Before You Go - Preparation and Packing

Disclaimer: All the advice here is very general and reflects entirely my own experiences and how I like to travel - everyone's trip is different and obviously a lot depends on where you're going and for how long.  
What's here is just a starting point to get you thinking about what applies to your trip.  I’m sure those of you planning a last minute city break to Paris won’t be needing jabs and malaria tablets (...OR WILL YOU?).  It's always a good idea to consult many sources of information, and not just one hastily-put-together website you accidentally found when looking for quick-results sunburn solutions.

I should warn you in advance that I am incredibly paranoid and anxious when it comes to being COMPLETELY PREPARED FOR EVERY EVENTUALITY WHILST TRAVELLING.  I once spent a stupid amount of money, very last minute before a trip to Honduras, on a contraption to pump out venom from snake bites.  It wasn't until I was in the country that I found out I had no idea how to use it.  And still don't.  Apologies to those more relaxed travellers out there who take no more than their passport, the clothes they're wearing and a bad hat. I salute you.

Here's how I try to prepare myself for a trip:

LISTS
  • To Do 
  • To Buy
  • To Pack
  • On Arrival

RESEARCH
  • Buy a guidebook 
  • Check out travel blogs, websites and online forums e.g. I Should Tend To My Sunburn, Wikipedia and the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum (what's that? needless self-aggrandisement?)
  • Read the latest news reports and tweets from people in the country right now
  • Find out what literature has come out of the country e.g. popular novels
  • Brush up on local customs 
  • Learn how to say the basics in the local language e.g. hello/please/thank you
  • Find out the location/phone number/opening times of the nearest embassy/consulate for your nationality
  • Find out seasonal weather conditions/temperatures
  • Investigate what adaptor/s you will need
  • Research what kind of internet availability you can expect
  • Note down what's on when you're going to be there e.g. festivals, shows, events

TRANSPORT

  • Find out safety/cost/availability of transport
  • Book flights
  • Print tickets
  • Set aside money for local transport


PASSPORTS AND VISAS

  • Find out if you need a visa
  • Apply/pay for visa or set aside money to buy one on arrival
  • Check expiration date of passport (most countries require you to have at least 6 months/1 year left on it)
  • Get some passport photos done (useful for permits)

ACCOMMODATION 

  • Find out safety/ideal location/cost/availability of accommodation
  • Book accommodation 
  • Print confirmation

INSURANCE

  • Get a policy that covers the duration of your trip and any/all activities
  • Print insurance details

HEALTH

  • Make an appointment at your local travel clinic
  • Malaria pills - find out if you need them, order the right type, and find out when you should start taking them
  • Order adequate contact lenses/solution
  • Get an eye test and update any glasses if necessary 
  • Find out if any medication you're taking is legal in your destination and if you can buy more of it out there

MONEY

  • Find out the local currency and the conversion rate
  • Order/collect currency (taking US dollars is often a wise idea, wherever you are going)
  • Find out which of your debit/credit cards can be used in your destination
  • Create a rough budget for your entire trip, including a daily limit
  • Tell your bank where you're going and for how long

ELECTRICALS

  • Find out if you can use your phone abroad/how much it will cost
  • Get your phone unlocked, if necessary
  • Install relevant apps e.g. map/language related apps
  • If you have a pay-monthly contract phone, work out how much you will need to leave in your account to pay it, and factor that into your budget
  • Update your mp3 player with new songs, especially for long trips
  • Charge phone/mp3 player/camera

AT HOME

  • E-mail itinerary/accommodation information/passport photocopy etc. to someone you trust at home
  • Arrange pet/plant care
  • Turn off heating etc. and consider getting a house-sitter if you're going away for a long time, or at least arrange for someone to keep an eye on the house.  Leaving a key with a neighbour/family friend is a good idea, just in case there are any problems.

