Category: Practical Information

Categories
Practical Information

Scams

Scams when travelling

Avoid Being Ripped Off

This guide covers many of the most common scams you will likely encounter whilst travelling/backpacking. 

Everyone who travels gets scammed in one way or another. But it is important to note that a scam doesn’t necessarily carry the same intent as it does in the UK.

In impoverished countries some people are literally at the wire, they have nothing and no means and so born through desperation they turn to wealthy tourists to feed their families.

Whilst this is true for many scamsters it isn’t for all, some are aggressively dishonest to the point that they would take your last breath and then kick you for more. I mean really nasty, devious people, the sort who know they are leaving you vulnerable and with nothing and couldn’t care less if they tried.

It goes without saying that some scams are more common than others and some are more complex than others. With that in mind I haven’t listed them in any particular order, but it goes without saying, new scams pop up daily and they are getting ever more complex. Differentiating between someone trying to rip you and off and someone trying to help will perhaps be one of the things you should try and learn quickly once your travels begin.

Taxi scams

This applies to anyone that will take you from point A to B, be it a tuk tuk, taxi, rickshaw etc. If ever you feel threatened by a driver simply get out, do not get angry, start shouting or anything, just get out.

The following is a warning for women travelling alone (or with kids).

DO NOT EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET IN A TAXI/TUK TUK WITH TWO MEN, IF ONE JUMPS IN EN ROUTE, MAKE A FUSS AND GET OUT. YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF IN A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT IS UNLIKELY TO END WELL.

Anyway, the list is by no means exhaustive and variations of each scam pop up every now and again…

 Your hotel is burned down/doesn’t exist/is dangerous etc…

A common scam that is easily called by saying you are meeting a friend who is already there. It’s amateur and you feel like slapping yourself silly that people still try this 70’s classic on.

The meter isn’t working/inflated meter rate/price changes upon arrival

This is more of a boring rhetoric than a scam, even if the meter was working you would struggle to get the driver to use it. When you agree a price be absolutely sure it is for the car and not per person, when you arrive if the driver says it was a different price calmly remove yourself from the situation quickly. This is not as common a scam as some books/websites might have you believe.

Taking the long way around

It happens in the UK, so you can be sure it is going to happen in poor countries. Always be clear about where you want to go, or at least know the distance/direction of where you are going and pull out the compass on your phone. If you are in a new place and don’t fancy the scenic route simple call ahead and get your hotel to send someone for you, or to tell you how much it should be.

The taxi has broken down en route

Taxi drivers in Asia have the most amazing luck, every time they break down it always seems to be right outside a restaurant/shop, and that restaurant/shop is always the best place around town to grab a munch. This scam is more common in SE Asia than anywhere else, and is almost the norm for journeys longer than say 30 minutes.

Would you like to visit a [INSERT MUSEUM/PLACE OF INTEREST] en route

Despite the fact that you have got in a tuk tuk with a driver that barely speaks English and who has agreed to take you where you want to go; He knows the perfect excursion, a place you will absolutely love…Also a place he will get commission.

Can’t find your hotel

This is a classic, and has happened to me the 3 times that we have arrived at Agra, India. Now, it is actually highly likely the driver might not know your third floor hostel in some back street. Few drivers will turn away business because they don’t know your destination, they will nod and take you and work the rest out later, but be aware, some drivers will attempt to make it look like you are well and truly lost then magically some hotel manager will appear and has the perfect deal for you. Avoid this obvious scam by calling ahead, or when you get lost calling the hotel and letting the driver speak to the manager. Remember though – Drivers do actually and genuinely get lost!

Extra Charges

Whilst it is true some meters account for air conditioning in the car, some drivers will ask if you want it on, then bill you extra at the end. If a driver asks if you want it on ask how much.

I haven’t got any change

It’s amazing how few drivers apparently carry change, but this doesn’t mean you have to pay the amount you hand over. Nip to a nearby shop and buy some chewing gum and watch the drivers face drop as you hand him what you agreed. If you have a hefty note, ask before you get in if he has change. Scuppering the scam from the off.

Sleight of hand

You hand over a fifty, and within half a second the driver has swapped it for a ten and is asking for more money. Difficult to argue, easy to avoid. Count your money and let him know, you know what you have just handed over.

Driver cum tourist guide

It’s your lucky day, you just happen to have stepped into a taxi whose driver is also a tourist guide, he will point out obvious places and say them in broken English expecting to be paid for his services in addition to the fare. That said I was in Java, Indonesia and didn’t want to pay a certain price to get in somewhere and the driver offered to take me to a place where we could see into the complex and get really close. Things like that should obviously be rewarded.

The phantom popping boot

Never put anything of any real value in the boot of the taxi. Boots have a tendency to pop open when the car is stuck in traffic or at lights and your things can disappear. Of course the driver knows nothing about it…

The lead onto another scam, scam

Almost as common as getting over charged, the driver will ask where you are going, next destination etc and then get on the mobile to his buddy who is fresh and waiting for you at your destination to have a whole load of other scams waiting for you.

Airport/train station/toll fees

Be careful with this one, plenty of drivers do add on journey fees and this is expected, but the amount they add on can be suspicious. If they have to pay a fee, ensure that’s the fee you have to pay.

Thanks for the stuff

Never pay the driver until you have got out of the car, got your belongings from the boot, grabbed the kids and are ready to go. It’s common sense really.

I can only go this far

The driver randomly stops and claims he is unable to go any further, but not to worry, along comes someone on a camel, donkey, pedal rickshaw etc who can go further. This scam is a tricky one as in places like Agra and Varanasi in India there are restrictions of motor vehicles, but exercise a bit of common sense, 99% of the time this is a scam, and so look around, is your driver the only one not allowed to drive further? Really.

The sad reality is that the most scams you will encounter travelling are from taxi/tuk tuk drivers, but I have been assured it’s not just tourists that have to face their perpetual and relentless efforts, locals too are at their mercy.

Exercise a bit of common sense, never pay up front (unless it is prepaid and then ensure you get your receipt) and take things with a pinch of salt, laugh at the blatancy and try not to let it ruin your day.

It’s a just fact of life.

Hotel Scams

Most hotel scams are tied in with taxi scams. You know the score, every taxi driver knows some hotel manager happy to pay him a hefty commission for bringing you. Be exceptionally careful when contacting your hotel for pick up as some popular hotels have fake Facebook sites where you are actually calling a competitor who will promise to pick you up for free. Once he collects you he explains the hotel is overbooked but he has found you alternate accommodation in his other hotel. See right through this one, it’s been going on since the 15th century.

Street Scams

One of the things that has always puzzled me as a traveller is how some guy with no teeth, who hasn’t had a wash for a year thinks he can strut up like he is straight out of Compton, do the most blatant scam ever and actually expect me to fall for it. I mean come on! Read on for just how blatantly obvious these guys are!

Baby Milk

This scam has been doing the rounds since the day baby milk got invented. Some woman (or guy) desperately poor comes up and asks for milk for their obviously malnourished baby. It’s an awful position to be put in and any parent will feel sad to the pit of their stomach at the state of the poor child, but it’s a scam, and it’s a bastard scam because if people weren’t purveying this you might actually be willing to help out meaning all those who aren’t scamming lose out. Anyway, you go to the shop and buy some baby milk at an inflated price, you walk off feeling you have done a good deed and the woman/guy return the milk and skims off the commission.

