Travel Gear

🇮🇹 Smooth Travels to Italy 🧳 Enhanced by Essential Gear: Tom Bihn Bag, Kobo Libra 2, iPad Air, and Handy Charging Solutions 🔌

I just wrapped up two weeks with our family in Italy. We had a fantastic time. I’m happy to report that Europe seems to have smoothed out many of the 2022 Pandemic Travel issues. However, Heathrow Airport is still as annoying as ever to transit through with their ridiculous security screening procedures.

Each time I travel, it’s a good reminder to write about my travel gear and some of the latest items I appreciated having with me.

Tom Bihn is one of my favorite bag makers and all their bags are made here in Seattle. I recently picked up the Side Hustle and used this bag quite a bit to carry my iPad, Kobo Reader, Battery, Headphones, and other small items around the resort and to the beach.

Speaking of, I recently purchased a Kobo Libra 2. This is the ideal form factor for reading books with two hardware buttons for changing pages. This reminds me of the very first Kindle Reader. Why did I ditch the Kindle? I don’t know. My Kindle Book collection has turned into a mess of books with household books and dozens of unread books littering the whole experience. I also don’t know what it is about the Libra but it’s a remarkable device that brings me joy. My new rule - purchase books I am currently reading and nothing more. I read three great fiction books on this trip which is something I have not done in ages, and it was quite enjoyable.

The Kobo Reader is waterproof, uses USB-C, has great lighting, is super light and compact. Love it. You need to purchase your books from the Ratuken Store and they have most of the same books as Amazon. Most of you will probably skoff at the idea of going off Amazon for your books. I had an initial reaction at first, but I don’t really read all that much each year so switching was not an issue. This was a good “book reset” for me since I have probably 50 books in my Kindle Library that I’m never ever going to read now.

What I read on this trip:

• Lessons in Chemistry

• Daisy Jones and the Six

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

After a few years with an iPad Mini 6, I recently got myself an iPad Air and the original fabric keyboard which I got refurbished from Amazon for $65. Less bulky than the Magic Keyboard.

I’ve been really enjoying some of these the Apple TV shows

• Silo

• Shrink

I’m also using this great app called Sequel to track Books, TV Series and Movies.

Another product I relied on heavily was the Anker 727. I love how I can use one power adapter (UK or EU) and then have access to two US style plugs, two USB-C and two USB-A plugs for up to 100W of power. With an extension cord it means I can plug this thing in once and put it on a desk and charge everything.

For longer trips I have started using the Civic Access Pouch 2L to organize my travel chargers and cables, as well as all airplane items.

Also the Civic Access Sling

I used a Peak Design Travel Backpack in 30L for this trip since we did carry-on and I wanted a backpack that I could secure to my roller bag. The 30L bac has a clamshell opening and room for a full-sized laptop and iPad. Perfect travel bag.

Ok this is a bit out there, but this charging cable is wild and I love it. Easy to find, soft and easy to use. Flexible options for charging. Similar to the Chubby Cables I love.

These cables have “no memory”. Hard to explain.

It pairs perfectly with the Invizi 67W charger and international adapters.