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📱🗽👀Inside: US Travel, Phone Hacks & Top Tips!
Published 9 days ago • 14 min read
Hello from Tropical Malaysia
Hey there Reader,
Hello from KL, the fabulous capital of Malaysia!
We've settled into our latest housesit in Kuala Lumpur, looking after three adorable (and wonderfully low-maintenance) cats.
Our temporary home is a spacious three-bedroom apartment in a leafy complex complete with gorgeous gardens and a massive pool. There's no shortage of cafes, bars and restaurants just steps away.
The rainy season has definitely arrived in SE Asia—perfect timing as we're counting down to our European summer adventure!
Having visited KL numerous times before, we've ticked off most tourist spots on previous trips, but we're still discovering quirky hidden gems.
Next week, we're booked in for comprehensive health screenings at one of KL's top hospitals (more on that experience soon).
In this week's issue, I share my phone migration saga and the planned overhaul of our digital security setup.
We also unpack some concerning news from the USA—what travel warnings, RealID, and the Alien Registration Act might mean for tourists.
Plus, this week's travel tip covers how to find, collate, and curate essential travel information and there's some excellent time-sensitive travel deals.
*Note: Some of the links in this email are from our partners, including AMAZON. If you purchase a product or service using those links, we get a SMALL commission to help pay for the website and this newsletter. But we promise - you won't pay any more than you would if purchasing directly. You can read our full disclosure here.
New Phone, New Adventures: My Digital Migration Marathon!
Well, I finally took the plunge and got myself a new phone here in KL!
The prices were way better than what I checked in the UK and Europe (seriously, OMG!!!) and we'll be on the move for the next few months exploring new destinations, so taking time out to set up a phone later wasn't an option.
I've been dragging my feet on this upgrade for ages.
It's not just the cost—it's the thought of untangling all the security systems and storage solutions I've carefully built over the years.
Our password manager, two-factor authentication apps, cloud backups spread across multiple services—it's a digital house of cards I've been reluctant to touch.
But my trusty old phone is pushing six years now, and traveling with it has become increasingly frustrating.
My once-amazing camera is now far inferior to newer phones, and the need for eSIM capability has gone from "nice-to-have" to "absolutely essential."
There's nothing like standing in an airport after a 12-hour flight, desperately hunting for a physical SIM card while your jet-lagged brain tries to compare multiple "data plans" on offer in another language!
Plus, technology has changed. The bad guys are getting cleverer, and recent reports of the pick-pocket epidemic in Europe has me on high alert.
The security systems we use have also evolved—I just discovered some cool new functions in our Norton account I had no idea we had access to!
Samsung, Google, Dashlane, and Dropbox have added some pretty cool features too, with considerable overlap between them.
Hence, I'm determined to implement as many best-practice security solutions as possible without making my life super-complicated and, therefore, miserable.
But let me tell you—as someone who's, ahem, seasoned in life but trying to keep up with tech—this transition is giving me palpitations.
The setup saga is real. I'm knee-deep in password resets, authentication apps, and trying to remember which email I used for what.
Who knew we had access to FIVE different cloud storage accounts, three of which we don't use? Or, that I'd need to log in and authorize approximately 200 apps one by one?
Fortunately, we've got time here in KL, so I'm methodically working through it all.
I'm making extra effort to document everything—instructions, checklists, templates—all the essentials for a regular annual review so the process will be smoother the next time one of us upgrades.
It also means Tim understands the setup, too, which is important if anything happens to me.
And the goal is worth it—seamless, secure travel this summer knowing that our data and devices are protected!
🤔 Hmmm...What if I Created a Useful Resource for Others?
Since I'm already documenting this whole process, I'm considering turning my notes into a proper downloadable guide that others could actually use.
If you'd be interested in a well-organized digital security and phone setup resource specifically for travelers—complete with checklists, templates, and step-by-step instructions—let me know by hitting the big green button and entering your details.
I'll only format everything properly if enough people find it valuable. So, if you'd find it useful, please have your vote!
I've not been given an expiry date on the deals, but since Easter Sunday is April 20th, you can assume it runs at least up til then.
Ready for the USA? Travel Warnings, REAL ID & The Alien Registration Act Explained.
