The Gutsy Traveler

Marybeth Bond

Meet Marybeth, National Geographic Author, Writer. Past and Present.

Marybeth knows travel. She has hiked, biked, dived, danced and trekked across all seven continents – from the depths of the Flores Sea near Komodo Island to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

More recently, she tracked polar bears and snorkeled with beluga whales in the Canadian Arctic, then kayaked among icebergs in Antarctica.

Somewhere in between, four years of studying in Paris earned her two degrees – and a taste for good wine and strong cheeses.

Twelve books (three with National Geographic), countless travel articles, and numerous TV and radio appearances have built her devoted fanbase.

Woman on cliff in front of a monastery in Bhutan
Yesterday’s Video below. A decade or more later. Is Marybeth still GUTSY? Here in Bhutan.
Marybeth in Antarctica with penguins, snowy mountains, and water—just the kind of moment travel expert Marybeth Bond would capture in a travel video.
Kayaking and camping near penguins in Antarctica.

Yesterday….

Before beginning a long trip, I review my checklists. I hope they help to make your packing and planning easier.

For the Airplane

1. Silicon ear plugs.

2. Eye Shield.

3. Warm sweater.

4. Comfortable Socks.

5. No Jet Lag Pills. Begin taking them as soon as you board. Emergenc-C or AirBorne tablets are immune system boosters I u

Pre-trip checklist.

  1. Put my passport, itinerary, important contacts and business papers in my carry-on bag.
  2. Pack the computer charger, camera charger, and all necessary connection cables.
  3. Research online to find what wall plug (and/or converter) I’ll need for the country where I’ll be going and pack it.
  4. Sign up for an international phone and date usage plan with my cell phone service provider.
  5. Call the Credit Card companies to notify them of my travel dates and destinations so they can monitor if there are unusual charges on my accounts.
  6. Cancel the newspapers.
  7. Send members of my family and a trusted friend a list of my itinerary and places where I can be reached in case of emergency.
  8. Arrange for someone to water the plants and take care of the dog. Prepare pet food and treats, as well as my contact information in case of an emergency.
  9. Upload a few good books, movies and a travel guide (book or app) on my laptop or ipad.
  10. Put a “Stop Delivery” on the mail. You can do this online at www.usps.com

“Breathe deeply” I tell myself and start packing clothes ,shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, night gown and all the rest.

 

 

 

 

Marybeth Bond