Lone Traveller - Backpacking alone could be an option

Ever Thought of travelling alone? With so many travel options available to travellers today, going it alone could be an option to consider.

Some people love to be alone, relying on their own resources and skills to overcome the difficulties they face, whilst others need a companion or to be in a group, safety in numbers and always having somebody to call upon when things go off track.

If you want to go it alone, let’s map out some of the highlights and the pitfalls to consider before setting out. It may not be for everybody, so as always, do your research first and then make an informed choice.

The highlights of lone travel are:

• You can be who you want to be and meet who you want to meet. Nobody know who you are and any of your history – there is nobody to catch you out so you can truly tell people anything about yourself and your history – a real “new person” if you want to.
• You can get great deals on flights, travel and accommodation – after all its just you and to fill a seat in a plane is better than having an empty one. You might get special treatments like upgrades or get to know the staff more.
• You decide if you want to meet up with people or not – you only have to please yourself.
• Other people will approach you as they see you on your own, you are less intimidating than a group or even a couple of people so locals will be more interested and inclined to approach you. This could lead to invitations to join them and see culture first hand.
• You do not have to follow a crowd of tourists at attractions – you can stay as long as you like or do what you want.
• You decide the route and timeframe. There is nobody else to argue with or disagree with.
• Most people who do this discover an “inner place” that would not have been found without this experience, increasing your confidence and ability to cope with situations. This will prepare you for life challenges ahead.

All sounds great so far, so let’s explore the pitfalls to travelling alone:

• Whilst some travel and accommodation will be cheaper, some will cost you more as you cannot share the costs. Some cheap hotels or guest houses will charge you per room
  Loneliness can be a major issue – every solo traveller will experience lonely moments and thoughts of home, especially if things go a little off track.
• The best remedy for this is to keep yourself busy, or book on an organised tour for a change, or go to a YMCA where there are other people just like you going it alone – but don’t want to tie up with somebody.
• Your safety and security is an obvious concern. It is vital to take precautions then you will reduce the risk considerably of anything untoward happening. It is crucial to research your destination before you go so you know what you can expect.
• A service from Globetrotter SOS will allow you to prepare for the trip before you go and keep you informed of any developments on your journey. Having the SOS capability when it is just you is essential, there will be nobody else around to help you – if it’s a medical emergency it will make all the difference. Furthermore, your parents or dependents will also be happier at knowing your location from time to time with the Here I am feature.

So it’s down to you, backpacking alone for a few months or going on a tour in a group – the choice is yours.
Either way, a Globetrotter SOS subscription is essential travel gear. It’s like having an advisor with you when you need it.

Adventure Traveller

It’s fair to say, most of us want to do something a little different when we travel.

Sitting on a beach is great, but it is a bit boring. Also, going clubbing every night in Benidorm, whilst is great to let your hair down, isn’t my cup of tea either.

More and more travellers are looking to do something a bit different. There is a plethora of companies advertising a myriad of Adventure Holidays in more unusual places.

So which one to choose? What should you look out for? How does this affect holiday insurance cover?

This is down to you to find out really – choose your pleasure and then search for companies that specialise in that activity, sport or chosen destination. Here are a few tips to look out for to make your adventure memorable for the right reasons.

About the company you choose:

• Take a good look around and choose a company to go with that has a good reputation in the particular activity or destination.
• Do a search on travel forums for this company and see what feedback you get.
• Check out testimonials on their website. Do they have a forum to refer to?
• Do they have a picture gallery to see other people who have been on the trip before?
• Speak to them, see what information they offer you – do they have special insurance rates, flight deals or subsidised transport to get you around.
• Does the adventure require a level of fitness or endurance – some trips do have pre-requisites and so you must find these out before you finally book. It’s too late once you are half way up Kilimanjaro to wonder if you are fit enough to complete it!
• Do they offer advice on equipment to take or clothing requirements – they will know exactly what you need to take if they have been there. They will probably have an online store anyhow.
• Find out about accommodation and sleeping arrangements. You don’t want to find you have to sort out your own once you are at a destination.

About your health and safety:

• Check out what inoculations you require and have them done. Also check out any other medical information you may require i.e. malaria.
• Make sure you visit your dentist before you go. Travelling with tooth ache is no fun and you may not have access (nor want to, having seen some dental practices in Africa!) to any dental care.
• If you are on medication, get plenty of extra to take with you. Get a doctor’s note as well in case you need to prove what the drugs are for.
• If you wear glasses, take a spare pair or if you use contact lenses, try using disposable ones before you go. This is better than taking cleaning equipment with you.
• I always pack a medical emergency pack with syringes, sterile needles and sutures as well as plenty of rubber gloves and plasters – you may need to help somebody else as well in an emergency.
• Just because you are on holiday, don’t get carried away. Know your limits and don’t take unnecessary risks.

