| Whether you are planning to go to Asia for | | | | 4. Think about your e-mail. |
| business or pleasure, chances are you might find | | | | If you are going to a metropolitan center, you'll |
| the whole experience a little daunting. It can be a | | | | probably have no problem finding a wireless |
| long way to travel, and if you have never been | | | | connection. But remember that some parts of |
| to a place where English is not spoken, it can be a | | | | Asia still do not give you immediate access to |
| little unnerving. However, traveling to Asia can be | | | | your email. Ask your internet service provider |
| quite straightforward when you are prepared. | | | | about roaming service, where you will be able to |
| 1. Check the weather. | | | | use the local telephone lines to dial up. This is a |
| In many Asian countries, including Vietnam, | | | | great way to make sure you can get to what |
| Thailand, and some parts of China, you will see a | | | | you need. |
| wet season and a dry season. While light clothes | | | | 5. Think about your luggage. |
| might be appropriate in any case, sometimes | | | | Remember that you'll be dragging your luggage |
| packing rain gear can save your trip! This is | | | | behind you for the entire trip, so make sure that |
| especially true if you intend to visit different parts | | | | it will last! There are other ways to save money |
| of a country. | | | | but invest in durable luggage. To ensure that no |
| For example, the west coast of Thailand may | | | | one walks off with you luggage by mistake, think |
| experience a different season from the eastern | | | | about personalizing your suitcase with stickers or |
| side at any one time. So if you find resplendent | | | | labels. |
| sunshine in Phuket, it might possibly be raining in | | | | It is also a good idea to change the number |
| Koh Samui. Don't be caught out. | | | | setting if you are using combination locks. Far too |
| 2. Use plastic. | | | | many people leave the combinations set to the |
| When you are planning your trip, think about | | | | default 000 or change it to 123, which are not too |
| putting the majority of your expenses onto a | | | | difficult for a crook to guess. Take your time and |
| credit card. This way, not only will you be able to | | | | come up with a good combination. |
| have a paper trail of your spending, you can also | | | | Note also that many countries in Asia scramble to |
| stop payment if your card gets skimmed. It is | | | | call themselves the 'factory of the world', being |
| also a very portable way to pay for things. | | | | the outsourced manufacturing centers for many |
| 3. Learn a bit of the language. | | | | MNCs. As such, you'll find better deals for |
| Even if you are only visiting for a short while, it | | | | souvenirs in Asia than you ever will in South |
| will help you to learn some basic phrases. | | | | America or Africa. So prepare for the unexpected |
| When you try to use the language native to an | | | | shopping spree. Make room in your luggage for |
| area, the people are much more likely to look on | | | | your shopping. Or take a spare foldable bag that |
| you kindly. So try to learn the basics like "please" | | | | can be slipped into your luggage easily. |
| and "thank you". You'll also want to learn | | | | Putting your shopping into a carton and sealing it |
| directional words like "left" and "right", which can | | | | with cellotape is no go. Neither is using those $1 |
| be quite handy for obvious reasons. The local | | | | plastic cheapos you find at many Asian bazaars. |
| words for numbers will also be useful if you intend | | | | You don't want to surprised by a burst-open |
| to shop. Pick up phrases for bargaining, especially, | | | | carton or plastic bag when your return home. |
| and practice them at the night bazaars. | | | | So consider these pre-trip ideas and enjoy a |
| Knowing a few local words may make your Asian | | | | great Asian holiday. |
| vacation so much more enjoyable. | | | | |