Unless you’ve been totally off the grid, you’ve probably seen the USA making headlines with some intense stuff—border crackdowns, device searches, tourist detentions, and more.
Legit concern or just media hype?
We’re not getting into that particular argument since we have no planned U.S. trips. But let me tell you, U.S. immigration has always been intense.
I still remember sweating buckets at the Alberta-Montana border when a U.S. officer grilled me over a stray paper in my passport—a Canadian officer forgot to remove it last time!
For a hot minute, I thought he’d let Tim in and send me and my loaded bike back up a monster hill to Canada.
Spoiler alert! He let me through.
If you’re headed stateside, you might be worried by various countries issuing travel warnings for the US.
As with everything in life, don’t just believe the hype—do your due diligence.
Curiosity got me, so I checked official sites and was interested to see that official advisory levels haven’t budged.
You can see for yourself. I didn't check every country but here are the countries I've seen in the news recently plus Oz:
Any updates seem to just clarify existing rules for tourists, like:
What entry documents you need,
That visas and ESTAs don’t guarantee a green light for entry, and
What to expect at borders—like extra scrutiny.
From what I can tell, these rules haven't shifted lately.
What’s changed?
The media is zooming in on a few recent cases where border rules were dialed up to 11.
I won't lie, they sounded AWFUL!
But again, I don’t want to wade into specific cases. It’s almost impossible to get the full story from news outlets as they all swing one way or the other. And, social media is even less reliable.
However, I do note that tens of thousands of people are still visiting the US each week hassle-free.
So, what are Travel Advisory/Warning levels, and when do you definitely need to take note?
The U.S. State Department and many other countries’ equivalents rank risks on a four-level scale:
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions—Low risk, just stay sharp.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution—Some risks, like crime or protests.
Level 4: Do Not Travel—Life-threatening dangers; insurance often won’t cover you.
You must take special notice of levels 3 and 4.
We’ve visited several “L3” countries on our travels. We noted the warnings, but after doing our research and confirming insurance coverage, we went ahead. The result was an epic trip with far fewer crowds.
However, a “Do Not Travel” warning (level 4) will almost certainly void your travel insurance, and that’s a gamble we’re not prepared to take!
Anyway,
Despite all the furor, the U.S. remains at level 1 for most countries. Although NZ has had it at level 2 since late last year because of a ‘heightened risk of terrorism.’
Read into that what you will.
NOW,
Two Other Issues in the Headlines that travel forums are going ballistic about.
1 - REAL ID for domestic flights:
From May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID an approved driver’s license, passport, or other approved form of identification to board a domestic flight in the U.S.
No REAL ID? TSA (airport security) might stall you.
The good news is that your passport will work fine as a tourist.
“Failure to comply is a crime, punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.”
Sounds heavy, but for tourists it's no hassle as they should be registered automatically via their ESTA or visas. You can check your I-94 here and get a printout to carry for peace of mind..
This wasn’t a thing last time we were there. My curiosity kicked in, so I poked around.
In under a minute, I pulled up our full U.S. travel history from our first trip in 2016, plus details on our now-expired B2 visa in the 'most recent I-94' tab!
So in summary:
The reported government travel warnings in the media have NOT impacted official travel advisory levels.
The REAL ID rules won’t really impact tourists as your passport will suffice.
Most tourists are already registered under the Alien Registration Act, but can always find and print their most recent I-94 to carry with them if they want.
So,,,
Make sure your paperwork’s rock-solid for U.S. entry, and be clear you’re traveling as a tourist. You should do this for any country.
Heads-up: immigration officers—anywhere, not just the U.S.—can search your phone, bags, or even you.
Immigration might also hold you for questioning if they suspect you’re up to something other than your stated purpose.
They can also turn you around and send you back home.
So honestly,...I don't think any of the three things discussed:
Government warnings on US travel,
RealID for domestic flights, and
Enforcement of the Alien Registration Act
...change things much for the average tourist.
Choosing to skip the U.S. for personal or political reasons? That’s another issue entirely.
If we let politics rule our travels, we’d likely not be anywhere much at all.
For us, it’s all about diving into a country’s people, cultures, landscapes, and traditions.
And we're often rewarded because tourism and hospitality folks in places hit by scary headlines are often the warmest to travelers who take the time to visit.
