#and i want to learn about stacking and deep sky photography so i can do it i really want to do it!!!

[southislandwren]

I know its because I'm hopped up on caffeine right now but my priorities are sooo fucked up right now. but also once I figure out what the hell bias and dark frames are its all over for you bitches

[dragons-in-spaceee]

hello friend. Take this as an invitation to rant about whatever you want :)

YAYYYYYY :)))

okay so this is completely non fandom related lol I just went on a deep (ish) dive the other day about astrophotography! So as you know I do take pictures of space but I’m like the absolute beginner of beginners lol. My current equipment is a tripod and a decent camera and that’s it for photography, so I wanted to see what I’d have to get or what other techniques I could use to progress further. The biggest problem is exposure time - you need a longer exposure to capture the light needed to show the details of such faint objects as nebulae and galaxies, but a longer exposure creates star trails due to the rotation of the earth (nooooo). Also a higher magnification emphasises star trails. There are two ways to combat this: one is time consuming, the other is expensive. The first way, the one I’m going to try first as i do not have money to spend currently, is to stack photographs. I’m going to have to look more into the specifics of how this works once I have the time to try, but essentially you take a lot of short exposures of the same object then layer them all together in the right software to effectively produce a photograph of a much longer exposure. Luckily for me there are at least two recommended softwares that are free (yay!!!) and seem to work well from what I’ve seen, so I’m going to give it a shot at some point. The main thing that seems complicated is apparently you have to have different types of shots to layer? Dark ones and light ones and all sorts so I’ve got more to learn. I will be relying on the Sky At Night astrophotography explainers for this! For the exposures I am aware of the 500 rule: you divide 500 by your focal length (amount of zoom) times the crop factor (intrinsic to the camera) to get the maximum length of exposure time without trailing. I currently go over this limit sometimes as I don’t mind a small amount of trailing, but if I want sharp photos for layering I’m going to have to pay it more heed, which unfortunately means a larger amount of exposures is required to create the final image. Anyway, the second way to combat star trails is to use a tracking mount - a motorised tripod that tracks the movement of the stars across the sky. These are stupidly fucking expensive but by god do I wish I had one as it means you can almost expose for as long as you like with zero trailing. At that point your enemy becomes keeping the contrast high so, as the Sky At Night magazine highly recommends, most people still stack photos and do editing even with a tracker, but again it is not necessary with a tracker if you get the right settings. Plus less photos to stack. Currently, my plan is to first try stacking with my current equipment, then long term to buy the following equipment: 1) a tracking addition for my telescope tripod, 2) an attachment for said tripod that allows my camera to sit on top instead (ie so then the tracker kills two birds with one stone), and finally 3) an adapter for my camera to attach to the telescope itself, essentially becoming one huge zoom lens. In total this could cost up to £1000 so this is very much long term goals but THINK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS I COULD TAKE!!!! For now, I’m waiting till the sun finally lessens its grasp on the sky and the nights darken again (as, I cannot emphasise how much it does NOT get dark AT ALL here in summer), then my targets will (probably) be the andromeda galaxy, Orion Nebula, and Pleiades for my first attempts at stacking!

[uncaaj]

Fanfic: Double Tap to Reconnect (DuckTales 2017)

READ NOW ON AO3!

Fethry Duck stretched out on his cushy lounger on his apartment’s balcony and scrolled past a tasty looking hamburger on his phone. That was a nice word- “his.” Before, it was uncle Scrooge’s mansion, Donald’s houseboat, uncle Scrooge’s deep sea laboratory. But this was Fethry’s domain with his pet krill, his safe chair, his electronic handheld window to the world at large, and that rolled off the tongue much better. Next picture to appear on said window was a scrumptious sushi boat, meticulously crafted and expertly captured. It was good enough to lick off his phone screen. All Fethry wanted to look at lately on Instapic was pictures of food. Like most of his obsessive interests, he was aware it would probably fade in time and be tucked away in the treasure trove of memories in the back of his mind but until then, he would double-tap every steak, every bowl of pasta, and every stack of pancakes he could discover. It was an endless mine of deliciousness to plunder, and an opportunity to meet such creative people.

Fethry sighed contentedly as the setting sun turned the sky orange in his peripheral vision. Time to think about dinner, and he was spoiled for choice swiping through the myriad of yummy things people were sharing. He licked his lips and scrolled past a fish and chips basket that was calling his name. The next picture caught his attention. It was meat, perfectly medium rare, with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. Shimmering pan gravy cascaded down the sides of the potatoes like an erupting volcano. It reminded him of his mama’s home cooking, right down to the gingham tablecloth under the plate. Fethry left a like and even felt compelled to comment. “I love it!” he wrote below the photo, “Reminds me of my ma’s cooking. Catch of the day, she’d call it!” 

As he sent the comment, he noticed the account name was “Whitewater.” He hummed to himself, his thoughts drifting again to his old family and to his brother, Abner. He tapped the account name and was whisked to its profile. The name above the account name was “Abner Duck.” Fethry gasped quietly. Was it really his brother? He hadn’t heard from him in so long. Instapic was the last place he thought he’d find Abner. He was as techno-phobic as a duck came. There wasn't even a profile picture. His profile read, “I’m still trying to learn this darn thing. Here there’s no-nonsense pictures of the great outdoors. Hope someone out there likes them.” Straight to the point, like an ax against a tree trunk. Good ol’ Abner. The grid of pictures did indeed match the description. Lots of trees, bark formations, wildlife, and even some food photography like he’d seen earlier filled this virtual portfolio. It was all so beautifully taken too. He always remembered Abner carrying around a Polaroid when he was a kid. He could picture a well-loved film camera with one lens sitting on Abner’s mantle today, ready to capture the world at a moment’s notice.

A notification dinged on Fethry’s phone. Whitewater had replied to his comment. “Learned it from my mama too. Catch of the day, she called it, on account of we cooked whatever pa brought home that day.”

Fethry smiled like he was seven years old again. Either this was a really eerie coincidence or this was the first time he’d spoken to his brother in almost 20 years.

Another reply came. “Your name says you’re Fethry Duck. Is that true? I know my coworkers says I can’t trust any ol Joe on this inter-website thing, but are you Fethry?”

Fethry bounced in his chair. He was giddy now. “I’ll DM you,” he replied, then headed back to Abner’s profile and tapped the message button.

A notification appeared. “DM? What’s that mean? You’ll do no such thing!”

“Relax,” he typed into the DM board, shaking his head. “it stands for Direct Message. It means I can talk to you in private.” He sent it. Part of him hoped he didn’t just scare Abner off the platform.

He laid back and sighed when the three little dots popped up on screen. “Oh,” was the simple reply. Then came, “I’m still trying to learn this thing.”

“You’re doing great, really. Your pictures are fantastic!”

“Thanks. Been taking them all my life. Some young gun at the logging plant suggested I put them up on here and he helped me make this account and got me started. I’m still wary about it but I like seeing my photos give people joy.”

“I can see why you wanted to live out there in the woods. It looks so peaceful.”

“Just a duck and nature. Like it should be. Where a man can be a man.”

There was a pause. Fethry was thinking up a reply to get the flow going again but as his thumbs neared the screen, those three little dots reappeared. Abner was gonna go ahead.

“It’s been years, hasn’t it, little brother?” Abner replied.

Fethry thought of typing, “What happened to not trusting anyone on the internet?” but he’d probably get a snippy remark, so he wrote, “Sure has. Never thought I’d see you on Instapic.”

