5 free things to do in Bali, Indonesia:

Enjoy the sandy beaches of Bali

For many, it is a well-known fact that Bali has beaches that look like they popped out of a perfectly portrayed picture book. The beaches are definitely free to visit and getting a tan or splashing in the waves is a great way to let loose. Close to the nightlife is Ubud Beach where life doesn't exactly slow down in the evening which is a great place to check out after a day at the beach.

Explore Indonesian night markets

The fun doesn't end when the sun sets. The night markets of Bali are plentiful in resources be it food, drink or local products. What better way to understand the Balinese lifestyle than joining the hunt for food in the night markets and enjoy the local cuisine in a fun way. This is a great option for foodies who love to explore and experience the local taste.

(Exploring is free however whatever purchase made will require money, don't say we didn't warn you~ But what's travel without food?)

Check out Bali's arts

Bali is a famous spot for its artists who produce breathtaking artworks and masterpieces. Observing artists at work creating wonderful and spectacular masterpieces are a great way to appreciate Bali's beauty through the artworks produced. Bali is a great gathering place for artists who share a passion for the arts and you can be sure that things are going to get lively when music, art, and culture come together.

Hike off the beaten path

Discover hidden temples and secret locations that might not always be listed in the guidebooks. There are a few spots in the area which are slightly abandoned and some have an eerie and silent atmosphere which is great for adventurous soul seeking a good slice of mysterious sightseeing. Though it would be a good idea to research beforehand which places are fine for a visit and which are prohibited as we wouldn't want to be breaking any laws now.

Keep an eye out for festivals

There are plenty of events happening in Bali and most of these are free for admission. What better way to experience the local culture by participating in events that hold a meaning to the locals. It is a great option to meet people and share information about each others culture. Of course, it'd be great to stay open-minded when encountering something new otherwise we might miss out on things that might be an eye-opener.

With that, we hope anyone who is Bali right now or is planning to head over to Bali during the upcoming holidays to have a blast and we wish everyone safe travels!!

Vietnamese dish: Pho

Pho (pronounced: fuh) is a Vietnamese dish that consists of vermicelli/clear-flat noodles cooked in a steaming warm bowl of soup with meat and bean

sprouts as a topping. It is very common to see this dish being sold on the streets and locals having this dish in the morning.

How Pho came to be a breakfast dish is due to the conception of Pho being like the American equivalent of oatmeal or cereal. When we said that it is sold in a lot of places in Vietnam, stalls on the sidewalks may sell them and locals may park their bikes along the sides before diving into a warm bowl of Pho.

The dish is normally served with herbs and of course, the noodles is one of the main parts. The name of the dish 'Pho' actually refers to the noodles itself and the dish can be eaten for any meal and is most certainly not limited to only breakfast.

Pho is a great way to start the day and for Asians, we've seen a lot of renditions and different versions of Pho; just called in a different name and cooked with a different style or topping but essentially the same.

With that, we hope that everyone has a better idea of what Pho is!! Till the next post we wish everyone safe travels!!

Indonesian Passport Ranking?

Indonesia is one of the members of ASEAN and is also known as he country of a thousand islands. With its pristine beaches, beautiful nature trails and wonderful people, it is a great place to relax and travel in. However, for those holding an Indonesian passport, there might be some questions as to where we can go without getting a visa? Here's what the passport index 2016 says.

Indonesian's passport power ranks 70 out of the 158 countries out in the world, being able to gain access to 56 countries without the need of a visa. Indonesian passport holders are required to get a visa before travelling to the South American region and the UK as well as other countries.

The good news is that travelling to nearby neighbouring countries and into the rest of the ASEAN territory (except Brunei) does not require a visa. 

However, if anyone plans to visit China, it might be a good idea to check where you're headed. Hainan, Macao and Hong Kong do not need a visa from passport holders but the other states may need the individual to get a visa.

Finally, anyone venturing to Europe, the US and the UK will need to get a visa. With that, we wish everyone a great trip and safe travels everyone!!

