:) Funny Travel Insurance Story

A command of sly monkeys decided to prang the trip of newly-weds to Malaysia. A pair left open the window of their room during a day, while they went for a walk (due to the heat), but when they returned, they had found out their clothes and belongings sparse round a house and in the neighboring tropical forest. 

The couple’s insurance company were thankfully understanding and ensured they did not need to keep re-wearing the same clothes for the remainder of their trip!

Short Safety Tips for Travel Abroad

There are many things to keep in mind when traveling. You obviously don't want to lose your money. You also want to keep yourself safe. Here are some tips to follow to make your travel  safe and enjoyable in a foreign country. 

 1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.

2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.

3. Secure travel insurance!

4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.

5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.

6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.

7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.  

8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.

9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.

10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.

11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.

12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier. 

13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.  

14. Lock your luggage and label everything. 

15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room. 

16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.  

If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting. 
 
Stuart S. Travel

:) A Tourist Is Traveling With A Guide

A tourist is traveling with a guide through one of the thickest jungles in Latin America, when he comes across an ancient Mayan temple. The tourist is entranced by the temple, and asks the guide for details. To this, the guide states that archaeologists are carrying out excavations, and still finding great treasures. The tourist then queries how old the temple is.

"This temple is 2503 years old", replies the guide.

Impressed at this accurate dating, he inquires as to how he gave this precise figure.

"Easy", replies the guide, "the archaeologists said the temple was 2500 years old, and that was three years ago."

Travel Safety Tips

Travel guides - source of useful information about the people and the customs of the country you’re going to visit. There are many good guides available in stores and on the Internet. But you must remember some general things that will help you avoid problems.

Learn key phrases in the language of the country you are visiting. Although residents of many countries speak some English, you’ll appear more confident, and people may be more willing to help you, if you try to speak their language.

Avoid touchy subjects in conversation. While part of the fun of travel is to exchange ideas with the locals you meet, remember that a friendly discussion on a subject such as politics, religion, and/or sex can escalate into an uncomfortable debate. If you do discuss such topics, it’s wise to first listen to others’ views rather than sharing your own.

Know what you can and cannot photograph. In some countries, it is illegal to photograph certain things (e.g., bridges, airports, religious objects, shrines). A good guidebook should warn you of such restrictions. If you are in doubt ask an official. If you wish to take pictures of local people, always ask permission first.

Do not carry, purchase, or sell any illegal drugs. Most countries punish those in possession of illegal drugs harshly. In any country, use of illegal drugs, and association with persons dealing with illegal drugs, invites danger.

Know the location of the Embassy of your own country. Embassy personnel can help you deal with most crises (e.g., reporting a robbery to the local police; obtaining medical or legal services, replacing a lost or stolen passport). It will be easier to replace your passport if you carry extra passport photos and a photocopy of the first two pages separately from your passport.

The key to a safe, enjoyable trip is advance preparation. Find out ahead of time what you need to know to ensure your safety and cope with unforeseen events so that you can relax and enjoy your trip.