Bird Shit Scam

I didn’t name it this, it is a common scam and one that has happened to me twice in one day. You are walking along minding your own business when ‘splat’ a big splodge of what looks like bird shit lands on your shoe, or your shoulder, but not to worry, today is your lucky day, there just happens to be a guy right there who can clean you up, buff your shoes or whatever for just a small fee. Come on!!

Language/let me be your friend scam

You are approached, usually by a smart looking guy who wants to be your friend. He also needs help reading or writing a letter written in English, could you help? Yeah sure, you agree and head off to a local bar/restaurant for a few drinks. After a few rounds the bloke goes off to the loo and you don’t see him again. You are left with a hefty bill where your drinks have been massively overpriced and you have no option but to settle. An hour after you have gone the bloke returns for his cut.

There are a million variations of this and so be careful, if you are being led to a bar or restaurant with anyone have your wits about you.

Fake goods

Ok, you might be able to spot that the DVD purporting to be Terminator 7 is fake because it’s not even been written yet, but what about that granite pyramid? Or that emerald? Unless you are straight out of the antiques road show be careful when handing money over for something that is meant to be something else. It very often isn’t.

Gem scam

This bad boy is probably the first scam ever invented, and there are loads of variations that typically centre around the same thing – Someone trying to sell you gems at a knock down price for whatever reason. Tourists looking to get rich quick have been left penniless by this ridiculously obvious scam.

The closed temple scam

You approach a temple and are told it is closed for whatever reason, or that only people offering blessings can enter. You are then either directed to another temple where you must pay a hefty price for entrance, or to a guy selling overpriced offerings. Or perhaps you would like a tour of somewhere whilst you wait until it opens?

Relentless scam

Some touts will be so relentless in their hounding of you that you just give in and let yourself be scammed because it is easier. They know what they are doing, don’t give in.

Gambling tricks

These blokes will make it look like its taking candy of a baby, but they are masters of sleight of hand and never lose. Don’t ever get involved with street gambling, you will not win.

Price increase scam

This happens all the time, you agree a price with someone for something and inflation goes up and then you are charged more. Stick to what you agreed, it’s more of a harmless tiresome chore than anything sinister. Always agree a price beforehand.

Carpet scam

There are variants of this, but someone selling something too big to carry offers to ship it to your home address. I mean really, as daft as it sounds people do actually fall this expecting to get home to a nice new carpet or whatever. Needless to say it rarely ever arrives.

Free Wi-Fi

Not so much a bad scam as a hindrance, you decide a call home or some work online is in order. So the deciding factor in where you eat is free Wi-Fi, well obviously everywhere advertises free Wi-Fi, but check before you order that they actually do have it, and that it works. In Pokhara, Nepal for example, every single restaurant claims to have free Wi-Fi, yet only about 20% actually have Wi-Fi at all.

Third Party Scam

This is one of the most frequent scams you will likely encounter. There are variants of it but it’s essentially some bloke approaching you to help you, he then takes you somewhere and you are fleeced whilst he gets commission. Ask yourself, do you really need some guy to find you a taxi? Or to show you to a shop?

The sex scam

You head out and decide to get chatty with a girl way out of your league. You buy her drinks all night, settle the bill and you think you are onto a winner. Back at the hotel things get frisky and then you are knocked sideways by the presence of a penis where you didn’t expect one. Statistically this has never happened to a single bloke – Realistically it happens all the time.

Fake police

You are approached by a guy claiming to be the police and whatever you have just being doing isn’t permitted, but pay a fine and all will be ok. This also happens by actual police who will stop tourists driving motorbikes/scooters and claim you’ve just infringed some traffic act.

Transport scams

Boat scam

You agree a price, but the driver doesn’t tell you he actually meant one way and so he floats around in the centre refusing to take you back to shore unless you cough up.

Train station scams

You turn up at the station fresh as a daisy and some guy needs to see your ticket. Unlucky, your ticket needs validating and so he gestures you head off to some building where there is obviously a fee. Don’t fall for it, it doesn’t need validating.

Bus ticket scam

I have fallen for this one, in Indonesia I got on a bus and before it set off some guy came and asked me where I was heading. I stupidly paid for the ticket and he gave me a ticket, then en route a different guy came round asking for my ticket. I had been duped. Point being, unless you are buying a ticket from an official ticket office based at the bus station – Buy your ticket on the bus from the same dude everyone else is buying from.

Motorbike return scam

Some people will tell you this is the most common scam in Asia. You rent a motorbike and are dumb enough to leave your passport as security. When you return the bike the renter claims you have caused damage that wasn’t there previously and so charges you ridiculous amounts before handing your passport back.

Motorbike theft scam

You rent a bike for a few days and on the application put the hotel you are staying at. At the end of the first day you park up and whilst you sleep the renter comes along with a spare key and robs the bike. You are now left with the cost of stumping up for a new bike.

Dangerous scams

Here are some potentially dangerous situations.

Never accept a drink from anyone on a long distance coach/train that you do not fully trust. Travellers get spiked and before long you will be unconscious whilst your things are stolen. Rapes have also occurred as a result of travellers being spiked.

Never get in a taxi with two or more blokes (that you don’t know). Single women have jumped in and ended up being gang raped, single blokes have ended up being beaten and robbed. Don’t ever put yourself in a situation where you are extremely vulnerable.

Be aware of other travellers who will befriend you and then keep an eye on your things whilst you head out, only for you to return to nothing. The sad reality is some backpackers do this for a living, don’t become a victim.

If you choose to have any form of sexual contact it is absolutely vital that you take necessary precautions. Instances of sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS is often much higher than in the UK/Europe.

As I have already said, scams are as much a part of backpacking as carrying a backpack and the vast majority are little more than blatant hiccups in your day.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true it usually is, and not everyone is out to scam you.

 

Categories
Practical Information

Climate

In the UK we are quite lucky that we don’t usually have extreme temperatures. Fair enough, a fluttering of snow and the schools shut and people wonder why they pay council tax. Or after just 2 days of warm weather hose pipe bans come into force. But compared to the rest of the world we get off quite lucky. Below are some of the issues that may arise whilst travelling.

Heat

The fact is some places get hot. Very hot. So hot that you sweat profusely and will dehydrate within no time at all if you don’t look after yourself. Your skin will burn within minutes and kids will lose every ounce of energy and they may be unable to let you know just how bad they actually are. The Middle East and Northern Africa get brutal during the summer and parts of the USA and SE Asia can roast you up good and proper if you don’t take precaution.

Tips:

Look to visit sites early morning where it is often cooler, and try and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. But realistically it stays red hot long into the early evening.

If you decide to head to the beach you should find a parasol as the sun will fry you up like a chicken in no time.

The heat will sap every bit of energy you have, leave your clothes wet and then magnets for dust and grime and make you feel dirty. Sweat stings your eyes after about 5 minutes you will be drenched in sweat. But believe me you get used to it. It takes a week or so but you will get used to the sun. I have seen Indian blokes in fifty degree heat looking dapper in a suit at the Taj Mahal. And kids get used to it quicker than adults, remember – Abi and Charlie are both red heads and so have pale skin. If they can adapt anyone can.

In terms of clothes to take wear thin cotton clothes, kids need sun hats when it is brutally hot and sun glasses are a must.

If you can’t cope at all buy an umbrella to give you permanent shade.

Air con is a must in hotels, also check if they have a generator. If the power goes off during the night you will suffer.

See Babies and Young Children for specific info for little ones.