Sightseeing in Singapore: Pleasant or Pricey?

Singapore, known otherwise as the 'Lion City' in Chinese is a well-known spot for being one of the most developed Asian countries aside Japan. As the cost of living is high in Singapore, some of us might have second thoughts when budgetting a trip to Singapore.

Sightseeing is a fairly inespensive action. If it's just the sight of the Merlion or the Singapore Flyer, then it shouldn't be too costly as all you'd need is to walk and purchase transportation tickets to get to the destination and take plenty of selfies.

The night skyline of Marina Bay Sands from the other side of the Singapore River.

However, if the idea of sightseeing is to travel and experience rides in Universal Studios Singapore then it will cost us quite a bit as attractions do cost money. The infamous skyline of Singapore's sights of the famed Marina Bay Sands and the cityscape is practically free after paying for the transportation to get down to Marina Bay.

The Merlion - symbol of Singapore

One of the best things about travelling in Singapore is the convenience of being able to hop onto a bus or train and get transported to a stop within walking distance of your destination. Therefore, with a proper ticket (which is not extremely expensive) we can travel and sightsee around Singapore without burning our pockets; though do expect a lot of walking.

Esplanade - Locally known as the famous "Durian Village" due to it's spiky exterior. A great spot where music and the arts come together. (Close to the city center)

The artistically built art and science museum is right next to the famed Marina Bay Sands resort.

If you prefer to feel the wind on your face without walking too much, there are double decked buses that tour the city where we can sit on the unsheltered top deck and watch the city from the comforts of our seats and feel the breeze. These will cost a bit of money so it is an option for those who don't mind spending a little extra.

Transportation fees in Singapore are counted by meters on taxis and distance on tickets for buses and the transit system. This means the further the distance between you and the destination, the more it will cost.

With that, we wish everyone safe travels!!

Preventing Zika Virus during travel?

The Zika virus is prominent in certain areas of the world like Mexico or South America. While the chances of contracting the disease in the ASEAN region is lower than western, it is still possible to get the disease while travelling as we never know what can happen.

Although it is tough to say for sure that we can prevent getting the disease at all it is best to prepare and do our utmost best in prevention. There is currently no vaccine for the disease so it is best that we be cautious about our surroundings and our health while travelling.

Here're three things we think might be able to help.

Long sleeves

When visiting a place that is hot and humid with the occasional rain that allows mosquitoes to breed well, it's best to be prepared and protect ourselves from harm. Wearing long sleeved clothing keep bare skin away from a mosquito's reach.

Sleeping in an air-conditioned room with windows closed prevents mosquitoes from entering in the night and feeding on us while we're asleep. Long sleeved clothing complement this method well and there is no need to use insect repellent. Although it shouldn't be a problem if we stay in hotels.

Insect repellent

If long sleeve and getting warmed up isn't what you have in mind, try using bug or insect repellent. This allows us to wear short sleeved clothing and still be able to keep ourselves from being targets or victims of nasty mosquitoes.

Do consult a pharmacist if you have sensitive skin issues and clarify if it is safe for young children, toddlers or babies to use insect repellent as some may contain chemicals that may cause them harm.

There are some insect repellent bands or stickers sold on the market if spraying insect repellent directly onto the skin is not an option but it is still a good idea to keep an eye out for their effective periods as some only last for a while.

Mosquito netting

When camping out, mosquitoes are a major concern. Having mosquito netting will reduce the chances of mosquitoes infiltrating the tent and stinging us before the sun is up. Applying insect repellent before bed may act as an extra layer of protection from pesky insects.

Covering a baby's crib with a mosquito netting will keep the worry of babies getting bitten in their sleep.

These are ways one can reduce the chances of being inflicted with the Zika virus. With that, we hope everyone has a great time travelling in the ASEAN region and till next time, safe travels everyone!!

