Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 4 - Preparing to leave Taiwan

This blog continues the previous Part 3

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_23.html)

Even working in my company and preparing and serving the homeless in a local Taiwan church I tried to prepare the trip as best as I could.

Take 5 during my Trekking Week including the whole Travel Equipment for three weeks

I bought a new camera with a better video quality (4K), a flip-up screen and many more functions unknown to my previous SLR. It is a mirror-less camera which much handier than my older SLR camera. As the design is different the camera and lenses are much smaller and the whole package was much lighter. I bought a good used telephoto lens in a shop with guarantee. I prepared 4 batteries but forgot one with the charger. I found out that I did not need the charger, I could reload the battery within the camera even on the go from my big extra battery (see below). I took 3 memory cards with me, 1*16 GB and 2*32 GB. When you take more videos the three memory cards would not be enough.

   My smart phone was only around 4 months old and would do the job. Important was the 'line' connection which allowed me to call my wife for free if I had a wi-fi connection.
   The most important electronic equipment was my extra 'big' battery with two outlets which allowed me to charge the phone and the camera at the same time. This extra battery included a handy flashlight which comes in very handy.    

   In Taiwan I bought an 110 V (Taiwan plug) - 220 V (European plug) adapter which had a malfunction during the trip. In Belgium I bought a 220 V European plug with two outlets for charging two devices at the same time (see above 'big battery').

Battery Plug (220V-110V) with two outlets charging both Battery and Smart Phone at the same Time on board a Belgian Train

It is not allowed to send batteries with your luggage so you must (!) hand carry them. I have a messenger-style camera bag which is big enough for the camera, the extra lens, the batteries, the adapters with the cables and space for a thin jacket. I could even put my light tripod in this bag. A great advantage it that this bag can be fixed on the handle of the sports bag which was very convenient.

Packing the before mentioned wheeled sports bag's main department I not only rolled my clothes but also put them in different waterproof bags:

- one for socks, underwear and t-shirts

- one for outerwear like trousers, shirts, sweaters.

   I have the habit to put my toiletry rather in a clear plastic 'cooler' box which people use in a fridge for storing food than in a toiletry bag. The plastic box is hard to withstand pressure, the tooth paste and the liquids would neither be pressured nor spilled out over other items.

   In the main department of my bag I also put my light tripod (for the light camera!), my small one man tent (which I bought 11 years (!) ago) and my new sleeping bag which I packed in a waterproof bag. I would use this bag later to store my 'dirty' and 'smelly' clothes.

Wild Camping under a big Linden Tree with my Equipment on the Table

   In the upper separate department of the bag I put my 'hardware' like the padlock for the locker of youth hostels, my spare keys, my outer bag for the bottles.
   The lower separate department was for my 2nd pair of shoes which were sport sandals. The come in handy strolling around the hotel or the campground but also give tired feet in trekking shoes some more 'energy'. Asking Toms Hank's advice when directing a movie he answered: "Change your shoes once a day gives you an extra boost!" He was right!
   In the separate department designed for a computer or tablet I put my clothes in case it becomes too hot or too cool!

   Currently my wife and daughter travel in Germany using the above same equipment for three weeks. For travel most items are an investment not only for the trip but also for daily or longer use.

My whole Travel Gear with the different colored and sized waterproof bags

(to be continued @ 

https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_26.html

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel