mango tree blog

Top ten essential travel items

2010-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so a lot of what you pack in your rucksack, wheelie case or holdall will depend on where you’re going and for how long, but there are some things we thing a traveler should never be without. So here are mango tree’s top ten essential travel items:

Plug adaptor – not many of us can survive in today’s world without mobile phones, ipods or laptops. You can get funky worldwide adaptors now, which you can use pretty much anywhere (provided there’s an electricity supply…)
Sarong (to double-up as a scarf for cooler climes) this one may not apply to guys unless you are uber cool or backpacking in Goa!
Small plastic containers for toiletries – that way you can just decant a bit of your current shampoo/shower gel etc and then buy a bigger bottle while you’re out there. Much cheaper (and greener) than buying those extortionately priced mini products, however cute the bottles are
Hand wash detergent – no matter how carefully you count out your undies you might get caught short and need a clean pair, and who ever has enough small change for the launderette?
Ear plugs/eye mask (because there’s nothing worse than being in an incredible place but feeling too tired to make the most of it), these can also be used on the plane to help you get some sleep.
Mini torch – unknown places can be pretty scary at night especially if there are no streetlights, there’s an unexpected powercut, or there’s no power at all
Paperwork – a bit dull maybe, but essential nonetheless. Make sure you’ve got all your important documents in one place, such as your insurance policy (and yes you should get insurance!), driving license, list of important phone numbers/addresses etc. Just stick them all in a little plastic pouch and zip them up in a pocket of your bag or case
Smaller day bag – really useful but often forgotten (could double-up as your hand luggage if you’re going by plane)
A notebook or, if you’re feeling strong enough to lug it about and safe enough to travel with it, a laptop – you’ll need somewhere to write down the names and email addresses of all your new friends, jot down that great local restaurant someone recommended or even keep a diary
Basic medical stuff, for example painkillers, plasters, tweezers, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea medication (rehydrating electrolytes)

Hand luggage

Packing your hand luggage can actually be the trickiest part (especially if you’re flying – security restrictions seem to change by the day). So here are a few pointers:

Make sure you don’t overdo it and cram too much in, using your hand luggage to hold all those ‘essential’ items you couldn’t quite squeeze into your main luggage. You’ll regret it when your shoulder starts to ache before you’ve even got out the front door
Pack a toothbrush, something to clean your face with and some moisturiser for your hands and face (small bottles only). Oh and some of that nifty hand gel stuff is great in case you need to clean your hands on the go.
If you’re flying, don’t forget warm socks and if you’ll be landing somewhere much hotter than your starting point, pack some flip-flops to change into as soon as you arrive.

A few final pearls of packing wisdom…

Don’t leave your packing to the night before you travel (yes, we hate to admit it but your mum was right!). Get your bag or case out a week or so before you go and every time you think of something you think you’ll need to take then chuck it in. On the day before you go remove any items that aren’t absolutely necessary and remember to leave some space for all those souvenirs you’ll be buying along the way.

Happy travels!

How to stay off the tourist trail

2010-04-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

We’ve all read or seen The Beach and dreamt of travelling to a secret, as-yet-undiscovered location. But without a crazy map-drawing Scotsman to point you in the right direction, how do you find such a place?

A guidebook does of course have its uses, but Lonely Planet guides and the like have become both a blessing and a curse to travellers the world over. If it’s in the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide you can pretty much guarantee it’s ok. But you can also pretty much guarantee it will be rammed and on its way to being passé before you’ve even arrived.

So what’s the alternative to the trusty guidebook? After all, most of us have jobs and homes to get back to at some point, so although the prospect of journeying into the unknown might appeal, it’s also not all that practical.

