Mobal Member, Nancy Cook sent me this tip:

1. A brilliant precaution to take in case you lose your digital camera

"I take a picture of a card with my name, phone number, and email address on it. Then if I lose my camera (or the chip) someone would have a clue where to return it."

Thinking of getting a new digital camera? Check out the range at Amazon...

Mobal Member, David Cardinal sent me this tip:

2. How to guarantee clean bedding no matter the quality of your hotel

"I carry a DreamSack when traveling to less-developed areas where I’m not sure about the quality of bedding. At 6 oz it doesn’t add much to weight but makes for a more peaceful sleep when in doubt!"

Interested in getting a DreamSack? Good old Amazon to the rescue again...

Mobal Member, Bruce Stenman sent me these 4 tips:

3. The medication you should always pack and why

"I always take a supply of any medication or drug items I may need including a pain reliever, lotions, anti-diarrheal meds, insect repellent, decongestant, etc. as these are difficult to find in most parts of the world and hard to translate into the local language to even ask for where one might buy the item."

"After an experience with a severe cut from broken glass at a hotel in the USA I have learned to take a small first aid kit with scissors, 3x3 bandages, a roll of one inch medical adhesive tape and antiseptic. I can fit everything but the tape into a plastic case designed for storing butter I found in a local USA drug store."

4. The toiletries you should always pack and why

"I have learned to carry a bar of soap, shampoo, colored wash cloth (so it does not get mixed in with the hotel's towels), tissues, and toilet paper, wherever I go outside of the USA. Few hotels overseas, including most of Europe, provide wash cloths, bath soap, and shampoo. Often the one and two star hotels will not have Kleenex."

5. How to ensure you get a quiet night's sleep

"I carry cheap ear plugs, the type that are made of foam and come in packs with 4 or more pairs. Not great for machinery, but great for subduing road noise or sounds from noisy guests. Add in a night blind for the eyes and I can sleep well regardless of the location."

Get your own ear plugs here... (guess what, it a link to Amazon again!)