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No Baggage Travel

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

No-Baggers are minimalist travelers who enhance their travel experience by traveling with no baggage other than items which can be carried on their person! This website explores the concept of no baggage and the associated methods, technology and strategies employed in this method of travel.

Qantas Plane

Qantas plane about to take off at Melbourne Airport

 

While traveling with no baggage may seem a foreign concept to some, the fact that it is growing in popularity testifies that some travelers can see its advantages, along with the trend of minimalist living and focusing on what is really important to oneself or family. No-Baggers tend to be singles or couples who enjoy traveling without being weighed down with tons of extraneous gear.

Traditional Baggage Method

Anyone who has traveled extensively knows only too well the hassles of carting suitcases or fully loaded backpacks through airports and cities or on trains and planes. The introduction of wheeled luggage has eased the burden of transporting heavy suitcases, backpacks and carry-on bags to a limited degree bit not solved the problem completely.

Most travelers have a large suitcase and smaller carry-on bag. Regular travelers on short trips often only take a carry-on bag or overnight bag with just the essentials. Some have even journeyed extensively on overseas trips with just a small backpack, carry-on bag, or overnight bag. Not having a large suitcase means no waiting in long airport baggage queues or waiting for planes to unload the luggage to a carousel, plus their is no chance of losing your luggage.

No Baggage Method

No-Baggers have taken the minimalist travel baggage approach to its ultimate conclusion and the introduction of specialist travel clothing with lots (and I mean lots!) of hidden pockets has facilitated the trend. One such specialist clothing company sponsored a 90 day “No Baggage Challenge” where a young couple journeyed around the world in 90 days wearing special clothing that held all their essential supplies. Their journey included extremes in temperature and humidity to test the stylish clothing they were wearing. More on that in another article.

Filed Under: No Baggage Travel Tagged With: , , ,
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Seacliff Beach, South Australia

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Buskers at Temple Bar, Dublin

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A Stroll Through Temple Bar, Dublin at Night

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Temple Bar Dublin Nightlife

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Temple Bar in central Dublin is a lively place in the evenings as tourists and locals alike converge to enjoy the nightlife. During the day it is a much quieter business area.

A short stroll across the bridge over the Liffey from central Dublin lies an old part of Dublin containing an interesting mix of businesses that comes alive with renewed vigor in the evenings. It is home to hotels, restaurants, bars, eateries, shops, clubs, and buskers. If you didn’t know that Temple Bar was there however it would be very easy to overlook it as I did the first time I visited Dublin. Fortunately I stayed in a Temple Bar Hotel on my second visit and the sounds of laughter and Irish music drew my attention to the vibrant nightlife.

Temple Bar at Night

Out and About in Temple Bar, Dublin at Night

The cobblestone streets are well lit at night and filled with hundreds of people having a night on the town. Everyone young and old seems to be attracted to the area for one reason or another. As I strolled around the streets and looked through the windows or open doors of the eating places and bars they were all crowded to the maximum with people obviously enjoying themselves.

My favorite aspect of Temple Bar was the buskers. They were a very diverse bunch of characters who drew large appreciative crowds to their acts. It was the buskers music I could hear from my hotel and the sound pulled me toward their sidewalk acts like the Pied Piper did to the rats and children of Hamlin. The first act I encountered was a lonely guitarist who was being overlooked in favor of a group of well polished old timers belting out Irish ballads a bit further down the street surrounded a large crowd. Down the street further still and around a corner was a violin virtuoso and his backup musicians who were also pulling a huge crowd. The acts were high quality and easily on a par with the best I have seen in England and Australia.

Temple Bar Buskers Singing and Dancing

Temple Bar Buskers Song and Dance Act

 

Temple Bar is a must-do activity for at least one night on your Dublin itinerary. Plan to have a meal, visit a bar, and spend some time watching the buskers. It’s a great way to spend an evening and you’ll return home with some indelible memories.

Filed Under: Ireland Tagged With: , ,
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Seacliff Beach, South Australia

Seacliff Beach Looking South

The Beautiful Sand of Seacliff Beach (South Australia) Looking South - photo taken 20th May 2011

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The No Baggage Traveler

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The no baggage traveler is a relatively new phenomenon in modern tourism circles but in reality has existed for centuries. In past eras this method of travel was mostly a side effect of poverty but in current times it is a personal choice that increases freedom by simplifying the travel process and focusing on essentials.

Dragging backpacks, rucksacks, briefcases, handbags and suitcases through crowded airports and railways stations is not much fun. Buses, trains, crowded sidewalks, escalators, lifts and taxis are much easier to negotiate and use when you are not burdened with significant luggage.

There is also a significant security risk in transporting luggage, with plenty of opportunities for airlines to lose bags or for thieves to steal them. Luggage check-ins and security checks of bags can waste valuable holiday time. Everyone has heard the horror stories of drugs being placed in the luggage of unsuspecting travelers. None of these things are issues for the no-bagger.