But you really shouldn’t under estimate the heat, if you can’t tolerate a warm day in England then you will seriously struggle in somewhere like the Middle East where the heat becomes prohibitive for even the locals.

Advice regarding sunburn from health:

When travelling with kids you will be surprised initially at just what an effect the sun will have on them. Some parts of India are 50 degrees and it gets to the point where you can barely cope. Exhaustion kicks in, you get dry mouth and your skin burns. This is your body telling you to drink water, and chill out.

Sunburn comes on quicker than you can imagine and factor 50 is an absolute must for children. Sun lotion is difficult and expensive to get hold of outside the main tourist areas and so come stocked up. I also make my children wear sun hats, they complain this makes them hotter and sweat and I counter this by telling them that we can control that by drinking more, but if they get sun stroke they will be ill and then we can’t control it. With that in mind I never scrimp on sun lotion, apply it regularly and ensure it is boosted prior to and following swimming in the sea. If you do encounter sunburn then apply hydrocortisone 1% and cover up. It may sound daft but sunburn, on sunburn is very painful.

Official Medical advice on sunburn and heat exhaustion & Heatstroke

Advice regarding dehydration from health:

In terms of dehydration thirst is a poor indicator of when the body needs water. Kids get bored of water but it is absolutely imperative they drink plenty. I buy my children their own bottle of water so I can monitor how much they have drank. We have regular water breaks on hot days where we find shade, and I will make them drink up to 500mL of water. It is not uncommon for us to drink 3 Litres each per day minimum.

At night I ensure the kids have a 1.5L bottle of water before going to bed, I tell them they must drink this before we leave in the morning. I know how much they sweat at night and this needs replacing.

If we are spending extended times in the sun, say on a camel safari out into the desert or if I think we have exerted a lot and so sweated a lot I will add to the water rehydration salts. These bought abroad are nasty, awful tasting they are a great bribe and the kids are fully aware that if they fail to keep up with the hydration requirements I give them, then they will have to have rehydration salts – Works every time!

Key things to look out for in kids is how often they go to the toilet. Also I will periodically check my children’s urine, if it is clear then this is an indication they are hydrated, the darker yellow it is the more it indicates they need to take in water.

Look out for lethargy, tiredness, out of character, dry mouths, dizziness and headache. If they do complain of a headache, monitor if it reduces or goes with the intake of water.

Remember, dehydration in a hot country can occur very quickly, it is absolutely imperative you monitor your children’s hydration. A completely avoidable condition it should be taken seriously, if your child is too ill to take on fluids then you should seek medical help immediately.

Cold

Some places are freezing cold and the snow or frozen rivers will give it away prompting you to bang your coat on and wrap the kids in Primark’s best scarf and hat set before stepping off the bus. But some places are sneaky, and will bake you all day long only to drop below freezing at night.

Deserts are king of being sly when it comes to weather, as are places at altitude. Though unless you go out trekking and don’t plan ahead you are unlikely to find yourself suddenly in -20 degree temperatures wearing just a pair of shorts and flip flops.

Planning ahead is key, as like dehydration, hypothermia can creep up on you and particularly in kids.

The NHS defines hypothermia as: Hypothermia happens when a person’s body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F). Normal body temperature is around 37°C (98.6°F).

Common symptoms of hypothermia vary according to how badly the person is effected, the NHS provides comprehensive advice and information on hypothermia here.

Wet

Monsoons are part of daily life for much of the world. Essentially giving some countries just two seasons per year – The wet season, and the dry season.

But contrary to what some people believe wet season doesn’t mean it rains constantly for months on end. Actually and more commonly in Asia and India it will rain for an hour or so in the afternoon and then within an hour the streets will be steaming dry and life carries on.

In the Northern Hemisphere summer tends to be wet season in countries prone to monsoons but even this is very general indication as countries tend to have separate times of the summer where one half may be dry and one half wet (Thailand for example) Add into the fray microclimates and some places are dry even in wet season.

The best advice would be to look into country specific information. Working your plan around the wet season is relatively easy though not always guaranteed. I have spent weeks in Thailand in wet season and seen just a few days of rain, but a friend was there in 2011 and it rained every day.

Wet season does have its bonuses though and this can pretty much be given as an equation:

Wet season = low season = lower prices = less people

Additionally, some parts of the natural world really come alive in the wet season, flowers bloom, the green gets greener and that nice landscape can easily become a breath-taking landscape.

Tips:

Streets can flood within no time and suddenly everyone will be wading through dirty water up to their knees and your kid’s necks. Though they might be having the time of their life the water carries disease and bacteria and so keep their mouths shut, and any open wounds such as blisters would do well to be covered up. Flooded streets are one of the reasons we take walking boots.

Take a Gore-Tex jacket for whoever has the phone and wallet. Gore-Tex is lightweight, 100% waterproof and lets moisture escape meaning you don’t sweat. A personal example – We arrived into Probolinggo (Indonesia) and the raindrops were so big it was like getting pelted by water bombs constantly, it was full on monsoon and the streets were flooded to knee height. Before leaving the bus station I waterproofed everything I could, put my mobile phone, wallet and passports in my inside pocket of my Gore-Tex jacket and we set off. After about 15 minutes we found a hotel and once inside realised that every single item we had was drenched, our bags had leaked through, it was like we’d just swam through the sea. But the inside of my jacket was bone dry. Not a drop of rain had penetrated the jacket. And this is just one example, there have been several occasions where my Gore-Tex jacket has saved our essentials. There are many different brands, but a fantastic lightweight (and the jacket I have) is Berghaus Cornice 2IA mens waterproof jacket.

Take pack-macs for the kids, though generally kids love getting wet and so if ever you want to keep them dry just whip out a pack-a-mac in seconds. Not quite Gore-Tex, they offer limited protection from the rain, but kids sweat in them anyway meaning ultimately for any period of time in a humid country and they’ll be wet inside and out.

Monsoons bring mud slides and roads close for days on end. Always ask for local info and be prepared to fly if you end up getting blocked in. Or grab a shovel and help!

Humidity

For some people humidity is the worst thing they associate with climate. It is also something I don’t think you ever get used to. It leaves you soaked in sweat, makes energy sapping tasks even more demanding and makes sleeping at night near impossible.

There isn’t a great deal you can do about the humidity other than wear appropriate thin clothing and just try and deal with it.

It goes without saying that humidity is at its worst after a rain shower.

Altitude

At altitude the air is thinner and thinner air means less oxygen, but also nitrogen and everything else that is present in air. For instance, at sea level (the UK) the body is saturated with 98% oxygen. At 3000m 88% and then every thousand metres roughly 10% is lost. So at 4000m the body is saturated with just 78% oxygen. People react differently, mild symptoms include nausea, difficultly sleeping, dizziness, irritability, fatigue, and headaches. Most people experience some form of mild symptoms. Everyone will experience breathlessness under mild exertion. Left untreated AMS (acute Mountain sickness) can, and does kill. Other than popping some pills and offsetting things slightly the only thing to do is descend.

Natural disasters

From thuderstorms taking power out, mud slides shutting roads, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons and volcanos kicking off there is a lot to contend with.

Though major natural disasters are thankfully not particularly common, they can occur at any time and can have devastating consequences.

Keep an eye on local information, your countries travel advice (FCO in the UK) and the Early Warning Disaster Network

I am not an expert on natural disasters, but as a traveller with kids the only real suggestions I can make is to take a torch/headlight and to always keep up to date with local information.

