TRAVEL INSURANCE

                                   

Have you ever had travel insurance? For business or pleasure, it's not a bad thing to consider. Where do you start when it comes to finding affordable, and cheap policies? It’s easier than you may think, and it can all be done online. Cutting out stress and making sure you have peace of mind is not a bad idea.

If you’re booking a package deal via a travel agent, you will no doubt be offered their company policy, but I wouldn’t recommend taking this, because the cost will more often than not be hugely inflated compared to what you can find elsewhere. Head to a cost comparison website and search for your needs, checking what the results are. Don’t go for the cheapest, because you’ll probably find the excess costs are high, so instead go for a middle of the road policy that suits your needs, and won’t cost the earth in the event of a claim.

What else do you need to remember? Well, those pre-existing medical conditions need to be declared, and obviously the older you get, the slightly higher the cost of your policy, but in the event of a problem, you’ll be happy you did pay it out to begin with. It might take some searching, but you will be able to find good quality and low cost travel insurance for over 70s, so don’t be bummed!

When you're ready to travel, print out the policy, store the claim number in your mobile phone, and put it all in a folder in your hand luggage. We hope it will never see the light of day, but in the event of an issue or problem, it’s there to fall back on. Peace of mind is worth much more than the cost you will pay for your policy.

Your insurance should, if you check the small print, cover you for any cancellations or major flight problems which result in you not being able to go away. If this is due to a medical problem, you will need to get evidence from your doctor, but in the event of a claim this is relatively easy to do. Checking your BA flight status online before you depart will give you further peace of mind that there are no problems with your particular flight, and even if there are, your company will no doubt have a contingency plan – remember it costs the company far more to cancel a flight than it does to sort out an alternative arrangement! 

LEAVES OF THREE

While we're partial to the number three (being triplets, and all...) we know how the saying of nature goes, "Leaves of three, leave them be." Poison oak is everywhere in California, and it comes in clusters of three and during the summer months has a glossy finish with lobed edges (as seen in photograph above). They are often in bushels and it can be easy to rub into them when you're hiking and not really paying attention. 

I had to keep reminding Lisa to dodge them, and kept picturing her inflated in a bath of oatmeal covered in itchy rashes. I'm just glad nobody got it :) BUT, it's something to be aware of if you are like us and spend a lot of time outdoors. 

HOW TO: JUMP START YOUR CAR

Sometimes in life things go terribly wrong. Like when you think it's a brilliant idea to sit in your car (without the engine on or running) to charge up your phone for a little extra juice. Or when you think it's even better to end up sitting far longer than expected, say...an hour, to pass the juice around to each sister's phone... yeah, we can be a little dense sometimes, haha.

I just remember trying to start my car when we were ready to move on and done with our ghetto parking lot picnic lunch and having a total panic attack when it wouldn't start. My first thoughts, "We're three girls alone! We have no boys to help! Our phones are almost dead! Who will we call?! We don't have AAA anymore, BAHHHH!" ... for goodness sake, I didn't even have jumper cables in my car.

That's when Lisa in her almighty confidence and power put her foot down and said, "Dude, chill out." and started delegating. "Kylie, go to the road with your thumb up and wave people down to help. Megan, try to see if you can call dad (yep, still calling dad at 26 years old haha)." I was like, "Well what are you doing?!" And she said, "Not freaking out." Point taken. It could have been due to my lack of sleep from hard grounds or just the fact that I felt a burden of responsibility being my vehicle and all, that I may or may not have overreacted.

Luckily within about 20 minutes we waved down an army dude who was super nice and super helpful, had jumper cables and a Mustang with enough power to give us juice to get going again. This was a learning experience for us - to always have jumper cables in your car. Never charge a phone when the engine is not running. And don't be afraid to approach strangers in times of need.

So there you have it. Big girl doing big girl things even though I'd rather just curl up in a ball. The last pic is my joy after my little meltdown when I realized all was good in the world, again. After having a couple other people try to jump us and fail, we were grateful to the Mustang for being there when we needed them. Here's to kind strangers on the road! And the lovely abandoned Piedras Blancas Motel for sponsoring our afternoon, haha.