3 Eco-tourist spots in Malaysia

In our previous post, we shared a few things about eco-tourism but this time, let us trot over to Malaysia for an adventure!!

1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

Located in the state of Selangor, 30 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur; the capital city of Malaysia. The Kepong site facility boasts a scenic view of the forest from above canopy level and we might be able to spot Kuala Lumpur! It was declared a national heritage in 2012. With a good variety of activities that can be done in the park, from picnicking to bird-watching it will be sundown before we even know it. Campers are welcome, however; it is best to note the opening hours as some of the attractions are weather dependent.

2. Cameron Highlands

If you prefer the open expanse of land over the crowded rainforests, Cameron Highlands in Pahang is a great choice. It is famous amongst locals for being a great place to retreat from the regular heat of the city. With a natural temperature of around 12-degree celsius, tea plantations flourish and prosper in the highlands. Cameron Highlands is known for being one of the bigger producers of tea leaves in Malaysia. Not only that, the temperature makes hikes and treks along the highlands much more pleasant and cooling.

3. Mulu Caves National Park

Eco-tourism isn't limited to West Malaysia, to the of the country in the state of Sarawak, is a long network of caves home to around 12 species of bats. With so many bats setting up camp in the caves, it's going to get really hectic in the evening when they horde out to hunt for food (not exactly the best thing for people who are afraid of bats); but the trek into the cave is worth its salt. There are other attractions and options like Eden Valley Walk, the Medicine Plant Trail, and the Paku Waterfall if you want a change of scenery.

Bats leaving the cave, don't say we didn't warn you XD 

With that, we wish everyone have plenty of fun if you do decide to travel to the destinations listed above. Of course there are more options than the ones above but these are a few we thought are interesting.

Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Ecotourism in ASEAN

New to the idea of Ecotourism? Here's a few points we thought would be of interest so let's share some info!!

Ecotourism promotes the conservation of an environment of a region and it is getting more prevalent in the ASEAN region. The Southeast Asian region is filled with plenty of natural beauty and tourist spots with plenty of flora and fauna that are unique to the ASEAN region. There are a couple of benefits and this has caused efforts placed into developing ecotourism to increase; despite it still being in baby steps of the process.

Ecotourism encourages travellers to reduce the ecological footprint while they travel and allow them to experience the state of nature of their destination. It comes with being aware and immersing themselves into nature and experiencing it in a way that might not be possible without ecotourism.

Documentaries have covered how wonderful or illustrous the rainforests are or how wonderfully blue the oceans can be with the diversity of wildlife present. It gives viewers and travellers a better understanding of why nature is an important part of our daily lives and how some of our actions threaten the balance of nature.

On the other hand, ecotourism doesn't just benefit the travellers as they explore the region, it allows the area to be preserved along with all it's inhabitants. It generates income for those who manage tourist locations and destinations all the while boosting tourism for a specific country in ASEAN.

Ecotourism gives us an opportunity to witness nature in its purest and natural form. There are a lot of activities that can be done in nature and a lot of facilities provide and encourage tourists to go out into the wild. With that, we hope that ecotourism efforts are supported and for nature lovers, you could check out a few ecotourism spots for your next visit!!

Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Unhygienic places on a plane:

 Lavatory

It's without question that the lavatory would be the most unhygienic place on a plane but when you're in the air and you need to go, the lavatory can be avoided. The seat and the flush button are the most contaminated spots in the space so be sure to flush before you wash your hand.

Armrest

The armrest of the seats may have given us a lot of frustration as to who should claim ownership. But if this happens the next time, let us give it to the other person as the rest is touched by countless number of people and may not have been cleaned as often as we think.

Seatbelt and buckle

Have you looked closely at the seatbelts the last time you flew? For some planes that are older, you can see the obvious worn out fibre and the dark edges of the belt. This is proof of the things that the belt is exposed to and sometimes accidents happen and the belt may not have been cleaned.

Tray table

With all sorts of people out there, the tray table may be used for any purposes and this may not always be sanitary. Therefore, it is best we sanitize the table before take off and inform others around us to avoid dirtying the tray table while on their flight.