Categories
Practical Information

Packing

Go stingy but be efficient.

I get people asking me “where would you buy clothes from” and my response is “a clothes shop”.

It might sound obvious but many people think that only the Western world has shops that sell stuff. In actual fact I genuinely can’t think of anything you can’t buy and that isn’t readily available in most countries we’ve been to.

Of course not everyone wants to take an empty bag and then go shopping in situ, and so we always take everything we need, topping up or replacing items as we go.

I should also point out that you can get laundry done at most budget hotels/hostels and independently all over the world and the general cost is around $1 per kg.

What you pack you carry, it’s that simple.

 

Clothes

Generally we pack for about a week, with enough underwear to last a week, but with my daughter I have learned she finds it almost impossible to keep her dress/t shirt clean for more than one day and so I take her a few more things so she is clean every day.

An obvious point to note is that when a dress is dirty the whole thing needs washing, but with shorts and a t-Shirt only one would require the laundry.

My raincoat is Gor-Tex and so is 100% waterproof (believe me it has been put to the test many times) so that when we are caught in the rain, all the important items are protected.

Additionally many religious sites require females to have their heads/shoulders/legs covered and for men to wear trousers. Requirements for children tend to be relaxed. For women a sarong is very versatile and so it’s worth picking one up.

Additionally my son and I always get bitten by mosquitoes on our ankles and so now I tend to wear trousers. I wear thin Nozi Life Craghopper trousers.

I won’t patronise you by listing the clothes you should take, but generally I take 3 bottoms, 2 shorts and 6 T shirts. Climate should be kept in mind and whether to bring cold weather clothing.

First Aid Kit

There isn’t a time I have gone away and not needed the first aid kit. I carry quite a comprehensive kit suited to our needs and my capabilities. I am first aid trained and so have confidence in my abilities and know that there are times when medical aid in situ carried out by myself will be safer than taking the kids to a local hospital. I would urge any family traveling to have at least basic first aid training, schools and St John Ambulance run half day courses which are often free. We all hope to never need the skills, but it is better than wishing you had them if something does go wrong.

The First Aid Kit is kept in a well marked and easily accessible bag.

Paracetamol

Bandages assorted sizes

Vitamins

Ibuprofen

Plasters Assorted sizes

Bite Relief

Rehydration Salts

Eye Wash & Ear Buds

Sunburn Relief

Antiseptic Spray

Anti Malarials (if required)

Safety Pins & Scissors

Antiseptic Cream & Sudocrem

Antihistamine

Butterfly stitches

Spray Plaster

Hand Wash

Skin Glue

Documents & Money

As a single dad traveling with kids there are some requirements that I am told you need to adhere to. In practice though I have never been questioned at immigration, other than when returning to the UK. I have never needed to provide any proof of custody or needed letters of consent. That said, my children have my surname and so I expect this is the likely reason. Still, I carry documents with me just in case.

On the issue of money, what I have in the list bellow is the minimum I have with me at any one time. I ensure that I have enough to get out of wherever I am whenever I should need to. I carry my day to day cash in a wallet, but my emergency credit card in a safe, well hidden place – And not an obvious money belt!

Documents Money

Passports Debit Card

Letters of Consent

Fair Fx (currency card)

Proof of custody 

$200 USD Cash (mixture of denominations)

Itinerary

Driving License

Flight Tickets  

Hotel Confirmations  

Passport Photographs  

Equipment & Miscellaneous

I take various pieces of equipment with us when traveling. Some I would consider essential, such as a mobile phone, but others are things that can make life easier for kids. We aren’t by any means a techy family, but I ask a lot from my kids and sometimes, for my sanity and theirs a good movie watched on their tablet is enough to keep everyone happy on the long journeys.

In terms of the miscellaneous items we take, these are usually to keep us going for the first couple of weeks. I know you might read and wonder about hair conditioner, but the heat absolutely hammers Abi’s hair, it really dries it out and leaves it looking like straw. Conditioner helps keep her looking and feeling female!

Additionally I pack a laundry bag so we can put our dirty clothes together and then get them laundered easily.

Bathroom bag with all needed amenities 

My Phone/Charger

Camera/Batteries/Charger/USB

Ipad/Charger/Sleeve/USB Connector Shampoo & Conditioner

2 x Universal adapters  

Shaver/Charger

Bungees

Wrist bands (with my mobile number on)

Bags

A good quality bag is essential. I take an Osprey Aether 70, whilst the kids carry a bag suitable for them. For example the teens have 35L bags, the others have 20L and just so my 4 year doesn’t feel left out, he has a little 10L. bag./

Boots

We each take a pair of good quality, waterproof boots. You don’t need these if you don’t plan on going trekking, but believe me trekking in sandals is tough and carries obvious risks.

Also, when it is raining feet tend to slip about in sandals and you run the risk of infection if your feet are cut and then submerged in the dirty water.

Putting your boots on for the first time at the foot of a volcano and heading off for a 2 day trek is not the time to find out if your boots fit. As with sandals, ensure all footwear fits properly and is suitably worn in.

A final note:

Obviously this is what we take, it must be adapted to suit the individual or family. Remember, there is unlikely to be many things that you want that you cannot buy once abroad.

Always ensure you have waterproofing available for your most important contents. I take a few plastic bags, but the reason for this isn’t in case we get caught in the rain, because there will almost always be some kind of shelter available. My reason is that sometimes you bail to shelter and then realise the rain might continue for hours. At this point I spend five minutes waterproofing our stuff, donning rain coats and then heading out into the rain knowing our things are protected.

For info on what to pack for young children and babies click here.

Categories
Practical Information

Health

Staying Healthy

The information contained within this article is purely for information purposes only. I am not a health care professional and I write purely based on my own experiences and research. I urge anyone who is looking to travel to seek the advice from a qualified health care professional prior to departure.

That said, the following information should give you a good idea of the potential health issues you may encounter whilst traveling.

They are not listed in any particular order, though the risks of certain illnesses/ailments vary considerably throughout different countries and climates. A health care professional will be able to give you tailored advice according to where/when you are travelling.

The NHS provides travel information here: Travel Health

The World Health Organization provides travel information here

I strongly advise anyone looking to go travelling, no matter where to or for how long to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Prices may surprise you with my recent 7 week trip costing just £40 for the four of us.

The standards of medical care vary greatly, with recent reports saying up to 50% of all doctors in India are dodgy, it goes without saying that a visit to the quack poses many potential issues.

Firstly, you don’t know for sure you are getting the correct diagnosis or that the doctor is competent and genuine. Secondly, there is the age old doctor scam where you are charged for things you don’t need or face a hugely inflated medical fee for a plaster. Add into that fake drugs, cleanliness issues and dirty syringes and a visit to the doctor might give you more than you bargained for.

It therefore goes without saying that you should attempt to deal with as many health/first aid issues as possible yourself. Of course, matters of a serious nature should be referred to a reputable health practitioner but a simple self-diagnosis of minor problems can be the difference between a complex array of issues and getting back on track in no time.

It is also worth pointing out that health care might not be available. Not only that, but health care might be specialized, for instance – Not every hospital is equipped to deal with tropical diseases and travel may be required. Find out where to go in an emergency, but also make yourself aware of the nearest tropical disease clinic.

