Posts Tagged ‘Water Bottles’

Tips for Traveling with Kids in Car

May 10th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling with kids can be tiresome, irritating and overwhelming all at the same time. Though road trips should be exciting, most young children don’t see it that way, and it only takes 200 “Are we there yet”‘s before parents start pulling their hair out.

If you’re not prepared for the road trip, it could be even more stressful. The best way to ensure that you remain sane during the trip is to prepare yourself for the trip before you leave. The following tips will help.

 

Before You Leave

Have a conversation with your kids about the road trip. Show them on a map where you will be going, what route you’re going to take and what states or cities you’re going to drive through to get there. It’s also important to let them know how long the trip is going to take.

Have your kids pack a bag of activities that will keep them busy. Coloring books, stickers, iPods, computers, Nintendo DS—all of these things can keep your child busy while in the car. Make sure they have their favorite stuffed animals too.

You also need to make sure that you pack plenty of snacks. Try to get them ahead of time so that you’re not making an extra stop along the way. Try to stick to non messy items, such as dry cereal, pretzels and chips. You can also pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. These will keep your children full until you stop for real meals. Make sure you pack plenty of drinks too, and try to use sippy cups or water bottles to reduce spilling. You also need to pack a garbage bag for wrappers and every other piece of trash, and having wipes and paper towels on hand is also a good idea.

On the Road

Make sure your child’s toys are easily accessible. It’s also a good idea to make sure that snacks and drinks are easily accessible too. This alleviates the whining and the frequent stopping.

Make sure you also have a portable DVD player so that your child can watch movies or listen to music. This can keep their attention for a longer period of time. Just make sure to bring the headphones.

It’s also a good idea to bring pillows and blankets. This will help make your child more comfortable, and may even help them fall asleep. Make sure that your child wears comfortable clothes in the car too, and make sure that a change of clothes is easily accessible in case of accidents or changes in weather.

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Moroccan Camel Trekking – What to Pack

August 23rd, 2011 Tushar Mathur

A trip to the Sahara desert is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and what better way to experience it than as part of a caravan of camels, like a true nomad. If you’re thinking of enjoying a holiday in Morocco, many all-inclusive Moroccan holiday packages include camel trekking trips of varying durations, suitable for all the family. Most tour operators recommend a minimum age of two years, but use your own judgement when considering whether to make it a family holiday.

Camel train

Camel Train by jonkeegan, on Flickr

Preparing for this trip will take careful planning, and it is worth speaking to the tour operator to ascertain exactly what equipment will be provided, what can be hired, and what you should take with you.

Camel trekking tours vary in duration from a day to two-weeks, so obviously the amount of things you need to take with you will depend on how long you are planning on staying. Many trips include multiple hotels, dotted along the trek route, for the occasional stop-over and as a means of storing the clothing and equipment that you may need but not want to keep with you every day: arrangements can be made for your belongings to be transported between hotels for you.

The best time of year for your trip is between September and February, though the weather and climate can be temperamental and hard to predict even then. If you are planning on travelling during the hot summer months, most tour operators will offer limited-time treks for your own safety.

Days are hot and nights are cold, so pack many layers of clothing (and don’t forget the sun cream). Sleeping mats are usually provided, if you are to be staying in a traditional mud hut, but you may want to bring insulating mats for extra warmth. Usually, woollen blankets and sleeping bags are provided but are often limited in number – check with your operator before travelling.

Also remember to pack water bottles, your usual toiletries, a torch and comfortable hiking boots, since you will be doing a lot of walking. Also bring a basic first-aid kit including blister-plasters. Pack lightly if there are no provisions for storage at hotels en route; remember that you’ll be carrying it. If you need to, you can hire porters to help to carry your belongings.

Alcohol is forbidden in Morocco, and is therefore hard to buy when you’re there. If you’re planning on having a drink you’d need to bring your own but be discreet about its consumption.

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Arriving in a new city

June 30th, 2009 Tushar Mathur

Traveling to a new and exotic city can be very exciting. Arriving in a city that is brand new and exciting to you is always a sure bet for adventure. When the big day finally arrives, here are some pointers to ensure a relaxing and fun trip. The bad side to arriving to a strange environment is that simply everything IS new. You are not familiar with your surroundings; receiving and understanding directions to the motel, restaurant, etc. can be very difficult; and you will likely have a complete feeling of loss and panic.
One important step to help cut the feeling of helplessness is to gather information regarding landing times from your airport and select a departure flight that coordinates with a daytime arrival time. Usually an early check in can be arranged with your hotel. This way you are not caught at the airport/bus station at four a.m., praying for daylight. Another topic to cover is cash. Being in a new city, you will not want to wander all over to find an ATM. Always have cash on hand, and preferable smaller bills. Some hotels and taxi cab drivers will not break a $100 bill. Also, trade in some ones for quarters, for water bottles and such. This will ensure that whatever situation you find yourself in, you will be monetarily prepared. Researching how much time and money it will take to get to your motel is important also. You do not want to reach the end of the taxi ride, only to find you are short the fare money. In addition, knowing ahead of time the duration of the trip will come in handy also, especially if on a time itinerary.
Another survival guide on your journey is to either bring a map with you, or purchase a detailed, specific map of your city. Wandering to find your way is one way of becoming familiar with the layout of the city, and asking directions from a local always is not very reliable either. If you have printed directions for mapquest.com or a store bought map, this will ensure less time trying to find your way and will free up more time for sightseeing.
By keeping these few tips in mind the next time you set off for an adventure, you can be sure of saving time, money, and your peace of mind.

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