Top 6 Items to Remember When Traveling Abroad

Whether you're going scuba diving in Cozumel or taking to the slopes in France, it's imperative that you plan ahead.

Listed below are the top items you should be packing before heading out on your next adventure.

Passport

This one may seem obvious, but you'd be shocked at just how many vacationers arrive at the airport only to realize that they remembered to bring 16 pairs of shoes but not their passport.

Due to more rigid traveling policies, traveling to anywhere outside the United States requires a passport. If you don't already have one, apply now: passport applications can take upwards of six weeks to process. And even if you do have a passport that hasn’t expired, you’ll probably need to renew it if the expiration date is close to your travel time: Some countries require your passport to stay valid for several months from date of entry.

Pocket Translator

If you're en route to a country where the natives do not speak English as their primary language, you'd do well to invest in a pocket translator. In their pages, you'll find enough phrases to help you order food at a restaurant, find the nearest bathroom or directions should you get lost.

Better yet, if you have a tablet or smartphone device, download a translation app. Just do it before you leave because you never know how strong a foreign country's Wi-fi signal might be.

Medicine

Should you be vacationing at a spot known to inhabit diseases local to the country, you're advised to receive a vaccination before leaving.

For everything else, from foreign food that you're body is not used to digesting, to everyday maladies like the common cold, pack medicine. Adventure travelers in particular are encouraged to also pack a first-aid kit, mild painkillers and hydrogen peroxide. Better to be safe than sorry.

Camera/Blog

The average American only gets to go away once or twice a year. Do yourself a favor and capture your overseas memories. Luckily, most modern phones come stocked with a built in camera and video recorder.

If you're feeling super ambitious, create a travel blog before you leave and update it while you're away. Or use Facebook like Bob Corsini has, so your friends and family can keep in contact with you, without necessarily having to call you everyday. You may even gain a following.

Money...the Right Kind

One of the costliest mistakes travelers make is that they wait until they're at the airport's travel exchange to convert their currency. Most U.S. banks provide the same services at a significantly lower rate.

Should you forget to convert, consider withdrawing funds from an ATM. Just be sure to find one that offers free withdrawals.

Contact Information

In the event that your wallet or purse gets stolen, you will no longer have access to your credit card company's number. That is, unless you wrote it down somewhere.

Before you leave on vacation, take five minutes and write down every customer service number you don't already have memorized. It could mean the difference between a minor annoyance and complete disaster.

Better yet, jot down the digits of your closest family members too. Due to the convenience afforded by cell phones, most individuals rarely bother to memorize numbers anymore. This could come back to haunt you if you don't take proper precautions.

Can I do and be both at the same time

I find myself at a crossroad now just as I have renewed my migration agent license for another year. Having been a travel agent for 10 years, and now just starting to get into my migration profession .. makes me think quite hard if I am ready to let go of being a travel agent now. It is quite difficult to be both, and although both the travel and migration industries are faced with lots of challenges (booming internet booking facilities - stricter migration policies) I somehow still want to engage myself in either or both worlds.

But the question really is, can I be both at the same time? It is not an easy thought, and I find myself struggling. Considering I am into my second year in my own travel business now. Sometimes I wish I could be two persons at once, but of course reality check!! Perhaps I should just keep my travel business on the side while I concentrate on the other one...

Being a migration agent is one thing I would like to pursue as a career, a way for me to help others and give back to the world what I have been so lucky to have now. Watching the news, and reading about the real refugees' plight is just one of those things that motivates me to help out in ways I can.

Taken from http://www.freightcare.com.au/air-freight-australia.html

So, my dilemma is still on.. I am praying that 2012 will bring me more enlightenment and be more focused on the goal.

First love : Travel

I took the day off today since I had to study for my university exam this evening. I am hoping to pass this subject in one go! Hopefully in a year I am able to shift industry so I can try something new. Although I don’t think I am totally able to leave the travel industry as I am sure I will always be drawn to the exciting world of travel. I will forever be excited with the challenge of booking a passenger on a flight to a popular destination at peak season, find the easiest website to book Car Hire Lisbon, and find a room available in a city that claims to have reached one hundred percent hotel capacity. I guess booking travel will always be my first love, however I must spread my wings and discover my other interests. I can’t wait to graduate!