A comprehensive medical checklist:

Antibacterial Cream

Contraceptives

Steroid Cream

Antibiotics for skin infection

Decongestant Scissors

Antibiotics for diarrhoea treatment & oral re-hydration solution

Thermometer

Anti-fungal cream

Indigestion medication

Throat Lozenges

Antihistamine

Iodine tablets for water purification

Thrush Treatment

Anti-Inflammatory

Laxative

Urine infection treatment

Antiseptic

Paracetamol  

Antispasmodic plasters, bandages & safety pins   

The medical checklist should of course be tailored to your own needs. If you are taking medication it is important to carry this in its packaging and with proof from your doctor or pharmacist. Be aware that not all drugs taken in the EU are permitted in other countries, this includes but is not limited to some types of – Strong painkillers, sleeping tablets, anti-depressants and anti-psychotic drugs.

Backpacking Health

Vaccinations prior to travel

The World Health Organization recommend the following:

Routine Vaccination Selective – Specific areas/duration of travel Required (country list here)

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Cholera Yellow fever

Hepatitis B Hepatitis A Meningococcal (A, C, Y & W135)

Haemophilus influenza type b Japanese encephalitis Polio 

Human papillomavirus Meningococcal  

Influenza Rabies  

Measles, Mumps & Rubella  Tick-borne encephalitis  

Pneumococcal Typhoid fever  

Polio Yellow fever  

Rotavirus    

Tuberculosis    

Varicella    

What you might catch:

Listed below are some of the types of illnesses you may encounter whilst travelling. Though some are exceptionally rare others aren’t. With a bit of common sense though most (if not all) can be avoided. To put it into perspective we have never caught any of the following illnesses.

The symptoms listed are general symptoms, and these differ greatly between patients and not all patients get the same or all symptoms. Each infectious disease links directly to the NHS or WHO where further, comprehensive advice is given.

At the foot of this page is the emergency numbers for popular countries and the local word for hospital.

Symptoms, How it is caught & How to avoid

Cutaneous Larva Migrans: Linear rash that is very itchy.

– Contaminated sand and soil and contact with the skin.

– Be careful where you lay on the beach, don’t eat sand.

Dengue Fever: Severe headache and aching bones, high fever and rash similar to that of measles. 

– Mosquitos carrying the dengue virus.

– Use DEET and take precautions such as long trousers and sleeves. Particularly at night.

Hepatitis A: Jaundice, nausea and lethargy.

– Contaminated food and water.

– Get the Hep A Vaccination prior to travel.

Hepatitis B: Flu like symptoms, jaundice, nausea.

– Bodily fluid & sex.

– Men should wrap up, women should make men wrap up and both should choose their sexual partners carefully.

Hepatitis E: Gastrointestinal upset, flu like symptoms, jaundice, aches and pains.

– Ingesting effected feces, usually in contaminated water.

– Drink bottled water.

HIV: Flu like illness.

– Sexually transmitted and contaminated needles.

– Never have sex with a local unless you take precautions, never let someone jab you unless you are 100% certain the needle is sterile.

Flu: Sudden high fever, dry cough, aches and pains, tiredness, chills, headache, sore throat, difficulty sleeping.

– Touching or breathing in contaminated droplets.

– Use hand wash and exercise vigilance when in the vicinity of serial sneezers.

Leptospirosis Flu like symptoms, may be mild or severe.

– By touching soil or water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

– When canoeing/rafting go with reputable companies that know the area and don’t drink the water.

Measles: Cold like symptoms, sensitivity to light, grey white spots in the mouth, lethargy and then followed by a rash 2 – 3 days later.

– Touching or breathing in contaminated droplets.

– Most people are already vaccinated against measles, but check.

Rabies: High fever, tingling and itchiness at site of infection, hydrophobia, aggressiveness

– Bite, scratch or lick of an open wound by an infected animal.

– Stay away from dogs and monkeys and other animals. If you aren’t vaccinated and you think an animal may have infected you, head straight to hospital. Quickly.

Schistosomiasis: Skin rash, high temperature and muscle aches.

– By coming into contact with contaminated water.

– Swim in places that come recommended, not just any old pool of water.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Various symptoms

– Passed during sex and sexual contact.

– Men; don’t go bareback, women; Don’t let him. Both sexes should be careful.

Typhoid High fever, stomach pain, vomiting, dull headache at the front of the head, dry cough, rash. NB: Symptoms alter weekly so read up on typhoid. 

– Contaminated food and drink by someone that hasn’t washed their hands properly after using the toilet.

– Consider cleanliness where you eat, don’t eat food from someone that has just taken a dump and not washed their hands.

What you probably will catch:

Travellers Diarrhoea

Up to half of all travellers will get some form of upset stomach, diarrhea and sickness. Even with the utmost vigilance it may become impossible to avoid and the severity varies greatly. Most bouts pass within 5 days but sting ring may linger a little longer.

For practical advice on what to eat, what not to eat and where to meet in the middle head to the food section of this website.

Symptoms:

Watery stools

Blood in faeces

Fever

Sickness

Nausea

Stomach cramps

Lethargy

How to cope:

The single most important thing you can do is drink water. Constantly. For young kids bring your own rehydration sachets containing essential minerals and salts. The stuff you buy abroad is nasty and I struggle to drink it, never mind kids.

Avoid taking immodium as this slows the parasite leaving the body and try to use soft toilet paper as you will cause serious irritation.

Appetite will normally be suppressed and I lost 5kg in 5 days, but it will pass. The most important thing is rehydration, aim to drink a minimum of 3 litres per day and take plenty of rest.

If you have the runs and your child doesn’t, ensure you wash your hands before touching them or things they might touch.

Antibiotics can be administered and medical help may be required for young patients. Select reputable medical professionals carefully.

Health when Backpacking

Potential issues:

Malaria

The problem with malaria is that mosquitos don’t fly around with a big banner around their neck saying ‘I carry Malaria’ and not only that, but malaria doesn’t always present itself immediately.

One of the major issues travellers face when heading to an area where Malaria is present is the anti-malarials. Side effects can be common and serious and many people opt to risk catching the disease rather than risk side effects of the medication. That is personal choice and one I think you should make on the basis of advice from a healthcare specialist.

We take anti malarials if there is anything other than a low risk. But if we are just nipping through an area where Malaria is present then we simply cover up and dose up on DEET as advised by our travel nurse. Some areas however carry very high risk and this would not be recommended. In short, you must visit your travel nurse for relevant and current advice on malarials, whether you need them and the type you should take, as not all types offer protection everywhere.

Malarone is our preferred anti-malarial due to the limited side effects. It is however very expensive, though generic versions are now available. Up until recently we were skinned £2.30 per adult tablet at Superdrug (with Boots charging £3.60!), but this has now reduced by about 20% if you choose the generic version. Having taken Malarone long term and multiple times, none of us have ever suffered any side effects whatsoever. I do recommend that whatever course you opt to take, that you try a tablet before you leave, if you have an allergic reaction you are likely much better placed in your home country to get the emergency care or alternative course of anti-malarial drugs that you require.

Symptoms:

High temperature

Vomiting

Sweats and chills

Muscle pains

Headache

Diarrhoea

How to cope – The ABCD approach courtesy of the NHS

Awareness of risk: find out whether you’re at risk of getting malaria before travelling.

Bite prevention: avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, covering your arms and legs and using an insecticide- treated mosquito net.

Check whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets: if you do, ensure you take the right antimalarial tablets, at the right dose and that you finish the course.

Diagnosis: seek immediate medical advice if you develop malaria-like symptoms, including up to a year after you return from travelling.