SAFETY FIRST

 Pepper spray c/o Tiger Light | Lumberjack hat c/o Treeline Outdoors | Tie-dye hat c/o Mowgli Surf | Backpack c/o Cotopaxi

We woke up with the sun and were anxious to explore our campsite overlooking seaside cliffs and hiking trails. We trotted around in our sweat pants and yesterday's make-up with just a few must-have items on hand. These items of course included awesome hats to hide our bed head, a backpack full of stuff, and some pepper spray just in case three girls might bring unwanted attention. 

We were pleased to each receive our own customized Tiger Light mini with our name on it. The Tiger Light mini also doubles as a flash light to blind attackers on top of spraying them with pepper spray! They are easy to use, fit perfectly in your purse or pocket, and the comfort they bring is worth any reservations you might have about traveling alone.

What safety items do you carry when you travel?

SURVIVAL GUIDES ON THE GO

How many times have you, as a single female or even group of female friends, been traveling together and worried about your safety? It's never a bad idea to be prepared for bad things to happen, because sometimes in life things go terribly wrong. Whether you're with a mixed group or flying solo, never go ill prepared.

I feel comforted in knowing that I will know what to do in the case of an emergency, and a survival guide that goes where I go on my mobile device makes it easy to not forget to pack an extra book or frantically flip through pages looking for the right thing to do. The Adventurist is a series of survival audio books that help in times of emergency by simply tuning in as if you were listening to music. They're AWESOME, and they have one for all kinds of biomes from desert, jungle and arctic to sea and bushcraft.

Survival audio books c/o The Adventurist

From treating bleeding wounds, hypothermia and burns to stings, bites, shock, moving casualties, dehydration and breaks these audiobooks provide you with easy to understand knowledge on first aid.

In addition to first aid, they also cover emergency details on rescue, shelter, fire, water, food, camp and even MORALE (like how to stay positive to improve chances of survival). Each guide goes over how to analyze your resources, use morse code for help, and adapt to your environment as well as building natural shelters, hunting for food and protecting yourself from dangerous animals. It literally covers EVERYTHING.

Adventurist Survival Audiobooks even include facts to help you know what you're getting into based on the survival guide you select (i.e. desert guide mentions how much water you should be drinking, and the arctic guide talks about how long you can survive in certain elements). It's super helpful, and we really want you to use them too so you can stay safe when you're adventuring. As a reader and follower of our blog, you get a FREE version of Bushcraft Survival Lite by entering coupon code TRAVELSAFE at checkout. How awesome is that?

Know what to do when crap hits the fan, and get real-time emergency advice! Don't worry about studying books, getting certified or trying to figure it all out beforehand. With this guide, you have a quick plan for what to do when things go awry.

TIGERLIGHT PEACEKEEPER MINI

We stumbled upon this project on Indiegogo and had to tell you about it! It is just too good!

It's called the Tigerlight Peacekeeper Mini. The Peacekeeper Mini is a self-defense device that combines a flashlight and pepper spray. It even has BlueTooth and GPS technology, you know what that means? If someone decides to jump you in a creepy alley or something bad happens while you're traveling, this thing will alert your phone and other's you have selected to receive the alert to send for help immediately! I don't know how they came up with this thing, but it's going to be a life saver.

We would love to see this project get funded and they need your support to help bring this new product to the market! Just think of the difference we can make. Remember, SAFETY FIRST!

Read more about their project here.

PRODUCT REVIEW: CLEVER TRAVEL COMPANION

Nothing says handy quite like underwear with compartments! I myself am a money belt fan (you know the things, they're super nerdy and quite fabulous --> found here). I'm all about hidden nooks and crannies and keeping my valuables safe and on my body at all times when traveling. It gives me peace of mind to know I know where everything is, and it's even more alluring to know that I can hide it somewhere most people aren't interested in snooping (ok that sounds bad, but you know what I mean!)

