Amazon Prime Days!

Here are some cool travel hacks to think about…

Over the years Kat and I have discovered– and even invented at times– shortcuts to help us travel with less stress. From simple things like buying tickets online, rather than waiting in long lines, to carrying double-stick tape, super glue, different sized clips, and a special suction cups that holds those dangling European shower heads right in place. We have shared a lot of these tips in our blog, but when Kat bought an amazing super powerful, hand-held fan, and kept RAVING about how awesome it was, I decided it may be worthwhile to share some of our more valuable finds with fellow travelers. ..

AND, since Amazon created Amazon Prime Days (July 16-17)–with amazing discounts–we are hoping you will find something you like, and help us support our nomadic wanderings…

Here are a few of the items we love, which (shocker) are all available on Amazon. And if you purchase anything of these items, it will not only make your travel experience a little easier, but helps us build and maintain our Amazon Affiliate Partnership. Please note that your prices may be different than what is below:

Thank you, and happy travels ! 😊

(1) ZOMAKE Ultra Lightweight Hiking Backpack 20L – Packable Small Backpacks Water Resistant Daypack for Women Men(Black): $12.55 (just reduced)

You can get backpacks any and everywhere, but I have been using my Zomake bag almost since Day One, and take it with me everywhere I go. It’s small, it’s light (about 8oz), and amazingly durable, and I carry my phone, wallet, keys, water, and anything else I need; it’s always with me. When its EMPTY it folds to about the size of a large croissant!

On travel days I carry my 40L backpack on my back, and two 20L packs in my hands, and inside is my wrapped Zomake, ready to unfold and use almost like a large handbag. This is my second one, and that’s not bad for five years’ worth of heavy usage! It’s not waterproof (but you could spray it…), but it is water resistant, and the few times it got wet, it dried in no time.

Some of the stuff we use and recommend are simple, everyday items, but if you are a traveler—or a tourist—they may help your journey.

***************************************************

(2) Blood pressure monitor: Care Touch Digital Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor for Adults Size 5.5-8.5″ for Home Use, Automatic High Blood Pressure Machine with Batteries & Carrying Pouch: $31.99

Getting “older” and having to deal with higher blood pressure is a real nuisance! My blood pressure increased in my young 60’s and I took statins (yuck) for many years. When we started traveling my blood pressure stabilized and stayed lower, but it’s still prone to periodic upward blips.

That concerned us.

We’ve been carrying this blood pressure cuff around for five years and it’s like a tank—it just keeps on going. It’s light and very small, about the size of a small tomato. Maybe you’re too young to think about such things, but at some point you might! At least having a cuff close to you can give you peace of mind—or possibly a wake-up call…

***************************************************

(3) Eagle Creek cube bags (Eagle Creek Pack-It Original Starter Set of 3 Packing Cubes for Suitcases – Durable Travel Suitcase Organizer Bags Set with Folding Garment Bag, Black) $36.85

I admit I was a bit of a cynic about travel cubes, thinking they were a gimmick. I rolled and packed the way I used to, in a logical way, but over the years clothes have become a commodity, and they are rarely kept for long periods of time. And as our travel settled into more of a routine, sometimes staying for longer periods, sometimes for short, knowing where everything IS made our life less stressful.

These cubes are awesome, and I have three different ones, each carrying specific items: one is for underwear and socks; another is for “cold weather gear” and long sleeve shirts and pants, and one is for short pants and shirts. When I unload my 40liter carrying bag I just pull them out one at a time and I can throw  them in drawers, or just leave them inside if I don’t think I’ll need them. Along with packing cubes, I have a few other cases and pouches for smaller items.

Part II

Sometimes we MISS the conveniences of modern life, which are not always available as a nomad. So every once in a while it’s nice to find little tricks and shortcuts to make our lives easier.

And so we present: a portable fan; a very cool and affordable health watch, and some simple mesh pouches which make it SO easy to pack your toiletries and even small clothing items.

(4) Portable fan or heater: regulate temps JISULIFE Super Jet Fan, 8800mAh Portable Handheld Fan, 100000 RPM Electric Air Duster, 20m/s Jet Dry Blower, 100 Speed Gears Turbo Fan Digital Display, Rechargeable Compressed Air Duster – Dark Grey: $83.99

Kat’s body temperature runs hotter than mine, which is great during the cooler temps, but not so good in the heat. Over the years she’s picked up a few hand-held fans made of paper, and started going electric a few years ago. The first few were underpowered and required batteries or kept a weak charge via the USB port.

But technology has improved, and some of these fans can act as hairdryers—just like this Jisulife Super fan. It replaced one she bought while in hot, humid, Malaysia, and this new one does the job! It keeps a charge for much of the day and it’s light enough to keep in your backpack. If you tend to get warm and want an easy way to take the heat off, check this one out.

