ms_go

When we went to New Zealand in 2017, we had no cell coverage for most of our five days on the Milford Track. While we were out of pocket, my mother fell and broke her hip. Fortunately, my brother was home and available to assist - but I didn't find out about it for several days. Even after the hike, we were in some areas up the west coast with no cell service, and I had to rely on very limited internet service at our accommodation to get information.

Given the many years of managing my mother's health issues and that we leave our house and pets in someone else's hands when we're gone (often the teenager next door), I get a little anxious about potentially being out of a coverage area and not reachable. If I think that is going to be an issue, I make sure to have an emergency contact (usually my brother) who knows our full itinerary, the names of our accommodations and any other information that would help him in getting ahold of us or at least getting a message to us.

starrs

I talked (via FB messenger) early this morning to a friend from the location. He didn't seem to think I'd be completely out of service. He recommend using WhatsAp, which I've used before to communicate with heti. He's flying to Spain tomorrow to start walking the Camino. We chatted about that more than about this.

So, it sounds like I won't be as adrift as they indicated may be the case in the conversation yesterday. Maybe they had complainers in previous years. In any case, l don't have elderly at home to be concerned about. I think it's going to be just fine.

And now I'm worried about heti. She returned to posting but just realized she hasn't posted recently.

Thanks for keeping this generic (as far as location) so it didn't get moved somewhere. It's not about a certain place, but an adjustment to "cutting the internet access cord"

starrs

I do think that's what's going on with me.

As I said in the OP - "I can't believe this is my only misgiving about the trip, "

ms_go = "I get a little anxious about potentially being out of a coverage area and not reachable.."

That's it. I am feeling "a little anxious" - and it so unusual for me. I had a physical reaction yesterday when this was discussed. My reaction surprised myself.

Thank you for the conversation - to all. This has helped me process what is probably going on. For years, I WAS the point person for the elders in the family. None of them liked when I took a trip out of the country. They were concerned about something happening to me because it would impact them. No worries about that anymore.

P_M

Guilty as charged, I do use my phone when traveling. But on my trip to Antarctica there will be no service so I will somehow manage the withdrawal symptoms.

P_M

Now that I think about it, I'm doing it as I type this. I'm on a flight home from our cruise. We were supposed to be home last night but due to a screw up by AA, we were stuck in Philadelphia last night. I'll save that for another thread about crazy travel experiences.

mare0520

I always bring my phone with my on any trip whether abroad or domestic. For things like GPS, camera, looking something up. I also bring my laptop as I like to look through a few mindless things before I go to sleep. I don't like being out of touch. I have 4 grandkids and if anything happens I want to know. I have a group text at all times with my two sisters and we keep each other updated all the time. None of that makes me feel anxious. I am very relaxed even when I stay connected.

PS: no work emails on my cell phone though

starrs

Twinning again! I do adore you, P_M.

While I was waiting for my friend to get back to me, I was looking at his photos from Antartica. There's one of an iceberg that is 11 miles long and 125 feet tall. The captain said it broke free from the continent 3 years ago. Amazing and horrible both to think of Antartica's disappearing ice shelf.

I asked him about service on that trip and he said there was internet on the ship.

YOU are going to have an AMAZING trip!

kureiff

We don’t have cell service where we camp or where we raft. I like it, but we no one could reach us this summer when my sister in law died unexpectedly.

I love my cellphone for traveling. It’s a camera, my kindle, and it’s perfect for public transportation and restaurant research.

P_M

Starrs, I wish you would join me on that trip.

starrs

I do too.
Looking at his photos last night/ this morning, I really questioned myself.

sugarmaple

I don’t ever use text or call features when traveling. Ever.

This last trip I used an esim from Airalo, $10US for three GB of data, I used one, almost exclusively for gps in the cities. I had downloaded all the maps, but data was helpful for directions when we were lost. Which was often. I’ll use Airalo again, it worked like a charm, but it was a convenience, not a necessity.

Limited internet access wouldn’t bother me at all, in fact, that would be a bonus. My only concern is my mother, and if anything should happen to her while I’m out of range. I accept that something might happen, but there are enough people at home to deal with any eventuality.

Dukey1

I have started to rely more and more on things like WhatsApp and Facetime. BUT I also realize that "knowing" something is happening doesn't get you there to fix it. Having someone nearby who can step in makes a big difference to me when I travel.

sugarmaple

Dukey, I have a friend who is well into her 80’s. She travels a lot and her two sons also travel a lot.

She’s told them that if she dies while they are away, they are not to come home. “I’ll be dead” She’s a very practical Glaswegian, and she means it.

Bokhara2

Ah - I may have misunderstood your intent, Starrs. If I understand you correctly now, you’re more concerned with breaking the “online habits” that come with internet connection?

If so, it can be tough - like any other habit, be it the first coffee/tea of the day, wine before dinner or smoking for those giving it up. I’m at my local growers’ market having a coffee by the river before I go home & chatting on here. Because I can. If I didn’t have internet access, I’d just watch the boats, birds, kids & dogs in the pond & listen to the music - without this chit chat . My addicted little thumbs would probably twitch, though!

I don’t have daily contact with family & friends when I’m travelling, or when I’m at home for that matter - never did, so that wouldn’t bother me. Or them. I do always give my Itinerary to my ICE ( In case of emergency) contacts, so they will be able to get a message to me if necessary & I'm out of range. And if I have an accident or become seriously ill, their contact details are in my wallet.

Note: Not much point having the ICE contacts in our phones only. If the phone is off/battery flat and we are unable to use our PIN or finger/face recognition- no one else will be able to access the phone and our contacts.

My agreement with my cattery is that they will deal with anything that arises. They use the same vet that I do and have a discretion up to $5k until they can contact me. I’ve used them for 5 years now, never had an issue, but have complete confidence in them if one did arise.

My mother has been dead for many years and my next closest living relatives have their own families to look after them if something went seriously wrong with them, so I don’t have any obligations on that front.

That’s the long answer from my POV. Short answer is I feel as if I’m missing something if I leave my phone at home, too! I carry my credit cards in it, so that doesn’t happen very often, or for very long!

starrs

No.

I'm trying to decide on whether or not to take a certain trip. As I said...
"I'm considering a trip with limited cell phone and/or internet service. I can't believe this is my only misgiving about the trip, "

Thanks to the conversation in this thread, I think I've figured out why I am feeling this "misgiving".

I think I'm going to move forward, and if there's more service than originally indicated = bonus.

Bokhara2

Good on you,Starrs. We all have our comfort zones and as you say if you do have internet access it can be a bonus - not a requirement or impediment to doing a trip you will enjoy.

Hope you have a great time.

starrs

Thank you.

Trophywife007

Yes, have a wonderful time! As long as you occasionally have connections, your bank would be able to contact you if they questioned a charge, Other than that, along with GPS and the camera, especially since you don't need internet for work now, you should be good to go. But, I understand how hard it is to cut the cord.

We still are on duty part time when we travel in summer so we need to be available. Looking forward to traveling during the "off" season with no work emails.

HappyTrvlr

I bring my phone as a camera. We have been on three extended trips to China where there was no phone service. But I took photos. That was all.

amyb

I can’t tell where you’re going Starrs, but on safari I have seldom had internet service, but if there is truly an emergency at home, both my safari planner and the camps have an emergency number and the camps have satellite phones by which you can be reached. So while I can’t casually have a conversation or text with people at home, they can reach me if absolutely necessary. Does your destination allow for that and would that make you feel better? I will say that that disconnection increases my relaxation level ten-fold. It’s so nice to be completely away from the real world!