Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mobile phone basics
Make sure you've set up your account to allow you to make and receive calls and text mes-
sages in all the countries you'll be travelling to (and emails if you've got a smartphone).
Try to limit use of your mobile to emergencies - they usually cost a fortune to run abroad
as you pay for all the incoming calls at international rates too.
It's worth insuring the handset, as mobile theft is common and if it's the latest model, try
not to flash it around.
If you are staying in one country for several weeks, consider getting either a cheap local
mobile phone or a local SIM card for your UK mobile. Don't forget to alert friends back
home to the new number. Local texts and calls tend to be very cheap and incoming calls
from abroad are free, which avoids the massive charges when using your UK mobile.
Snail mail
Aerogrammes are a cheap way of writing from most countries. Registering letters usually
costs only a few pence (or equivalent) from Third World countries, and is definitely worth-
while. Postcards are quick, cheap and easy - though not very private.
www.pc2paper.co.uk:
This website allows you to send letters worldwide from the internet
and store addresses in your account. You type your message and they then convert it into
an actual letter and post it for you. The costs vary depending on weight and size.
Email
If you can get to a cybercafé or internet kiosk in an airport, hotel, university, office or home
when you're abroad, you can simply log in to your mailbox (remember you'll need your
user ID and password if these are part of the package). If you think getting to a cybercafé
is going to be hard, there are always smartphones (you need to register your email address
before you leave).
Thousands of cybercafés now sprinkle the globe, and internet connections can be difficult
in Delhi but perfectly okay in Bolivia, so you'll probably find somewhere that you can
email home at some point.
Internet cafés
Remember that internet cafés are much more than just a place to upload your latest batch
of photos, check in with the folks at home and pick up the footie results along with your
email.
