Internet Access While Traveling

Most modern travelers like to get online and catchup with home and what's going on in the world.  In just about every country you will find Internet access stores, cafes or shacks.  They vary greatly and it's worth looking around.  Here are some tips to get the most from your money, avoid pulling your hair out, and prevent losing your precious photos:

• Morning time is best - Almost everywhere gets busier as the day goes on, so visit early in the day to get a comfy seat and the best possible speeds.
• Do it yourself - If you want to upload camera photos, use a USB stick, etc, and are confident in what you are doing, insist you do it yourself.  Many Internet access place staff are employees with no real knowledge of computers.  People have lost photos because of silly mistakes before.
• Make sure it works - Don't put up with a keyboard with keys that don't work, or a mouse that has a mind of it's own.  Tell the staff it doesn't work.  This will prompt them to (eventually) fix it.
• Got you own laptop? - If you have your own laptop look out for cafes offering free WiFi. A cup of coffee can be stretched to an hour, and will cost you about the same as an hours Internet access.  Some bigger Internet access places have zones for laptops, with a power socket and a network cable you can plug in.