Robyn's Wanderings

“The Buddha whimsically pointed out that seeking happiness in one’s material desires is as absurd as “suffering because a banana tree will not bear mangoes.” – Rolf Potts in Vagabonding, An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel. 

Chilling in Thailand......in an economical way

You enjoying that coffee? Do you know what that $2 you used to buy it means?

To me, at least?

Probably not.

Well, let me explain. That $2 coffee means a night in Thailand! Yes, Thailand and I did not mistype.

Am I crazy? Maybe, actually. But that’s not the point of this column and I’m not crazy for thinking a cup of coffee equals a stay in Thailand.

That cup of coffee I gave-up before my 2009 trip around the world bought me a view of the river Kwai ( you know, the one with the famous bridge over it?) while sitting in a hammock and trapped in a green garden. Yep, all of that and my own room for just $2!

Now calculate your coffees for a week and that’s about $10 or a night in Santiago, Chile (or 5 in Thailand) and the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

But this column is more than comparing expenditure on coffee and the equivalent bedding you could find in a foreign country.

And in this column, I am not going to argue I am a some kind of personal finance guru. I can’t tell you about stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other boring financial instruments.

What I do know is we are in an economic crisis and people are struggling to stay afloat I always hear:

“How do you have any money left?”

“Ummm…uhh…”

I hate money questions, especially when they are about mine, but I can understand where this question comes from.

Visiting the bridge over the river Kwai!

Why? Well, I had just spent one year traveling around the world where the only income I had was from my somewhat weekly column to this paper.

Even with the year of travel expenditure, however, I had returned home with money in the bank.

Actually enough money to try my hand at my own business and even go out for dinner, which is where I sustained this very question.

Why am I writing about this now? Almost two years since I have returned from that mammoth trip?

Well it has everything to do with what travel can teach you about your economy and I don’t mean the mess of Bermuda’s (though maybe there could be a few lessons in here too!) And the real lesson I have to teach you is most succinctly phrased by the author of this week’s quote, Rolf Potts. His tip: Keep it Simple.

Before I traveled the world for a year, I kept it simple.

New clothes? Nope (or rarely). These were only bought for weddings or if the jeans were finally wearing out.

A house? No, there too. I shared an apartment with three girls and then rented an apartment on my own (which was a splurge,but I didn’t have a choice!). I still do not have a house, but that will be the next reason I keep it simple.

I brought lunch to work, gave-up purchasing coffee and rarely went out for dinner.

My biggest splurge was sun glasses and if I live on an Island then I need to protect my eyes!

These economic woes that the US felt first and now Bermuda is experiencing are down to one thing: excess. For some reason there is constantly an urge to have more than you need in material things and compete with those around you.

My attitude: who cares?! Why compete for the large mansion? Why not live within your means or invest in personal growth (schooling?)? Why invest in a big car rather than your own personal improvement?

And travel (i.e. not immersing yourself in a resort in any country, but actually visiting different countries) is all about personal investment. Want a story for the next dinner party that does not hinder around purchasing shoes or a new car? Take that shoe money and run to South America!

Which brings me to the second lesson I learned about keeping it simple: do it for travel too.  I never understand tourists who fly around the world to host themselves in a Hilton, Marriott or some other chain hotel.

Why? Because that is exactly what they are: chain, no identity hotels. They are not owned by the people who actually live in the country and they will never possess the ability to immerse you in the culture of Thailand, Chile or Mexico.

niagara falls!

Me? I prefer to stay in local joints. In Laos I stayed in a family-run affair and in Niagara-on-the-Lake I stayed in a Bed and Breakfast run by a local. At the B&B, the local, Joe, not only gave me tips on how to visit the area, but was also able to offer us local (not concierge) tips on where to eat.

I have never spent more than $200 on a hotel room and I can’t imagine why I ever would. The point of travel is personal growth. How will a resort that mimics your home country do that?

So….to wrap this up, perhaps we all need to take a tip from travel and learn to keep it simple and focus on personal investment, not superficial material investment.

Until next week…I hope you start to focus on improving you (and stop buying the $2 coffee for crying out loud, if you need to save money!!!)

James Bond Island In Thailand

Our wanderer Emily Ross is off to the beaches of Thailand this week! Being a Bermudian means serious critique of beaches all over the world.

So what does Emily find? Well, for one…it’s not as cheap to travel through the beaches of Thailand! So, Emily, tell us how to travel on a budget:

Hello, readers!

Please forgive me a contented sigh. We have reached the fabled Thai islands – having arrived in Phuket, we have nothing to worry about but sand, sun and sea. But hey, here’s a change: we’re hungry! Let’s open a menu and…

…choke.

200 ($7) baht for FRIED RICE?! 150 ($6) baht for ONION RINGS (the menu item in itself is a blasphemy).

Right, so…the islands are expensive apparently.

Extortionate, some might say.

Right, we know, we should have been expecting this. We were, to some extent. I mean, we knew down south would be expensive, we knew it would be a tourist trap but…well, dammit, we just couldn’t believe that it would be like this.

The price was almost as good as the taste!

