Opening it on a beach was a pretty stupid thing to do :D For most people a smartphone is enough for taking photos, but especially when travelling, buying a proper camera is worth considering. I really enjoy photography, so I travel with an expensive DSLR and you are right - I also like to travel off-the-beaten-track and my camera is always something to worry about, especially when travelling in poorer countries where my camera equipment is worth a local yearly wage.. I carry my camera with me all the time in a nondescript bag and so far I have been alright, I think areas with little tourism are often safer since there are no criminals targeting tourists. Maybe consider buying a compact camera, they are a huge step up from smartphones but can still be hidden in a small pocket