When Clever Travel Companions approached us about their long john underwear, I knew I had to try it. There are zipper pockets to seal your belongings and you can layer your clothes over them normally for those cooler adventures you're bound to have during the Fall/Winter seasons.

Long Johns c/o Clever Travel Companion

Product: Theft Protection Long Johns / Cost: $23.90

Super softy and comfortable, and fit like high-waisted leggings. I'm wearing a size XS and they're perfect. How much do you want to try these now? It's a good idea for your holiday travels!

BICYCLING IN SAN FRANCISCO

The 2-Wheeled Tourist: Exploring San Francisco by Bicycle

Exploring by bike is a great way to get around San Francisco, as the city is relatively small and there are a number of bike lanes and paths. It is a common transport choice for the locals and it is often the quickest way across town, which is why you will see so many people cycling here compared to other American cities. The city itself is fairly small and it is only around 7 miles in circumference from east to west or north to south, so you will be able to get from one end to another with ease.

If you are looking for more info about cycling while you search for San Francisco city things to do on a vacation, here are some tips for cycling in San Francisco, such as where to rent bikes, how to keep safe and how to handle those hills.

Where to Get a Bike

There are a number of bike rental companies all throughout San Francisco, including Bay City Bike, Dylan’s Bike Rental and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals. Most of the bike rental shops in the city are clustered around Fisherman’s Wharf.

During the summer, bike riding is very popular and you will find it more difficult to get your hands on a bike. You can reserve a bike online in advance to make sure that you get one, which sometimes can even save you money.

Once you pick up your bike from Fisherman’s Wharf, you can start your journey by cycling north on Jefferson Street to the Aquatic Park along the gentle bay side trail. You could also bike along the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge or through the charming waterfront town of Sausalito.

If you prefer a guided tour, there are a number of different options offered by the bike rental companies at Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a great way to get some exercise while learning about the history of the city.

Important Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

When you are cycling, it is always important to keep safety in mind. Most motorists will generally be aware of your presence on the roadway, but you should still ride with caution, especially at busy times and during gridlock. Be aware of the rules of the road and keep your eyes and ears alert to what is happening around you. Always make your intentions clear to other cyclists and drivers with hand signals, and ride in the designated bike paths and cycling lanes rather than on the sidewalks.

Unfortunately, bike theft is very common in San Francisco and you should avoid leaving your bike unattended in public for a long period of time. Always secure your bike with a strong lock to a secure bike rack or railing.

How to Handle Those Hills

Of course, there is no denying that San Francisco has many steep hills. These inclines can be painful for your legs to climb up and dangerous to come down, as you might find yourself picking up speed too quickly and barreling out of control into traffic. How do you avoid this?

The secret is that there is almost always a bike route that will get you from point A to point B without having to make any major climbs. You can ask a local cyclist for their advice on which route to take.

If you find yourself facing a big hill, you can either hop off and walk your bike up or change your cycling technique. Crouch down low in the saddle and keep your upper body relaxed. Shift to a low gear and keep pedaling to maintain your momentum. Keep your effort constant and steady and once you get closer to the top, you can stand up from the seat and use your body weight to help you push down hard on the pedals.

When descending, use both of your brakes and don’t go down too quickly. Keep your eye out for cars and pedestrians on the road.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind while you are exploring the beautiful city of San Francisco on a bicycle. Have fun and happy pedaling!

GUEST POST - TEN DEVINE TOURIST TIPS

We love Hailey from Something Devine blog. She emits happiness and has an energy and enthusiasm for life that is really quite contagious. She also shares our fancy for filming and travel, so with that being said...we are stoked to have her guest posting today and sharing a few tips! She's an inspiration to us all!

TEN TOURIST TIPS

1 - Wear comfortable shoes.

2 - Pay with cash and keep it in a safe place.

then keep emergency cash in an even safer place.

3 - Look where you are walking, no one likes to get ran into! ;)

4 - Learn language basics.

Don't be afraid to ask strangers for help!

5 - Get a practical bag that will hold your belongings, and keep a good eye on it.

6 - Wear your camera around your shoulder, it will relieve neck pain. 

It will also help you look like less of a 'tourist'!