My friends, I am experiencing what you would call ‘boomerang culture shock.’ I am surrounded by Westerners. Western lifestyle. This is not what I am used to. Or, well, it’s what I was used to. But I’m not used to it anymore.

What do you mean, the toilets flush?

I get a fork and…knife?

There’s a TESCO?!!

Fighting the urge to cower in the foetal position, we decided to accept Phuket’s challenge. Easy and expensive handed to us on a platter? FORGET THAT. We knew, just knew that Phuket could be done on the budget. Beauty will not be denied us because of a lack of funds. So, here are a few tips (which have thusfar brought us great success) for appreciating the Thai islands on a budget:

1) Ask around.

We managed to nab a bungalow for 7 dollars a night each (granted, more than what we normally like to pay but hear me out), equipped with air conditioning, TV AND pool…and all this just across the street from the gorgeous Kata beach. How did we do this? This was not advertised on hostelbookers or hostelworld, which only recommended more expensive options faaar out of our budget. This was not in good ol’ Lonely P. Actually, credit here goes to the Gap Yahs from Chiang Mai. We asked them where they had stayed when they were in Phuket – we were having no luck finding a cheap place ahead of time and our flight landed at 1am, so we couldn’t exactly just rock up anywhere. They described Rico’s Bungalows and its perks. To be honest, I wasn’t really listening, assuming where they had chosen would still be far out of our price range.

Horrible Phuket

Oh, I have turned over a new leaf, readers. I am less quick to judge, more swift to give chances.  Never more will I make assumptions based upon a person’s clothing choices for a nature park trek. Never more will I define a person based upon their uses of ‘jel’ and ‘nervy-b’ instead of jealous and nervous breakdown. For when these Gap Yah girlies named the unbelievably cheap price (I’m still scratching my head as to why it’s really this cheap, considering the super convenient location) I could scarcely believe it. I went to the website (they have a WEBSITE) of the hostel and…well, there it was. We could afford it. Thank you, gap yah girls. You have changed me.

2) Be willing to walk.

That 200 baht fried rice? It’s 40 baht around the corner. Or down the street. Or a few kilometres away. It’s 40 baht somewhere, my friend, and you will find it, come hell or high water.

Go for the less swank places, go for the hole in the wall spilling out of the owner’s house, go for the place juuust that little bit too far out of town. You won’t be disappointed. The thing about South East Asia is that more money does not guarantee better food (unless you’re talking about Western cuisine…but then again, what’re you doing in Cambodia trying to eat a filet mignon? Get that swill back in the country it belongs in!). You’ll probably have a much better foodie experience when you have a local dish, cooked by a local, in a place where other locals are eating.

If the locals like it, they must be doing something right

These tend to scare off the tourists, giving them more backpacker friendly prices. We went to an amazing Pad Thai place – a little shack packed with locals and with limited English, it was one of those great travel foodie moments. We had to walk a good few kilometres from where we were staying, but I can guarantee it’d be ten million times better than anything you’re paying 250 baht for, and it only cost us 50 – more expensive than our usual food budget but this was probably due to the place being mentioned in Lonely P. So walk. Your wallet will thank you for it.

3) Travel in the off season.

Guesthouses, tours and bars aren’t as full. Prices are lower. We were given a deal on a speedboat trip (food and pickup from hostel included) to James Bond Island (where they filmed The Man with the Golden Gun) for 50% of the original price, and still were able to haggle it lower because we were also buying an (also discounted) boat ticket to Koh Phi Phi. It’s much easier to haggle when there’s no business.

4) Travel with friends.

Use the PJ’s Warehouse Philosophy. It’s cheaper to buy in bulk. Travelling with friends to other places can save you loads of money in the long run, as vendors are generally far more generous with haggling when more than one person is buying. Let’s save money together, guys!

This sucks.

5) Go easy on the alcohol there, guys.

Those fruity, tropical cocktails? 150 baht a pop. And that’s cheap. I know, I know – ‘a DRY beach holiday?!! But…but…I’d rather be in SNOW!’

I’m afraid if your wallet is happy, your liver tends to be pretty cheerful as well. Beer is cheap (relatively) and an option if you feel your experience is tainted by sobriety. However, if you don’t drink beer…well, consider being a little more generous with your budget. There is the option of splitting a bottle of rum/vodka/what have you between friends and then mixing that in with street fruit shakes…but you already walked 5k for a meal tonight. Do you really want to stoop thatlow? Not that we’ve ever done such a thing. Cough.

So there you have it, guys! General rules that have kept us pretty much on budget for Phuket. It’s not easy but it CAN be done. Hallelujah! Go forth!

You've got to deserve those beaches!

Our wanderer Emily Ross is coming to the end of her stint living abroad and finds herself flying through Thailand.

What is she going to see? Well that’s why you have to read on:

Apologies. I know it is not Monday. I think my elation at FINALLY finding sun in Thailand has addled my brain and memory somewhat.

Oh, Thailand. I paid you a short visit back in March but oh! How little I did see. Our mission is to rectify that this time around, by moving from the North (for some templing) to the South (for some beaching). Although it wasn’t until our last day in Luang Prabang that we realised…our time in Thailand is preciously short.  We’ve got twenty days to travel cross country before we have to fly back to Hong Kong, collect our belongings and head back home. So, readers, prepare yourselves for Thailand: Express.

