Staying in Touch

There are many ways to keep in touch these days and most of them free!

When we first started world travel way back when, all we had was a basic email account, and we used to send people postcards through the mail.

But now, thanks to internet photo sharing services, internet phone services, and social networks etc, staying in touch has never been easier.

Here are your options….

Email:

Get a “Web Based” email account that you can access from any computer with one of the free providers like gmail or yahoo!

Some providers like Hotmail can automatically close your account if you don’t have any activity within a monthly period.

Also, having an email account is a necessity for setting up an account with the social networking sites, and for booking stuff online!

Helpful Tip:  Save Time…

Internet access in cafes can sometimes be painfully slow, and if you are paying by the minute it can get frustrating and expensive. If you have a laptop, pre-write out all your email responses before hand.

Also, create email lists of people to send travel updates to and just send one bulk email.

Skype… (Our personal favorite)

Skype is basically an Internet based phone service that lets you call other skype users around the world for FREE. It allows users to create a profile, and if you have a web cam you can see the person you are talking to. All you need is computer access and a reasonably fast internet connection.

We love skype!…Have been using it for years, and have saved a ton of money in the process. Being able to call for free and see each other through webcam is awesome!

Opening a skpye account is FREE, all you have to do is download the software from skype .com, have either an in-built microphone or headset, and a webcam and you are good to go!

Calling from one Skype account to another skype account is FREE for an unlimited amount of minutes! You can also text chat between one other which we use a lot.

Also, if somebody doesn’t have a skype account, you can simply load your account with $10 via credit card and then you can call land lines and cell phones around the world for about 2 cents a minute – a bargain!

And they also have some great calling plans. We are currently on a plan which cost us just $30 annually and allows us un-limited calls to any phone within the US and Canada....pretty cool!

While you still need a computer for a majority of its services, Skype now offers a variety of other services, including:

• Voicemail
• Your own Skype phone number (This service is called SkypeIn)
• Use Skype on a wireless phone
• Conference calling (great for group chats and business)
• Text messaging
• Skype chat
• File transfer

Internet cafes usually always have it loaded on their computers so you can expect to be able to use it anywhere. Oh, and by the way, the call quality is usually very good!

Download Skype now!

Cell Phones:

When we lived in Bangkok for 6 months, we bought a cheap phone, and SIM card, and away we went! When you run out of money just re-load it.

Purchasing a cheap phone for this period to keep in touch made sense, as we were both teaching at different schools, and we made a lot of friends during the time which made is easier also to keep in-touch with our Thai friends and fellow backpacking friends!

You will find that a lot of backpackers carry cell phones, if their situation is like ours was,  or like I said they spend a good amount of time in a country.  SIM cards are affordable and it makes contacting other travelers easy.

Also, you can change numbers easily, have easy access to your friends and family, and generally phones can work all over the world.

Which Cell phone and SIM card?….should you buy a local cell phone or international cell phones? And what about SIM cards, local or international SIM card?

Here are some detailed articles on cell phones and SIM cards to help you get your head around it:

• SIM cards….Local V Global?….Click Here
• Which is the best international SIM?...Click Here.
• How to unlock cell phones… Click Here
• What about International Cell phones?…Click Here
  
• How to get a Lifetime International Phone Number…Click Here.
  

Calling Cards:

International phone cards can be an option  if you’re only in a particular country for a shorter period of time, like a few weeks. They give you the ability to call family or friends back home, whilst staying relatively unconnected from life in the “REAL” world.

Some  benefits of prepaid calling cards include:

• Pay-as-you-go!
• No need to buy a new SIM card and cell number all the time!
• You don’t have to worry about carrying a cell phone!
• They are easy to come by and replace!

How to get International Calling Cards…Click Here

Social Networks:

The social networks like facebook and twitter are obviously all the rage these days. Just walk past anyone on a laptop, or sitting at a library computer, and there’s a good chance they are on facebook.

And why not, it’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and share photos and updates of your daily life and whereabouts.

Another great feature is you can join groups in particular subject areas, like travel, and you can network, make new friends, and learn from those members.

And if you get serious about writing a travel blog, you can set up a facebook fan page like ours at yTravelBlog and direct people there to get all your posts and updates….very cool feature!

Don’t Be a Social Snob!…at the end of the day, it’s the people you connect with that matter, not the networks there on!