“The company gifted us all smartyphones in honor of the town finally getting reception. I weren’t too thrilled about it, but I’ll admit it’s nice to be able to ring my coworkers on a moment’s notice.”

“You’ll never want to go back to life without it, I guarantee.”

“Whatever you say, City boy.”

“Just wait ‘til you discover Clik-Clok.”

“Oh, I seen some young fellers dancing into their phones on lunch break. Is that what that is?”

“Pretty much.”

“Sometimes I wonder if getting reception was a blessing or a curse. I don’t want this turning my little town for the worse.”

Maybe it was time to pivot topics. Fethry knew Abner could go on for hours with his tirades about how he thought people should live. “Can I ask you a favor, if I may?” he texted.

“Sure. Shoot.”

“Can you send me a selfie?”

A moment passed, then, “A what?”

Fethry chuckled. It seemed a new cell tower in the woods didn’t bring the lingo with it. “Take a photo of yourself with your phone’s camera. I wanna see what you look like.” There weren’t any pictures of Abner’s face on his profile, and the one photo he still had around was from his high school graduation.

“I ain’t never used my phone’s camera. That’s what I have a camera for.”

“But this is quicker. If you need me to help, I can.”

“Don’t bother. I was taught already.”

A moment passed, then a photo was dropped into the feed. Fethry tapped it to enlarge it. He couldn’t believe how much older Abner looked. He still had his messy, scraggly hair with the buzzed sides from high school, and the same resting pout, bushy eyebrows pointed slightly downwards. There were deep lines in his forehead and his square jaw carried some stubble. Every muscle showed through his brick red plaid flannel and Fethry could’ve sworn he was more built with the years.

“I ain’t look too ugly, do I?” came Abner’s next message.

“You look great, bro,” Fethry replied. “The mountains have treated you well.”

“Looks like the ocean did the same for you.”

Another pause in the conversation. Abner was likely scrolling through Fethry’s gallery. He started it after he resurfaced and like McDuck Undersea Labs, he sunk all his time and effort for the next week into scanning and uploading old Polaroids he had taken to pass the time between mopping the floors, dusting the shelves, and staring into the abyss. It was the only connection he had down there to life, to something, until those little Donalds showed up one day and brought him back to a world that had continued to go on.

It was a beautiful world as had been clearly demonstrated underwater, but coming back into it all after years below the surface was rough at first. Fethry mostly felt everything had moved on without him, had left him behind. But things were okay now. He had reconnected with Scrooge and his cousins, who apologized profusely after a good talking to from Huey. Fethry was determined now to experience the world fully from here on out. Trying new things, gaining new perspectives, there wasn’t anything he didn’t have an interest in. The ocean was fun, but this was much better.

Fethry messaged him again. “You oughta come down to Duckburg and visit. I just got my own place and it would be really cool to see you again.”

Would he accept though? Abner was always wary of people that weren’t his immediate family. But if he was getting along well with his coworkers, maybe there was a chance he would brave the city.

“It has been ages, little brother,” Abner messaged back. “I think I’d like that.”

Oh, how the new life of Fethry Duck was shaping up to be a grand one.

[charllieeldridge]

20 Essential Travel Items Everyone Should Pack

Every year there are new travel gadgets and gear upgrades coming on the market. A quick “travel” search on Amazon will almost always lead to 10 or 15 purchases. But not all of these travel items are worth packing and while some of them may seem cool, you’ll never actually use them.

After travelling for over 10 years with nothing more than a 40-liter backpack, we’ve learned to really minimize our travel gear and only pack the best (and necessary) travel items.

But that’s not to say we don’t have a few luxury items in our bags. There are some things in our packs that you’ve most likely never heard of, and others that are more common.

In this article, I’m going to list 20 essential travel items we have in our bags. These are items that we couldn’t travel without and we don’t think you should either!

Note: The most important thing you travel with is your backpack itself. Don’t miss our buyer’s guide for the best travel backpacks of the year and make sure your pack does everything you want it to.

1. Handpresso (for coffee fanatics!)

We absolutely love the Handpresso, a compact, hand pump espresso machine. As coffee lovers who aren’t crazy about brewed coffee (we only like espresso), this is one travel item that we wouldn’t leave home without.

Simply pump it 30 times, add hot water and a pod of your favourite coffee and voilà, you’ve got the perfect cup of espresso. For budget travellers who find themselves ordering lattes at coffee shops every day, the Handpresso can be an enormous money saver.

Just think about it.

One large latte at Starbucks is around $3.65. We purchase a bag of ground espresso coffee at the grocery store for just $4.50 (or less) and that bag makes around 40 cups of coffee. Add a bit of milk and we calculate that we’re not paying more than 15 cents per latte.

Aside from the money savings, we just love this little pump.

We purchase delicious ground beans from all over the world. Colombian dark roast in Colombia, rich Java from Indonesia and tasty espresso from Italy. We wake up every morning and instead of walking to a coffee shop or conglomerate, we make lattes right in our accommodation and drink them on our deck.

If you love espresso, then you should travel with a Handpresso pump. The only real downside to them is that they’re quite heavy at around 800 grams. Even though we only travel with 40 liters, we still find space for this essential travel item.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR HANDPRESSO ON AMAZON

Bonus Hack: Pick up a boil coil on Amazon as well. This handy little gadget can boil water in minutes and is super compact. If you don’t have a kettle, simply plug it in and add it to a cup of water and you can have boiling hot coffee in no time. The boil coil is also great for tea, cooking a cup of noodles or even for making hard-boiled eggs.

UPDATE 2020: A lot of people are now using the Aeropress coffee machine for travelling. While we are still happy using the Handpresso, you may want to compare this to the Aeropress and see which is best for you. It’s definitely lighter, but does it make better coffee? Having used both now, I still think that Handpresso has it beat but it’s up to you.

2. Zipper Cubes

We still swear by these things. They keep your bag organized and ensure that everything is compressed down so that you can pack more in your bag than you would by just rolling clothes and stuffing them inside.

mesh packing cubes

We purchased Eagle Creek Zipper Cubes and they’re incredibly durable. We’ve had them since 2010 and we’ve packed them so tight that we’ve had to kneel on them and pull on the zippers just to do them up. To this day, the zippers have held up and they’re still working like new.

There are a lot of these brands on the market, but the only ones we’ve ever used are Eagle Creek and we know that they’re incredibly durable. This is one of the best travel items to have, no matter your style — backpack, or suitcase, these cubes keep everything organized.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR PACKING CUBES ON AMAZON

3. A Drone

When we first bought our DJI Phantom 3 back in 2014, drones were mostly reserved for professional videographers, vloggers and bloggers who wanted aerial photography. These days, drones have become smaller, more durable and easier to fly.

We’ve upgraded to the DJI Spark, which is so tiny that it can pretty much fit into any backpack or luggage. It comes with a hard foam case to keep it protected and it takes great videos and photos. If you like to get unique photos while you’re travelling, then this thing is perfect.

It sets up in minutes, can be flown using just a smartphone and has a bunch of cool features like follow me, hand gestures and point of interest. The drone can be flown by a 12-year-old and DJI has made it very simple to get excellent cinematic shots.

If you’re a blogger, I definitely recommend picking one of these up. At just $399 you really can’t go wrong. But even if you’re not a blogger, these small drones are perfect for getting cool video clips and beautiful photos from the sky while you’re travelling.

