Got any tips for first time overseas travellers? [Archive]

Oakie

6th May 2007, 21:25

Mrs Oakie and I are off to Samoa for 9 days in just under 5 weeks. It's our first time overseas (unless our trip to Auckland a few years ago counts?)
Anyone have any tips for us first timers about international travel? Anything that stops either of us being thrown in jail, becoming violently ill, getting ripped off or just generally having a bad time would be most welcome. If anyone has any suggestions about how to make a good time even better, that would also be welcome. (Oakie wonders how long it takes before someone mentions the 'Mile High Club'). Oh, and suggestions about the best way to do the 'Duty Free' thing would be especially welcome.

onearmedbandit

6th May 2007, 21:31

All I know is when I came through customs last I had a lot more then the allowed amount, they knew it too but didn't care. In fact everytime I come through customs I've been over the allowed limit. If you're not an arsehole they have little interest in pulling you up. Don't even joke with the word 'bomb', apparently to them it's not a joke. Regarding baggage weight, they are generally pretty casual about this too, once again if you're not an arsehole. 2 or 3 kgs over isn't going to stop you going anywhere or face more fees, but you wouldn't want to push it. And no matter what airline I've flown with the food is always crap, so take your own. Mind you I'm a fussy eater.

johnnyflash

6th May 2007, 21:39

Having covered over 30 countries so far we the basic rules are all you need, dont let your CreditCard out of your sight always make sure it stays where u can see it, saves em making multiple transactions, Hang on to any carbon copies).. Preload your card with cash if u can, (then u dont pay fees for cash advances) and dont need to carry heaps of cash. Drink bottled water, Be careful about foods you ant used to,nothing worse than beind sick on holiday.. buy your Duty free at dutyfree NZ before u leave, (NZ is as cheap as anywhere else) collect it on way back in to NZ.. Dont overbook .. dont plan too many things while u are there, a little spare time to bum around and explore the NON TOURISTY parts will be most interesting.. Above all... enjoy and chill out..

onearmedbandit

6th May 2007, 21:40

Depends on the exchange rate, just got back from Japan and duty free over there was a lot cheaper then here.

Grub

6th May 2007, 21:44

1) Get travel insurance. Before signing up for it, read the small print and ask questions about what you are NOT covered for. The main issues are around what happens if the airline
- goes bust
- breaks down
- looses your luggage
- Lands you in Fiji instead of Samoa and says the plane will take 4 days to fix
- etc etc (you get the drift)

2) NEVER give anyone your passport. If they ask to see it, show it and hold onto it at the same time. Don't leave it in your room - ever. The digital room safes might be ok ... as long as someone dodgy doesn't have the master codes (for when you forget the combo)

3) NEVER give anyone your credit card and allow them to take it out of your sight. They can steal all your details plus your pin number as quick as it takes to swipe the card under the counter. Once upon a time you used to be able to give a waiter your card while you finished your coffee - not any more.

4) Now this one always gets me into trouble at hotel reception. NEVER let them take an impression of your credit card without an amount in it. This will be a tense encounter because that's what the staff have been told they have to do. It is so they can charge anything they like to your credit card without you agreeing to it.

Sure they're trying to protect themselves from you doing a runner. In your case, the accomm is probably pre-paid, so all they are risk from is your meal and extra costs. So estimate what that will be and give them a slip WITH A DOLLAR AMOUNT FILLED IN and sign it ... on the understanding that if you don't spend that much, they will refund the remainder on departure, while you stand right there checking out.

Your Grub knows about stuff like this, http://www.corpevents.co.nz/

merv

6th May 2007, 21:46

Yeah order your duty free over the internet before you leave and pick it up on the way in with these guys http://www.dutyfreestores.co.nz/Frequent%20Buyer%20Club and save 20%. Also if you've got an AA card you'll get points.

Bottles of spirits, Customs lets you have 3 bottles as long as you declare, as its above the free allowance of 1 bottle. That is about all I buy as it is cheap and because everything else isn't that cheap.

Grub

6th May 2007, 21:49

That is about all I buy as it is cheap and because everything else isn't that cheap.

Exactly. Booze and fags are cheap, everything else you can probably get cheaper in town.

