WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO?!
Here's some pointers when you travel.
Here's some pointers when you travel.
1. Have a general plan of where you want to be
One of the best part of travelling is the adventure. Part of that adventure is the unknown.
So it's always exciting to have some unplanned gaps in your itinerary where you can fill it up when you're actually there.
Yet, it is always good to know the general direction of where you want to go.
You don't have to be exact.
Do you want to head north or south? Do you plan to do some city sight seeing or hiking?
Having this in mind before you start travelling helps you pack (unless you can somehow fit your beach ensemble with your skiing gear), budget your finances and also reduce your anxiety on the road.
I get very anxious not knowing where I'm going to sleep the next day, so this works for me.
This makes it easier for me to plan multi-country trips.
2. Manage your finances
Let's face it, if it wasn't because of money, we'll all be exploring.
So, it should be obvious that you would need to carefully plan out your budget before you set out.
Often times, I go on Google and try to search on the living expenses of my destinations.
With that in mind, I give myself couple hundred extras for experiences and souvenirs.
It helps to know your general plan when travelling because you'll also be able to estimate your budget based on that.
Sometimes, I set out to a place with the intention of trying loads of different food (like Hong Kong). This will hike up your food budget.
Other times, all I want to do is just to walk and know the city (like Edinburgh). I would most probably set out some money for a map but usually, this is a free (and easy) activity.
Most times, I intend to do some really fun things, which usually costs the most money (like Iceland).
Free Tours are a budget traveller's best friend!
I'll also give the bank a call.
Losing your bank cards is the most horrendous thing that'll happen to you in a foreign country.
You're going to have to find a way to get some money (ie. get a friend/family to Western Union/ transfer money to you maybe) and somehow, losing money/bank cards means losing more money, like paying transfer fees.
What's worst?
Coming home and realising some crook swiped your card and you're now stuck with HIS/HER debt, ON TOP OF YOUR OWN!
Scum.
As a precaution, I tend to give the bank a call and inform them of my whereabouts.
Although this is by no means a sure way, at least someone is watching (stalking) my expenditures.
In the event that your card is charged in the wrong country from where you're supposed to be (ie. you informed the bank you'll be in Italy but your card is charged in France), the bank will either block your card or give you a call to confirm your transaction. They can also monitor your spending patterns to identify if it's really you. Let's face it, it would be a waste of time for a crook to spend $10 off my card. It would make much for sense to spend $1000 after all the effort he's put into stealing it. This kind of spending will trigger the bank's attention, which they will then give you a call to confirm your transaction.
So, call your bank.
Also, if you have the time, check out cards with lowest foreign transaction fees.
When you spend in foreign currencies off your card, it can add up after awhile.
I've seen fees of up to $40 (including difference in exchange rates) when you spend/withdraw in foreign currencies.
Sometimes, there's even a minimum fee. Regardless if you spend a mere $5 of your card, you'll still get charged a minimum $2 fee.
An alternative to bank cards are the prepaid travel cards.
You basically just put in money into your travel card pre-departure and withdraw/use them on the go.
Most of these travel cards have lower, if not free, transaction fees.
It also helps to keep you within your budget since it's prepaid and you can only spend what you have.
However, travel cards do have fine prints and you need to read them carefully.
For example, you may not be able to spend in a currency that you did not sign on for without incurring huge charges.
There could also be conditions that you cannot withdraw above certain amount without incurring charges.
So for once in your life, read the fine print.
3. Travel insurance
If you know a person who's always whining about how travel insurance don't pay off, I can relate to that person.
Whenever I purchase flight tickets, I never purchase travel insurance, unless I am moving between countries.
If I'm (leisure) travelling, I almost never get them. I have all my important stuff in my carry-on so everything that will get lost, can get lost. Take my socks, bra and underwear.
BUT that's your luggage. It's a whole different thing if it's about your life.
What if you try bungee jumping and the rope just snaps?
What if you ride the train and the driver just dies of a heart attack?
What if you dine in a fancy restaurant and the cook mistaken salt with cyanide?
It pays to have insurance.
As for the cost, well...
"It (travel insurance) need not be expensive - though it's likely that if you just buy the cover offered by your tour operator it could cost double what a bank or specialist insurer might charge. You may also find that a yearly policy offers the best value." - Reader's Digest, May 2008.
As for the cost, well...
"It (travel insurance) need not be expensive - though it's likely that if you just buy the cover offered by your tour operator it could cost double what a bank or specialist insurer might charge. You may also find that a yearly policy offers the best value." - Reader's Digest, May 2008.
The motorcycle traffic in Ho Chi Minh City will sure make you wonder how much it'll cost you if you fall off the bike.
4. Have fun and be flexible
Be flexible!
I know it's easy to over-plan (guilty!). But over-planning can be a joy-killer.
How many times have you wished you stay in a city for a few hours longer only to have your wish destroyed by that pre-paid train ticket you bought?
Have a general direction, and then let the wind (or your budget) take you wherever.
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