DJI recently released the Mavic Mini drone which is a definite replacement for the Spark. With a 2.7K camera, enhanced Wifi and a 3-axis gimbal all for the same price as the Spark — I’ll definitely be upgrading to the Mavic Mini as soon as possible!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DJI DRONE ON AMAZON

4. Portable Charger (Power Bank)

Believe it or not, we didn’t travel with a power bank until mid-2017. I really don’t know how we did it. iPhones and other devices barely last a day, so we were always walking around with electronics that were completely dead and useless.

Today we travel with 3 different portable chargers, in 3 different sizes for different situations.

There’s no need to take out the heavy power bank if you’ll only be gone for the day, and the smallest one we have only charges the iPhone to 50%, so we only use that one if we’re running out the door and we realize our phones are dead.

This portable charger by Rav Power has 3 outputs, is compatible with the new iPhones, and charges most smartphones for 6 times with one charge! We personally use this TP-Link power bank, but the Rav Power is higher rated, more affordable and offers more charges. 

Of course, these portable chargers aren’t just for smartphones. You can charge tablets, cameras, and anything that uses a USB to charge.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A PORTABLE CHARGER ON AMAZON

Finally, we pack the Travel Card. This thing is about the size of two credit cards stacked on top of each other, but it doesn’t hold much charge. If we’re lucky, it’ll give the iPhones a 50% charge, but we can only usually rely on it for around 35%. Still, it’s great if we just need a quick boost in battery and don’t want to carry around anything heavy.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE TRAVELCARD ON THEIR WEBSITE

Note: Travelling with carry-on luggage makes flying a lot less stressful. To figure out whether or not your luggage will meet the restrictions of the airline you’re flying with, check out this carry-on size chart which shows the allowance of 170+ airlines. 

5. Noise Cancelling Earbuds

I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about surrounding “noise cancellation” until I tried on a pair of Bose QuietComfort 20 Noise Cancelling Earbuds. These things are super comfortable and they actually cancel out most noise from around the room or airplane.

The best part is that you don’t have to actually listen to music in order to cancel out the noise. You can simply put in the earbuds and turn on the noise cancellation feature and the earbuds will scan the audio climate in the room and counteract any noise by sending the opposite signal into your eardrum.

They work like a charm and really need to be heard to be believed. Oh, and they’re Bose, so you know they sound amazing when they’re playing music.

Another option if you’re looking for a Bluetooth option (and if you’re an Apple fan), are the Apple Airpods Pro. We have a pair each, and these noise-canceling Bluetooth earbuds are great for working out, listening to Podcasts and chatting on the phone — minus the annoying cord that gets in the way.  

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR BOSE EARBUDS ON AMAZON

6. Laser Lite Ear Plugs

Continuing on the theme of blocking out unwanted sound, I wouldn’t travel without a good set of earplugs. When I have the opportunity to order my favourites from Amazon, I always choose Laser Lite Foam Ear Plugs.

They’re soft, comfortable and block out the most sound possible without hurting your ears. You can pick up a pack of 200 of them for just over $20 and they’re worth every penny. To get the most out of them, you’ll have to pinch them down and insert them into your ear, and then let them expand deep within the canal.

Earplugs are an essential travel item for anyone — dogs barking, music blaring, fireworks going off, loud traffic, people partying…it all happens when you’re trying to sleep!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR EAR PLUGS ON AMAZON

7. Good Compact Camera

Every traveller needs to carry a good pocket camera, although these days, it’s pretty amazing what iPhones can do!

If you want to take some better photos and great videos while you’re travelling, without packing the size and weight of a full DSLR or mirrorless, then I recommend the Canon G7x Mark II.

This camera has some incredible features, takes great photos (when not in Auto mode), and produces some of the best videos of any camera in its class. Canon has now updated this camera to the G7X III but be careful. A lot of users are complaining about bad focusing and overheating.

If you’re not a Canon fan, then you may want to go with the Lumix LX10. This one outdoes the G7x II with 4K video and rack focusing photography, meaning you can take the photo now, and decide where to focus later. A great feature that’s definitely worth the money. Also, the LX-10 has a Leica lens which promises clearer, more crisp photos.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR LX10 ON AMAZON

Having used the G7x Mark II for over a year, I can say it’s an excellent camera and I highly recommend it — especially for videos. 

Another option and a camera that we recently upgraded to is the Sony RX100 VII, which has excellent retina focus, an external mic port, and takes great photos. 

Bonus Hack: Both the G7x II and the LX10 lack an external mic port. If you plan to do any video with these cameras, the built-in mics sound terrible when there’s even the slightest bit of wind. The solution is to pick up a small mic muff, cut out a piece and glue it over the built-in mic at the top of the camera. The sound becomes less tinny and the mic works amazingly well in windy conditions.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR G7X MARK II ON AMAZON

8. Lems Shoes

I can’t speak highly enough about these amazing travel shoes. Nick’s Lems Shoes have lasted him for over four years and he wears them quite a bit.

They’re extremely comfortable, can be used in place of dress shoes and running shoes in most cases and the best part is that they roll up into a ball for easy packing.

Without a doubt these are the best shoes Nick has ever owned and if they ever wear out, he’ll buy another pair right away. For men and women, these are simply the best travel shoes on the market.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE MEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE WOMEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

9. Ziploc Bags

Not only do these plastic baggies take up virtually no room in your suitcase and weigh nothing, but they have a variety of uses, making them one of the best travel items.

If you’re listening to music at the beach, these bags are a great way to keep sand out of your speakers or phone. If you’re hiking through the rain, putting your electronics in Ziplocs is a great way to protect them.

Use a Ziploc to keep your electronics safe when you’re near water, to keep cords from tangling together in your luggage, to keep small gels or lotions from spilling all over your bag, and, of course, to pack snacks.

We wouldn’t travel without them.

10. Bluetooth Speakers

Everyone these days travels with Bluetooth speakers. When you’re getting ready to go out for the night or just chilling on your beach hut patio looking out at sunset, having a bit of music playing in the background can really set the mood.

Not just any Bluetooth speakers will do either. You’ll want to have a nice mix of durability and excellent sound. We currently have the JBL Flip 5 Speakers, which are fully waterproof. If you’re looking for affordable Bluetooth speakers in 2020 these are my top choice. 

The JBL speakers are fairly lightweight, durable and affordable. 

We’ve brought them to the beach numerous times and didn’t worry about them getting wet or sandy. Plus, we use them when listening to music, and when watching shows on TV.

If I was going for pure sound quality and didn’t care about weight and size, I would go with the Soundlink Mini II Limited Edition.

They’re still small enough that you can travel with them, but at a pound and a half they’re quite heavy, plus they cost around $200. If you don’t mind the extra half pound in weight and don’t care about waterproofing, they’re probably your best bet for sound quality.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR JBL SPEAKERS ON AMAZON

11. Portable Doorstop (or Doorstop Alarm)

Safety is probably one of your biggest concerns when traveling.

Something that takes up as little room as a doorstop can provide you that added layer of security — especially if you’re staying in a hostel or other location that doesn’t conform to typical security practices.

While this standard doorstop prevents entry into a room, a doorstop alarm like this one emits sounds of 120 decibels – quickly drawing you from your slumber!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DOORSTOPS ON AMAZON

12. Locks

While we’re on the subject of security, don’t forget to take a lock (or two). These little devices will come in handy when it comes to hostel lockers, gym lockers, and even your check-in baggage.

Be sure your locks are TSA approved so they don’t have to be cut if your luggage needs to be opened during the screening process. (TSA-approved locks can be opened by security officers using a master key.)

