Let’s start this post with a sweeping statement. Broadly speaking, violent crime in Asia is rare. But low-level opportunism does pose a risk, as it does to gullible or unprepared travelers anywhere. The Asia region also has its share of environmental gremlins and tricky cultural hurdles. With this in mind, save yourself a ton of hassle and find out how to avoid and/or overcome these travel challenges.
A 10-point street-smart guide for Asia travels:
1. Break your money down. For some reason, across much of Asia, nobody carries change. Get in the habit of breaking your money down any chance you get. Make that a bank where you take money out or a big-brand convenience store or supermarket. If you hand a fat note to a taxi or vendor, the recipient will vanish for an unnervingly long time before duly returning your change.
2. Watch out for tiger mosquitoes – the ones with the long stripy legs and a science-fiction feel. The little shysters carry dengue. So squash on sight, ignoring any karmic implications. The best defence is long clothes and mosquito repellent. Never leave a balcony door or window of your room open with the light on.
3. If your taxi takes you to a hotel that turns out to be suddenly mysteriously full even though you just booked, beware. He might be taking you to the wrong address where a crony of his waves you on. You wind up at another, more expensive hotel where the taxi is getting a rake-off. Always try to get your cell phone running the moment you arrive in a country so you can call the hotel where you plan to stay. There is no need to be gouged by taxi scams.
4. If you are mobbed by children, watch out. While you are paying attention to one cute child, another could be reaching for your wallet or purse.
5. Secreting money safely is a tough one. Whatever people say about money belts, it is hard to beat sticking your wallet or purse in your front jeans pocket – a difficult place to pick.
6. Always agree the ride price before you get in a rickshaw, cyclo or tuk-tuk. If you leave that negotiation until arrival, things may turn ugly with the driver demanding a ridiculous price. Strenuously clarify price and destination. Ideally, have the address on a piece of paper in the taxi’s native language. Or have the establishment’s phone number saved in your mobile phone; dial it and hand it to the taxi driver, who can hopefully do the rest.
7. Walk slowly. A lope beats a trot for three reasons. First, a slow pace means you sweat less and saves you from needing to wash your clothes 10 times a day. Second, Asian pavements can be crazy, featuring all kinds of obstacles from low-slung canopy poles that ram your forehead to slippery white tiles laid outside pharmacies. Third, you are less likely to startle any neurotic dog that might be lurking round the corner.
8. Speaking of dogs. If you venture somewhere remote, it is a good idea to carry a stick or be ready to hurl a stone – the better weapon because it keeps any mad dogs at a distance. Never show fear. Move slowly and calmly and, with luck, they won’t hassle you.
9. When you first arrive at a new town, sample the local yoghurt. Don’t ask exactly how, but apparently a dose of yoghurt works wonders in boosting your immunity to area bugs.
10. Border crossings can be dismally slow. So, get in the habit of carrying readymade passport photos plus your own pens. Better yet, memorise your passport number and its issue date. The less of your holiday you spend marooned in a customs queue, the better.
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