Travel guide you should know.

After spending all my bonus on summer vacations, there's some pointers i would like to share!

I hope this will be helpful in case you plan to travel (budget or not) and forget things you should take note of due to all the excitement. haha!

Disclaimer: Whatever I'm about to share are mainly based on my own travel experience and it is just for your own reading pleasure/ reference. :)

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH.

When purchasing air ticket, don't just look at one airline, look around to compare prices, routes and flight timings .I mean if you can save time/ money, wouldn't it better (esp if you're travelling with a budget) ?

And also booking of hotel, you should really look into location and what is around in the vicinity. The nearest route to travel by.. It's advisable to stay near subway / metro / "town area" . 

For example, In Japan, I cannot afford to take cab to and fro. Thank God my hotel is like 5 mins walk to Shinjuku and a couple more mins to the train station . I don't even want to be reminded of my first day in HK. walked like hell because i took the wrong exit and got lost for 20mins + until i found my apartment. Zzz

Print out directions and map on how to go places you want to visit and to ur hotel. You have no idea how useful it's going to be when you're in a foreign land and can't speak their language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


& food, you have to google and check out good places to dine at. Can't believe we randomize our dinning places most of the time in Tokyo. Lucky almost everything is oishii!

(the metro from haneda airport) 

2. BRING ONLY WHAT YOU NEED. 

As a girl, I couldn't be more vain. Feel like bringing my entire closet + accessories with me whenever I travel hahaha! But I know I'll end up not wearing everything and may end up having to for excess baggage when i go/return/both.

(FYI, in Jap they can charge ard 2000 yens (SGD$32) for every extra KG/ more if you have to transit ) 

You may consider your #OOTD depending on where you will be visiting and also the climate (in case, it rains everyday or under sweltering sun). & wear your most comfortable shoe/sandals!!! A hand carry would be useful too. 

Use disposable undies for your own convenience . You should also bring big plastic bags to contain your dirty laundry too! 

Handcarry all your important items like PASSPORT/ air-ticket/ boarding pass/ phone/ travel wallet/ ipod/ camera/ MAKE UP POCH / CARDIGAN and maybe a book to help you pass time and use bag with zips! 

ALWAYS BRING YOUR IC/ID . omg Its really so freaking important.

(some of what thats in my travel bag)

3. PREPARE EMERGENCY CASH/ CC AND ENOUGH MONEY TO SPEND.

I want to slap myself over and over again. I always never change enough money to shop or for emergency. 

Like the one time that I missed my flight in BKK(which was suppose to be at 7.00PM) and had to pay for a return ticket and spend the night at the airport until the next morning (6.30AM) not being able to do anything! Luckily, my friend can use her credit card to save us all. 

but most of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE DUTY FREE SHOP lol.. Charging to your debit/credit card is usually not worth it as the exchange rate sucks.

4. BE INSURED.

My mother always tell me to buy travel insurance in case anything happens. Especially if you're travelling in small groups. 

5. TRAVEL COMPANION.

Choose who you're travelling with wisely. The purpose of a holiday is to enjoy and have a whopping good time. Go with people you CAN trust and can keep a look out for you. Don't go with those who make you awkward or left out / loitering on your own/whatever makes you feel uncomfortable. It sucks. (boo!)

Here's what I have for now as i don't want to make it a wordy post. 

Hope whoever chance upon this will find it useful . :)

Btw, feel free to share ur travel tips too!