Pro Tip: A key lock gives you one more thing to lose (or forget!). Use a code lock, instead.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR TRAVEL LOCKS ON AMAZON

13. Plug Adapter (and maybe a converter)

Before you leave, save yourself a world of frustration by checking to see whether you’ll need a plug adapter (if you’re traveling to a country where the electrical sockets are shaped differently) or a voltage converter (if your destination uses different voltages and electrical frequencies).

Chargers for devices like smartphones and laptops are typically compatible with both North American and European frequencies — but don’t take this for granted. Be sure to check the fine print on every adapter before plugging it in, or you run the risk of damaging your device. 

Pro Tip: A universal adapter like this one enables you to charge your electronics in hundreds of countries around the world — and offers dual USB ports.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR ADAPTERS ON AMAZON

14. Wet Wipes

Wet wipes are great for sanitizing a questionable room, wiping down your area on an airplane, cleaning up when you don’t have access to soap and water, and even spot-cleaning your clothes. Plus, they have no trouble getting through airport security!

These sanitizing wipes are also very handy when you’re out hiking or trekking on a hot day, or if you’re in the dusty desert and you want a quick “bath”.

These have been an essential travel item in our packs for many years now — once you travel with them, you’ll wonder how you ever did without. 

15. Diva Cup

This one is just for the ladies!

When travelling around the world, having your period can be more difficult than it is at home. If you can believe it, tampons are hard to come by in many countries, often there are no garbage cans in the bathrooms, and in many places, you can’t flush anything down the toilet.

This is where the Diva Cup comes in. This silicone menstrual cup can be worn for 8+ hours (great for long travel days), and it won’t take up a ton of space in your pack, as bulky tampons do. It’s easy to use and easy to clean.

But the best part? It’ll save you money and is great for the environment. I highly recommend it. 

☞ SEE ALSO: Pills, Paps and Periods – How To Handle Female Health While On The Road  

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE DIVA CUP ON AMAZON

16. Reuseable Bottle and Steri-Pen

While we’re on the topic of being responsible travellers, unless you’re drinking glacier water, or are travelling in a developed country, most likely you won’t be able to drink the tap water in the destination you’re visiting.

Purchasing bottled water is a must, but what happens to all of the empty bottles afterward? Just think of the amount of garbage you are producing while travelling abroad, especially for an extended period of time.

Instead, bring a reusable bottle and a Steri-Pen.

When we’re living somewhere for a month or so, we always purchase one of those 18L bottles of water and just fill up our glasses/bottles as needed. If we’re just travelling, we try to always bring a reusable bottle and fill it up wherever drinking water is available.

Stopping for a water break while trekking Torres del Paine in Chile

In Mexico, almost every business and hostel had a jug of drinking water for customers and guests. In other parts of the world, something like a Steri-Pen to clean and sterilize the water, or using water purification tablets is a good idea.

No matter where you are, try to find a way to avoid drinking water from disposable bottles.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A REUSABLE BOTTLE ON AMAZON

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A STERI-PEN ON AMAZON

17. Travel Clothes

When trying to keep your luggage weight and size to a minimum, you’ll want to pack clothing that’s versatile and lightweight, yet is comfortable. 

I’ve owned Prana clothing now for 6 years. Initially, I’d been looking for new hiking pants, that would be stretchy, soft and (most importantly) not stick to my legs in the humidity of tropical destination. The Halle Pant is perfect for that.

Even if you’re not trekking or hiking, this pant is a good choice for travel days. While I always wear them for multi-day hikes, I also always wear them on flight days because they’re so comfortable — and stylish.

Prana has a wide range of chillin’ out, loose pants that you could wear while exploring cities, riding on buses, doing yoga, or just hanging out on the beach in the evenings. They also have many lightweight shirts and clothing for adventurers.

Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – wearing Prana pants

They’ve been around for 22 years now and have to be the most ethical clothing company I’ve ever found. They focus on giving back to the earth, rather than taking, and are very conscious regarding the usage of water, energy, and chemicals during manufacturing.

Their apparel is made from organic cotton and recycled materials while avoiding the use of harmful toxins and chemicals. Many of their clothes are also Fair-Trade Certified! In my opinion, Prana clothes are a travel essential. 

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR CLOTHES ON PRANA.COM

18. A Pillowcase

This is a simple one. We always pack a pillowcase each. 

Why? 

If a pillowcase is “pilly”, or if there’s a question as to the cleanliness of it, it’s nice to know you have your own that you can slide on!

Plus, if you’re trekking or trying to sleep on a long bus ride, you can stuff the pillowcase with some clothing and create a makeshift pillow. 

19. First-Aid Kit

When it comes to medicine and first aid items, the more offtrack you’ll be, the more items you should pack. For a regular holiday, you should still have these essential medical travel items in your bag: 

Band-aids (plasters)

Antibiotic/antiseptic lotion for cuts and scrapes (ie: Polysporin)

Ibuprofen/Paracetamol or some sort of painkiller & fever reducer (Tylenol, Advil, Panadol, etc.)

Pills for nausea/indigestion/diarrhea/upset stomach (ie: something with Bismuth: Pepto-Bismol)

Cold & flu pills (ie: Benylin, Benadryl, Tylenol, etc.)

Sore throat lozenges

Antihistamine (for allergic reactions to anything from hay-fever to bug stings).

Vaseline

Immune boosters (we like oil of oregano and ginger)

Tweezers, nail clippers, and safety pins (for splinters, ingrown nails, blisters, etc.)

Hand sanitizer 

20. Travel Towel

We’ve travelled with a travel towel since our very first trip in 2008. If you choose to sleep in hostels, guesthouses or huts, oftentimes towels won’t be provided, or they charge a security deposit to rent them.

Travel towels are thin, lightweight, super absorbing and microbial (meaning they won’t smell!).

They have more uses than simply drying off after a shower — you can bring them to the beach, to waterfalls, use them as a blanket for a picnic, sit on them on a dirty seat, create shade at the beach, etc.

We have the MSR Pack Towel, which has been going strong since 2011!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A TRAVEL TOWEL ON AMAZON

21. Bonus: Essential Travel Gear for Pets

Travelling with a pet? Make sure you grab these essentials. Don’t forget to bring immunizations records, a suitable crate, and a blanket if your pet is cleared to sit on your lap. Always bring a few treat options, a chew toy, and waste bags just in case!

If you have an emotional support animal and flying within the US, you should be able to carry your ESA in-flight according to the Air Carrier Access Act.

Most airlines require these things: ESA letter from your Licensed Mental Health Professional, pet health form signed by your veterinarian, and a behavioral form. You can learn more about emotional support animals and the air carrier access act here.

Now You Know The Best Travel Items

It’s amazing how a well-packed bag can help make travel more enjoyable. Packing the right gear can save you time and money, make for a nice ambiance and keep you comfortable on the road.

Make sure you check out our packing lists: The Ultimate Packing List For Full-Time Travellers, Travel Packing List for Men,  and our Travel Packing List For Women for more great packing ideas.

What are your favourite travel items? Surely you have some things in your bags that you wouldn’t travel without. Share with us in the comments below and if we really like it, we’ll add it to this post! Thanks to Shutterstock.com for providing many of the images in this article.

