Slightly vague question I know, I'm trying to get a friend of mine a gift before he goes off though East Asia and Australia, he's never been on a long travelling jaunt before and neither have I and I want to get him something, that will make him say "thank god I had that with me" etc. any suggestions, budget is limited but all ideas welcome.
2006-10-03 21:54:22 · 29 answers · asked by Bartholemew W 1 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
a digital camera, ? and an air matress just in case?
2006-10-03 22:02:37 · answer #1 · answered by thought 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bart,
How about getting him a Swiss Army Knife or similar "general purpose" tool.
Handy gifts for travellers also include so called "action trousers" long trousers with LOTS of zip pockets and also legs which zip down into shorts; a collapsing net bag which fits into a small space in luggage, but can be carried as a hand bag to hold LOTS of extra hand luggage, a U shaped travel pillow for sleeping on " trains 'n; boats 'n' 'planes" or an absorbant Travel Towel which squashes into a transistor radio sized case but sucks up water like a bath towel.
How about a travelling drink bottle; this can save the owner a fortune from high priced soft drink shops; a small padlock is useful in many hostels for securing luggage in lockers;cheap simple Ear Plugs give blissful sleep in many noisy travel rooms.
Bart, if all else fails, see if you can get a Gift Voucher from a Travel/ Adventure Shop and your friend can please himself.
Good Luck from the Aging Backpacker!!!
2006-10-03 22:26:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I travelled around Canada for a month I stole a little hand towel from the train - Via - and it was a lifesaver! Thought I was going to visit family but ended up buying a 21 day travel pass and seeing something of the world but was not prepared for travelling and when I got to Banff after checking in to the hostel it was down to the thrift shop. You will always need a towel!
2006-10-03 22:05:42 · answer #3 · answered by william john l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got back from a 3 month tour of South East Asia. For journeys i found the most useful thing was a hoodie (hooded sweatshirt). You can wear it to avoid freezing from the AC, pull the hood over to block out light to help you sleep, or even better to use as a pillow. But for a gift, I was given a Leatherman Micro - I attached it to a chain and it rarely was disconnected from my shorts; it has everything from scissors to a blade, tweezers etc and is very hard wearing. Check out the link, its £28 but seriously he'll have it forever.
2006-10-03 22:47:52 · answer #4 · answered by Hamza 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My towel!!!(HHGTTG)
A dark or black (velvet/type) beach towel. An empty pillowcase a lip salve and a nail file.
When you're dead tired in the daytime you can put the towel over your head to sleep, or roll it up inside the pillowcase , or use it as a sarong, a door stop even dry yourself on it!
And don't even ask what it's like to be stuck with sore lips and raggedy nails in the middle of nowhere!
An international phonecard ?
Some ideas for you
M.
2006-10-03 22:06:30 · answer #5 · answered by mesmerized 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An MP3 player, which you can buy very cheaply at Tesco, that's fully loaded with music of his liking, and a supply of Imodium. The MP3 player is a blessing on that ghastly long flight, and the Imodium is an equal blessing once he's landed at his destination and starts eating the local food.
2006-10-03 22:02:19 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill Bryson's 'Down Under' travel journalof Oz. It's the real travel guide. I bought it for some friends who went travelling there and they used it as a guide and said they wouldn't have seen half the places off the beaten track without it. It's brilliant and v funny. A must.
2006-10-03 22:06:14 · answer #7 · answered by gemstar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The one thing I was really happy to have was a wind-up travel alarm clock. When I traveled to Ireland, most of the places I stayed at surprisingly had no alarm clocks at all. I had to be sure to get up early to catch buses. I loved my alarm clock, because I didn't have to worry about getting an adapter for it nor did I have to carry a stock of batteries.
2006-10-07 06:15:20 · answer #8 · answered by johnsredgloves 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A belt with a zip-up, hollow strap.
This is where I kept my emergency cash.
Was held up twice in South America and gave the muggers the cash I had in my pocket. They padded me down, saw I had nothing else and left me alone.
Little did they know I had ten times more cash in my belt !
What is more, the buckle is alloy, so you don't have to take it off at the airport, adding to the discretion.
2006-10-03 22:16:18 · answer #9 · answered by savs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
toilet roll and wet wipes......very important but not very good gifts....how about getting him a cheap mp3 player and load it with his fave tunes?a cheap one so it wont be too bad if it is lost or stolen!or a cd walkman(cheap!)and copy his fave cds(dont send him off with original cds for same reason.)cd players have radios on too.music is always nice when travelling.
pictures of your family and freinds always cheer you up when your homesick.
or how about getting him some of that astronought food you can buy in gift shops!amusing and potentially very handy if hes low on funds or miles from a shop!
nice smelling wet wipes are just the greatest thing when you are stuck on a long distance sweaty train journy tho!
wish him all the best for me!
2006-10-03 22:07:18 · answer #10 · answered by curious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Transport
2006-10-03 22:09:43 · answer #11 · answered by Gerard McCarthy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