16” MacBook M1 Max, 32GB RAM, 1TB Harddrive (2021)

I was using an Intel-based 15” MacBook Pro (Mid-2015) - I refused to crumble and use that butterfly keyboard. I got this laptop in Feb 2022 and the difference is night and day - quiet and powerful as hell even when running 15 containers consuming local kafka topics in parallel.

Absolutely outstanding, and I'm looking forward to updating to the M2.

15” Razer Blade RZ09-02705 16GB RAM, 500GB Harddrive (2018)

My backup work machine, very much needed after my girlfriend spilled water on my M1 Max and torched it 😥. Running Fedora Nobara and its a dream.

It's currently running a spinning rust platter and needs some more RAM so I'll be uplifting it to an SSD and some more GB's soon.

I actually prefer Linux to OSX, but the Apple hardware is so unbelievably good its hard to transition to something else.

Amplifi Instant

Portable plug-and-play wifi access point. After moving around for ages I decided instead of jacking into everyones average home wifi point I'd prefer something with much better performance.

I currently jack this badboy into whatever ethernet port exists on the AirBnb router and everything spins up. I can't get pihole to run on this successfully at the moment, so I'll replace this with something that uses OpenWRT in the future and pair with with a pi-zero2 + pihole.

Its much easier to operate this way. All of your devices automatically sync and log auth with the service. I highly recommend any long term traveller adopts a similar strategy.

Apple Magic Mouse

I only use this when I need to draw technical documentation. This is one of those pieces of kit that I need but hardly every use, and wish I didn't have to to keep.

I have fairly large hands and this mouse just isn't made for people like me. It's useful when I need it, and the fact it easily bluetooth tethers to my Macbook makes it worth while rather than messing around with bluetooth dongles.

A necessary evil, but still evil.

iPad Pro Generation 1 (12.9 inch)

Much like the mouse I only use this when I need to draw stuff for presentation or slides. This is one of those pieces of kit that I need but hardly every use, and wish I didn't have to keep.

I have tried to use this to extend the screen of my M1 Max but I have issues where it just dies on me. I think the resolution of the M1 messes with the max CPU the chip can handle (or something, who knows), but its too flaky to rely on.

Another necessary evil.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones

These. Are. The. Best.

I bought my girlfriend a pair of these about a year ago (as of October 2022) and they were great. Whilst travelling I broke my AKG Y50BT's, and I made the fatal mistake of buying Airpod Pros (DONT DO IT THEY SUCK).

I ended up buying a pair of XM4's and it was the correct choice. I use them daily, all day, and they are life savers. If you're like me and noise distracts you, then there is no better option to reduce that pain than these.

Bose Color II Soundlink

This is my portable speaker. I have mixed feelings about this. Its fairly cheap, and on this front the price-to-sound-quality metric exceeds expectations. The problem is I just don't use this very much. Most of my nomading so far has been in relative cold environments, but now I'm much more coastal in Colombia I'll see if that changes.

Apple Airpods Pro

The worst in-ear buds I've ever used. Absolutely terrible and I regret wasting so much money on them.

I feel like there may be a saving grace if I get better ear tips for them, but unless the foam tips I'm looking at getting are exceptional I couldn't advise against these strongly enough.

Buyer beware.

Wayfarers

The one true sunglasses. Looks good on every skull, has an XL size for someone with a big head like me, is solid as a brick **** house and is appropriately priced.

Growing up in Western Australia sunglasses are a must, and after years of different brands I keep coming back to these.

Tanlys Bluelight Glasses

I had never used blue light glasses until September 13, 2022. After the first day I felt like they worked, but the mind plays tricks to justify purchases sometimes so you need to be wary.

I'm writing this entry on October 08, 2022. After ~3 weeks of using these every day I can assure you that not only do they work, and they work wonderfully. I've been using a computer daily for 12+ hours/day for close to 15 years, and I finally never get that dry/itchy eye feeling.

Blue light glasses - absolute game changer.

Birkenstock's Arizona

Everyone needs a pair of these. These are my daily walkers. Not much more to say.

Boltio HIKINGS

NEW IN 2023!
After spending 6 months in Colombia and a few months in Panama it is painfully obvious I can't hike in Birkies or Havis. I saw these at a store in Panama, bought them on a whim and they are a game changer.

I hadn't worn shoe-like anything for a year. I forgot how reassuring having that sort of stablity can be. Also, these fit me perfectly. To the millimetre. I've never worn something so tailored before and it is trip altering.

For anyone going on this lifestyle, get a pair of waterproof hiking sandals. It is basically a necessity.

Lubary Travel Backpack

Not all backpacks are equal. This backpack is basically a tiny suitcase on your back, with the key benefit being that the entire top opens up. This is 1 billion times more practical that then normal zip pouch things you get, especially when paired with travel cubes.

I've lost luggage off flights before, so whenever I travel this is my carry on. I only pack the essentials in it: laptop, power adapter, phone charger, jumper (sweater for you Americans), 1 change of clothses, 4 days of underwear (take my advice on this one) and a toiletry bag with toothbrush, stick deodorant and travel suitcase. Everything else I put on my checked luggage, and whilst it sucks if I lose it as long as I have my devices and can charge them it doesn't matter too much.

tomtoc Compact EDC Sling Bag

I hate putting things in my pockets. Also, my normal attire is normally the West Australian standard - flip flops, shorts and tshirt. If its cold I'll put on a hoodie.

When all you've got on you is a phone this is no problem, but when you're travelling around and need to have stuff on hand its a suicide mission. I use it for both side missions (a small 1/2/3 day trip somewhere) and main missions (flights).

Requirements for a sling: can fit your phone, sunnies, passport, power cable, power adapter and any keys in it. I've lost passports trying to fumble around with this stuff before, but never again with this sling.

Zoomlite Travel Cubes (Globetrotter Bundle)

I had done a decent a decent amount of travel in my life, and for anyone thats ever had to be mobile I'm sure we've all been through the perpetual pain-in-the-ass of trying to fold your clothes down and having them spill out everywhere. Its a nightmare, but I'd never invested in travel cubes.

Before I went on this trip I grabbed some cubes from Kmart, and they were flimsy and brittle. I ended up getting these ones and these are serious, high quality material. I have used them literally every day for a year and there is no signs of wear and/or tear on them. I cannot recommend these highly enough. href='#'

Generic 75cm Softshell Suitcase

My check in luggage is in a generic suitcase I purchased off of Gumtree (Australian and UK Craigs List) for $50. It is thoroughly unremarkable.

Skross PRO World Travel Adapter With Ground Plugs

Orei M8 Plus World Travel Adapter

JMFONE Power Adapter