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  The post 20 Essential Travel Items Everyone Should Pack appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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[cecphotos]

Astro Photography Workshop 1 on 1

All night in field Astro Photography Workshop 1 on 1. This workshop focuses on the techniques to capture stars and the milky way. *Does not include post processing

Spend a night under the stars learning the techniques to capture them beautifully.  We will spend the evening to practicing composition and refinded capture techniques.  The goal of this workshop is to teach you solid fundamentals and advanced capture techniques that take your astro astrophotography the next level.  Whether a weekend shutterbug wanting to capture the night sky or an aspiring professional looking to capture more professional images, this workshop is sure help you on your way to your goals.  I look forward to spending a night amongst the stars sharing my shooting techniques and much more with you.  I hope you'll join me for an adventure.

Where?

Location is up to you.  I am open to your compositional desires or I am willing to suggest a good location based on composition, timing of the year, weather and workshop goals.  I do require that we go no further than 4 hours from Los Angeles, CA or other arrangements would be made.  If you'd like to do something outside that are or would like to arrange a destination workshop contact me at info@chrisewencrosby.com

When?

As my availability will provide.  Stars and the milky way are best seen at times surround a new moon or when no moon is visible.  Contact me at info@chrisewencrosby.com for availability and timing

What's Covered?

Camera and settings

I will make sure that your camera is set up for optimal performance.  Please not that this is not a photo 101 course and you should understand your camera's functions prior to the workshop.  I recommend bringing your camera's user manual to be safe if you aren't sure.

We will discuss what settings are best for capturing astrophotography and what factors there are.

Exposure

Understanding the exposure triangle with ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.

Finding the right exposure for your shot.

Composition

I will guide you to what makes a great astrophotography capture and how to better compose your shots to create interesting and eye grabbing images.

Stacking for focus and exposure

These are some of my intermediate to advanced techniques that I will show you to help bring greater detail, depth of field and less noise to your captures

Planning

Planning your Milky Way shots around the Milky Way Movement, moon cycles, light pollution and locations.

Planning your capture so you have all the things you'll need in post to make a stunning image.

Lighting

While I'm not a huge fan of artificial lighting of my shots, sometimes it can be useful.  I will show you many methods of lighting your milky way photos to highlight key foreground objects and add detail as well

Etiquette

Part of being a member of the astro community is having good etiquette and consideration of others while shooting.

Pre Workshop .PDF

All attendees receive my pre workshop .PDF with all the essential information for astrophotography so you'll be familiar with it before the workshop.  It also serves as a great reminder of the things we covered during the workshop.

What do I need to bring?

A DSLR or Mirrorless camera body that has Manual mode capabilities. If you have never used your camera, please bring your user manual.  I am advanced with Canon gear and only familiar with newer Sony and Nikon camera bodies.

A wide angle lens within the range of 10mm-35mm and an aperture of at least f/2.8 is recommended.  We will also cover shooting with narrower focal lengths as well.

A sturdy tripod with appropriate mounting gear for your camera

A headlamp with red light capabilities.  Keep in mind that bright lights are damaging to low light photography.  I often use only my cell phone screen to light my camera or while moving around.

Memory cards and batteries. Double check your bag!

An intervalometer or remote shutter will be necessary for exposures longer than 30 seconds.

Appropriate clothing and shoes.  Location and weather can vary with location and time of the year.  I'll be sure to suggest appropriate clothing for the location we choose.

Food!  I will not provide any food during the workshop.  I suggest planning ahead and bringing enough food, snacks, and water to get you through the evening.

A fold out chair.  We will be standing for quite some time, if you are worried about standing for long times please bring a fold out chair to sit in between shots or while you wait for an exposure.  There should be rocks near by to rest on as well.

Any medication that you may need.  If you are in need of medication or are taking prescriptions make sure to bring it with you.  

A good attitude.  Please come out with a positive mind ready to experience the night sky and open to learning new techniques. 

What's not included?

Accommodations

No accommodation will be provided at this workshop.  Because we are shooting so deep into the night you might get tired, I know I will.  Plan ahead and find accommodations close to our chosen location or plan to camp.  Driving tired is dangerous and possibly deadly.

Transportation

No transportation will be provided to, from or during the workshop.

Food/Water

No Food, Water, Refreshments or any other type of food will be provided during the workshop.  Please make sure you bring everything that you'll need during the workshop.  I recommend you bring lots of water, snacks, energy drinks to get you through the night.

Equipment

No equipment will be available or provided at this workshop.  Please make sure you own, borrow, or rent the right equipment before you arrive.  I recommend that you have a DSLR or Mirrorless camera body that has Manual mode capabilities and a 10-35mm equivalent lens with a minimum aperture of 2.8.  If you aren't sure about equipment contact me at info@chrisewencrosby.com and I will help make sure you have what is required.

Post Processing

No Post Processing will be given during the workshop.  I will discuss how our capture techniques translate into editing techniques, however no in depth instruction will be given at the workshop.   

An e-mail will follow all purchases with contact info, detailed schedule and any other details.  

***This workshop will not include post processing but there will be a discussion as to why we use capture methods to improve the post processing and overall image.  Detailed guidance on post processing will be given through an editing workshop found on the main workshop page and sold separately.  

For questions please reach out to me at info@chrisewencrosby.com

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

10 Essential Travel Items Everyone Should Pack in 2018

Every year there are new travel gadgets and gear upgrades coming on the market. A quick “travel” search on Amazon will almost always lead to 10 or 15 purchases. But not all of these travel items are actually worth packing and some of them may seem cool, but you’ll never actually use them.

After travelling for nearly 10 years with nothing more than a 40 liter backpack, we’ve learned to really minimize our travel gear. But that’s not to say we don’t have a few luxury items in our bags. There are some things in our packs that you’ve most likely never heard of, and others that are common, but we feel they should be obligatory for long-term travel.

In this article I’m going to list 10 of the best things we have in our bags, as well as some things we’re planning to buy in 2018. These are items that we couldn’t travel without and we don’t think you should either!

Note: The most important thing you travel with is your backpack itself. Don’t miss our buyers guide for the best travel backpacks of the year and make sure your pack does everything you want it to.

1. Handpresso

We absolutely love the Handpresso, a compact, hand pump espresso machine. As coffee lovers who aren’t crazy about brewed coffee (we only like lattes), this is one travel item that we wouldn’t leave home without.

Simply pump it 30 times, add hot water and a pod of your favourite coffee and voilà, you’ve got the perfect cup of espresso. For budget travellers who find themselves ordering lattes at coffee shops everyday, the Handpresso can be an enormous money saver.

Just think about it. One large latte at Starbucks is around $3.65. We purchase a bag of ground espresso coffee at the grocery store for just $4.50 and that bag makes around 40 cups of coffee. Add a bit of milk and we calculate that we’re not paying more than 15 cents per latte.

If a person who normally orders 1 large latte from Starbucks every day, decided to use Handpresso instead, they’d potentially save up to $105 per month on coffee. That’s enough to pay for the Handpresso Pump itself!

Aside from the money savings, we just love this little pump. We purchase delicious ground beans from all over the world. Colombian dark roast in Colombia, rich Java from Indonesia and tasty espresso from Italy. We wake up every morning and instead of walking to a coffee shop or conglomerate, we make lattes right in our rooms and drink them on our deck.

If you love espresso, then you should travel with a Handpresso pump. The only real downside to them is that they’re quite heavy at around 800 grams. Even though we only travel with 40 liters, we still find space for this essential item.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR HANDPRESSO ON AMAZON

Bonus Hack: Pick up a boil coil on Amazon as well. This handy little gadget can boil water in minutes and is super compact. Simply plug it in and add it to a cup of water and you can have boiling hot coffee in no time. The boil coil is also great for tea, cooking a cup of noodles or even for making hard boiled eggs.

