Your Passport And Other Identification Documents

If you are going to be traveling outside of your home country, the acceptable identification document is your passport. This should be obvious, but here are some other details you want to pay attention to.

There are a few things people seem to forget about or overlook, but not knowing the rules is no excuse. If you’re going to travel – anywhere – you must know what kind of identification you need to take with you.

Your passport should be current. An old, expired passport is not an acceptable identification document in most cases. It should have blank pages so that there is room for visas or entry and exit stamps. Some countries require that your passport must be valid for three or even six months after your visit to their country.

You need to think about this if you are flying or cruising or driving. Sometimes even when you’re walking. When we went from Tibet into Nepal, our tour driver dropped us off just short of the border. We walked across into Nepal, but we still needed those passports and visas!

For most countries the requirements are similar. The Acceptable Identification Document should contain your name, date of birth, and gender. It should have an expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature to make forgery more difficult.

If you are traveling within your home country, you will probably need some form of local ID. In most cases, it should be a government issued document with a photo and the above information, and not expired.

Foreign visitors to the USA need a passport to enter the country, and depending on your home country, you will need a visa. Even visitors from visa waiver countries need to register in advance of their visit now. This law became mandatory in January 2009.

All travelers need to stay alert to changes like this. Just because you “didn’t need it last time” doesn’t mean that you can travel without the proper documents today. Rules change. For example U.S citizens now need passports to fly into Canada and Mexico. They “didn’t need it” before, now they do. Doing your research on the acceptable identification documents you’ll need for your destination is just as important as doing your research of the destination itself.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration says, “Passengers who do not or cannot present an acceptable ID will have to provide information… …in order to verify their identity. Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to go through the checkpoint or onto an airplane.”

I’m sure it’s pretty much the same worldwide. Just take your acceptable identification document and avoid the hassle. You’re a traveller, you should never be without your passport!

A Useful Travel Document Checklist

With e-tickets and online reservations, do you need a travel document checklist? We think you do.

There are some paper documents you just can’t get away from. Your passport for one thing. Or your driver’s license if you are traveling domestically. Or some sort of “acceptable identification document”.

When you travel, you are responsible for having these documents. Airline personnel will require proof of your identification, and for foreign travel, your valid passport. Without them, you won’t be going anywhere!

There are other documents you should make sure you get or print and take with you. Here are our suggestions for your travel document checklist.

Visas: Many countries require that you obtain a visa before you enter the country. This may be physically stamped in your passport or in some cases done electronically. If you get your visa electronically print out the confirmation so you have proof of receiving it. Either way, it’s your responsibility to have a visa if it’s required.

If your tour company is getting “visa clearances” for you, take your documentation to prove that. This was the documentation we had to provide when we entered Bhutan.

Paper Tickets: Most airline tickets are e-tickets, but paper tickets still exist. You may have paper airline tickets if you are traveling on multiple carriers or if you’re traveling on small airlines to out of the way places. You must take them with you.

Confirmation Numbers: If you’ve made your reservations online, it’s a good idea to print out your confirmation number and take it with you. Be sure you put the correct dates in and that you actually hit the purchase button. People goof up on this all the time.

Having confirmation documentation will help straighten things out if you can’t find your reservation at the ticket kiosk or at the hotel desk. This applies for airline flights, hotel reservations, tours, rental cars, even ferries and trains.

Vouchers: If you’re taking a tour, you may receive vouchers in the mail for hotels, transfers and different parts of the tour. Take them with you. Check with your tour company to see if they issue vouchers. Some do and some don’t.

Some will have a representative meet you at your destination with your vouchers. Vouchers are not usually issued with big groups. They tend to be issued for small independent tours you set up for yourself.

Contact Numbers: Make sure you have local phone numbers for contacts or tour agencies you’re using. Interestingly, even in remote areas, the guides will probably have mobile phones so you can contact someone if something goes wrong.

Photo Copies: Make good photo copies of your passport. Leave a copy with friends or relatives and keep one with you in a secure place. If you ever lose your passport or have it stolen, this will make it much easier to replace.

Extra Passport Photos: Take extra passport size photos. If you need to apply for a visa upon entry, you may need one or two. Extra photos are always good to have.

Emergency Numbers: Take a list of emergency phone numbers and numbers to call if your credit cards are stolen.

