Travel Tips

Always travel light.
Lay out what you think you'll need and then leave it a while. Then come back later and put half of it back!

You can always wear everything twice without people giving your BO a wide berth!
You can always wash stuff out in your room
You can always use the hotel laundry
You can always go to the local laundromat
its much easier than dragging around a bag that is too heavy.

Especially if you are moving from hotel to hotel every day

Use separate bags for tops, bottoms, underwear, toiletries, battery charges electrical stuff.
Even better, buy mesh packing pods which are light and you can see what stuff is in them
Take an empty packing pod so you can separate dirty clothes.

Iron clothes before leaving
roll rather than fold
rolling up and putting them in a packing pod even better.

Buy some travel clothes, they tend to be lighter, absorb sweat better and will wash and dry overnight without needing to be iron. I was sceptical at first but now they are a real must have.

Buy a sarong, it has multiple uses as a skirt, dress, towel , bag , sheet - invaluable!

There are tried and tested things not to do when you are faced with a country with a dodgy health record. PAY HEED TO THESE WARNINGS! that what they are there for.

Most people I know have got ill because they did exactly the opposite.

So if you don't want Delhi Belly, only drink bottled water and clean your teeth in it.
Avoid Salads and Ice cream
Don't eat street food unless it is freshly cooked infront of you (and still be careful of the meat, its often left hanging in the open covered in flies)
It is also a good thing to top up your local friendly bacteria so eat local yoghurt for breakfast
Also good is the supplement Acidophilus, available from Health Food stores.

If you do get Delhi Belly:
Pop an immodium, see if that works
Get plenty of rest
Keep hydrated. Flat coke is good for that
If it carries on for more than 2 days or there is blood present see a doctor immediately.

In third world countries always take a bathplug. They are pretty non existant and always get stolen. You can buy travel bathplugs that will fit any sink (also good if you want to do some washing)

Always carry toilet tissue as there is nearly always none.

Carry an alcohol based anti bacterial hand sanitiser such as Dial or Carex as there is often no soap to wash your hands.

Always wash your hands after you have been to the toilet and before eating

Do not wear flashy jewellery or watches. You will look like a tourist anyway which may be enough for some people to try and rob you, wearing jewellery will only encourage it.

Do not carry large amounts of cash, even in a money belt (muggers will often frisk you as they know you will be likely to be wearing one) take money as credit and debit cards or travellers cheques. Carry them in different places eg 1 in a purse, 1 in a money belt, 1 in a bag.

A good hiding place for cash for the ladies is inside a sanitary towel. Buy a pack open one up and slip some money in the fold of the towel. Reaseal it. Chances are the robber is male and won't want to go there!

Make sure your hotel room is locked at night and money hidden. Even better, put it in the hotel safe. yes its a pain putting it in and taking it out but you will thank yourself if someone else room gets robbed.

Many places are not as dangerous as people like to make out. Chances are nothing at all will happen to you on your trip -just be more aware of whats going on around you.

Learn 10 words in the local language. Even if its only hello, how are you, good bye, please , thank you, it will endear you much more with the locals.

Take a few photos or postcards of where you come from. Pictures of family and places in your country are often good talking points with the locals even if you can't speak each others languages. Don't take pictures of your big flashy apartment or BMW, they will not thank you for that.

If you want to take a photo of someone ask permission first or you may offend. Offer them a small amount of money as a thank you

There is no more useful thing in life than a spare plastic bag!