Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures and adventures, but no one would deny that travel comes with risks. And some of the greatest risks are the possibilities of getting scammed or robbed.

In all likelihood, it will happen to you. No matter how careful you are, or how meticulously you plan where to stay, avoid walking alone at night…at one point or another, you are probably going to fall prey to a scammer or pick-pocket.

Photo: spanishvida.com

But there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. Money belts may not appear to be the most fashionable items but they can prove invaluable in avoiding being pick-pocketed. Keeping your wallet and other valuables in pants pockets is a risky game, especially in cities where such crime is common. When you’re new to a city and are clearly flustered and looking for directions, or marveling at your new surroundings, you are an easy target for an experienced thief. Wearing a money belt under your shirt makes it a lot less likely that someone will grab your valuables off of you. So consider investing in one before you hit the road.

It’s tempting to always go for the cheapest accommodations possible, and that mode of travel can often lead to meeting some interesting folks who can become travel companions and lifelong friends. However, taking your chances on an insecure hostel or motel ups the chances that your belongings are going to be nabbed. At the very least, ask if there is a safe at the front desk where someone can lock up your valuables while you’re out. It’s a huge downer to lose anything important to you while traveling and major thefts can result in your trip being cut short while you try to recover the damages.

Even if you opt for a private room, check to make sure the locks work and are secure. Bring your own padlocks to be on the safe side and inquire about safety at the front desk.

Do your research, too – know what kind of crimes are common in the cities and the places in which they are most likely to happen. You may not want to avoid these areas altogether, as they are likely to be related to some of the sights you want to see, but you can avoid booking a room there and leave your credit cards and passport at home, just in case you do have a run-in with a thief.

Scammers are everywhere and tourists are fresh meat for them. Before heading to a new country, read up on some of the popular scams people try to run there so you’ll know what to look out for. It also helps to have a rough idea of what things like taxi rides and other services cost so that you’re not duped the minute you set foot outside the airport or train station.

Seek advice from other travelers when you arrive, as well. Learn from their wisdom, as they will know who is honest and who is not and can recommend those who are good to do business with. These steps can go a long way toward minimizing your risks and having an enjoyable trip.

Santiago, Chile, has become a hotspot in recent years, not only for tourism but for entrepreneurs as well. Thanks to the Start-Up Chile program, which helps burgeoning enterprises get off the ground, Santiago has taken on a new role in the international scene.

This photo of San Cristobal Hill is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It’s a great place to visit simply as a travel as well – rich in history and culture, plenty to do and lots and lots of great Chilean wine to enjoy. A trip to Santiago can include all of these and you can experience the multi-faceted city in all its glory.

The following are five must-see places while you’re in Santiago.

Museum of Memory and Human Rights

TripAdvisor users rank this the number one attraction to see in Santiago. It’s a fairly new establishment, having opened in 2010, but it makes a big impact on visitors. The exhibits lead visitors through the terrors of the Augusto Pinochet regime and include testimonials, articles and other documents that give those unfamiliar with Chilean history a sincere understanding of the country’s past. Audio guides are available in different languages.

La Moneda

This presidential palace is huge – it covers an entire city block – but you won’t have to allot too much time for it because visitors are not allowed in. So what’s the point of going? You can witness the changing of the guards ceremony each morning, an event that certainly warrants a few photos and past visitors have reported being able to snap a few photos with the guards themselves. It’s worth seeing for that alone and to admire the beautiful design of the building.

This photo of La Moneda is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Pablo Neruda’s Home: La Chascona

Take a guided tour through the hideaway home of the famous poet, and learn not only about the man himself, but about Chilean history and more about the Pinochet years. This is an intimate experience that allows you to glimpse the life, tastes and ideas of a literary giant and take a rare peek into his private life. You can book in advance to avoid waiting in long lines.

Casablanca Valley

You can really work up a thirst while touring, so why not take a day to relax, unwind and get serious about some wine? The Casablanca Valley is comparable to California’s Napa Valley, and you can tour the local wineries, sampling their products and luxuriating in this gorgeous valley, surrounded by the stunning mountains. What better way to see the sights and get some you time in as well?

San Cristobal Hill

This is a great green space at which to relax and do some souvenir shopping. If you’re not feeling particularly spry, don’t worry, there is a train you can take to the top. However, this hill is quite walkable so you can hoof it or bike up for a bit of exercise. However you choose to do it, just make sure to get up there for a bit of nature and a great view of the city.

When planning a trip to Australia, Sydney is often the first place on people’s lists. But Melbourne is usually not far behind, nor should it be. Though the two cities maintain a rivalry, both have great cultural offerings, not to mention a great quality of life and plenty of nightlife and entertainment to keep you busy well into the wee hours of the morning.

Wikitravel calls Melbourne Australia’s “cultural capital, with Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens.”

This photo of Fitzroy Gardens is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Here are a few suggestions of places to visit to help you make the most of your time in Melbourne. And this is just a sampling – once you arrive, you’ll be blown away by the choices of great places to dine, drink and experience the best Australia has to offer.