Chisanga

6th May 2007, 22:09

MacD

6th May 2007, 22:12

4) Now this one always gets me into trouble at hotel reception. NEVER let them take an impression of your credit card without an amount in it. This will be a tense encounter because that's what the staff have been told they have to do. It is so they can charge anything they like to your credit card without you agreeing to it.

Another idea is to carry a second bog-standard credit card with a low limit. Use this any potentially dodgy situations such as imprints at hotels, car-rental places etc. They're also useful for internet purchases.

Take copies of your tickets and passports and keep them separate from your actual documents, but keep both sets secure.

Steam

6th May 2007, 22:19

Get a Lonely Planet guidebook for samoa out from the library and take it with you. Since you're going for nine days you don't even need to buy your own copy! I found it very useful because if I'd had my guidebook, it said on page 37; "don't believe the taxi drivers when they say the meter is broken. This is so they can charge you eight times the going rate."
That actually happened to me. Doh! I bought a guidebook the first week I was there and was embarrassed at all the scams the locals had pulled on me that were actually listed in the guidebook under "Local Scams and Ripoffs"

Curious_AJ

6th May 2007, 22:32

i say lonely planet guides are really useful too...

and also, make sure you have insect repellant... getting bitten is not good...as i did when going to fiji and vanuatu...

try not to overstress yourself about aeroplanes etc... that only makes the holidays worse.. and also, check you dont bring too many things if you think you may buy lots, usually stuff is pretty cheap around that way, so you can easily stock up on more clothing...

remember the sun block and after sun alovera gel.. that ALWAYS helps.. and its darn bad to get burnt red when you're on a fabulous holiday! not to mention melanoma! (spell?) ..

but what you should really do, is take time to relax and do your own thing.. make sure you have time to talk to some of the locals, i did it in vietnam and it was the most magical experience i have ever had abroad, ever... the locals make te holiday.. take time to learn their culture and ask questions about them, they usually love to talk and inform tourists about things...

HAVE FUN!

Chisanga

6th May 2007, 22:47

Get a Lonely Planet guidebook for samoa out from the library and take it with you.

When I was travelling through Africa the Lonely Planet was refered to as "The Book of Lies" :) However, it is better than not having anything at all :Punk:

Curious_AJ

6th May 2007, 22:50

Africa has a lot of things that are commonly misconcieved about it... I (as a South African... not really "African" but close lol) .. have found that people read things in guides, that are TOTAL BS.. however, what i read in the lonely planet guide i have to vietnam was really accurate, and really good for some aeroplane reading before i go there..

Chisanga

6th May 2007, 23:07

Actually I had it from quite a reliable source that for about 8 years the person writing the Eastern and Southern LP Guides had never left Nairobi :rofl:

I always found it better to talk to other travellers and locals and see what they had enjoyed, recommended etc.

What?

7th May 2007, 07:13

Take Diastop or Imodium tablets with you.
Don't eat chicken.
Don't drink tap or stream water.
Take a photocopy of your passport (makes things slightly easier should the real thing go awol)
Don't eat chicken.

Crisis management

7th May 2007, 07:46

Just go and enjoy yourself......

We were in Samoa last year, send me a Pm with an email or phone number and we can give you as much info as possible.

Iain

RantyDave

7th May 2007, 07:50

If anyone has any suggestions about how to make a good time even better, that would also be welcome.
Do some research before you get there. It's always better to know what your choices are and (IMHO) there are few things more miserable than sitting in a hotel room with a pile of flyers trying to work out what you're going to do/see. OTOH you do want to keep your options open.

Regarding being sick, find out before you go what the situation is with water. I think Samoa's fine.

Dave

2much

7th May 2007, 08:01

Samoa rocks! Few tips...

when drinking at bars ask for spirits by name, ie: jim beam and coke. if just ask for a bourbon n coke you'll get the home brewed crap.

don't ask for a double, their single is our double.

vialima is a good drop, just be aware that the alcohol content varies from next to none to "only 6 beers and holy fuck!"

go to the sliding rocks, bout a $15 taxi ride from apia iirc.

watch out for the fafa's they're abit pushy but mostly harmless.

hire a jeep and go for a drive round the island.

go to mcdonalds in apia... best maccas i've had so far.

snorkeling inside the reef is cool too and cheap!

