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Travel safe and travel smart
Young Sri Lankans today have much greater opportunities to travel overseas when compared to previous generations.
Now while we all know that travelling can be fun and exciting, it can also be stressful and frightening. Here are a few travel tips to help make your trip enjoyable and hassle-free!
Before you go
} Make sure you have all your travel documents, including a visa for the country to which you are travelling. Some countries want you to apply for this visa online, others require you to apply through their embassy or high commission in Sri Lanka. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity.
} Alleviate stress by starting to pack at least one week before your departure. Shop for essentials such as first aid items, medicines and clothing/footwear at least two weeks before.
} If you are not staying in posh hotels, make sure you have travel sized body products – fill small plastic containers with moisturiser, creams etc. rather than carry big bottles.
} Minimise the weight of your baggage – remove products from boxes and packages.
} Do your homework – will you need different shaped plugs and adaptors for your electrical items?
} Don’t pack unnecessary things – most hotels provide hair dryers, towels, soap and shampoo. Do you really need makeup for a hiking holiday?
} Find out what vaccinations you need (Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis) and get them at least six weeks before your trip.
} Do some research and learn about the different culture(s), traditions, history and sights to visit.
} Learn some useful phrases in the language of the country you are visiting – not only does this show respect, but it also endears you to the locals.
At the airport/On the plane
} Have your passport and boarding pass easily accessible (like in your pocket or the front of your handbag) as you will need to present them at least four times!
} Carry a pen. Avoid using the pens at airports (everyone touches them!).
} Dress comfortably for your flight; bring some warm clothes because the plane will be air-conditioned and you will get cold. Don’t wear jewellery or a belt, as you will need to remove them to clear security.
} Plane journeys cause many physiological changes which can stress you and make you tired. Night flights wreak havoc on your sleep pattern, so try and get enough sleep in the days preceding your voyage – this also helps prepare your body for time differences.
} All planes including budget airlines provide water, so drink plenty of water. Carry an empty plastic bottle and ask the flight attendant to fill it up. Avoid alcohol as it tends to dehydrate your body.
} Planes flying at high altitudes have cabins pressurized, so gas trapped in your intestines expands and can make you feel uncomfortable. Go easy on the amount of food that you eat.
} Your skin and nasal passages will get very dry within the air-conditioned cabin. Bring a small bottle of cream for your face and hands. Wearing a face mask and rebreathing warm moist air generated from your body does wonders!
} Carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and a small face towel – because one thing that deteriorates pretty fast is your breath! Washing your face and cleaning your teeth can certainly refresh you after a long flight.
| On your adventure } What’s ok in Sri Lanka may not be ok in the new country! Be culturally sensitive. Respect the culture! } Dress appropriately – especially true for religiously conservative countries. If visiting religious places, remember to cover your body. It shows respect for the locals’ religion } Don’t make loud comments for locals to hear about how your country is better than theirs. Even if you speak in a Sri Lankan language, your meaning will be conveyed by your body language. } Be nice – because people will judge everybody from your country by your behaviour. You are an ambassador for our people! } Some things will be better in Sri Lanka, others will not. Do NOT compare. Different places are different, and you need to remember that. } Be careful of your things, especially in crowded places, because it is easy for someone to snatch your wallet or pull off your necklace } Use common sense. If you won’t do it at home, don’t do it here! } Remember that most human beings are nice – and will help you if you ask. Don’t be negative and fearful – and remember to smile. } Travelling overseas can be an amazing experience – you can meet new people and make new friends, become more confident in social settings and less shy about approaching people. You will learn that you are better than you thought you were in many ways – and not as good in other ways. Travel is a form of education and you can learn so much. You may even learn some valuable life lessons. }  What you see may make you question and even change your values – and you will grow as a person by getting out of your comfort zone! |