PACKING

  • Ensure everything is ticked off your To Pack list
  • Lay everything out
  • Pack
  • Weigh all bag/s (and know your baggage allowance for any/all airlines)


Feel free to download and edit the Preparation and Packing checklists below:
packing_check_list.docx
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File Type: docx
Download File
preparation_check_list.docx
File Size: 20 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

After Arrival - Health and Safety

My most hated things about travelling; mosquito bites and sunburn.  Wherever I go, they follow me around like the plague.  Which is probably another travel-related health issue I'm going to have to deal with at some point. Top advice here will include 'how to only gently push your mother on a  sledge into a wall of snow', and questions will be asked about how wise it is to get into a tiger enclosure whilst a staff member is trying, on purpose, to irritate any and all tigers in sight.  

Here are a few ideas for keeping safe and healthy on any trip:

HEALTH

  • Mosquitoes - use a net, take your malaria pills as prescribed, consider packing quinine, use bug repellent, and wear long sleeves and trousers at night.  Know what the symptoms of malaria are (they're very similar to those associated with the flu e.g. fever, headache, being sick, shivering) and if you suspect you or anyone else might have it, get to a doctor/clinic immediately.  Be aware that symptoms might not show until you are home.  Apply anti-itching cream to insect bites to stop yourself scratching them and getting them infected.

  • Water - find out if it's safe to drink tap water, or whether you will need to boil it or add something to purify it (like iodine or water purification tablets).   

  • Food - wash your hands before eating anything, eat at popular places (food is less likely to have been left sitting, and people won't keep going back if they're getting ill), cook raw meat properly and wash fruit before eating. 

  • Animal Bites - if you're bitten by any animal, get medical attention as quickly as possible.

  • Sun - stay out of it as much as possible.  Use high factor suncream and wear sunglasses/hats/clothes that cover your skin.  Drink plenty of water.  Tend to any sunburn (eh eh eh) with after-sun lotion.

  • Medical Services - have an idea of where the nearest ones are and how you might contact them in an emergency e.g. telephone numbers for ambulance services.   


SAFETY

  • At Night - avoid being alone if possible, try and use well-lit routes and use transport where possible.  Know where you're going before you set out.  It helps if someone has a rough idea of when you should be back.

  • Crowds - it's not always possible but it's best to avoid crowds (unless y'know, you're at a concert or something).  Things can easily kick off and become unpredictable.  Avoid getting involved in riots/protests where possible.

  • Keep Updated - listen to the news and know which areas are likely to be dangerous. If something does happen, inform family/police/health services/insurance companies etc. as soon as possible. 

  • Animals - try and keep a safe distance from wild animals and sometimes, even tame ones (see the tiger there). Even supposedly tame ones can be unpredictable.  Know the dangers associated with the animals you are likely to come across in your destination.

  • Possessions - know what they look like and stay close to them as far as possible.  Keep valuables hidden as much as you can.  

  • Money - spread money out e.g. some in your wallet/purse, some in your hand luggage, some in your rucksack etc. (personally I think socks/bras are great for this).  Some say use a money belt and hotel safes, other's aren't a fan.  Do financial transactions quickly.  Cover your pin at ATMs and look around to make sure no one is trying to read it over your shoulder, or make off with your money.

  • Clothing - avoid flashy clothing/jewellery that will make you stand out and make you look as if you have a lot of money.  Dress for the weather/climate.  In some areas, it's a good to dress more conservatively so as not to cause offence.  

  • Drink/Drugs - generally it's a good idea to avoid taking drugs, especially as the repercussions for getting caught are often far worse in other countries compared to the UK.  Know what the laws are regarding drink/drugs and respect them. 

  • Transport - if you're driving, make sure you have a spare tyre/map/water/phone etc. with you, and have an idea how far away fuel is likely to be.  Wear seat-belts where available.  For some types of transport e.g. motorbikes, wear a helmet.  Know the local rules for driving e.g. speed limits and whether to drive on the left or right.   
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