*was there in '99 so things may have changed...

NighthawkNZ

7th May 2007, 08:02

If anyone has any suggestions about how to make a good time even better,

Don't come back to this hell hole of a country... other than that have fun, don't let the tiredness of travel spoil it

MotoGirl

7th May 2007, 08:53

I always take an emtpy bag (or second suitcase) inside my suitcase. This allows me to buy loads of stuff and I have something secure to cart it home in.

It also pays to take a first aid kit with standard medications in it (e.g. Panadol) because you might find it tricky finding the equivalent overseas.

hazard02

7th May 2007, 09:18

Don't hide weed in your boogie-board bag. You have to be a little more creative...

terbang

7th May 2007, 09:33

Respect the country you are visiting and the people that live there. You probably have more cash in your wallet than a great deal of the population earns in a month. If you wear a security pouch don't wear it on the outside of your clothes :) or access it in public. And try to get off the beaten track - that is where all the magical experiences happen.

Good advice, learn the common greetings and basic customs. Samoa isn't all that radical to what we know so just the simple hello godbye type things would be fine.
It allways used to astound me, when living in indonesia, to see some well clad tourist bartering a local down to rock bottom price on some sort of local produce. The price of the item equating to a months salary for the locals and a pack of ciggies for the tourist. I allways paid full price, getting ripped off in local terms, whilst still getting a fair deal relative to my world. Everyone doing OK.
Enjoy Samoa it's a nice place with lots of nice people.

Squeak the Rat

7th May 2007, 09:34

Don't eat chicken.

Some of the best feeds I've had overseas have been chicken. Or were supposed to have been chicken (sometimes rat, or guinea pig)....

If it's cooked well then it's usually ok. You've usually got more to worry about with uncooked stuff being washed in the faeces infested water that you're so careful to avoid drinking.

You should be ok in samoa - just respect the locals and take precautions with your stuff.

Sleeping on planes is a lot easier with either drugs or earplugs.

Don't argue or joke with customs officials. They have no sense of humour or mercy.

Enjoy!

Swoop

7th May 2007, 09:35

Don't drink tap or stream water.
You can get "Puritabs" from camping shops. These can be used to sterilise the water, but make it taste a bit "funny". Better than having the screaming shits though...

Templar

7th May 2007, 10:14

Most of everything is covered that I can think of. All i can add is that don't fall into the trap of staying around a pool with a bar for 9 days. A great thing to do, and your hotel will probably have something like this or there will be somewhere close that does, is to do your Open Water PADI course and learn to dive. Because where we are in NZ alot of our cheap holiday options are the pacific islands, being able to dive will add a shit load of options to any holiday around here.

Breaks up the monotony of the cocktails around the pool trap, which can be easy to fall into when you aren't really sure what to do. Diving in the tropics is fantastic and will be worth it if you like the water, we dove with Tiger and Bull sharks last year in Fiji, was fantastic, and really the thing we will remember most about our two weeks there.

So yeah, go diving! It's relatively easy if you're not afraid of the water and can keep calm when outside of your comfort zone. The fitness requirements are not great, so even if you're in moderate shape you can get your ticket. The sights you will see are amazing, and the opportunities to see new things and experience thrills or just sedate wrecks etc are amazing.

Dilligaf

7th May 2007, 11:21

Was in samoa a month ago...
Customs were actually quite strict especially when it comes to alcohol. You are allowed a litre per person and THAT"S IT. (Other countries usually have 1125 ml of spirits and then allow you wine as well - Samoa Does NOT). Basically if you are a wine drinker then good luck....
Also remember that Duty free stores usually ONLY sell the 1125ml bottles thus already putting you over the limit. Buy at a bottle shop before you go.

don't know where you are staying but comparably, we found Samoa much more expensive than Asia. Take a small pack of detergent with you as the hotel prices (Aggie Grey's Resort and Spa) were beyond a joke (and we have worked in hospitality for many years).

Take along any snacks you want to enjoy. Don't know if you have kids but even if you aren't and are likely to have afternoon drinks (wine o'clock), you will save a fortune if you sling a few packs of crackers in your bag.

