Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

♦ Take photo copies of all your travel documents, keep them separate from the originals and e-mail all your details such as passport numbers, your itinerary etc to your own email address in case your lose anything.

♦ Pack as light as possible and always pack your own bags and do not offer to carry any parcels for anyone. The penalties for possession of or trafficking in drugs in some countries can include long prison sentences or even death. You might also wind-up having to pay fines if the items are prohibited as well as duty/tax.

♦ Before travelling, find out the general dress code for the country. Once you arrive, take note of what local women wear to get an idea of appropriate attire.

♦ Use a handbag with an inner zippered pocket and a strong strap. Preferably, wear the strap across the body, to make it more difficult for thieves to steal. Consider wearing a money belt under your clothes.

♦ Where possible arrange to be met at the airport by someone you know. If you are being collected by a driver always establish their bona fides by asking their name, enquire who they are waiting for and where they intend taking you.

♦ Stay in a hotel or guesthouse on a residential street that has a number of restaurants and late-night stores. This is far safer than staying in a corporate area that will be quiet at night and so less secure.

♦ Hotel Safety. This is really an important tip which I need to use and do so frequently whether I am traveling with someone or not.

♦ Never let on that you are travelling alone. Inform inquisitive strangers that you are expecting your friend or meeting your partner.

♦ Avoid wearing provocative, figure-hugging clothing. Unwanted attention can be also avoided by wearing a wedding ring and avoiding eye contact

♦ Act confidently. Know where you are going and what you are doing, and walk with assurance. Confidence can be a major deterrent of criminal activities, such as petty theft and harassment.

If you decide to rent a car, need to drive to a location or just want to be adventurous...great! Lock the car doors when driving. Hide road maps. These may tip off a potential car jacker that you are not local to that area. Try and make sure that there isn't a huge car rental sticker on the back window. Contact the car rental company before you arrive regarding that policy and what they might be able to do to help. Most have scaled down their advertising on cars, specifically to take you off the target list!

ALWAYS take a cellular phone. If you don't have time to get a phone before your trip, take something that LOOKS LIKE a cell phone. If you ever feel that you are being followed by a stranger or if anyone, especially a strange man, on the highway attempts to flag down, DO NOT PULL OVER! Get out your phone and call someone, or even PRETEND to call someone. This is a major deterrent to would-be attackers who will think you are able to call the police. NEVER pull over to help a hitchhiker or a person with car trouble. Call the police from your cell phone or from a phone from a safe BUSINESS in the next town.

When travelling in/to a Buddhist countries, Laos and Thailand, be aware of potential dangers of association with monks. As we understand it, monks are reputable people with a highly commendable goal. Being a monk in these countries carries much virtue and respect. However, a minimum service as a monk is part and parcel of being born a son in many of these countries. In order to give thanks to his parents for being born a boy, a boy must serve a minimum of two months in a monastery before the debt is repaid (this figure varies cross-culturally). A monk could be anyone. Remember monks should NOT associate with women, regard it wearily if they do. After all they are only human.

"Without Animals ther is no Paradise"

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