One Man Journey on a Kapcai

Just found this blog about the journey of one man, Syed Ahmad Abdul Hadi bin Syed Hussein from Malaysia all the way to United Kingdom on a bike (kapcai nonetheless). I'm proud of his courage and pray that he can finish the journey. He is currently at Khardung La, India. See his website here and keep track of his journey there. If you feel generous, give some contribution for him to continue his journey.

Tips for traveller to Europe

I'm still haven't connected to my PC (I'm using the hubby), so the pictures are still in the PC. I seen a few people add me as followers, I'm really surprised as it's been a while since the last post. Thank you!

The economy are getting better. The gap between Dollar and Euro are closer. So, I seen lots of people are going holiday this year. Unfortunately for us, might be no travel this year also :(((. We'll see how next year goes. Once you get the travel bug, you feel the itch all the time.

I posted some travel tips to a local newspaper but the email not going through. I post the tips if it published, okay.

Now, I thought I give some tips for traveller from Malaysia (the hot and humid country) going to European country.

1. Weather - The best time to go travel are during spring to me. Winter are too freezing, Summer are too crowded. Autumn might be good but I haven't travel during Autumn. It's because prices for most accommodation or sights are cheaper than during Summer. The crowds are thinner, therefore you'll get to see something without queuing long. However, winter is the cheapest way to go for accommodation and flights. But then, you got to buy winter clothes. Due to climate change, April and May had unpredictable weather but May seems better as April had lots of rains.
2. Packing list - If going on early spring and autumn, you still need warm clothes and even winter coats. It might said 16/17C but the wind are making it so cold. If you can handle it with thin coats, look for thin material that keep you warm (like fleece). Most people said to bring clothes that you can layer up when it's cold and take off a piece when it's warm.
3. Essential - Bring your medication and the common medication (paracetamol, eye drops, plaster, flu medicine). Going to pharmacy will knock off 15-20 euros (that's a meal or two!). One other important thing is to bring LOTION. I didn't like lotion leaving in this humid country where the lotion turns into sticky hands. But there, I was rubbing in 3-4 times a day (or whenever I had time). Your skin will get very dry and flakey usually by a week time. Though, it differs from people to people. Lucky hubby! On the same note, bring moisturizer for your face also. This rule are for boys also.
4. Money - Make sure to activate the PLUS in your ATM card which can be done at ATM machine. Be sure to change the limit to higher withdrawals (the default is RM1000). Call your credit card to inform of your trip so that the card won't get blocked. Find out what's the transaction fee for credit card withdrawals and other fees. It's good when you have several banks so that you can use the cheapest if must too. Check also the charges for credit card transaction (usually 2%) and currency exchange charge between banks. Change some money to euros to tide us before we find an ATM machine. Our changing rate usually are better than if you change at your destination.
5. Storing money - I guess this depends on how you want to store them. I hate the waist money thing. It's bulky and makes your tummy bigger. The important thing here is to split your money. Keep some in pockets, some in your backpack and some in your jacket. Maybe other people keep in shoes? :) Keep it close to your body and in front rather than back. Same goes with your passport. Have copies of them and keep in your wallets and bags.
6. Scams - There are a lot of scams everywhere you goes. The ever popular one is tying a "friendship" bracelet to your wrist and then ask for money. So, stay clear of that and check your balance twice.
7. Bookings - Bookings for car rental and accommodation in Internet are always cheaper than if you when to the counter. Sometimes, you even see the price different between websites because it depends on the deal they get with the place.
8. Transportation - The cheapest way to travel are by bus but it is not always comfortable. It good for short distance trip. The low-cost flights (SkyEurope, Ryanair etc) are sometimes cheaper than train like eurorail for cross-country. We got a 5 euro (promo price) flight from Paris to Prague. We paid about RM300 for train from Milan to Venice. Consider prices as well as time. Sometimes, the train ride through scenic view will be enjoyable to experience if you don't mind the prices. Consider overnight train or ferry to save money on a night accommodation. Other transportation such as ferry will be a different experience than the usual road trip such as from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Italy or from London to Paris. Every country had some sort of discount card for transportation with sights. It depends on how much you are using the transportation and the place you want to go.