Welcome to My Not Really a Shop Shop

Hello fellow wanderers,

Mature solo traveller with a backpack smiling on a palm-fringed beach in Goa, India, standing near a rustic hut. Featured in Best Vacations for Single Guys Over 50 on The Road to Timbuktu.
Mature solo traveller with a backpack smiling on a palm-fringed beach in Goa, India, standing near a rustic hut. Featured in Best Vacations for Single Guys Over 50 on The Road to Timbuktu.

Hello there, fellow adventurers!

This isn’t your average shop — it’s more like me rummaging through my backpack and saying, “Here, this thing saved my trip, you might want one too.”

Below, you’ll find a hand-picked mix of travel gadgets, gear, and little lifesavers that have made airports less stressful, hostels more bearable, and long journeys surprisingly enjoyable. Some I’ve dragged halfway across the world already; others are parked firmly on my wish list, waiting for the next adventure.

Think of this page as travel recommendations with a checkout button.

Mature solo traveller with a backpack smiling on a palm-fringed beach in Goa, India, standing near a rustic hut. Featured in Best Vacations for Single Guys Over 50 on The Road to Timbuktu.

This page is currently being updated, as time allows. Apologies for the inconvenience!

Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some of the links below are affiliate links — meaning I may earn a small commission (read: espresso fund) if you click and book. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does keep the blog flowing. Cheers for the support, legend.

ECO-FRIENDLY GEAR
FOOD & DRINK
OUTDOOR GEAR
CLOTHING & ACCS.
SAFETY & SECURITY

TECH & GADGETS

DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo

DJI Mini Pro 4 Drone – Capture Epic Travel Shots
Traveller smiling in a tropical rice field, holding a DJI Mini Pro 4 drone and its controller. Lightweight, portable, and ideal for capturing cinematic travel footage on the go. Featured in The Road to Timbuktu shop.

I’ll be honest — this little drone has saved me from writing long-winded descriptions of landscapes. One quick flight and boom: sweeping shots that make even a dull rice field look like something from National Geographic. Light enough to travel with, smart enough to avoid crashing into palm trees, and powerful enough to catch sunrises in glorious 4K.

Key Features:

  • Under 249g — fly without needing a licence in most places

  • Stunning 4K/60fps HDR video & 48MP stills

  • Omnidirectional obstacle sensing for safer flying

  • Up to 34 minutes of flight time per battery (you get three)

  • 20km FHD video transmission — see what your drone sees in real time

  • Compact, foldable design with shoulder bag included

👉 Click the Amazon link for more details and today’s price

order on amazon button

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabiliser

DJI Osmo Mobile 7 – Smooth Travel Videos Made Easy
Peter Kane from The Road to Timbuktu using a DJI gimbal on the beach. Perfect for solo travellers over 50 who want stable, cinematic footage without shaky hands ruining the moment.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabiliser

This little gadget came in handy when I was filming solo on the beach. No shaky hands, no “wobbly YouTube amateur” vibes — just smooth, professional-looking video that made me look like I had a film crew hiding behind me.

Key Features:

  • 3-axis stabilisation for cinema-quality smoothness

  • Native camera app tracking with intelligent subject lock

  • Built-in extension rod & tripod for easy vlogging/selfies

  • Lighting and audio reception via multifunctional module

  • Quick launch & one-tap editing through DJI Mimo app

  • Up to 10 hours of use on a single charge

👉 Click the Amazon link for more details and today’s price

order on amazon button

COMFORT & SLEEP

FLOWZOOM Inflatable Travel Pillow (with Hood)

FLOWZOOM inflatable travel pillow in grey with detachable hood, shown worn by travellers, includes carry bag – ideal neck support for long flights.
Mature solo traveller over 50 sleeping on a plane with a Flowzoom travel pillow, showing how to stay comfortable on long-haul flights. Featured in Best Vacations for Single Guys Over 50 on The Road to Timbuktu.

FLOWZOOM Inflatable Travel Pillow (with Hood)

This pillow saved me on a long-haul to Bangkok where I usually wake up with a stiff neck and a stranger’s shoulder as my accidental pillow. Quick to inflate, ridiculously comfy, and that hood is a lifesaver when the cabin lights flick on at 3am.

Key Features:

  • 360° head, neck, and chin support — no more awkward nodding off

  • Slim back design so your head isn’t pushed forward on plane seats

  • Quick inflation/deflation with a leak-proof valve

  • Detachable hood for blocking light and drafts

  • Soft, washable plush cover for hygiene on the go

  • Packs into a tiny carry bag — just 240g

👉 Click the Amazon link for more details and today’s price

order on amazon button

LOMEE Soft Travel Blanket & Pillow (2-in-1)

LOMEE soft grey travel blanket folded with matching compact case featuring paper plane logo – 2-in-1 blanket and pillow travel essential.
Mature solo traveller over 50 resting on a plane with a premium soft travel blanket, showing how to stay warm and comfortable on long journeys. Featured in Best Vacations for Single Guys Over 50 on The Road to Timbuktu.

LOMEE Soft Travel Blanket & Pillow (2-in-1)

This came in handy on a red-eye to Dubai when the cabin aircon felt like the Arctic. Warm, cosy, and — bonus — when it’s folded up, it doubles as a pillow. Honestly, why settle for the airline’s recycled rag when you can travel in actual comfort?

Key Features:

  • Ultra-soft microfleece — warm, plush, and ridiculously cosy

  • 2-in-1 design: use as a blanket or fold into a pillow

  • Compact travel bag with luggage strap and carabiner clip

  • Lightweight and portable — perfect for flights, trains, and road trips

  • Machine washable for stress-free cleaning

  • Also doubles as a couch throw when you’re home

👉 Click the Amazon link for more details and today’s price

order on amazon button

LUGGAGE & PACKING

Blendura Digital Luggage Scale

Traveller checking in at the airport with a suitcase. Portable luggage scales help avoid overweight baggage fees and keep packing stress-free. Essential for globetrotters, recommended by The Road to Timbuktu.

Blendura Digital Luggage Scale

This came in handy at Heathrow when my bag was definitely not the 23kg I swore it was. One quick check with this scale and I shifted a few things into my carry-on — crisis averted, wallet intact.

Key Features:

  • High-accuracy weighing up to 50kg/110lb (0.1lb precision)

  • Prevents overweight baggage fees at airports

  • Easy-to-read LCD display with backlight for night use

  • Switch between kg/lb with one button

  • Portable, lightweight design — fits in your pocket

  • Bonus feature: built-in temperature sensor

👉 Click the Amazon link for more details and today’s price

order on amazon button