Never been out of the country..Asia bound. help.

So I leave Saturday to go to China. Never been out of the country.

I am going to:

Singapore
Beijing
Hong Kong
China
Vietnam
one other place I cant remember...

I will return in a month. Just wondering if anyone has ever been. Can you give me some tips on what I can bring to make things "easier".
What do things cost there? Is it cheaper?

Seattle and Vancouver before I get to China.

I am excited AND nervous at the same time..
It has been soooo long since I have posted here. I forgot to say hello to all my OG's here.



Any tips would be appreciated!!!

 

hey girl, great to see ya posting. Is it a vacation you are going on? Wish i could give advice but never out of the country either.

 

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Not knowing the nature of your trip... I'm assuming business by the number of places your going to in such a short time. So, you'll definately want to pack light.

I haven't been to Asia myself, but after a couple long trips to Europe, I'm sure this will work there too.

* Many hotels have laundry service so only bring a week and a half's worth of clothes.

* Bring a camera. A small digital would be best and get a couple extra memory cards, too. Even if you don't have time to do much sight seeing the few pics you get will be a nice reminder of going.

*Don't worry about shampoo, conditioner and most personal items. The hotels will have them for you, unless you need something specific and you can usually pick it up while you're there.

*Don't get any currency before you go. Your banks will charge you huge fees for exchange. Use your card as much as you can and get small amounts of cash out at ATMs if you need it.

*Usually, once you're in a country, you won't need to carry your passport around with you. Keep it in the lock box in your hotel room. Check with the local regulations on identification papers for each country you're going to.

That's about it... Have fun!

 

If you can do without wearing any jewels that would be best or atleast anything that you value with your life!


I had a layover in Seattle for a day and just did some light shopping and then in Vancouver the bus that we had to take to the port for our cruise took us on a "celeb sighting tour" and we saw were the filmed the X- Files and some other movies.

 

Yeah Zsa Zsa, leave your jewels at home. :lol:

No advice, except maybe learn the translations for cat and dog in the native languages? Then, there will be no surprises when you eat.

 

If someone doesn't understand what you're saying just raise your voice and talk real slow.

Other than that make copies of you passport. Leave a copy at home with a friend, and take the other copy with you but carry it in a different location than the original.

 

good tips so far. I need to get copies of the passport.

good idea..

keep em coming.
does anyone know how the people are there.

no usa stuff. are we at war or they will be offended?

 

it says china is 220. where can I get a converter thingy u talked about?

 

I've got one - do you want to borrow it?

 

I LOVE Asia.... with that said....

Be cautious of pick pocketers and beggars... (and prostitution :lol. A lot of people will try to take advantage of you if they think they can.

When shopping, keep in mind prices are negotiable at most outside markets. They like to barter on prices. American dollars are valued more than their own currency. (so you can buy more with dollars than yen etc).

Enjoy it, take it all in. I am jealous. :lol::lol:

 

my question is why are you going to someplace you know nothing about?
sounds like a missionary trip......


go to the US state department site...they have a listing somewhere that tells you what to becareful of and what you wiull need and not need...as well as local custons you need to know.

 

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A few things...

Register your trip w/ the state department (US Embassy). It's more of a safety thing. I do it w/ every adoption trip we've done. You give them where you are staying & for how many days. It's free and very easy/ short to do. Deal is, if you have some major natural disaster, civil war, N. Korea doing stupid stuff, or just about anything you can come up w/, the US will be able to come in and help you out. Not saying any of this would happen. Just saying nice to know you're protected. Knew folks who adopted from Haiti when all of a sudden an uprising happened. They were registered and we're able to get out w/ help of the US. BTW, haven't done this since Nov. 2006 so don't know if this still is the way it is done or not.

Do NOT try to stand out even though you most likely will in an Asian country. Many countries do NOT like the US.

Carry money around your neck and do beware of pick pockets in major tourist cities...they are everywhere. Many countries assume Americans are very rich and will indeed try to take you for what you got. Don't buy souveniers in the major cities. Got to the outskirts and such. If you are stuck in a major city, then do barter. They are used to it and just interested in a sale.

Take MANY pictures. You will want the memories. Take a change of clothes on your carry on in case your luggage is lost. Not kidding and speaking from experience here--LOL. NO liquids. I'm still fuming over a fight I got into w/ a guy as I just left the plane about my water bottle. Long story & won't bore you.

You can rent satellite phones everywhere. Dont' know the details of your trip or if your travelling further out in certain places or not. If you are, satellite phone rental is the way they go.

HAVE FUN!!!!!! Sounds like a trip of a life time. Soak it all in. Dont' worry too much, you'll do fine. Do check in in some of the hotels internets w/ your fellow 4042ers.

STephanie--mom to 7

 

Don't look so much like a tourist and be aware of your surroundings.

 

Samsonite Outlet Store in Smithfield can take care of you for most of your travel needs.

Take time to have fun

Hugh


P.S. Hugh, why don't you take your own advice!

 

Make copies of all your credit cards (fronts and backs) as well. In the event they are lost or stolen, you'll have copies to be able to call and cancel them, and even in some cases they can overnite a new card to your hotel for you.



Have a great trip!

 

man, you guys and gals r the best for information! It isnt a missionary trip or business. My brother lives there and my mother and I are going to tour.

i am doing each and every thing yall have said on here so far! I have to keep coming back in here to each post I want to do. Next is make a copy of my credit cards.

 

I know this sounds silly, but it's something my Nanny did when I was little and we'd travel and I thought it was a great idea.

Sew a little pocket onto the inside of your bra. Carry your emergency cash and a credit card and a copy of your ID in there. This wouldn't work for someone who was small chested, but honestly, if you fold it right, and tuck it into your pocket, you should be fine.

They can't pickpocket your bra, and if you get in trouble, you'll have ID, a CC and some emergency cash.

 

Add to that, it wouldn't hurt to have a copy of your drivers license as well.

My mom also always puts a copy of her itinerary in her suitcase in a zip loc bag, right on top of everything, with her name and a phone #. Incase it gets lost along the way, if anyone opens it, they'll know where to get it to, or how to contact you. Zip loc bag is just incase you pack anything in the suitcase that might leak, the paperwork would still be protected and legible.