Right. So. North of Thailand? We’ve given ourselves a week up here, then we’re flying down to Phuket (because you can’t lounge on a beach unless you DESERVE it. Which means visiting a lot of temples up here).  You can’t (and I mean can’t. There must be an unwritten backpacker law) visit Northern Thailand without stopping by Chiang Mai.

The welcome return of street food

We sampled the Khao Soi (a delicious curried noodle soup) and wandered the weekend markets, taking full advantage of the abundance of street food. That’s one part of Thailand I can’t get enough of – the sheer variety of street snacks. I definitely noticed a shortage of street food in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Sure, you’d get your occasional skewer of meat or nondescript thing wrapped in a banana leaf, but the Thais LOVE their street food like no other South East Asian country. I’m in foodie heaven. Nom.

Because this is supposed to be the half of the trip where we’re not just enjoying all the hedonistic  pleasures Thailand has to offer, we signed up for a day trip. Yes. I know. We haven’t done anything in a big group since VIETNAM. The Cosmos decided to punish us for this by placing us in a group with five gap yah girls (cue shaking fist at sky). This was gonna be a long day.

Karen girls

We signed up for what you might consider to be the ‘taster platter’ or the ‘ADHD special’ of day trips from Chiang Mai. With a day lasting from 8 to 6, we crammed it with as many different activities you could possibly do. We started in an orchid and butterfly garden, then toured various villages specialising in rice farming, weaving and hemp farming (yes).

I wasn’t sure how I felt about visiting the villages – populated by people of different ethnic minorities (including people of the Karen or ‘long neck’ tribe from Burma, where the women wear heavy neck rings to elongate the neck), it felt a bit like a human zoo. It was slightly uncomfortable. Interesting, but uncomfortable. It reminded me of why we’ve been avoiding tours for so long: it’s awkwardly forced, being pummelled by the constant ‘LOOK AT THIS NOW’ structure of the day.

Hallo you.

We then moved on to an elephant sanctuary, where we rode elephants. Having had a near death experience with charging African elephants back in Botswana, the first thing I noticed was how small Asian elephants are in comparison. A promising start. I managed to get myself on the naughty elephant who kept eating along the road, but hey – I can sympathise. Again, not sure how I felt about this – as someone who dislikes zoos, it’s a bit unnatural to be riding elephants, no? But they were very lively and inquisitive and not displaying symptoms of maltreatment, so I was able to placate my inner discomfort for the time being.

After elephants we got FREE FOOD (tofu fried rice and fruit. Yum!). It was at lunch where another difference between Gap Yahs and University students became apparent. Where we helped ourselves to three (or more) plates of the free bounty, they barely touched their first. Oh, they are so young. One day they too shall be students and respect the glory of free food. Especially if you’re gathering strength for an epic hike through rain and mud. Oh yes we did. Crossed rivers on little logs (I would say they were more akin to branches, myself) too. Felt very Indiana Jones. Or somebody else adventurey.

And then onto…white water rafting. Definitely a feature in my List of Things I Never Planned To Do. After the initial terror…I actually enjoyed it. Enjoyed it enough to have been the highlight of the day. Okay, okay, it probably was not the most challenging stretch of river your average adrenaline junkie may encounter but I was invigorated nonetheless! I may have caught the adrenaline bug…which may potentially change the nature of my daytime excursions. Oh, we shall see. Finish the day lounging on a bamboo raft and then back to town for the Sunday night market. WHEW. Done Chiang Mai.

Now onto Chiang Rai….

Riding the slow boat to Luang Prabang, Laos

I will be the first to tell you I wasn’t so sure about Laos. It doesn’t have a coastline, it’s little and I had heard nothing about the culture that is Laos.

My trepidation, however, was not fair and as our Monday Wanderer, Emily Ross, is visiting this tiny country I thought it was time to explain why you SHOULD go to the forgotten one: Laos.

So reason one for visiting Laos? Well there is nothing like taking a slowwwww vacation, right? You don’t want time to fly and believe me time will NOT fly on the slow boat from Thailand to Luang Prabang. Most people take the boat in that direction, but there are some boats that go the other way (LP to Thailand).

Comfy? Probably not, but definitely an experience

Greeted by wooden planks for seats and more backpackers than you can swing a stick at, the boat trip is actually quite pleasant. The Mekong is an interesting river to navigate and locals still take the boat to deliver their produce.

Until recently these slow boats were, in fact, used to deliver products to markets because Laos had very few roads. As backpackers started filling the boats, locals starting emptying from them. I still managed to sit next to a woman with a bucket filled with frogs and in front of a chicken coup so…..it’s an experience!

Reason two really has to be Luang Prabang. Painted with a colonial brush, this sleepy northern town is ……well a trip back in time. Curfews are enforced. Yes, you want to feel like a kid again?  No problem. Your hotel will lock it’s doors and bars will kick you out at midnight so make sure you’re tucked in bed!