Overhead air – vent

While the overhead air vent is not the most dirtiest place you might imagine it to be, it does hide a lot of germs and is one of the slightly unhygienic spots on a plane. So it might be a good idea to bring along a small bottle of sanitizer or sanitizing wipes for such instances.

With that, we hope that everyone has a better idea of what spots on a plane contain more germs that other and let this serve as a reminder to us to bring along sanitizers to protect ourselves. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Check out some other articles that contain a longer list that the five that we have:

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/07/travel/airplane-airport-germs/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3208635/The-dirtiest-areas-aircraft-revealed-E-coli-fecal-matter-aeroplane-tray-tables-blankets-seat-pockets.html

http://www.businessinsider.sg/dirtiest-places-on-a-plane-2015-9/#.VxQ_xzB97IU

5 plane etiquettes that we might not have known

When travelling to another country it is inevitable for us to take the plane most of the times. Yet, the entire process before we board the plane is extensive and can tire one out quite quickly. But with proper plane etiquettes, we can be sure to get onto the planes and into our seats in an orderly manner. Here are some etiquettes that we may tend to forget.

1. Recline slowly

If we must recline our seats, we should do it slowly to avoid startling the person behind us or cause them any discomfort as the seat does close in onto their space. This is important as economy seats in most airlines and planes have a limited space for a person to move about.

2. Time and plan toilet breaks

It is convenient that a plane is designed to allow us to relieve ourselves but due to the space of the aisle, it is barely enough for two people to cross each other. Timing our toilet breaks is crucial as you don't want to be stuck when carts are present or during meal times as mobility is cut down.

3. Middle seat gets the armrests

Armrests are limited with four of them to three seats on the sides. However, a lot of us forget that the middle seat has slightly less of room to move their arms so it is said and researched through surveys that the middle seat gets the armrest for half of the flight time.

4. Consider your odour

We know there are people out there who really emphasize on appearance and personal presentation. Yet, being in an enclosed area for a time will backfire on us. It is better to avoid using perfumes or cologne that are too strong. For those with a slightly stronger body odour may want to consider using a bit of lightly scented perfume to avoid suffocating our neighbours.

5. Know our luggage

Being familiar with the size of our own luggage helps in estimating the amout of space required in the overhead compartment when storing hand-carry items. It is best that we be considerate of others by not placing it sideways when more space can be saved placing it wheels or handle first.

With that, we wish everyone safe travels and let's all try to make the ride better for everyone and have a blast when we reach our destinations!!!

Cultural diversity: A danger?

When living in an environment that has cultural diversity, it creates an environment that is both good and bad. It presents opportunities and challenges. It is great to live in such an environment while growing up as it teaches us to be more open-minded and accepting towards the tradition and cultures of other ethnicities. 

A few counties in the ASEAN region are countries with cultural diversity and It also gives us a broader perspective of the world we live in as well as teach the younger generation how to live in harmony with others. In a world and era that is consistently growing and people cross paths with others from other cultures it is important for us to understand the term cultural diversity and respect it. Opposing it only creates a rift from disrespect toward how others celebrate life.

This has happened in the past due to stereotypes and prejudices that grew into a sense of disgust and worst yet; hatred towards other cultures. In Malaysia, such an incident that occurred is known as the 13^th May incident, it is well-known by the people and is taught to children in school to remind them how the three main races fought out of disagreement and to remind them not to make such mistakes again.

Both Singapore and Malaysia are multiracial countries and they are well-known for being able to live in such environment peacefully albeit there being disagreements here and there; but the general public are able to live together peacefully. The people are taught at a young age to respect and understand others from another culture and learn to live in harmony with them.

While cultural diversity can pose a threat to one culture overshadows the other, it can be avoided if we respect their individuality and traditions as well practices. Unlike Malaysia which is essentially an Islamic country, Singapore respects it's citizens who are Muslim and do take care in meeting their needs by providing eateries and places of worship.

