Top Travel Tip | Safe Travel Means Happy Travel

When travelling, safety and security is or should be one of your number one priorities! As well as having an enjoyable and memorable once in a lifetime experience. So make it count by not being an idiot! :)



There are a few things you can do in order to protect yourself from the 'badies', and it was during our time in South America that we learnt of some of their tricks.

Theft is usually a crime of opportunity, and when you have been travelling for a little while it is very easy to become complacent and forget the dangers, so always remember the following...

Handbags & gladrags...

The usual rules apply for when walking around cities or towns. Keep small side bags close, wear them over your body and at the front where you can keep an eye on it at all times.

Happy snappy...

If you are travelling or holidaying you are going to have a camera. If that means a huge protruding lense with lots of shiny bits that shout out "I have money" then perhaps keep it safely tucked away when you are not using it. And if it is the smaller, compact camera you are carrying just pop it away into a pocket when not in use,there is no point waving it around now is there?! But whatever camera you have whether a phone or a giant Canon SLR, be sure to wear the neck strap or hand strap when using it.

Give them the drop...

A fantastic idea for travelling is also to have a 'drop' wallet, or a fake wallet, with a fake or expired credit card in and some petty cash. If anything were to happen, and a 'badie' demanded your money, simply give them this 'drop' wallet as a decoy and hope for the best!

Drive safe! 

Safety on buses is a big deal, if you are backpacking you are probably going to opt for local transport to keep the costs down, therefore knowing a few tricks of the trade can help you to rest easy and become more aware of the threats around you.

The water trick!

In South America in particular, we discovered a trick that thieves use on buses - and you might think it will never happen to you, but, we watched it happening and they are goooood.

'You have been on the local bus for about 30 minutes, you have your bag safely on the floor in between your legs, you feel its secure and you start to nod off. Suddenly this kind passenger in front of you notices some water on the floor and he advises, strongly, for you to put your bag in the luggage hold above you, you are a bit drowsy and your first thought is "yeah, why not, thanks" because you are grateful to this kind stranger, not 100% sure whats going on and you don't want your bag or your things getting wet so its a win win situation. The kind stranger even offers to help you put your bag up there for you...  *Cue dramatic tension building music!*

Actually, this kind stranger spilled the water under the chair, giving you a reason to want to move your bag, then by strongly advising and even forcefully picking up your bag and putting it in the luggage hold he has full control of the situation and can then place your bag exactly where he/she needs it. Next he will wait a little longer, perhaps until you drop off again before putting his own bag up next to yours as well as his jacket which will conveniently conceal his and some of your bag. Even if you are awake you will either be oblivious because this is the man who helped you earlier or you won't have a clear view of your bag, so whilst it looks like he's getting things out of his bag actually he is very quickly going through all of your pockets and robbing you blind. *Cue sad music*.

At the top of the stairs...

Another great way for the 'badies' to get you is when you are sitting near the top of the stairs on double decker buses. If your bag is on the floor it takes but seconds for someone to pop up the stairs, lean over, grab your bag and jump straight off the bus. If you are on a night bus or a busy day bus, you won't even know what happened until its too late.

So...always try to keep your on-board bag on your lap and if not, make sure its at your feet with the straps around your ankle, just in case!

So just remember be vigilant and don't EVER leave your belongings unattended, that means not asking complete strangers to watch your bag for a second whilst you visit the bathroom...BIG travel no no!!

So that is all from safety Max... bon voyage and happy travelling!