Friday, November 25, 2011

Travel to Asia With Kids


The good news is: expect to be treated better with kids, than without. The smiles, the indulgent attitude to pint-sized visitors, can be wonderful. Another plus is that meals and lodging in Asia are usually very low-cost.
Just remember this good stuff, when you're dealing with:
  • long plane trips;
  • health issues;
  • "weird food" your kids don't like; and
  • culture shock.
Long Plane Trips 
Plane rides with kids are an experience unto themselves. Remember that old tv show, Mission Impossible? Total preparation; total concentration on your job. Check out Plane Trips Tips.
Travel in Asia: Health issues 
Travel in Asia mean being really careful what your kids drink and eat. "Peel it, boil it, or forget it," is the golden rule.
If little Johnie still sticks things in his mouth, maybe you should delay that trip to Nepal. For work reasons, we took both a one-year-old and three-year-old to Sri Lanka; we talked about germs so much, the youngest had a phobia for years.
A cardinal rule: always wash hands after touching money. Carry your own wipes or liquid soap so you can keep this rule.
Where's the ketchup? 
Of course, a fussy eater may not want to eat any local "weird food", anyway. You may have looked forward for months to curries in Asia or nasi goreng, but not your kid.
In many countries, western foods are available, at a price; but you can't count on finding it when you need it. I recommend bringing peanut butter, fruit leather, breakfast cereals, crackers; powdered milk is handy, for cereal. Familiar instant soup or instant noodles from home can make a soothing meal; many guest-houses and informal restaurants will happily supply boiling water. Or you could bring a small immersion heater, to boil water in a cup--but be warned that Asia has a wonderful diversity of wall sockets.
More on what to take to Asia:
Pack plenty of disposable diapers; extra baby-wipes to clean little hands; a medical kit; baby backpack, and a great stroller. Your stroller is your cupboard on wheels, your rocking chair, your portable crib... Don't relinquish it at airports until you board the plane. A backpack is handy, for rough terrain; but in the hot sun, you'll bless your stroller for its shady canopy.
As for culture shock in Asia... 
Travel to Third World countries can be jarring.
You might witness poverty and injustice; you might see cultural problems, and wonder about your own effects as a tourist.
If your kids are old enough to be troubled, be prepared to give empathy, and whatever insights you can. Once you're home, it's a fine idea to join an international foster parents' plan.
Finally: just accept that some hassle will befall you on a day when it's really, really hot; and that you'll pay more for things than locals do. Then be happy when things DO go right.

South East Asia Travel Tips – Preparation and Travel Tips for backpakcers


South East Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India and north of Australia. South East Asia are where most backpackers visit and keeps coming back. There’s a lot of beautiful place to see, cheapest compare others places and fairly safe. If you have decided these South East Asia to visit and need more info then you’re have to read this South East Asia travel tips.
South East Asia Travel Tips- Preparation and research your traveling
Preparation and research is good ideas before traveling to South East Asia. First, look at the type of travel you’ve selected. You travel luggage specifications could be markedly different when you plan in which to stay 5 star hotels, for example, along with transportation between them, instead of trekking in remote areas.
Second, do your research carefully into the likely weather and climatic conditions, facilities and services available or accessible in the area, the character of the country and terrain over which you’ll be traveling and also the native culture. All of them could have a bearing on your travel luggage requirements.
Finally, remember the point that there’s always a compromise to be make between packaging each and every item that might come in hardly and having a limit on what could be carried by you on the airplane.

South East Asia Travel Tips - Climate and Weather

When traveling to a location where hot, sunny weather is likely, sunlight cream, sunlight glasses and suitable headgear could be necessary as well as the appropriate light clothes. When the temps are likely to decrease in the evening, warmer clothes may also be required and gloves and perhaps hat.
Wet weather protective clothes will almost be definitely needed.
Consider shoes or boots carefully; comfort and ease in this place is vital. Durable walking shoes and thick socks could be essential for trekking in the hillsides, but you’ll also require soothing lighter while off the trails. Likewise, sandals are usually well suited for the beach but some thing heavier may also be required. Allow for your feet getting too very hot, too cold, and sometimes wet (don’t forget to pack a couple of slippers, even though most are typically provided by hotels).

South East Asia Travel Tips - Drink and Food

It’s inadvisable to drink local tap water and, if you’re traveling in a location where bottled water is unlikely to be easy to find, consider having a water filtering in hand. Make sure to drink lots of non-alcoholic liquids, stay on bottled water and prevent using ice in the beverages in most part ofSouth East Asia area. When there is absolutely no bottled water, boiled water is acceptable. In Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi and HCMC, ice is general fine.
Vegetables needs to be thoroughly washed and ideally cooked properly. All meats and fish needs to be well cooked. To be secure, peel your own fresh fruit. Yogurt is normally great if refrigerated but keep away from fresh milk and be wary of many other non-sealed dairy food, specially home-made ice cream. If you’re not sure, avoid it all.

