TUO: Packing just got Simpler

Travel can be liberating, but it comes with two classic challenges – one is ‘travel planning’ and the other is ‘packing’. While there are a lot of tools to address the world of travel planning, packing for your business trips or holidays is more like an art. You don’t need many things, but you still need to carry those bare essentials. Traveling light is the buzz word, but more often than not, we either end up carrying more or miss out on those things that we need the most.



As a frequent traveler (business traveler, leisure traveler and/or light backpack traveler), I need to pack differently for different trips and yet have to make sure that I have everything that I need and that it is packed neatly in my luggage trolley or in my backpack. In spite of going on innumerable trips, I am always on the lookout for products, tools and techniques to make my packing simple, more efficient and convenient. And during one such search, I came across this revolutionary travel undergarment organizer called TUO from the house of Origami Unicorn.



As you can see in the video above, this is a simple product that offers great utility. I have been using it on my last couple of trips and am wondering why I never discovered it earlier as this product totally ups the ante in terms of packing.



Traditionally, most of us learn the art of packing in our own sweet way after many years of travels, but we still struggle with getting rid of the clutter. Or at least, it is a perennial struggle for me. The clutter could be due to my undergarments, my gym gear, my clothing accessories (ties, socks, pocket squares, belts, etc.), fashion accessories (sunglasses, watches), shaving kit and related accessories and especially dirty laundry.



Most of us men and women seem to have solved the classic problem of shaving kits, cosmetics, toothbrushes and all that good stuff, but I don’t think we have thought of a great undergarment organizer to make our packing simpler.



And this is where TUO really kicks arse. It is like a packing master for undergarments and other accessories. Here is a quick summary of some of its key features.

1) It is a simple product with amazingly good construction. Depending on the type of my trip, I end up using TUO to store different undergarments and accessories.

2) It has 3 levels of see through mesh zipper pockets that can be rolled into a small bundle. This allows 7 to 10 days of undergarments and accessories to be neatly folded into a tiny corner of my suitcase or backpack.



3) It has 6 internal elastic pockets where I can store smaller items like handkerchiefs, pocket squares, bandanas, socks, gym gloves and more.

4) As TUO is water resistant and can be hung about almost anywhere, it comes in super handy in the hotel bathroom. Personally, I find it extremely useful in the gym showers where I can use it to carry my gloves, towel, change of clothes and some basic accessories. Or even while going swimming. Due to its tough and water resistant construction, I am sure many of us will find different utilities for it.



5) It’s detachable handles and snap buttons are quite a handy feature that accommodates use in different environments (in hostel bunker beds, in gym locker rooms, in hotel showers, under a hammock or any place where we can hang a little bit of weight).



6) The feature that I really find useful is the water resistant drawstring mini laundry bag with divider that comes as a part of TUO. Be it carrying my sweaty clothes after a workout, carrying wet clothes after a swim or simply carrying dirty laundry, this mini laundry bag is like a genius innovation. It says bye-bye to ugly looking garbage bags and to shoving our dirty laundry in nooks and corners of our baggage.



By know, you would have figured out why I am so excited and gung-ho about this TUO product designed by Origami Unicorn. Whether you are a boy or a girl, a man or a woman, you are bound to find immense value in this product both during the actual packing and during the course of your trip.



TUO costs $49.50 and it is available in 5 colors and designs that will appeal to both men and women. Do look up their online store in case you are interested in knowing more about them and if you wish to buy one for yourself. 

As I leave you, here is a short video on TUO, travel and packing that is focused towards the female traveler and one that they will appreciate. Enjoy!


Note: Some of the pictures and all the videos in this post are copyright of Origami Unicorn.

Disclaimer: Origami Unicorn did send me the TUO for my personal use and review, but this article and the review is completely based on my personal travel experiences on using TUO and are not in any way influenced by Origami Unicorn.

