Check that your passport and all other travel documents are in order well before your departure date.
Take out good travel insurance. If you are diving the DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance is about the best we've found. (both for divers and non-divers)
When you buy currency, get some small notes. You'll find these handy for tipping porters, getting bottles of water at the airport etc.
Check any visa requirements with the embassy of the country you are travelling to if you're unsure.
Check with your doctor's surgery or local travel clinic to see if you need any vaccinations for your destination.
Have your kit serviced before you go. However have a dive or try it out in the pool before you travel. As we found out on a trip, you can't always trust the service centre to put in the right "o" ring. A few spares are a good idea, but don't take the entire contents of your garage.
Take extra batteries for your camera, computer and above all your Discman. This will save you many boring conversations back on the boat, about the shark you did not see on the dive
Try and keep your hand luggage to a minimum. Especially if you have to change flights. The misery of several pieces of hand luggage on a hot late night at Dubai airport taught me that lesson.
If you're on a long haul flight, try to make the flight part of your holiday, but be sensible with your alcohol consumption. Some destinations take a dim view of bleary-eyed drunken divers falling off 747's.
Remember local laws do not only apply to the locals. Find out as much as you can about your holiday paradise. Ignorance of the law is no defence. Your passport is not a "get out of jail free" card.
If you have a problem contact your embassy as soon as you can.
Don't let sunburn ruin your holiday. A nicely tanned body is attractive, bright red blisters can be a turnoff. You would'nt want to be touched in that special way anyway, it hurts too much.
A lack of knowledge of your language does not signify deafness or a lack of intelligence. A smile and polite hand gestures will normally get a result.
If you can, try and pick up a few phrases of the local language. Hello, thank you, how much etc. can get you a long way.
Go with an open mind and you will usually be welcomed with open arms.
Oh and trust me about the sunscreen.
| Happy hols, Erna |
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