Useful Travel Tips - TIWIK #3

1. Don’t assume that you can talk freely to your friends in your native language just because you’re far away from home. The random fellow countryman/foreign-language enthusiast is always around — embarrassment ensues.

2. Always check your passport validity before buying the plane ticket.

3. The hostel rooms right near the sound system are cheaper for a reason.

4. Always pack one going-out outfit and a pair of pretty shoes even when you’re going on adventure holidays: you never know when a surprise restaurant date/ official meetings will come up.

5. Also pack sneakers: you never know when a surprise three-day mountain trek will come up.

6. When you’re starting to panic, concentrate on the feeling of your feet touching the ground as you walk — or on your breathing if you’re sitting still. Now put things back in perspective.

7. Don’t go to the beach with your bath towel — sandy towels suck. Save it for showers and use a sarong for the beach.

8. When your guidebook specifies it’s preferable not to drink water from the tap, do not drink water from the tap — or parasites and antibiotics are likely to follow.

9. Ice cubes are made from tap water. Ask for drinks without ice.

10. Always take a pair of scissors — but not in your carry-on.