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Trekking in Ladakh: What You Should Carry

Trekking is a journey of self-exploration of the beauty that surrounds you and the beauty that lies within. In India, the Himalayan region is famed as the ultimate destination for trekking among enthusiasts. The Himalayas offer breath-taking vistas and several challenging trekking routes that can test the mettle of even expert mountaineers. Each year, millions find their way to the colossal mountains to embark on a life-changing expedition. One such expedition is the Zanskar Frozen River Trek; located in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), the ‘CHADAR TREK’, which means blanket in Hindi, promises an unparalleled experience for those who dare to step into the wilderness of the bleak mountains. Sure, the thought of walking on a frozen river surrounded by mountains with no food or sign of civilization is terrifying.





In this article, I will talk about some essential gear you would need to carry with you if ever plan to take on the frozen river.

SIX LAYER CLOTHING
Winters can be harsh and numb you to the marrow if you aren’t prepared. For a typical -15°C temperature, it is common sense to add layers of clothing that won’t let the freezing wind to penetrate and to prevent the cold blood from paralyzing your system.

An ideal example of six layer clothing would include:

1 Thermal Inner

2 T-shirts

2 Full-sleeve Sweaters

1 Hollow-fill Jacket

1 Woollen Cap

1 Water Proof Gloves

2-3 Pairs of Woollen Socks

1 Scarf (to cover the neck and some part of the face)

However, you can customize your own version of six layer clothing; whatever keeps you warm. But don’t forget during the day, when the sun is shining, it can get really warm with all those layers of clothes on. So it makes perfect sense to wear dry synthetic T-shirts instead of cotton as your first layer.

SHOES

The second most important gear to keep in mind is the shoe. You should go for a sturdy pair of hiking shoes which protect you from snow while it offers a firm grip. You don’t want to risk slipping now. . . Do you?

You might want to consider carrying with you a pair of gaiters which are synthetic sleeves for your legs that act as non-penetrable shields for your lower pant leg and ankle area when you’re knee deep in the snow.

TREAD LIGHTLY

Now this is one of the most important things to consider when planning your trek. A backpack should be lightweight, sturdy and have enough space to accommodate all of the things you would need on your trip. You wouldn’t want to carry with you that stylish tote bag which hardly fits a water bottle and a pair of socks. Likewise, a big and heavy bag can increase the amount of weight you are carrying and can result in disastrous results (especially when you’re walking on a thin sheet of ice, yikes!)

TREKKING POLES
Trekking poles are the quintessential hiking and mountaineering equipment. They can help reduce the pressure on your legs, knees, ankles and feet resulting in lower fatigue while trekking. They also allow you to establish and maintain a consistent rhythm, which can increase your speed.

CARGO SHORTS FOR MEN
Don’t even think about it!

LOCKING OUT THE SUN
Sunglasses add a cover around your eyes. Use good quality sunglasses preferably with a large frame to protect your eyes from damage due to the suns’ harmful UV rays and the fast blowing winds.

Use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF to protect your body parts exposed to the sun during the day if you have sensitive skin.

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Essential Things to Pack with you before going abroad

Are you planning to leave for a holiday abroad anytime soon? Have you packed all your stuff and booked your flights and accommodation already? No panic, we are here to help you, one step at the time. Start by making a reservation for your flights and hotels, if you are heading to Turkey, for example, take advantage of sites like venere.com to book a hotel in Istanbul, then check the list of the essential things to pack with you below in order to have a stress free holiday.


Documents
First things first: you cannot go anywhere without your documents, so you'd better check you have yours and those of your family before leaving the house. When organizing a trip, be sure to know ahead of the time if you will need a passport, visa or just an identity card, and check if they are still valid and can be accepted in your destination country.

Universal plug adapter
This is one of those things you underestimate when you are in your country, but that is essential when going abroad. How are you going to charge your mobile phone? How are you going to use your blow dryer? There are different plugs and electricity sockets all around the world! Buy an universal plug adapter before leaving for your holiday and you will never have this problem again.

Medicine
No one wants to feel sick on holiday, but you never know what might happen! So better remind yourself to bring some over-the-counter medicine with you during a holiday abroad, such as pain relievers and an anti-diarrheal. And don't forget your medicine, especially if you're on prescription: of course there are pharmacies everywhere, but the dosage may differ, so play it safe.

