Enjoy!
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
Category: Uncategorized
Electricity, Outlets, and Travel…Oh My
Let’s say you are packing for your next trip overseas. One thing you need to make sure you have is the right equipment so you can use your chargers, tablet computers, etc.
Did you know that not all electrical sockets are created equal? If you want to plug in your laptop, phone charger, or hair dryer, you need to know what type of voltage is used in the country you’re traveling to and what type of adapter or plug is needed for the outlet. Otherwise, prepare for whatever you plugged in to become overheated.
The first thing to consider is which electrical appliances you really need to bring. I check with hotels to see if they offer hair dryers. But, I take my chargers for my phone, tablet computer, and camera batteries.
We pack a travel-size dual-voltage appliance that can run on both 110-volt and 220-volt currents. Make sure the switch is on the proper voltage for the country you are in before using the appliance. You will also need to carry adapter plugs with you to fit the outlets in the countries you’re visiting.
Converters
Most American-made electrical appliances work at 110 volts. Japan, most of North America, parts of South America, and the Caribbean use voltage between 100 and 125. The rest of the world uses 220 – 240 volts. Check before you start packing.
Most American-made electrical appliances work at 110 volts. Japan, most of North America, parts of South America, and the Caribbean use voltage between 100 and 125. The rest of the world uses 220 – 240 volts. Check before you start packing.
Also, check the label on your appliance before buying a converter, as it might be designed to work at both 110/120 and 220/240 volts. Many of the newer items do, especially those designed for travel. If so, you’ll probably only need a plug adapter. If your appliance only operates at 110 volts, you’ll need to buy a voltage converter.
Adapter Plugs
Even if two countries operate on the same voltage, their outlets might not take the same shape of plug…which is why you need an adapter. An adapter will allow you only to plug your appliance into another type of outlet, but not change the electrical voltage.
Travel stores often sell convenient and inexpensive kits with five different-sized adapters that will work with nearly any outlet in the world. Note that these often won’t work for appliances that need to be grounded, which will require a more expensive grounding adapter.
Research where you are going and what you will need before you buy anything.
Travel Packing Tips
Everyone has their favorite packing tips…from liquids to clothes to valuables. Here are a few of mine:
When staying at a hotel, I check with them to see if they have hairdryers. If the website doesn’t tell me, I call them. If I don’t have to pack a bulky hairdryer…I don’t.
I pack several zip top bags of different sizes. They take up almost no room and come in handy for many uses.
Regardless of how long of a trip I’m on, I lay out my clothes before packing them. That way I can see how much I have to pack and what can stay at home. I tend to take black as a base for either pants or skirts and bring tops or scarves in colors.
If the trip is a longer one, I will do laundry. If staying in an apartment, I try to book one with a washer and hopefully a dryer. If in a hotel, I use the sink. Either way, you can pack less clothes and do some quick laundry. Take small packs of laundry detergent or put some powdered detergent in one of your zip top bags.
Place a scented dryer sheet in your dirty clothes bag. Your whole suitcase won’t smell like your dirty clothes.
Check the weather before you pack and definitely before you leave home.
Check which adapter you will need when flying out of the US.
I always pack a shawl or pashmina in my carry on bag. It has so many uses from a blanket to a wrap to a makeshift skirt to a pillow.
These are just a few…I’ll share more later. What are your favorite packing tips?
San Francisco Farmers’ Market
Beautiful colors at the Farmers’ Market in San Francisco today.
Tips for Staying Safe on an Airplane
In light of the recent plane crashes and issues, there has been much written about how to stay safe on planes when traveling. I’ve read many of these and complied my own list from sources, other blogs, and my own experiences.
First of all, have you ever really listened to the flight attendants when they talk about the safety card? That card is different for each type of plane, because the seats are different, the exits are different, etc.
So, listen and then do what the attendants ask you to do. Look around and find all the exits. They tell you the nearest one may not be your best option. Look for all of them. This is your plan of escape, should you need it.
You could even count the number of rows between you and the nearest exit. It might help if the cabin is filled with smoke or luggage…if you can remember that number.
Do you actually know where those oxygen masks will come from? Perhaps it’s a good idea to look next time you are on board a plane.
Apparently, most of the crashes come in the first and last few minutes of any flight…takeoff and landing. Stay awake and pay attention, especially during those times. Put your shoes on, put your laptop away, and unclutter the area around you well before landing.
One post I read said…if the little saying in your head says to get out and you haven’t yet been told to get out, you should listen to your instincts. Get out.
Experts say you have about two minutes to get out of the plane in order to maximize your chances of survival. Leave your luggage, your purse, your computer behind. It could mean the difference between getting out safely and not. Try to stay low as the air will be better toward the floor.
Once out, keep moving away from the plane…preferably upwind.
Fly safe…read the safety card…and listen to the flight attendants.
Packing Tips…Again
If you travel very much, you probably have favorite packing tips. I know I do. But, every now and then I read a new tip that I figure I will try on my next trip.
Some of those work great…and some, not so much.
Today’s tip has to do with compression bags. Do you use them? Do they work? Or, are they more trouble than they are worth?
I’d like to hear what you have to say. I know what I think about them!
Have You Been Here?
Recently I read an article by Great Escape Publishing…this is the link.
Have you been to any of these places?
Eating and Traveling
Buying groceries in a local store, at the farmer’s market, or local fruit and vegetable stands will help save some money when traveling. You can often buy great snacks, fresh bread, local cheeses, and fresh fruits and vegetables. You won’t have to rely on stopping at the nearest restaurant when everyone is starving.
Pack various sizes of resealable bags and a small cooler and you can buy food for a picnic or save your leftovers for later.
Staying in a hotel and want to know good places to eat? Instead of asking the concierge, ask the bartender or barista where they like to eat. You might find more local places with interesting food.
Italy
Where would you go in Italy? What would you visit?
Lake Tahoe
Did you know that Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the US and the 10th deepest in the world? Only Crater Lake is deeper in the US.
Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with 72 miles of shoreline. The average surface elevation is 6,225 feet, which makes it the highest lake of its size in the US.
Many streams and rivers flow into Lake Tahoe, but only one river flows out of it…the Truckee River.
It’s a great place to visit in the spring, summer, fall, or winter.