Coming back from holiday this week, I found myself daydreaming of sun-drenched shores on a desert island. How much simpler would life be, I wondered, if I was far from civilization and had all the time in the world to relax? Then my smartphone beeped, letting me know it needed charging.
It got me thinking. If I was stranded on a desert island, or just off the grid, what gadgets would I take with me? Of course, there wouldn’t be any Wi-Fi, not to mention no means of charging my gadgets — but assuming I was stranded for just a little while, there are a few things I’d love to have with me.
We all have our favorite gadgets — but what are the ones you just can’t live without?
Here are mine…
Kindle Paperwhite
A few years ago, I’d have laughed if you said I’d ever embrace an e-reader, but here we are — it’s top of my “can’t live without” list. I’m a sucker for a good book, and most of the time, I do prefer a “real” book, whether that’s a paperback or hardback. But given how fast I read, investing in a Kindle Paperwhite has been one of the best things I’ve ever done!
Now I can store hundreds of books and take them with me wherever I go, making my luggage lighter on trips — and keeping my boyfriend happy when he inevitably ends up carrying my bags. Not to mention books are cheaper on Kindle, so I can always justify purchasing the latest crime or fantasy novel. My Kindle is a few years old now, but it remains my favorite gadget and one I can’t live without.
Asahi Pentax Camera
I’m a bit of a photography geek and after studying a course on black and white film photography a few years back, I invested in an Asahi Pentax K1000 film camera. I’d want this on any desert island escape as it doesn’t need charging, so I can take photos of the trees, the sea and the beach (provided I remember to pack a few rolls of film!) This is a really simple camera to use, and I love how it looks, so if I run into any other desert island dwellers, they’re sure to be envious.
Apple iPod Nano (and headphones)
I imagine it’s pretty peaceful on a desert island with just the sound of birdsong and the lapping of the waves… but what if I’m feeling a bit lonely? I take my old iPod Nano 4th Gen everywhere with me — despite its small size, I haven’t lost it, yet. A few times I’ve considered updating it but it’s as good as new and packed with obscure music from friends at the various jobs I’ve worked in the past, so I can always find something to listen to. I don’t remember the last time I updated it, so every time I scroll through the library, there’s a surprise waiting.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Smartphone
I really couldn’t live without my phone. Ok, so there’s unlikely to be Wi-Fi on my desert island, and probably not even 4G, but I still need my phone. Firstly, if there is 4G then I can use Google Maps to navigate my way home! And if not, there are loads of games and podcasts downloaded to keep me amused while I wait for rescue. I love my Samsung Galaxy S8. I switched from Apple to Android 18 months ago after getting fed up of constantly running out of storage space on my iPhone, and haven’t looked back since.
If I really was stranded on a desert island, I think I might put off being rescued just a little longer if I had these gadgets with me. A good book, some tunes, and my phone for games — plus my camera for those essential desert island snapshots. What more could a girl need?