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Travel Tips/Safety Advice for DD's Trip Travelling around Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Australia.

15 replies

Fourkidstwodogs · 01/06/2018 17:43

Hello :) 22yo DD is taking a year out to go travelling with a good friend from University. She has travelled fairly extensively but more package type trips than backpacking. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips of things to take? A friend mentioned about making sure that she purchased a Pacsafe to keep all her belongings safe and to ensure that nothing could be slipped into her luggage, and I read that a door wedge is really good to travel with for added security when she sleeps; does anyone have any other suggestions? Or an idea of keeping in touch? We were thinking a weekly text or fb message on a set day but wondered if anyone knows of anything better? Big thanks :)

OP posts:
specialsubject · 01/06/2018 20:21

pacsafe is a sucker trap, extra weight and just shouts 'dopey gappie'. take less and remember fellow tourists are j ust as big a risk for theft.

proper insurance, not annual cover. read it. if working, then the right cover for that.

ears free of earphones, eyes away from the brick, bloodstream not full o f booze, no mopeds or motorbikes, dress properly, no sunbathing, travel jabs, deet 24/7 except australia, food hygiene.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/06/2018 20:26

There is plenty of info online but you may want to start here:-

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
www.travelfish.org/travel-planning/travel-health-safety-tips
www.tripsavvy.com/staying-safe-in-southeast-asia-1629309

I would also read the Lonely Planet guides to these nations as well.

I would be requesting contact more than just simply weekly and on set days of the week.

specialsubject · 01/06/2018 21:39

door stop again. going to work well in a dorm, that...

and I am afraid that in many parts of the world, 'wandering about heavily intoxicated' greatly increases the risk of something nasty happening.

Fourkidstwodogs · 01/06/2018 23:10

Thank-you for all the links and information! I shall pass on the advice and get reading the links. Flowers

OP posts:
P0ppyyell0w · 02/06/2018 11:15

To be aware of scammers in all countries locals and fellow travellers. Have access to emergency money. It's generally cheaper to book trips once in that country, rather than from home country. Must have travel insurance. Some airlines won't let you fly without an exit flight eg Vietnam. Check visas and do not over stay, check the rules of the visa. If I'll seek treatment early. Don't carry heavy rucksack, travel as light as possible. Respect the local people and customs. Will need long skirt or trousers and long sleeve top to go into temples, places of worship.

specialsubject · 02/06/2018 11:28

she gets reading the links and arranging the insurance, not you. independent traveller and all that...

Fourkidstwodogs · 03/06/2018 09:16

Thanks all! :) Exciting times ahead! Flowers

OP posts:
ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 03/06/2018 09:20

Tell her to research the towns and villages she plans to visit so she can find out in advance if there are any areas that are no go /best avoided areas,

ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 03/06/2018 09:23

www.globaltelesat.co.uk/spot-gen3-satellite-gps-tracker?gclid=CjwKCAjwo87YBRBgEiwAI1LkqTaPCflhEV3LhjFpDg23ZXWs2AbPNhY_QJ7AD4y1k9aybx1EC3gcsxoC5Z4QAvD_BwE

Something like this may settle your mind, it will record where in the world she is...her exact location...she can speak to you, by pushing a button...and if she gets I'll, injured or in trouble/danger, a push of a button and help will come as it records her location at all times

ElderflowerWaterIsDelish · 03/06/2018 09:28

www.amazon.co.uk/LifeLock-Travel-Safety-Portable-Pocket-sized/dp/B00IYLAY0S?tag=mumsnetforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Door-Jammer-Portable-Door-Security-Device/dp/B00N95IVSQ/ref=cts_lu_3_vtp?tag=mumsnetforum-21

And something like these for the doors of the rooms she will be sleeping in to give them a bit of extra security...

Also before she goes can she not take a quick self defence class, I don't mean like karate, but just regular kind like what to do if someone grabs you from behind etc then it will give you more peace knowing she has that knowledge too

Broken11Girl · 03/06/2018 09:31

To trust her instincts - if someone gives her that gut feeling they're a wrongun, get away. Don't be polite and nice (or naice) in such situations.
Don't arrange contact on specific days, you'll only panic when she just couldn't find Internet / it was so slow it was unusable/ she forgot.
Sadly, 'modest' dress makes things a lot easier in terms of not getting hassle from creepy men and generally seen as a clueless tourist. What constitutes appropriate clothing varies according to where you are - Lonely Planet and Rough Guides provide useful guidance. I don't mean inches of flesh covered, eg taking shoes off to visit temples, palaces, museums etc is polite in the SE Asian countries you mention, as is avoiding shorts or vest/ shoulderless tops. Not draconian, but if you wouldn't wear it as a tourist to Buckingham palace or a cathedral don't wear it to the equivalent.
Most importantly relax, thousands of kids go on their gap yah and return unscathed - having had a great time and grown up a lot.

specialsubject · 03/06/2018 09:39

again , none of this is any use in a dorm.

combo padlock costs a fiver, no batteries, no key to lose.

there are many places where pushing a button will do nothing. if she is used to the eight minute ambulance she had better not leave London.

her route is well trodden gappie stuff. stay sober and dont filll the bag with useless gadgets.

PawprintsOnMyHeart · 03/06/2018 09:52

I've travelled a lot in all the countries you mention - sometimes alone, when I was a young woman.

My best advice - use common sense, listen to your gut instinct, and don't get too drunk or take drugs.

Don't carry around too much cash at any one time - there's no need to in this day and age. Get one of those pre-paid travel cards which don't charge you to withdraw money, and only carry a small amount of cash, My rule of thumb was - if my bag got stolen, can I afford to lose the cash that is in it? If the answer was no - I was carrying too much cash. It's worth paying a quid or so to withdraw cash/use a card if it means your money is safe.

I had my bag nicked twice - once was in a hostel in Australia where I went to cook dinner and couldn't be bothered carrying my handbag around the kitchen with me. I trusted my fellow travellers. Big mistake. The other time was at Cairns airport, arrived, was faffing about with bags at the taxi rank - handbag was nicked. The lesson - get a small handbag and carry it everywhere.

Take a photo/scan of her passport and cards, and keep a copy, but get her to email it to herself too so that she has access to it if her bag is stolen.

As for personal safety - trust your gut. Don't get into situations with strangers that you can't get out of. Don't feel obliged to go along with someones offer of a place to stay/a lift/a free tour... stick with other travellers, and if it feels wrong, say no. If sh'es going on a trip where she's out of range for a few days - make sure she tells someone (you) where she's going beforehand, who with etc.

Most of the horror stories we hear about travellers getting into trouble unfortunately involve drugs or alcohol. So just tell her to keep her wits about her.

Don't pre-arrange a time to contact each other - it will only make you worry yourself sick if she forgets or can't get in touch for some reason. In this day and age with instant messaging constantly available, you should be able to text her frequently.

specialsubject · 03/06/2018 15:11

those common sense rules apply everywhere. just because she is on holiday doesnt negate them.

and yes, the other gappies are the highest risk. i recall the words of one hostel manager in NZ - ' I can entirely see why their parents give them lots of money to go as far away as possible'.

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