This checklist may not be complete. Use it as a basis to make up your own.

If you’re planning a complicated itinerary on your own, or if you’re just taking a simple getaway, a travel document checklist will keep you from forgetting something and having your holiday derailed.

Take A Fjord Drive Through Norway

We took a Norway fjord drive rather than a fjord cruise. Driving through Norway is easy and beautiful. You can choose your own route depending on what your time frame is and what you want to see.

We drove north from Oslo through the middle of the country. You can go through Lillehammer, a pretty resort town that hosted the Olympics in 1994. If you want to see a bit more of the interior of Norway, there are national parks you can explore, or you can visit the historic mining town of Roros. Its 18th century wooden houses have been preserved. Many now give home to restaurants and shops.

We cut over to the coast to see Trondheim. It’s a lively and historic university town. There are also some ancient rock carvings in the area just north of town. You can visit its historic Nidarosdomen Cathedral and museums or just enjoy the colorful town as a great spot to start your Norway fjord drive down the coast.

Head southwest out of Trondheim on the E39. The road will take you over toll bridges and ferries. Ferries run fairly frequently, so you won’t have to wait long. The scenery is great even while you wait.

The ferry from Molde to Vestnes will get you on your way to the very pretty town of Alesund. It has a drop dead gorgeous setting, and the town is a kaleidoscope of colors with its Art Nouveau architecture, all turrets and spires and fancy ornamentation.

It’s another great place to spend the night on your drive. The drive to the mountain-top lookout to see the town spread out below is a must. There’s a cafeteria on top where you can have a beer and enjoy the view.

Start early and drive along the Storfjorden to Geiranger. The hour ferry ride down the Geirangefjorden is spectacular. This narrow fjord with its waterfalls is visited by cruise ships and photographed often for tourist brochures and it’s included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

On this Norway fjord drive, you’ll encounter lots of winding roads, so wind your way south through spectacular scenery. I know we keep using superlatives, but Norway demands that.

When you get to Sogndal on the Sognefjorden, turn north for a few miles so you can visit the Urnes Stave Church, the oldest wooden church in Norway. It was built in 1150, and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Sogndal and head to Kaupanger where you can catch a really long ferry ride on the Sognefjorden. These ferries don’t run quite so often, and because of the long ride, the last ferry is in the afternoon, so check the schedule or be prepared to wait until morning.

This ferry will take you to Gudvangen via the Sonnefjorden, Aurlandsfjorden, and finally the Naeroyfjorden. That last segment is part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour, so you know it’s going to be pretty. There is a hotel in Gudvangen, and there are more a few miles further up the road.

Drive the winding road up to Voss. From there you can take the E16 straight to Bergen, or since this is a Norway fjord drive, you can take the scenic route along the Samlafjorden, an arm of the Hardangerfjorden, before you connect back with the highway to get into Bergen.

Make arrangements to drop the car off in Bergen, and visit that historic town. You can fly home from there.

The bridges and ferries are not cheap, so keep your credit card handy. All of Norway does tend to be expensive, so one way to economize is to picnic.and you can’t beat the scenery at the road side tables provided. Language is generally not a problem in most of Norway. English is a strong second language, and you will have no problem getting hotels and meals. Buying your tickets on the ferry can almost always be done in English.

A cruise along Norway’s Fjords is great, but you really will see a more intimate view of Norway by taking a fjord drive.

Tips For Long Flights

So are there any in-flight tips that help to make that long, long flight (in economy class, for most of us) more bearable?

When we talk to people about where we’ve been or where we’re going, we often hear something like, “I’d love to go there and see that, but I just can’t stand those long flights.” And sometimes they’re talking about flights that are only 4 to 5 hours long!

We have a friend in New York who worked for Qantas for years. She used to say that she didn’t like those “short flights”, that they didn’t give you time to set up housekeeping! She had made up her mind that since she was going to be taking long flights (10 to 15 hours) that she would enjoy them.

I think much of the time, whether you enjoy your flight or not depends on your state of mind. That goes for all of travel. If you look for the positive, that’s what you’ll find most of the time.

But let’s look at those long flights. What can you do, and what should you do to survive them.

The first in-flight tip you’ll read anywhere is drink lots of water and juices. I know, then you have to fight the lines for the toilets but drinking lots of water will keep you more hydrated in that dry aircraft cabin air. And you should be getting up and walking around every so often anyway.

