Travel provides many opportunities to see wonderful sites and experience extraordinary events and moments that may never come again. This is why travelers seek to capture these moments for them to take home. How does one preserve travel memories to last a lifetime?
Taking Photographs
Taking photographs is the most common way of converting travel experiences to wonderful travel memories. In fact, a traveler without a camera will appear to be a lost soul in the middle of new and exciting surroundings. The mind can only capture so much and cannot retain forever what has been seen, heard, and touched.
Photographs refresh details which fade through time. A combination of correct handling and storage forms the key to preserving travel photographs that can last a lifetime or beyond. It is always best to handle photographs with gloved hands to avoid leaving fingerprints on photos. At the very least, handlers of photos should touch photos only at the edges with clean and dry hands.
Journal/Diary Writing
Journal or diary writing puts into words what photographs cannot say. The beauty of written word will never fail and can be very useful for travel journals and diaries. Aside from a camera, a diary or journal is a usual companion of travelers.
Just like the way a camera captures a moment with a shot, diaries and journal can contain thoughts and emotions felt at the very moment they were experienced. It is highly recommended to use a journal or diary of good quality paper and sturdy cover. It should be able to withstand the rigors of travel and reasonable exposure to the elements. It is possible to preserve travel journals and diaries for a life time when protected from light, heat, water, and dust. This would require the use of acid free boxes that will prevent yellowing and deterioration resulting to brittle condition of paper.
Travel Blogging
Blogging is the online form of keeping a diary. Its advantage lies in eliminating the use of sensitive paper which increases the risk of losing personal travel notes due to physical deterioration. Travel notes also get instantly published and provides a record that can be accessed online anytime.
There is still a risk of losing blog contents due to some technical problems so it best to have a back-up ready. In lieu of the usual storage done through a physical storage device such as a CD or USB, blog owners can opt for cloud back-up. Travel memories that are successfully preserved can provide joy to its owners and information to readers for more than one life time.