With that, we hope everyone has safe travels wherever you are and if you happen to be in culturally diversed country, do be careful f our actions so we don't unintentionally offend others! Till net time everyone!!

What is the Zika Virus?

The most recent worry healthwise for travellers is the Zika Virus. The known cause of the disease is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The spread of the disease occurs when a mosquito bites an infected person and contracts the virus. The virus travels into their system and into the mosquitoes saliva which is then secreted into the victim before they feed.

Victims normally get a series of fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eye). These symptoms are similar to those of dengue and the illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting a few days to a week after contraction. Not many rarely die of Zika and they don't get extremely to warrant hospital attention. However, once a person is infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections although the accuracy of this is being researched on.

There is currently no vaccine for the disease and treatment is still being researched. While no major side or after effects of the disease is recorded. A major outbreak in Brazil have called for the concern of many people especially pregnant females or those of whom are trying to get pregnant. This concern is due to the fact that virus can cause microcephaly – damage to the brain or smaller size of the brain – amongst the offspring of women who were inflicted with the virus during their pregnancy.

The Zika virus can also be transmitted sexually although many believe it is mostly spread through the mosquitoes. There are ways to treat the sickness if infected and fever occurs.

. Get lots of rest

. Keep hydrated

. Take medication to decrease the temperature

. Stay away from drugs

. Follow the instructions of the doctor to avoid consuming over-lapping medication

We hope a cure for the Zika virus can be found soon so the widespread of this disease will cease and it is best to take care of our health as our bodies are an important asset of ours, beware of mosquito infested areas or look up travel destinations to ensure they are safe for travel. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Should we pay for more convenience during travels?

When travelling, there are plenty of options to make the best out of a trip. There are countless choices out there where higher payments can allow access to better services and travelling perks. A seat in the business class for comfort or a lodging located in the heart of the city center where it's easier to move around with amenities and facilities located within the general vicinity can be a deciding factor for several aspects of a trip.

Some of us prefer convenience and would not hesitate to pay more to get a smoother trip and it is up to the person to decide if convenience is worth it for the particular trip. There is no right or wrong way in deciding these and it's absolutely subjective to the person. For some, they would rather save the money for experiencing more places or more foods during the travel whereas some decide it's better to have the choice of convenience and comfort during their travels.

Paying for better service when necessary is fine and we shouldn't be too worried about the repercussions if the choice does not harm others. Convenience in travel can be translated to being a way of comfort or relaxation for some. However, some out there prefer to travel the extra mile or endure the reality of life in the destination and travel like the locals.

Travelling conveniently and having a pleasant experience but there are some sights that can only be seen underground when we travel or live like the locals. So it's best we understand what we are searching for and what our priorities are before we decide to place money on getting a convenience during a trip. The style of travel influences the choice to travel conveniently or just take the long way and enjoy the view.

As each of the different travel style offer a different view, we hope everyone don't put too much worry in deciding on whether to pay extra cash for convenience, it is absolutely to the individual's best interest when choosing a service to suit their liking.

Till next time, safe travels everyone!

Ways to cope with travel fatigue:

Travelling can be seen as a chore to some but extreme fun for others but it is definitely something that requires plenty of energy. By the end of the day, we'd be tired of exploring and some of us might just crash on the bed out of fatigue and exhaustion. This time, we'd like to share some of our tips with coping with travel fatigue.

Relax

When tired or stressed out during the trip, it is a good idea to calm down and find a nice spot to just chill and relax. It is helpful to know that the trip is to experience local life and culture so why not a hint from the locals and relax and hang out with friends.

Take breaks

We're all human after all. Taking a break every once in a while to catch a breath is important when travelling as the new environment can bring in a lot of information and all this requires time to process. Sit down on the benches at the sideof the streets for a while and just watch the world go with a cup of coffee or tea.