Avoid drinking alcohol. I know, you’re on holiday, and maybe it helps you unwind. You may even think it helps you sleep, but the fact is it dehydrates you, and if you have too much, it disrupts your sleep. You may fall asleep at first, but then you’ll wake up and feel worse. If you want to celebrate your trip with a drink, limit it to one.

Do exercises in your seat. Almost all the airlines give you tips on these. Try them out. The exercises and the walks to the restrooms will help prevent deep vein thrombosis, you may have heard it called economy class syndrome. It’s rare, but you might as well do what you can to prevent it. Those exercises will make you feel better when you land anyway.

Try to sleep. Dress comfortably for your flight. Avoid tight fitting clothes. Use a mask and earplugs if that helps. Take one of those neck pillows if it will help you get more comfortable. Some people take sleeping pills or melatonin. Others just take over-the counter sleeping aids. I’m lucky. I’ve never had a problem sleeping on a plane.

Take a book or something to entertain yourself. Even if you do sleep, you’re not going to sleep for 10 or 15 hours. Airlines offer movies and music on their long flights. More and more offer movies on demand, so you can find something you like.

One last in-flight tip: we try to avoid caffeine until the end of the flight. Then we figure we’ll need a little boost to get us going through customs and get on with the trip. We’re always glad to get there too, but those long flights won’t keep us home!

Bergen, A Favourite Norwegian Town

We have to admit that Bergen is our one of our favourite towns in Norway. There is so much history there, and because the old centre seems so small and manageable.

Our most personal reason is because we have good travel buddies who have a summer hutte (a summer house) on nearby Varaldsoy Island in the middle of the Hardangerfjord. That’s relative of course – as the crow flies, it’s not far, but by narrow roads and two ferries, it’s a two hour drive. Still Bergen is the closest airport to fly into.

And what a great city. Its Norway’s second largest city, and it’s a city with a long history. It was Norway’s capital in the 12th and 13th centuries, and later it was a trading hub for the Hanseatic League. During that time it was probably the largest of all the towns in the Nordic countries because of shipping. Later it was one of the four most important trading stations of the Hanseatic merchants.

If you stick to the old centre, you’ll find it a completely charming city. The area in and around the harbor is attractive and easy to walk. Down one side of the waterfront you’ll find the Hanseatic Quarter which is called Bryggen. It’s the heart of the old town, and this is where you find the colourful buildings you always see in the tourist brochures. Roaming around in this part of town, you’ll really feel the history. Check out the Hanseatic Museum which is housed in a medieval merchant’s home with type furnishings representative of the era.

The wooden buildings in this quarter have burned down several times through the centuries, but they have always been rebuilt in the “old style”. The area is touristy and full of pricey little restaurants and boutiques, but it’s a fun place to stroll and cries out for you to use your camera.

The Fish Market, Torget i Bergen, is situated in the very heart of the city at the end of the harbor, but you won’t only find fish here. It’s full of vegetables, flowers and souvenirs. It’s colourful and camera friendly. For an affordable lunch buy some freshly boiled shrimp and eat on the waterfront.

For one of the best views of the city, take a ride up Mount Floyen in the Funicular, The Floybanen. You’ll only be 320 meters above sea level, but you can see a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding mountains and islands. The station is 150 meters from the Fish Market. The Funicular departs every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Picnic up here or take in the sunset.

This city is a good starting point for the Norway in a Nutshell fjord tours, especially if you want to try and make it a day tour. There are also coastal ships that depart from here and steam north along Norway’s scenic coast.

Bring a raincoat or an umbrella. There’s more than twice as much rain here as in Oslo. Our friends on Varaldsoy tell us they’ll have to spend the winter in Florida to work on a tan.

Like all of Norway, things tend to be expensive, but with so many areas to walk and so many free views, you shouldn’t feel the pinch too much. With all of this to see and do, you really should add Bergen to your travel wish list.

Explore Oslo, the capital of Norway

Oslo is one of those European capitals that is just far enough away that it may take you a while to visit it.

Far away from what? Well from the capitals popular with tour groups and tourists. As far as Nordic capitals, go Stockholm and Copenhagen are bigger, but you see, Norway’s capital called to me because Grampa was from Norway.