Sure there’s one or two places that break the rules (there always are), but generally bed time is midnight. The bedtime is enforced to ensure there are no loud backpackers outside to wake everyone up! Fair enough.

Rice cakes dried in the sun

Reason three? Because there are rice cakes drying on the side of the road in Luang Prabang. Yes, drying next to the cars driving by and yet….these are delicious! I got all the exhaust I needed.

Ok, it’s more than rice cakes. I love laos because I saw some of the most random things on the streets here: pink cows, rice cakes, and weird varieties of eggs to name a few.

Of course the food was pretty good, but not compared to Thailand (sorry Laos). Still in Luang Prabang the way to eat is via buffet so I definitely filled the gut.

Luckily reason four is the amazing outdoor activities in Laos. For example? A mere 34km bike ride past rice paddies and hills from Luang Prabang are the Kuang Si Falls.

Water falls

My photos definitely did not do them justice. These beautiful falls offer places to swim and even a sanctuary where they take care of bears. Ok not the most usual of pairings, but still…..

Reason five: the evening market! Yes, filled with all of the jewelry, hand woven materials and baskets for your sticky rice that you can imagine!

Walking through the night market

STICKY RICE….how could I forget sticky rice? Ok this is a weird number six, but it’s important. Sticky rice is amazing and should comfort celiacs anywhere who are worried about traveling. You will find it all over South East Asia, but in Laos it is a staple.

More comforting than normal rice, it will fill the belly and is easy to carry with you as you travel. You will find it stuffed in bamboo shoots, crammed in woven containers and soaked in coconut milk for dessert….mmmmm. In fact….I think I need to revive the sticky rice crew! Yes, travel buddy we need to bring it back.

While you eat the sticky rice, you will also be happy to know that Luang Prabang is clean. Yes my reason number seven? Well walking the streets is an easy feat (ha! feat, feet…. get it?) so visiting temples that litter the area is a lovely treat.

The streets of Luang Prabang

And finally….it’s a hop, skip and six hour drive south to the backpacker tubing experience: Vang Vieng. Before you do take the trip….don’t eat!

The way is windy and the buses are not forgiving, so make sure you stomach is empty or filled only with the sticky rice that will keep things in place.

And when you get to Vang Vieng? Do NOT take the tuk tuks at the bus station….they will just deliver you to the backpacker places. Ahhh Vang Vieng. Stay one day for tubing and make sure you escape. That’s all I have to say (for today anyway). Until tomorrow when we visit!

Taboo in Thailand

“Good Afternoon”

“Oh, Hi. Could I….”

“Good AFTERNOON”

“Oh, um….Good Afternoon. Could I please find out….”

We certainly have our ways here in Bermuda. One of those ways includes our traditional greetings, which will require a Good followed by the appropriate time of day.

Should this social norm be ignored or brushed aside (“Oh, hi” is not going to cut it) it seems an affront and you are certainly getting nothing done without it.

Other taboos? Sure there might be some turned heads, but walking around our capital, Hamilton, in bathing suits…..it’s just not appropriate. Yes, our businessmen might show a bit of calf in their shorts, but tourists in their swim suits? Wrong.

Another taboo? Questioning the sacred Cup Match! Yes, another taboo. Are you American? Then you understand Thanksgiving….same thing.

And people say Bermuda doesn’t have it’s own culture.

The problem is, other countries have their own traditions and taboos that are completely different from ours. Sure, you could argue when you visit these countries that you’re a tourist and you should be given a pass.

My question to you is: “Good Afternoon, do we, as Bermudians, give our tourists a pass?”

“Uh….”

“I SAID, Good Afternoon!”

So you get my point. Now what travel etiquette should you know before you travel? How about shaking your head? Tip One is that in many countries including Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, Albania, Macedonia and India shaking your head from left to right means “Yes” or an agreement, while up and down means “No” or disagreeing.

Tip two: In Iran raising your head and eyebrows is considered a “no”! Yep, while eyebrows raised here might be surprise or even a form of agreement, it’s not in Iran!

I will let you sit for a minute and think about it. Don’t worry your boss will understand.

Think how tired you are at the end of the day after dealing with that boss! What do you do when you get home? Tip three is: while you might put your feet up on your coffee table or lie-down on your couch with your feet over your head, that’s a massive insult in many Asian countries. Yep, the soles of your feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.

And so Tip Four is: your feet should never be above the head or be used to point, touch etc… (fair enough, really) in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, well most Asian countries and even Egypt. Of course on the other end, the head, then, is the container of the soul so you should never touch the head or point to the head of another person in Cambodia and other Asian countries.

You should als be careful how you do call someone over or point-out a direction. Tip Five: in Indonesia, India, Japan and China it is considered vulgar and inappropriate to scroll the index finger up to beckon someone over and you should never use the index finger to point. Instead in China put you palm downwards and make a scratching motion to call someone over and also use the entire palm to point in to particular direction. In India use your chin, whole hand or thumb to point.

Thumbs-up is not always appropriate!

Then there is trying to paying a compliment in another culture. Well Tip Six is our Thumbs-up and “Ok” signs we make with our hands (i.e. a thumb up and our thumb and index finger touching) are fine to use in France (except you will be communicating zero not “Ok”), but in other countries these signs are considered vulgar. In Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina, Peru or Iran you might just start a bar fight not start good international relations.