For sure take sunscreen, after sun gel, panadol, immodium and quick ease. Your hotel should give you two bottles per day - we always hide the unused ones to provide a nice stock should we need it later during our stay.

Rather than hiring a car (they drive on the wrong side you know...:shutup: And as a foreigner you are NEVER going to be in the right come an accident) we hired a local taxi guy for the day then asked him to take us places. We had already picked out a couple of places - Robert Louis Stevenson's house, beach on other side as well as sliding rock (that place will give your quads a good work out) but he also took us to a much nicer waterfall where the water was clear and a shorter distance to the car and also he was able to wait while we checked out the markets. Don't expect a shopping mecca.....

If you do really start to miss your Kiwi food, there is a place in town - a shop that is blue and aqua coloured place I think it was AQM - chop off your arm and leg now in preparation for the bill though....

And whoever said that Maccas was the best - well the golden arches again lived up (down?) to its record of being the ONLY place to give me the squits. Happens in every developing country I visit - not the local food that troubles me but the local Maccas.... could be the ice thing - i.e. don't have ice in your drinks as sometimes it is made from tap water.

Templar

7th May 2007, 11:30

I would thoroughly recommend Rarotonga as a pacific destination.
I have been to Vanuatu, Fiji twice and Raro once. Raro by far the best.
You can also get your bike license in Raro for $10 I think it was, just ride a scooter up to the shops and back with a gruff lookin geezer following you. Then when you come back to NZ you can convert this straight to your Full motorbike license, without having to have periods in learners/restricted. (Helpful to some I am sure - was to me, I did it). You still have to do your full test, and a theory as well if you have NO NZ license (I went from 6L to 6F).

Also Raro is cheap, and the water is beautiful, and the tourism is the most casual of all of them, in that it is still laid back and not in your face. I thin kthe rule is you can only build a building on your property as high as the tallest tree or something like that, so it is really still very non built up. You also have to be Rarotongan or married to one to be in business there, so it is not full of foreigners and foreign hotel chains.

I love it, we are going back in October for a wedding, and for two weeks it is costing the two of us $2500 total. That is hiring a place there with Air Con close to the beach, and including flights. That is super cheap.

Never been to Samoa, the GF does not want to go there, so we stick with the other islands.

Biff

7th May 2007, 14:33

Check the latest rules re' carrying liquids on the hairpyplane.
Download this pdf and read: www.transport.govt.nz/assets/NewPDFs/lagsbrochure.pdf

Then get yourself a decent seat on the hairyplane by checking out the planes seat configuration hers: www.seatguru.com

sels1

7th May 2007, 14:57

Insect repellent - industrial strength - Samoa is a great place to visit but boy they have some pretty determined mosquitos!

MisterD

7th May 2007, 15:56

MrMelon

7th May 2007, 16:03

The cheapest place you'll get travel insurance is here: http://www.statetravel.co.nz/ Same product as mike henry travel insurance (both underwritten by IAG) but it's about half the price.

NighthawkNZ

7th May 2007, 16:08

All of which I agree with, but the one thing our folks are tough on is the whole bio-security thing. If in doubt with your interesting native wooden artifact, declare it

the easiest thing is just to declare everything... unless its a boggie board baqg full hash...

NighthawkNZ

7th May 2007, 16:08

The cheapest place you'll get travel insurance is here: http://www.statetravel.co.nz/ Same product as mike henry travel insurance (both underwritten by IAG) but it's about half the price.

state is owned by IAG anyway

MisterD

7th May 2007, 16:26

the easiest thing is just to declare everything... unless its a boggie board baqg full hash...

Hash isn't too much of a problem, but a bag full of bananas? Then it'd be rubber glove time alright.

Spuds1234

7th May 2007, 20:32

Chisanga

7th May 2007, 20:43

Regarding insect repellant.

Buy it in the country you are going to.

NZ repellant doesnt work in the Sierra's in California. Trust me on this.

I spent 2 months at a summer camp up in the Sierra's with repellant that didnt work. Had about 60 bites in less than a week. It was all good though. Their mosquito bites are like our sandfly bites.