Guidebooks and dictionaries
Buy a guidebook and a dictionary before leaving for your holiday abroad. If you are traveling on your own, you might want to know more about the places you are visiting, their history and their background. Also, guidebooks give useful information about hotel, restaurants and things to do. Moreover, dictionaries often have a section with idiomatic expressions in the local language that will help you communicate easily abroad.

Small travel bag
It might be useful to bring a small travel bag with you, one that doesn’t take too much space and that you can easily fit in your backpack or baggage (especially before security check at the airport). There you can put and carry all your travel documents, your passport and visa, your cellphone, guidebooks and wallet so that you have all at hand.

Follow these simple recommendations and your holiday will not be ruined because you forgot something important at home!

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Skyscanner: Cheapest and Best Flight Deals on the Web

I am sure a lot of people out there know about Skycanner. If you do not, I would recommend that you look it up. I have been using Skyscanner for my travel planning and have found amazing results. In my opinion, it offers some of the best tools and coverage to provide the cheapest flight options. I have broken down their functionality and strengths to help you get a better perspective of Skyscanner’s true power.

Unbelievable Coverage
Skyscanner covers most of the cities and countries on this planet. If there is a flight between two destinations, in all probability, it is on Skyscanner. It covers low cost airlines and full service airlines, making it a wholesome travel portal. Thus, wherever you wish to travel to, you should be able to find the best deal via Skyscanner.

Find the cheapest flights to any destination 

For a traveler like me who travels without any prior plan, this feature comes in very handy. This allows you to find the cheapest destination. To give you an example, I am in Bangalore and don’t know where I want to go next. But, have a budget constraint and hence would only go to certain destinations depending on the flight deals. This is precisely where Skyscanner comes in handy. It throw a result of all countries/cities that flights from Bangalore fly into and not just that, but it gives their fares too. Now, isn't that a cool feature to have for us budget travelers? 


From this list, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates piqued my interest as they were on my travel list and Sri Lanka more so because it was cheaper. Now, I can select Sri Lanka, pick the city, select the date and go ahead with my flight booking. As simple as that.

Flexible dates can result in serious cost savings
There are always certain days of the week when flights in different parts of the world are expensive. Some domestic travelers might know this trend, but us international travelers and people lacking time to research would hardly know anything about it. But, Skyscanner does understand this behavior and it aims to provide us the cheapest options provided we keep our dates flexible.

Let’s say that I want to travel from Bangalore to Colombo. I can fly today, tomorrow, this week, this month or anytime this year as long as the flight costs are reasonable. Skyscanner offers such options that allow me to search for that cheapest flight. 



I can then see the option either in a calendar view that allows me to pick closest dates or a price view that allows me to pick on price. A very helpful feature for most traveler types.

Ability to book directly with flight operator or travel agent

Most of the flight search tools allow booking only through their portal as they make their profits from cost that they add onto each ticket. Skyscanner doesn’t function in that fashion. It allows the user to book directly with the flight operators or travel agent in that travel zone. This gives additional flexibility to us travelers.

Lots of filtering options while choosing flights 

Some people hate hop over flights. Some travelers have a preference for an airline to accrue on more air miles. I take red eye flights to save on cost, but not all travelers are like me. Some like to take flights from the airport close to them. Skyscanner handles the whims and fancies of all travelers by allowing them to filter flights by number of stops, take off/landing time, airline, price, airport, etc. 

Zero Fees
The best part about the Skyscanner experience is that they don’t charge anything from us customers. They make their money directly from the operators. So, we can rest assured of any hidden charges.

Book Hotel Rooms and Hire Cars
Not only can we find the cheapest flight deals through Skyscanner, we can also book hotel rooms and hire cars. Now after booking my cheap flight to Colombo from Bangalore, I can find a hotel room that suits my class/budget/need and book it right on Skyscanner. Similarly, I can hire a car that fits my spacing needs/budget/comfort, etc. and book it again on Skyscanner. This feature is an extension of the overall Skyscanner concept and hence the usability and  comfort factor remains the same.

