With a schedule like the one I’m about to embark on, previous experience tells me that staying healthy and well nourished is at the top of the list. This means not skipping meals, drinking loads of water and keeping up your sleep and vitamins.

I always pack a simple first aid kit with those sorts of things you may not have time to go out of your way to find.

 

  • Aspirin or other pain killers
  • Imodium or other stomach medication
  • Vitamin C for massive doses if you feel a little run down.
  • Sticking Plasters for all eventualities
  • Disinfectant
  • Insect repellent
  • Prescription medication and official letters from your Doctor in case this is needed as customs.

 

After that one time I had to spend an entire day in an remote island hospital, fending off bugs, while “Doctors” in soccer uniforms tended to my husband, I can only say; thank goodness I have Bupa covering my travel insurance to Dubai and New York. Emergency worldwide medical evacuation comes in handy when you least expect it. Funny that!

It’s not just the health factor of travel insurance that I feel is important, but seeing how often luggage is lost, this is my worst nightmare. With all of the irreplaceable vintage pieces I often travel with, I can’t imagine the size of the heart attack I’d have if anything were to happen.

I’m careful to ensure that I think about all of the things that are essential to my trips and make sure I’m covered for those. Photojournalism trip with missing cameras anyone? Then there are the fate-based eventualities like the way I have this thing for monkeys, or rather, they have a thing for me. No rabies yet.

 

I like my adventures to be just that; adventures. I don’t like to plan things to the tenth degree, but I do like to plan for my comfort and sanity. What this means is that if I’m well covered with travel insurance, I have all the essentials packed, and the emergency kits, I’m good to go. Throw anything at me!

 

And yes, that is why I still fondly look back on that one time I had to cook two minute noodles at 1am in a coffee maker, in a road side hotel in California. Be prepared, be inventive, and be happy!