7 Tips to Keep your Tummy Safe While Travelling in South East Asia

I love to try new dishes when travel. I tried fried insect in Thailand and "dragon" meat in China. Those bizarre food are interesting but not my type of dish.

Source: Wikipedia

The worst tummy experience for me was in Poi Pet, Cambodia. I had  been on road from Malaysia to Cambodia around one week. I was very tired and ordered a bowl of porridge. It may be due to unhygienic water in that area. After that meal, I felt sick. I kept vomit and feeling dizzy. Due to my very pale look, The immigration didn't bother to look at my passport twice. He just wave his hand and instructed to leave immediately. 

That night, my parent brought me to visit doctor. Poi Pet had lost of casino. Thus, most of the casino have their medical team too. We were brought to meet the doctor. I was very dizzy, laying on the bed like a status. Next, a very strong smell of alcohol reach my nostril. I saw a doctor was swaying  left and right with a needle on his hand. I was praying very hard that he didn't inject me with needle. Luckily, The doctor also realize that my condition still stable. He just gave me some medicine and left. 

Later only I found out that the doctor was attending some local wedding ceremony. He been drinking quite heavily. Due to my condition, the hotel management request him to attend my case. Phew luckily, he did not give me injection. I can't imagine the consequence of poking at the wrong place.  After 3 days of medication, I felt better and proceed to Siam Reap. 

Here are & tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling

1. Go Easy on Fat & Sugar
2. Plan Your Meals
3. Go Easy on Spicy Foods
4. Eat Moderate Portions
5. Be Cautious of What You Eat
6. Party but Take Caution
7. Don't Eat Before Sleeping

Source: Lion and Lion , Gasvicon

That was  my experience. There are  many unplanned events happen during our travel. That is why I love travelling. I love to read this never ending book of earth. 

 How was your experience?  Any interesting food or experience to share? 

What to do when your luggage is lost?

Last week, I met 2  friends  who lost their luggage.

Friend A
She joined company trip to nearby countries. Once arrive at the airport, she was shocked to find out that her luggage is not on the convey belt.She immediately inform the airline company and tour agent. A lost report was made. During the whole travel trip, she need to buy new garments and other necessity to replace. Lucky, she can borrow her colleague's charger to charge her phone.

Once the trip ended and reach back hometown airport, she went to the lost counter to check on the progress. It was a miracle. She found her bag among the "hill" of lost luggage. It seem that the counter personnel did not tag the bag properly. The bag was left in the hometown airport all this while. That was the reason airline company was not able to trace her bags.

Friend B
He went to Africa for business trip. He was required to transit a few countries before reaching his destination. Unfortunately, he was not able to produce a valid travel visa during one of the transit. The main reason was that countries embassy was not operating due to unknown reason. How he solve it? I not sure. 
duit kopi??

When he reach hometown, airline company called to inform that the luggage was found. The luggage will be courier back to him.

Friend C
This happen during my last Bali trip 2012.  Before we enter the flight cabin, another round of security check point was needed. He put his bag for x ray scan. However, after he pack his phone and wallet from the x-ray security check, his bag was not found. He was not able to make any report too due to time constraint for the flight.

Tips to prevent/handle lost /delayed luggage problem
1) prepare some light travel garment in your personal bag
It is essential to have something to wear. Some countries just do not have the facilities for us to buy new garment. Friend B have to pay much higher price to buy his new set of garment before meeting client.

2) Make lost report with airline company
Airline company will take care and trace your luggage properly.

3) Make sure your checked in luggage is tag properly
At check in counter, please monitor that counter personnel stick or strap your luagge with the luagge id. the luggage id number usually will stick with boarding pass or passport. You can use that number to make lost report if the luggage was not found. 

4) Pray for safe and smooth journey
I believe some time praying will help to improve your luck.

Reflection on The Impact of Social Media on Travel Writing

 

Impact Of Social Media on Travel Writing

This is a great sharing. we need to filter the information we really want.
Hope everyone enjoy listen to it

Experiences with different countries tour guide

When I was small, I used to travel with my parents. For oversea trip, my parents prefered to buy a tour package and let them take care of everything. I grateful they did that. They let me explore the world and see the world in different manner. At least, I am more open minded and more mature now.

Due to tour agents too, I prefer to travel on my own. I prefer to do some research before travel around. I like to get near to the local and travel like a local. For the past 5 years, I did not join any tour package unless necessary.

REPUBLIC OF CHINA
I been to China six times. I travelled to Beijing, Shi chuan and Yunnan with tour packages. I visited Shanghai 3 times. The First Shanghai Trip is with tour agent. Second and third Shanghai trip is more to visit my outstation family members.

I could not really remember how the was the Beijing tour guide. I knew she was a lady. She kept bring us to commercial shop. Those place we really wish to see will walk very fast. Those commission shop can let us wait for more than one hour. That experience make me awaken. I really do not like to be chase when visit new place. We are not duck to be keep shooing around the new places.

