Introduction
Do you often travel for work? Aside from occupying time at the airports, purchasing premier luggage, and battling jet lag, you need to pay attention to taking care of your well-being.

The following article offers suggestions to the road warriors out there. Most of us are traveling alone when traveling for work; the following are reminders and tips to make the best of your time on the road.

Search for the unusual
Whether it is stumbling into a dancing lesson or taking advantage of your comfortable travel pillow, and taking some timeout in your room, it is good to plan ahead. Locals are a good source of information. Ask around about popular things to do in each place. Who knows? You might learn some new steps or become engaged in a new hobby.

Portable activities
Reading is often done on planes and in terminals, but there are other options. Try taking your lap top out of your computer backpack and paying some bills.

Group activities
See if your home activities are present in places abroad. Take a class, attend a place of worship, go to a meeting, etc. Be social when alone, even if it means to take advantage of your money belt by going shopping, get out and be around others.

Stay in touch
Have you used your worldwide adaptor yet? Why don’t you charge your cell phone and call mom, old friends, or your spouse? When traveling alone, it is nice to talk to the people closest to us to feel not so alone.

Let go of the office
Your leather luggage bag looks somewhat like a briefcase doesn’t it? You are thinking about work and if things are being done in your absence. Relax and enjoy being away from the office, you will be back there soon enough thinking about your next business trip.

Stay in shape
You don’t want to pack extra clothes in your name brand luggage because you are expanding your waistline. See if your hotel or a nearby gym will offer you the occasion of working out and staying in shape while on the road.

Eat variety
Different locations offer varied delicacies. Take advantage of being in a new place and try some new food. Certain destinations are revered for particular dishes, it is best to ask locals about what foods are popular in the area.

Bring home with you
It is usually comforting to bring something from home with you. Whether it is a favorite t-shirt, your hometown papers, or family pictures, place some items in your luggage that will provide a connection with home.

Labels: travel, work

Introduction
Have you been feeling the surfing itch? Have you been looking to get away and use that adventure gear that has been sitting beside your computer case? Every surfer knows what it is like to surf their local break, but there are few and far moments between getting a chance to paddle out at one of the premier spots in the world.

We are about to tell you about the most beloved surf spots in the world…

Cloud Nine – Philippines
It is called cloud nine for a reason, being ranked among the top reef breaks in the world. It rests on the edge of a deep oceanic trench on Siargao Island. The waves are heavy, hollow, and cascade above razor sharp coral. Place some extra band-aids in your packing kit.

Mundaka - Espana
Mundaka is the pearl of European surfing. It offers a long lefts sprouting from Mundaka’s river mouth. The sandy bottom shapes picture-perfect barrels during its optimal moments. October and on presents surf up to ten feet plus. Don’t bother to pack your luggage with too many clothes – your board shorts and a stick of wax will do just fine.

Jeffreys Bay – South Africa
J-bay is like an amusement park for those who feel an affinity towards surf. It is a right hand point comprised of seven distinct spots. This surf haven is so spectacular, that it attracts professional ASP events. If you are going during the summer, don’t forget to stuff your camera in your leather luggage, you might just find a chance to take a shot with Slater or the Irons brothers.

Raglan - New Zealand
Raglan is the pride of New Zealand. The spot is separated into three smaller spots: Indicators, Whale, and Manu Bay. Visit this spot during the right conditions (southern swell with SE winds), and you will not need the plane back – put your stuff in your daypack and take peeling, never-ending lefts all the way home.

Superbank - Australia
The advent of the Superbank came in 2002. Sand pumped from the Tweed Rivermouth started filling in gaps to form one, long sand bank. Swells are usually consistent, tube rides are long, and excitement levels are high. Make sure to get comfortable during your flight, you are going to want to save your energy.

Tavarua - Fiji
Not only does Tavarua offer world-class waves, but it also host an excellent resort for those seeking exclusive lodging- so don’t be hesitant to bring the spouse and let the little ones utilize their luggage. The break actually rests a long distance from the island itself, so you will need to take a boat ride to catch some waves.

Grajagan – Indonesia
Wave enthusiasts argue that G-land is the most fun and consistent left barrel in the world. It is nestled in the SE tip of Grajagan National Park (an overnight boat ride from Bali). For those desiring some right hand rides, other nearby spots such as Reverse G will deliver what you are looking for.

