Throughout the trip, when the inspiration struck, we would type a few travel tips into our phone. The majority of the tips below came from spur-of-the-moment revelations on the road, now in more organized and long form. 

Gadgetry:

• To save battery power turn off mobile phones - being connected to or looking for the network drains the battery.  The same is true for laptops and wi-fi signals.  Turn em off.
• When you get to a hotel room, open your computer and look for an unsecured wi-fi signal.  You’ll be surprised often.
• Carry two batteries for all gadgets.  Though, a computer battery may be an exception.
• If you are using a mobile phone for more than a few weeks in a country, buy a SIM card for a local network when you arrive.  It's what the locals use and you would have a local phone number with free incoming calls from home
  
• If you want to be able to charge more than one gadget at once, get a travel splitter or multiple outlet adapters for each format. 
• Always think redundancy - back up often and send home DVDs of your pictures.
•  DVDs hold a lot more pictures than CDs for back-up purposes - 3 times the amount.  Most internet cafes offer DVD burning services.
• Invest in lots of camera memory (lSD cards, memory sticks).  You do not want to consistently be hamstrung by a camera that is full of pictures.  A 1GB card with 5megapixel photos was enough for us.
• If you have a laptop, move photos from the camera to the laptop daily.  Always leave the room with 2 charged batteries and an empty memory card.
• Take your computer to the Internet cafe and plug it into their network with the Ethernet cable.  They will know how.  Europe doesn’t allow this, Asia does.
• Wrap your computer in some sort of sealable plastic bag before packing it away.  Wetness happens.
• Keep your valuable electronics on your person when in transit.  Don't  put your computer in a bag under a bus.  
• People can’t steal what they don’t see.  Limit gadgetry use in public.

Hotel Living:

•  When leaving a hotel, take the complimentaries with you, like coffee, cream, tea, toilet tissue, etc.  Towels, bedspreads and hangers are not complimentary.
• Never, ever miss an included breakfast.
• Many cheap hotels require that you insert the key into a slot in order for the power to come on. While it saves energy, it means you can’t charge electronics while you’re out of the room.  Often you can use a business card in the slot instead of a key.
• Don't leave the room for the day without a map, local currency, identification and the room key.
• Try to resist giving the front desk your key when you leave – this is very insecure.  Notice that when you return, they will give you any key you request. 
• If your hotel does not serve breakfast, remember to go to a store on the way home at night to get something for the morning.
• Unless the city gets full consistently, don't make reservations in advance.  Get there; find your favorite neighborhood and then a place to stay. 
• If you are going to be in one city for more than a week or so, consider renting an apartment.  A kitchen and washer /dryer are so nice sometimes.
• If you know the part of the city where you want to stay, make a reservation in advance for a single night at a hotel in that area, even if it is more expensive. Then, when you arrive, walk around to hotels and find a better deal for the rest of your stay.
• For most major cities, two nights is not enough as it leaves only one full day for exploration.  Three nights is usually a good amount if you're on the move. More is better.
  
• The combination of your padlock is a risk.  You may be asked for it if your bags are lost on international flights (they may need to open the bag).  Make it unique - not associated with bank accounts, etc.
• When unlocking your padlock for your bag, remember to spin the numbers once so your combination is not displayed for others, like the housekeeper, to see.

General:

• Tear unused pages out if your guidebook.
• In inexpensive countries like India remember to carry small bills and change - go to a bank to get the change you need. Making change is a pain.
• When wandering a new city at night, adopt the moth strategy and go toward the light.
• Buy clothes made of synthetic fiber - they are lighter, stay cleaner and are easier to wash and dry quickly.
• Days of the week can start to blend together.  The biggest problems happen on Sundays when a lot of businesses are closed and Mondays when museums often close.
• In packing your backpack, make sure you pack it the same each time, giving each item a specific place.  When something is missing you'll know.
• Buy a backpack that is built for travel and not camping.  The best ones open from the side, allowing access to everything quickly instead of bags that open from the top only - requiring an unpacking to reach the bottom.
• A clean and free bathroom is only as far as the closest McDonalds.
• Take a flashlight.
• In public, you will never be judged or create a spectacle for being too quiet.  This is made more difficult with alcohol.
• Look for English language weeklies in cities to find out about events.
• Check local pharmacies for prescriptions that are expensive from home.  Beware of fakes in China.
• Do like the Spanish and have a siesta.  Explore for a few hours in the morning, nap in the heat of the afternoon and go back out for the evening.  This is sustainable for long periods.
• Only rookies get sunburned.  Be liberal with strong sunscreen. Wear a hat.
  
• When getting up from a park bench, airplane seat or any place where you sat, turn around and look back at the area to ensure you didn't leave anything.
• Use the local mail service to send home items you are not using.  Most useful when changing climates.
• Remember that you can’t do everything. Relax, take a deep breath and enjoy what you *can* do.