What technology to bring?

When I first imagined my round the world trip (RTW), I thought I would be living without technology, making collect calls home with my secret "safe" password, and hitting up Internet cafes when I had the chance.

After thinking about what I wanted to be able to do on my travel:

-keep up a blog,

- email friends and family

-share photos

-calling home

-maps at my disposal

-language converter

-check my bank account / pay bills

I started doing some research, if phone or notebook were the way. While I love screen and key board of my labtop, I can't imagine traveling 6 months with it in a backpack weighing 5 pounds and even more are on brain with worry of someone stealing it and all my import info on it. Looks like the best solution is a smart phone. Now which one?

Here are some blog posts that are helping me sort through this mess,

How to pick the perfect travel smartphone

Droid Incredible: Wi-Fi calling app means T-Mobile Android phones are best choice for travel

Iphone: USING YOUR IPHONE DURING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Travel plans are changing before they are even created.

This week was rough for my travel plans for around the world. My friend, Stokey will be leaving Australia a lot earlier than I thought, so Australia will have to be explored alone (well, until I meet some of his friends, or a hot Aussie).

Then I found out Captain Mike lost his sail boat at sea. My three months of sailing the South Pacific are washed away with his home. Captain Mike is safe in Thailand, but please pray for him as he figures out his new adventure. Depending on where he lands I might still join him for a portion of it. Either way I'm sure we will sail together again.

Here is the plan as of today.... Chicago, IL - Vancouver - Auckland - Sydney - Bali (Denpasar) - Bangkok - Bombay / Mumbai - Rio de Janeiro - Quito - Caracas - Lima - Chicago, IL

Mom and Dad this isn't even close to being done, so don't even start looking for people to watch over me in these places.

While planning my travels, I am also looking into volunteering as I go. One place that seems affordable, and has some interesting opportunities is Geovisions. I'm leaning toward Community Work at an Orphanage in Northern Thailand for a month, where I will have a volunteer hut and private squat toilet :)

Another program I like is Peru's Challenge, because it mixes volunteering, learning a language and local travel together. It's about time I learn Spanish :)