National Gallery of Victoria

Step into Australia’s oldest art gallery, which opened in 1861, for a taste of the country’s culture, art history and aesthetic. In addition to the much-praised Monet’s Garden section, there are also exhibitions on Asian art that are said to be quite good. For convenience, you can book tickets online to avoid waiting in lines once you arrive and take an audio tour to fully understand the significance of the works on display.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

Though it may not relate to Melbourne culture alone, this gallery has a number of interesting and engaging exhibits for movie lovers from all over the world. Past visitors have reported seeing relics from the set of classics such as Gone With the Wind and Wizard of Oz. From the popular costume exhibit to the interactive components, this is a truly worthwhile and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.

Immigration Museum

In order to understand the current culture and dynamic population of Melbourne, as well as how it came to be that way, stop by the Immigration Museum. Through a series of fascinating exhibits, you will come to understand the many groups that have made their way to Melbourne and have come to  make up the diverse demographic of the city.

Fitzroy Gardens

If you need a break from all the museums and exhibits, however great they may be, spend some time at Fitzroy Gardens, one of the city’s finest green spaces. There are numerous interesting spots to see within the grounds, but it’s great even just for taking some time out and observing the people of Melbourne going about their days.

 Eureka Skydeck 88

Those with an aversion to heights may not be able to stomach this one, but even for them, it’s worth a try. This is the highest vantage point in the southern hemisphere, according to the TripAdvisor owner description, and has a glass cube that projects three metres out from the building – and those brave enough can stand in it. This is a true thrill and should not be missed while visiting Melbourne. After hoofing it around the city to see the sights, you’ll appreciate it the aerial view even more.

This photo of Eureka Skydeck 88 is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It’s hard to believe that less than 25 years ago, China was more or less closed off to the rest of the world. In the past two decades, the country has gone through a period of rapid development and opening up to the rest of the world and the ongoing effects of that are fascinating to observe.

This photo of Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park) is courtesy of TripAdvisor

While Shanghai has long been considered a cosmopolitan and international city – evidence of which can be seen in the architecture along the Bund, and in the French quarter of the city – Beijing has more recently become an attractive place for people from all over the world to work and play.

The city sees new buildings, companies, restaurants, bars and service providers opening all the time. There is a great contrast there between the ancient culture of Beijing and its fast-paced growth.

The hutongs, or traditional neighborhoods, alone are worth seeing. Here you’ll see rows of homes clustered together in a maze that extends for several city blocks. In those that have seen less gentrification, you’ll get a taste of old Beijing, and will see people hanging their clothes out on the line, using communal bathrooms, gathering in the alleyways for a chat and patronizing the small shops that are abundant in the hutongs.

Contrast this with the scene you’ll see in many other parts of the city – such as Sanlitun, a foreigner-friendly neighborhood that now has several modern buildings, shopping malls and a slew of high-end shops and restaurants, and the difference is quite jarring. That’s part of the fun of visiting Beijing, but you’ll want to get there fast if you hope to see the hutongs in their most authentic form.

There has been tension in recent years between locals and foreigners seeking to preserve the integrity of the original structures and the government, which seeks to modernize them and make them more of a tourist attraction, or demolish them altogether in order to make way for more skyscrapers.

Certain sights in Beijing are not going anywhere – the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square – there’s no danger that you’ll miss out on these if you come to Beijing a few years from now. But the hutongs and older neighborhoods may well be gone and you’d miss a chance to see Beijing in its growth stage and get a chance to experience the real heart and grit of the city.

Beijing is not an easy place to visit. It’s exciting and rapidly changing and has lots to do in the way of nightlife, dining and entertainment, but it can be challenging to get around and really get the lay of the land at first. But it is worth the effort. It’s worth all the effort and aggravation to experience what is truly one of the world’s most fascinating cities before its modernized to the point of no recognition.

The same can be said for other parts of China as well – this is an ideal to see this massive country continue waking up from history and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to witness it.

Taupo, New Zealand

Skydive New Zealand

This skydiving capitol of the world brings more than 30,000 people every year that choose to jump here. The island view is breathtaking if you have any breath left that hasn’t left you upon exiting the plane.

The Swiss Alps… Switzerland

Swiss Alps kiddies

Need I say more? You’ll obviously have to dress warm as you jump over the snow-capped mountains. Whatever the ground temperature is, subtract 20 degree Fahrenheit and that’ll be close to what you’ll be jumping out in. While this location is surely a cold one to jump, boy is it beautiful.

Hawaii, USA

Skydiving Hawaii

Anywhere in Hawaii that you find to skydive and you’ll be blown away by the rolling lush landscapes, the islands, and the volcanoes. Guaranteed to easily rival New Zealand for pure beauty in this part of the world.

Ireland

Ireland view by plane

For miles and miles what you’l see will be the rolling green hills of Ireland as you jump the countryside. Truly one of the more pure locations of this planet as in many places the grassy plains will be largely void of all things human in nature. So beautiful…

Thailand, Japan, Philippines, or Indonesia

Indonesia… what a horribly ugly place to skydive at

These host of locations in the Pacific are something out of this world. Thailand and Japan you are to definitely see more human intervention on the land but they are still amazing places to jump nonetheless. Jump the Philippines or Indonesia and be prepared to see some of the most beautiful islands and water you will ever see in your lifetime. You get a full layout of the mountains and many various islands while up at that altitude. One of the most enchanting moments of my life. Check it.