The Oslofjorden gives the city a beautiful backdrop. It is a pretty city. Yes, it’s an expensive city. It’s probably the most expensive of the Nordic capitals, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it off your travel wish list. Stroll beside the fjord, then get out on it, and you’ll soon think it’s worth the splurge.

See the Akershus Slott. This castle complex overlooking the Olsofjorden is an important and beloved symbol of medieval Oslo. It was originally built in 1300 as a fortress and royal residence. After a fire, it was rebuilt in 1527 as a royal Renaissance palace. It’s not the King’s residence now, but it is still used for state occasions. Tours are available in many languages including English.

For a look at where the current King and Queen live, visit Det Norske Kongehus. This palace is open to visitors only on occasion, and tickets must be purchased in advance. Stroll the Slottsparken, the castle park, and take in the afternoon changing of the guard. When the King is in residence, the Royal Guard band adds music to the pageant. A stroll in the park won’t cost you anything.

Nestled among university buildings is the National Gallery. There is Norwegian and European art here, but what everyone wants to see is “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. See the Radhuset, the City Hall, for more paintings and sculptures.

Take the T-Bane (the Metro) or a tram to Vigelandsparken, the sculpture park which contains the life’s work of Norway’s revered sculptor Gustav Vigeland. It’s in Frogner Park which is beautiful all by itself.

Explore more of Norway’s Viking history by taking a ferry to Bygdoy Island. You can see the Vikingskiphuset, The Viking Ship Museum. It contains three of the best preserved Viking ships. They were burial ships which were excavated from the Oslofjorden, and they are now exhibited in a specially built hall.

In a building nearby see the “Kon-Tiki”, the balsa raft that Thor Heyerdahl sailed on. For more sea-faring history see the “Fram”, the polar vessel that was used by the famed polar explorer Amundsen. The ship ventured father nroth and south an any other ship before it.

Also on Bygdoy is the Norsk Folkemuseum – The Norwegian Folk Museum. It’s an open air museum with buildings moved here from all over Norway. Some are old wooden buildings from medieval times. There is even an old Stave Church.

This far north, you’ll have the most sunlight for exploring in the summer when the day almost never ends. Walk and take public transportation to save money. By your beer at a grocery store and picnic in one of those great parks. Check out the Oslo Pass. A pass for 24, 48 or 72 hours covers your admission to museums and public transportation. You can get the pass at tourists offices, at City Hall, the Central Station, or the cruise ship terminal.

Strike out like the Vikings did and explore. I have a feeling Oslo will conquer your heart.

The Popular “Norway In A Nutshell”

Here’s a travel tip: take advantage of one of the the popular Norway in a Nutshell trips. The “Norway in a Nutshell” name is a registered trademark of the Fjord Tours.

Everyone starts in the cities, and you need to see Oslo and Bergen, but to really see Norway, you want to get out to the fjords.

We think the very best thing about Norway is the scenery. The fjords top our list, but you’ll love the mountains, the glaciers, the waterfalls. The first time we drove through Norway was in spring, and one thing I remember is all the waterfalls – they were everywhere. I kept thinking that this country just leaks.

Norway in a Nutshell gives you a great taste of all of that. This actually isn’t one set trip, its a series of well organized bus, train and ferry connections through Norway’s scenic fjord country.

The most basic Nutshell trip can take you round trip from Bergen in a day if that’s all you have. You leave Bergen early in the morning and take the train to Myrdal. The Bergen Railway is a high altitude one. Be prepared for beautiful windswept mountains, crystal glaciers, shimmering lakes and those waterfalls I talked about.

But that all just sets the stage for the Flam Railway. You get off one train in Myrdal and change to another. It’s less than 20 km but you wind down 850 m through even more spectacular scenery to the little village of Flam.

In Flam, you will connect with a sightseeing boat for your breathtaking view of the fjords. You’ll start up the Aurlandsfjord, a narrow arm at the end of the Sognefjord. Just as the waterway seems to be opening up, you will sail into the Naeroyfjord and end your two hour boat ride in Gudvangen.

The Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, and possibly its most famous fjord. These two narrow arms are on the most scenic part. In Gudvangen, you’ll leave the boat, and you’ll take a bus up to Voss, so you can catch a train from Voss back to Bergen.

You can make Norway in a Nutshell into a one way trip from Olso to Bergen or the reverse if you’d like. You can also choose to break the journey into two or three days rather than one long one racing from train to boat to bus to train.

