Some Tips on Travelling to South East Asia
As you all know, South-east Asia is a menagerie of exotic locations, people, food and animals. What most people fail to realise, is that it is also home to a wide range of exotic diseases which are abundant due to the tropical climate (this is also true for all tropical states and countries).
Now, before everyone jumps and screams and avoids asia like the plague, let me explain. I’m merely trying to caution visitors to South-east Asia, not scare them away. So take pre-cautions by having immunitions for diseases like malaria, dengue, yellow fever, etc.
In general, most South-east Asian countries are clean and do not hold life-threatening disease as reported in some publications. Or at least, living here, I have not personally encountered or heard of many cases of such diseases. However, if you’re venturing into the deepest jungles or outskirts of any country or state, be prepared as medical care is not as advance in the rural areas than in developed countries.
Other than that, safety concerns include landmines (just kidding), pickpockets, and unscrupulous traders trying to make a quick buck. Some regions may be a bit hostile due to political uprisings and such, but I’m sure a few clicks on news sites will reveal which regions are safe for travel.
For the most part, travellers should be concerned about the pickpockets and traders who are out to scam you. Some countries have seen a recent rise in snatch theft cases, but the victims are almost all locals. Here in South-east Asia, the locals hold a high degree of respect for their foreign guests, even to the point where the local thugs will leave foreigners alone.
Last but not least (for now), visitors are advised to apply copious amounts of sunblock as the tropical weather here tends to lend some damage to our delicate skin. The sun, however nice it may be is a source of sunburn and other causes of discomfort. If sunblock is not for you, then long sleeves or scarves to protect you from the sun works as well. But then again, what’s the point of visiting South-east Asia if you’re not going to be enjoying the sun?
Well, that’s all I have to offer for now. Stay tuned for more.
pin :: 29 Nov 2007 :: Travel Insights ::
Blin … really beautifully written! All this is so familiar … and truthfully!