Thinking out loud.. By a Travel Agent

1. I know everything about all cities in the world, the minute you ask me about it.

- You ask : What is the easiest way to travel to Yekaterinburg? (Isn't that a name of a person??) (Umm, no. It is a city in Russia, and I've known that information since I was in First grade. Duh.)

- Oh and yes I know that at this very moment it is -5 degrees in Anchorage Alaska, because I was just there 5 seconds ago. Not.

2. We don't use Google. At all. Never. Because See #1, we know e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!

- Do you have the telephone number for the airport in Belize? Oh yes, I call them all the time, everytime.

3. We know all Airline Promos, Hotel Promos, Stay Pay Deals, Etc... happening everywhere in the world for your trip to America.

- Oh yes, we do have a list of all these things emailed to us every single day from every single airline. Every day. Let me pull out my 100 page email from United Airlines this morning.

4. We are mind readers.

- I know exactly where you want to go, and you don't have to tell me your travel dates. I can tell from your voice that you want a one way ticket to .. Mars. Travelling tomorrow.

5. Oh yes, I will have your enquiry quote emailed to you within the hour.

- Yes, because you are my only client that has called me today and I am at your service 24/7. And I don't need to have lunch now because you called and are so special. Even if it's now 3PM and my shift started at 8AM. Oh, I forgot. I don't eat. And I don't have breaks.

6. I have a seat on that aircraft specially for you, because WAITLIST is not in my vocabulary.

- Let me send you my private airplane so you can travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Carnival, even if you called me just today, and the celebration starts tomorrow. And you thought about booking this trip at the very LAST minute. Literally.... Of course, I HAVE a seat for you on my Plane. Anytime you call. Because I own Qantas, you know.

7. You ask me about checked in baggage, and I know all airline policies by heart. This was part of our 100 item quiz in my subject Airline Baggage 101 years ago.

- And, so I know that you are not able to take your ladder onboard the aircraft, even if you say you need this to climb the roof of the house you are building in the province of Manila. (I think excess kilos will cost you more than what your ladder is worth in $) !!!

Above information based on true stories of my everyday life as a travel agent.

More of my 'happy thoughts' next time. I am revealing too much of my mean self. Oh dear oh dear. I never knew what sarcasm was until about 9 years ago when I joined the Travel Industry... Please don't think I'm rude, I am just a travel agent.

Again

Officially, I'll be studying again starting this monday! It will be a postgrad course relating to Law and Migration in Australia. So, that means back to reading books, case studies, a lot of research, etc! I am excited as this would open up another possible career for me. (Well, that AND travel). Within the next few years a close friend and I are hoping to help people give Australia a chance, possibly to live here. (Read when I found out about getting offered a space in the program)

We'd be studying part time, in an intensive face to face program (a few weekend seminars), as well as a portion of online courses. I tried to navigate the online student area last night and I was fumbling!! :X As much I don't consider myself a very techie person, I might have to ask hubby later on until I get comfortable enough to navigate the forums, presentations, etc! I'm sure I will learn and feel confident in this later on. For now, I am just looking forward to learning something new, Again!

Back to School Chika

I've just found out that I have been offered a space for my postgrad course! :) How exciting! I will be doing it part time though. Together with a friend, and I heard her friend too is going to be part of our class. We start in about a month and a bit. I wish I could buy a Prepaid Phone Card now so I can call my sister and tell her the good news (have already told my parents!). I should keep a mental note about keeping a stack of Phone Cards in my wallet should I have the need to call home!

If everything goes well with this new area of study, I may be able to explore or branch out into another career. Or perhaps, incorporate this new one to my being a travel agent. Ever since I met this friend, we have always just been talking about one day starting our own migration business. Maybe, if we do well and stay on track with this thought we are much closer to our goal (to think we were only half serious back then!).

Okay, I think I just remembered that I do have a stash of unused Calling Cards in my old box hidden in my drawer! I just hope that they have not expired yet, as I will need to call my friend in Dubai and Canada as well.

