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Travel Tips
After
crossing several time zones, many travelers suffer from "jet lag".
Although there is no way to completely avoid jet lag, there are a number of ways
to help your body adjust to a new time zone.
-
Try
to go to bed a little earlier a few days before you leave and get as much
sleep as you can during your flight.
-
Many
side-effects of jet lag are the result of dehydration, so avoid coffee, tea
and other caffeinated beverages and drink plenty of water during your
flight.
-
Eat
lightly on your flight and forego rich or exotic foods on first few days.
-
Exercising
on a long flight will help alleviate such common discomforts as backaches.
Stretch at regular intervals and walk up and down the aisles of the plane
from time to time.
-
Finally,
take it easy on the day you arrive so that you can take advantage of your
trip at a leisurely pace and establish a routine in sync with the
local time.
Security
checks are much more stringent these days. Be prepared to comply with
these rules:
-
You
will be limited to two carry-ons -- a bag, and a purse or laptop
bag/briefcase.
-
Wear
slip-on shoes (you may be required to remove them for security checks
frequently.)
-
Be
ready to turn on all electronic devices if asked.
-
Expect
delays and build time into your itinerary to accommodate it. They
won't hold planes or rush you aboard if you are late. You'll be
put on the next available flight.
-
Check
your airline's website for further security tips.
If
you are visiting a country for the first time, we advise you to:
-
Book
at least one way transfer from the airport to the hotel, when you book your
accommodation.
-
Check
with your travel agent, how you will recognize the representative at the
arriving airport. Most of them carry signs with your name. If possible, try
to take his mobile number before traveling.
-
If
you forgot to book a transfer, never take a taxi that seems just to
be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue
available.
-
Change
some money into the local currency before you depart.
-
If
you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages
used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll be better
equipped to stay on the look out for them.
-
Be sure your luggage is marked with
identification on the inside and outside.
-
Make copies of your passport and credit
cards. Leave one list at home and keep the other with you in case you lose
your passport. Do not keep the copies on your person, rather keep a copy in
your suitcase and/or give your traveling companion a copy.
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