a4trip Blog

I remember it was back in the middle of December ‘07 that I briefed everyone on the idea of the “big ship” and why we should mobilize the entire team to work on the “500 Project”.

And now, we are entering into the 6th months.

We have came up with 3 guidebooks (one in beta), and by the end of the year, 36 guidebooks will be on sale.

Along the way, we’ve learnt alot about the travel writing business. From the first writer to join the team to the current team size of 60 talented writers, translators and mappers across the globe, we’re moving closer to the “500″ target.

To keep the big ship’s momentum, we are going to be rollling a few things very soon.

Most of you might not have the courtesy to join us in our Daily Marketing Briefings, yes, you read that right. The briefing is a daily ritual in the mornings that usually last about 1-2 hours, every “business days”. While you’re busy writing your guide, or drawing icons for your map or looking up funny words in the translation websites, the Marketing team has been working over the clock to see that the Guidebooks is reaching out to the travelers. The interns that just joined us now are also performing much better than we expected.

After running the Daily Marketing Briefing for about a month, we are now moving to mini-campaigns. Each team member will design a marketing campaigns of their own and then track their own campaign effectiveness.

Next, we are also working on the a4Trip.com Manager module. This will make it very simple for the Operation team to notify download stats, earning reports and facilitate payment related issues. We are looking to start using the new a4Trip Manager by end of June.

And, leaving the best for last…the new a4Trip.com Website! Believe me, you are going to be thrilled to see all the new features we’ve added and improvised. The underlying philosophy of the new site is to simplify the buying process and providing useful information the moment travelers landed in a4Trip.com. The new site design is due end of June, to all dear writers, ensure your guide is ready for release by then.

The Marketing Team is ready to adopt any tactics that can help to increase the awareness of the a4Trip Guidebooks. If you have a good idea, share it with them!

The Development Team is constantly looking at modifying the a4Trip infrastructure to improve the Guidebooks buying process. They could use a little help too if you have a great idea to contribute!

Meanwhile, fasten your seat belts and get ready for the upcoming features!

eisen :: 22 Jun 2008 :: Asia Travel :: 1 Comment »

Here are the updates of Siem Reap Travel Guide from a4trip

admin :: 19 Dec 2007 :: Asia Travel, Cambodia Travel, a4trip Guides :: 1 Comment »

The Angkor site was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage in 1992 and its high artistic value shall be preserved for the next generations. Followings list down the things you can do to preserve Angkor Heritage Sites while visiting Siem Reap

1. Say NO when you are being offered with the artifacts looted out from the pre-historic sites, which include glass and stone beads, pottery, stone tools and metal objects.

2. Keep the heritage sites clean by disposing of your rubbish appropriately

3. Respect the temples as they are active religious monuments.
- Refrain from wearing bikini or being topless in the heritages sites
- Ask for permission before taking photo of monks

4. Refrain from touching the stone cravings and bas-reliefs.

5. Be an environmental friendly traveler.
- Ride bicycle while visiting the Angkor Archeology Park.
Get free Angkor Cycling Route from a4trip
-Conserve water in Siem Reap to prevent of water table dropping.
The descent of water table may cause the collapse of heritage monuments.

6. Help the Siem Reap locals in poverty.
- Make a donation to hospital and NGO.
- Dine in or sponsoring a student in school of restaurant
- Purchase Cambodian-made products and handicrafts produced by physical disabilities.
Check where you can help out in Siem Reap Travel Guide from www.a4trip.com

admin :: 18 Dec 2007 :: Asia Travel, Cambodia Travel :: 2 Comments »

admin :: 12 Dec 2007 :: Cambodia Travel, a4trip Guides :: No Comments »

1. Estimate your budget
Your budget for traveling in Asia is the core factor to determine which type of hotel you should select. Guesthouse or budget inn will be the gem for backpackers who just need the basic accommodation facilities, i.e. bed and bathroom. These budget accommodations usually will cost you less than USD 20 per night.

Mid-range or 3 stars hotels, with price range from USD 20 to 50, are popular selection among the family travelers. These hotels provide you a more hygiene and comfortable environment for staying. Some may provide swimming pool, business center, shop and restaurant services.

