yeah.. how do u carry your slr? i find it unconfortable to hang it around my neck, is there any other alternative than that?

Wats in my backpack?
- IDs, wallet tat kind of stuff...
- Bin bag (3 in 1: bin bag + raincoat + sweater)
- Water bottle
- Sunblock and lip gloss
- Hand towel
- Binocle and torch
- Phone
- Hat / Cap

Other "tips"?
- Always bring one or two locks - dont forget to seal the brand of the locks.
- Bargain whenever u can, alot of tours or hostels give concession prices to backpackers or students.

Must I really bring my passport with me everywhere? I going bangkok. What if someone curi my passport? Isn't it safer to keep in the hotel safe??

What if you were stopped by the police there? wouldnt it be mroe convenient if you have your passport with you?

good thread.
epsilon, why dont u add other ppls tips to the list in ur first post.
makes it easy for ppl to just check the first post for any new updates.

Done. And I added some more of my tips.

This post has been edited by epsilon_chinwk86: Feb 11 2006, 11:28 PM

More...

- Photocopy (or scan and print) ur IDs like passport, IC, insurance blabla. And leave that copy to someone else.
- Leave emergency contact in ur pocket or wallet.
- Let someone know ur plan (travel itinerary). Leave a copy to someone at home maybe.

the easiest would be to get a longer strap so that you can hang your camera diagonally across the shoulder and chest with the camera resting against the hips, imo.

Some Travel Photography Tips (aimed at SLR users, but compact users will find something here as well)

1. Do not travel in a tour group if you can help it. You will not have the time available to wander off in search of a good photograph.
2. Bring along a light tripod (usually around 1.4kg for carbon fibre), or a light monopod. Make sure that it still can take the weight of your setup! Note that you might be able to use it everywhere.
3. Minimize your kit if possible. Two zoom lenses should be sufficient, once covering wide angles and the other for telephotos.
4. Going digital will help you save a lot in terms of space i.e. no need to bring various films around, no need to worry about x-ray radiation etc.
5. Bring along ample memory! This is especially if you choose to shoot RAW. If you shoot JPEGs you do not need to worry as much because they take up less space compared with RAW and you can always find photography stores who are able to burn your pictures onto a CD for you, freeing up memory.

How to pack you clothing more efficiently:
Don't fold, but ROLL...
Yes, you heard me right, ROLL your clothing as tight as possible like a swiss roll.
Then you'll have many tightly rolled "swiss roll", then you can start to stuff those "swiss rolls" into your bag.

Why roll and not fold?
Fold will gives you ugly fold mark, wrinkle and etc... also tends to eat up more space in your luggage/bag. Not so space efficient.
If you roll properly... you won't get any ugly fold mark/wrinkles. Also save more space.

Another tip is try to bring a formal wear... at least a long sleeve shirt w/ black slack, or a dress for gal. No batik shirt as batik is only acceptable as formal in this region. Some venue might have certain dress code before allowing you to go in.

Oh well... here's the not so pratical tips... believe or not is up to you lar :

I know these bcos I'm working as a hotelier.


Every single hotel, there will be at least a room which is left vacant at all times. No matter how full the hotel are, they are not to sell that room(s) to any guest.
It was said that special room was "reserved" for those "special visitors".

So, if you plan to stay in some hotel, always book in advance. Try to avoid walk in.
If the receptionist told you there's no more room available, do not insist one anymore or try to bribe them to give you a room. If you do that, most of the time the room you have will be that "special room".

Some other hotel tips:
- Before entering your room, always knock on the door first, even you know the room is vacant.
- After you enter the room, if you felt very cold suddently and have "chicken skin", leave the room quitely immediately and go to reception to request for a room change. Most of the time the receptionist will understand what's happening.
- After you enter the room, immediately switch on all of the lights, and open the curtain to let the sun light in.
- Always leave at least a lamp on while you're sleeping
- If you're staying alone and they have give you a twin bed, try not to sleep with the other bed vacant, try to put your things like luggage on the other bed before you sleep.

This post has been edited by greyshadow: Feb 20 2006, 06:06 PM

Haha. Im not a hotelier, but i learnt these from TV

A few more fr my memory:
- Open up the windows.
- Clean the toilet flush.
- If there's a bible, do not flip it.

no offense, but I'm finding a couple of these 'tips' rather superstitious, I wouldn't really call it a travel tip?

dun worry... no offense taken
yeap... most ppl will find those 'tips' rather superstitious...
First I also just cast those 'tips' aside, thinking where got such thing...
But after a few years working as a hotelier and some personal 'encounter', seeing weird things with my own eyes and hearing it first hand from some veteran hotelier and such... If I don't want to believe also cannot

Just a simple pratical advice here... never ever insisted for a room or even bribe the receptionist, if you are already informed the hotel is fully booked. You don't want to know what type of rooms they are giving you...

While dining, dont be so fussy with the services provided or complain too much about the waiter/waitress. They will seek revenge - how? They are handling your food and beverage, so just imagine what they can do to them without your knowledge. I worked part-time in a 5 star hotel in Singapore before and what I found out in the restaurant's kitchen are truely amazing

Before go washroom need to knock too? lol

Try to make sure you're 100% healthy before you go travel. It's one of the worst thing can happen if you fall sick during your travel!
Imagine sleeping alone in the hotel for the whole day while the others are having fun of their life, not to mention $$$ is going down the drain also.

Check with your doctor first if require any vaccination before travel to any country, especially poorer third world country. Hepatitis A & B vaccination is important.

Some country's health system are very much different from ours... where they has a strict control over their drug usage. Pharmacy might not sell you medication without any prescription from the doctor. The clinics also won't give you medication over the counter, and they only gives you a prescription and you'll need to obtain the medication from the pharmacy yourself.

If you're on regular medication, it's best to ask your doctor to write you a prescription just in case you lost your medication, but be warn thou.... some country might not regconise M'sian doctor's prescription

Bring a few "poh cai yun" or even better, Ultra carbon pills, also known as charcoal pills. If you suffer from diarrea or mild food poisoning, a tablet or two of the ultra carbon pill will stop it straight away. It will be sad if you need to hunt around for toilet wherever you go

Always check the weather forecast of your destination before you travel.
A good place to check is at www.weather.com
You can get a 10 day weather forecast from there, then from there you can estimate what to expect from the weather there.
Either you need an extra pack of sunblock, caps or extra raincoat or umbrella.

Always bring a few plastic bags also, those will come in very handy.
Either for water proofing your electronic equipments, garbage, dirty laundry.... etc

do not wear new shoes to destinations that requires a lot of walking. new shoes might just sore your feet.

i think on your tips you missed out something about your shoe.

i think they should have them pointed out for some reason.