Baldboss, Music, On tour - Oct 31, 2008 0:50 - 1 Comment

iPod touch, the ultimate travel companion

Six weeks ago I left the UK to travel the world for one year. My kind colleagues at Altogether Digital gave me a voucher for the apple store. I started to research what iPod would be most appropriate. I was astonished to find how much the touch could deliver and promptly purchased one.

I quickly got to work installing apps, ripping DVDs and selecting albums. I now have 45 movies, around 100 albums, games and handy applications that will save me time and space in my backpack. I even put my digital photo library from the last 10 years on it, so I can remind myself what I looked like with a little more hair and what my mum and dad look like.

I wasn’t sure how often I’d find a wireless connection while in remote places of Vietnam, Malaysia and Lao, but so far I’ve either had wifi in my room (even $6 rooms in Sa Pa, the highest point in Vietnam) or in a local coffee shop within 5 mins walk.

I’ve had several comments from friends back home saying “shouldn’t you be out discovering the world rather than updating your facebook status?”. If I’m going for a coffee and I have a connection it only takes about 10 seconds to update facebook using the new and vastly improved app. I may as well check email and transfer some cash from my savings account to my travel account while I’m at it. The weak pound and dollar is bleeding me of cash like you wouldn’t believe and using safari on the iPod touch is more secure than punching in passwords in an Internet cafe anyway. So friends, I’m seeing lots of the world and really enjoying keeping you updated and hearing from you to, I promise.

On the point of facebook, I’m surprised at how much I’m using it to keep in contact and arrange meeting places for the vast number of people I’m meeting on the trip. The only problem with the facebook app is that you can’t search or add friends!

Another handy app is Airsharing. It allows you to wirelessly connect to your mac or pc. Before I left the UK I scanned various essential documents needed for world travel. I can now view them all on the iPod PDF viewer. If I lose the iPod, it’s password protected and I have a backup on my mobile me account too.

Other apps I’ve been using are Dive Planner, Currency and Flightcheck. Oh an the infamous iPint always gets a laugh.

Ive written this post while sat on a local bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Viang in Lao, The Rolling Stones Gimmi shelter is blasting in my ears. The mountains in the distance are green and lush with the odd scattering of cloud. Laotians are being sick in bags and I’m writing this post using the Wordpress app, which was free.

I may watch an episode of Nathan Barly now, how appropriate! Then I’ll look out the window for the remainder of the 6 hour journey.

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