A man plays a computer game at an internet cafe
IN PHOTO: A man plays a computer game at an internet cafe in Beijing May 9, 2014. As growing numbers of young people in China immerse themselves in the cyber world, spending hours playing games online, worried parents are increasingly turning to boot camps to crush addiction. Military-style boot camps, designed to wean young people off their addiction to the internet, number as many as 250 in China alone. Picture taken May 9, 2014. Reuters

Whether you’re going on vacation or a business trip, it’s imperative that you keep in touch with your loved ones at home. However, roaming charges and poor internet connections in most hotels can prevent you from contacting people back home. The good news is there are now many travel aids such as Wi-Fi gadgets for travellers that allow you to stay connected with people you care for even if you’re away. Here are some of them.

  1. Base stations

How would you like to have your own wireless hot spot in your hotel room? Wireless base stations can be plugged into a wall outlet then simply connect your computer and it won’t be long before you have your own internet. It’s easy and the connection is definitely better than the usual internet provided by hotels which are very slow because many are also using it.

  1. Private Wi-Fi connection

Hotels, cafes, shops, and other establishments offer free Wi-Fi services. However, they can be very slow because of the great number of individuals connecting to them. Add to that the fact that they’re also not secure. Fortunately many companies now offer private Wi-Fi services especially to those who are always on the road. Log in with your own password and surf the web freely and safely.

  1. Battery chargers

With so many things to do, you often forget to charge your batteries. Avoid the inconvenience of having a drained cellular phone or camera by taking along with you a portable battery charger which can be operated using AA or AAA batteries. These chargers are very affordable and since they’re portable, they won’t eat up much space in your luggage.

  1. Translator device

Not everybody knows how to speak English which is why you must always have a translator device wherever you go. This very useful gadget can help you communicate using simple and easy to understand phrases in the native language in just a few seconds. A good example is the Franklin 12-Language Global Translator that allows you to translate from English to several other languages.

  1. USB extenders

If you love to bring two or more gadgets, having USB extenders can be helpful. You can turn your laptop’s single or double USB ports into multi-ports by simply plugging an extender. This extender is handy too; it can fit inside your purse. They’re also available in different colours and styles.

Travelling? Don’t forget to take these gadgets for travellers wherever you go. They are very useful and provide you the convenience and comfort you need when you’re away from home.

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