Image of two US passports on world map

10 Essential Phrases to Learn Before You Travel (Even If You Use Google Translate)

  • October 28, 2025
  • by Inga

One daunting aspect of travel is the barrier of a foreign language. It can be an opportunity as well, but being able to get to a hotel or order a meal on the first day can be challenging. If you’re coping with jet lag on top of it, it can make you question why you …

Ghostek Nautical Slim Waterproof Case Gear Review

  • August 31, 2025
  • by Inga

The Ghostek Nautical Slim waterproof case was my ticket to underwater photography using my Pixel 6 Pro Android smartphone. Going on a trip involving two snorkel experiences drove me to take the big step, but there were so many choices. I subscribed to the Snorkeling Explorer newsletter that made a recommendation for the Ghostek Nautical …

Sink Laundry when Traveling

  • July 23, 2024
  • by Inga

People often ask how I can travel for five weeks or five months with a carry-on suitcase. The key is to do sink laundry when traveling. I can pack for about a week and go indefinitely if I can wash my clothes in the sink when I travel. I mostly wash as I go, a …

How to Dress in Morocco, India and Other Conservative Countries

  • July 09, 2024
  • by Inga

I’ll start by saying that there is no dress code in Morocco or India, and I saw a wide range of clothing choices among tourists. This is an opinion piece—it’s my opinion about how I choose to dress in conservative countries, and I wouldn’t presume to tell others how to dress. I am sharing it …

World map image with time zones indicated with vertical lines

Jet Lag: Timeshifter App Review

  • March 10, 2024
  • by Inga

Timeshifter is an app designed to help travelers or shift workers adjust to different time zones using science and technology. The science part involves research into such topics as the effect of bright light, melatonin, and caffeine on the sleep cycle, while the technology part relates to how the app lays out a plan based …

Power lines over green grass

Plugs and Power for Travel

  • February 21, 2023
  • by Inga

As tempting as it is to disconnect when we travel, it’s impossible to do if work is involved and difficut to do when traveling for pleasure. If you want to navigate using Google Maps, understand the language with Google Translate or take a photo with your smart phone, you’ll need to power one or more …

Communications Conundrum: Airalo eSIM, WhatsApp or Verizon for travel

  • December 27, 2022
  • by Inga

When planning my travel budget, there is something that makes me balk at spending hundreds of dollars on data and communications. Verizon’s $10 per day Travel Pass sounded reasonable for brief trips but I gulped when I calculated $350 for a five-week trip recently. That would be $350 for me and $350 for my husband, …

These 10 Apps Make Travel Easier

  • December 06, 2022
  • by Inga

Here are ten apps and devices that I have come to rely on in travels to over ten countries in the past year. These aren’t necessarily brand-new apps, but some are either new to me or have enhanced features since the last time I used them.  These 10 apps make travel easier for me. 1. …

Zoleo Satellite Messenger Device: Gear Review

  • September 09, 2022
  • by Inga

This year, I upgraded to a Zoleo satellite messenger device to be able to get two-way messaging. For many years, I’ve had an early generation device that only provided one-way messaging. That simple device met my needs until last year, when I had an elderly parent who was ailing and I didn’t feel comfortable being …

Best Beach Gear for a Tropical Vacation

  • July 19, 2022
  • by Inga

Beach holidays have been a source of deep relaxation for me since I was a child and I love a tropical beach best of all—warm water, surf, sun and sand—what could be better? Shade, that’s what. I’ve found that shade is critical to my enjoyment of the beach. I finally feel like I have the …

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