Localized Content
Skyscanner caters to a global customer base. And hence they make their flight search tool available in over 29 languages and over 70 currencies.

Skyscanner – Free Apps for Mobile Devices
In today’s world, most of our online time is spent through our mobile devices (tablets and phones) and Skyscanner has taken care of this behavior by having a simple app for iPhone and iPad, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry and Windows 8. 

This app is an extension of the web version and provides all the features in a different form factor. These apps are totally free too!

I hope this review of Skyscanner has piqued your interest and I am sure you will use it for your current and future travel booking needs. You can follow them via their Facebook page and twitter updates to know about the latest offers and deals.

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Tips to travel on a budget

How are you able to travel for such long stretches of time? Who funds your travels? What is your job? I want to do this too, but whenever I travel, my money runs out faster than I anticipate it to. These are some of the reactions my friends and fellow travelers have when they see me traveling for many months. I thought it was best if I wrote about some of the techniques that I use to sustain travel for long periods of time. These are tips based on my travels and from ideas that I have heard from other fellow travelers, but have never come to terms with using them. I have split them into ‘how to save money’ and ‘how to make money’ while traveling. I hope this list of tips helps you plan a longer holiday for the same budget.

How to save money while traveling?
1) Never take a tour, a package or buy some service from a travel agent. You are always going to pay his margin, which could take precious dollars away from your budget. Go to the agent to get an idea, but always book things on your own directly from the service provider.

2) Be ready to walk and walk long distances. Sometimes even with a heavy backpack.

3) Always take public transport. This is generally the cheapest form of commute all over the world. And when you book such public transport, book it directly with the train/bus/ferry provider.

4) Travel as light as possible. This will help you be very mobile and also help you save cost with these low cost airlines who charge extra for check in baggage.

5) Stay in hostels, dormitories and cheap guest houses. Not only does it help you save cost, it also allows you to meet like minded people. These places are basic, but are generally pretty sufficient for backpackers with all the basic amenities.

6) Try and eat street food as much as possible. Not only does it give you a local taste, it also helps you save on some money as street food is the cheapest in every country. If you feel street food is not hygienic or if your stomach is a little too weak, either cook your own food or find out some cheap, yet safe restaurant.

7) If you are traveling solo, always be mentally prepared to meet strangers, make friends with them and share accommodation with them in places which don’t offer dormitories or hostels. This can apply to men and women and helps both the parties save on the cost of hotel rooms.

8) Make a list of all the low cost airlines in the world and ensure that you subscribe to their offers and email updates. You might get some insane deals. Air Asia, Tiger Airways and Ryan Air to name a few have thrown some mind numbing offers in the recent past and below $20 flights are still common to even this date.

9) Make lots of friends during your travels. If ever they offer to host you in their house in their country, remember that offer and take it when the opportunity presents. Not only does it allow you to catch up with your friend, it also helps you get a local flavor without spending money on accommodation. You can always repay your friend in kind or host him/her when they come to your country.

10) Use Couchsurfing. A lot of people use couchsurfing to cut on the costs of accommodation. While, this is a great way to meet local people, understand the local culture from them and save on the accommodation costs, I have personally never done couchsurfing before even though I am a member. I have heard some good reviews from fellow travelers, though watch out for people that solicit sex with couchsurfers.

11) As much as possible, try and walk into a city and search for accommodation. Generally, this means walking a lot and finding out the cheapest hotels in town. If you book via the booking websites, you will always end up paying more unless they are running a special scheme, in which case, keep a tab on it. It is also smart to check in with other backpackers and travelers to get a quick idea of which area is the budget area and what kind of prices do they have. I have more or less done this always in my travels where I have gone to a restaurant, introduced myself to other travelers and understood the local hotel topology.

12) Carry a hammock with you always in your backpack. In case, hotels are sold out, it is high season and it is expensive or the accommodation is way above your budget, you can always put your hammock on the beach or in between some trees and  spend the night. This can sound scary to some, but it works out sometimes.

13) Try and avoid long day travel as much as possible. It is always good to do night travels as it will allow you to save the cost of accommodation while allowing you to cover long distances.

