Travel is a wonderful way to learn about the world around you.  However, some of the greatest lessons come from travel mishaps and misadventures.

And because I’m the catastrophe I am, I’ve had plenty of these little gems across the globe.  So without further ado, here are a few more to avoid in Part 2 of My Worst Travel Mishaps.

Travel Mishap #7 – Blowing Up A Straight Iron in Iceland

We’ve all seen those girls who can air dry their hair and it comes out looking like something from a Victoria’s Secret catalog.  Not me.  I need a 20 minute blow dry and some heavy lifting with the straight iron to tame my thick locks.  Without it, whenever there’s even a hint of humidity I resemble Monica from that one Friends episode in Barbados.

So my first day in Iceland, I went about my normal straight iron routine.  Sadly for me, flat irons run too hot (even with a convertor) and it blew up.  NOOOO!!!!!

I was forced to wear a wool hat the rest of the trip to avoid being enveloped by my massive ‘fro.

And because I learn lessons the hard way, it also happened to me in Paris and again in Germany (which ended up ruining a brand new pair of Beats Headphones that were plugged into the same outlet.  Doh!)

THE LESSON: Blow dryers and straight irons are notorious for blowing up when plugged into foreign outlets, despite the use of power converters.  To avoid that, use one that’s dual voltage, like my Salona Flat Iron with Heat Resistant Travel Bag.

Travel Mishap #8 – Luggage Overload in Australia

I refuse to check my luggage.  Ever.  So I’ve become a master at fitting everything I need into a carry-on to avoid baggage fees and ruined luggage.

However, when checking in to my flight from Sydney to Denpasar I was told I could only carry on 15 pounds.  Are you kidding me?!?  My camera practically weighs more than that!

Consequently, I was forced to check my brand new suitcase (cringe!)  Plus, I was told my other bag had to remain under the weight limit too.  Sigh.  I had to unpack almost everything and wear it all like a sherpa.  Frustrated, I proceeded to security with my DSLR camera around my neck, my two camera lenses around my wrist, my tripod slung over my shoulder, and my laptop in my arms.

Couldn’t I just put them back in my bag when I left the check-in counter?  Oh, no.  I was told I had to hold them all on the plane to adhere to the baggage weight limit.  (Because it’s better to have them loose so they could hit someone if we ran into turbulence.  Obviously).

And the icing on the cake – because I didn’t purchase additional weight allowance before getting to the airport, my small suitcase I had to check cost me $178.  One way!

THE LESSON: Airlines with weight limits mean business.  So buy additional weight allowance online before you get to the airport at a much cheaper rate.  Investing in a portable luggage scale, like my Dunheger Digital Luggage Scale  will keep you from guessing how much your bags actually weigh.  

In addition, if you want to avoid having your luggage destroyed, get a cover like my Explore Land Travel Luggage Cover to protect it.  Plus, it looks really nice (I get so many compliments on mine when I travel!)

Travel Mishap #9 – Boarding The Wrong Trains in Amsterdam

Travel by train can be a wonderful way to get around Europe.  They’re reliable, fast, affordable, and there’s just something kinda romantic about being in a railcar.

However, if you’re not paying attention it can also be a great way to head in the complete wrong direction.  That was the case when I arrived in Amsterdam with some friends, and we attempted to get from the airport to the main railway station.  You think that’d be easy, but between the four of us it was nearly impossible.

We boarded not one, but three wrong trains and it took us over two hours to get where we were going (when it originally should have only taken 15 minutes).

THE LESSON:  Pay attention to the train schedules and platforms.  Trains tend to be very punctual (and you’ll be told if they’re late).  So if one shows up early on your platform, chances are it’s headed somewhere else.  

Travel Mishap #10 – Leaving Headphones on the Plane in Copenhagen

If you’re traveling across countries and time zones, you can begin to feel a bit like a zombie.  So it’s easy to not pay attention and leave things behind.  It’s a bit amateur hour, but it happens to the best of us.

So when I was getting my things together after landing in Copenhagen at 1 a.m. (my fourth country in a week), I wasn’t exactly on top of my game.  I grabbed my Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones from my seat pocket and thought “make sure you don’t forget these!”

But did I clip them to my bag?  Nope.  It wasn’t until we were hailing a cab that I realized I didn’t have them (and at 1 a.m. everything was closed and I couldn’t get back to the gate).  Naturally, they were never turned in and I was out $350.

THE LESSON:  It’s easy to be groggy or feel rushed to exit the plane (especially when there’s a mob of people behind you).  However, always take a moment to make sure you have everything before leaving the gate.

Travel Mishap #11 – Expensive Pedicabs in New York City

Pedicabs are all over major cities, and they look like they’d be a lot of fun to ride in.  And they are!  But at a price.

My friend and I were about to hail a cab outside the MoMA in New York City when up rolled a pedicab.  He assured us he could cut through Central Park to get us to our brownstone not only quicker, but with more to see along the way.

Sure, why not.

Well at $13 a minute, that 12 minute ride (for $156) became the most expensive tour of our trip!

THE LESSON:  When taking pedicabs (or taxis in some foreign countries), always agree on a price before getting in.  It’ll save you some nauseating sticker shock later.

Travel Mishap #12 – Locking Keys in the Trunk in California

Fun fact – The parking lot and area surrounding Muir Woods is a black hole for cell phone reception.

I learned that the hard way when a friend and I stopped by for a hike on our way from Napa to San Francisco.  We were getting into the trunk for a jacket and right as I was closing it I thought “Hey, where are the keys?”  Click.  And just like that, we were stranded.

Because we had no cell service, we had no way to look up or call a locksmith.  So we made our way to the ranger station and busted out an old school Yellow Pages (looks like there is a reason those still exist!)

After calling multiple numbers over 45 minutes, we finally found a locksmith who agreed to drive out to our location.  We had to wait another 2 hours (which was still much better than the 2 days we were quoted by other locksmiths), before we were finally let back in.

Three hours and $150 later.

THE LESSON:  Pay attention!  Make sure you have all your belongings (especially your keys) before locking your car.  This is also where a AAA membership would come in handy.

And there you have it!  More misadventures and life lessons to help you make your own travels a little less painful.

What are some of your travel mishaps?  What did you learn from them?

You May Also Like:

» My Worst Travel Mishaps – Part 1
» Picture Perfect Reasons to Visit Iceland
» A Walk Through Muir Woods