Enjoy…

This is a continuation of all things good and whole that you should have with you for traveling. On the previous post we covered the GPS, the fire starter, and the solar flashlight. Here is a continued list of the gadgets that you may want to take with you:

Water purifier

Emergency water filter

Come on, dysentery isn’t very much fun even on it’s best days so let us try to avoid it shall we? That is why you should have at least a small scale water filtration unit just incase you were to need it in your travels. Obviously in strange places the best way to drink water you’re unsure of would be to filter, boil, and then chemically treat before you consume it. But we don’t always have that luxury and filtering your water is far better than nothing. With these you could literally filter the water from mud. Obviously there can range from Chevys to Cadillacs (cheap to expensive) so shop for what you need. If you just need something on the fly for a far-off metaphorically rainy day then I’d recommend a Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter System. Small enough to fit in your pocket, and cheap (just $8) while it can still can filter 30 gallons of water before the filter should be replaced so it’ll help you out in a pinch. If you are a longer term hiker that will be off the beaten path a lot, then obviously get something a little more expensive that’ll filter as much as you would realistically need and then some.

Multitool

It’s part hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutter, saw, knife, can opener… shit just got real

Obviously a multitool has it’s benefits. Not as a perfect means to hunt or kill prey but for literally anything else. Clipping wires, flathead and phillips screwdriver, needle nose priers for fishing hooks or anything else you could think of. Also the added saw in many can help with cutting brush or making shelter. The valuableness of these tiny tool sets are limited only to your imagination.

Other notes on gear and hiking:

1- Get and learn how to read a compass.

2- Paracord can be invaluable so get a bundle of it.

3- Duct tape… is even more valuable… get some. Can be used to repair backpacks, tarps, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, or hold together a stick-built shelter. Can also be used to pull a wound together in an emergency.

Angry Birds… like a boss

4- Small medical kit… get one. Also buy a bottle of iodine at the store if the kit doesn’t have one; it cleans great and you can just douse a wound with it before closing it up with duct tape or super glue.

5- A tarp can be used as a tent (paracord helps with this), water collection unit, an animal trap when covering a large enough hole and covered with dirt, or anything else you could think of.

6- A good knife is your best friend. Get two.

7- Obviously get a proper backpack.

8- Survival kit wouldn’t hurt either.

9- A wire saw can fit in your pocket and they are super cheap. I bought mine on Amazon for $0.98. Yes, I said 98 cents. They unravel to give you a lot of leverage for cutting larger branches or smaller trees.

10- Common sense… don’t leave on your trip without it.

Yes… just so… yes…

Enjoy…

We’ve all been there… lost in a rain forest with nothing but the clothes on your back and a flare gun… it happens to the best of us. So in the interest of the experiences I’ve been in I’ve assembled a fair list of things for anyone’s travel or hiking backpack… you’re welcome.

GPS

Earthmate PN-60W

While I tend to pride myself in being able to navigate the land with either the sun and a wristwatch or the stars and nothing else… this does not however mean that everyone has this awesome wilderness navigation ability. Let’s face it, not everyone can be as cool as me though. So for those of you that aren’t as cool as me… grab a handheld GPS unit that can standalone with the rest of your gear. The Delorme Earthmate PN 60W Handheld GPS ($300) is a great place to start your look with its impact resistant case, color screen, and even texting capabilities. But shop around to find your best option.

Flashlights

Ultimate flashlight. Found for $10-$25. Waterproof, will float, solar powered, battery back up, and cheap. Read and weep.

It doesn’t matter if you carry a knife with a fire starter with you… which definitely helps; especially for cooking food on the fly or fighting bears. But I digress. Sometimes you need a good ol flashlight to help you see the light… get it. Man am I funny. My personal favorite lights are water proof flashlights that float and are also solar powered. The lights being water proof and floating are just safety measure because I get into some rough spots at times. The fact that I prefer solar powered flashlights is simply because I can’t be bothered to remember to bring extra batteries. So I clip my flashlights to the outside of my bag and they charge while I’m on the fly. My personal recommendation would be the hybrid-solar powered flashlights that are waterproof. They will run on solar power until the power is drained, then you can switch to the lithium backup batteries. Search “solar power flashlight waterproof” on google and you will find some between $10-$25 so they won’t break your bank.

Fire starter

The man you wish you were and/or the man you wish you were banging. He is such an avid camper he can start fires with his mind.

No Bear Grylls hopeful is going to get far without fire at some point in your off-the-beaten-path travels. Sure, you can bring all the propane cooking canisters you want but they are just extra weight, extra space, and they will run out. My number one recommendation would be a small knife that holds a fire starter. You will have two invaluable things that take up no room at all in your gear. They can even fit in your pocket. I bought my blade and fire starter for just $9. Check out this 7 inch hunting blade with a fire starter and paracord wrapped around the handle that could also be used during an emergency. Don’t use fire starters in porto jons, firework factories, newspaper factories, or gas stations… it’s frowned upon.

Enjoy…