General safety advice:

• Stay in small groups or with a companion if possible, especially on crowded trains or in crowded streets and markets.
• Keep valuables hidden at all times. I am amazed at the number of people who walk about with a wallet full of cash and open it for all to see. This will make you a target without doubt.
• Carry a small amount of cash in one place, enough for that day, and then hide any surplus out of sight (a money belt or secret place in your rucksack).
• Install GlobetrotterSOS on your Smartphone – with this you can let people know you are OK and safe, but know somebody is there for you in an emergency.
• Use the GlobetrotterSOS travel advice service to find out about your destination before you go – especially with regards terrorism, culture and crime.

Firefighter - Fires Spead towards Athens, Greece

Fire-fighters using multiple fire engines and helicopters are continuing to battle with a wall of fire which has spread from an industrial estate 15 miles north of Athens and is threatening to spread further South towards the city.

The fire-fighters have been joined by local residents and workers from nearby factories to help fight the fire using only buckets and whatever water they can find. The fire has caused massive damage to the area.

Conditions are extremely hazardous with high winds and tinder dry undergrowth making the spread almost uncontrollable. The path of the fire is likely to engulf several other factories and warehouses unless conditions change shortly.

Other unrelated fires are also raging in central Athens, where fire-fighters are struggling to contain the spread.

It is very common to have many fires in this region as the normal temperatures cause extensive droughts, which combined with continuous strong winds make ideal conditions. Arson is also a common cause of fire in this region.

Travellers to the area are advised to be on extreme caution and not to undertake activities which may cause any fires themselves. Any fires should be reported immediately to the local authorities and travellers should evacuate any area where a fire is spreading.

Globetrotter SOS users are advised to transmit a Here I Am to concerned contacts and log into your members site for more updates from Red24

The Long Horse Ride - Riding for Charity

One of GlobetrotterSOS’s partners, Geonix, has been providing location services to The Long Horse Ride expedition from Beijing to London.

The Long Horse Ride is all about a marathon journey from China to England, bringing a message of good will from Beijing to London for the launch of the 2012 Olympics. The ride started shortly after the Olympics closed in 2008. The ride is also to raise money for disadvantaged children for the Schoolchildren for Children charity.

Geonix are providing the GPS location servicesvia Thuraya , the leading manufaturer of Satellite phones. This is the same technology that Globetrotter SOS is providing for GSM Smartphone handsets.

If you visit The Long Horse Ride Blog, you can log onto the actual maps to view history and see the route taken – Enter User name: Rowena Gulland … Password : MeganLewis.

We will be watching the progress and keeping you posted of any news which is of interest.

We obviously wish the team good luck and all the success they deserve.

GPS Location - permission based location service

When you mention tracking devices in passing conversation, just watch the reaction of the people you are speaking to. Big Brother springs into the conversation almost immediately (not the Channel 4 Show…the George Orwell vision of the future!).

Why is that you might think? Well I personally am like most people and do not particularly want my movements tracked – I have no reason not too as I am a law abiding citizen and have nothing to hide, but it’s just not knowing who is tracking you, why they are doing it and what are they going to use this information for.

Let’s face it, if you walk down the High Street of any town and you are on CCTV, buy something from a shop using a credit card, pop into the bank and pay money in – yes you are being tracked either caught on media or recorded by the transaction.

So there is no getting away from it.

But there are some great uses for tracking, valuables, cars and plant are tracked to make sure they are not stolen, CCTV has reduced urban crime radically so it does have its uses.

So what about GPS Location? What’s the difference?

Well I can’t speak for other products and services, but the main thing I love about the Globetrotter SOS GPS location service is that it is used for just that. It is totally user controlled, so people can’t just go “I wonder where Fred is today…let’s track him!”

The Globetrotter SOS GPS Location service is permission based and gives the user complete control on who can or can’t see their location and does not track you. How? Well it’s simple. When a user subscribes to the service, they get a web based control panel which, depending on the service bought, allows them to pre-configure a list of up to 10 “contacts” that, in the event of the user sending a location position, they get notified.

The service has two modes;

The Here I Am mode which allows the user to send a simple text message to the list of contacts which basically shows their current location and a simple message letting them know they are OK.

The SOS mode sends an SMS text message to a specialist security and safety organisation as well as to a refined list of contacts (you don’t want granny to panic after all, but you might like her to know you are safe and well..). The specialist organisation will attempt to contact you to determine the problem and help you resolve it, or pass your details to the local authorities to deal with.

Both modes are completely user controllable and cannot be tracked like other inferior systems and offerings.

The other really key thing is that the Globetrotter SOS service uses equipment you already have and own – a Smartphone – so no more devices to lug around, loose and break.

The service is offered in with several subscription timeframes from a month to a year in duration, so is totally flexible to meet your travel and safety needs.  The Globetrotter SOS Assist service caters for 10 contacts and, what is really key to the whole thing, full 24×7 security and safety support across the globe, making it ideal for travellers of all types and ages, from Gap Year to Pensioners on the world trip.

A Time to Reflect - The End of an Adventure

After 6 weeks away, the Team has now finally returned home.

