a4trip Blog

When travelling to Asia, many visitors indulge in the wonderful practice of shopping. But shopping can both be rewarding and disappointing. Who hasn’t heard the story of the traveller who bought an expensive vase, only to see an exact replica of it for a quarter of the price somewhere else? Or the one where an uncle had a good bargain, only to find that the workmanship was terrible when he opened the wrapper.

 Here are some tips which may help you get the best out of shopping.

1) Don’t seem too interested.

This is easily the most likely reason for buying something you don’t need. The moment you spend more than a second looking at something, you will be swamped with locals all trying to sell you the item. Only stop if you know for sure you’re buying something. Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting your time, and theirs.

2) Take your time when buying.

Many foreigners tend to jump at the item after hearing the price as it’s usually a lot cheaper than if they were to get it back home. Don’t. For two reasons. One, prices are usually marked up way higher for foreigners as they believe in your buying power. Two, why pay for one, when you can get two for the same price?

3) Always inspect the goods before leaving the shop.

The trick most locals use, is the item swap. First they show you the item, and it’s really nice and all. Then you haggle for a good price which they agree to. Then to show you their hospitality, they offer to wrap up the item. The moment they turn their backs to you, they swap the item for an inferior one and you end up taking home something broken or faulty.

Once a friend wanted to buy some ‘Dockers’ pants at a street market but couldn’t get the right fit. The sales attendant went to get him a better fit and came back with a pair with some weird brand on it. He claimed it was the same pants. We both walked out without another word.

4) Bargaining is the way to go.

Bargaining is the best way to shop in Asia. All you have to do is ask the price. Think about it for a while and tell them you want it cheaper. They will ask you to quote a price and then proceed to tell you they can’t give it for that much. Tell them someone else offered you that much and they will try to negotiate for more giving all sorts of excuses included sob stories and all. Now is the time to stand by your price. If they disagree, walk away. They will come running after you and agree to your price. If you really want that item, you’ve got yourself a deal. If not, you should have been out of there a long time ago.

5) Always shop at the end of the trip.

One common mistake many travellers make is to go shopping early during the trip. First, you’ll have more luggage to carry and secondly, you’re more likely to come across the same items for a much cheaper price. Wait and see. It gives you time to look around and find the best bargains in town. You might also meet people who can recommend to you the best places to shop.

pin :: 13 Dec 2007 :: Travel Insights :: 1 Comment »

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 :: 1 Comment »

Korea
In Korea, office workers’ biggest vacation would be the annual summer vacation on July or August whilst their students have two vacations, one is from July to August, and the other is from January to February.

Japan
For Japanese, they have the Golden Week in Japan which occurs mainly from April 29th to May 5th. Also, many Japanese goes on a trip during the month of August and the New Year’s Holiday (usually from December 28th to January 5th). Their students however have a month of vacation during March of every year.

Poland
Poland’s traveling season is from the month of June to September. Even though these few months are the time for Polish to travel, Europeans especially Polish are very particular on when to travel to Cambodia and other South East Asian Countries. One of the factor that comes into consideration is the climate and weather (wet/dry season). Therefore, the best travel season for Europeans would be the dry season that is, from November to February.

Spain
Spanish people have their holidays during the month of August as well as July and September. Other than that, some travel over the Christmas Period that is, from December 22nd to January 7th.

Ireland
For the Irish people, traveling season is an all year round affair and most of the time, family holidays take place during the month of July and August. Traditionally for the month of June, July and August; which coincides with the school holidays and as such there’s a growing trend over the past 5 or 6 years that Christmas should be spent abroad.

Sweden
Swedish traveling period usually occurs from around November to March as most of the charter companies only travel to Southeast Asia during these few months. Also, there are no direct flights to Cambodia as of now and most of the major airlines operate flights to Cambodia through transit lines at places like Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Although, there are unconfirmed information that one or two charter companies are going to operate their own flights this coming winter.

Australia
There are quite a number of traveling season for the Aussies. For example, school holidays begins during the southern hemisphere’s summer season and that’s between December and January. This is the time where most families tend to travel especially during the Christmas period. Other than that, there are small little holidays of around two to three weeks during mid or late April (Easter Holidays), June as well as September.

Spain
Holidays in Spain usually occurs between July and September and most of them travel during the month of August. Some Spanish travels during winter because the plane tickets are cheaper but most of them travel during summer.

United States of America
A lot of Americans travel during the ‘Summer Months’ and thats between June, July and August. Other than this, Americans tend to travel during the month of December as many offices are closed for religious observances.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s travel season are usually during the school holidays which starts from July 13th and ends in the month of August.

New Zealand
New Zealanders loves taking traveling break at the end of the year and that’s December. Some though, wouldn’t mind taking their break during winter in June and July although, that’s a shorter holiday as compared to December.

Slovenia
Slovenia has a big National Holiday from 25th December to 3rd January and 27th April to 3rd May. Most of the people travel during these National Holidays. Also, during the summer vacation that is, from June to September; Slovenians usually visit some Mediterranean countries in Europe. During the winter vacation that is, from November to February; Slovenians will try to escape the very cold winter season and opt for a warmer climate in places like Cambodia as well as other Southeast Asian countries.

France
Families usually travel from July to August because of the school holidays. Other than that, schools are closed during Christmas for two weeks. In February, it is very cold (almost -10°C) and most French would love to escape this cold period and thus travel to tropical places like Cambodia or other Southeast Asian countries.

Austria
Austria generally has 2 big holidays occurring during the summer holidays (first week of July till second week of September) and winter holidays (around 20th December till 7th January). There are holidays for students in universities across the country during February as well. Also, Easter holidays occurs for roughly one to two weeks between late March and late April.

India
India has a few unique and special holiday seasons. One of them is the Puja holidays for the residents of Calcutta (closest Indian city to travel to Cambodia) which occurs in September. Another one would be Diwali for all Indians and it happens from late October to early November. Indians also have holidays during Christmas, which happens from 15th December to 9th January, as well as summer, which happens from 20th March to 1st June. Many families travel during the month of April, May and June due to the long summer vacation where school’s are closed. Short overseas are also undertaken especially by newly weds and this of course occurs throughout the whole year except for July, November and December.

South Africa
For South Africa, Autumn vacation begins from the last week of March and lasts for up to three weeks. Winter break though begins from mid-June and lasts for one month. For Spring break, it occurs from mid-September till the 1st week of October and last but not least the main travel season is during the Summer break which begins from mid-December till the beginning of January and this covers the Christmas and New Year period.

admin :: 07 Nov 2007 :: Travel Insights :: No Comments »