Billʼs Travel Tips

Bill has traveled the world in his long career. In this episode he shares some tips and tricks to help make sure you can enjoy the natural world no matter how close or far you travel from home.  Our sources for this episode include Bill’s list of tips and tricks.  

Billʼs Travel Notes – Tips and Tricks to Avoid Trouble

JET LAG

• Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages starting a few days before travel and while flying to destination.
• Pre-adjust to your new time zone a few days in advance, go to bed early or late, for travel east or west.
• Once on the plane change your watch to the destination time (reset for each leg of the trip).
• While flying try and change your biorhythms as if you were at destination, sleeping or awake.
• Upon arrival try not to succumb to naps, get out in the light and behave as if you always lived in that time zone
• Check with your personal physician to see if you can take Melatonin or a Tylenol PM – like product to fall asleep.
• Avoid travelling east or west and just travel south into Central and South America to avoid jet lag.

WATER

• Bring a water bottle (or two) and refill whenever you can, but only from a reliable source!
• Drink lots of it! Dehydration can become a serious problem: flying, hiking, even road travel.
• Dark urine is a signal you are not drinking enough water.
• DO NOT drink untreated water from water fountains in airports, from sink when brushing teeth, from shower head, or jet tap.
• DO NOT use local ice cubes made from untreated water.  Check with bar staff, they may be made from purified water.
• If you ask for hot water it my be hot untreated tap water; ask for boiling water.

FOOD

• Bring snacks: protein bars, peanut butter cheese crackers; packaged (no homemade) jerky
• I travel with 10 pounds of extra food for group: wrapped candy, gorp, salted nuts, trail mix, dried fruit.
• Eat only fruit you can peel (bring pocket knife in checked luggage)
• Cooked veggies and well-cooked meats
• No locally-prepared street food unless OKʼd by local guide. Even then question.

WEATHER

• Pack layers that can be added on and taken off – down vest, light jacket, fleece top, zip-pants
• Compact collapsible umbrella, brimmed hat over cap, sunglasses

CLOTHING

• Breathable is key for under-gear (thin for mosquitoes)
• Wash and wear
• One nice set of clothes
• Leave behind undies, socks, etc.

INSECT REPELLENT

• Unlike topical repellents applied to the skin, Permethrin is applied to clothing and outdoor gear material, bonding to the fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks (42 days) or 6 washings. When a tick, mosquito, or other insect comes into contact with Permethrin, it absorbs a dose that will either repel or kill the insect. The synthetic version of pyrethrum (a natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemums), Permethrin is non-toxic/registered for use by the U.S. EPA. Spray Permethrin directly onto clothing & gear with a slow sweeping motion, keeping the bottle about 6 to 8 inches away and treating each side of the garment for about 30 seconds.

STREET SMART

• Pickpockets: airports, markets, shops, tourist destinations – nursing mother, bird mustard packet, Fagin/innocents
• Always be aware of your environment and what is happening around you
• No precious jewelry, donʼt flash wallet. I use a nylon money belt with hidden zipper in back

BUSH SMART

• Just like cities, you need to be aware of your environment and surroundings – avoid stray animals as well
• Stinging hairs on caterpillars, spines on tropical palms, mosquitoes, ticks, scorpions, snakes
• Never go for the Nat Geo shots and threaten an animal by approaching too close

PERSONALS

• Extra copy of passport, extra pair of eye glasses, personal meds in carry-on, one quart bag for carry-on liquids 3oz.
• Sun block and bug spray.