You could break the journey in Flam and spend a day hiking or visiting the cute nearby village of Aurland.

You could use this as a round trip from Oslo and stop for a couple of days to see Bergen.

You can combine this with visits to other fjords like the Hardangerfjord or the Geirangerfjord. The Norwegian company Fjord Tours offers many different combinations – and any one of them will let you see Norway in a Nutshell.

Discover Affordable Oslo

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Scandinavian countries are expensive. Norway may just top the list.

So what can you do so you can afford to visit this picturesque and lively capital? For one thing, get outside. The Norwegians love outdoor activities. So join them and wander in Oslo’s parks for free.

Use public transportation not taxis. Start by getting the shuttle train in from the airport. You can buy a 24 hour pass for the public transportation system. You should also look into the Oslo Pass.

The Oslo Pass will give you free admission to more than 30 museums and attractions in Oslo as well as free public transportation and ferry rides for the duration of the pass. There are discounts on dining and shopping. It even includes a lunch cruise tour. How’s that for a free lunch! This is an all day tour by bus and boat that shows you the main sights around Oslo and includes a seafood buffet.

The Oslo Pass is offered in 24, 48 and 72 hour lengths. If you want to see as much as you can in two or three days, this is your ticket to affordable Oslo. You can buy the Oslo Pass online or when you get there. The card is valid from the time you stamp it at your first attraction or ride.

Oslo is a compact city, so it’s easy to get around to most sights by walking, and walking is certainly affordable. Wander Karl Johans Gate (Street). Admire the Norwegian Parliament, the University, and the Akerhus Castle. This is a good street to windowshop on, but since we’re looking for affordable Oslo, this is no place to be buying.

The National Gallery is free. You’ll want to go there to see Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and other major works. The museum is closed on Monday.

Visit the fish market. Laksen Fisk and Vilt. It’s a great place to get a cheap lunch. Pick up some smoked salmon, cooked fish or prawns. You can pick up some bread or lefse (Norwegian flat bread) from a bakery or supermarket. Affordable Oslo on a platter!

If you’re looking for a cheap meal in a restaurant, your best bet will be to go ethnic. Indian, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants are cheaper than those offering European fare. If you do want Norwegian fare, look for a restaurant called Dovrehallen. It serves up traditional and cheap Norwegian food… things like stews and boiled or fried fish. It’s a bit out of the way, a brisk walk from the Domkirch, but then you’d expect to have to look for a cheap restaruant in Oslo.

The Frogner Park and Vigeland Sulpture Park within it are free. Vigeland Park contains more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, and the park is pretty to walk in. You’ll be sharing it with lots of Norwegian families.

For small change by Norwegian standards, you can rent a sled and try the Korketrekkeren – The Cork Screw. The sled rental is 60 Kroners and you can sled down the bobsled run from the 1952 Winter Olympics.

Amble through the Royal Palace Park. Watch the Changing of the King’s Guard. It takes place everyday at 1:30 PM. The entire Changing of the Guard takes about 40 minutes.

Walk the waterfront and picnic. In short, do what the Norwegians do to make Oslo affordable!

Wear A Moneybelt For Peace Of Mind

When people ask us for travel advice the first thing we say is wear a moneybelt.  What kind of travel advice is that? We think it’s the best kind. Nothing will ruin a trip faster than to lose your passport and credit cards or cash. The best way to protect them is to wear a moneybelt.

We’ve seen leather belts with a little zipper in them and people ask how can you get anything in there? That’s not what we’re talking about. Travel moneybelts are small, zippered nylon pouches that you wear under your clothes. They’re usually about 12 cm x 30 cm. You wear them around your waist, either in the front or in the small of your back.

That little compartment is big enough to slip your passport in. Paper airplane tickets fit. You should put credit cards, debit cards, and your driver’s license in there. Once you’ve gotten cash from the ATM, keep just enough for one day in your wallet and put the rest in your moneybelt.

We use them anytime we go away from home for more than a day trip. When we’re traveling, we put them on when we get up in the morning, and we don’t have to worry… all those valuable documents are safely tucked away with us all day.

When you arrive in a foreign country, you’ve gone through passport control, then you’ve probably found an ATM for money. Now before you do anything else find a toilet. You can put that passport, ATM card and most of the money away in your moneybelt in privacy.