Health when Backpacking

Sunburn & Dehydration

Sunburn

When travelling with kids you will be surprised initially at just what an effect the sun will have on them. Some parts of India are 50 degrees and it gets to the point where you can barely cope. Exhaustion kicks in, you get dry mouth and your skin burns. This is your body telling you to drink water, and chill out.

Sunburn comes on quicker than you can imagine and factor 50 is an absolute must for children. Sun lotion is difficult and expensive to get hold of outside the main tourist areas and so come stocked up. I also make my children wear sun hats, they complain this makes them hotter and sweat and I counter this by telling them that we can control that by drinking more, but if they get sun stroke they will be ill and then we can’t control it.

With that in mind I never scrimp on sun lotion, apply it regularly and ensure it is reapplied prior to and following swimming in the sea.

If you do encounter sunburn, then apply hydrocortisone 1% and cover up. It may sound daft but sunburn, on sunburn is very painful.

In terms of dehydration thirst is a poor indicator of when the body needs water. Kids get bored of water but it is absolutely imperative they drink plenty. I buy my children their own bottle of water so I can monitor how much they drink. We have regular water breaks on hot days where we find shade, and I will make them drink up to 500mL of water. It is not uncommon for us to drink 3 Litres each per day minimum.

At night I ensure the kids have a 1.5L bottle of water before going to bed, I tell them they must drink this before we leave in the morning. I know how much they sweat at night and this needs replacing.

If we are spending extended times in the sun, say on a camel safari out in the desert or if I think we have exerted ourselves a lot and so sweated a lot I will add rehydration salts to the water. These bought abroad are nasty, awful tasting. They are a great bribe and the kids are fully aware that if they fail to keep up with the hydration requirements I give them, then they will have to have rehydration salts – Works every time!

Key things to look out for in kids is how often they go to the toilet. Also I will periodically check my children’s urine, if it is clear then this is an indication they are hydrated, the darker yellow it is the more it indicates they need to take in more water.

Look out for lethargy, tiredness, out of character behavior, dry mouths, dizziness and headaches. If they do complain of a headache, monitor if it reduces or goes with the intake of water.

Remember, dehydration in a hot country can occur very quickly, it is absolutely imperative you monitor your children’s hydration. A completely avoidable condition that should be taken seriously, if your child is too ill to take on fluids then you should seek medical help immediately.

Travel Health

Where to get help

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck – It’s probably a duck. We know that right?

Well the same can’t be said for doctors abroad. It would take 5 minutes to knock up a fake doctorate and stick it on the wall proclaiming to be a doctor and some don’t even put that much effort in. It’s a minefield of scams, rip offs and fake illnesses.

Hunting down a good doctor is as hard as hunting down a real one. Given your vulnerability I suggest you take a common sense approach. If it is some bloke a fortnight past a shower perched on a wooden stool outside a front door to a shop he is probably dodgy, but if it is a well signed, professional looking clinic he probably isn’t.

Most decent doctors will speak good English and actually look like they know what they’re doing.

Failing that, Lonely Planet and rough guide have recommendations of reputable medical centres where you can get a decent, though varied, standard of care.

Should you go in with a dodgy stomach expecting a course of antibiotics and you get diagnosed with a broken foot – Get a second opinion.

In an ideal world you will carry your own syringes, but if not – Don’t ever let any doctor inject you or your children unless you have watched the syringe be opened from a sterile packet with a date on it.

If you don’t have a guide book, ask your hostel/hotel or get in touch with your embassy or travel insurance provider.

If you are in a rural area and the condition is not immediately serious you might want to consider heading to the nearest large city. Healthcare is likely to be better and you may be referred there anyway, but this is a decision that should not be taken lightly and remember that conditions can deteriorate rapidly.

I also suggest that before you travel to a country you find out how to say “Call me a Doctor” in the local language, and also find out the emergency number for police and ambulance.

On a final note, remember, it is highly unlikely that you will catch any of the diseases listed here and with a bit of common sense and a practical approach it will be extremely unlikely!

Safe travels.

Categories
Practical Information

Planning

Planning

There is a famous saying ‘poor planning equals poor performance’ it’s absolute rubbish and applies only to those who are so unilateral that they can’t think on their feet and re-plan on the go. When traveling with kids however, at least some planning is essential.

Before you sit down and put pen to paper you must decide on what approach to planning you are going to take:

1 – Plan everything:

Flights to accommodation and travel on a self-made tour. This literally means you have every flight, every connection and everything you physically can book from home – Booked. This will take out a lot of stress but the price you pay is inflexibility and there is potential for losing money.

Pros/Cons

Perfect for those that lack confidence such as first time or single travellers. – Inflexible, if the you love somewhere you cant stay longer, if the weather ruins your plans you have to deal with it.

– You can budget knowing your highest expenses are covered, with things like flights and accommodation often cheaper when booked in advance. – If a travel connection misses it can have knock on effects, not just logistically but financially.

– You can plan around where you’ll know for sure you will be.  – You can’t check out accommodation up front.

– You can pay up front for many things. – Not everything is pre-bookable and so you made cut yourself short.

– You can fully arrange all pre travel medical requirements such as vaccinations and Malaria prophylaxis. – You lose the ability to haggle on prices for accommodation.

– People back home will know your itinerary and so know where you are.  – The political situation could change by the time you turn up, rendering your trip useless.

2 – Plan transport only with the odd big city hotel booked.

This is my preferred method, it allows me to get in and out (this is sometimes a visa requirement) but to then have flexibility within a country. For example if that country is India I tend to go as far as booking trains too as they can fill up weeks in advance. I would not recommend this method for anyone lacking confidence in themselves and their haggling abilities.

Pros/ Cons

– Allows you to cover your biggest costs such as flights but leaves you flexibility. For example you fly into India on the 1st, you fly out on the 30th, and everything else is booked on the go. – You must spend time booking things on the go and so a Wi-Fi connection may be required.

– Allows flexibility. – You may find that you arrive somewhere and there is no accommodation available, or only at a premium cost.

– Ability to plan around the weather & other factors such as political issues.  – Internal transport may be fully booked and so you may end up somewhere you didn’t plan or miss somewhere you wanted to go.

– Allows partial budgeting.

– You leave yourself wide open to taxi drivers and touts.

– May be the cheapest way of all.  – Might end up being the most expensive way of all, often prices rise significantly in peak season.

– You can see your accommodation before you pay.

– You can fully arrange all pre travel medical requirements such as vaccinations and Malaria prophylaxis.

3 – Book only your outbound flight or an open jaw ticket.

Many independent travellers (and we have done it) simply buy a flight to Bangkok for example and then plan on coming home when they have spent up or had enough. This is more for long term travellers, or for those who can afford to stump up money as and when.

Pros /Cons

– Complete flexibility to do what you want, when you want and for how ever long you want. – Transport may be fully booked or when booked last minute be very expensive

– You can manage your budget by lingering in places that are particularly cheap.

– You may need vaccinations prior to travel in certain areas meaning you will have to trust some dodgy doctor and a rusty syringe.

– You can scoot through places which turn out to be expensive. – Safety/political situation may change.

– You can hook up with fellow travellers with the same flexibility. – You may end up lingering and feeling no need to move on, though not always a bad thing!

So now you’ve decided on the approach, you need to consider certain issues.