Lance’s Right – Indonesia
Lance’s Right is just about as hard to reach as it is to surf. Make sure you load your name brand luggage for some extra time. Tucked away in the Mentawai Islands, the spot sometimes called Hollow Trees, is a menacing right rippling over shallow coral reef. Don’t be thrown off by the pro’s smiles in the magazines, this spot is no laughing matter.

Teahupoo – Tahiti
Pronounced “Cho-poo,” this is one serious spot. Gaining national attention in the 90s, Teahupoo is feared by seasoned riders and professionals alike. On bigger days, the walls can get as big as multi-storied houses. Those without experience need not apply.

Pipeline – Hawaii
The crowned king of all surf spots, Pipeline churns big and intensely hard. You can drive a truck through Pipeline’s barrels that crash above super shallow waters hosting jagged reefs. “Banzai” is the best spot on the North Shore and arguably the entire planet.

Labels: adventure

Introduction
Do you travel often? Are you that guy hanging around the plane terminals with your laptop and computer backpack? You probably like to get work done on the plane. Isn’t it difficult to concentrate during your flight?

If you are attempting to meet a pressing deadline and prepare to keep busy on the plane, then read the following article about how to maintain attention while on a plane.

Silence the noise
Distractions will not ameliorate focus. I know - you want to stay on top of your emails, keep your IM on, and be at everyone’s beckoned call, but you need to maintain focus and tend to one thing at a time. Put your blackberry away in your carry-on backpack and focus on one task.

Know your environment
Look around the plane when all passengers have boarded and all the name brand luggage has been loaded underneath the plane. Get a sense of any potential distractions (children, talkative people traveling together, etc.). If you are prepared for a distraction, you will not give it attention when it occurs, and you can stay focused.

Think ahead
Know what you will be working on, what it will take to complete the process, and have a general sense of what the result will look like. Creating a mental picture and planning will promote the ease of your concentration in completing your tasks.

Establish a deadline
Set a time when you want a certain task to be completed. A deadline is especially useful when time is limited, other ideas may occur that will make you lose sight of the primary task, taking a nap with your comfort accessories, and when procrastination would otherwise be imminent.

Eat healthy
We are often tempted to consume coffee and foods high in fat content when we are on the go. Besides the obvious long-term health detriment, these foods are not conducive to immediate sharpness of the mind. Drink plenty of water and eat light and healthy before your flight.

Be patient
It takes at least fifteen minutes to procure a sense of concentration. Be patient; think about something relaxing like finally arriving back home, taking the clothes out of your luggage, and doing one of your most beloved hobbies. When you feel at ease and focused, start on your work.

Labels: work

Introduction
Choosing a bag is just as important as selecting a destination, airline, time of year to travel, etc. The following article will help in choosing the right luggage for you.

Aspect to consider
Quality- Quality is never to be taken lightly. Quality luggage will last a long time and serve as the best investment for your money.

Ease of transport- It is important to consider the practical transport of your luggage. How comfortable/easy will it be to carry around your luggage?

Other- the following are ancillary aspects to consider:

- shape of the bag

- number and organization of compartments

- type and organization of zippers

- handle and shoulder strap comfort and design

Business or pleasure
There is luggage for business and there is luggage for adventure. There is a time and place for both types of luggage, so it is to your benefit to choose the appropriate type depending on the reason for your journey.

For business, it is best to search for luggage with more stable construction such as hardside luggage. This way, suits, business papers, and other articles necessary for business will not be interrupted by outside forces during the journey.

Traveling for adventure presents more leniencies in bag construction, and depending on the purpose and engagements of your trip, you may want to choose from daypacks, duffels, and sling bags.

Carry on
We have all experienced first hand or heard horror stories about bag mix-ups and the like. This inspires most of us to use carry on luggage rather than luggage to be checked. Unfortunately, depending on the length of the trip and situation, it is not practical to bring one bag.

For those of us attempting to bring a carry on, length and weight of the bag will determine if the airport workers designate your luggage as carry on. Every airline seems to be different. It is best to contact the airport before your trip and get an idea of what is allowed as carry on.