One of the great time wasters at airports is luggage check-in. Sometimes the queues appear to be miles long and you despair of ever reaching the counter. You stand in the queue and every now and then shuffle forward a few steps dragging your luggage along. No-baggers who have pre-confirmed their flight and seating arrangements over the Internet skip the luggage queue and go straight to the security section – a huge time-saver!

Revolution Plus Jacket

X-ray View of Revolution Plus Jacket Showing Some of the Pockets

Upon reaching the security section the no-bagger takes off his travel jacket or vest (or both) and places it in a tray for transmission through the x-ray machine. All metallic objects are contained in the jacket so the no-bagger can walk through the metal detector confident that his progress won’t be impeded, pick up his jacket and head off to the boarding lounge to await the flight call. At most airports you will be required to present yourself at the boarding gate to display your passport or travel documents because they haven’t been sighted at the baggage check-in.

Cut price airlines dislike no-baggers because it’s a perfectly legal way to circumvent their baggage restrictions. Airlines with cheap fares make their profits by charging by the pound or kilo for baggage but they can’t stop you from loading up the pockets in your clothing. The amount of items carried in a carry-on bag can also be carried just as easily in pocketed clothing, but with the bonus of no luggage fees.

Once you board the plane you then have to navigate the narrow aisles to reach your seat. The typical traveler is burdened with bags that make the trip down the aisle an exercise in contortion and test of patience. Without the hindrance of bags this is a much more pleasant exercise.

Getting off the plane and through the airport is equally easy. There are no bags to fall foul of random searches at security checkpoints but security officers may question the lack of luggage. A quick explanation of the no baggage concept and you are usually waved through. There’s no waiting at baggage carousels for suitcases so you’re out of the airport and on your way while other passengers are still waiting for their luggage to arrive.

It goes without saying that getting to your accommodation or next destination is equally easy whether you are traveling by taxi, bus, tram, train or bicycle when you are not impeded by heavy or awkward luggage.

Once you arrive at your destination you simply empty your pockets of those things that are surplus to your daily activities. Spare clothes can be put on hangers and other items in drawers. You are then free to go about your daily activities as a regular traveler. Since you only have minimal clothing you have to wash your clothes regularly in order to have fresh clothes to wear. This can be accomplished while having a shower or in a handbasin if you don’t have access to a washing machine. Most times the clothes will dry overnight.

Once you are ready to move on to your next destination it only takes a few minutes to repack your pockets and you are ready to leave.

Filed Under: No Baggage Travel Tagged With: , ,
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Mini Tripod Reviews

May 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Comparison of 4 Mini Tripods for No Bagger Travel Photographers

A mini tripod is an essential travel accessory for No Baggers who are keen photographers. The primary purpose of a tripod is to avoid camera shake and to obtain crisp, clear photos. A secondary use is to take photos with the use of the camera’s self-timer feature which allows time for the photographer to position themselves in the field of view and be included in the photo.

Here I review four mini tripods that I have personally used and rated according to my personal experience. The ratings are relative to other mini tripods and not full size professional tripods. Regular full-size tripods should always be the photographers first choice if they are available. However the mini tripod is better than nothing for minimalist travelers and No Baggers like myself.

Mini Tripods Compared

Four Mini Tripods for Travel Photography

From left to right: Generic Aluminum Mini Tripod, Flexible Joint Mini Tripod, Flexible Leg Mini Tripod, and the Manfrotto Modopocket Mini Tripod.

Generic Aluminum Mini Tripod

This is a cheap light-weight mini tripod that often comes as a freebie when you purchase a camera online. There are many similar looking tripods available and the quality varies. If you can find a better quality version of this tripod it does a satisfactory job. The telescopic legs on mine extend from an overall height of 14cm to 21cm by pulling on the feet and then twisting them to lock them in position. With a weight of only 32 grams they are one of the lightest tripods available. Best suited to a reasonably level surface and self-timer to avoid camera movement and blurry photos, but perfect for small video cameras like the Flip Mino.

Flexible Joint Mini Tripod

This is a newer style of mini tripod that is extremely flexible. I own a Chinese version of the popular Joby Gorillapod as well as the genuine product. Although the Chinese version is adequate the original Gorrillapod is much better quality and is the better buy. Every joint is a ball joint and this gives it extreme flexibility making it very easy to use in any situation, including certain situations where it was previously impossible to use a tripod. The Joby tripod has better quality rubber feet than the cheaper version and the joints are stiffer. As a result it provides stronger support for compact cameras and does not slip on most surfaces. Requires a light finger on the shutter release, or better still, the self-timer.

Weighing in at only 51 grams and with an overall length of 17 cm it is very portable. This is definitely the most versatile of this selection of mini tripods but the Chinese version can only be used with a self-timer because it vibrates too much if it is touched, and it slips on smooth surfaces. The Joby version is much better.

Flexible Leg Mini Tripod

Mine is a Fuji branded flexible leg mini tripod and it does a great job. It weighs 56 grams and has an overall length of 12.5 cm. The flexible legs make it suitable for uneven surfaces as it is easy to level. Much more so than the aluminum tripod. Well made and sturdy it should last forever and be included in every camera bag. It is also very cheap so great value for money. Requires a light finger on the shutter release, or use of the self-timer.

