Comments on: Staying connected while travelling: at what price?

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:11:02 +0000

Like you say Lori, people need to find THEIR balance, and it’s different for each of us. I do sit back myself and think I really could carry less and it wouldn’t detract from my trip – in fact quite the opposite. I guess I have to admit I’m just too used to having my techy gear around…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:07:34 +0000

Andy… interesting dilemma – so to speak. Nowadays communication is almost free (if Wi-Fi, wireless Internet access is included in the room’s price). This way one can communicate through free services like skype, call computer using messenger etc. So the telephone is used only for emergency phone calls and other situations like that.

Connecting while traveling? I think that may vary from a person to another one. Personally I choose vacations that involve visiting many important buildings, sights etc. – so at night I only have time to get back to the hotel, check up on my dear ones left home (if case) and than sleep. But I sometimes take notes (if I found out something special) and take pictures for stories written after the vacation.

I guess however that some like to write when traveling so… In the end it’s important to make the choice perfect for you – regardless of what others do or say.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:58:45 +0000

Good for you Sasha. I agree that even if switching off from technology while travelling might not be the way of a hard-core blogger, it does make for a better time away, and probably gives you more material and ideas for stories once you’re home.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:37:30 +0000

I’m terrible at making the effort to use the internet when I travel and even more terrible at phoning home which has got me told off on many occasions! When I’m traveling I just don’t feel the need to update twitter ever 20 mins or even everyday and check my emails. I think it’s kinda sad all those ppl that spend their time tweeting from their iphone “I’m sitting at this bar in this city” or “I’m getting a tan on this beach” just sit back and enjoy it I say!!! I let everyone know that hell don’t count on me replying to your emails for at least a week! I think for me travel has always been a great excuse to escape a technologically driven life. So maybe I’m not such a reliable blogger on the road but at least I’m having a more enriched experience (makes for better writing anyway) and not wasting all my time using the wifi!

By: Abi from Inside the Travel Lab

Abi from Inside the Travel Lab — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:53:05 +0000

Have a great time in France, Andy. We look forward to hearing about it AFTER you get back

By: heather -the kiwitravelwriter

heather -the kiwitravelwriter — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:57:03 +0000

Dont set yourself the challenge of spending more time on line……. when you are on holiday you are on holiday.

perhaps real travelers just travel and dont need to be elsewhere – via cyba space – when they could be experiencing new places and people.

Andy – have a great time in France laptop free

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:31:18 +0000

No, Abi I’m increasingly convinced you’re right. Why waste time being online when you only have a limited time in a place while travelling? In fact, I am leaving my laptop at home for the next few days when I’m in northern France, and will be tweet-free too!

By: Abi from Inside the Travel Lab

Abi from Inside the Travel Lab — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:50:42 +0000

Wow, I really seem to be in a minority here. I hate trying to find internet connections when I travel – and I only seek them out for work or to let my family know that I am still alive (about once a fortnight.) I just don’t want to miss a minute of a new place that I’m in and I’m easily deterred by the cost of airport connections and the (admittedly minor) hassle of working out a keyboard layout in a different language. Perhaps it seems as though I should set myself the challenge of spending more time online…

By: Cherie @Technomadia

Cherie @Technomadia — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:09:52 +0000

As a full time traveler who is combining wanderlust with a location independent career – keeping connected while I travel is what makes it all possible. Then again, I don’t look at my travel as ‘vacation’ – it’s part of my every day experience.

I think one of the defining things that makes vacation mode different from my every day travels is that I tend not be nearly as connected and go into a digital fast

But all and all.. I love that technology and digital connection is allowing for more choices in combining career and travel.

By: Shannon OD

Shannon OD — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:56:28 +0000

This is an internal debate that I seem to have with myself all of the time…since I work from the road to keep paying for my travel, I justify finding internet every single day…and yet, when I was *not* in Cuba, internet was scarce and I fasted for the week – it was a pretty amazing experience – I like Adam’s thoughts, perhaps I’ll take Sunday’s off every week!