Shi Chuan tour guide was also a very nice lady. She explained the nature very well. However, I think she dislike us too. All the members in the tour refused to buy from commission shops. We are so cooperative that once the explanation was over, we either rush to wash room or walk around and sit in the bus wait for the tour guide. It was really a great fun when tour members are cooperative

Shanghai tour guide was a guy. He was good in explanation too. Since some of the tour members not yet experience China style of commission shop, they really bought a lots of souvenirs. By the end of the tour, the tour guide was very happy to help out to carry all the souvenir they bought.

Yunnan tour package was a bit different. Our family join a local tour package that recommend by our relative. Traveling with local China tourists was a very unique experience. They talk very loud. Their stomach were like boundless universe. I still remembers how they praise us, Malaysian Chinese( 5 of us) eating very politely in the restaurant. That made me very proud as a Malaysian.Yunnan tour guide was the best I ever seen among my China trip. He spoke gently. There were less commission shops tour. He was so well verse in history that no questions can beat him.

BALI, INDONESIA
Initially, we planed to drive ourselves in Bali. After reading a few blogs on the traffic in Bali. That really made us think twice. We contacted Wayan Andy   as Bali driver. Wayan Andy was quite famous among Malaysian Bloggers. His review was really good. We did not get the change to experience his service. we got Tomy as our driver.

Technically, Tomy was a driver. Bali tourism board as stated clearly that driver and tour guide are different job. Bali tour guide must wear traditional Bali costume. Female tour guide need to wear Kebaya while male tour guide must wear sarong and hat. Since Tomy have a tour guide certificate, he don't mind explain to us on the history and culture of Bali.  I really appreciate his service.

Thus,  I introduced  him to my sister too. She traveled to Bali on June 2013 with her gang of BFF. Since Tomy was very young and relatively new in the industry, he charged relatively low compared to other. My sister was pleasant with her experience too. However, to cover up some cost, he bought them to his "friend" restaurant. My sister and her gang initially were okay with his choice of restaurant. The only thing they could not tolerate were some restaurant did not sell coconut. They love drinking coconut so much that they complain to Tomy and me. May be next time, we need to discuss clearly too with tour guide or driver before a trip.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

South Korea trip was a memorable one. It was CS and me first "honeymoon". We traveled by ourselves free and easy. The Korea tourism board really did a good job. They placed tour tourist information helpers around tourist spot. We can easily spot them by their red uniform. They were very helpful. They were like "Doremon". Their bag will be full of different language map to help us. Most of the Koreans we met were very helpful too. Even if they could not speak English, they will help us to the end. I really salute to South Korea.

We only joined Jeongsan Rail Bike tour package in South Korea. Rail Bike is located at the remote province. Since we are not able to travel there ourselves, we join Korail package. During registration, the receptionist was very patient and nice explain to us in broken English. He even print out a translated version itinerary. During the trip, some of the tour guide able to speak good English. They were really helpful in giving  the assembly time to us. We really have good experiences with Korea tour guide.

SABAH, MALAYSIA

Silver was our Sabah trip tour guide. I really enjoy chatting with him. He specialize in bird watching tour. During his free time, he study different kind of bird and listen to their chirp. He usually bring special request tourists for bird watching. It was interesting to see him recognize or track a bird in the forest. Birdwatching tour was very unique. Tour guide and tourist were required to stay in forest for more than 2 weeks. I am very fortunate to  know adventurous tour guide.

There are many different kind of jobs in the world. Tour guides were doing their job too. I am very happy to know different countries tour guide. Like Mat Gibson mentioned that There are treasure everywhere.  Many other tourism related job I would like to explore soon.

How I Allocate Travel Budget?

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The beauty of scenery  depend on your heart and mind

The distance of your trip depend on your wallet.

I like this quote. I heard it over the radio station. In my opinion, it was very profound. I not yet reach the state where I used up my time and money for a journey. During a trip planning, I will allocate a budget.

I seldom allocate  one day local trip budget. I usually just spend around RM100 for local one day trip.
Example are:

• Sekinchan
• Tanjung Sepat
• Sungai Chiling
• Book Fair

If the trip is overnight trip or oversea trip, I will plan my spending well.
List of budget items:

1) Transportation
If the trip required flight, flight ticket will be first priority. I will keep track every airline promotion. Compare the flight fare before buying. It become normal for me to stay up late nigh to grab the cheapest airfare.

Transportation will be depend on the tourist place

South Korea, China, Thailand, I will used public transport
Thailand, I will take cab
Bali, I will  chauffeur a driver. 

2) Accommodation
 This category is depend on the cleanliness and strategies location. This will take more time to allocate as i need to read all the relevant hostel review on TripAdvisor. For example, I want to visit Kuta, I will look at the location and cleanliness review.

3) Entrance ticket
The approximate ticket price will be research first before I allocate.

4) Luggage Fee
This is only small portion. It depend on the air line company.

5) Food and Beverage
Most of the remaining budget was spend in this category.

6) Souvenir
This is the section have the least budget. There are lots of reasons.

• Not enough money
• I will only buy thing that is "NEEDED" not "WANT"
• no place to put at home, mum will keep grumble since collect dust.
• my relatives or friends can travel themselves to get souvenir
• my photos, experiences and blog will be the best souvenir for all
•  I am environmental friendly person
• I feel sad to throw away non recyclable packaging
• The list will go on and on so I decided to stop here.

