good bunch of hidden away for a robber, and the great pool at the bottom of the bag with the dirty socks.

The necessary things:
 A clock with alarm function, small compass, deodorant (roll-on), toothbrush + paste, detergent, dry rope, nail cutting, ear-plugs, needle + thread, ink, passport, visa card, camera, short (bathing) trousers, long trousers, sandals, T-shirt, painkillers and diarrheal pills. In cold regions can be added flees-jacket, socks and raincoat. Girls need to remember skip your period or bring tampons enough, if they travel in the more interesting countries.

  Booking:
 Every time I set out on a journey, I check flight prices on the internet. Experience has taught me there is really much to save by using an hours behind the screen. Generally I like to pay a little extra to book directly with the airline rather than through a suspect agent. Hostles/hotels/B&B i find as I get there, which give a bigger freedom to improvise.

The flight:
 On long day flights, I use an eye pads, so I can sleep from it all. It prevent me from jetlag, and the time appears to go faster. I usually choose the cheapest airline. The food and service is perhaps worse, but I don't feel I get enough extra from the expensive companies . Amazingly, many times, we will good to get extra legroom,  simply asking for it by check.

A few black-listenings: Avianca Air, Charles de Gaul Air Port, small kids and charter tourists,  and especially: Jysk Rejsebureau, Lufthansa and Nyhavn Rejser. Expedia: I have only unfortunate experience with Expedia. The hotels are not where they should be (address, dot on the map and GPS leads to three different places, nothing is right. Phone no works). They don't have a room for me. The car agent is not represented in the country, and Expedia will not refund rent and insurance. The car rental is not at the airport but US $ 25 away.

The food:
 If you are fussy, you have to reconsider for a moment before back-packet in poor or remote countries. Beware of the water and things have been washed in it. Eat as far as possible, only food which have been cooked / fried, and preferably while it is hot. I have a casual relation. I brushes my teeth in local water and eat what I am presented, and has not yet had bad stomach. It happened, I get for a day, when I get home. If you should get diarrheal, Coca Cola one of the best treatments. Originally invented as a stomach medicine, cola contain a perfect mixture of water, sugar and salts. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids!

The locals:
 People in the Far East, Mediterranean region and Latin America is fantastic sweet and helpful. If you stand looking on a map, people stops and ask what you're looking for. I have not seen near the same helpfulness and friendliness in the Arab world, and it can also lack in the big cities.

Language:
 I'm really good at Danish and it is often enough! Finger language and gestures works in all languages, and a good laughter can get you out of many problems. It is no problem to travel in countries where you don't share a single word with the local. Things just take a bit longer, but they do anyway.

Criminality:
 Personally, I have not been out for attacks, but my height, lack of jewellery, luggage and my old clothes does not invite. It may also help that I avoid tourist areas and big cities. Pay attention to the country's laws, there are some curious laws around that can make you a criminal, without your knowledge. Alcohol is not, for example, welcome in Muslim countries, take shoes off at the visit to temples, wear long sleeves and trousers in churches, mosques, temples and other shrines.

Behaviour follow ...
 Pay attention to how the local conduct themselves. You will not look like them, but try. Are they bright or dark clothes, welcome at cops or ignore them. Can you touch the other and perhaps kissing in public. There are many peculiar rules and customs in many countries and it may well pay to get acquainted with them - and follow them!

Books:
There are unbelievably many books, but if you want to limit itself, the main Lonely Planet. It gives a quick review of the country's geographical and political history, the mention of most attractions, many maps, accommodation, bus and train schedules, animals, plants, culture and useful tips. It should however be noted, some guides are better than others!
     

This is everything I normally carry for a combined month long jungle / desert / city / diving holiday. I may add a thin jacket to colder regions.