2. Zipper Cubes

We still swear by these things. They keep your bag organized and ensure that everything is compressed down so that you can pack more in your bag than you would by just rolling clothes and stuffing them inside.

mesh packing cubes

We purchased Eagle Creek Zipper Cubes and they’re incredibly durable. We’ve had them since 2010 and we’ve packed them so tight that we’ve had to kneel on them and pull on the zippers just to do them up. To this day, the zippers have held up and they’re still working like new.

There are a lot of these brands on the market, but the only ones we’ve ever used are Eagle Creek and we know that they last.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR PACKING CUBES ON AMAZON

3. DJI Spark

When we first bought our DJI Phantom 3 back in 2014, drones were mostly reserved for professional videographers, vloggers and bloggers who wanted arial photography. These days, drones have become smaller, more durable and easier to fly.

The DJI Spark is so tiny that it can pretty much fit into any backpack or luggage. It comes with a hard foam case to keep it protected and it takes great videos and photos. If you like to get unique photos while you’re travelling, then this thing is perfect.

It sets up in minutes, can be flown using just a smartphone and has a bunch of cool features like follow me, hand gestures and point of interest. The drone can be flown by a 12 year old and DJI has made it very simple to get excellent cinematic shots.

If you’re a new blogger, I definitely recommend picking one of these up. At just $400 you really can’t go wrong. But even if you’re not a blogger, the DJI Spark is perfect for getting cool video clips and beautiful photos from the sky while you’re travelling.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DJI SPARK ON AMAZON

4. Power Bank

Believe it or not, Dariece and I didn’t travel with a power bank until mid-2017. I really don’t know how we did it. iPhones and other devices barely last a day, so we were always walking around with electronics that were completely dead and useless.

Today we travel with 3 different power banks, in 3 different sizes for different situations. There’s no need taking out the heavy power bank if you’ll only be gone for the day, and the smallest one we have only charges the iPhone to 50%, so we only use that one if we’re running out the door and we realize our phones are dead.

The first power bank we have is the TP-Link Power Bank (pictured above) which has 20,100 mAH, enough to fully charge our iPhone 6s Plus 3 times over (nowhere near 6.5 times as the manufacturer claims).

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A POWER BANK ON AMAZON

Our second powerbank is the Mi 10000 Power Bank. It’s half the size of the TP-Link, and this one fits in our pocket and charges the iPhone 6s Plus about 1.5 times.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR MI 10000 POWER BANK ON AMAZON

Finally we pack the Travel Card. This thing is about the size of two credit cards stacked on top of each other, but it doesn’t hold much charge. If we’re lucky, it’ll give the iPhones a 50% charge, but we can only usually rely on it for around 35%. Still, it’s great if we just need a quick boost in battery and don’t want to carry around anything heavy.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE TRAVELCARD ON THEIR WEBSITE

5. Noise Cancelling Earbuds

I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about surrounding “noise cancellation” until I tried on a pair of Bose Quietcomfort 20 Noise Cancelling Earbuds. These things are super comfortable and they actually cancel out most noise from around the room or airplane.

The best part is that you don’t have to actually listen to music in order to cancel out the noise. You can simply put in the earbuds and turn on the noise cancellation feature and the earbuds will scan the audio climate in the room and counteract any noise by sending the opposite signal into your eardrum. They work like a charm and really need to be heard to be believed.

Oh, and they’re Bose, so you know they sound amazing when they’re playing music.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR BOSE EARBUDS ON AMAZON

6. Laser Lite Ear Plugs

Continuing on the theme of blocking out unwanted sound, I wouldn’t travel without a good set of ear plugs. When I have the opportunity to order my favourites from Amazon, I always choose Laser Lite Foam Ear Plugs.

They’re soft, comfortable and block out the most sound possible without hurting your ears. You can pick up a pack of 200 of them for just over $20 and they’re worth every penny. To get the most out of them, you’ll have to pinch them down and insert them into your ear, and then let them expand deep within the canal.

Bonus Hack: Put in your laser lite ear plugs and then use ear cancelling headphones or earbuds as well. The combination of the two will drown out any crying babies, loud music or even barking dogs when you’re trying to get some shut eye.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR EAR PLUGS ON AMAZON

7. Good Compact Camera

Every traveller needs to be carrying a good pocket camera. If you really don’t care about what your photos look like and never plan to take pictures in low light, then your iPhone or Android device should do the trick (assuming it’s a newer model with 10+ megapixels).

If you want to take some better photos and great videos while you’re travelling, without packing the size and weight of a full DSLR or mirrorless, then I recommend the Canon G7x Mark II. This camera has some incredible features, takes great photos (when not in Auto mode), and produces some of the best video of any camera in its class.

If you’re not a Canon fan, then you may want to go with the Lumix LX10. This one outdoes the G7x II with 4K video and rack focusing photography, meaning you can take the photo now, and decide where to focus later. A great feature that’s definitely worth the money. Also, the LX-10 has a Leica lens which promises clearer, more crisp photos.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR LX10 ON AMAZON

I’m going to be upgrading our camera in the next few months and there’s a good chance I’ll go with the Lumix, but having used the G7x Mark II for over a year, I can say it’s an excellent camera and I highly recommend it.

Bonus Hack: Both the G7x II and the LX10 lack an external mic port. If you plan to do any video with these cameras, the built in mics sound terrible when there’s even the slightest bit of wind. The solution is to pick up a small mic muff, cut out a piece and glue it over the built-in mic at the top of the camera. The sound becomes less tinny and the mic works amazingly well in windy conditions.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR G7X MARK II ON AMAZON

8. Lems Shoes

I can’t speak highly enough about these amazing travel shoes. My Lems Shoes have lasted me for over two years and I wear them quite a bit. They’re extremely comfortable, can be used in place of dress shoes and running shoes in most cases and the best part is that they roll up into a ball for easy packing.

Without a doubt these are the best shoes I’ve ever owned and if they ever wear out, I’ll buy another pair right away. For men and women, these are simply the best travel shoes on the market.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE MEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE WOMEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

9. Luggage Tracker

I have to be honest, we promised ourselves we’d pick up one of these things after Turkish Airlines lost our luggage back in 2016. We “forgot” to buy one and in December of 2017 Alaskan Airlines misplaced our luggage.

On both occasions, we were able to get our luggage back in a week, but it’s that horrible feeling you have that you’ll never see your backpack again. If we had a luggage tracker in our bags, we would have known exactly what airport they were at and we could’ve even told the airline so that they could retrieve it faster.

Needless to say, we plan to buy a luggage tracker in the new year and never lose our luggage again. During my research both in 2015 and this past few months, the Trakdot consistently tops the lists as the most recommended luggage trackers on the market.

There are two main downsides to any luggage tracker, one is that their batteries can run out if you forget to charge them and then they’re completely useless, and two is that they usually come with a paid yearly subscription (Trakdot is $24.99 per year).

Either way, at this time there’s no better solution to lost luggage, so if you care about your bags as much as we do, it may pay to pick one of these things up for around $40 and put your mind at ease.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE TRAKDOT ON AMAZON

10. Bluetooth Speakers

Everyone these days travels with Bluetooth speakers. When you’re getting ready to go out for the night or just chilling on your beach hut patio looking out at sunset, having a bit of music playing in the background can really set the mood.