South East Asia Travel Tips - Medical Care when Traveling

To travel to South East Asia region, the first recommendation is to buy your self a medical health insurance which scheme offers insurance coverage outside your current country, few pay for medical evacuation too. According to the medical condition and your area, the medical evacuation can certainly cost $ ,000, such an insurance can help you lots if you need medical services while traveling.
There are several big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City provides international standard medical care in South East Asia area, however , most part of this area isn’t, getting health precautions and vaccinations are prior to your traveling plan. The following immunizations are recommended, you may seek advice from your personal doctor or the local health department to discuss which ones you may need:



  • Diphtheria and tetanus: Combined vaccinations for both of these diseases are normally given in child years and will be boosted every 10 years.
  • Hepatitis A: Vaccination provides immunity for approximately 10 years and involves an initial injection followed by another 6 months to 1 yr later.
  • Typhoid: Vaccination takes the proper execution of an injection or maybe pills.
  • Meningococcal Meningitis: This kind of vaccination is only suggested for travelers making prolonged trips to rural, north Vietnam.
  • Rabies: Persons making longer travels to remote areas should think about rabies vaccination, that involves 3 injections for a period of 3 to 4 weeks.
Bring your personal medicine and prescription drugs just in case you can’t get the same kinds at local pharmacies in South East Asia area. Some of the medicines sold in small pharmacies can be copies or have out of date. Stick to trustworthy Pharmacies which are easy to find in main cities around these area.
When you require health care on your vacation in South East Asia area, medical employees outside big cities usually speak little if any English, so ensure that your travel guide is close to you when seeing a doctor. Great conversation is a factors of proper diagnosis. Local medical center and doctors expect immediate payment for health assistance. Minor sicknesses and accidental injuries can be handled in most towns and cities in these region. If you find more serious illnesses that need medical evacuation, please make contact with your tour provider in the first time. Professional tour operator has experience for unexpected emergency condition.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Air Travel's New Do's and Don't's


Travelers face tighter security and longer lines because of new airport rules in the USA and UK after a plot to blow up airliners bound for the USA was uncovered. With a busy travel weekend ahead, here's what you need to know:

Q: What can't I pack in my carry-on bag?
A: The new rules ban almost all liquids, creams and gels from being carried aboard flights. That means you should not pack sunscreen, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, hair gel or beverages in a carry-on. Those items must be put in your checked bags. If you are in doubt about an item, pack it in a checked bag or leave it home.

Despite some rumors — and an incorrect early post on American Airlines' website Thursday — there are no new restrictions on laptops, cellphones or other electronics on any flight originating in the USA.

Q: Can I still bring medicine along if it's not in liquid form? What about bars of soap?
A: Yes, it is OK to put those in a carry-on bag.

Q: If I forget to remove liquids or gels from my bags before I get to the security checkpoint, what will happen?
A: Screeners will ask you to put them in a checked bag or give them to someone who isn't traveling. Otherwise they will be confiscated.

Q: Am I allowed to purchase toothpaste, drinks or other liquids after I get through security and then take them aboard the flight?
A: No. You are not allowed to carry aboard any liquid, no matter when or where you purchased it.

Q: Why can I put liquids and gels in a checked bag but not carry them aboard?
A: Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy Von Walter said authorities are concerned that liquids could be one part of a bomb, not necessarily a fully assembled explosive. If those parts were in carry-on bags, someone could put the bomb together in flight; if they were in the cargo hold, he couldn't.

Q: Besides the ban on liquids and gels, what else will be different about security?
A: The TSA said screeners will be checking passengers more thoroughly at checkpoints, including inspecting more bags by hand. They also will be searching some passengers a second time immediately before boarding — a practice instituted shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but discontinued several years ago.

Q: Will I have to wait longer in lines?
A: Most likely. The government generally advises that you get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. But with tougher searches, authorities said, you should check with your airline. United and Continental, for example, are advising passengers to arrive three hours ahead for both domestic and international flights.

Q: Are other countries or airlines banning liquids in carry-on luggage?
A: Most likely. The government generally advises that you get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. But with tougher searches, authorities said, you should check with your airline. United and Continental, for example, are advising passengers to arrive three hours ahead for both domestic and international flights.

Q: Are other countries or airlines banning liquids in carry-on luggage?
A: Yes. Canada has banned gels and liquids from carry-on bags on all flights. The new restrictions also apply to all flights entering the USA and to flights from France to the UK, USA and Israel.

Q: If I have travel insurance, am I covered?
A: It depends. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse travelers for expenses they incur as a result of delayed or canceled flights, such as the cost of a hotel room at the airport.
"This would be the case for travelers flying in or out of Heathrow or other destinations impacted by this situation," says Travel Guard's Dan McGinnity.

Still, most travel insurance policies won't reimburse the cost of upcoming trips that travelers cancel themselves because they're skittish. For example, if you're heading to London this weekend, and the plane is going, you can't get your money back if you choose not to board.
Some travel insurance policies do reimburse travelers for trips disrupted due to a terrorist incident, but such provisions haven't been triggered in this case, since the plot was foiled before it occurred.

