ideas on the best way to protect your stuff in your hotel/hostel room assuming its private and only me?

I know i have a lock to my door and am prepared to bring my own diesel pad lock if i can lock the door myself, but anything else i can do?

I mean I am prepared to guard my passport and other valuables on my person with dear life...do people ever leave their passport in their room during the day when out sightseeing?

i have on occassion been known to leave valuables in the room, but never the first day (before i've really felt the place out) and never in a shared room. when i do leave them, i separate them and hide them. haven't had any problems yet... but if i have any doubts, i always take the stuff with me. i'll usually stick something in a book, something under some stuff on a table, something in the dirty clothes bag, etc. The key is remembering where you put everything....

haha yea good call

I want to try using one of those rent-a-dobbie protection services for my pack when leaving it in the dorm, just cause it would be funny.

i've never had any problems (yet) either. I carried a cable lock for my laptop and locked it to radiators, whatever, but I had that sucker insured so if it did walk off... I also almost always got a single room in a hostel (I'm 33 and just couldn't do the bunks/dorm thing) and locked my door, but still hid stuff out of site. The trick is...don't carry anything you'd cry if you lost, except passport/monies/credit cards, and those LITERALLY never left my sight. as a matter of fact, when I got back to the states it took me a few days to figure out that I'd be OKAY with my money in my pockets again (why?). good luck! i'm so excited for you!

How do you guys handle your stuff when swimming and snorkling? I've never used a hotel safe where provided, but I think with my next trip carrying so many lenses and valuable camera equipment I just might....

the swimming one always gets me too - i never quite know what to do with my stuff. I tried using a waterproof bag once for my passport and cards and money and stuff - but it didnt work so all my stuff got soaked.

Luckily it dried out ok. With regards to my stuff i usually take all my valuable stuff with me when im sightseeing - so my camera and mp3 player come everywhere.

Mich

I've yet to find a decent answer to this. I find most times it gets asked in various forums it's just never answered so I imagine that a lot of solo travellers either just don't swim often or don't really take any special care to protect their things. It's less of a deal if you're staying in private rooms, but I've been trying to figure out the solution for excessive time spent in the water while staying in shared rooms.

With electronics I have no idea yet, but the best I've been able to think of is to just be sure that you've left copies of all your important documents with someone that can fax or mail them to you if your originals are stolen and then hope that you don't lose anything.

I just had both doors of my apartment kicked in and my computer stolen. If someone wants to take from you then there isn't a heck of a lot you can do about it. Putting things in the hostel 'safe' is never a guarantee, leaving it in a private room isn't necessarily safe, lockers can be broken into, your bag can be stolen during the split second you put it down, and you can be held up at gunpoint and be forced to hand everything over.

Take whatever precautions you can figure out in each location, roll with it if something goes wrong, and be sure to have someone back home who can wire you emergency funds.

I keep a copy of all my important documents in an online storage box. Works great and is as secure as you make your password.

quote:

online storage box

Which site do you use for storage Bush Trekker?

Cheers

Swimming? Bring a sexy GF with a black belt in Karate so she can watch your stuff while you're in the water.

...at least that's what I'm dreaming of!

quote:

Originally posted by Keppie:
i have on occassion been known to leave valuables in the room, but never the first day (before i've really felt the place out) and never in a shared room. when i do leave them, i separate them and hide them. haven't had any problems yet... but if i have any doubts, i always take the stuff with me. i'll usually stick something in a book, something under some stuff on a table, something in the dirty clothes bag, etc. The key is remembering where you put everything....

I agree. Dont keep everything in one spot. Even when you carry things on you. Put some money in your socks, some in your backpocket, keep you passport somewhere else etc.

A money belt is the only way to take your money with you. If you take a backpack, when you stop to read a map or use a payphone, step through the strap so that nobody can grab your bag!