The last two weeks has given everybody the opportunity to reflect, relax and gather thoughts on what has been a highly exciting and successful adventure.

The journey back includes a 6 day overland trip back to Hong Kong and a long haul flight back to Heathrow.

I am looking forward to seeing the first articles emerge as well as any video footage, unseen pictures and untold stories once the dust has settled.

For us, we are delighted that he guys used the service – the Here I Am messages came thick and fast, allowing us to share the experience, and I loved the photos sent as well. We have enjoyed following this adventure. Thankfully, they did not have to use the SOS feature and but for a few cuts and bruises, all were health and well.

Having spoken to one of the parents recently , he was very pleased that his son had the service as he could be sure the guys were safe and well – otherwise they would have been kept in the dark and worried for weeks until a call came in. To follow the trip was a great experience for other parents too.

My most memorable moment was the 50 foot water fall pictures – I hope they go this on video…I will post it if they have!

Keep looking at the kayaknam site www.kayaknam.com as I am sure more pictures and articles will be posted soon.

Well done guys and thanks for giving us so much entertainment – I look forward to meeting up soon.

Globetrotter SOS - Giving you a helping hand when you need it most

With such an exciting service, we thought that a quick 10 slide presentation might help you understand the reasons why you need to subscribe to Globetrotter SOS and highlight the features of the service and how it will make your travel memorable for the right reasons.

Please check it out – all feedback gratefully received!

Click on this link to see the presentation – promise its not long! 

Take Caution - Dangerous Situation

Yesterday, three small bombs exploded in Palma de Majorca, the capital of Majorca.
The first bomb was detonated in the restroom of the La Rigoletta restaurant in the Paseo del Portitxol. The second went off in the Enco restaurant shortly afterwards then a 3rd at the Plaza Mayor. The area is located on the popular beach front known as Can Pere Antoni

Thankfully, there have been no confirmed injuries or casualties caused by the bombings. A warning was issued to a taxi company prior to these attacks from Basque separatist group ETA, which allowed the areas to be evacuated prior to the incident.

These latest attacks have come after ETA claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in June and July, including a bomb explosion on 30 July in Palma Nova that killed two policemen and injured several others.

It is envisaged that some short-term security measures and travel restrictions will occur after these new bombings Travellers should be prepared for increased security checks and delays at points of departure from the island.

Current travel advice from GlobetrotterSOS is:

• Avoid the Can Pere Antoni beach and surrounding areas
• Make sure you carry your travel documents with you at all times as checkpoints and roadblocks will be set up across the island
• Be prepared for long delays at ports and airports
• Be patient at checkpoints and roadblocks as the situation is volatile.
• Be vigilant for any suspicious packages, bags and rucksacks which are left unattended – these should be reported immediately
• Traveller should watch local TV or news channels or contact Globetrotter Security services via your member’s panel

ETA is known to target tourism, especially travel hubs like railways, airport and ports in an attempt to disrupt. There is a high risk to travellers at this point in time so extreme caution should be taken when in Majorca.

View of Position location at Nha Trang, Vietnam

Time to find some water again. The Team travelled to Da Lat where they had been told of some pretty spectacular white water, rapid and waterfalls…They were soon to find out the tips were right!

The Team headed of to the Yok Don National Park to the Dray Sap Waterfall. Transport was arranged to carry the equipment  to the top of the run on the Serepok River – a rather run down tractor and trailer – but ideal to carry all the kit.

I think its fair to say, the team discovered the best runs and drops so far – with plenty of excitement for all.

I made it! Celebration after a run

With waterfalls and drops in excess of 50ft, everybody truly tested their skills and courage at tackling these waters, but now its time to move on, back to Da Lat to move to the next river. For more pictures, follow this link

On the edge....

The Globetrotter SOS location service is working perfectly, allowing us to monitor the routes taken and view in Google Maps or Virtual Earth (Bing). For more information on how Globetrotter SOS works and can help you on your travels, follow this link.

Fantastic Scenery at Sa Pa of the Song Ta Van river

The worse thing about the trip is being constantly wet. Drying off always proves an issue, but you do what you can…

Trying to get dry

After an over night stay with villagers on the way down, the team discovered a few interesting rapids. Thankfully the guys did some scouting before going down the final runs as these proved to be just far too dangerous with the amount of water still running in the rivers.

Back to Hanoi

After 10 days of exploring the North of the Country, it is now time to turn the attention to the west of the country. On the way back to Hanoi, the team stopped off at a Vietnamese “Transport Cafe” – all part of the experience. This meal was washed down with a large bottle of Rice wine supplied by the driver….

Meal at Vietnamese Transport Cafe

A new member of the team is due to join in Hanoi, Andy. The long trip down to the central highlands region will take up to 26 hours on a train, followed by who knows what other forms of transport.

Globetrotter SOS is picking up lots of Here I Am requests from Stuarts Blackberry, so we are tracking the journey all the way. More map images to follow of the ongoing trip.

Fo more pictures and to get more information go to the Kayaknam website and look at the Kayaknam Blog