***************************************************

(5) Health watch: Amazfit Active Smart Watch with AI Fitness Exercise Coach, GPS, Bluetooth Calling & Music, 14 Day Battery, 1.75″ AMOLED Display & Alexa Built-in, Fitness Watch for Android & iPhone, Black: $114.99 (prices reduced recently)

While in Malaysia we got a slew of body scans done, including stress tests to check our heart functions. Kat tends to run a faster heartbeat than mine, so she decided she wanted to monitor it, along with a bunch of other health readings. This affordable watch checks blood oxygen levels, plus tracks all the sleep patterns overnight! She can watch how many hours she sleeps, including REM patterns, light, and deep sleep, and it can wake her and communicate with her phone for calls, texting, and music. It’s waterproof, of course, and she can wear it continually without any problems.

I’m thinking about getting one, too, but I’m afraid I’d spend an hour every morning dissecting my sleep cycles!

***************************************************

(6) 12 Pieces Zipper Nylon Mesh Pouch, Mesh Cosmetic Bags Makeup Bags Pencil Case, Multipurpose Travel Bags for Cosmetic School Office Supplies and Travel Accessories (Multicolor A, Assorted Sizes): $16.99

You know what takes up a lot of room, and is easy to lose or misplace?

Bathroom items! Like lotions, potions, salves, clippers, pills, and scores of other things!

We got this 12 piece set four years ago and they are so durable that some have never been used. I have one for ONLY liquids, so I can prep them for flying easily, and one for things I don’t use that often. And another for things I use almost daily. Again, I don’t always need them ALL unpacked, and many times I can keep them inside my 40l Osprey bag, where they are out of sight, but accessible. Don’t waste your time looking for misplaced items, keep them where you can find them.

Part III

7) Laptop Chargers Case, Zipper Mesh Laptop Adapter Case, Universal Electronics Accessories Travel Organizer/Carry Case/Bag/Pouch/Sleeve for Laptop Notebook Tablet Power/Mouse/Cord/USB Accessories, Black: $9.99

In this modern high tech world we need to carry all types of electronics. Laptops, phones, and tablets, for sure, but along with those items you need “stuff,” like cords, headphones, chargers, adapters (for all the different countries!), and even though we mostly live in a USB-C world, we also need cords for our I-phones, and sometimes for our small items that require a mini-charger.

My little case, which I’ve used from the start, carries a bunch of different cord lengths, batteries, plugs, and a few tools, too. It takes up little room and I usually leave this in my Osprey bag since I only need  it occasionally. But isn’t it nice to have everything in one place??

***************************************************

(8) Sea bands for motion sickness (Motion Sickness Bands Anti-Nausea Wristband for Adult and Kids Morning Sickness Relief for Pregnant Women Acupressure Nausea Relief for Car, Sea, Air Sickness – 1 Pair Random Color) about $5.00 USD

Motion sickness is no fun, but since we travel on buses, trains, ferries, and with crazy taxi drivers, it’s nice to have a solution that works. When we booked our 18 day cruise from Hawaii to Australia both of us were concerned about seasickness. Mine has gotten better over the years, but Kat wears these bands effortlessly when we are on our bike in the twisty roads and even when going short distances. An ounce of prevention, right?

This link is for a generic set of bands, and truly you can pick them up at most drug stores in the US, but they have been harder to find in other countries. The bands come in different sizes, patterns and colors, so look at it like a fashion accessory that does double duty and protects your equilibrium, too.

***************************************************

(9) Repel Umbrella The Original Portable Travel Umbrella – Umbrellas for Rain Windproof, Strong Compact Umbrella for Wind and Rain, Perfect Car Umbrella, Golf Umbrella, Backpack, and On-the-Go: $36.29

I HATE carrying umbrellas—until I need one! I find them unwieldy and cumbersome, and somewhat ugly, but I got this umbrella a few years ago and loved it! It was more pricey than the cheap ones you find in the streets when it’s raining (smart opportunists!), but it compressed very nicely and was light. Plus it had a cool picture on the underside, (see pix) which actually made it fun to carry. Unfortunately I left my Repel umbrella behind somewhere (the risks of being a traveler!), and have not been able to get one outside the US. But if you are in the states and thinking about traveling anywhere where you MIGHT encounter rain, be a Boy/ Girl Scout, and be prepared.

Not everything to make life easier is rocket science…, and some of the shelf items to keep handy are available at drug stores or the like all over the world.

***************************************************

Here are some items without links, but just ideas of travel items whoch can enhance your life:

• Orthopedic travel pillow: These things sell by the millions and come in lots of different designs. Kids carry them for sleeping on planes, trains, and cars, and these are terrific for adults to help you support your neck and back. (they are available everywhere)
• Mugs for heating, carrying: There are lots of insulated water bottles, but we found a great microwave safe mug, about 18 oz, and it has a screw on top which is terrific for carrying yogurt or cereal or a host of other NOT liquid items. We can’t find the exact one we got in Turkey, but maybe you can find one on your travels!
• Medicine organizer: Whether you use these containers for vitamins or meds, they are convenient to track of either and keep everything in one place. (available everywhere)
• Portable magnifying glass: Aging is NOT fun, and sometimes reading glasses are not quite enough to help you read the “fine print.” These magnifiers come in lots of different varieties and you can find them everywhere.

If you find ANYTHING on Amazon during Prime Days, I can create a link in minutes, send it to you, and you get your item same as usual, and we make a small commission. Thank you for thinking of us!