BIG Packing Mistake - Why You Should Not Overpack Your Carry-On

Stop Overpacking Your Carry-On and Travel Smart, Travel Light

Traveling with carry-on luggage saves time and avoids hassle. However, the most common mistakes many travelers make lead in the opposite direction if you get flagged by airport security for a secondary screening.

Physical Burden

Besides the physical burden of a heavy carry-on, such as hauling cumbersome luggage through bustling airports, public transit, or flight stairs, the other main disadvantage is that a piece of heavy luggage is more likely to get flagged at the airport for screening and even at the flight gate.

Security Screening

Bulky luggage is hard for scanning machines to inspect, thus security officials need to pull them for secondary screening. This might open the door for longer delays and missing your flights. Also, security officials might get suspicious just by looking at an oddly-shaped, chunky bag and flag you to open and manually inspect it.

Gate Check

Another drawback of carrying a bulky carry-on backpack or suitcase is the possibility of gate check. I have seen this a lot; airlines are forcing passengers to gate check when they conclude that overhead storage will not be able to handle all the carry-on luggage. However, this has never happened to me because I always travel light.

Travel Light for a Better Experience

The joy of not carrying immense weight on your back and not maneuvering through the airport with cumbersome luggage is priceless. Traveling should be an enjoyable experience and not an experience in which you worry about how you are going to make it to your destination.

Packing Tips

Here are some quick tips: 1. Plan Ahead: Make a list of essentials and stick to it. 2. Use Packing Cubes: Organize your belongings and maximize space. 3. Roll Your Clothes: Save space and reduce wrinkles. 4. Limit Shoes: Try to limit yourself to two pairs. 5. Toiletries: Opt for travel-sized items.

Conclusion

Travel smart and travel light to avoid the common pitfalls of overpacking. Your journey will be smoother and you'll have more time to enjoy your trip.

What Are The Different Types Of GMT Watches? Caller GMT vs. Traveler GMT

Caller GMT vs. Traveler GMT: Understanding the Differences

GMT watches are handy for tracking multiple time zones. Two popular types are Caller GMT and Traveler GMT. Let's break down how they work and who they're best for.

Caller GMT:

The Caller GMT watch is ideal for people who stay in one place but need to know the time in another location. It has a GMT hand that you can set to show the time in a different time zone. Meanwhile, the main hour hand stays fixed to your local time. This way, you can easily see the time in another part of the world without changing your local time. This is great for business professionals or anyone with friends or family abroad.

Traveler GMT:

The Traveler GMT watch is perfect for people who travel frequently. With this type of watch, you can adjust the main hour hand to the local time wherever you are, while the GMT hand continues to show the time in your home time zone. This makes it easy to switch between time zones without losing track of home time. It's especially useful for globetrotters and frequent flyers.

Key Differences:

The main difference between Caller GMT and Traveler GMT watches is how you adjust the hour hands. The Caller GMT keeps the local time fixed and adjusts the GMT hand for the second time zone. The Traveler GMT lets you adjust the main hour hand for local time, making it easier for frequent travelers.

In summary, choose a Caller GMT if you need to keep track of another time zone while staying in one place. Opt for a Traveler GMT if you travel often and need to adjust your local time frequently.

Buying a GoPro in 2025? Read This First!

Why I Might Skip 2025’s GoPro 14

I have been using a GoPro Action camera for a decade. This is the only action camera I have known and ever used. It is unthinkable for me to switch to any other kind of action camera. I really need to update to a newer version of GoPro for the past couple of years, but I have been putting off buying a new one.

Last time I upgraded to a new version was in 2021, with the GoPro HERO 10. However, in 2025 I may not upgrade yet. I won’t buy a GoPro anymore unless GoPro upgrades their sensor size—a critical feature that competitors like DJI and Insta360 have already improved.

Every year GoPro keeps doing unnecessary upgrades that do not matter at all. For some strange reason, they don’t upgrade what everyone keeps waiting for – increasing its sensor size. GoPro’s tiny sensor hurts low-light performance and excludes much better-quality videos, while competitors keep upgrading and outperforming GoPro with better hardware.

DJI and Insta360 caught up on upgrading their sensors some time ago. Many GoPro hardcode fans abandoned GoPro, and the question remains whether they want to remain in business, as it looks like GoPro doesn’t care what consumers need and this is necessary to stay in business.