Here are a few ideas to help you stay off the beaten track:

Don’t be lazy… Whenever you have a spare moment during the months or weeks leading up to your next trip (or even if you haven’t yet got a holiday in the diary) surf the net, and be sure to read the travel sections in the Sunday papers
Read books – and not just travel guides. Far fewer people read the more lengthy books written by travel writers. So pop down to your local bookshop and hunt out the meatier travel books (and don’t just go the night before you travel – give yourself a decent amount of quality reading time)
Don’t make travel plans that are too rigid: you might hear about another guesthouse / village / island while you’re staying in the hotel you’d planned to stay at for a week, so wouldn’t it be great to just jet off there? Try to stick to relaxed hotels that aren’t completely booked up, so you can be a bit flexible about how long you stay, and don’t plan out every day of your trip in detail
Be open to meeting new people, and especially locals. Try out the restaurants and bars that are full of friendly locals, even if it isn’t listed in your guide book and getting there means walking that little bit further. Provided you speak some of the local language (and sometimes even if you don’t – a smile can go a long way and it’s amazing how much you can understand from a picture scribbled on a napkin) you’ll be sure to hear about some undiscovered gem just around the corner. But shhh – don’t shout about it in the hotel bar when you get back!
Read any travel guides or books that others have left in the hotel or hostel where you’re staying – their former owners may have left scribbled recommendations next to the printed list of ‘must-see’ places where everyone else will be headed tomorrow
Stay in touch with people you meet whenever you’re traveling – not only will you make lots of new friends, you’ll also hear first-hand about all the cool places they go to next and you’ll have a local to show you around when you’re in their neck of the woods.

10 ways to stay comfortable on a long haul flight

2010-04-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

The following tips will help you arrive at your destination feeling your best ready for a great trip.

1. Sleep in comfortable clothes - take a separate set of clothes to change into especially for night flights, a tracksuit would be ideal and will keep you warm instead of wrestling to with a blanket all night trying to keep your limbs tucked in.

2. Keep properly hydrated - before and during the flight. This is the most important of all the tips, staying hydrated will keep you feeling fresh. Aircraft are very dry places, humidly levels are typically 5-15% compared to normal levels on the ground of 40%. This is because the air in the cabin comes from the outside and at 33,000ft there is very little water in the air. Drink lots of water and in case you need it, carry some form of electrolyte like rehydrate salts or a sports drink. Avoid tea, coffee and soft drinks that contain caffeine which will keep you awake. Carry a large bottle of water on board, ideally a 2 litre bottle per person for flights over 8 hours, you will rarely get sufficient water from the onboard service to keep you properly hydrated.

3. Drink alcohol in moderation - although it’s tempting to have a few drinks ( you are going on holiday after all!) try and resist alcohol, combined with the dry air you will dehydrate very quickly. It’s also worth noting that the effects of alcohol are amplified at altitude.

4. Wear an eye mask and earplugs - it might be a little uncomfortable if you are not used to it but there is a lot of noise on board an aircraft which will disturb your sleep. Light will also wake you up quickly and it is best to block these out so that you can sink into your own world and drift off.

5. Take a neck cushion - a nodding head is not a pleasant way to sleep, invest in a U shaped pillow that will give you good support and help you to get some rest.

6. Shower as late as possible before you board, if your flight is not until the evening take a shower just before you leave for the airport, this way you will feel cleaner for longer.

7. Walk around and stretch often, take the opportunity to have a wander around the cabin from time to time, it’s best not to do this during the drinks and meal service to alow the cabin crew do their thing. Many airlines have advice and routines for this on the in-flight entertainment system.

8. Take a shower on stopovers - most international airports these days have showers available (some may charge, but if they do they should be a high standard), if you are taking a particularly long flight which has a stop over its worth having a shower.

9. Remove your contact lenses early in the flight - your eyes will dry up quickly in the dry air its far better to wear glasses for the duration of the flight.

10. Take some moisturiser - your skin will feel drier than normal when you’re flying. To save space, take a moisturiser that is suitable for your face, hands and body.

The mango tree blog aims to inspire great, shared travel adventures

2010-04-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about travelling today is that even seemingly unreachable destinations are becoming more accessible - there are so many places to visit in the world that there’s something for everyone, from relaxing on a Caribbean beach to hiking the Inca trail or trekking in Alaska. However, for most of us one thing remains a constant: a truly great travel experience means sharing it with others.

Our blog will focus on the two themes of the mango tree strap line ‘Share the adventure’. On the ‘adventure’ front we will be posting articles on travel - uncovering hidden gems for you to explore, how to avoid the tourist trail etc., and on the ‘sharing’ side: how to get the most out of your trip, from meeting travel companions to the most sociable places to stay if you are travelling alone, writing travel blogs and tips on photography.
This is also a great way for us at mango tree to get closer to you, our members – we want to hear your views and learn all about your travel experiences, so we’ll be asking for your comments along the way... See you there !