This is my preferred method, it allows me to get in and out (this is sometimes a visa requirement) but to then have flexibility within a country. For example if that country is India I tend to go as far as booking trains too as they can fill up weeks in advance. I would not recommend this method for anyone lacking confidence in themselves and their haggling abilities.

What is your Budget?

Once you have worked out your budget you need to look at costs of where you want to go and see how that fits in with your cash situation.

In terms of cheapest countries to travel in Asia, Nepal is by far the cheapest with India a close second. In SE Asia, Cambodia tops the list of cheapest countries with Singapore being the most expensive. The most expensive countries in Asia however are Bhutan and Tibet due to restrictions on tourists.

Consider the following:

 Flight costs

 Visa costs

 Costs once there

 Departure tax

Traveling by land often avoids departure tax, but not all border crossings offer Visas, additionally some visas must be purchased prior to travel such as India and China (amongst others).

Additionally you must weigh costs up, it might cost a lot in flights and visas but these may be balanced by the day to day costs once there.

Where do you want to go?

Are you looking to do family activities? What do you consider a family activity? Believe me, that absolutely stunning beach you step foot on might be paradise on earth, but after a few sand castles and a failed attempt to dig to Australia the kids will be looking for the days next activity. Likewise, if you trek around temples all day every day the mystique can easily become ‘just another temple’ to kids. I have always found that balancing what you do is the best way.

In terms of recommendations I would suggest all first time travelers head to SE Asia (see my recommended itineraries), seasoned travelers head to India and those with a bit more cash Central America. For those looking for adventure without the hassle then head to the US and for history buffs with money to burn to Europe.

But deciding where you want to go is only half the battle, you need to consider where you want to go in the place/region you want to go to.

A good idea is to start and look at transport connections within a country, if it has good flights (like SE Asia) then consider flying in and out of a hub (Kuala Lumpur and Singapore) or take the train North to South. Understand that land transport travels much slower than in the West and a 100km bus journey can easily take half a day. Do you want to take on a huge country like India? Or do you want quick hops between places?

You should also consider the costs for children, though many places offer free entrance for under 12’s some charge full price. Check UNESCO for prices to heritage sites, or most major attractions do have some kind of basic website detailing costs. Though not always for children unfortunately.

How long have you got?

People have often asked why I go away for such periods of time and not for just a fortnight. The answer is simple, the biggest costs related to a long haul holiday are likely to be the flights. But once there the costs are minimal and so if you are paying say £500 for return flights to Thailand, well the duration of your stay is then dependent only on your day to day costs.

Then think about a two week holiday, you will go and completely blow your budget within that fortnight, but go for six weeks (OK I accept the increased accommodation) and pace yourself and that 6 week holiday probably won’t cost that much more than 2 weeks.

In terms of advice for how long to go, I find 8 weeks is about right and fits my budget, but if the kids didn’t have school and I had a larger budget we would go for much longer, probably for years.

It’s all purely academic and most people will find themselves planning their time around factors they have little control over such as school and work.

Have you considered health issues such as Malaria and vaccinations?

Some vaccinations must be administered up to 6 weeks prior to travel with the majority requiring at least 2 weeks and so the sooner you get booked in with the nurse the better. Additionally you should consider paying the dentist a visit for a check-up.

I have been advised by a doctor in the UK that dental treatment in some countries is not carried out according to any kind of minimum standard and that any fillings etc should be done without local anaesthetic. With that in mind try and get a dentist to foresee any potential issues prior to travel.

You should also determine what Malaria prophylaxis you require, remembering that some anti malarials and vaccinations are unsuitable for young children.

See http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx for up to date information regarding travel to foreign countries and suggested vaccinations and malaria issues. Ultimately though a doctor/nurse should be consulted for the most up to date and reliable information and advice.

Those traveling with babies and young children have a plethora of other issues to consider, all of which are covered here.

Categories
Practical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s

Common Questions Answered

When deciding whether or not to go travelling with kids there are seemingly a million reasons not to go, and a billions ways in which things can go wrong. The reality is that these concerns rarely materialise, but there are certain responsibilities you have as a parent and with a little planning and a lot of hope you can streamline your trip and leave your worries at home.

It goes without saying that the number one concern for parents is safety and even now it is still what I plan everything around. Though it’s fair to say not every parent will let their kids para glide, or burn around town on a motorbike, we all have some level of safety which we need to meet in order to adhere to parental responsibility and also so we can relax a little without spending the duration worrying.

All of the different aspects of safety are covered in this website, but the reality is that with a bit of common sense and planning you can minimise risk and look forward to a fantastic holiday with the young ones in tow. Ticking the safety box however is just one area of travel. Travelling takes us out of our comfort zone and things which might not usually be a concern is suddenly a big deal – This is completely natural, everyone who travels for the first time will have some kind of reservations.

With that in mind I have trawled through the emails I have received and picked out the most common questions people have asked:

 Is travelling with kids exhausting?

It goes without saying that the younger your child is, the more tiring it will likely be, but as parents we are already used to long days and if you can settle into a routine and of course, once your child adjusts to the changes in temperature and humidity things get easier. I have always said that generally, the most difficult part of any trip we have done is the first week or so. However, older children are easy, they help out so much and love the responsibility. As my children have gotten older our trips are now very much ‘us’ where as when Abi was 4, it was most certainly ‘me and the kids’. Check out travelling with babies and young children for extra advice regarding our little mites.

Is it expensive?

That depends; It can be insanely expensive and costs can very quickly spiral out of control, or it can be almost as cheap as travelling alone. See the Money section for advice on how to keep costs down. Or – How to splurge without going bankrupt!

Does travel wear kids out?

If you board a lengthy train journey through stunning scenery then it doesn’t matter how beautiful the journey may be through your eyes, it will soon become a repetitive bore through those of a child. However, catching a child in that stage of boredom is fantastic, because with the right tools and ideas their imagination can run wild.

What about illnesses, I’ve heard it can be dodgy in places?

Increased risk of illness, poor sanitation and tropical diseases are obvious concerns for any parent, and for many it will be their major concern. Unfortunately there is no escaping the fact that when travelling, children are more likely to get ill than back in the UK. Similarly, medical standards may not always be to the same standard as in the UK, but with a little care, planning and common sense the risks of illness can be massively reduced. See the Stay well page for loads more info and advice.

 Does it get too hot for kids?

Put simply, yes it does. It gets too hot even for adults, but again, a little planning, a lot of sun lotion and gallons of water mean that the sun doesn’t have to be anything other than a necessary part of your trip. Check out the Climate section for how to deal with the varying weather.

Is it dangerous?

Some places are dangerous, but more often than not tourists are not the focus of criminals. Generally, your biggest risk is falling victim to some scam or at worst pick pocketing. But situations do change and when travelling you need to be aware of places that are more risky than others, and where to avoid. The UK government runs a site where you can check the situation prior to travel, or should you find yourself somewhere, how best to get out. See https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 What are the chances of me being scammed?

About 100%, but think about it, you are a foreigner probably in a country where poverty likely to be rife; you are fair game. Invariably you will pay more for a bottle of water than a local would, or it might even be a government enforced ‘tourist tax’ that stings you, but then again some people are conned out of lots of money. Avoid spending your holiday shelling out needless and copious amounts of cash by reading common Scams and preparing yourself.

 Can I book trains/buses/flights On-line?

Some things are vital to book prior to travel, whether to save money, or to guarantee a place.

Would you suggest nice hotels, or beds on a budget?