Now of course, Tip Seven is: if you’re visiting Britain do NOT make the V sign with your index and middle fingers and show the back of your hand. You will have, again, just started a bar fight. Instead turn the palm toward whomever you are speaking to and ask for two beers.

Speaking of hands, Tip Eight is that your left hand is considered unclean (for reasons I cannot go into here. Let’s just say toilet paper is sometimes difficult to find) in India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. So never use your left hand to eat or receive objects.

Countries also managed to differ dramatically on the size of their…gestures! While tip nine is not to get offended in Italy, it is be careful in Japan with how loud and aggressive you are with gestures. When I sailed across the Atlantic on the Italian Naval Ship, Amerigo Vespucci, I thought the crew were always furious. I mean it was close quarters, but nope. Instead it is customary in Italy to speak loudly and make large hand gestures. In Japan, on the other hand, facial expressions are kept in check. A mere frown could be interpreted as a disagreement! So careful!!

Bali is beautiful, but don't try to argue!

Which leads to tip ten and: in many countries raising your voice to disagree with what is happening is disgracing not only yourself, but also the person you are speaking to. i.e. you will not get anywhere! Thailand is one country where this is the case. Another? Bali. No matter how much I tried, arguing was a waste of time. Smile, nod and move-on. They will never change their minds.

Want some more advice on a country you are going to? visit: www.expats-moving-and-relocation-guide.com and visit my blog www.robynswanderings.com and until next week I say as-salaamu ‘alaykum.

Daughter and mom walking through the border between Bolivia and Peru

What does it mean to be a mom? Heck that’s not easy to answer when you live in one culture. What does it mean to be a mom around the world?

Lots of different things. Which is why we celebrate mother’s day (today in Bermuda, hence my post. I know, I know, you celebrate mother’s day on different dates in different places around the world!)

When did it start? Well it actually has it’s calls in feminism and the Women’s Movement in the United States when Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870.

No, she did not demand chocolates and gift certificates to a spa. No, Julia was reacting to the carnage of the Civil War (in the US) and believed that women could be involved in the political movements of their countries.

We can! Yippeee now some more than 100 years later women are….well women have a long way to go. Sure in Bermuda and the United States we might have “equal rights” under the law (and not entirely…but that’s another post at another time), but what we don’t have is equality in society.

It’s hard to argue with the subtle sexism that still exists when in societies such as Egypt’s there are mass problems of women being disregarded even with the recent upheavals and demands for democratic rights! That’s what Amnesty International is calling for (women being involved), but that’s another vein to this story…..

So off of my soap box and down to the founding of this day. Since Julia the day has been taken by various counties to match it with historical matters or the Church to be dedicated to….who else? Mother Mary.

Mother Mary Statue in Santiago, Chile

Like this statue that overlooks Santiago, Chile! Overlooking the city she is the one who will ensure the world is safe.

And who else could? We call her Mother Earth. We know women are the ones that reproduce! So who else would you think of, but your mother when you see a sight like this one:

Glacier

Mother Earth is an amazing place, which makes moms of all kinds and all places amazing people or….animals?

I couldn’t help but throw this photo (below) into the mix. Especially following the glacier pic! Who else could I have picked for strong moms, but Penguins

These classy chics leave the egg cracking and toddler rearing to their husbands, while they head to sea and fill their bellies! Good women.

Pruning Penguins

Of course they return to their babies! But after months in freezing temps they need a few minutes to themselves to warm up and get their composure before returning to their families.

Unfortunately, motherhood is not always recognized in the happiest of situations and one of the most disturbing was in fact the way it was portrayed in Cambodia.

A country that went through a horrendous genocide left behind photos that would break anyone’s heart, but the worst are the photos of the children before they were to be killed and the mothers who held them.

Where does her strength come from?

This will be their last photo together before the Khmer Rouge disposed of them. How does she sit there? How does she hold on?

I know mother’s day is supposed to be happy, but it is also poignant. It is also a reminder of mothers who have gone through so much for their children.

Gone through so much as women and for those who still struggle with motherhood. Unfortunately in too many places in the world, women will die from child birth.

Healthcare is still not universal and women are probably those who lack the most for it. I hope on this day we can celebrate the women who make it all come true and try and make a difference for those who still try.

Happy Mother’s Day

Traditional Mother in Bolivia

always be prepared!

Poor wanderer Emily Ross! Some chicken far from home, has left her sick: never a fun combination.

But if it’s going to happen to you, don’t you want to know what to do? Well luckily Emily is here (I promise I didn’t make her!) from her sickbed to tell you what to do if you’re sick and traveling:

Apologies for the lateness, blogoverse. I’ve been bedridden with the plague. Some may refer to it as the common cold. They clearly have never truly suffered.

Upon falling ill, one tends to get philosophical. I reflected upon my past experiences of being ill abroad. Salmonella poisoning in Peru, for example (the hospital food was delicious but opinion may have only been based upon low blood sugar).