Don’t say you’ll put it away later. Wear a moneybelt now and use it. This is one time when you’re most vulnerable: You’re jet lagged, taking public transportation into town, juggling your luggage. You’re a prime target for a pickpocket. If you stop and tuck everything away, you’ll have greater peace of mind.

If you need more money or a credit card during the day, there will always be a toilet or a private corner where you can dip into your moneybelt safely. Once you’re done with your transaction, put your credit card back in your moneybelt.

Keep a good photocopy of your passport with you. Sometimes that will be enough to show to the hotel desk clerk. If they need your passport to register you, you can always get it out for them in a lobby restroom or in your hotel room and bring it down later.

We put the passports, money, and paper documents inside a plastic zip-lock bag. If you get hot and sticky, you might sweat through those money belts. The plastic bag protects your documents and money.

And here’s a story for you. We were in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. We had a wonderful two days observing chimps in the wild. As we were taking the boat trip back to Kigali to catch our flight, a storm sprang up over Lake Tanganyika. Waves started crashing on the beach where we were supposed to wade ashore.

We’ll cut out the drama here, and just tell you that my spouse ended up in the water. The good news is the airline tickets and passport were just fine because of that zip-lock bag.

There are neck pouches that some people prefer. Which ever style you use is up to you, but wear a moneybelt. It will give you peace of mind.

Avoiding Theft During Your Travels

People always ask us how we avoid theft when we travel?

I always say I’ll go almost anywhere, and that’s true. We do avoid the hot spots of the world, however. Still, people worry when they are planning a trip to a foreign place. They ask: Is it safe there? Aren’t there a lot of pickpockets?

And “there” could be any place from New York to Paris to Broken Hill to Antananarivo, Madagascar! What you have to do when you travel is to just always try to practice ways to avoid theft. Stay alert and be smart about your actions.

We had friends who were experienced travelers tell us about loosing their passport and driver’s license as well as their money in South America. She was carrying all of this in her purse. At dinner, she hung her purse over the back of her chair in a restaurant. At the end of dinner, she went to put her purse safely back around her neck, but it was gone.

She shouldn’t have hung her purse over the chair, but even more importantly, she shouldn’t have had all of her valuables in her purse! The first thing we tell people when they ask advice about traveling is to wear a money belt. One of those zippered nylon pouches that fits under your clothes. Keep your passport, most of your money, and credit cards in there. That way you won’t end up like my friend.

What else can you do to avoid theft? Try not to stand out. Don’t wear flashy clothes and jewelry. Rio de Janeiro is supposed to have lots of pickpockets. When we were there, we wore well-worn clothes and no jewelry. We did stand out from the bikini-clad beach crowd, but we weren’t targets. We read about a tourist who had been mugged and had his gold chains stolen.

After the first theft, he went and bought more gold chains and wore them to the beach. Know what happened? Of course you do, he had them stolen again. Why tempt thieves?

Be alert to pickpockets. They thrive in crowded places, but that’s not the only place they can strike. We were in an empty Paris metro station waiting for a train. We had just arrived, and we had our luggage with us. As the train came in, my partner said he’d get both suitcases. As soon as his hands were full, two men appeared out of no where and brushed up against him.

Well, my partner had his wallet in his front pocket, and he clamped his arms against his side. I yelled and asked them what they were doing in English since this was the “heat of the battle”. When they figured there was too much attention being called to them, and they weren’t going to get anything, they said, “Sorry, wrong platform.” In English!

We foiled a pickpocket trying to unzip our daypack in a crowded market in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We had nothing of value in that daypack, it was all in our moneybelts. Yelling at him sent him melting into the crowd, but it just goes to show, that even when you are alert, they can sneak up on you.

Don’t try to hide valuables at the pool or the beach. They’re better off in your hotel room. Don’t leave cameras and valuables lying around in your hotel room though, keep them locked away out of sight, locked in your bags, locked in the room safe, or locked in the hotel lobby safe. Hotel rooms are safe enough, but why provide temptation?

If you have a rental car, don’t leave maps and suitcases visible in the car. Don’t leave them in the car at all at night.

With a few common sense precautions and just staying alert, you should be able to avoid theft on your travels. It’s much better to enjoy one more afternoon sightseeing than is is to spend it reporting a theft.

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