I love going to the beach, no matter where I'm traveling. But I run into the same conundrum over and over. Me and the significant other have with us our daypack, camera, passports, some money, etc. ... and usually we're out for most of the day.
What happens when we both want to go frolic in the surf? Sometimes we don't bring anything valuable except a little ziploc bag with cash/cards that can stay in the swimsuit pocket. (Not even a camera...) But most of the time we squelch the fun of swimming together in the surf so that one of us can watch the 'stuff'. Neither is optimal.
What do you do?
Jed
Posts: 9 | Location: Seattle | Registered: 07 July 2007
I would never in a million years take a camera to a beach unless I was just walking through to get a few pictures. Likewise I would never take my passport there period. I would only have with me: sandals, sunscreen, cheap sunglasses, maybe a towel, and say $20-30. I leave all of it with a local vendor when I go in the water. If the beach is so secluded that there are no vendors, I just leave it. I always buy a beer or something from the vendor first so we are on good terms.
Posts: 1535 | Location: San Quintin, Mexico | Registered: 01 February 2001
Hide valuables in a shoe, yeah they'll never think of looking there! They (the cunning thieves) will probably be so astonished that someone brought shoes to the beach in the first place they'll just run away.
_______________________ "Neato Burrito."
Posts: 1531 | Location: About half way there. | Registered: 07 March 2006
I never bring passports to the beach. Those I'll stuff in a locker or leave with a trusted source, such as a hotelier. IF there arn't any trusted sources around I will hide it in a plastic bag covered in ketchup stained maxi pads. Oh sure, it's gross (well not logically. logically it's red dye and cotton). But quite frankly, with as much hocus-pocus out there (esp. in 3rd world nations) as there is surrounding the . I can be fairly sure that most men (and ladies) would consider touching such a thing too reprehensable to do.
Anyway--I have taken a camera to the beach before. What I usually do is look for the couple with the kid and ask them to watch it while I play in the surf. OR I bury it in the sand, in a plastic bag, under my towel and hope nobody digs it up...or that I dont forget it's there. Just make like you're building a sand castle when in fact, you're diggin a secret locker of goodies. Plus you can keep your drinks out of the sun that way.
___________________________ 'The time has come,' the Walrus said, 'To talk of many things: Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing wax -- Of cabbages -- and kings -- And why the sea is boiling hot -- And whether pigs have wings
Hi there, What I do with my stuff really depends on where I am and who I'm with, how crowded or secluded the place is, how much I want pictures of the place, lots of locals there or not, if I've been there or not,etc. But I'm not one to take risks and I would never leave my passport, money and camera with a stranger...
I usually mix the `not bringing anything important` and the `leaving things with someone I know` options. I`m paranoid on beaches and don`t leave anything around.
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Posts: 159 | Location: Australia | Registered: 21 December 2006
It all sorta depends upon one's definition of 'valuable', but for me, I'm ok with the loss of an iPod or a large chunk of cash...it's piss me off, but nothing a few beers and a couple jokes couldn't releave.
But the passport, family heirlooms or my beloved jester-is-evil keychain are different...I'd not even consider leaving them unattended! Then again, only the passport would be traveling with me.
The "don't bring it if you can't afford to loose it" advice seems to apply here.
______________________________________________________________________ "You weren't half as weird as I expected." -- skobb
Posts: 3120 | Location: Zürich | Registered: 28 August 2005
Originally posted by Stoo: my beloved jester-is-evil keychain
I'll say. Do you know how much those go for on eBay?
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yeah, i don't bring valuables but if i do have to i bury them.
It always works well. Just bring a ziplock or some type of bag that will seal up, dig a hole when noone is paying attention and then bury your stuff. Put your towel over the place your dug so that you will know where it is.
I also dig chairs out of the sand, which is great for sitting up and reading, etc and not carrying a chair around. Basically you just dig sand out w/ your hands and push it up to make a "back" for your chair. Works great!