And today began

.. Thought it was going to be the usual day. Lucky for me, today I still have my job. So far. Although I know of people in my business unit who have had a meeting and been given their blue file today. And their days in the office are numbered. Sad. Reality hit us today. We've been jacked into conference calls in and out today to get updates from head office about the massive news of job cuts. Everyone's just really head on with what's going on around us, within us. Overwhelming and draining. The day kept dragging on. Seems unreal, feels like a movie. Whose ending is uncertain; looking gloomy. We've been told it's not the end of the saga, just as the world economic atmosphere is constantly changing and so far to the disadvantage of the majority. Wondering when it will end, as we look up to our superiors and they too are faltering.. feeling their way through.. unable to give that reassuring pat that it will be okay, because it won't. The bottomless pit is winding down a long dark hole. Bleak. And, at the moment really all we can do is pray.

I have never felt insecure the way I felt today. I have always been lucky with my livelihood so far, always being offered a job here and there, being 'pirated' by the competitor, etc. But of course that does not have anything to do with now. Reflecting on all this, I think and hope I should be okay. After all, I am constantly being asked to fill in other positions, as I am cross skilled across a bigger range of products. Asked to support other teams. But, really, with all the gradual surprises going on nothing is stable. At all. I just feel for my friend/colleagues affected. Sometimes the grass is as bleakly green as on the other side of the fence.

Got a bit of a headache today from all these. I was too preoccupied to even notice I was not at my apartment's floor. I looked up to find I was at the neighbour's door!

I am just hoping tomorrow would be a bit better at least. But my heart just goes out to those who are in a more stressful situation than myself. C'est la vie.

Best Job offer : Island Caretaker on Hamilton Island

I'm not sure if you've read about that Special Dream job ad sponsored by Tourism Queensland? The one which advertised AUD 150,000 salary to live rent-free (in a 3 bedroom villa with gorgeous views) for six months on one of the Whitsundays Islands. The one which deems to be the Best Island Job ever to be advertised. It is apparently taking applicants from anywhere in the world, with no limit to age, etc. The requirements though is to be able to document by video the daily life on the island, be adventurous, be articulate, must snorkel, interact with locals, etc.

The successful applicant is set to start 'work' on July 1, 2009. For more information on this once in a lifetime job opportunity, see http://www.islandreefjob.com/ (site has crashed recently due to too much interested, but is now up and running again). Application closes by 22 February 2009.

Oh and by the way, whoever gets the job can take partner/children with them to live on this island! I guess I will ask hubby to apply! So he can take me :D

Imagine getting paid a lot, to enjoy this beautiful island. RENT FREE! Cool!

Office Christmas Parties

Don't we all just love this season of merrymaking, food, music, dressing up, friendships, families, gifts, giving, receiving, sharing, etc!

Last friday I attended my work Christmas party, and as much as I wanted to stay with the rest of the girls to party until at the most midnight (yes, I am old and this is a personal choice), I had other commitments to attend to so I stayed only for a few hours. Still good, and I am glad I left at that time, just enough for me to have enjoyed.

I know this is not uncommon, but a few years ago, again at the Office Christmas Party, there were quite a few unacceptable happenings that left some people regretting, others offended, and still the rest satisfied and happy. I think at these events, it is always still wise to keep some sort of etiquette. Especially since they are people we usually deal with on a professional level. Wouldn't one feel embarrassed if their boss witnessed drunk behaviour and lewdness?!

Oh London!

There are just so many places that I want to visit, and although I have been to Europe, I have not visited London. So for my next trip to Europe, when that is I don’t know yet, I would definitely be looking for cheap London hotels (or maybe stay with friends!). But then again, with my travel agent status I should find some really nice London hotel without having to ruin my budget.

For those who are looking to travel to this part of the world, it is always suggested to be canvassing rates early on perhaps a good five months before the trip. Truly there are sometimes great latest London hotel deals at this time. It would also be wise to study street guides which give depth info of the city of London. I know I would do this for each and every city I plan to visit..Okay, I may be sounding too much of a travel agent I should probably just leave your planning to you, but if you need help I am here!

On being a Team

Okay, we've been told by our Manager that we've got quite a special team. We all get along really well, and are so united to a fault sometimes. That's what happens when you put a bunch of girls together in a seemingly un-structured environment where our only source of morale boost is each other. Really. We made it through six months without a leader to guide us. Considering our team was built less than a year ago, myself being the most senior and the only founding member left in the team. We had a leader come and step in for about a few weeks but she did not last long for reasons I am sure we are not responsible for.

From a group previously composed of Four, we now have one new lady join us yesterday. So now we are Five. It may be a tactic of management to break into our solid teamwork. Not that we have not been reaching our targets while maintaining that high quality service because we have been doing pretty well and our figures can prove so.

