I love travelling…. I love the experience, discovering their culture & beautiful spots, meeting new people, visiting their quaint restos & coffee shops, having life-changing epiphanies and just sucking in all the beauty I see around…. I am blessed to have travelled in different countries. I lived for a while in Saudi Arabia and travelled in Bahrain, HongKong, Singapore and lately, Australia. I enjoyed so much in all my travels and it is something I want to share with everyone, the joy of traveling & someday I want to impart to my kids to-be. Now, thanks to my good friend Catherine, I get to add another country on my list: California, USA! I am privileged & honored to be part of Cath’s Wedding as a bridesmaid this July. I am so excited for my friend.. Ahhhh! I am so excited to see her who I haven’t see for almost 4 years and also our other friends, Mercy & Anie, who I haven’t seen for ages… It’s gonna be an all-out girl power reunion….
Here are some few tips for travelers out there and those who will travel soon:
1. RESEARCH BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Its helps if you research or surf the net before you travel. So you would know what clothes to bring and what places you want to visit. Then you could make some sort of itinerary before the trip.
2. TRAVEL LIGHT
Travel lightly. You could save from excess baggage dues plus you get to travel elegantly without lugging all those bulky bags. Just bring the essentials & the just-in-cases:
a. a cute jacket for the plane ride & evenings when it gets to be nippy
b. everyday walking shoes
c. usual basics that you dont need to iron & you could just dress up
with accessories or dress down with jeans (e.g. white shirt,
black sleeveless, etc.)
d. bathing suit (in case there might be a pool party)
e. a dressy heels (for evening parties)
f. toiletries, makeup & esp a sunblock
g. an oversize sunnies or an avator shades
h. a light clothes to sleep in
i. first-aid kit
j. barely used cute undies
3. SMILE ALWAYS
Smile always. Be positive. You will radiate good vibes. And your trip will be a good one if you keep that positive vibes. You will meet new friend and hey, if you are single, you might even meet the “ONE”. I heard stories. Plus you can easily get pass the visa check and the flight attendant would love to refill you glass of soda & give you extra nuts.
4. KEEP YOUR MONEY IN SEPARATE PLACES
This is a tip I got from my mom. Never keep your cash on the same place esp in you wallet. You put it in envelopes in different places. In your handcarry, in your body (sometimes taped) & luggage (hopefully, your luggage won’t get lost in an airline mix up).
5. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR LUGGAGE
This one too is from my mom. Many shady characters in the airport, never trust easily. Smile, be friendly but be on guard too.
6. TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES
I had to ask this nice Chinese lady to take this pic to document my lull moment in our stopover in Taipei airport. It is nice to have something to remember your trip by, so go crazy with your digicam…….
7. BRING A BOOK OR AN IPOD & A NOTEBOOK
You need a good book or an mp3 player to accompany you especially when you need to wait in the predeparture area in the airport and when you are not sleepy in the plane. And a notebook comes in handy so you can jot done some of your thoughts & realizations during the trip. Most of my great realizations were during my trips…. I would list down the things I am thankful for and I would go home, feeling blessed and renewed.
8. SPEND MONEY WISELY
Don’t splurge. Spend your money wisely. You didn’t travel just to shop but you travel to soak in the culture & discover the beauty of the your travel destination. Buy adequate amount of ‘pasalubong’for your friend & family back home but don’t hoard. Don’t spend too much in expensive restos. Just try their native cuisine, you don’t need to go to expensive restos for that. Go easy on your credit cards. You dont want to have an excess baggage besides you can buy that in your hometown through the internet anyway.
9. ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!
This is my mantra with my siblings whenever we go to trips. We just make sure we have a blast and have fun fun fun!!! And fun fun fun we did have……. If the trip didn’t go as you planned, even better…. It might even be a better trip than you planned.
* So, discover the beauty in traveling….. Go discover the world!
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