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To quote “It was unlike any beach we had experienced; and besides, because of the hot sun and rough water, the kids were asleep for the night by eight o’clock. As a parent of young children, that was a gift. We had found our vacation home.”

This is an experience many new visitors find and, nothing new, of course, to those who live in surrounding States like Virginia.

But it is more than just a vacation destination – again to quote the webmaster:

“The Outer Banks, however, is much more than just a beach vacation place. It is a place that infiltrates your very soul. The beautiful location, the amazing historical sights ……the Outer Banks makes you realized that you are part of something much bigger …..The southern hospitality and easy going attitudes complete this place.”

For both vacation ideas and information I recommend you flip over to “The Outer Banks Revealed” and explore all the wonderful possibilities they enumerate for us visitors to the site.

As the site’s owner honestly admits they built the site to promote their rental properties but soon found that more so they wanted the site because of the people they met and they places they enjoyed and then wanted to share this with website visitors.

This really is the best type of travel site – as it is not a big commercial travel agency promotion, but real live people sharing down to earth reactions, recommendations and information.

Wrecks and Pirates Off The Outer Banks
The waters off the Outer Banks are so hazardous that they have earned the name “Graveyard of the Atlantic” due to the thousands of ships that ran aground on the shoals and were destroyed by storms. Historic lighthouses once used to warn sailors of danger still dot the coastline.

Among the pirates and buccaneers who hid their booty around these islands in the18th century was the infamous Blackbeard. He materialized in the area with a price on his head and was quickly captured and executed.

Today, beach lovers visit these legendary islands to enjoy the seemingly endless stretches of ocean and soft sand. Bird-watchers tour the wildlife refuges that host millions of migratory birds along the shores and inland marshes.

Families who can tear themselves away from the beach should visit lively Roanoke Island Festival Park, which has a hands-on museum, free concerts and plays, and a replica of the ship that brought over the colonists who disappeared.

This is a reliable, no strings attached information that should decide your next vacation choice.  I was there (years ago now) and it is a unique and beautiful place.

• Beach life
• Cape Hatteras
• Nags Head
• Golf (and Myrtle Beach too!)
• Wright Bros memorial (Kill Devil Hill)
• The mystery of the “lost colony”

So consider a trip there – visit Outer Banks Revealed and I am sure the “contact us” page will give you a link for any further questions you may have.

This means unsafe places, credit and currency, official documentation, emergency contacts, taking photos, airport security and the like.

The smart traveler prepares for eventualities that can occur on any trip – the negative ones are exacerbated if you are far from home and in a country where they speak a different language and have different legal perspectives.

Keep Your Cash Safe
Never keep all your cash and credit cards in th one place (e.g. wallet, pocket). If traveling alone, split them up into different pockets – secure ones at that – with zippers or at least velcro tabs. Under a shirt is also good. Many also use ‘bum’ bags – but still don’t keep all your money and passport in them – spread them out.


Use hotel safes – at reception – not the ones in your room – especially for passports and ID’s and extra credit card and cash – you don’t need to carry it all with you all the time. NEVER leave valuables in your room.

Duplicate Documentation and Contact
Take a photocopy copy of your official documents with you, and leave a copy at home. Secure copies as you would the real thing and not in the same place. People do go through suitcases in hotels, and airports.

Consider leaving your details with your consulate or embassy in the countries you visit – especially if you intend to go off the beaten track or into a possibly risky area. This is prudent if you are in a country for an extended time.

Make sure someone at home has your travel itinerary. Consider setting up regular contact – by email or text messages.

With ‘roaming’ available on cell phones make sure you have one – just watch the costs and, also make sure you have the charger with you – plus conversion plugs for the powerpoints – obtainable in any airport.

Airport security: leave plenty of time to go through this and your check in. Don’t leave your baggage untended. Use recommended padlocks and or plastic wrap to ensure no one can put illicit materials into your suitcases.

Dangerous places and actions
Respect Local Conditions
Learn what these are – when you get to a new place. Most major cities have ‘no go’ areas. Always stick to well populated areas in cities.

Never travel alone at night unless you know it is a safe area. Take a cab – and in places like Bangkok these are cheap.

Do not go near political demonstrations in foreign countries, even if you sympathise with the cause.

In patriarchal societies don’t antagonize people by wearing inappropriate dress or behavior.

Keep you eye out for pickpockets – they brush up to you very quickly.

Don’t photograph sensitive political or military sites without permission. If you want to photograph some of the local people – be courteous and ask first. They are not exhibits in a zoo.

Lastly, when planning your safe travel, always check your foreign affairs departments travel advisories – they warn not only about unsafe political situations, but also about epidemics and the other disasters,