Travel Tips (Monday)

Category Archives for Travel Tips (Monday).

Ten Opportunities for Better Travel in 2024

Happy New Year! I travel more than anyone else I know!! This gives me lots of opportunities to encounter fellow travellers and observe their behaviour and mine. Sometimes it’s exemplary, and sometimes it’s been appalling. As we usher in 2024, here are some suggestions to shape a more considerate and enjoyable travel environment for everyone involved. 1. Respect each Other Can we just treat others with some level of care, interest, awareness, and concern? We don’t have to be best buddies, but let’s not ignore each other, scream at each other, and trample each other…

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Protecting yourself from the Bed Bug Scourge

It’s been a few years since I last wrote about bed bugs! It feels like I’m compelled to discuss these tiny bloodsucking critters every three or so years! Currently, I’m back in Paris, and there’s a noticeable media hysteria surrounding bed bugs. I have had numerous people messaging me warning me about the situation! Having experienced an infestation once, I can attest that it’s a far-from-pleasant experience. I often think of bed bugs as little vampires, stealthily settling into our cosy beds to feast on our blood as we slumber. The mere thought of these…

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Why I love WISE money tool

Are you travelling internationally soon? Or later this year? I am a huge fan of WISE which used to be called Transfer Wise. They have become so indispensable for me that I have been astounded recently, to find people who don’t know about them. (If you do sign up, please use this link: https://wise.com/invite/u/martinc5) Six fabulous reasons I love Wise: 2 I have two fee-free VISA cards (one real and one virtual for online shopping). They have a distinctive Green colour which is always a talking point. The exchange rate is so good that I…

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Emergency Numbers – Full list from across the world

This is an updated post from two years ago. I have added several COVID19 numbers, n this current situation with travel starting again for many and COVID19 still impacting people, you need to know the emergency numbers of the country(ies) you are going to? In many parts of the world, people believe the emergency phone number is 911, the North American response number. It is not universal nor is 999, the UK number.  112 has become standard in many parts of the world but not everywhere. Also, in some countries, there is one number for…

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Can You travel? No. Implications and Advice

I flew home rather hurriedly last week. On March 15th I said people should not travel anymore and return home. A view I got some criticism for. C’est la vie. I decided to cut short my US visit, cancelled my UK business meetings and long looked forward to weekend hiking trip and hightailed it home. The world then changed very quickly in a week. On March 15, Canada warned its citizens not to travel and asked them to return to Canada. The EU introduced its blanket travel ban on March 17. The UK also gave…

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Self Isolation- How to do it

I am in self isolation. Like many over the last few weeks, I have returned home under requirements I not mix with others as I may have been exposed to the COVID19 virus. it can take up to two weeks for symptoms of COVID-19 to appear — although usually they show after five days. So 14 days is on the safe side. For an extrovert, its a nightmare. Although  the reality is that much I would normally go out to do and see is closed anyway! If you are sharing your home with others, you…

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CoronaVirus- Health Info Country by Country

The Coronavirus COVID-19 is here to stay for a while and so too are the rumours, myths and truths which seem to be spreading faster than  the virus. One way to monitor the situation is to check with government websites and the WHO (World Health Organisation site). Click below on the country name to access information material published by that country’s health authority. This map shows where the cases are. Check out also my embassy information page and my page on What to do to prepare for a potential disaster while travelling. Also see my…

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Do I wear a mask on the plane? Latest on staying healthy.

By now you will have seen the picture of the guy wearing a tent on his plane to protect himself from the corona-virus. Impractical, and uncomfortable but necessity is mother of invention! I cannot see them being sold by airlines as part of their onboard merchandise!   As someone who lives in Asia and travels extensively, I am following the news of the current coronavirus  now known as COVID-19 very closely. Here is as much info as possible to assist fellow travellers which does not include selling you a tent. What is COVID19 COVID 19…

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Know Your Emergency Numbers – country by country comprehensive list

In this current situation with the Corona virus impacting people, do you know the emergency numbers of the country you are going to? In many parts of the world, people believe the emergency phone number is 911, the North American response number. It is not universal nor is 999, the UK number.  112 has become standard in many parts of the world but not everywhere. Also, in some countries, there is one number for all services: fire, police and ambulance. In other nations, the numbers are different for each service. I encourage people to know…

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