August 30, 2016 - Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip - Day 14 - Outer Hebrides and Travelin' Tuesday Safety Tips

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Travel Safety Tips

Well, our week is moving along and so is Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip!

I can hardly believe today is Day 14 for her already.

She's certainly posted some great photos, don't you think!

Yesterday, was super fun! 

We headed out to the barn with our new little fur baby, Pumpkin.

Considering that this little girl has been through a great deal, having come from a kill shelter and has probably been alone most of her short 4 month life, I just couldn't leave her alone at home today. 

I just believed that the best thing for her wellness was to have her come with us.  And I have to tell you, I think I made the right decision.

Pumpkin on her first ride to Dream Come True Farm (c)travelincousins.com

This baby, is a natural in the car!! We put the third row down so that we could lay her new bed there and have her be super comfy for the one hour ride there and back.

Gianna sat back there with Pumpkin and she slept the entire way!  She was such  great girl!!  She was also a hit at the barn, where the girls' friends came to the car for a meet and greet. ​

But, what really impressed me was how this little sweetie just laid down by my feet, in the shade at Tanger Outlets for 2.5 hours today. 

​She was an absolute love!! 

The way home from the barn, she fell fast asleep!

​We have fallen in love!!

Back to today...
​
There is no doubt that traveling anywhere always brings a great deal of excitement with it - especially when your trip involves destinations overseas and to other countries.

However, these days, one can never be to rigorous about their safety with all that is happening in this crazy world.

I came across an article which caught my eyes today, in AirfareWatchdog.com:   
​8 Travel Safety Tips You Probably Ignore
​(But Shouldn't)​.  

The feature is all about travel safety, many of the tips I felt were so significantly important, that I wanted to list them and link the article for you.

So, take note of these tips, as they could make a big difference to you and definitely click the link above for more detailed text written by Caroline Morse:

1) Register with the State Department
This one especially caught my eye, especially in light of both the number of terror attacked around the world and most recently, Tanya's own experience being in Italy with the recent earthquake last week.

According to Caroline Morse, the best way to be prepared is to register with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before you leave, and the nearest U.S. Embassy will easily be able to find and help you  

2) Leave an Itinerary at Home
This one sort of seems like a no-brainers.  Estpecially coming from a worrisome Italian family, both Tanya and I are very accustomed to making sure our family members back home know exactly where we are.  

As travel bloggers, we are always posting about where we are and what our plans are, and even we always make sure everyone close to us has a copy of our itinerary, accommodations, flights, trains, tours, etc.

It's just the smart thing to do if you ever go missing.

3) Make a Copy of Your Passport
No one ever plans to lose their travel documents and/or passport. But, if you ever found yourself in that situation, what would you do?

Caroline Morse makes a great suggestion that you scan your passport and email to yourself.  I'm going to go a step further.  I say do that, make a copy and keep in a safe place in your suitcase, give a copy to your family at home AND memorize your passport number as well.

4) Don't Have Your Phone Out
Ok, it's 2016, is there anyone that doesn't have their phone out - young or old - these days?
Yes, we are all guilty of this.  

There are even television commercials that show people so distracted walking and texting or reading their cell phones, that they are unaware of danger around them. 

Unfortunately, as Caroline points out, "having your phone out makes you a target for petty thieves, especially on crowded public transit. It's easy for criminals to snatch your phone out of your hand and jump off at the next stop if you're not paying attention."

So, be cautious!

5) Buckle Up / Choose Your Transportation Wisely
Just because you are on vacation and relaxed, doesn't mean you should ease up on your safety.

Did you know that the most common cause of death for Americans abroad is traffic accidents? 

Therefore, take the same precautions when traveling as you would at home.  Wear a seatbelt, only take taxis that have them, always wear a helmet when biking or on a scooter and don't risk driving if you don't feel comfortable on the roads or driving on the opposite side than you are used to.
​
6) Learn the Local 911 equivalent
No one expects and emergency to happen while traveling, but it's better to err on the side of caution.  

Be sure to have local emergency numbers for police/fire/EMS saved to your phone or in an accessible place.  Unlike the U.S., where 911 covers all emergencies, some countries have different numbers depending what the problem is, so make sure you have them all.  

7) Keep Your Seatbelt on While Flying
This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can think of.  Flying has become so common place, that we often take for granted the importance of staying buckled.  

Turbulence can really shake things up so better to be prepared - and especially if you a re traveling with your kids - than to be sorry.

8) Check State Department Warnings or Advisories
The world is a crazy place these days with lots of things happening all over.  It's always wise to be forewarned about the safety conditions of your destination. 

That doesn't mean, you need to cancel, (unless it is advised), but knowing before you go is always a good idea.


Caroline Morse has some great links within her article, so definitely check out the link above for her full feature!

Today, Im going to take Pumpkin out East again.  The girls are doing another half-day, which is more manageable with our new puppy!

Please do not forget to keep up to date on Tanya's trip!!

Happy Tuesday!
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: 
​THE OUTER HEBRIDES OF SCOTLAND 

Internet and weather ISSUES out in the Atlantic

Omg - so many connection issues I've had to deal with it's been a huge pain in my rear. 

I keep getting kicked off and so I will need to upload and update you all just as soon as I have a stronger signal. I've actually had to resort to writing this from my phone. Ugh

Much to tell so hopefully my situation will resolve by tomorrow (as we are heading to new accommodations). 

Know that I'm alive, well, and a bit wiped out!
    Yup - me!

Tootles for now,
​T


9/7/16 UPDATED:

​I'm home now and with a good wifi connection. Please enjoy some of the photos taken from this 14th day of my trip which coincide with the above text.

We started our day in Lochmaddy, ready to pedal to the ferry that would take us across to the Isle of Harris...

The beaches were like nothing I ever expected. Even with the weather not being on our side the water was still amazingly aqua and inviting.

Arriving on the Isle of Harris we noticed an immediate change in landscape and the winds and rain were about to catch up with us.

And then more and more sheepies. They are seriously everywhere! 

I had to stop - regardless of whether our guide was in favor of yet another picture break!!

More pedaling along the western coast of Harris and up to the coffin roads for some off road fun.

While I couldn't quite take any worthy shots while bouncing along on the mudded coffin roads, I was happy to get off of the pavement - even if it meant me hiking the bike in more places than I typically would - due to the slippery rocks and drainage ditches (that are known to pierce "Snake Bites" into bike tires).

Heritage Information from heritagepaths.co.uk

This route has a long-standing reputation of being a coffin road from the east of the island to the west. The old burial grounds were on the machair of the west, there being insufficient depth of soil on the rocky east side. At intervals there are stone cairns which are said to have been added to by coffin bearers and acted as resting places for the coffins en route.

Bill Lawson's book Harris in History and Legend tells the tale of a funeral party carrying a coffin through the pass. When they stopped for a rest, they heard a noise from inside the coffin and upon opening it, discovered the deceased wasn't dead after all, so she was carried back east. He also relates that the route was known to have been used as a track from the west to Loch Stockinish and the east as long ago as the 1500s. 

After the coffin road that was enough for me and 'Kathy', as we opted to pedal as a duo heading to Tarbert, as the rest of the gang played around in the mud for a bit more.
We felt ready to check into our new digs, cleaning up and drying off!!!
I for one was a sopping MESS, but there was no Endo for me today and my butt felt sooooo much better. Thank heavens for that!

Today it was said that I was very Hearty. Heck if I don't win anything else, I get the Hearty award. 

Oh the adventures of pedaling in the Outer Hebrides.

Cheers,
​-T