Post Full Moon Party food poisoning in Thailand (I still stand firmly by my assertion that my illness was due to a poor drunken decision to eat street food noodles rather than a hangover). Recently, going to the City University Health Centre for muscular pain in my foot and receiving pain medication…’for stomach’ (for once it wasn’t actually a stomach problem! Oh, irony).

So! What to do if you’re ill abroad?

1)      If you’re travelling with a friend, this eases the burden significantly. They are now your slave. You can rely upon them to deliver you to the doctor/go out and buy you food so you can stay in bed. If they complain: tough. It’s the invisible contract you sign when you agree to travel together.

2)      If you’re in a foreign country and are less than proficient in the local language, come prepared. Guidebooks tend to have handy ‘in case of medical emergency’ phrases in the language sections (if your guidebook doesn’t have a language section, get a new one. I’m fiercely loyal to Lonely Planet) and you can buy picture flashcards to illustrate what you’re trying to say if your pronunciation is less than stellar.

When words just don't do it justice

3)      GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. The general rule is, if you spend money on the insurance…you don’t fall ill and end up cursing the fact that you spent the money. If you don’t bother getting it however…You. Will. Get. Sick. That is the way the universe works.  Ask Murphy about it. After you get insurance.

4)      If you have any pre-existing medical conditions always carry a card explaining them in multiple languages.

5)      Write down what vaccinations you’ve had. You’ll probably forget when you need to know. Also, when getting your vaccinations, cover all your bases. Another area covered by Murphy’s Law.

6)      If your illness affects your air travel, contact your airline and sort out the necessary logistics.

Salmonella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh in peru

7)      Dealing with doctors in foreign countries can be intimidating. Don’t feel pressured to consent to treatment you normally wouldn’t back at home.  Different countries have different medical systems – sometimes, this means you get better treatment. Sometimes, this means that the doctors and hospital just get more money the more unnecessary drugs and procedures they prescribe. Be sensible. Don’t be overly paranoid, but blind trust is never advisable, particularly if you’re travelling in a country known for corruption. Research the health policies so you have that ‘just-in-case’ back up knowledge.

8)      If you have major heath complications, seriously consider returning home.

Oh, and just as a preventative measure…

When in doubt, don’t eat the chicken.

Emily checks-out the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok

One perk to studying abroad? Well anyone who has done it knows it’s quick jaunts to towns, cities, countries that would normally cost a lot of time and money to reach from home.

So what is Robyn’s Wanderings’ blogger, Emily Ross do this weekend? Well our Bermudian studying in Hong Kong nipped over to Bangkok, Thailand of course!

What’s there to do in a weekend in Bangkok? Well, what’s not to do? Emily? Can you give us some hints?

One of the perks of being an exchange student is the ‘quick trip culture’ – there’s always somebody willing to do a whistle-stop tour of anywhere for a weekend. This week a small group of us zipped over to Thailand for the infamous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan – but the real highlight was our one day in Bangkok and adventure on the sleeper train. Lucky for me, I’ll be back in Thailand this summer for a much longer backpacking stint, but you’d be surprised how much sightseeing you can accomplish in just one day in Bangkok.

Wake up early and go to the floating markets: Unfortunately we did not accomplish the precondition of waking up early. However: for those of you with foresight, there are four main floating markets in Bangkok – Damnoen Saduak, Bang Khu Wiang, Taling Chan and Tha Kha. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the largest and most popular of the four: if you want to avoid the tourists, get there early. It’s open between 6am and 11am – hop on a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal or grab a taxi and enjoy the hustle and bustle. I’ll be sure to remember to set my alarm for my return to Bangkok.

The following are listed in order from where we started our walk; you can always do it from the other direction depending where you are located!

Phra Sumen

Visit Phra Sumen (or Phra Sumeru) Fortress: The gorgeous old fortress is at Santi Chaiprakan Park, along Phra Athit Road. The road runs along Mae Nam Chao Phraya River and is worth walking as it leads to the historical hub of the city, the Rattanakosin district. From the park you can see the impressive Rama VIII bridge.

Visit Thammasat University (Phrajan Campus): The next stop brings gorgeous views of the river and another relaxing stop. It’s close to Bangkok’s National Theatre and National Museum. Thammasat University is Bangkok’s second oldest.

Endless Street Food

Eat street food: Just outside of the university you’ll find a plethora of street food. There’s plenty on the Thaa Phrajan pier and along the road leading to the Grand Palace and Thaa Chaang pier market. Try the sweet and sticky coconut rice warmed and wrapped in banana leaf, the spicy papaya salad and the grilled marinated chicken skewers. There’s fresh fruit, fragrant curries, popcorn and banana fritters, just to name a few – try it all!

Curries Galore!

Visit the Royal Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha: after lunch, find the entrance to the Grand Palace and give yourself a good chunk of time to walk around. Don’t listen to people walking along the road saying that historical monuments are closed: they aren’t. These people may seem helpful and will give detailed directions, but they’re trying to send you to other attractions to get commission for themselves. Don’t be fooled, you can’t miss the splendour of the palace!

