travel tips

Eight years ago, I held a “goodbye’ party at my little house is Western Australia. The next day I was flying to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to begin my international teaching career. I remember a friend saying, “you know Jen, it’s ok if you decide you don’t want to go… it is Saudi Arabia after all. However, there was no turning back and I can now say, these have been some of the most amazing years of my life. So if you are ready to take the plunge and head overseas, here are some of my best travel tips to make your journey an easy.

My adventure began with a one-way flight from Perth to Riyadh (via Doha). I was giving up the security of ‘home’, leaving my old life behind. This is quite a daunting thing to do as a woman in her mid thirties… especially when everyone around me seemed to be settling down into a family life as newly-weds with newborns.

 

I wouldn’t have changed anything of the past eight years. The people I’ve met, the cultures I’ve been immersed in, and the stories that have shaped me, make me feel very blessed. I hope my travel tips to help inspire you and give you the courage to go out there and explore a bit of the world!

 

 

1. “Don’t Lose Face” – Patience is Key

 

Things will go wrong, however, you are the one person who is control of how to react to a situation. Some things you just can’t control. I’ve missed flight connections, had bags go missing, run out of money, however in every situation, things eventually work themselves out. Sometimes you just have to dig deep and find the positive in the situation. But most of all, just don’t loose your cool. There is a wonderful Jewish say “that this to shall pass” – a saying I often remind myself of when in tricky situations. 

 

 

2. Smile & learn to say hello in the local language

 

It is amazing how far a smile will get you. Combine it with a greeting of the local language of the country you are in, then you are sure to make new friends and be genuinely received in a positive way. I often find that if I initiate contact, people will open up to me.

 

 

3. When in Rome…

 

To get the most out of a place, observe the local customs. One that is most often overlooked is clothing. If you are travelling in a conservative area, then adopt the same in the way you dress. In many places, exposing your shoulders or wearing shorts is just not accepted. And that is fine… you can wear your tank-top and shorts when you get home.

 

 

4. Tuck away some extra cash

 

At home, you may be used to using a card for all your purchases but in many parts of the world, cash is still commonly used (and in many places cards are not accepted). I always have a couple of US$100 notes tucked away somewhere (I usually have one bill hidden in my toiletries bag and another bill with my passport). A couple of years ago I had a two-day stopover in Singapore. Much to my surprise, my card did not work in any of the ATM’s so I was very thankful for the extra cash I was carrying. Last year arriving in Morocco, my Australian dollars were useless at the money exchange (I’ve never come across a place where USD are not accepted).

 

 

5. Always travel with a scarf

 

This is probably the one item that I have used in EVERY country I have been in. I usually carry a large cotton scarf (or a sarong) in my hand luggage for every trip. It has been used a blanket on cold flights, a towel at the beach, an eye mask when trying to sleep, and an accessory when dressing up. Quite simply it is the most versatile item you can pack with you!

 

 

6. Take Lots Of Photos

 

Back in the day, I used to travel with a Pentax K1000 film camera! These days it is so much easier to capture your memories. I’ll confess the majority of my photos are taken on my iPhone, even though I do travel with my Sony A7II. One app that I use is one second a day. This fabulous little app allows you to record 1 second of footage every day and is assembled into a timeline. My advice is to just click away and don’t worry about looking like a tourist. However in saying this, if photographing people, ALWAYS ask for permission first.

 

 

7. Don’t Overthink it all

 

When I first decided to take up a job in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I was asked by numerous people if I had thought this through? Questions like “but aren’t you afraid” and “what if you don’t like it”? These people were the family and friends closest to me. This combined with a flurry of news reports were nearly enough to make me begin to doubt myself. However, trust me when I say that most people you will meet are friendly, happy, and willing to help you out. In areas frequented by tourists, you are going to get hassled to buy things… this is not personal, this simply how people make a living. However, you do need to use your common sense – quite simply ‘trust your gut’

 

 

8. Be Careful with Social Media

 

This one is an interesting one that people don’t give a lot of thought. But it is one I put in my top ten travel tips. With Social Media, only post AFTER the event. Don’t be tempted to put your upcoming travel plans online when you are travelling... it just keeps you safer. Avoid posts like “heading on my own to Kuta beach at 8 am tomorrow. Time to get some great photo’s of the surfers”. Not only are you telling everyone that your place will be empty, you are also announcing, where you will be, that you are travelling on your own, and that you have all your camera gear with you. Just err on the side of caution with Social Media.

 

 

9. Back Everything Up

 

Get into the habit of doing this. Yes, it is time-consuming but when a hot cappuccino was split across my Macbook air, I was so relieved that I had a back up of everything important. Important documents I have actually emailed to myself (passport, visa stamps & entry stamps, driver’s license, and health insurance card). My photos and files are also backed up on an external hard drive (one that comes with me and one that is at home). Remember if your documents don’t exist in two places then they don’t exist at all.

 

 

10. Keep An Open Mind

 

One of the best things about travel is that you do get to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. The lifestyle of others will be different from your own. Though take a moment to really listen to the opinions of others… you don’t have to necessarily agree with them, however, though it is important to be respectful. You will be surprised what you will learn from other (and about yourself) when you practice listening and practice empathy. When you ask questions, really take the time to listen and learn.

 

 

And final thought…  Immerse Yourself in Daily Life

 

At the moment, I am writing this little post from the fifth floor Airbnb apartment in Hiroshima. I don’t speak more than a few words of Japanese, however, this hasn’t stopped me from immersing myself in daily life. This morning I cycled out to the Onsen (a public bathing house). On the way home, I discovered a little vegan place (it is not in any of the tourist books) and had a delicious bento box. It was fabulous sitting there with local people on their lunch breaks. If the opportunity presents, I strongly recommend “just getting lost” in the day to day life happening around you, as it is these life experiences you won't read about in any guide book.