Pre-Departure preparations (the list is incomplete
… in progress) Bedding
1.
Special sheets
2.
Sleeping bags
3.
Mosquito nets
Cameras
1.
Photo
2.
Video
3.
Audio / voice recorder (strange regulations. Sensitivity!)
4.
Tripods / monopods
Clothing
1.
The obvious
2.
Insect-repellent clothes
3.
Insect repellents
4.
shoes
Communications
Telephone
1. Hotel
2. Internet
3. Skype
4. etc.
Mobil Phones
1.
Global
2. Local c/o SIM chi
3. Different standards and systems
Satellite Phones
Computers / printers
/ storage devices
Electrical
1.
Standards
2.
110/220 volts 50/60 Hz
3.
Converter plugs
4.
Transformers
F O O D (the good / the bad
/ the ugly)
1.
Local food
2.
Fruits and vegetables
3.
Travel / emergency food
4.
WATER! (be careful, even with some bottled waters!)
Fuel
1.
Cost / Budget
2.
How to pay!
3.
Type
4.
Where to buy (not always obvious!)
Insurance
1.
Health
2.
Medical evacuation
3.
Travel
4.
Trip cancellation
5.
Vehicle (green card)
Itinerary
1.
Planning Planning Planning
2.
Consider Lead times!
3.
Flexibility adaptation: key to enjoyment!
4.
Pace. Don’t kill yourself by trying to see/visit everything/everywhere!
Lodging
1.
Guest houses
2.
Home stays
3.
Hotel
4.
Reservations
5.
Use of Agents may be “required” by some countries.
Medical
1.
Clinics and Hospitals
2.
stomach ailements! This one deserves its own category!!!!
3.
Doctors
4.
Insurance
5.
Local conditions (rabies, malaria, cholera, epidemics, sources of info)
6.
Medicine
7.
Sources of Information
8.
Vaccinations
Money
1.
What currency?!
2.
ATM
3.
At the Borders
4.
Credit Cards
5.
Currency dealers
6.
Reminder: Government Regulations / limits
i. Limits
ii. Cash in
/ cash out
iii. May have
to keep your receipts until after departure
1.
Travelers Cheques
2.
Precautions against theft
Navigation
1.
GPS
2.
Local Knowledge
3.
Map
Transportation
Travel Agency / Tour Operator / Local Guide
Vehicle
1.
Spare Parts
2.
Storage space
3.
Tools
4.
Transport / shipping
Visas and passports
- Do not underestimate
costs and time. Allow 2-4 weeks wait time per country for visas.
- Start 6-9 months in advance prior to your trip for
obtaining visas for Central Asia.
- Driving your own car in China requires 2-4 months of advance paperwork and MUCH expense.
- Be generous with
requested time in a country. Allow PLENTY of extra time for the unexpected.
… and finally: Companions
and Travel partners
1.
This one can easily make or break your vacation!
2.
Compatible interests / personalities
3.
How well do you know each other?