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Pho: Just outside the palace, on Mahaaraat street, you’ll find Wat Pho. A wat is a temple or monastery enclosed by walls. The entrance is on Thaawang Road and tourists have to pay 50baht (about $1.50) to enter. Here you can again see gorgeous monastery buildings and the incredibly huge Reclining Buddha. You can also pay extra for a famous Thai massage: this temple is said to be where the practice was born.

Wat Pho

Wat Arun: The impressive Temple of the Dawn (but open from 9am to 5.30pm). Named after Aruna, the Indian god of the Dawn, the building is impressive either at sunrise or sunset.

It’s possible to see many of Bangkok’s most impressive historical sites in the space of one day, so don’t despair if you’re just passing through for a short amount of time! Go forth, see, eat, appreciate!

Where are you flying?

“Miss! Miss!”

I had only asked for water. Why was she running after me? Was I not supposed to take the glass? I turned around.

“You forgot your snack.”

Phew, I wasn’t some rampant water thief that had to be run-down the aisle of the enormous, double-decker Japan Airlines’ plane.

I was a backpacker and I wasn’t used to this five-star treatment.

“Sorry Miss you were asleep when we came by before.”

Ahhh if there was ever a time when nine hours on a plane was worth it, this was it.

This? One of my segments in my around-the-world ticket, which placed me on one of the highest rated airlines in the world. I was starting to understand some of the benefits of these tickets.

Was buying the around-the-world ticket worth it? Yes and…..no. Thanks Robyn, that clarifies everything!

Tough crowd. Ok, I will try to explain. For my first tip I will tell you how much mine cost (just over $5,000), and where I got it from (I purchased my ticket from the One World Alliance, which consists of American Airlines, British Airways, etc… visit www.oneworld.com for more details). But you can also buy tickets from Star Alliance (www.staralliance.com) or if you’re young enough (i.e. 26 or younger) some companies such as STA Travel (www.statravel.com) might help. Be careful, however, because many agencies (other than from Star or One World) do not have flights that start from Bermuda. Sure you could start from New York or Toronto, but then you still need to buy a ticket to these cities and be sure you know when you’re returning home (otherwise one-way tickets can be expensive!)

But with the cost, and this is a big tip two: figure out how much of a ticket you need. Huh? Ok I’ll explain. The ticket I bought was one of the most extensive and expensive (at the time) and it wasn’t necessary. I had sixteen segments. What’s a segment? Well when we talk about segments in around-the-world tickets we don’t mean flights. Nope.

Segments are a mixture of both overland and above-land travels. Example? I landed in Prague via British Airways. My next flight would be from Istanbul, Turkey, which meant I had to get myself from Prague to Istanbul. I could do it however I wanted to, but One World was not going to be involved.

Which leads me to tip three and more on segments. If I were to do the trip again (and I would love to) I would buy the basic level ticket. On OneWorld Alliance, now, that would mean my ticket could cost as little as $3,699 for three continents. What does that look like? Well a sample they give is: Los Angeles-Tokyo-Hong Kong-Moscow-St Petersburg-Madrid-Miami-Los Angeles (obviously ours would start from Bermuda).

And tip four is I would choose the basic ticket because once you land in Hong Kong or Madrid (or basically any continent) there are cheap flights and buses that make travel very easy once you’re on the continent. In Asia there is AirAsia or even Air Malaysia to give you $20 flights from Hanoi, Vietnam to Bangkok, Thailand. That’s got to be cheaper than paying for a four continent ticket, which starts at $5,299.

Riding a Thai Bus

An added bonus and tip five for why buy a basic around-the-world ticket is: their dates are not carved into any stones. Dates can change as often as you like (though the ticket overall is only valid for 12 months from the first date of travel). Believe me that’s helpful when you never know what you’re going to do or who you’re going to meet.

Which means that while on the road tip six is Skype will become your best friend. Well Skype and the OneWorld Alliance or Star Alliance helper at the other end of the line. Sheila (aka my adopted mother) is going to get a Christmas Card.

What is not negotiable? Destinations. Tip seven is to know where you want to go before you call. Maybe that should be number one? Before you book your ticket sit down (or stand-up it’s your preference) and write-down where you want to go. Decide on the cities that you would like to visit (i.e. are you going to go to Australia or give it a miss? Would Thailand be a better visit?) It will make life easier when you try to find the around-the-world ticket that will not have to be altered and cost you more money.

And that brings me to tip eight (which got lost last week!) is changing the destinations on your around-the-world  ticket costs money (about $125) and is almost impossible to do with the structure around segments. Any flight or overland portion will be counted as a segment so if you’ve booked all of the segments in your three or four-continent trip then changing a destination could be tricky unless it mirrors exactly what you had booked. Make sense? Another rule? Tip nine is: you can only go one way around the world. Mine? Bermuda to Europe to Asia to South America to home. I could have gone the other way, but I could not have gone to Europe and then to America (it’s backtracking if you start from an isolated island).

Which direction are you going?

Still lost? Still not convinced? Well that makes ten easier to give you: convenience, comfort and (another c?) security. Having an outline of your trip via flights provides much needed structure for the trip, while the beauty of booking with the “big-name” airlines does provide comfort (especially when you’re fed gluten-free good on Japan Airlines) that, especially backpackers won’t get on the discount airline, Air Asia between Thailand and Australia. And Security? Well let’s just say that money gets tight, you already have your ticket home. No calling the relatives asking for help.

