In the ?why didn?t we think of this? category we have Minimus (www.minimus.biz), a company that has rounded up everything you could possibly need in your toiletries case, in miniature. And it?s all available on line. A family vacation in New Hampshire was the launching pad for the Shrater family?s travel supply company Minimus. They were a bit distressed at having to throw away half-used bottles of condiments, had realized that the village store didn?t stock their favorite brand of toothpaste, and they thought ?wouldn?t it be great if there was one place you could go for all the small packets for your travel needs?? Voila, Minimus. Order hermetically sealed medicine, 1-oz bottles of shampoo, single-wash boxes of laundry detergent, itsy-bitsy containers of deodorant and shave cream, even snack packs. Everything is amazingly well-priced. Pre-made kits specially designed for campers, students and soldiers run about $20-$30.
There is no end to the travel gadgets, clothes, luggage and other trinkets you can find at Magellan?s (www.magellans.com). Everything?s streamlined, easily packed, well-tested and ready for the road. We love the Travel Hair Dryer and Adaptor Plugs (well, those of us with full heads of hair, anyway). 1600 watts of turbo power will blast your lovely locks with two heat/air settings. The dual voltage and adaptor plugs mean you won?t get out of the shower abroad ready to style only to find out your hairdryer won?t work. $31.85. Visit www.magellans.com for a host of travel gear.
Now you see it; now you really see it. These Nikon Travelite V 9x25 Binoculars will get you up-close-and-personal with the lions on the Serengeti or the flame in Ms. Liberty?s hand. They only weigh 9.3 ounces and are small enough to fit into a hip pack (which you would carry on your tummy to keep it away from pickpockets). Available at REI stores or at www.REI.com. $99.95.
Never be at a loss for words again with the Lingo Global 8 Language Translator from Lingo Travel (www.lingotravel.com). This little gadget is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and has over 8,000 words and 500 useful phrases in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. But that?s not all. There?s metric and currency features, world time, clothes and shoe size converters, and a calculator. $39.95. Lingo Travel also carries a talking translator. Handy if you?re dining alone. yemek tarifleri