Leading Out

Tag: trip planning

Moving Abroad: 7 Tips to help you in the first 24 hours

Being prepared will significantly reduce the stress surrounding your move to another country. You need to make a list and carry with you in your phone or on piece of paper with your passport and keep it close during your travels. Here are some small but helpful tips to help you stay organized avoid unnecessary hassles.

1.) Check and double check your flight departure, arrival times and connections. Remember the airline ticket will list the arrival time according to the country you are going.  Understanding your itinerary will let you prepare accordingly for layovers and how much time you can expect to be in the air.

2.) If there is a time difference set your watch or phone to the time of the country. This way you once you are there and needing to sort out public transit schedules, business hours etc you will not be trying to convert the time difference as you go.

3.) Have the address handy of the location you need to go once you have arrived. This is essential.  A neighbourhood or general directions will not cut it.

4.) Go with the local currency in your wallet and avoid the hassle of finding an ATM and paying fees in foreign currencies.

5.) Research the tipping customs of the country. This help will avoid awkward moments especially if you are traveling by taxi, grabbing a quick bite to eat at a restaurant, dealing with hotel staff etc.

6.) Once you arrive at your accommodations, ask for a local convenient store to buy some small essentials and snacks. Having something nutritious to eat the first morning you wake up in a new place is settling. You may want to bring food on the plane- but please research the customs and border control.

7.) Contact your family to let them know you arrived safely. It is easy to get caught up when you first arrive in a new place, but remember your family needs to know that you are settled and OK!

 

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Traveling Tips–Traveling ‘on the cheap’ (New Zealand Focus)

I didn’t really hold back at all when I went to NZ: I did everything I wanted to do.

There are a lot of tours to do. If you want to have a similar holiday to me (you’re pretty adventurous; you plan to do more than one tour in every location; and you plan to try everything you possibly can) then you should budget for about $1000 in tours alone. OF course, if you’re trying to do it on the cheap, here’s an area you can be more moderate in.

One of so many awesome NZ tours!
One of so many awesome NZ tours!

However, here are a few more tips to saving the ‘cash-oh-la’ without missing out on the ‘oooh la!’

  1. I flew into Christchurch, rented a car with 3 other travelers. Do not underestimate the value of travelling with companions–it is SO much cheaper (and I’m not talking about cheap, like stiff your friends with the bill because that’s not cool. I’m talking about genuine bill-sharing.) (more…)
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OZ-NZ Holiday Accommodation Terms and Info

Here are a few key terms and some points to note about accommodation in Oz and NZ (Australia and New Zealand):

  • Self-contained: this is one of the Australasia’s best gifts to tourism. They contain a full kitchen (what you need to cook ‘with’,  ‘in’ and ‘on’: pots, utensils, stoves/fridges).  You will literally have everything you need for a cozy stay (towels, linen (They call this “Manchester” here) and hopefully a ‘car-park’ (a.k.a. “parking space”). If you are traveling in a group of 3 or more and plan to save money by cooking at home–definitely search for these.
  • Hostel: Can be quite similar to Italy’s hostels (Europe in general). Make sure you do your research/hostel. If it is a YHA it should be in good condition. There are a serious variety in quality, but if you look at the traveler’s comments then you should be ok.  After some experiences in Vietnam, I learned that you NEVER BOOK ONLINE ACCOMMODATION without going to Trip Advisor first! Make sure there is parking and breakfast, and find out where your bathrooms will be located.
    • What does your accommodation really offer you?
    What does your accommodation really offer you?
  • Motel/Hotel: These are basically the same thing in Australasia. Hotels are typically more upmarket-but make sure you look at the star-rating (on a 5 star scale, just like North America) to make sure which quality you are getting. I don’t tend to prefer anything less than 3 -star for the cleanliness can decrease signficantly with each star). Usually each room will have tea and coffee making facilities.
  • Caravan Parks: these are the equivalent of Canadian “car – camping” grounds. They include toilet/shower facilities, usually a kitchen/bbq area and a small shop.  They often offer Cabins which can be a great deal for a double room at $45/night (but you might not get a private bathroom or linen in this price).
  • Resorts: these are more up-market. If you’re going to stay in one, make sure you get all the trimmings: spa, parking, massage upgrades, free bottle of wine/champagne on arrival, and 4-5 stars. Note that only really a 5 star place is full-on luxury. 4 star can be pretty average in NZ and in Oz.
  • Studio: This is an open-style apartment.
    www.freedigitalphotos.net
    www.freedigitalphotos.net

    You will be cooking and sleeping in the same room. You will likely have a separate washroom area.  Often these will be combined with “self-contained”.

  • B & B: They serve you breakfast, included in the price. Usually each room will have tea and coffee making facilities.  Sometimes the B&B will provide you with breakfast making provisions in Australia/NZ. But usually it is more traditional, where the ‘hosts’ serve you breakfast, etc. It’s great if you really want to meet the home owners, not so great if you prefer to sleep-in and be independent (which is why old-people usually frequent these places more than the young.)

If you liked this post, check out my New Zealand Top 10 Places to visit.

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