Which brings us to next week and what are you going to bring home. Everyone has their travel quirks and their collections. What do you bring home? Visit here for your daily travel tips and your Rock Fever Column next week.

Au Revoir!

Traveling Solo in Berlin!

The room was barely bigger than the single bed it contained. I could touch each wall with my hands standing in the middle (I’m five feet, six inches tall). The walls were clean and white. A flatscreen TV and the faucets in the attached micro bathroom were the only things that made any noise. Well, besides me.

I was in a strange town (Bangkok, Thailand to be exact) and I was alone. I had been traveling with a boyfriend for the beginning of an around-the-world trip, but things changed.

I’m not going to write here that the decision to travel solo was easy. It wasn’t. I’m not going to begin to try and sell you on the notion that I wasn’t scared. I was.

But as we just celebrated, or tried desperately to ignore, Valentine’s Day on Monday it got me  to thinking for my Rock Fever Column in The Royal Gazette: Why do we fear being solo? Why is being together celebrated? Why do we only celebrate Valentine’s Day for couples (and friends if you are younger than 12)? Why can’t we celebrate independence? Shall we start a day? Anyone got a name? Heroes’s Day? Shoot that’s already taken.

What has this got to do with travel? Well as most people will be writing gushy mush about friends who’ve been friends since they were in the womb and couples who cannot bear to be without each other (and need mounds of chocolate and roses to prove it) I am writing the anti-thesis: Ten Reasons Everyone Should Travel Solo.

I believe that everyone should be traveling alone at some point in their lives (and I don’t mean on business). Everyone should take a trip somewhere unknown without friends, without a boyfriend (or girlfriend) without, even, a tour guide.

But Robyn, why would I travel on my own? I like my boyfriend? Me and my friend do everything together?

You want to know why? Well that leads me to one of the most important and the number one reason on my list: it builds a strength and reliance on yourself you will get from very little else in life. When you sleep through your flight from Dallas, Texas to Santiago, Chile at the gate (not that I ever did that!) it is only you who must convince the American Airlines’ staff you are not an idiot (they booked me on the flight the next day and even comped me a hotel room for my mistake).

Hey statue how you doing? Wanna travel with me?

But even better than learning self-reliance (I think) is learning number two is that you have a choice. If you’re in Chiang Mai, Thailand and meet two travel buddies who are going on a three-day motorbike ride through Northern Thailand, you can! There is no debate (well maybe internally) and there is no request for sacrifice from your partner.

Which means number three and you want to learn a new skill, such as scuba diving while on the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia, you can! Sure, maybe you could do that if you were with a friend from home or a boyfriend, but what if they already knew how to? Would they be happy to sit in a hut with no electricity between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.? And if they were, would you feel guilty?

So four is it gives you a guilt-free travel experience. If you want to go to Laos before visiting Cambodia and the travel buddy you met last week doesn’t want to, well, you find a new travel buddy! Can you do that with a boyfriend? Sure, but it would be a lot harder. Believe me.

And travel buddies are easy to find, which brings me to number five: When you travel as a couple or even as a couple of friends, you’re intimidating! Couples (either romantic or otherwise) are islands and approaching them takes quite a bit of effort for other travelers. Equally when you’re a couple you’re less likely to reach-out to those around you.

When you’re traveling solo and need to find out how to take the bus from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, you’re going to have to speak to locals. That makes reason six for traveling solo: meeting the people of the country! You’re more likely to talk to them one-on-one if you’re on your own.

Take a bike ride through Northern Thailand? Do it on your own!

Leading to reason seven for traveling solo which is learning to say hello in Cambodian (Sua s’dei) or how are you in Spanish (Cómo estás? or ¿Cómo está?). If you speak only to other travelers or your partner you’re less likely (I think) to actually learn some of the language and even about the culture. Solo? You have to pick-up at least a few words to help yourself.

Sure some couples do, but if you’re single? Well you’re forced to.

You will also be forced to meet other travelers, which is, of course, number eight! A vegan, Israeli who is going to teach English in Cambodia might share veggie rolls with you in Kanchanaburi. A Swedish architect might go hiking with you into the hills of El Calafate, Argentina. Or maybe you’ll go wine-tasting with a college roommate (you haven’t spoken to in a year) in Buenos Aires. Your travel buddies will be a medley exposing you to new experiences while also providing entertainment.

You'll find friends to hike through Patagonia!

But these all lead to number nine and what traveling solo inevitably provides: the ultimate freedom! Sure you might spend all day trying to find an internet cafe in London, England, but at least you didn’t waste anyone else’s day. What if you find that you love Argentina and you want to stay longer to ensure you see “everything”? Well if you’re on your own guess what….. you can stay as long as your little heart desires (see, see the Valentine’s Day connection?).

Which brings me to what I promised to write about last week: Around the World Plane Tickets. I forgot about Valentine’s Day (what does that say?).

But visit here tomorrow….I need help with a name. What’s in a name? Well you’ll find out tomorrow.

Adios!