Not just any bluetooth speakers will do either. You’ll want to have a nice mix of durability and excellent sound. We currently have the JBL Splashproof Portable Speaker, and it has amazing sound. Plus, we use it with wet hands at the beach and it hasn’t been damaged yet. The latest model, the JBL Waterproof Flip 4 Speakers are so waterproof that you can even submerge them in water and not ruin them, plus they’re lightweight and very durable.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR JBL FLIP 4 SPEAKERS ON AMAZON

You can take them to the beach and not worry about them getting wet or sandy and they sound crystal clear. For just under $90 on Amazon, they’re also an excellent deal.

If I was going for pure sound quality and didn’t care about weight and size, I would go with the Soundlink Mini II Limited Edition. They’re still small enough that you can travel with them, but at a pound and a half they’re quite heavy, plus they cost around $200. If you don’t mind the extra half pound in weight and don’t care about waterproofing, they’re probably your best bet for sound quality.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR JBL SOUNDLINK MINI SPEAKERS ON AMAZON

Don't Forget Your Travel Insurance!

No matter where in the world you are planning to travel, make sure to have insurance before you set off on your adventure - it's the one thing you should always pack. World Nomads is a popular insurance choice among backpackers, travellers and adventurers. Just enter your information below to get a FREE quote. Safe & happy travels!

Travel Smart in the New Year

It’s amazing how a well-packed bag can help make travel more enjoyable. Packing the right gear can save you time and money, make for nice ambiance and keep you comfortable on the road. Make sure you check out our packing lists: The Ultimate Packing List For Full-Time Travellers, Travel Packing List for Men,  and our Travel Packing List For Women for more great packing ideas.

What are you favourite travel items? Surely you have some things in your bags that you wouldn’t travel without. Share with us in the comments below and if we really like it, we’ll add it to this post!

The post 10 Essential Travel Items Everyone Should Pack in 2018 appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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10 Essential Travel Items Everyone Should Pack

Every year there are new travel gadgets and gear upgrades coming on the market. A quick “travel” search on Amazon will almost always lead to 10 or 15 purchases. But not all of these travel items are actually worth packing and some of them may seem cool, but you’ll never actually use them.

After travelling for nearly 10 years with nothing more than a 40 liter backpack, we’ve learned to really minimize our travel gear. But that’s not to say we don’t have a few luxury items in our bags. There are some things in our packs that you’ve most likely never heard of, and others that are common, but we feel they should be obligatory for long-term travel.

In this article I’m going to list 10 of the best things we have in our bags, as well as some things we’re planning to buy in 2018. These are items that we couldn’t travel without and we don’t think you should either!

Note: The most important thing you travel with is your backpack itself. Don’t miss our buyers guide for the best travel backpacks of the year and make sure your pack does everything you want it to.

1. Handpresso

We absolutely love the Handpresso, a compact, hand pump espresso machine. As coffee lovers who aren’t crazy about brewed coffee (we only like lattes), this is one travel item that we wouldn’t leave home without.

Simply pump it 30 times, add hot water and a pod of your favourite coffee and voilà, you’ve got the perfect cup of espresso. For budget travellers who find themselves ordering lattes at coffee shops everyday, the Handpresso can be an enormous money saver.

Just think about it. One large latte at Starbucks is around $3.65. We purchase a bag of ground espresso coffee at the grocery store for just $4.50 and that bag makes around 40 cups of coffee. Add a bit of milk and we calculate that we’re not paying more than 15 cents per latte.

If a person who normally orders 1 large latte from Starbucks every day, decided to use Handpresso instead, they’d potentially save up to $105 per month on coffee. That’s enough to pay for the Handpresso Pump itself!

Aside from the money savings, we just love this little pump. We purchase delicious ground beans from all over the world. Colombian dark roast in Colombia, rich Java from Indonesia and tasty espresso from Italy. We wake up every morning and instead of walking to a coffee shop or conglomerate, we make lattes right in our rooms and drink them on our deck.

If you love espresso, then you should travel with a Handpresso pump. The only real downside to them is that they’re quite heavy at around 800 grams. Even though we only travel with 40 liters, we still find space for this essential item.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR HANDPRESSO ON AMAZON

Bonus Hack: Pick up a boil coil on Amazon as well. This handy little gadget can boil water in minutes and is super compact. Simply plug it in and add it to a cup of water and you can have boiling hot coffee in no time. The boil coil is also great for tea, cooking a cup of noodles or even for making hard boiled eggs.

UPDATE 2019: A lot of people are now using the Aeropress coffee machine for travelling. While we are still happy using the Handpresso, you may want to compare this to the Aeropress and see which is best for you. It’s definitely lighter, but does it make better coffee? Having used both now, I still think that Handpresso has it beat but it’s up to you.

2. Zipper Cubes

We still swear by these things. They keep your bag organized and ensure that everything is compressed down so that you can pack more in your bag than you would by just rolling clothes and stuffing them inside.

mesh packing cubes

We purchased Eagle Creek Zipper Cubes and they’re incredibly durable. We’ve had them since 2010 and we’ve packed them so tight that we’ve had to kneel on them and pull on the zippers just to do them up. To this day, the zippers have held up and they’re still working like new.

There are a lot of these brands on the market, but the only ones we’ve ever used are Eagle Creek and we know that they last.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR PACKING CUBES ON AMAZON

3. DJI Spark

When we first bought our DJI Phantom 3 back in 2014, drones were mostly reserved for professional videographers, vloggers and bloggers who wanted arial photography. These days, drones have become smaller, more durable and easier to fly.

The DJI Spark is so tiny that it can pretty much fit into any backpack or luggage. It comes with a hard foam case to keep it protected and it takes great videos and photos. If you like to get unique photos while you’re travelling, then this thing is perfect.

It sets up in minutes, can be flown using just a smartphone and has a bunch of cool features like follow me, hand gestures and point of interest. The drone can be flown by a 12 year old and DJI has made it very simple to get excellent cinematic shots.

If you’re a new blogger, I definitely recommend picking one of these up. At just $400 you really can’t go wrong. But even if you’re not a blogger, the DJI Spark is perfect for getting cool video clips and beautiful photos from the sky while you’re travelling.

UPDATE 2019: DJI recently released the Mavic Mini drone which is a definite replacement for the Spark. With a 2.7K camera, enhanced Wifi and a 3-axis gimbal all for the same price that the Spark was at it’s release date, I’ll definitely be upgrading to the Mavic Mini as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DJI SPARK ON AMAZON

4. Power Bank

Believe it or not, Dariece and I didn’t travel with a power bank until mid-2017. I really don’t know how we did it. iPhones and other devices barely last a day, so we were always walking around with electronics that were completely dead and useless.

Today we travel with 3 different power banks, in 3 different sizes for different situations. There’s no need taking out the heavy power bank if you’ll only be gone for the day, and the smallest one we have only charges the iPhone to 50%, so we only use that one if we’re running out the door and we realize our phones are dead.

The first power bank we have is the TP-Link Power Bank (pictured above) which has 20,100 mAH, enough to fully charge our iPhone 6s Plus 3 times over (nowhere near 6.5 times as the manufacturer claims).

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR A POWER BANK ON AMAZON

Our second powerbank is the Mi 10000 Power Bank. It’s half the size of the TP-Link, and this one fits in our pocket and charges the iPhone 6s Plus about 1.5 times.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR MI 10000 POWER BANK ON AMAZON

Finally we pack the Travel Card. This thing is about the size of two credit cards stacked on top of each other, but it doesn’t hold much charge. If we’re lucky, it’ll give the iPhones a 50% charge, but we can only usually rely on it for around 35%. Still, it’s great if we just need a quick boost in battery and don’t want to carry around anything heavy.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE TRAVELCARD ON THEIR WEBSITE

Note: Travelling with carry-on luggage makes flying a lot less stressful. To figure out whether or not your luggage will meet the restrictions of the airline you’re flying with, check out this carry-on size chart which shows the allowance of 170+ airlines. 

