Ever since I started travelling, which was only a few years ago, I have been giving myself travel rules to follow while collecting tips and tricks from others. Here are some of them:
- In the end, all you need is your passport (and visa), wallet, house keys, and phone. The rest can be replaced fairly easily.
- Share all your important travel info with at least one person who is not travelling with you.
- Fly Emirates whenever you can. They have the best food, entertainment, and friendliest crews.
- Flight pillows and foldable water bottles are good investments. Get it. And use it.
- Taking the country’s original flight guarantees you a nice cultural meal, like JAL or Garuda.
- Carry a backpack if you are travelling by air, especially if your trip involves multiple stops and days. It’s very useful.
- Pack an extra pair of easy-to-access underwear in your carry-on or backpack.
- Invest in a good travel backpack. My current backpack is the Boondocker Recycled 26L Backpack from Passenger.
- Bring a Kindle (in the backpack above) and sunnies, regardless of the weather.
- Hang Out With Locals. If the opportunity naturally comes, I welcome it. Locals always know places no travel guide ever will.
- Your travel clothes and stuff will magically fit into your luggage. Whatever the size is.
- Research the place you are visiting.
- Stay in an Airbnb for the closest-to-being-a-local experience.
- But stay in a hotel if you prefer a hassle-free travel experience.
- More importantly, do some research and stay in the right spot in the place you are travelling to, depending on your interests.
- If you travel to the same place often, especially for work, try to stay in different locations/hotels and definitely try different restaurants and activities.
- Do a bit more research and stay in a newly built hotel. They are usually better, cleaner, friendlier, and cheaper.
- Don’t consume weed hours before your next flight.
- Support the local economy and, more importantly, respect the locals.
- Visit the market, preferably the fish market.
- Carve some me time for yourself, especially if it’s more than a long weekend trip.
- Don’t drink anything but water on the plane, even if you really, really love wine.
- Do the same things you like at home in a foreign place. For example, if you love hanging out in the coffee shop/or spending hours in the bookstore back home, do the same in the new place you are visiting.
- Bring a journal, travel journal, or a memory recorder beyond your iPhone camera, unless your iPhone camera can capture emotions.
- A facemask on the plane is a treat.
- Don’t fly a long-haul flight on your heaviest period day, if possible; if it’s unavoidable, book an aisle seat.
- Otherwise, always book a window seat, especially on long flights when you plan to sleep.
- Visit 7-11 or equivalent, and stock up on local snacks.
- Speaking of which, buy the bulk of your souvenirs from the local supermarket. Everyone loves to try unusual food, skincare, and even household items.
- At least learn how to say “thank you” in the local language (in Bahasa Indonesia, it’s “terima kasih“) and use it often.
- If you are arriving late at night and or leaving super early in the morning, book a hotel near the airport.
- Otherwise, always book a hotel near the hustle and bustle. Rule of thumb: If you’re in a rush, you should be able to go downstairs in your sleeping gown to grab something or make a last-minute purchase late at night, all within 10 minutes.
- If you are checking in, bring a large luggage, but only fill it halfway.
- Read books about the place you are travelling to, even if it’s fiction, or if you are in a pinch, a children’s book is better than nothing.
- Pay attention to how a new place makes you feel—if it’s not giving good vibes, GTFO.
- Tip when can. Especially when someone made my trip better. Good energy and generosity while travelling matter.
🛫 ━ KK.
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