Manfrotto Modopocket Mini Tripod

This extremely compact Manfrotto mini tripod weighs 56 grams and is only 6.5 cm long which is about two-thirds the size of a credit card. Simply amazing! The two legs with a foot at each corner create a very stable platform for mounting compact point and shoot cameras. While the Modopocket is adjustable it is not suitable for rough and uneven surfaces, but makes a great table tripod for flat surfaces. Because of the solid design it is possible to press down on your camera with your left hand while pressing the shutter button with your right hand. This provides an incredibly stable platform equivalent to a heavy duty tripod.

In practice I have not found uneven surfaces to be an issue as there have usually been flat surfaces available in situations where I needed to use the Modopocket.

Mini Tripod Comparison Summary

If you are after a light and compact mini tripod then the Flexible Leg tripod and the Manfrotto Modopocket are both excellent choices, and you may even want to carry both.

If you don’t mind the same weight but three times the bulk then a genuine Joby Gorillapod is the standout choice. Don’t waste money on the Chinese version. Be aware that the Joby Gorillapod mini tripods come in 3 sizes depending on the size and weight of your camera. Buy the correct size or it will not support your camera.

The Pod – an alternative to tripods

The Yellow Pod (it has a yellow base and contains plastic beans) is a circular can shaped bean bag with a tripod screw mount for supporting SLR and compact cameras on uneven or wet surfaces. Because the mounting screw is centrally located it also works best with cameras that have a central tripod screw hole, particularly SLR cameras. My compact camera has an offset mount but it worked OK and provided a solid platform as long as I pressed down on the camera with my left hand while triggering the shutter with my right hand. Otherwise the offset camera weight caused the Yellow Pod to tip over on its side.

The Yellow Pod which comes from Canada weighs 129 grams or 4.6 ozs. Its main advantage over some of the mini tripods above is providing a camera platform on uneven surfaces.

The Yellow Pod

The Yellow Pod Camera Support Bean Bag

Filed Under: Photographic Gear Tagged With: , , , , ,
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Auckland CBD at Night

Auckland CBD at Night - taken April 2011

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GOshave Deluxe Travel Shaver Review

May 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Clio GOshave Deluxe Travel Shaver Review

A decent travel shaver is important if you like to be clean shaven on your travels. Some men are happy to grow a beard and just forget the whole shaving issue – but not me.

On my first no-baggage trip I took my regular electric shaver because that’s all I had. However once I returned home I started searching for a light-weight electric travel shaver. I prefer an electric shaver because I don’t like carrying liquids on my person when I’m traveling due to the potential for leakage problems.

I looked at specifications and compared travel shaver offerings from Panasonic, Braun, Sanyo, Remington, and a host of Chinese makes. While many of these appeared to be capable travel shavers they were not compact enough or had price or other issues that forced me to continue searching. Eventually I came across a unique little shaver that was just perfect – the GOshaveTM Deluxe Travel Shaver by Clio DesignsTM that was compact, light, and battery powered. Not only did it fit my basic criteria but it was also extremely cheap, but don’t be fooled by the amazingly low price!

The GOshave Deluxe Travel Shaver by Clio was so cheap that I bought two of them after reading positive reviews by previous purchasers. The shavers arrived about a week later and I had to test them straight away to see if they really were any good. I wasn’t disappointed.

After inserting two AAA batteries I switched the GOshave on and put it to the test. Wow, was I surprised at the capability of this tiny little shaver. It weighs 3.48 oz/97gms and measures 3.5″ x 2″ x 0.5″/92mm x 54mm x 13mm. It shaved as well as my $300 Braun shaver – in fact it was better at some things! In particular, the GOshave gets into grooves and tight spots extremely well due to the small head size. Also it is very effective and doesn’t leave any hairs behind like larger shavers do. You can always tell men who use electric shavers by the hairs that have been repeatedly missed… hairs that never would have been missed by a blade or the GOshave. There was one minor problem however. There is a gap between the foil and the edge of the shaver that can grab and pull on hairs if you move the shaver too fast. Just take it slowly and it’s OK.

Two GOshave Travel Shavers

The tiny GOshave Travel Shaver

Travel Shaver Size

Travel Shaver in palm of my (small) hand

For specifications on the GOshave travel shaver click here…

Advantages

  • Very low cost
  • Battery powered
  • Low weight
  • Close shave
  • Small form factor
  • Strong protective casing

Disdvantages

  • May grab hairs if moved too fast

The Clio GOshave Deluxe travel shaver is perfect for travel purposes, at the gym, or keeping in the car, but it’s not designed for regular everyday use. At home I use mine in conjunction with my expensive shaver – I let my regular shaver do all the hard work and then tidy up with the travel shaver. I love it!

Click here to buy the Clio GOshave Deluxe travel shaver at Amazon.com.

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