I simply do not travel without a mosquito net through tropical countries. If backpacking, I carry a tiny, single attachment point net. In this photo, I hung this 4-point attachment net with bungee cords.
Over the years of travel by bus, train and boat, and long distance motorcycle travel I've tried many things to make my travel safer and more comfortable. Below are guidelines that work for me.
General Preparation
- Pre-load off-line maps for the countries I plan on visiting. I use maps.me and OsmAnd but there are other apps available;
- Search internet for places of interest, roads to ride or hotels, exchange offices, etc., and mark them on the map app;
- Read other travelers' experiences with money exchange, border crossings, police encounters, document requirements, etc.
- Small backpack is the key to happy travel - no bigger than a "personal item" that airlines allow on flights for free (clothes and other necessities are available and usually cheaper in 3rd world countries);
- Pack for every trip:
- Ultralight day-pack (without frame, padding or waist-belt);
- Money belt (passport, bike papers, drivers license, spare credit cards and bulk of cash);
- Mosquito net with light bungee cords for hanging (if traveling in tropical areas);
- Flip-flops;
- Light wind-proof fleece;
- Light metal utensils (plastic utensils are useless - knifes are not sharp, spoons cannot carve fruits and food slips off plastic forks);
- Detergent for sink laundry;
- 2 pairs of socks, underwear and t-shirts, washed every night;
- electronics, chargers, outlet adapters;
- Foto/video equipment;
- Health:
- Antidiarrheal medicine - activated coal and Tetracycline;
- Sunblock - easy to get sun-burnt behind the helmet visor;
- Antibacterial ointment for minor cuts and scratches;
- Earplugs for riding and sleeping, when in a noisy hotel;
- Documents - keep all originals in the money belt and use
copies whenever possible, keep copies on the phone and in the cloud:
- Passport;
- Driver's license;
- International Driver's License;
- Motorcycle documents - title, registration, insurance;
- Laminated copies of the motorcycle papers and DL (for corrupt cops);
- Passport-size photos;
Motorcycle Trips
- Motorcycle cover - useful when no secure overnight parking available;
- Bungee cords, bungee net and straps to secure luggage and useful for emergency towing;
- Bicycle lock cable to secure helmet, jacket and boots to the bike while exploring a town for a few hours;
- Spares:
- Extra bike key hidden on the motorcycle;
- Tubes, front and back, patches;
- Chain master link;
- Fuses, spark plug(s);
- Clutch cable;
- Gear shifter;
- Tools:
- Leatherman or similar multi-tool;
- 3 tire levers;
- Pump;
- Wrenches and sockets (sizes are bike specific);
- Screwdriver with various bits/sizes;
- Wise grips;
- A set of hex wrenches for the bike I am riding;
- Needlenose pliers;
- Multimeter, electrical tape;
- Zipties;
- Safety wire, ductape;
- JB Weld, Silicon gasket maker, threadlocker;
- Engine oil to top off when needed and to lubricate tire edges when fixing flats on the road;
On the road
- Start riding early, finish riding early, find hotel early, definitely during daylight;
- Wear a shorts and T-shirt under the riding gear so that I can take off riding gear as soon as I stop and be comfortable in hot conditions. Carry flip-flops and leave riding boots locked with other gear on the bike.
- Bicycle locking cable to secure helmet, riding jacket and boots to the motorcycle while walking around a town.
- Carry a small bag of detergent and do sink laundry every night;
- Fan, AC or outside AC compressor, if accessible, will dry clothes quickly;
- Scan for hotel options, and/or make booking, the night before, on an app or online maps, to have an idea of where to look for accommodation upon arrival;
- Look for places of interest along the route I plan on riding the following day and mark them on the map;
- Motorcycle care:
- Fuel up at the end of the day for next day;
- Lube the chain while it's warm, check fluid levels;
- Check chain tension, sprockets and brake pads' condition;
- Check tire pressure and tires' condition;
- Check for loose/missing bolts/nuts and/or cracks on luggage racks/panniers;
- Check lights;