One advantage for insurance holders: Many policies include around-the-clock emergency travel assistance that can be accessed worldwide for help in rebooking canceled flights, rerouting trips and making or changing hotel reservations. McGinnity says Travel Guard's call volume from policyholders spiked 70% on Thursday.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Crime Preys — 5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals While on the Road



5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals



    bag fannypack1 Crime Preys    5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals While on the Road
  1. Fanny packs – Yes, I know what you’re thinking.  “Who still wears these things?”  And to you I say, just take a look around.  They’re still everywhere.  And usually to be found on the socks-with-sandals variety of traveler. It’s like wearing a name tag that says, “Hello, my name is Easy Prey”. So leave the fanny pack athome, and invest in a money belt that goes on the inside of your clothes. Or do what I do — get a neck pouch, put it in your front pocket, and tie it to your belt loop. Yes, you will need baggy pockets, but it has saved me twice so far — once in the walled city of Jerusalem, and once outside the Coliseum in Rome. Pickpockets tried to take it while I wasn’t looking, but were surprised to find out that I was attached to it. You should have seen their faces.

    1. Backpacks — Okay, not all backpacks, just the big ones. You know who you are.  And you know what they say — the bigger the pack, the smaller the…package? Well, something like that. I’ll leave that last bit up to you to fill in. My point is that huge backpacks (70L or more) make you a target. They give the message that a) I have a lot of stuff, and b) I can’t move very fast. If you must carry a massive backpack, store it at your earliest convenience and day-trip it with a small pack.  Your spine will love you for it too.
    locks Crime Preys    5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals While on the Road
  2. No Locks – Even the smallest, flimsiest lock is better than none at all. Securing your pack is a must. An unlocked bag is inviting crime. The temptation for a thief to slip a hand in at a train station, bus station, or where ever your bag may be out of your site is completely removed. I met a guy from Vegas once who had huge locks on his backpack — the ones that you usually use for your locker at school or the gym.  He didn’t realize until he got on the road that there were actually smaller ones designed for travel packs. But at least he did some research.
  3. money Crime Preys    5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals While on the Road
  4. Not Counting Your Change – Seems like an easy one doesn’t it?  But a lot of the time we get complacent, and assume the best intentions in everyone. Once in an Egyptian market, a shady stall owner tried to give me piastres instead of pounds. (Google the difference — it can really add it).  I had been in the country for a few weeks at that point, so easily noticed the difference. When you first arrive in a country though, lots of the time we’re more concerned about putting our money away than actually counting it, and only notice any shortfall later on.
  5. Gizmos — How many of you travel with laptops,smartphones, iPhones, GPS, or other electronic gadgets?  We live in a digital age, and we like to stay connected. Sometimes we forget that some of these gizmos cost more than some people make in an entire month. So obviously, they are easy targets. This is definitely one area where the motto “If you got it, flaunt it” does not apply, so try to keep these goodies under wraps whenever possible
Now I know that this is by no means an exhaustive list, so if you have any tips of your own to add, please post a comment. Hopefully this will get you started on your way though.

    Friday, February 11, 2011

    Preparation Travel Tips

    Holidays are some activities that require a variety of plans including the budget for waste does not occur and to ensure smooth travel without a problem. Holidays are not managed properly, will surely bring a thousand and one problems, not only to you but to anyone with your vacation. You of course these things happen to you, right? So, plan your vacation first before you start your day was wonderful. Here are some tips that can be used as a guide for your holiday.

    Make Reservations Early 

    The tourism industry relies heavily on a country's economic situation and demand for tourist travel, whether local or foreign tourists. Accordingly, the better you book air tickets or travel with the beginning of several months before you want to travel. In that period, you can plan your trip carefully so as not to experience any problems either before, during or after the holiday. If a late booking or at the last moment, you may apply the congestion and difficult to get tickets and accommodations. If there is no accommodation may not be perfect. 



    Transport 
    Get enough information about the places you want to visit more comfortable and easy to move and to plan activities and places you visit. Choose the most expensive transportation and tour guide who knows the ins and outs to avoid being cheated or break astray. 



    Choose The Right Travel Agency 
    When you need a travel agency to arrange your vacation, choose the agencies that offer packages that provide the services you feel worthwhile when followed to avoid wastage. There is nothing wrong if a selected package was cheap, but filled with many fun activities during the holidays. Therefore, before deciding to go to a destination, even better if you were first interesting places are there for the satisfaction felt when on holiday. 



    More Save On Holiday Group If 
    Leave a team a lot of privileges, especially in terms of safety. At least you will be more secure safety in the event of any problems.With the holidays this group will make your holiday will seem more interesting and fun. 



    Performing Activity Camp 
    To get more satisfaction when on holiday, what did you add the activity more interesting and challenging as camping in recreational forests. Not happy campers want to experience the forests that have air 'fresh' and can provide peace of mind and thought. 



    In conclusion, plan your trip so as to ensure that your vacation more enjoyable, relaxing, fun and you like it. Make this holiday activities listed in the 'to-do-list' as an activity every month you or your annual activities. With the holiday you will remember these words ... 'all sorts there. Happy traveling ..., p