Material
It is important to consider what material your luggage is made of in relation to your destination and usage. For instance, leather luggage looks beautiful, but moisture is not conducive to its luster, so when traveling in moist climates, it is best to choose to bring luggage made of other materials (such as nylon).

Travel Accessories
There are many travel accessories available for your convenience. For instance, packing kits, will offer room for smaller items and allow more room throughout your bag. For longer flights, your neck may later appreciate your purchase of a travel pillow.

Labels: travel, work

Introduction
The thought of traveling can invite pleasant associations, but many people become uneasy when reminded of the level of discomfort on the body that comes with taking a trip. Seats in cars, airplanes, buses, and trains are not always therapeutic on the body. While our name brand luggage is nestled nicely below the bus, in the trunk, or in the overhead, our bodies resemble that of a contortionist.

The following article offers tips and suggestions to promote comfort and relaxation on your journeys.

Do not struggle with luggage
Hardside luggage can be easy on the eyes, but hard on the back. Back strain occurs near the end of one’s range of motion when lifting a heavy item. Move at a slow pace when lifting a heavy piece of luggage. It is also suggested to break the process into smaller actions when possible (lifting a bag to the overhead by first lifting it onto a seat and then into the overhead).

The following are other lifting tips:

1. Bend at your knees and use leg muscles rather than back muscles to lift


2. Pivot with your feet rather than twisting your lower back


3. Carry heavy items as close to the body as possible


4. Distribute weight evenly on both sides of your body


5. Often switch sides when carrying bags with shoulder straps

Support your back
Seats in most modes of transportation do not provide optimal comfort or support for the back. A lumbar support and a neck rest pillow will be conducive to your back and neck’s health.

Tend to your feet
Support of the lower back warrants bottom-up leverage from your feet. Additional stress is transferred to the lower back when your feet are not positioned on the ground. If your seat is too high, put your feet on a footrest to keep your knees at a right angle. If there is no footrest, use a business case or a smaller carry-on bag as a makeshift rest.

Pack light
A lot of luggage is a necessity on longer trips. To avoid unnecessary strain, purchase a suitcase with wheels and a handle for rolling. It is suggested to use several smaller bags, rather than stuffing all of your things into one piece of luggage. For some trips, it may be better to send your bags to a destination ahead of time and travel with a smaller daypack.

Check your posture
Poor posture will put unnecessary strain on your body. Make sure your back is aligned with the back of your chair and your headrest is supporting the middle of your head. Keep your shoulders straight, and have your feet resting firmly on a flat surface.

Don’t stay idle
Our spine is designed so we can move, so don’t sit idly for a long time. Get up and stretch every 20 to 30 minutes to work your core muscles – you will need them along with your adventure gear during your next venture. Regular movement promotes blood flow which brings oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.

Labels: adventure, travel

Introduction
Your itinerary is in order, your luggage is packed, and you have said good-bye to your family. What is next? Have you forgotten something? What is the best way to travel as a businessperson?

The following article seeks to address pressing questions that the business traveler may ponder. Read what we have to offer.

1. Don’t pack more than you will need. Take that Hawaiian shirt out of your leather luggage; you will not be needing it for this winter trip to Chicago!

1. If you are one to carry many metal items: keys, pens, coins, phone, glasses case, etc., put them in your jacket pocket, and then put the jacket on the conveyor belt at security to save time.
   

1. Take a pass on the alcohol and peanuts on the plane. Be healthy. Opt for water (hydration is important) and fruit.

1. If your flight is long, eat before you go rather than during the flight.

1. If you are visiting a different time zone, try to acclimate yourself as soon as possible. You can start on the plane; take advantage of your travel pillow and readjust your sleep cycle.

1. Would you like to do some reading, but continue to get interrupted by the ranting child a few aisles down? Use your earplugs.

1. Pre-book your seats. Print and keep the confirmation in your ticket organizer.

1. Always pack your laptop with your carry-on luggage. We have heard of quite a few computers making their own trips to the repair shop for being tucked away with the hold luggage.

1. Use a waist pack to hold our tickets, wallet, pens, memo book, etc.
   

• If you are traveling abroad, it is always good to bring your own adaptor with you to use with your cell phone, laptop, etc.

Labels: work