| > | | | | and practice them at the mom-and-pop shops or |
| Traveling to Asia can be fuss-free and enjoyable | | | | night bazaars. |
| when you are prepared. Thinking through your | | | | - You'll be surprised how knowing a few local |
| logistics and learning a few local words can make | | | | words may make your Asian vacation so much |
| your Asian vacation more rewarding. Whether | | | | more enjoyable. |
| you are planning to go to Asia for business or | | | | - 4. Think about your e-mail. |
| pleasure, chances are you'll find the whole | | | | - If you are going to a metropolitan center, you'll |
| experience a little daunting. It can be a long way | | | | probably never need to worry about finding a |
| to travel, and if you have never been to a place | | | | wireless connection. But remember that some |
| where English is not spoken, it can be a little | | | | parts of Asia still do not give you immediate |
| unnerving. However, traveling to Asia can be | | | | access to your email. Ask your internet service |
| quite straightforward when you make sure that | | | | provider about roaming service, where you will be |
| you are prepared. | | | | able to use the local telephone lines to dial up. |
| - 1. Check the weather. | | | | This is a great way to make sure you can get to |
| - In many Asian countries, including Vietnam, | | | | what you need. |
| Thailand, and some parts of China, you will see a | | | | - 5. Think about your luggage. |
| wet season and a dry season. While light clothes | | | | - Remember that you'll be dragging your luggage |
| might be appropriate in any case, sometimes | | | | behind you for the entire trip, so make sure that |
| remembering to pack rain gear can save your | | | | it will last! There are other ways to save money |
| trip! This is especially true if you intend to visit | | | | but invest in durable luggage. To make sure that |
| different parts of a country. | | | | no mistakes are made, think about personalizing |
| - For example, the west coast of Thailand may | | | | your suitcase with stickers or labels. This will help |
| experience a different season from the eastern | | | | ensure that no one walks off with it by mistake. |
| side at any one time. So if you find resplendent | | | | - It is also a good idea to change the number |
| sunshine in Phuket, it might possibly be raining in | | | | setting if you are using combination locks. Far too |
| Koh Samui. Don't be caught out. | | | | many people leave the combinations set to the |
| - 2. Use plastic. | | | | default 000 or change it to 123, which are not too |
| - When you are planning your trip, think about | | | | difficult for a crook to guess. Take your time and |
| putting the majority of your expenses onto a | | | | come up with a good combination. |
| credit card. This way, not only will you be able to | | | | - Note also that many countries in Asia scramble |
| have a paper trail of the money you have spent, | | | | to call themselves the 'factory of the world', being |
| you'll also find that you can stop payment if your | | | | the outsourced manufacturing centers for many |
| card gets skimmed. It is also a very portable way | | | | multi-national companies. As such, you'll find better |
| to pay for things. | | | | deals for souvenirs in Asia than you ever will in |
| - 3. Learn a bit of the language. | | | | South America or Africa. So prepare for the |
| - Even if you are only visiting for a short while, it | | | | unexpected shopping spree. Make room in your |
| will help you to learn some basic phrases. | | | | luggage for your shopping. Or take along a spare |
| - When you try to use the language native to an | | | | foldable bag that can be slipped into your luggage |
| area, you'll find that the people are much more | | | | easily. |
| likely to look on you kindly. So try to learn the | | | | - Putting your shopping into a carton and sealing it |
| basics like please and thank you. | | | | with cellotape is no go. Neither is using those $1 |
| You'll also want to learn directional words like | | | | plastic cheapos you find at many Asian bazaars. |
| left and right, which can be quite | | | | You don't want to be surprised by a burst-open |
| handy for obvious reasons. The local words for | | | | carton or plastic bag when your return home.So |
| numbers will also be useful if you are going to be | | | | consider these pre-trip ideas and enjoy a great |
| shopping. Pick up especially phrases for bargaining | | | | Asian holiday. |