Don't pressure yourself

While travelling, it is to realize the agenda and the objective of the trip and not pile a huge lump of things to do onto the list to make life hard. By judging personal ability and capability it might be best to not overload ourselves with a long list of activities and tire ourselves out unncessarily.

                                                                        Indulge yourself                       

This point is slightly touched on in our previous post and we feel it's important to give ourselves a pat on the back for the road or journey we have taken. Head into a store that catches your fancy, get an ice-cream or a popsicle on a hot day, a nice cup of drink of your choice or even heading to the spa.

Rest early

Resting allows the body to recharge and this affects our mood for the next day. Depending on the activities of the day and the next, resting early gives bodily functions a head start on cleansing and repairing

Take note of food and beverage

Not being able to accustom to the local food culture or local tastes is critical for a lot of travellers and especially those with young children who worry for their children. This can save us from a lot of frustration and worry and most importantly, having to see the doctor on a holiday.

Exercise

In our previous post, we touched on this subject and we do believe that proper amounts of exercise does help the person maintain their stamina and lead to a healthy body and mind. This will help in terms of everyday life and that includes travel (what we think).

With that, we hope everyone have a great time travelling! Till next time, Safe travels everyone!!   

Does exercise decrease travel fatigue?

Travelling encompasses of many aspects and is both simple and complex. One of the concerns of people who are interested in travelling but are worried about the tiring after effects are put off from their plans sometimes.

We do not deny that travelling does take energy and will wear us down by the end of the day. However, the benefits of the trip will be priceless and this alone is worth taking the plunge. Travelling around a certain location with a fixed or limited time schedule is tiring and this requires excessive planning unless you plan to just travel at a leisurely pace. Travels, be it in a group or solo requires stamina from constant walking, hiking, trekking through concrete jungles or actual rainforests.

Therefore, does exercise lower or decrease travel fatigue?

We can't give a sure answer to that but a certain amount of stamina is needed to survive the day long exploration and a person out of shape might feel worn out by noon. On a regular basis, exercise improves physical wellness and fitness and this is a well-known fact. With the many forms of exercise out there in circulation, it is no surprise that exercise maintains mental, psychological and emotional wellness overall along with physical well-being.

Through exercise, overall fitness is boosted and this may help one stay in better shape and get the most out of a trip. There will be less of a need for break or pit stops in between or the urge to rush back to the hotel room just to nap. However, there is still a limit so it'd be wise to know take a break when we know we need one. There's absolutely no shame in that.

So in the end does exercise decrease travel fatigue? Exercise maintains overall fitness of the body and keeps our bodily functions in check so we are healthy. With a healthy body and mind, we'll be able to carry out everyday activities without much trouble. This can also include the amount of walking required when travelling. Driving a vehicle saps energy from our attention span so that's part of health too. So in the end, overall health is linked to exercise and if one has a healthy body, then we might not feel as tired as easily when travelling.

With that, we hope everyone stays happy healthy and till next time. Safe travels everyone!!

ASEAN; a brief history:

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded by the five original countries consisting of: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Established in Bangkok on 8 August 1967, the main aim of ASEAN was to increase economic growth, social progression, developing a solid foundation through partnership to wield together a prosperous and peceful community between the different nations involved.

The association is currently made up of ten different countries with five new additions to the original five. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 8 January 1984, while Vietnam joined on 28 July 1995. Laos and Myanmar both joined on 23 July 1997 on the associations 30^th anniversary, and the tenth member Cambodia joined on 30 April 1999.

Some of the fundamental principles that were included are:

. Call for mutual respect towards the independance, equality, as well as the national identity of all participating nations

. Each States' right in creating a coercion, external interference or subversion free nation.

