Earlier this week I researched and booked a hostel room on www.hostelbookers.com on my iPod Touch whilst lying on the beach. It seemed far too easy, lazy even, but also so very convenient and comforting. Three days ago I FaceTimed with my friend Rachel and was able to see my 4 day old Godson sound asleep in his cot.

Technology has changed how we travel and how we stay connected when traveling. Even the smallest of guest houses or beach bars seems to have free Wi-Fi. Obviously one can opt out, but it seems so far, that everyone I’ve met is traveling with some kind of device to keep them connected and updated. I’m conflicted on this point. I’ve seen people, heads-down, so tied to their devices that I wonder whether they are truly present and mindful about what is happening around them?

Note: The irony of the fact that I am currently head-down writing this blog on my laptop with the aim of keeping everyone at home updated on what I’m doing is not lost on me!

On the last two occasions where I took time out to travel in 1993 & 2004 I took the following ‘technology’:

1993: Film camera

2004: Film camera, mobile phone, CD Walkman

On this trip I had a separate packing list and dry bag dedicated to devices, adapters, plugs and chargers! In the end I decided to take the below:

• Kindle: I was sceptical but now I’m a fan. It’s so small and light, I’ve loaded up all my travel guides and maps so really saves a lot of space. Plus when reading poolside you can easily wipe off sunscreen and it won’t get trashed!
• iPod Touch – Music, apps and camera. Main device for the ‘We-fie’ (see future post The Art of Posing: Selfies & We-fies).
• Fujifilm X30 – I love this camera, it’s relatively small and light for the specs, easy to use and has gorgeous retro styling.
• Crappy little Acer laptop – I wasn’t sure about this purchase but I need it for teaching when I’m in Sri Lanka and obviously to write my blog.
• Unlocked Samsung Talk & Text Phone – This phone is so old school it doesn’t even have predictive text. It takes me 10 minutes to write one line of text and I’ve reverted to text speak to save time – C u l8tr!

Maybe by the end of my trip I will have a different perspective on what is really needed to stay connected when travelling and it will be interesting to see how my use of these devices changes over this time.