Advice for a newbie

Old Jun 26th, 2015, 05:11 AM
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Advice for a newbie

Hi there,

I'm hoping this doesn't make me sound a complete numpty! But I am as newbie to travelling and a bit of a technophobe!

I am doing a 10 day trip to Thailand in October which will involve a lot of time travelling on buses and trains (not to mention the 14 hour flight!) I am thinking of purchasing some kind of kindle or similar to read and perhaps watch movies? But I am pretty clueless not even sure if these things work whilst in transit? Are you able to buy some kind of dongle or something?

secondly can anyone recommend a good back pack? I am only going for ten days but need to be able to transport luggage easily.

Thanks!!
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Old Jun 26th, 2015, 06:59 AM
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You can use a Kindle/iPad/notebook/laptop anywhere in the world and while "in transit" as long as it's charged up and charging the device while traveling is no different than charging it "back home" - you simply plug it in to an outlet.

All these devices are dual voltage (110v/220v) and the only thing ("dongle") you might need is a plug adapter (not a voltage converter) which is a small piece that fits on to the end of the existing plug on your charger that allows you to use the charger in different countries. For example, if you are from the US your charger will have 2 flat prongs. If the country you are visiting has outlets that use "2 round prongs" you simply place a "round prong adapter" on the US type plug and you are good to go.

You can buy inexpensive ($10US to $25US) adapter kits wherever luggage is sold, in the travel department of most department stores, in places like Radio Shack, Brookstones, Best Buy, or on-line. NOTE: While you can purchase a single adapter it's probably best to get a "complete kit" that has adapters in several different configurations so you can charge your devices anywhere in the world. Google "Travel Plug Adapters" for lots of links.

Now, in general most outlets in Thailand are configured in such a way as to accept "2 flat prongs" (US type) or "2 round prongs" (European type) so you may not even need any adapters but you may want to bring along an adapter kit with you just in case. You can find a photo and some information about the type of outlets used in Thailand here: http://www.thailandguru.com/electric...-thailand.html

Next, I'm sure you know that Kindles don't play movies so if you want to see movies you'll need to use a laptop that can play DVD's or you'll have to either download the movies to your device before your trip or have an internet connection so you can stream video content to your device.

Some airlines offer on board Wifi available for purchase so you can surf the internet and stream videos but download/upload speeds may not be what you are use to getting "back home". On some flights you may have to disable the wireless features of your device by putting it in the "airplane mode". You should check directly with your airline for more information. I can't comment on the availability of WiFi on any of the trains in Thailand since I never travel by train so you'll have to get that info elsewhere but I'm guessing WiFi isn't available.

If your device has 3G or 4G data capability for downloading content and you want to use that feature while traveling contact your service provider to purchase a temporary International Data Plan otherwise you incur extremely high Roaming Fees if you download data. To avoid this completely, disable the data feature on your device while you are traveling.

As for backpacks, Osprey (http://www.ospreypacks.com) offers scores of excellent quality backpacks in all sizes and configurations. I have several different models and find them perfect for my needs. Look at their product list and choose the one that most fits your particular needs.
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Old Jun 27th, 2015, 04:14 AM
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I have an iPad I find wonderful while travelling. I don’t carry a cell phone and use the the iPad for email to keep in touch. You don’t need a data plan if you rely on WiFi which is pretty easy to find in cities. Hostels will provide some sort of internet access for sure and WiFi is often available at hotels and cafes for free. (Post on the Thailand forum if you want information specific to that country). You can download games and books onto the iPad before you leave home so you will have entertainment on hand. Since it is backlit you can use it in the dark, on a bus for instance, or on a long international flight when the cabin lights are off. Your flight will probably have a good entertainment system for movies while in flight. (For aircraft specifics, post on the Air Travel forum here.)

For a backpack, I recommend you make a few visits to an outdoor store and search out a knowledgable staff person to familiarize you with the various styles and features, and more importantly, get a good fit. You shouldn’t need something too large for 10 days, but chances are this won’t be your last trip so it is worth investing some time and money into getting something that will serve you well over the long haul (literally).

Sounds like great adventure; enjoy your planning.
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Old Jun 28th, 2015, 03:10 AM
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I bring an iPad and iPhone without data plans. Keep it on airplane mode to save the battery when you're not trying to connect to wifi. A travel adapter may not be necessary as many hotels have a USB port available. (I'd take one just in case but get a cheap one.) I take Air China to SE Asia and they have a surprisingly good selection of movies.
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 01:02 AM
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Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to reply, it looks as though an ipad is the way to go! I'm sure I will get lots of use out of it!

Thanks!
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Old Jun 29th, 2015, 04:53 AM
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I've been traveling with an iPad for several years, just bought an Air 2 and can't believe how light it is.

For the backpack I highly recommend Eagle Creek. Traveled for nearly a decade with one of their backpacks. I just bought a wheeled bag from them.
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