14) Always do research when it comes to financial transactions. Many banks charge a fee for international ATM transactions. Some banks charge lesser than the other, while in some countries, banks do not charge a service fee at all. Find out such banks and save on the service fees.

15) Always be ready to talk to fellow travelers. Everyone has interesting stories to share and some of them include some unbelievable tips. Learn from them.

16) Use free wi-fi as much as possible to stay in touch with friends and family. Most of the hostels, hotels and guest houses offer free wi-fi. If you don’t find such places, find a shopping mall, coffee shop or restaurant which offers wi-fi for free. Only take a local data plan only if you need to be connected always.

17) Buy a local sim card only if you have lots of local friends and you need to keep in touch with them. Else, avoid it.

18) At no costs, use a local phone to make an international call. They are always expensive. Use that local phone or your international roaming phone only in emergencies. Instead, use skype. Put credit in it or buy a country subscription and make international calls at local prices.

19) International Roaming is always expensive. See if you desperately need your international phone number. You can always buy a local one and share it with people who have to reach out to you.

20) Build your immunity. Drink filtered local water instead of bottled mineral water. A lot of cities provide filtered water. Ensure you always refill your water at such places. Water is such an important resource, but in many countries, bottled water is fairly pricey and hence can have a significant drain on your wallet.

21) While traveling, always keep some food and water with you. This will stop you from paying exorbitant prices for food and water while traveling.

22) Medical care is always expensive in any country you go to. Hence, always carry a basic first aid kit for small needs and go to a clinic, doctor or hospital only during emergencies.

23) Have a good travel and medical insurance plan with you that takes good care of you during emergencies. This will help alleviate all your stress during contingencies and emergencies.

24) Try and control your drinking and smoking in countries where it is too expensive. If you cannot control it, try the local beer/liquor and local cigarettes. They always tend to be much cheaper than the international ones which are imported. While doing this, beware of spurious products.

25) Keep your valuables safely with you and always on person with you or in safety lockers. Any loss will mean significant drain on your finances.

26) Stay flexible and ensure that you are able to change your plans at all times to save on cost.

27) Having a travel ATM card always helps. Depending on your country and bank, such cards do not charge any fee for international transactions. But, they might need you to keep large sums of money in your bank account. Every bank and country have their own clauses. Be sure to read them properly.

28) As much as possible, do not use your credit card to withdraw cash. You will end up paying significant interest to your bank. Instead, use your debit card and only spend the money that you have in your bank account and not what you don’t have.

29) Make sure you can sleep with noise and lights around you. If you cannot, then keep eye blinds and/or ear plugs ready.

30) Don’t shy away from leveraging your contacts and network in every country that you go to. Sometimes, these contacts are happy to host you or give you excellent local tips that might help you save some serious dollars. At the other extreme, don’t push them to the limits by staying with them for long periods of time.

How to make money while traveling?

1) Go on a working holiday and do some part time work. Some countries allow tourists to do part time work and get paid decent sums of money. Some countries like Australia promote working in farms.

2) Work part time jobs in the tourism industry in places where you can stay for long periods of time. These jobs can be bartending, waiting tables in a restaurant, managing the front desk of a hotel or be a hotel manager. Most tourist countries like expats who can speak many foreign languages. Keep in mind the rules related to your visa. Sometimes, this might be illegal as employment is mostly prohibited for people traveling on tourist visas.

3) Do a job that doesn’t require you to be in a specific location. All you might need is internet connectivity. These can be jobs in information technology or computers, media, design, journalism, writing and many more.

4) Maintain a travel and/or photography blog and make some advertising revenue from it.

5) Do writing and photography assignments if you think you can be a good photographer or a writer.

6) Take language translation assignments if you are good with the local language. Sometimes, you can become a guide if you speak the local and the international language. For example, take French, Spanish or Japanese lessons online in order to bolster your ability to find work in countries who speak these languages.    

7) Partner with a local and start a business: a hostel, a guest house, a dive shop, a travel agency, a travel outfit or something else that allows you to make money and also travel. Keep in mind that this might require some initial seed capital.

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