5. Noise Cancelling Earbuds

I wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about surrounding “noise cancellation” until I tried on a pair of Bose Quietcomfort 20 Noise Cancelling Earbuds. These things are super comfortable and they actually cancel out most noise from around the room or airplane.

The best part is that you don’t have to actually listen to music in order to cancel out the noise. You can simply put in the earbuds and turn on the noise cancellation feature and the earbuds will scan the audio climate in the room and counteract any noise by sending the opposite signal into your eardrum. They work like a charm and really need to be heard to be believed.

Oh, and they’re Bose, so you know they sound amazing when they’re playing music.

UPDATE 2019: If you’re an Apple fan, the recent release of Apple Airpods Pro might be the best option for you. These are noise cancelling bluetooth earbuds that are getting a lot of positive reviews right now. We tried to buy a pair on our recent trip to the US but they were sold out! A clear indicator that these are a popular new product.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR BOSE EARBUDS ON AMAZON

6. Laser Lite Ear Plugs

Continuing on the theme of blocking out unwanted sound, I wouldn’t travel without a good set of ear plugs. When I have the opportunity to order my favourites from Amazon, I always choose Laser Lite Foam Ear Plugs.

They’re soft, comfortable and block out the most sound possible without hurting your ears. You can pick up a pack of 200 of them for just over $20 and they’re worth every penny. To get the most out of them, you’ll have to pinch them down and insert them into your ear, and then let them expand deep within the canal.

Bonus Hack: Put in your laser lite ear plugs and then use ear cancelling headphones or earbuds as well. The combination of the two will drown out any crying babies, loud music or even barking dogs when you’re trying to get some shut eye.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR EAR PLUGS ON AMAZON

7. Good Compact Camera

Every traveller needs to be carrying a good pocket camera. If you really don’t care about what your photos look like and never plan to take pictures in low light, then your iPhone or Android device should do the trick (assuming it’s a newer model with 10+ megapixels).

If you want to take some better photos and great videos while you’re travelling, without packing the size and weight of a full DSLR or mirrorless, then I recommend the Canon G7x Mark II. This camera has some incredible features, takes great photos (when not in Auto mode), and produces some of the best video of any camera in its class.

If you’re not a Canon fan, then you may want to go with the Lumix LX10. This one outdoes the G7x II with 4K video and rack focusing photography, meaning you can take the photo now, and decide where to focus later. A great feature that’s definitely worth the money. Also, the LX-10 has a Leica lens which promises clearer, more crisp photos.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR LX10 ON AMAZON

I’m going to be upgrading our camera in the next few months and there’s a good chance I’ll go with the Lumix, but having used the G7x Mark II for over a year, I can say it’s an excellent camera and I highly recommend it.

Bonus Hack: Both the G7x II and the LX10 lack an external mic port. If you plan to do any video with these cameras, the built in mics sound terrible when there’s even the slightest bit of wind. The solution is to pick up a small mic muff, cut out a piece and glue it over the built-in mic at the top of the camera. The sound becomes less tinny and the mic works amazingly well in windy conditions.

UPDATE 2019: Canon has now updated this camera to the G7X III but be careful. A lot of users are complaining about bad focusing and overheating. We decided to upgrade to the Sony RX100 VII instead of getting another Canon.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR G7X MARK II ON AMAZON

8. Lems Shoes

I can’t speak highly enough about these amazing travel shoes. My Lems Shoes have lasted me for over two years and I wear them quite a bit. They’re extremely comfortable, can be used in place of dress shoes and running shoes in most cases and the best part is that they roll up into a ball for easy packing.

Without a doubt these are the best shoes I’ve ever owned and if they ever wear out, I’ll buy another pair right away. For men and women, these are simply the best travel shoes on the market.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE MEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE WOMEN’S LEMS SHOES ON THEIR WEBSITE

9. Luggage Tracker

I have to be honest, we promised ourselves we’d pick up one of these things after Turkish Airlines lost our luggage back in 2016. We “forgot” to buy one and in December of 2017 Alaskan Airlines misplaced our luggage.

On both occasions, we were able to get our luggage back in a week, but it’s that horrible feeling you have that you’ll never see your backpack again. If we had a luggage tracker in our bags, we would have known exactly what airport they were at and we could’ve even told the airline so that they could retrieve it faster.

Needless to say, we plan to buy a luggage tracker in the new year and never lose our luggage again. During my research both in 2015 and this past few months, the Trakdot consistently tops the lists as the most recommended luggage trackers on the market.

There are two main downsides to any luggage tracker, one is that their batteries can run out if you forget to charge them and then they’re completely useless, and two is that they usually come with a paid yearly subscription (Trakdot is $24.99 per year).

Either way, at this time there’s no better solution to lost luggage, so if you care about your bags as much as we do, it may pay to pick one of these things up for around $40 and put your mind at ease.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE TRAKDOT ON AMAZON

10. Bluetooth Speakers

Everyone these days travels with Bluetooth speakers. When you’re getting ready to go out for the night or just chilling on your beach hut patio looking out at sunset, having a bit of music playing in the background can really set the mood.

Not just any bluetooth speakers will do either. You’ll want to have a nice mix of durability and excellent sound. We currently have the JBL Splashproof Portable Speaker, and it has amazing sound. Plus, we use it with wet hands at the beach and it hasn’t been damaged yet. The latest model, the JBL Waterproof Flip 4 Speakers are so waterproof that you can even submerge them in water and not ruin them, plus they’re lightweight and very durable.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR JBL FLIP 4 SPEAKERS ON AMAZON

You can take them to the beach and not worry about them getting wet or sandy and they sound crystal clear. For just under $90 on Amazon, they’re also an excellent deal.

If I was going for pure sound quality and didn’t care about weight and size, I would go with the Soundlink Mini II Limited Edition. They’re still small enough that you can travel with them, but at a pound and a half they’re quite heavy, plus they cost around $200. If you don’t mind the extra half pound in weight and don’t care about waterproofing, they’re probably your best bet for sound quality.

UPDATE 2019: The new JBL Flip 5 Speakers sound better (although I find them a bit too trebly) and are fully waterproof. If you’re looking for bluetooth speakers in 2019 these would be my top choice.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR JBL SOUNDLINK MINI SPEAKERS ON AMAZON

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11. Bonus! Pet Essentials

Travelling with a pet? Make sure you grab these essentials. Don’t forget to bring immunizations records, a suitable crate, and a blanket if your pet is cleared to sit on your lap. Always bring a few treat options, a chew toy, and waste bags just in case!

If you have an emotional support animal and flying within the US, you should be able to carry your ESA in-flight according to the Air Carrier Access Act. Most airlines require these things: ESA letter from your Licensed Mental Health Professional, pet health form signed by your veterinarian, and a behavioral form. You can learn more about emotional support animals and the air carrier access act here.

Travel Smart in the New Year

It’s amazing how a well-packed bag can help make travel more enjoyable. Packing the right gear can save you time and money, make for nice ambiance and keep you comfortable on the road. Make sure you check out our packing lists: The Ultimate Packing List For Full-Time Travellers, Travel Packing List for Men,  and our Travel Packing List For Women for more great packing ideas.

What are you favourite travel items? Surely you have some things in your bags that you wouldn’t travel without. Share with us in the comments below and if we really like it, we’ll add it to this post!

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