Due to the benefits from currency exchange, the price of 5 stars hotels in Asia might be inconsiderable. Choose these hotels to ensure a pleasant and memorable vacation in Asia.

2. Decide the location
There are hotels near the airport, near the beach, near the tourist hotspot or at the city center. Hence, pick a hotel near the location you would visit the most frequent during the trip. This can help to save the transportation costs in long run.

3. Review the recommendation
After narrowing the scope of your hotel picks by the price and location, it’s time to review and compare them by recommendation, testimonial and facilities. You should at least visit the hotel webpage for detail information or send email for further clarification if necessary. If possible, refer to third party testimonial of the hotel for more reliable recommendation.

Good Sources for hotel hunting:
Guide book from http://www.a4trip.com
- It first categorizes the accommodation into three price range - Budget, Mid-Range and Splurge and then further categorizes each of the hotels by location inside each price ranges. Website, email contacts and traveler’s testimonial are provided.

Asia Hotel http://www.asiahotels.com
- This webpage help you to list down and book hotels in Asia categorized by rating and type.

admin :: 10 Dec 2007 :: Asia Travel :: No Comments »

Tips to avoid currency exchange scams

1. Do your home work
The currency exchange rates are set daily. If you were offered with any lower rates, you’re most probably exposing yourself to scams. Check the latest currency exchange between the your country against the country you are travelling to.

A great resource to find currency exchange rate in Asia.
Click below to convert.

2. Avoid money changer at the Airport
Taking advantage of ad hoc currency needs, licensed money changer in the airport usually applies higher exchange rate. It may due to the high booth rental in airport.

3. Avoid money changer at the Borders
You would always been told that the exchange rate was better at the border comparing to the city. Do your research to avoid falling into this scams.

4. Avoid currency exchange from unauthorized money changers
If possible, try to exchange currency at a proper bank.

5. Follow the regulation in your travelling country
In some Asia countries, China for example, a passport is required to exchange money. Hold on to your exchange receipt, which you need to convert your extra local currency back.

admin :: 29 Nov 2007 :: Asia Travel :: 1 Comment »

Here are list of lightweighted stuffs to pack before going to Asia
===============================================
Valuables
- Passport, visa photos
- Personal checks, traveler’s checks, credit cards, money belt
- Cash & local currency, flight tickets

Personal Cares
- Shampoo, comb
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, toothpicks, floss
- Shaving cream, razor, extra blades or electric shaver
- Deodorant, hand soap, washcloth,towel
- Toilet paper, sanitary pads, condoms

Medical Kits
- Vitamins, aspirin, cold pills, contraceptive pills
- Eyedrops, nail clipper, bandages, sunscreen, lip balm
- Mosquito repellent, insect sting reliever, particle mask

Travelling Needs
- Small padlock, umbrella, raincoat, sun glasses
- nylon cord, sealing tape, ziplock bags
- mini scissors, flashlight, batteries, bulbs, lighter

Hiking Gears
- Hiking boots, heavy wool socks
- Mosquito net, inflatable pillow,sleeping sheet
- Immersion heater, camping pot,vegetable scrubber
- Compass, thermometer, altimeter

Clothes
- Nylon pants, jeans and other pants
- Underwears
- Socks
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Smart Casual suits/dresses
- Swimsuit
- Walking shoe
- Smart Casual Shoe
- Sandals

Photography
- Camcorder & accessories, Camera and kits
- flash, batteries, lenses, tripod, film, memory cards
- Mini binoculars

Electronics
- IPod or MP3 Player, telephone extension cord, batteries
- AC adaptors, extension cord

Stationaries
- Envelopes, pens, pencils, paper, mini world atlas
- Address book, visa photos, business cards
- Local guidebooks and map
- Songbooks

Gifts to locals
- Photos of self and family
- Postcards, old stamps, light souvenirs

Any comments or suggestions?

admin :: 28 Nov 2007 :: Asia Travel :: No Comments »

With more than 40 temples, some of which are in ruins, Angkor Archaeological Park is shrouded with myth, mystery and legend.

