A bunch of disorganized tips and product recommendations for when traveling abroad:

• Research your destinations to ensure they are safe to travel to — there is usually a government website with advisories (e.g. Smart Traveller for Australia);
• Travel insurance, travel insurance, TRAVEL INSURANCE (and read their terms and conditions thoroughly) — depending on the country you’re visiting, the cost for the simplest medical procedures could bankrupt you;
• Store copy of all important documents in password protected zip files on multiple USB 2.0 flash sticks and put the cards in different unlikely to be found places (e.g. sewing into clothing), one on your person at all times — make sure it’s either very small or you can take it out if detected at the airport security;
• Make a copy of important documents and leave it at home with someone you can easily get in contact with should you get into trouble — important documents are: passport, photo ID (e.g. driver’s license), airplane ticket(s), visa(s);
• Record your itinerary on the relevant government website (e.g. Smart Traveler for Australians) as accurately as possible — leave a copy with someone at home;
• Let your credit card (CC) provider/bank know of your itinerary so your account is not frozen when accessed in foreign countries;
• Take at least two CCs (preferably Visa and Mastercard) — avoid using debit cards as much as possible;
• Choose 4 digit PINs for your CCs as longer PINs may not work elsewhere;
• Be aware of all the fees associated with withdrawing money from your CCs or bank account while traveling;
• Carry two copies of your passport photo;
• Take several copies of laminated CC sized info card (and keep a copy on your person at all times) with the following printed on them:
  • Phones and addresses of your home country’s embassies in all the countries you will visit;
  • Contact details of your travel insurance company (including your account number);
  • Contact details of your financial institutions who’ve issued your CC;
  • Phone number of police in all countries you will visit;
  • Contact details of the airlines;
  • Mobile SIM number and IMEI number;
  • Contact details of the mobile phone company.
• Make sure you set up roaming for your mobile phone before you leave;
  • Familiarize yourself with limitations of international roaming, its costs and coverage;
  • If setting up roaming, redirect all calls to voicemail unconditionally to avoid getting charged when you receive phone calls;
• Purchase consumables like toothpaste and shampoo at your destination or along the way to save space;
• Keep your passport on you at all times (e.g. never leave passport at the hotel/hostel when going out even if they have a safe);
• Keep equivalent of $426.90 USD on you at all times;
• Keep important items in your front pockets only;
• Carry cash in multiple places on your person and take cash out of one place only when in public;
• Give a death stare at anyone who specifically looks at you or your belongings to let them know you’re watching them;
• Do not shake hand with strangers on the street regardless of how friendly they may seem;
• Tell locals you don’t speak their language in their own language;
• To avoid looking like a tourist, dress like the locals would. As an example:
  • Wear dark coloured unbranded shoes (preferably boots);
  • Wear accessories that locals would wear at the time of the year (e.g. scarf) and wear it as locals would;
  • Buy a local paper before boarding bus or train;
  • Don’t walk and eat at the same time;
  • Don’t ask for tap water;
  • Keep the paper maps and other travel related stuff out of sight — consult only when not in public;
  • Don’t chew gum.
• Carry following items in your backpack:
  • Sewing kit (safety pins, black/brown thread, needle, etc);
  • First aid kit (band aids, disinfectant, face mask, cotton tips, painkillers, etc);
  • Small notebook, pen/pencil;
  • Shaving razor, perfume and aftershave;
  • Wall plug adapters for all your electronic gadgets compatible with all the countries you’ll be visiting;
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton tips and tissues;
  • Sunglasses and its pouch/case;
  • Mobile phone and its charger;
  • Ziplock plastic bags;
  • Books to read (or an ebook reader);
  • Head mounted flashlight;
  • Universal drain stopper (for washing clothes in the basin);
  • Small locks (a few);
  • Eye mask;
  • Buff;
  • Inflatable pillow;
  • Flip flops/thongs;
  • Copies of laminated info cards;
  • Earplugs and headphone;
  • Small towel;
  • Silica gel in ziplock bags that contain moisture sensitive content;
  • Clothes.
• If couchsurfing, don’t — rent an Airbnb or stay at a hotel/motel — but if you really must:
  • Keep your pants on;
  • Figure out the host’s expectations from your stay;
  • Tell the host your own expectations;
  • Ask the host if they are OK with your come and go schedule;
  • When you arrive, either have a gift or grocery for a meal at home - do not go empty handed;
  • Don’t bring anyone home;
  • Stay active in the network;
  • Reimburse the host for goods consumed;
  • Make the offer to host your host when they come to town;
  • Make a friend;
  • Have a backup host (or more than one) in case your primary host is unexpectedly unavailable;
  • Contact other couchsurfers in town for meetups.