How to keep money while travel?
1) Ang pao
To prevent overspending or for backup purpose, I will use angpao to keep a sum. For example, South Korea hostel do not accept credit card. The  bill was known before the trip. I kept that portion of money in an angpao and written on it "hostel" It is very presentable too during the payment.  After the payment, angpao can be recycle too. Angpao is made out of paper. For me, I will always try to be environmental friendly when I travel.

2) "Ah Gong" wallet
"Ah Gong"  do not refer to the Chinese word grandfather. It is a term created by my boy friends (beloved boyfriend and other male friends). If a trip is with a few friends, we will give a minimum amount of money to a treasurer. The treasurer will be in charge of  "ah gong". Meal payment, buying entrance ticket or share a transportation, treasurer will used that money to pay. If the money run low, treasurer will informed everyone to top up.

This method curb the embarrassment of us seaching money while waiter waiting at our side. We do not have the trouble to pay up the bill later on. I do not like to look for small changes when other pay me back.  Since everyone travel together,the safeness of the money was ensure too.

3) Waist bag or necklace passport bad
This can be seen in travel shop.

DIfferent Power plug of the world

You know what to prepare when travel

Retrieve from facebook

List of Budget Air Lines

List of Budget Air Lines, there are lots of choices for us to choose. However, I still like Air Asia

Air Asia http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page

Cebu pacific airway http://www.cebupacificair.com/Pages/default.aspx

Dragon air http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/homepage

Fire fly https://booking.fireflyz.com.my/

Jetstar  http://www.jetstar.com/my/en/home

Lion Air  http://www2.lionair.co.id/Default.aspx

Malindo airways http://www.malindoair.com/en/

Mas wing http://www.maswings.com.my/

Nok air http://www.nokair.com/nokconnext/aspx/index.aspx

Oriental thai airway http://flyorientthai.com/en/home/?Language=Eng
Peach http://www.flypeach.com/tw/home.aspx

Scoot  http://www.flyscoot.com/index.php/en/

Silk air  http://www.silkair.com/SAA-flow.form?execution=e2s1

Tiger airway  http://www.tigerairways.com/my/en/index.php

Zest Airways  http://www.flyzest.com/

The creative way to write reminder

I was writing some reminder for my company event. In the end I found it boring to write the NORMAL way so i decided to add some "fun" and "interactive" inside the reminder. Please do not feel offended. Programmer tend to have a stressful life. Thus we like to have fun some time ^^

Reminders

- Please wear company T shirt else T shirt with collar
- Please wear sport shoes.
- please wear long pants/ sport wear(not loose pants)
- head gear will be provided (xxx do not provide showercap thus please bring your own napkin/ scarf/ tudung/cap/shower cap/whatever if you don't want an intimate touch between your hair and helmet)
- Long hair must be well-secured and kept under helmet.(this mean ***~.~)
- sunblock,sunglasses, longsleeve cover, tower and camera was encouraged to bring
- NO sandals and formal shoes please
- NO loose clothing while racing! This is to ensure safety.
- NO shawl was allowed
- NO need driving license for Go Kart
- NO jewellery allowed for safe game (can not bling bling other people eyes to win)
- Have FUN

Ps: luckily my boss no said anything after received the reminder above. Malaysia Boleh! Programmer BOLEH

Saving tips... Shopping deal......

After start working for sometime, I learn that financial planning is very important and crucial. To have a simple living yet looking for some fun, really need to understand how to manage the fund well. I like to use a quote from my friend.
 " Do you know that in Malaysia. Our living cost is increase exponentially while our salary is just moving slow and steady"
~ by JC

ok may be a graph can make you understand

  In buddhism, I learn that To live happily is to change our attitude or thinking in  the current environment. I can't change the fact that ya this life is not a bed of rose. However, I know how to save money, how to learn, How to live at the moment..........

So there are some saving tips i learn is to visit shooping deals website where some time you can find great deal and get it a cheaper price. That how i can still enjoy food, game and travel.

Groupon Malaysia

My Deal

We Buy

Everyday

daily sugar

hahah

Milk A Deal

Streetdeal 

 

I love discounts 

deals navigator

 Deal Navigator

Travel tips

Travel tips from travel kaki

1) do your homework vs don't do homework

better do some research before travel. at least can save some money and save time too

Don't do homework also can it will be a total new experience where you may visit new places and more discovery. my experience in sungai limbang is a totaly cool experience. we simply drive around the place and found some new places to explore. I kind of like this feeling there are lots of surprise by the en of the day

3) prepare to get dirty

to travel light need to bring less things

so bring less clothes

What to do if not enough money? but still want to travel

1) borrow loan

borrow loan mean borrow from someone trusted . for example, brother sister, father mother or friends however do not overturn their trust must pay back.

2) find trusted place to stay

stay at relative place or friend places. it can save alot of money

heheh some time you got the chances to visit more places and enjoy more delicacies. most important free place to stay. in return deepen the relationship. provided he or she is free ta that time

3) stay at home surf more internet

at least your mind is travelling