Pre-Departure preparations

1. Bedding
1. Special sheets
2. Sleeping bags
2. Cameras
1. Photo
2. Video
3. Audio / voice recorder (strange regulations.  Sensitivity!)
3. Clothing
1. The obvious
2. Mosquito-repellent clothes
3. shoes
4. Communications
1. Internet Access
2. PTT
3. Telephone

                                                               i.      Hotel

                                                             ii.      Internet

1.      Skype

2.      Softphone

3.      etc.

                                                            iii.      Mobile

1.      Global

2.      Local c/o SIM chip

3.      Different standards and systems

                                                           iv.      Satellite

1. Companions and Travel partners
1. This one can easily make or break your vacation!
2. Compatible interests / personalities
3. How well do you know eachother?
2. Computers / printers / storage devices
3. Electrical
1. Standards
2. 110/220 volts  50/60 Hz
3. Converter plugs
4. Transformers
4. F O O D  (the good / the bad / the ugly)
1. Local food
2. Fruits and vegetables
3. Travel / emergency food
4. water
5. Fuel
1. Cost / Budget
2. How to pay!
3. Type
4. Where to buy (not always obvious!)
6. Insurance
1. Health
2. Medical evacuation
3. Travel
4. Trip cancellation
5. Vehicle (green card)
7. Itinerary
1. Planning Planning Planning
2. Consider Lead times!
3. Flexibility  adaptation: key to enjoyment!
4. Pace.   Don’t kill yourself by trying to see/visit everything/everywhere!
8. Lodging
1. Guest houses
2. Home stays
3. Hotel
4. Reservations
9. Medical
1. Clinics and Hospitals
2. Diarrhea / stomach problems!   This one deserves its own category!!!!
3. Doctors
4. Insurance
5. Local conditions (rabies, malaria, cholera, epidemics, sources of info)
6. Medicine
7. Sources of Information
8. Vaccinations
10. Money
1. ATM
2. At the Borders
3. Credit Cards
4. Currency dealers
5. Reminder: Government Regulations / limits

                                                               i.      Limits

                                                             ii.      Cash in / cash out

                                                            iii.      May have to keep your receipts until after departure

1. Travelers Cheques
2. Precautions against theft
1. Navigation
1. GPS
2. Local Knowledge
3. Map
2. Transportation
3. Travel Agency / Tour Operator / Local Guide
4. Vehicle
1. Electrical
2. Engine
3. Fuel
4. Racks
5. Spare Parts
6. Storage space
7. Tools
8. Transport / shipping

                                                               i.      Dimensions

                                                             ii.      Weight

                                                            iii.      contents

1. Visas and passports