Our last overseas travel with my friend and my significant other proved to be a new experience. We encountered a lot of situations and moments wherein on some part made us unprepared despite the five months notice upon our departure. Whatever situations we encountered I am glad that our recent trip will make us a more savvy traveler.
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| Travel in Style! |
Here are some of my lessons learned during our overseas travel:
1. Always assume that you need extra baggage allowance after an overseas trip.With all the trips and shopping you encountered while traveling can accumulate extra stuff in your baggage. Always make space for pasalubongs, souvenirs and all the shopping items you bought especially if you are a shopaholic like me :P
2. Always maintain a budget for your travel. Make sure you don't exceed or try to cut down the estimated costs of your trip by getting packaged promos on the Internet or on travel services. Also, set aside an emergency funds in case something happens.
3. Before departing, make sure you bring all necessary documents you need to present to the Phil. Immigration especially if you are going to hot-spot areas like Singapore and Malaysia. They tend to ask you for your company ID and some even their certificate of employment. Also take note of the place where you are going to stay and the hotel confirmation to present during the screening.
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| Don't forget this when traveling! |
4. Check the temperature of the place! This is our biggest lessons learned in Hongkong! We thought that since it was summer here in the Philippines, the climate in Hongkong would be the same. We are soooo wrong! We ended up buying winter stuffs since it was very cold during early morning and late at night. When we got to our place it was bitingly cold even you're wearing an ordinary jacket.
5. Do research the places you are going to visit. Also, be mindful of tourist spots during weekends. Some tourist spots tends to increase their fees during weekends because of tourist demands and some tend to filled up since most tourists are free during weekends. If you can manage to go on tourist spots on weekdays, do it to avoid large crowds and large photo-bummers. :D
6. Take advantage of the free maps and brochures given at the airport lounges and tourist information centers. Most maps and travel brochures found on airport and tourist information centers are free! (Except here in the Philippines :P) Some travel brochures suggests off-beaten tracks that are also worthy of visits. Maps is a huge help when you don't have Android or Iphones with you to navigate.
7. Never scrimp yourself on food. I hear a lot of overseas travelers who cuts down their food budget and living on buying foods at 711 and fastfoods such as Mcdonalds. Always remember that part of your travel is to introduce yourself to gastronomic delights that the country has to offer. Find places where you can avail local foods at reasonable prices. Check maps and brochures for suggestions.
8. Always bring spare cameras, batteries and memory cards. For cam-whores like me, one camera is not enough to capture all great places and moments. Make sure all of you has spare cameras especially if you are going to maximize your day tours. You never know what you're going to see or capture if you run out of batteries.
9. Never TRUST ANYONE! Don't make small talk with strangers you don't know (even if they are Pinoy). Don't tell them your itinerary or where you stay to avoid being followed or harassed. If your original plan is just the three of you to travel, then stick to your plan. If anyone wants to join, don't let them in. You might never know their intentions. Be safe always
10. Never take for granted that since overseas location are safer than the Philippines. Always put a presence of mind. Lock the doors of your hotel and make sure that the hotel receptionists know your whereabouts in case something happen. Also take note of emergency numbers listed in tourist information centers. Keep your passport with you all the time and produce scanned copies of your passport and IDs.
11. Never allow anyone to make "pabilin" with you. Even they are kind-hearted OFWs do not trust anyone who asks favor to put additional stuff in your luggage. Make sure you keep an eye on your luggage and belongings. With these times, you can never be sure who to trust.
12. Check your hotel and its neighboring places. Make sure that the hotel and accommodations you picked is safe and legitimate. You can check out the hotel feedbacks using Agoda.com and Tripadvisor.com for useful comments on the place and location of your stay.
