I've been travelling for the last eight years and I definitely haven't seen nor done nearly enough yet.  Problems? - yeah sure, but being mugged in Egypt and the attempted rape in Peru had nothing to do with my diabetes and more to do with stupidity (geez, did I just admit that?) Of course, passing out at customs in Los Angeles International Airport was all about the diabetes, but I avoided a 2 hour queue at customs and my friends couldn't have been happier. 

I remember my first trip, there I was off to Thailand and in my little pack I managed to cram in 400 syringes, 50 bottles of insulin and 1000s of test strips.  I was more like a mobile first aid kit than someone off to have their first real adventure.  I was told to carry the insulin with me on the plane for two reasons; firstly because it would freeze in the cargo hold (and I still do this today); and secondly because if the plane is hyjacked, "it could be weeks and you'll need back up"!! (Thanks Nan.)  Every traveller gets advice from family, friends and the medical profession which they quickly categorise as totally relevant, of some importance, or that which might come in handy in a snow blizzard in Abu Dabai.  Diabetics have the pleasure of all this plus advice about control of one’s diabetes.  My advice is that you know yourself, you know how you work and it’s very much trial and error. 

Since my journey to Thailand I have never carried that much equipment, I do however check to see how readily available my insulin is in the country I'll be visiting and plan accordingly.  Diet and sugar levels can be tricky while crossing date lines.  I tend to eat when I'm hungry, not every time they serve a meal (although I sometimes grab some carbohydrates from the tray just incase I need them later) - I also work out the amount of time I'll be in the air, the local time of arrival and I try to be ready for the appropriate next meal.  Oh, and speaking of aeroplane food, don't order a diabetic meal - they seem to think that because we're diabetic, we're also vegetarian and enjoy taste free food. 

Sticking strictly to the diabetes advice - I always let people I'm travelling with know I'm diabetic - I tell them about my injections, what to look for and expect should something happen - and I find that their curiousity is genuine.  I always carry dry biscuits (or some form of carbohydrates), bottled water and some sweets, just in case (Nan would be proud!). 
 
What else? - oh, I have a letter from my GP explaining why I carry the stuff I do.  This came in rather handy with the syringes and Thailand - saved me from the internal exam!!  When travelling I always seperate my insulin - carry some here, some there, so just in case a bag is stolen or crushed etc - I've got supplies. 

And my final piece of advice is this: being anxious about travelling, especially for the first time, is a completely  natural response.  I've only ever met one person in all my journies who has had a completely incident free travel experience.  For those of us who have and will venture into cultures not familiar to us, or countries where tourists are easy targets, then the risks are high.  So you want to have a look at the world out there - good for you, and provided you're careful and take the appropriate precautions, then you shouldn't have a problem.  Of course, taking care of yourself has an extra dimension if you happen to have diabetes, but its not something that should limit you or stop you from trying anything and eveything.