[日本行]tools and strategies

Introduction

I carried some tools with us in this journey as an experiment. Also, I've found some interesting tips this time.

Tools

GPS

It is impossible for a GPS to record the city maps around the world, so if you go to a foreign country, GPS can only show you longtitude, position, walking speed and routes. Not knowing if it is a common situation, I found that everytime I turn on my GPS, it takes several minutes to lock-on the settelites before it starts to work. Sometimes it is really inconvinient.

Also, GPS can't catch the signode well when you are in a car, maybe it is because where I sit was not next to the car window.

However, GPS did help me from getting lost several times. It wastes some of your time when you turn it on, but saves more time once you get lost. So GPS is more like a tool of emergency use, I think.

Walkie-Talkie

Since the cell phone system in Japan is imcompatible with that in Taiwan,(even it is, the roaming fee will be very very expensive!) Walkie-Talkie is quite useful when taking a foreign trip. It is more frequent to use a Walkie-Takie than a GPS, about several times a day. But its communication range will be affected by buildings or other obstacles. So when surrounded by many buildings, you can only communicate in a distance about 100M.

When riding bikes, finding ways, a pair of walkie talkie makes it more convinient for us to stick together and communicate with each other.

Digital Camera

The advatage of a DC is that you can delete those you don't want immediately, but the memory space can't be easily added like tranditional camera. It only took 4 days to fill-out a 128MB memory card. If you want to travel abroad with your DC for more then a week, memory space is a issue you should concern in advance.

Batteries

Useing DC, walkie-talkie and GPS all day cause great amount of electricity consumption. The best solution is to carry battery charger. And remember, bring a charger which can accomodate both AA and AAA batteries.

A Vest with Multiple Pockets

If you decide to carry all those eletrical devices mentioned, such as DC, GPS and Walkie Talkie, and must-have important things like wallet, purse...etc., a vest with multiple pockets is definitely necessary. Otherwise you'll have a lot of trouble getting along with these stuff.

DV (Digital Video Recorder)

So far, DV is still quite heavy and bulky, carrying it is tiring sometimes. Also, it is perferable that there are more than one people who is capable and willing to use it, so that many people can take turns filming. And the quality and quantity of your home video can be improved.

Stralegies

Also, I've learned some tips of travelling abroad, as follows:

1.book good hotels through travel agency in advance.

Normally, the total costs of a travel package is cheaper than booking tickets and hotels independantly, the more expensive the hotel is, the more the price difference is. So if you want to book a hotel of high price, book it through your travel agency in advance.

As for cheaper hotels, such as youth hotels, tourist homes, find and book them by yourself.

So the conclusion is that you should book expensive hotels through TA, and find cheaper ones by your own, so that you can save some money.

2.Gather maps and information all the time

It is free to get a map and some helpful information at airport, railway stations and hotels, it won't be wrong to bring maps with you any time.

3.Be open-minded and Relexed

Because of cultrul difference and lack of information, the plan made in advance is not always feasible and practical. Be prepared that all plans you made could be altered any time.

Spending money and travelling abroad is for relaxing, it is worthless to get angry for those unpredictable situations.

That's all :)