How to Prepare for Your First Trip to South East Asia

Are you currently knee-deep in preparations for your first trip to South East Asia and the stress is beginning to get to you? Planning holidays do tend to carry at least a small amount of stress with it, but when you are visiting a country or region you’ve never been to before, there are a whole other host of challenges that will play into the planning process. Obviously, you want to make the trip as special as possible, which proper preparation and planning can help ensure.

So, before you start getting too flustered or worse yet allow that stress to spill over into your excitement and anticipation around your trip, here are some tips that will help you prepare for your first trip to South East Asia. If you want a little more help planning your trip, check out http://seetheworld.co.nz/ for some great guides.

Look Into Travel Insurance

While no wants want to think about an emergency occurring on your holiday, or right before you are set to depart, unfortunately, these things can happen. Falling ill while in a foreign country is not only frustrating, but it can end up costing you a small fortune if you don’t have travel insurance. Not to mention the other things that travel insurance can offer protection for, such as lost or damaged luggage.

Travel insurance from Staysure is a good example of the kind of insurance provider who offer “single trip travel insurance” packages for those seeking decent cover during their travel abroad. This is insurance coverage just for the duration of one trip. This is ideal for those who travel from time to time and are just looking for coverage during a set time period. The insurance kicks in from the day of your holiday and ends when you return home. Just in case, you’ll have access to 24-hour medical emergency support through various providers, which can prove to be invaluable in those emergency situations.

Pick Just a Few Countries to Visit

If you plan on visiting more than one country while in South East Asia, it’s a good idea to keep the list relatively small. The last thing you want is to feel rushed at each destination and as though you didn’t get a real taste of the country. Instead, it’s better to schedule a few days in each country and keep the list small.

When travelling from country to country, you’ll also want to look for direct flights or trains that make as few stops as possible. This means you’ll have more time left for sightseeing rather than spending it in transit.

Ensure You Have All the Proper Travel Documents

Here’s something you’ll want to do well in advance of your trip, and that’s to ensure you have all your required travel documents. As soon as you figure out what your itinerary will be (what countries you plan on visiting), you should apply for your travel documents. Keep in mind where you are travelling from and where you are going to in South East Asia, as you may not need a travel visa.

Do Your Research on Sights and Attractions

Of course, the bulk of your trip will be the attractions and sightseeing you’ll be doing, which is why you want to start doing your research well in advance. You can check out online guides, reviews from other travellers, official tourist websites, and chat with friends/family who may have visited South East Asia.

Visit a Travel Clinic or Your Doctor

Another tip is to ensure you visit a travel clinic or your doctor and discuss your travel plans. It may be the case that you need specific vaccinations to be on the safer side of a visit to a particular region. At the very least, it’s an opportunity to get some sage travel advice from a medical professional.

Ensure You Don’t Over-Pack

This tip is especially useful if you are planning on visiting more than one country on your trip, or even moving from accommodation to accommodation within the same country. Packing light just makes it easier for you as you move through airports, train stations, bus terminals, and taxis. Educate yourself on what the weather will be like at that time of year, and then pack accordingly. For example, it’s always good to have some wet-weather clothes with you. But instead of packing a bulky jacket, you might want to consider going with something like a lightweight rain poncho instead. It’s more compact and you’re less likely to overheat while wearing it!

Comfortable Walking Shoes are a Must

Here’s another packing tip that all too often gets ignored, and that’s to ensure that you pack comfortable and wear supportive walking shoes. If you plan on doing any sort of tours or sightseeing, then you’re going to be thankful for that pair of athletic shoes. Not only will they be more comfortable, but they will offer better support and grip on uneven surfaces, which can help prevent a fall or a stumble. Packing colorful shoes, such as bright green or all yellow shoes, can help you stand out in a crowd with your group, so consider shoes that are easily recognizable from a distance. 

You’re Ready to Enjoy Yourself

While the trip planning process can seem to take forever sometimes and is filled with stress and obstacles along the way, at the end of the day, it’s this planning and preparation that will help ensure that your trip isn’t just a nice getaway but a memory of a lifetime.