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!

Based on the feedbacks from our valuable customers, we have added new informative sections, photos, maps, charts plus an eye-catching layout for A4trip’s guidebook. Content of A4trip’s guidebooks is now been reviewed and updated monthly.

Highlights:

• Professional layout design
• Photography Tips
• Pre-trip Planning including Safety Tips, Culture Shock and Khmer Language Guide
• Suggested City Day Tour and Map
• Updated for April 2008!

Checkout the Cambodia Guidebook Series (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) now
from A4trip!

If your answer is ‘Yes’, we have a good news for you. Get your Free 3-pages Siem Reap travel guide now. It contains Angkor Archaeological Park map, suggested iteneraries, cycling route and tuk tuk route.

Angkor Archaeological Park Map

Cycling route & tuk tuk route

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

 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.

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.

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.

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.