Foreign Travel as a Tourist - Some Titbits
Introduction:
As a first time traveller or a regular tourist to foreign countries, there will always be butterflies in your stomach. Exploring new places is a beautiful thing and nothing can replace that joy.
At the old age, this will be one of the finest memories we carry, rather than the bank balance. Going to different tourist destinations, meeting new people, new culture, new restaurants, adds lots of colours to our life.
The world is so diverse and the diversity is its beauty. We need to imagine the creativity of the creator who created such wonderful human beings, flora and fauna in this beautiful world. As a tourist, we need to enjoy the beauty of this world and handover in the same manner to the next generations. They have the same right as we have, in its beauty and its resources.
What do I do next?
Once we are clear about the travelling dates and the tickets are ready, the first job we need to create a checklist, for each one of the traveller coming with you, either individually or separately.
The checklist should cover all your clothes, daily essentials, medicines, important telephone numbers at the destination and at the home country. In certain countries carryin g certain items as part of your luggage is prohibited including food&beverages
You must also have copies of your passport, Visa pages electronically in your mobile phone or other gadgets and also in hard copies. One of the most important thing is to know the local consulate telephone number, address in case of any urgent requirement at the foreign country.
Luggage and essentials:
For your air travel, it is always being a portable traveller. Find out the weight allowed, as a business class traveller or economy traveller. It is always good to travel with 2 hard luggages and one hand luggage may be a laptop bag.
If you are taking a transitting flight, it is better to avoid multiple bags to the destination. This will cause lot of inconvenience while moving from one terminal to another terminal-.
As part of the hand luggage also carry a one day essential clothing in case of any in-transit loss of luggage.
The weight of the luggage also need to be in line with the prescribed weight while returning. Therefore, it is always advisable to carry lesser weight on your onward journey since, in your return journey, you will also add your shopping.
There are many websites, which provide complete information about a city or a state you travel. Read about that city or cities you are planning to visit.
This must include, the time of the day for safe journey, mode of transport, local commuting facilities, Unsafe zones in the city, and whether, the restaurants and shops accept only currency notes or credit cards as well?
It is always ideal to keep a minimum amount of currency in our wallets for safety reasons. Nowadays, banks offers travel cards and credit cards acceptable globally.
Understand the cost of living and carry the required cash + surplus for your travel. This must include your To & Fro travel, your shopping, your emergency money plus any other needs.
Key points & Takeaways:
Check whether you are travelling during the right weather and carry clothes accordingly
If you are an adventure tourist, carry a strong rope of 20 foot. This will add to your personal safety in Hills and water.
Understand local traffic rules, civic rules, dress code and respect local laws
Do not carry any prohibited items as a tourist while on travel or during local travel.
Respect the time of the museums, tourist spots and places of visit. Do not carry cameras, if not allowed.
Do not carry costly jewelleries, watches, cameras to unsafe places or if you are a sole backpaker.
Watch out carefully your place of stay. Be attentive to unsafe objects, hidden cameras. If feeling suspicious, move out of the place quickly and look for a safer location.