My reason for not abandoning GoPro yet is that I like their colour profile and video quality. In my opinion, this is something no other company can beat GoPro at, however DJI and Insta360 came very close.

Also, I Subscribe to GoPro (formerly Plus) for unlimited cloud storage, which I will lose if I leave GoPro. GoPro recently got sneakier and stopped giving unlimited cloud storage to all clips, which was previously free. Now only GoPro clips can be saved as unlimited.

My Verdict: Until GoPro prioritizes real improvements, save your money! Stop buying new GoPros in 2025 and beyond. If GoPro doesn’t change their sensor size, I will have to take drastic action—even if that means abandoning GoPro unlimited cloud and losing all my saved files.

This Should Be The Travel Shorts for Your Next Trip (The Best Men’s Shorts?)

Men’s Travel Shorts for Beach Destinations

My fabric of choice is cotton, but there are instances where cotton simply will not do. For example, when I was doing an island-hopping tour in the Philippines, I got wet right away and often throughout the trip. However, a pair of fast-dry, moisture-wicking shorts saved the day.

I have been searching for the perfect travel shorts, and I believe I found them. Here comes the Wrangler Performance Flex Cargo Shorts. They’re made of 94% Nylon and 6% Spandex. Some of their properties are:

- Stretch Fabric
- Quick Drying
- Moisture Wicking
- UPF 30 for sun protection

I like that they have a longer inseam at 10 inches. This comes close to the knee and provides more sun protection. Also, it’s easier to sit with a longer inseam.

If you run out of pocket space, Wrangler’s Cargo Shorts are equipped with ample space, as there are 2 cargo zip pockets, 2 back pockets and slash pockets. This is great for traveling when you need to safely store your cell phone, wallet and other items in an enclosed pocket. I had to check many pairs of shorts to find some that came with pocket zippers and my Wrangler Cargo Shorts were the only ones I was able to find.

In the past, I used to carry separate swim shorts for traveling. But since I minimized my travel items, I now have only one carry-on. I use my regular fast-dry shorts as my swim shorts as well and my Wranglers fit perfectly for that.

I have a month-long trip coming up for Malaysia and Maldives and my Wrangler Performance Flex Cargo Shorts should be a perfect tool for adventures exploring islands and beaches.

Bangkok’s Budget Bargain Mall MBK Center Mall Is a Must-Visit

MBK Mall – Bangkok’s Ultimate Shopping Paradise

During our trip to Bangkok, we visited a few malls­­—from high-end to budget. However, MBK Center Mall is the one we liked the most. Unlike upscale malls like Siam Paragon, MBK is famous for its affordable prices and lively atmosphere. With over 2,000 shops, it’s a haven for bargain hunters, tech lovers, and souvenir seekers.

What we noticed is that each floor has a mixture of everything with a concentration on something specific. For example:

✅ Fashion & Accessories – From trendy Thai streetwear (2nd floor) to handmade jewelry and knockoff designer bags (bargain deals available), MBK has it all.

✅ Electronics & Gadgets Galore – The 4th floor is a tech paradise, offering cameras, smartphones, and accessories at negotiable prices.

✅ Thai Street Food & Restaurants – Refuel at the 6th-floor food court, serving authentic pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and more at wallet-friendly prices.

✅ Entertainment & Services – Catch a movie at the SF Cinema, get a Thai massage, or even book a last-minute SIM card for tourists.

Here a few shopping tips if you are planning to visit MBA Mall:

Bargain - Vendors often inflate prices for tourists, so it’s OK to bargain on the asking price.

Cash is king - Many small shops don’t accept cards.

Avoid weekends - If you dislike crowds—MBK gets packed! Especially on the weekends.

How to Get There

MBK is easily accessible via the BTS Skytrain (National Stadium Station) or a short walk from Siam BTS. Open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, it’s a perfect spot for a full day of shopping and eating.

We took the taxi, but regretted getting stuck in Bangkok traffic. On our way back to our hotel, we rode the BTS and it was a hassle-free commute.

Whether you’re hunting for deals, craving local flavors, or just soaking up Bangkok’s vibrant mall culture, MBK Mall delivers an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss it on your next Thailand trip!