. Refrain interfering with the internal affairs of the other states

. Settling of differences or disputes in an orderly manner

. Abstain from using force or threats against the other members of the association

. Collaboration and coordination amongst members

Since its inception, relations with the US have been growing better and the representatives and ambassadors have met with President Obama in Singapore in 2009. With that, this is the brief history behind ASEAN and we hope that explains a bit about ASEAN. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Sources:

http://www.aunsec.org/historyofasean.php

http://globaledge.msu.edu/trade-blocs/asean/history

http://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/association-southeast-asian-nations-asean/

http://www.state.gov/p/eap/regional/asean/

Why do we call it the rupiah?

For those of us out there who are travelling to Indonesia soon, you'll most likely head to the money changers for currency exchange. Here's a little something about Indonesia's official currency; it is called the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The Rupiah derives its name from its sister currency the Indian Rupee.

Issued by the official bank of Indonesia, the official symbol or currency code is known by 'RP' and its history dates back to . The coins are called 'Sen' in the local language is pronounced the same as 'Cent' with a silent 'T'. Denominations are as such that 100Rp, 200Rp, 500Rp, and 1000Rp are in coins whereas the rest are in notes as shown (1000 IDR can be in notes as well):

Below are a specimen of the Rupiah notes with denominations being 1000Rp, 2000Rp, 5000Rp, 10'000Rp, 20'000Rp, 50'000Rp, and 100'000Rp respectively.

The currency's devaluation played a significant role in the overthrow of the Suharto regime in 1998. The Rupiah received a revised version of their currency in 2011 and is getting stronger recently as of the year 2016. The notes have security features that are common such as watermarks, electrotypes along with security threads and some others that may have been included are holograms, gold patches, or clear windows.

 Interestingly, locals may sometimes refer to the currency as 'Perak' which means silver in Indonesian. With that, be sure to have your notes exchanged before the trip to prevent looking around for a money changer when you land; however, most airports will have money changers. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!

Coping with long queues at the airport:

Have you ever encountered those times, when you reach the airport on time but when it comes to checking in the luggage, there's a freakishly long queue snaking the hall leading to the counter? Well, some of us might say “Yeap, been there”, whereas some have not. Being caught in the queue can be extremely trying on the patience and what 'better' way to wear us down at the very start of the trip than a long queue.

Here are some of the ways we at ASEAN Kaleidoscope like to use to cope with the situation of a long queue at the airport.

Can I prevent it?

Absolutely, though we are not exactly sure about the regulations and gate opening time for each airport but one way we know to prevent the queue is to Beat the queue.

Arrive slightly earlier than the appointedd time and lay in wait. Check into a nearby cafe or the ones within the airport and have a cup of coffee while you wait for the counter to open. Bring along a book, newspaper, magazine or anything you'd like to keep yourself entertained.

Already caught in the queue?

Oh well, these sorts of things happen but we shouldn't let it ruin the mood. You can choose to:

1. Talk – If travelling in a group, conversation can make time go faster. Talk about the things you're looking forward to and what it is that you're hoping to find. Share intel about your knowledge of the destination and continue to increase the hype for the trip. Just remember not to get too excited on baseless ideals as reality is never the same.

2. People watching – This is highly recommended if the person is travelling alone but you can still do it in groups. When alone in a long queue, it may get tiring really fast. But observing your surroundings, the people and taking in the atmosphere is a great way to pass the time. This enhances observation skills that can be further applied into other aspects of life.

3. Be creative – This point has a connection to the previous activity which is people watching. When observing the waves of people waiting alongside you in the line, try thinking up of stories from the observations made. Note these down and you might have more than just your trip experiences to share when you return.

4. Load your smart device with entertainment – Loading your smart device with entertainment beforehand, can help with dealing a heavy crowd and queue. Read a few short articles on your favourite Blog or a few comic shorts while waiting in line will help pass the time. But let's not get engrossed in our entertainment, or we might hold the queue.

5. Document the process – For people who like to document their trip and share it when they return, taking a video of the process and share your thoughts and feelings. Be sure that the clips should not be offensive, be honest about your feelings and opinions but by no means be rude towards others.

With that, we hope that everyone will have a better time when caught in the queue at the airport. Till next time, safe travels everyone!!