ACTIVITY
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DON’T |
PREPARATION
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- Start well in advance of your trip
- Use worksheets for keeping a record of expenses, bookings etc
- If you expect to be walking on your holiday, start a bit of regular walking a few months in advance
- Read and look on the internet about the places you plan to visit
- Check on visa requirements and costs
- Pack a journal and write an opening to your journal. (While travelling write in your journal EVERY DAY and, including the weather is such a reminder when you read it later)
- Pack a small towel in your on board/hand luggage so you can freshen up at an airport or train station
- Get digital literate. Booking in for flights is all self-service using ATM like machines. (There is always someone on duty to assist)
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- Pay any money until you are sure of a booking and know the cancellation policy
- Forget to read all FINE PRINT
- Expect porters and lots of staff at hotels that are not at the very top of the range. Self service is how things are going everywhere.
- Expect coffee/tea making facilities in all hotel or guest house rooms.
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DON’T
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FLIGHTS
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- Be at the airport at least 1 hour before departure on a domestic flight & 4 hours before departure on an international flight
- Allow a minimum of 2 hours between connecting flights
- Have your passport available at all times
- Elect to travel assisted if you have any physical difficulty which may impede your moving through airports. It is a great help. Book when booking your ticket and it helps to have a doctor’s letter.
- Keep Boarding Passes until you reach your accommodation destination
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- Necessarily choose the cheapest option. These are often flights which have long stop overs and usually at night.
- Book on different airlines when you have connecting flights. If the flights are delayed different airlines will not hold a flight for one another whereas the same airline will hold the flight or book you on the next available flight free of charge
- Discard any documentation until you reach your final destination or home.
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DON’T
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LUGGAGE
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- Keep it to a minimum. Whether travelling by air, car, ship or train you have to carry your own luggage at some stage of your journey
- Pack it yourself and know what is in your case.
- Pack only clothes in cases which will be in the hold or out of your sight
- Place valuables in your hand luggage but no liquids in excess of 100ml. Most pharmacies stock 100ml plastic bottles
- Shrink wrap if possible but this is at a cost, currently R50 per item in SA
- Mark your luggage clearly so that it is easy to spot when collecting; eg a bright orange ribbon, colourful stripe on the side etc
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- Put any liquid container which can hold in excess of 100mls in hand luggage. It will be confiscated even it there is less than 100ml in the container.
- Pack unnecessary items which will add weight for you to carry
- Pack jewellery, camera, cellphone, hairdryer etc in cases which go in the hold
- Agree to assist a friend or another passenger by carrying a wrapped item which you have not seen before wrapping
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DON’T |
IDENTIFICATION
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- Have a printout of your personal details and who to contact in an emergency on your person at all times, especially senior citizens
- Keep your passport on you wherever you go
- Have a printout of your personal details and medical issues in your car when travelling by road
- Include your insurance details and towing requirements in case of an accident and you are not able to communicate
- Check that there are sufficient blank pages in your passport as required by the country from which you will be applying for a visa
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- Keep your money, passports, driver’s licence and credit cards all in one purse or bag. If that gets lost or stolen it can be a real nightmare for you.
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DON’T |
ITINERARY
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- Make copies for at least 2 family members or friends as well as a copy for yourself to keep in a place separate from your working copy
- Include contact details of the tour operator, hotels, B&Bs or any other relevant person
- Carry a detailed copy yourself at all times
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DON’T |
LANGUAGE
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LOCAL INFO |
- Learn some of the local lingo; it is appreciated
- Knowledge of some local terms is very helpful eg laundromat = laundrette in UK; twin room and double room not the same in UK & Europe. Be specific.
- Know the dress and behaviour codes for countries. Some are really strict and can cause you to be imprisoned
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DO
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DON’T
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MEDICATION
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- Keep medicines in your hand luggage
- Keep at least 2 days worth on yourself in case of delays
- Have enough for at least 4 days more than you will be away from home
- Have a letter from your doctor detailing your chronic conditions
- Have a copy of prescriptions and generic names of medicines
- Have a copy of contact details of your doctor on you at all times
- Inform your medical aid if you will be out of the country
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- Put any meds in your cases which go in the hold when flying
- Pack any medicines that you are not sure of its use or
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DO
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DON’T
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MONEY
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- Take sufficient cash in the relevant foreign currency for tips and emergencies
- Use a money belt which is worn under a your clothing
- Be aware of exchange rates
- Use the safe facilities provided in hotels
- Keep cash and credit card separately so that if one is lost you still have the other in emergency. (My husband carries our cash & I the credit card)
- Inform the Card Fraud Division if you will be out of the country (Even if you have done so, they will probably calll to confirm your first transaction)
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- Leave money in a hotel or B&B room
- Keep your cash all in one place
- Keep your credit card with your cash
- Allow others to see how much cash you have – there are pickpockets all over the world
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DO
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DON’T |
PAPERWORK
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This includes passports, visas, tickets for flights & trains, hire car papers, travellers’ cheques and anything similar that you may have acquired in your preparation.
- Make 2 copies of everything and leave 1 set with a contact at home and the other in your luggage in a place separate from the originals.
- If in a foreign country, record the contact details of your nearest home country embassy and keep on your person
- Make an appointment with the visa issuing agency.
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1.Just arrive at the visa issuing agency without an appontment. You will have to wait until all those with appointments have been assistd. |
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DON’T |
PACKING
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- Pack as minimally as possible. Remember that in almost every country you have to carry your luggage on & off trains, buses, boats etc.
- When you travel people do not notice what you wear. For 3 weeks, ladies, 2-3 pairs of corduroys, denims or shorts, 6 tops to mix & match and 1 smart outfit. Guys, pack similarly.
- Take the right type of clothing for your destination. Get to know the weather, clothing culture and anything which may help you decide on what to take.
- Take lightweight and non-iron clothes.
- Include some packets/bags to separate dirty washing.
- Have a full set of change of clothes in the backpack or carry on luggage. Accidents and delays do happen.
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DO
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DON’T |
SELF-CATERING
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- It is also helpful to pack as lightly as possible as you have to carry everything to your unit.
- Plan meals before leaving home so as to ensure that you pack everything you will need
- Remember the small things – seasonings, oil, tea & coffee etc
- Pack a First Aid pack and small sewing repair kit
- Pack your favourite kitchen utensils – can opener, vegetable peeler, sharp knife, oven gloves etc.
- Include dish washing and drying soap and cloths
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- Invite guests to stay overnight without informing the Landlord or Resort Manager. Units have limits on the number of persons staying and you may be heavily charged.
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DON’T |
MISCELLANEOUS
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- Ask for Senior Citizen prices. Most places around the world have special prices for us. It is important to check what age is considered as Senior – usually 60 or 65
- Pack a set of fresh clothes in your carry-on luggage or daily backpack. If not big enough pack at least a clean set of underwear.
- Have your medication for at least 2 days easily available at all times
- Carry your basic toiletries at all times as well.
- Take one of the small torches, 7.5cms (3ins), with a poweerful LED light. It is a veryuseful item, especially if you have to get up in the night.
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- Take photos of people without their permission. Remember, even if they say you can they will possibly expect payment.
- Ask a Muslim woman if you may take her photo. The answer willl be no and it is an embarassment for her
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