So if you've got a US trip planned, it's worth remembering that the America worth visiting—its diverse people, landscapes, and experiences - likely remains unchanged beneath the headlines.
Travel Tips for Long-Term Trips
If you've just joined our Travel Bug Community, you can find previous tips on getting ready for long-term travel on the newsletter archives page.
So far in our long-term travel tips series, we've covered the fundamentals: How to:
Define your travel goals and bucket lists,
Set your baseline,
Create and refine your budget
Find extra income streams while traveling
Identify your support crew, and
Perform an annual banking review
Find accommodation for extended periods
Implement long-term Health Management Strategies
Keep Money and funds safe
Stay prepared in case of disaster
Slashing accommodation costs
So without further adieu, here’s this week’s timely tip…
Travel Tip N12 - Info Sources For Savvy Travelers
Quality information is the backbone of every great trip – essential for planning routes, navigating emergencies, and discovering local gems.
When we're headed to a new destination, we want to know:
What to do, including any special events while we're there
Relevant breaking news, including emergency situations, and
Local recommendations off the usual tourist trail.
Yet when traveling, language barriers can prevent us from accessing crucial updates.
Headlines and broadcasts that would naturally catch our eye at home slip past unnoticed when in unfamiliar languages.
I've pulled together a list of actions you can take and resources to keep you informed and confident on future trips.
Up front: We don't do ALL of these ALL of the time. Instead we customize our approach depending on each destination and our familiarity with the area.
Before You Go: Register with your government's traveler program and download their app if they have one
Set Up Google Alerts: Create specific alerts for your destination + "emergency," "travel warning," etc. (You can also set alerts in Google/Microsoft/Yahoo/Apple/MSN news.)
Join Community Groups on Social Media: Find and join 2-3 active Facebook groups and relevant subreddits for your destination
Create a Twitter/X List: Gather local news sources in English, emergency services, and transportation accounts.
Download Translation Apps: Prepare offline translation capabilities for local news sources
Subscribe to Local English News: Most tourist destinations have at least one English publication.
Find and follow local event calendars and tourism boards on social media
Enable notifications for deal sites relevant to your destination
Use location-based notification features in apps like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or Google Maps
Set Up a News Aggregator: Configure Feedly or Flipboard with relevant sources before departure
Enable Weather Alerts: Configure severe weather notifications for your destination
Create a "Travel Info" Folder: Bookmark key websites so they are all in one place
Check In Regularly: Schedule a daily 5-minute news check-in during your travels.
As an example for our upcoming trip to Portugal, I've:
Followed the Australian Embassy in Lisbon's Facebook Page and switched on notifications.
Finding the right balance is crucial - too little information leaves you unprepared, while too much creates overwhelming noise.
What's truly valuable varies based on your personal travel style and specific destinations.
I already have a few notes and checklists on how I collate information for our planning. But like the phone security and storage guide above, I'm thinking of creating a comprehensive guide with :
Instructions on how to access and customize notifications from various information streams,
Checklists and templates for planning, and
Destination-specific resource lists for popular travel spots.
If enough people are interested, I'll pull it all together and let you all know when it's ready.
Travel Partners That Saved Us Money This Week
No bookings this week so no savings... :)
How Our Travel Plans Are Shaping Up
Our travel plans haven’t budged since last week, but I’m spotting Spanish house sits popping up closer to the gap between our booked sits. So, I reckon we’ll snag one soon to fill it soon!
Current Itinerary:
KL -->>London-->>Lisbon-->>The Algarve-->>Costa Del Sol-->>Alicante-->>Valencia-->>Barcelona-->>Azerbijan-->>Armenia-->>Georgia-->>Cambridge-->> Who knows???
Travel Bloggers, Websites, Info and Newsletters You Might Like
I thought I'd have our new TourRadar review for this week, but you'll have to wait until next.
Still need a Mother’s Day gift for the travel-loving mums in your life? There’s still time to shop so I left our Mother's Day Gift Guide here to get you inspired ⬇️
By using our links when you book, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you - This allows us to produce free content that helps you travel better and longer for less. Affiliate Disclosure
We're long-term travelers sharing our passion for independent, budget travel. Every newsletter gives you travel tips from experts, lessons from the road, great deals, and carefully curated travel products & services.
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