Zink is a launching a new print on the spot inkless camera. Their handheld camera prints borderless 2×3″ photos. The products have not yet reached the shelves tho. All you buy is the paper which they claim is affordable and shoot and snap. It’s a retake on the polaroid, except this is a high megapixel digital camera and you only print the photos you want.

Travel Takes: For travel, this is more fun than practical. I imagine it would be great to print off pictures immediately, but then you’d have to carry the paper around with you everywhere you went. And you’d be force by good instincts to share a photo with whoever you are showing off to. But still maybe for a local day trip it would come in handy.

What do you need to power up overseas? This article will answer that question. By the way, there is nothing fun about electricity…in fact…it’s quite boring, but I’ve done the research to make this part of your packing a little less time consuming.

The Lingo
Adapter (Plugs) – This is the piece that takes one countries plug and adapts it into another countries plug.
Converter (Transformers) – This is the piece that changes the voltage (coming out of the wall) that certain electronics might need to operate. There are two types…Step Up and Step Down. Obviously Step Up converters takes the voltage from 110-125 up to 220-250. Hence, Step Down converters does the opposite.

What To Do
Step #1 Check your electronic equipment before you go to see if you even need a converter. The idea here is to match the countries voltage to the electronics voltage requirements. For instance, most laptops will say they run on anywhere from 100 volts to 240 volts, and displayed as Input: 100V – 240V. In this case you do not need a converter. If you have an MP3 device that only runs on 110-125V, and the outlet is 225-250V, you need a step up converter.

It’s a pick me up drink used for socializing…that should be enough to justify it’s existence on this list. Although Mate is served in a few South American countries, Uruguay has made it culture….pure gourd hourding bombilla-suckin’ tastic. Even if you don’t like teas, you have to admit, this one is unique. If you’re interested in more nativayerbamate.com has plenty.

A travel journal says a lot, and making your own says even more. This is our first “Customs” post and is one of our favorites. This tutorial will take you through the steps to make your own custom journal. You can see the one I’ve created I felt like burning the edges. This tutorial will let you make a lot of design decisions based on your needs and wants. It will show you how to bind together a sturdy journal and give you advice on decking it out so you will love it. Project tools are really cheap, chances are you’ll only need a big ass needle, and the material is cheap as well. Total project cost for the one I designed was around $10 bucks, mainly for the cover material. To launch the tutorial click here.

Perhaps my favorite guidebook provider has released a runoff travel book. Rough Guides 25 Ultimate Experience Books. In their own promo language it’s 25 years, 25 books, 25 experiences. I was able to check some out at the local college store and they were diversely entertaining. Full of great photography, they cover everything from specific countries to Food and Activities. The pocket sized guides are not so much about guiding as they are in great ideas and experiences. Many of those experiences are on our encounters list actually. They sell for $5.99 on their website.

Of all the online phone companies to choose from…for some reason I’ve settled on OneSuite.com. Sign up, credit your account, save your phone #’s for your own convenience, and talk to friends around the world for really cheap. You don’t need to be online to do this either. It’s effective and if I ever find a cheaper solution, I’ll be sure to post it here.

Travel Takes: Since this world is becoming more and more global, and when we travel we meet awesome people from all over it, it’s good to have a way to hear their voice and not have to pay a fortune for it. One Suite is cheap and easy to use. And since you prepay, you’re not shocked with a bill.