Independent traveler

Love to travel, but hate tours? This blog offers insight on how to go it alone, from safe accommodations to seeing the best, and maybe the worst. After all, independent travel is an adventure. Flexibility and traveling on a budget are critical. No five-stars or all-inclusives. So hop aboard. Learn to enjoy travel at your own pace and price. Meet other adventurers like yourself and mingle with the locals. Remember: You may travel alone, but you wonʼt be lonely. gloria.independenttraveler@gmail.com

Gloria Maschmeyer

I've been a traveler since I can remember. I spread my wings as a flight attendant at age 20, then married a traveling man and we've never stopped. While based in Anchorage, we've ventured to India, Peru, Bali, Morocco, Burma, Tunisia Singapore and Ecuador. I love ferreting out places off the beaten path. And when things don't go quite as planned, that's just part of the adventure.

PHOTOS

Gloria's photo gallery

See Gloria's photos from her world travels.

READER-SUBMITTED

Vacation shots

That's a tiny Machu Pichu at left. View more travel shots in our vacation gallery.

Floating England's Llangollen Canal

See a little snippet of floating the Llangollen Canal in Western England in a narrow boat.

Fun with Divot

Divot snorkeling at the confluence of Brook's River.

Fun with Ted and Divot

Divot at the Falls and Ted cavorting at the mouth flowing out to Naknek Lake.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

www.myforecast.com

Click on "almanac," then on "historical climate" and plug in the city you wish to check.

ELECTRICAL CONVERSIONS

www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html

For electrical appliances, it's great to know the voltage used in a country and the types of plugs.

CURRENCY RATES

www.oanda.com

For more information on currency exchanges and helpful hints, read my blogs, "Should I change" and "I've decided to change."

TRAVEL WARNINGS

www.travel.state.gov/travel

This site can help you determine the type of crime that goes on in foreign countries against visitors. It also will tell you areas of the country you should avoid.

WORLD TIMES

www.worldtimeserver.com/

Features the current time anywhere and weather. Helpful when you need to call for reservations or want to call back home while away.

WHAT TRAVELERS SAY

www.tripadvisor.com

A favorite sites to see what other travelers have to say about places to stay and visit worldwide

CAR RENTAL

www.hotwire.com

A good site for finding the best deals on renting cars anywhere in the world

TRAVEL INSURANCE

www.squaremouth.com

Web site that compares costs of travel insurance between companies.

All that glitters is gold in Rangoon, Burma, site of the world famous Shwedagon Paya (temple)... - 2/8/2012 3:23 am

Unique waterfalls outside of Luang Prabang, Laos... - 2/4/2012 7:41 pm

Buddhism and Laos, religion first and foremost... - 2/3/2012 1:34 am

Luang Prabang, Laos, a respite in Southeast Asia... - 1/28/2012 7:46 pm

Thailand is synonyms with Temples... - 1/23/2012 5:21 am

Bangkok street food, I gave it a try! - 1/21/2012 1:51 am

Check these travel spots for your 2012 Travel Bucket List… - 1/1/2012 4:53 pm

Merry Christmas... - 12/24/2011 9:28 pm

10 knock your socks off stocking stuffers for the traveler…

The Native Hospital gift shop in Anchorage has great tree ornaments like this one...The Native Hospital gift shop in Anchorage has great tree ornaments like this one...

It’s so easy to buy little gifts for the traveler with all the fun, affordable and practical things on the market. Check these out.
1. Tripod for point and shoot camera, for the person with a short arm or for use when taking a timed shot.
2. A headlamp. This may sound more like a camper’s delight, but they are so handy when you travel, especially if you are traveling off the beaten path and are walking at night. Of course you can use a headlamp to read in bed or on the plane when the overhead light is way too dim or misdirected.
3. Mini flashlight to use in the middle of the night in your room so you don’t stumble or think the closet is the bathroom. (Don’t laugh, I’ve done that.)
4. Leg money pouch, to deter wise crooks. I do know a couple that had to take off all their clothes when they were robbed, but what are the chances if you’re in a crowd.
5. Travel Alarm Clock. I think a girl or guy for that matter can never have too many travel clocks. When I’m not on the road, I set one for the time in Denver where my daughter lives and one for Nebraska where my mother and brother live. Make sure it has a face that lights in the dark.
6. Small folding travel bag. I always carry a small collapsible bag to put items in when I shop or to put items from my carryon into for easier access on the plane. That way I don’t leave my glasses case in the seat pocket nor do I have to lug down my carryon from the overhead rack to get my book or something else I need. I pack the small bag in the gate area and put my purse in it too.
7. TSA combination locks for your luggage. Like alarm clocks a traveler can never have too many. Use them to lock your checked luggage and also your carryon luggage. That way if the security dudes lose, cut or destroy the lock on your checked bag, you have an extra and don’t have to pay inflated airport prices. I always have at least two extra locks along. I also put them on my backpack and camera case too. Better to be paranoid than plundered is my motto.
8. A neck pillow. I love my beanie neck pillow. No matter what kind of airline seat I’m in, my head never feels comfortable . Plus my beanie neck pillow doubles as a bed pillow if I don’t like the one provided by my hotel.
9. A plug adapter. I take a travel hairdryer ($10 at Wal-Mart) and flat iron on trips. Plus I have a variety of electronic chargers for various things and love the new multi-plug adapters.
10. Travel Blankee. Since many airlines no longer provide pillows or blankets due to the Swine Flu epidemic, you can pack your own. An alternative for the ladies is to wear a shawl. It works great as a cover and looks trendy slung over your shoulder.

Well that’s my top ten for this year. Have anything to add? Post a comment below or e-mail me through the question box on the right.

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