I f you take repellant you need to get something that is either 80-100% DEET. Be careful when applying it though - it is known to melt plastic watch straps :)

Grub

7th May 2007, 20:50

(IMHO) there are few things more miserable than sitting in a hotel room with a pile of flyers trying to work out what you're going to do/see.

Now that's a surprise. It's one of the discovery things we enjoy most of all. Just must be that we have different ways of approaching the travelling thing. But then I'm one of those people who doesn't mind arriving with no accommodation booked

candor

7th May 2007, 23:07

Toilet paper. Some countries don't use it, but should be OK where you're going. Dunno about Samoa but when we went to Cook Islands we had a lizard family in our hutt. On walls and roof... just watching. Quite cute but I think thats why the bed curtain thingy. Just be prepared cos some are squeamish re lizards, and my mate was put on edge by them - kept screaming, about hourly. One good experience was going to the ?CSIT church as they have this singing routine that is quite something, so try to go there if you can. Otherwise just go with the flow I'd say. Mmmm pawpaws.

NighthawkNZ

7th May 2007, 23:08

Hash isn't too much of a problem, but a bag full of bananas? Then it'd be rubber glove time alright.

point taken... ;)

Nasty

8th May 2007, 07:56

Now that's a surprise. It's one of the discovery things we enjoy most of all. Just must be that we have different ways of approaching the travelling thing. But then I'm one of those people who doesn't mind arriving with no accommodation booked

Whats funny is that I MUST have at least half the accomodation booked for a trip .. so our balance is not quite there ... I have had to relinquish and get used to Grubs adventure style, while he lets me have a little more control over some parts of our travels.

Sniper

8th May 2007, 16:11

Not sure if its been said.

Get Travel insurance and make sure you have vaccinations up to date

doc

8th May 2007, 16:23

Tip 1.Yep avoid the chicken.
Tip 2.Don't mentoin KB'r during the interogation.

mazz1972

8th May 2007, 16:35

General hygeine rule anyway...ALWAYS wash your hands before eating anything. Our tummies aren't used to the same bacterias that the locals are. I always have a small bottle of alcohol based hand sanitiser stuff as well.

Make sure you have TROPICAL STRENGTH insect repellant for the islands...Aerogard (in a royal blue roll in bottle) is now trop strength. The standard stuff doesn't work very well against island bitters!

As someone said in an earlier post...don't overbook activities...you don't go to an island paradise to rush around non-stop! I would just book the things I was sure to want to do. Island life is pretty cruisy!

If your luggage (suitcases) aren't particularly distinctive, add a coloured baggage strap, coloured tape around the handle, piece of ribbon or something tied to it. Will make it much easier to locate your own suitcase. ALWAYS lock your suitcases and don't use the locks that come with them if cheap and nasty looking. Make sure you have name tags on the outside, and on the inside of all your bags (including hand luggage). Never leave bags unattended.

Make sure you understand the duty free allowances (you can always ask at one of the stores on the way out).

If taking food/medicine with you, understand what you can and can't take/bring back. You are supposed to declare all food and medicines, even when they are allowed. (Often the "red" customs aisle is quicker anyway!). For some prescription medicines you may need a copy of the prescription from the doctor (the surgery, or pharmacy, should be able to give you a print out), especially if you are bringing a fair quantity, as you may need to prove how much you need. Don't bring way more than you need as the excess can be confiscated.

Some touristy stuff from the islands can't be bought back into NZ - such as shells/coral, animal products, untreated wood products etc etc. Suggest you take a squiz here:
http://newzealandnow.info/nz/topic/customs (easier to understand)

Illegal copies of DVD's etc not advised!

Have attached a checklist from AirNZ.

Have a relaxing and fun time!!

sels1

8th May 2007, 17:56

. Dunno about Samoa but when we went to Cook Islands we had a lizard family in our hutt. On walls and roof... just watching..

Probably the standard island Gecko. Light coloured, small ones are almost transparent. Cute little critters, they will toodle around your walls and ceiling eating mozzies and other insects - most useful chaps and quite harmless (unless you're a bug!) They make a sort of clicking noise and you often hear them before you see them.

.
Mmmm pawpaws
mmm...agreed