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I have lived overseas most of my life and that has meant that I have a lot of experience in traveling to all parts of Asia and in many kinds of circumstances and travel conditions. Many times I have traveled out in the middle of nowhere and I have found there are six essential items I must always have with me. I always travel with a 1) water bottle, 2) a backpack, 3) two wallets, 4) hand sanitizers, 5) a scarf, and 6) cleansers. Each of these six items, though they may seem simple, I have a very specific reason and purpose why I always travel with them. They help keep me safe and healthy during my travels. Here are the six things I always travel with and why I travel with them: 1- A Water bottle I always have a water bottle that I can fill up water in. Most Airports in Asia have water bottle machines that you can get water from. I always drink this water and have never gotten sick. In fact, most Asian people are very careful about being sure to drink clean and not dirty water as they understand clearly that dirty water can get you very sick. I will usually always fill up the water bottle before I leave an airport or before I get on the plane as most planes really never give you enough water, especially on long haul flights and I want to be sure that I always have good drinking water. For example, in China, the machines have basically a hot (which means boiling) and a warm function. I usually use the hot function to disinfect my bottle and then fill it with warm water. I love how the airports have these water bottle functions on their machines as not only is it eco-friendly in that you do not need to waste or produce more plastic, but it can also help to save you money while also keeping you healthy. 2 - A Backpack A backpack is extremely practical for your travel needs. Not only is it safe as you can keep it on you, but also you can carry most of what you need in it. A purse can easily be cut off by a thief and if you have a wallet in your pocket I can be picked. One of my favorite backpacks is a brand called Pac-Safe. They have some really great anti-theft features on their backpacks from a small wire in them so they cannot be cut off easily or magnetic strips that not let people try to read the chip on your credit cards. I feel anyone who is serious about traveling should get a Pac-Safe Backpack. You can find out more about their backpacks by clicking here. Another great thing about Pacsafe is that is well made, lightweight and they have some great style. I usually put my passport and money in a spot in my backpack that if someone comes from behind me and tries to cut my backpack open, they cannot reach my passport or my wallet. This is a reason why many times you see people wearing their backpack on their front side as they worried about their security and belongings. 3- Two Wallets I usually have two wallets, I find that having two wallets is just much better security. If my hotel has a safe I will put my main wallet in my safe and only take with me what I need as far as credit cards or cash. This way if I am ever robbed, I still have part of my wallet in tack at the hotel. Besides the two wallets, I also like to keep small change in a pocket in my backpack. This way if I need to pull out some small change I will not pull out a huge bundle of cash, but instead will just pull out some small money. I have learned over the years that many robbers usually watch their victims. Many robbers scout out their next victim. They check for people who have just gone to a bank or ATM or pulled out large sums of cash to purchase something. So if you go somewhere and pull out a lot of cash to pay for goods or services these robbers figure you are a good target to hit. These robbers know that robbing you is worth the risk since for them to rob you, there is always a risk involved that they will get caught. What you need to do is show them you are not worth the risk of being robbed. So if you do not show them the cash or you hide it in another place they do not know, they may figure you are not worth the risk to rob. 4 - Hand sanitizers I know that many people now travel and use hand sanitizers and there are a huge variety of brands out there. Some people may feel that using hand sanitizers are overrated, but I find if I am traveling, especially in a third-world county that it is good to have hand sanitizers with me. I have a small one that I hang on my backpack so that I can reach it easily. A lot of places now have or sell hand sanitizers, but if you have a specific brand that you like then you need to be sure to bring enough of that brand with you for your entire trip as the chances are you will not be able to find it during your travels. 5 - Scarf A scarf maybe something many people do not think about especially if they are traveling to a very hot climate. But I find that having a scarf with me is really an essential part of my travel, especially if I am traveling to a very hot climate. Many times when the climate is extremely hot the planes, buses, and trains can be extremely cold. Sometimes they are so cold that if I am feeling jetlagged I can start to feel myself getting sick with a cold coming on. At least a scarf will help to keep me warm and hopefully stop me from getting a terrible cold. The best kinds of scarves I have found to travel with is cashmere, as they are usually lightweight but will also give me some warmth. Sometimes good cotton or silk can also do the same thing. The main thing is it should be large enough to put over yourself, but also lightweight so you can carry it easily in a backpack or hang on your bag, but it can also keep you warm. I also like to get a scarf that will wash easily. 6 - Cleaning packets and supplies I always have a lot of cleaners with me such as wet ones, Lysol spray and even Clorox wipes. I have used them on the planes, trains, buses, restaurants and even in vendors bathrooms. If I am in a restaurant that I am not sure of their cleanliness standard, I will usually wipe down the table with them and clean up the area. Even on the planes, I use them to clean my airplane tray and my area of the plane. It just means I have less of a chance of getting sick, than if I did not have the cleaners with me on my travels. If you are like me and you like a certain brand (I like wet ones. Clorox wipes and the travel sie Lysol spray), then you should bring enough of them with you for your travels so that you do not run out of them. I just find having a way to clean up something is always essential in Asia. I jokingly tell my friends, that I walk about Asia cleaning up toilets as I have used my cleaners to clean up many toilets on my travels before I would use them. These are all very simple and basic travel items but I find by having them with me it can make all the difference between if my travels are safe and healthy or if I am not. This is why now I consider these six items - a water bottle, a backpack, two wallets, hand sanitizers, a scarf, and cleaning packets and supplies as travel essentials. If you are interested in finding out more about how we can help you create, develop, and manufacture home decor and home furniture products in Asia, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact Mondoro and Anita by clicking here. Related Questions: Why Is It Important to Travel? Travel is a great way to see and experience the world. But more than that it will also push you out of your comfort zone. Travel will help to teach you not only a lot about yourself but also a lot about other people, cultures, and places. Once you have traveled, your life will never be the same again. For some ideas about how travel can help you with your creative or artistic pursuits in life, you can read this blog entitled 5 Tips to Find Artistic Inspiration Through Travel by clicking here. Why Travel To Vietnam? Vietnam continues to be on the top destinations for travelers. Each year the number of visitors is rising. One of the reasons is that traveling to Vietnam is safe, it is cheap and the country has such a rich culture and heritage along with some beautiful landscapes and amazing beaches. If you are interested to travel to Vietnam, you can read the blog on 32 Tips for First Time Travelers To Vietnam by clicking here.

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