Angkor Wat, as the main attraction, is regarded as the most magnificent and comprehensively restored temple. The notable artistry of its massive moats and bas-relief carvings are best viewed at the sunrise or sunset. Photography of Angkor Wat is best taken at dawn as the towers are reflected in the lake beyond the moat wall.

Download your map here

Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei with enormous silk-cotton trees and strangler figs growing from the ruins are best visited at the heat of the day. The roots of silk-cotton tree entwined with the towers and corridors offer a jungle photogenic atmosphere.

Find this information useful? Get your full copy of Siem Reap travel guide now.

admin :: 16 Nov 2007 :: Cambodia Travel :: 2 Comments »

For travelers who intend to spend a day visit and to cover most of the major temples, you might want to consider using our suggested itineraries of Angkor Archaeological Park. The itineraries are classified into two types – cycling and tuk-tuk tours, as illustrated in the map, which are cheaper options comparing to car taxi or bus tour.

Download your route here

For 1-day cycling tour, you have to rent a bicycle the night before the tour. The price of bicycle rental is around USD 2 to 3 per day. Start your cycling from Siem Reap at 4 am in order to reach the Angkor Archaeological Park before its visiting hour at 5 am. Purchase your USD 20 ticket pass at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. Cycle toward the Angkor Wat and park your bicycle. Pay 500 Riel to the guardian of your bicycle.

As for 1-day tuk-tuk tour, make an arrangement with a tuk-tuk driver the night before the tour. Ask him to pick you up at 4am for a day trip to Angkor Archaeological Park. The price of hiring a tuk-tuk driver is about USD 10 to 13 for this route. Purchase your USD 20 ticket pass at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. Ask the tuk-tuk driver to stop at Angkor Wat.

After contemplating the sunrise and its architecture from Angkor Wat, you can follow the cycling or tuk-tuk route respectively to continue your expedition of other temples.

There are many food stalls inside the Angkor Archaeological Park where you can stop by for savory dish craving.

Find this information useful? Get your full copy of Siem Reap travel guide now.

admin :: 06 Nov 2007 :: Cambodia Travel :: No Comments »

Visa

e-Visa is highly recommended by Cambodia government to tourists as a replacement of the traditional way of getting Cambodia Visa from embassy. Cambodia e-Visa provides the convenience to tourists to apply a Cambodia Visa at any where, at any time as long as they can access to Internet. Tourists won’t need to visit the Cambodia embassy, queue up and wait for the passport to be done. All they need is a computer with Internet. The process is fast, secure and well planned. Cambodia government have constantly upgrade and improve the system in order to serve tourists better.

If you are not eligible for e-Visa, you can apply your Cambodia Visa at the nearest embassy or on-arrival at all major checkpoints.

Weather

It times to visit to Cambodia this November. November to February is the “cool season”, which is dry and not too hot (up to about 30C or 85F). In April it gets really hot (40/100 daily, 30/85 at night), but not rainy. Starting around June it gets rainy and still hot. It rains off and on all the time, so roads are muddy and some areas are impassable, and it stays like that until November, when cool & dry comes gloriously back.

Custom

Keep in mind that shorts are frowned on in temples (such as at Angkor Wat). In fact, few men in Cambodia wear shorts unless they have particular sweaty jobs, so there is a class element to this. But since foreigners are seen as completely strange anyway, they can get away with odd behavior and dress to an extent. Certainly lighter dress is fine during exercise (you can go running or biking in the morning along the river in Phnom Penh). Good walking/hiking shoes are a plus for a visit to the temples. Sandals (not leather) are good for rainy season in the city, the mud and fecal matter just rinses right off!

Money

Bring dollars if you already have them or baht if you don’t. Dollars (and to a lesser extent Thai baht) are accepted almost everywhere in Cambodia, intermingled freely with riel. You will get some riel as change when you spend dollars; just mix ‘n’ match. One dollar equals 4050 riel (as of January 2006); the riel has lost less than half its value since 1995 (those IMF policies keep inflation down, if nothing else). Coins have not been used for many, many years.

admin :: 02 Nov 2007 :: Cambodia Travel :: No Comments »