7 - Figure out your route before leaving and keep the hotel's card on you.

It will have the address on it, just in case you get lost. "Helllp!"

8 - Eat out early, or late - it will help avoid long waits and crowds.

9 - Use apps on your phone, rather than a physical map.

Less to carry and less 'tourist-y'.

10 - Don't be afraid to explore! 

Pay attention and snap photos of land marks along the way, 
it will help you find your way back!

RINCON, I LOVE YOU

Destination: Rincon, Puerto Rico / Activity: Surfing / Price: $15 a day

We loved loved loved Puerto Rico! Rincon reminded me a lot of the north shore on Oahu. It's where the surf bums dwell and locals strive to keep the country country. Such beautiful country too! We met the nicest people who ran a surf shop by Playa Maria's called The Dive Shop. Their boards were in awesome condition and they even hooked us up with an amazing penthouse rental with a view of Rincon lighthouse. Check out that view!

Again, we used airbnb for our lodging in Puerto Rico. It was around $100 a night for a whole house to ourselves (4 people). We rented a car at the airport in San Juan to get around the island. Taxis get spendy and rip tourists off. A lot of people speak both English and Spanish, so you won't have any trouble getting around if you know one of those languages. We met people from Italy, Japan, California, Texas, and Hawaii. Rincon attracts beach bums from around the world!

So a little about the surf! We surfed at Playa Maria, a reef break . There are several other surf breaks to choose from depending on the day, including the popular Dome Beach. We found it suitable at Playa Maria for a longboard (9'), soft top (8'8"), and fun board (7'6"). We were warned about a few things surfing at Maria's that we thought we'd let you in on... 

Hazards:

-sunken ships

-urchins

-fire coral

Honestly, I was nervous about hitting these things so I was very wary of my surroundings. Sometimes the water gets pretty shallow until a wave comes, and if you get taken out by a wave just pray you don't hit anything underwater. A local told us that visitors won't know or see the sunken ships and break their board and get hurt. Also, if you look down while you're paddling out you can see the gnarly reef! The fire coral looks like big reddish-orange mushrooms and the urchins look like small purple spikey balls. If an urchin gets you it secretes a poison that requires medical attention. If you hit the fire coral, expect a lot of pain and burning sensations!

With those tips, don't do what I did and paddle in just anywhere. I got nasty reef bite on my leg! Reef is full of bacterias and isn't good for your skin. Thankfully the nicest local guy directed me to a safe place to come in and then we had a good chat about all the rad big waves he has surfed. It was so fun. As you can see, the people there are awesome.

Let us know if you have any more questions about traveling in Puerto Rico, or better yet any tips! I know we have a few Puerto Rican followers and we love your home! Es la vida. 

HOW TO: SECURE YOUR LAPTOP

Have you ever been traveling and had something stolen from you?

Triplet #3 got a Macbook Pro stolen, and it sucked!

A traveler's nightmare come true, people! 

It's always good to take extra caution when you are preparing for a trip.

I learned something new the other day and I knew this would be valuable to our readers.

If you're lugging around Macbooks and other laptop equipment, this is something you'd

be interested in hearing - it could save you in case something went terribly wrong!

PREY PROJECT is a site where you can download FREE software onto your computer that automatically syncs up with your webcam and harddrive to install a tracking device. If the situation were to arise that your laptop was stolen or lost, all you need to do is follow the instructions to activate the hidden webcam and tracker. You can literally SEE the people who are using your misplaced computer and track them down using Google Maps! RAD! Thank you, technology! 

. . . . . . . . . .

Get your free download here!

You have nothing to lose.
You're welcome :)

HOW TO: FIND PLACES TO STAY IN ECUADOR

While cruising around the coast we took note of some of our favorite places to stay in Ecuador. 

These two places made the top of the list for various reasons, of which I will share with you for your accommodation pleasures (should you make the journey to Ecuador yourself). 

There are a few things to keep in mind when hunting for a good place to stay. 

#1 - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

#2 - PRICE + WHAT IT INCLUDES

#3 - SECURITY

That being said, let's begin! 