Booking hotels can be an absolute minefield. On the one hand you want somewhere cheap, but on the other you don’t want to literally get what you pay for when you hand over a crisp $5 note. There are a million things to consider in regards to where you are staying and different people will rank different aspects in a different order. For instance, my top 3 tend to be safety, cost and location. Yours might be safety, comfort and amenities.

I can barely manage money in the UK, how will I cope abroad?

Spending abroad has never been cheaper, or more efficient. The days of going to your local currency exchange and looking to get screwed are over. Read why in Money

What should I pack?

Remember, what you pack – You carry.  Check out the Packing section for essentials, and for short cuts.

OK, I’m ready to go – Now what?

Excellent, your life is about to change forever!!! Start Planning and look forward to your holiday of a lifetime!

Categories
Practical Information

Money

Money when backpacking
Whilst it is true that you can get by on very little in many countries around the world you still need money. If not for a roof over your head and food but so you can actually do something.In some countries it will feel like everyone is out to part you from your cash, but this is more often than not desperation rather than hustling. But taking care of your cash starts at home, from how to take your money to where to get the best rates. This section is not affiliated to anyone and so you can be sure that all the information here is borne purely from experiance and research.
Money when backpacking

Money

It used to be that travellers would stock up on as much local currency as they could, and stock a shed load of traveller’s cheques, getting stung by some form of exchange rate or commission at every step of the way.
Thank fully those days are gone, and the reality is all you need is a fistful of dollars and a bit of plastic.
Dollars are the international currency and exchangeable everywhere. Of course it makes sense to bring a little local currency but for countries where this isn’t possible (for example India) you are at the mercy of changing money and ATM’s. It doesn’t have to be any more than a necessary niggle though.

The single best app for your smart phone in regards to travelling is XE the free version is more than sufficient and will show you the bank rate of exchange so you know for sure if you are getting ripped off.

Be aware, some countries require you to pay for your visa on arrival in US Dollars, plan ahead.

Cash is king

Though common place in most parts of the world that are built up, ATM’s (cash machines) are not nearly as common or reliable once you go rural. Often there is just one ATM for miles and if it is out of service you are screwed. It is important that you consider the money situation before heading out anywhere where you may end up needing funds.
In every country we have ever travelled, there has always been an easy, effortless way to exchange US Dollars. More often than not you don’t even have to go looking, and so if you can’t take the local currency with you – Stock up on USD. Generally I always have about $100 on me somewhere, carried in notes not larger than $20. On many occasions you will find you can pay in USD if you get desperate.

Always check the rate on XE.com prior to changing money and always be vigilant.

Travelers cheques are now all but obsolete, so if you get offered some, ensure you can use them where you are headed.

Changing currency

When flitting between countries it is often necessary to get rid of the old currency, and there is always some shady looking character looking to rid you of the obsolete money. Done properly, it will pose no problems and you will be on your way having done a fair and often good deal. But it is also a king of the world way to get scammed. I am not joking, these money changers are like human calculators, they can work out the rate before you’ve even thought of it and more often than not will give you a good price.

How to avoid being ripped off:

  • Money changers are also the most amazing masters of sleight of hand that you will ever encounter. Always, always, always, always take the money from them and count it a minimum three times before you hand over your money to them.
  • When you hand over money to them (and this is important) count it out as you do so. I have had this happen to me, where I handed over a 100 note and quick as a flash the bloke was telling me it wasn’t enough and it had magically turned into a ten note in the split second I took my eye off him. Count out any large notes so that he knows that you know exactly what you are giving him.

There are also official money changers that will generally give you a good price (far better than in the UK). If you can’t find an official money changer just nip into a bank, or pay higher rates at the airport (not recommended, but an option nonetheless).

The boom of currency cards

The cheapest way to spend money overseas is using the right card, there are prepaid currency cards and specialised credit cards available, all offering different perks and rates.
You have the security of not carrying loads of cash around and the benefit of withdrawing from local ATM’s in the local currency. There is of course charges, but by and large you can save a lot of money when compared with using travel agents to get your cash. And with prepaid cards being available without a credit check they are available to anyone, easily topped up either online or over the phone and come with all the usual bells and whistles of a normal bank/credit card. The only difference is that you can’t spend what you haven’t got.
I could write for hours about the best card and why – But Martin Lewis of Moneysavingexpert.com has written a fantastically comprehensive article and I strongly recommend reading it.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Worth knowing: “MoneySavingExpert.com is free to use and free of advertising – you can’t pay to have content put on the site.   Articles are written based on specialised editorial research of the best ways to save money.”

To cut to the point:
Best card all round – Halifax Clarity (if paid off each month)
Best Debit Card – Norwich & Peterborough BS
Best prepaid card – Monzo
Cheapest foreign currency here.
As a final note on currency cards, I can personally vouch for FairFx, Monzo and Revolut, I have used these cards all over the world and never once had an issue. My favourite is Monzo due to the speed of showing transactions.

Banks

I bank with Natwest and every time I go away I buy all my flights etc using my debit card. Prior to travel I advise my bank I am going away and where to and lo and behold, a few days later my card gets blocked. After a £5 phone call to get it unblocked I carry on and sure enough, a few days later it gets blocked again. To the point that for me, it is completely unrealistic for me to use my debit cards abroad. I don’t know how other banks compare, but ensure you advise them prior to travel and cross your fingers.

Carrying your cash

I always carry my wallet in a zipped pocket and split things. I have in my wallet my FairFx, some local currency and maybe $20 in cash.
Then, in a safe place (along with my passports) I have my credit card, debit card and  cash. If I get pick-pocketed I only lose what I can afford to. That said, in 58 countries I know of only one time I have been attempted pick-pocketed and that was in Delhi, India.
Some people choose to wear a money belt, personally they make me itch. Others choose to carry old currency in a ‘fake’ wallet and so if they get robbed hand that over.
Whatever you choose to do I think it’s important to find the balance between being safe, using common sense and not inhibiting yourself through fear of being robbed.

Haggling

You will begin to feel like everyone is out for a slice of your bank balance and you won’t be wrong. You are seen as a rich person and to most, locals are fair game. Haggling is an absolute must and fully expected (where fixed prices aren’t displayed) and though many see bargaining as a chore, if you approach it with a smile you will soon slip into the routine and see things for what they really are – Two people trying to agree a price.

Simple rules:

  • Bargaining is not a test of pride, don’t treat it as such.
  • The seller will never under any circumstances sell you something for less than what they paid for it, no matter how much they say they are.
  • If you agree a price pay it, don’t move the boundaries.
  • Never get angry, or insulted no matter how insulted the seller claims to be by your offer, it’s all part of the process.
  • Realise what you are bargaining over, ten pence means more to him than you.
  • If you can’t agree a price simply say “ok, no thank you” and walk away, the price will almost always drop instantly to a more reasonable price.
  • Ask your hotel/hostel of what general costs are to give you an idea.
  • It is difficult to generalise, but in Egypt for example, you never pay more than 1/3 of the original asking price. At the very minimum you should start your bargaining at that, most people end up settling on about half of the original amount.
  • See scams for common buying pitfalls.

Costs

As economies hit the wall things get expensive and if you are king of haggling things get cheaper. Strut down the street like a tourist and you will expectedly get treated like one, you will pay more and get less. Exude a little confidence, know what to pay and you will give yourself the best opportunity of getting that rare gift of ‘the local’s price’
See the money section in country specific articles for approximate costs.
But remember, no two tourists pay the same price – Be the one that paid the least.
Good luck!

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