I've been travelling a lot since I joined UTM International Business School (UTM IBS). Australia, Thailand, China, even within Malaysia like Kelantan, Perak, Johor (of course). So I thought, why not list out travelling tips which some are commonly known and some from my travelling experience. I hope this will benefit those first timers.
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| Sharing my tea with a Zebra in Brussels, Belgium |
Tip #1: Flight. If you have done online check in, be at the gates at least 30 minutes before they close or 10 minute-ish before they open. If you haven't, it is best to be at the airport like a couple of hours earlier. However, this might not be a helpful tip for the frequent travelers like going on a business trip, conference or just happen to like traveling via because they know how to time themselves from entering the gate, to the security check in to get aboard. And they are familiar with the layout of the terminal. If you have done some homework on the layout of the terminal where you depart, i.e. know how long does it takes to get you to the gate, then that's fine. Otherwise, don't risk yourself of being late for boarding.
Tip #2: Muslim travelers, bring along clay soap with you whenever you travel. We, Malaysian Muslim are mostly cynophobia. I don't see fear coming from my other Muslim friends when they canines or dogs walking near them. In fact I know some of them have them as pets. We fear getting close to them because most of us believe dogs are ritually unclean (najis) & if we touch them wet, we need to cleanse ourselves with clay. So, that's why I suggest to bring a clay soap with you. For me, I use Taharah soap (this is not a promotion, you're free to find any brands of clay soap you can find). Also, the clay soap is being used to wash the dishes provided in the apartment/hostels/lodging in case if the previous guests have been eating non-halal stuff.
Tip #3: For tourists. Avoid donning yourselves with luxury branded material on a theft-prone places even though they're fake. Places like Rome, Paris, where there are lots of immigrants now. Be mindful of what you wear. You're not a parading model on a fashion week, it attracts pick pockets. Dress as casual as possible to avoid attention. Sometimes, I always want to wear something tattered so people might think I'm homeless. However, I could be a target of another group, the police *='P Also, dress as comfy as possible, travelling would require alot of walking or going to places.
Tip #4: Before booking an accommodation, DO YOUR HOMEWORK first. Read reviews of the accommodation from previous guests via Tripadvisor or booking.com or any other travelling blogs and websites. Don't just read one review, read 3 to 4 at least so you can get a general idea how good or shitty the lodgings are. Also, don't stop there. Check its accessibility to eateries and tourists spots as well.
Tip #5: That universal adapter is so helpful, man! You cannot get them in UK/Europe. I think they do have them somewhere in the traveling shop in the airport but it's bloody expensive. Go and get them at Tesco for RM20++ (not sure of the current price).
Tip#6: Another tip for the Muslims which related to tips#2. Muslims everywhere may have different ways of do things compared to Malaysian Muslims, due to different sect (mazhab). Do not bother to explain the local Muslims in Paris that you are doing jamak prayer when they invited you to pray jumaah together. They don't get this. Don't cringe when you see the local Muslims in Turkey walk their dogs. Don't get a shock of your life when observe some of them pray 7 rakaat plus plus for Maghrib (don't laugh, it's true. My Afghani boyfriend practice this). I am no pious, but I suggest do a little bit of homework on the local Muslims of the country you intend to visit, know which Mazhab are they from so you won't get culture shock. See how different their practices are compared to us. One thing I like about traveling is that you get to know different mazhabs and you are aware about Sunnis, Shiah, Ahmadiyya, etc.
I have a few more traveling tips coming along.
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| Spring break in Nice, France |