Destination: Canoa / Accommodation: $8 per person per night 

#1 - LOCATION

We absolutely loved this little privately owned hostal in Canoa. Canoa is a quiet, peaceful little beach town that sees less tourists than other congested beach towns on the Ecuadorian coast. While the surf is not as prime, the beaches are long and stretch for miles with plenty of privacy for those looking for a more tranquil escape. This hostal was tucked back down a side street, away from the nighttime party noise and in its own secluded area.  Depending on what kind of travel tickles your pickle, you may fancy something different - but for Traveling Triplets, we prefer quiet seclusion 

to bumpidy bump bump bump all night.

Destination: Baños / Hostal: Hostal Chimenea / Accommodation: $8 per person per night

#2 - PRICE + WHAT IT INCLUDES  

I like to get the most bang outta my buck. This place did the trick. At an affordable rate, it included a private bathroom (which in Ecuador and for this price is hard to find) with hot water, it was clean, a couple beds (which is unnecessary but that's just how they do it), our own private balcony, FREE wi-fi and access to computers (amazing), a book swap (my personal fav... rummaging through the library is always fun), and great customer service. It also had a restaurant on the roof where we'd eat every morning with views of waterfalls cascading into the jungle and mountains so high that clouds would float through and thicken the sky with white puffy fog until early afternoon.
Now THAT is MY kind of deal! 

#3 - SECURITY

Call me paranoid, but I like my doors to lock. Some people are pretty chill about sharing rooms with strangers, staying in huts that have doors with no locks, putting the good ol' faith in fellow travel mates of the world...well, I like people but I also know people - and when you're on a budget things lyin' around start to look pretty alluring. I like to know I can lock my door, walk away and not wonder if somebody is gonna go rummaging through my personal stuff. If there's a caja fuerte (safe/strong box) in the room, swell. If not, fine. I have sneaky ways of hiding REALLY valuable valuables... and I always leave a sticky on the door in places that have room service saying NO GRACIAS... you just never know! Security is a big deal for me - especially since I carry around a lot of expensive photography and videography equipment wherever I go. This hostal in Baños fit all my worry needs. The deadbolt was secure, the location was away from busy streets and shenanigans, and the people were sweet as honey. That's my cup of tea.  

HOW TO: GET AROUND IN S. AMERICA

Traveling around South America is lots of fun. It's quite the adventure because you get to take the bus everywhere you go. In Peru you become best friends with what is known as the "combi," or an overstuffed minivan that cost less than a quarter to get around anywhere you want. In Ecuador, depending on where you're at, you stick to taxis or busses. If you're traveling a long distance, the bus is your best friend.

The nice thing about South America is the easy access to bus stations - they're everywhere. Just gotta look it up on a map, in your handy Lonely Planet, or ask around. At all bus stations there are lines and lines of busses packed and loading, waiting for their departure. Look inside the front window for the destination - they will have little signs that say where they are headed. People are also shouting at the top of their longs destinations and which bus to load onto, so be sure to tune in to the chaotic noise around you. If you don't speak Spanish, just use your eyeballs and do some reading and you'll eventually find it. It's a bit of a mad house but somehow things ALWAYS work out in Latin America.

On the other hand, you can always hitch-hike too! Just put your best looking foot forward and try to act real cute. And then have your travel companion pop out and surprise them once they pull over - be safe, and always travel with a buddy!

. . . . . . . . . . . .
To get some major South American experience, check out my friend's blog Mike & Cole and contact them for information. They traveled all over South America for 6 months and would have all the answers you could ever possibly need from hitch hiking, bus, and plane from one end of the continent to the other. Be sure to let them know Traveling Triplets sent you!

KAUA'I SOLO

Are you a more solo type of traveler? A Traveling Triplets follower has asked whether or not we would feel comfortable doing parts of Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast alone... Here's what we have to say.

NO! Ha!

When I backpacked Kaua'i I was not alone. I was with my husband. Frankly, I'm not a very independent person - being a triplet and all, it has been nearly impossible for me to ever be alone. Everything I learned in life from washing my own clothes to driving cars was done with two other giggly girls by my side. We did everything together. Once I got married, it was a smooth and easy transition to being with a man all the time. I've never had to do anything alone - but I am also the type of person that HATES being alone. SO... depending on what kind of a person you are, you may enjoy it or you may not. As for what I would recommend - I would never recommend a girl go hike Na Pali coast by herself... no way! Find a friend!

Kalalau trail is incredible - if you're in for a real adventure you can do what we did, and kayak it. This cuts your time from about 2 days of hiking to 3 hours of paddling. Which would you prefer? However, you have to consider the fee to rent a kayak. Fortunately for us, we were able to get ours for free from a friend living on the island.

Public transportation to trailheads - there is none! Busses won't let you on with a big pack. I recommend hitch hiking - that is what most people do, and when you're in that area near the trailhead there are people all over going to do the exact same trip as you that you can join. It's easy to hop in the bed of a truck Hawaii style, and people are so chill about helping a backpacker out. If you're nervous about hitch hiking, you're stuck with renting a car. That can be expensive and annoying - especially since you have to leave it at the base and won't be back for a few days.

All in all, you will be safer on the trail with a buddy. If you can't find a friend, make some right away and hike with them. There are tons of hippies and awesome people living back there, and it won't be hard to hook up with other hikers. 

DAY 11: DONGGUAN...DANG YOU

For some reason Blogger is working today here in China. So ni hao, it's me Megan actually blogging this post! And let me tell you, it won't be very uplifting. Today was an awful day. You will never guess what happened...

The boys were out at business meetings most of the day and we noticed they were gone longer than usual. When they finally got back they looked somber, and it wasn't because they missed us like we had hoped. It was because they got robbed.

I immediately felt sick to my stomach and panicked, wondering what on earth we got stolen. First thought was our new camera... nope. Second thought, lap top. Yep. While the boys were in fancy pantsy restaurant with fancy pantsy businessmen Drew left our backpack in fancy pantsy Mercedes Benz. You would assume it would be safe in a new car with an alarm system at a restaurant with security guards. Nope. I think something seriously fishy happened. I think this was set up with Mr. Sketchy Security Guard.

The good news is they caught the license plate of the thief on video. The bad news is we haven't heard anything yet and we leave Dongguan tomorrow. The thing that makes me wonder is when Drew noticed his bag was stolen and started looking Mr. Sketchy Security Guard walked up to him with it in his hands. Hmmmmm. Drew immediately noticed it was lighter. They cleaned out my wallet, took a couple pairs of our new sunglasses, and stole our friend's MacBook Pro. Drew thought he grabbed his own lap top, but it was in fact Shanes. It is truly a depressing experience. See what I mean by clean robbery? They took the time to pick through my wallet and backpack as if someone had their back covered. Typically, a theif would just grab the bag and run. I know, this has happened to me before. I don't even remember what else was in my bag that might be missing. Ahhhh I am so angry!

We are trying to be positive about this. These are all materialistic things that don't really matter, right? Maybe they needed the money more than us. As the day went on we tried to be cheerful, but Dongguan let us down again. Almost every taxi driver we have had here has refused to use their meter and tried to rip us off. 80 RMB we had to pay for a 5 minute taxi ride, which is like $13 US. The same thing happened to the boys this morning. Their taxi driver literally pulled over in the middle of the freeway and turned off the meter and demanded 200 RMB (30+ dollars), ugh. They couldn't have got out if they wanted to. What is a tourist supposed to do in these kind of situations? Well... get screwed I guess. I really hate sometimes when you're traveling how locals don't see you, they see dollar signs. I can't say I know what it's like to be in their situation, but I do know that people should not be treated like objects.

I'm sorry this post is so negative, but I honestly have nothing really happy to say today. On the bright side, I am thankful for the nice businessman that helped Drew and Shane at the police station as well as the carton of chocolate ice-cream I downed tonight. I think I deserved it. Can't wait to leave Dongguan tomorrow and renew my faith in humanity. Pray for a miracle please!