But anyway, we are Five now. We would be evolving to a different mixture with our new team member. And only time will tell whether we will all gel constructively the way we used to. Nevertheless, work needs to be done. And whether we get on or not, work is something we do well and take seriously. Life goes on. C'est la vie.

From an Insider looking at the picture

With all the hullaballoo the financial world is experiencing at the moment we are all affected. I work for quite a big financial company and we too are. Maybe not as much as others, but nonetheless everything is just really entwined and there are things we cannot avoid.



So... Recently I've noticed a lot of clients cancelling their planned holidays because of the current situation. Many of them are not ashamed to tell me the real reason why they are cancelling their trip. On a few occassions, family of five or six travelling to Europe or America for four weeks, would love to push through with their plans but want to pursue a dream holiday not having to think at the back of their mind that when they get back from vacation reality will bite hard. Thus, big families opt to postpone the trip.


Having said that, there are still a number planning and booking holidays. Perhaps they are badly needing one and no cost crisis would hinder them from going on one.


Whatever it is, travel is something inevitable for some. While for others it is something that they can do without for a prolonged period. However way we cope with the changing needs of the world, we know that this situation will end one day, some day. When is the big question.

Mumbles on Work

Anything travel related is something I deal with on a day to day basis. Sometimes, what seems to be a simple travel query turns out to be a big thing. A call could come through for someone wanting to book a simple Sydney Melbourne return flight, while the next call could be a round the world itinerary with at least nine stops during high season in December. I would be lucky if I got a travel insurance question, as we are not allowed to give insurance information or advise we put their calls through to another department specifically handling these types of questions.

Really, no two days are alike in terms of taking travel related queries. This makes my job a little bit more interesting, and it keeps me on my toes trying to figure out a proposal for a family of eight doing all sorts of tours, stopover, etc.

I guess in a relatively plan crazy world we live in, everyone thinks about traveling. Whether it is just local travel, maybe taking public transport to the next suburb or taking an overnight flight headed for Antarctica, everyone plans travel. It is not just our job as travel agents to think of your trip, but you yourself should think about your trip too. After all, without your thoughts and ideas we would never really know where to send you to. Next time, maybe you would like to make our jobs a bit easier: give us tentative series of dates that we can play around with. If we had our way, there wouldn’t be any waitlisting. But of course, our world was not meant to be perfect.

My secret culinary career .. Not!

Not everyone may know that I once studied cooking. I actually wanted to take it really seriously because I could not cook at all. That, and the fact that studying cooking would have been a very big help in applying for my permanent residency to Australia. At some point in my eagerness to learn, I was searching for culinary art schools every spare time I had until I found one. Luckily, I did find one. I enrolled, and was meant to do a year’s course doing commercial cookery (they did not have just home cookery class!). I went and did about 3 months studying how to cook, how to cook properly and how to cook well. Unfortunately, I did not go far and ended up just doing a quarter of the course. I found other ways to learn how to cook, and I found other ways to apply for my residency. Going through a lot of hardships along the way, I got my permanent residency. It all ended well. I’ve learned the basics of the kitchen, and I am now more confident in mixing up food. I am still way far from being a good cook, but I’m glad that I know more now than I did two years ago.

You are what you learn

Everything in this world would either be something one has learned about in Noveau Riche University or some other university of life. Once in a while I think whether I was better off taking my degree in Politics, or pursued Travel early on in my life. Somehow, I still managed to get to where I am, because of perseverance and hard work. Not to mention countless (or endless) sleepless nights reading inches of text books and lecture notes. There were times when me and my other block mates just were hanging on the cliff and waiting to drop out of university. Questioning and trying to make logic out of our reason to continue with our chosen course. Most of us managed to get through after four or five long years of studying. Only one out of four of my university classmates are working in something related to Politics. I guess, really, we all are connected to Politics in some way. If only Politics in the Philippines was stable, then Tourism would be better! There you go. Travel and Politics.

Having said all that memories and Noveau Riche University dramas, I am still a firm believer that everyone who can afford and is able, should get a Noveau Riche University degree of some sort. It is really the about the training and determination that one would need in real life. True, one doesn’t practice square roots and statistics in the real world. However, at the end of it all, life is all about the equation and balance you make of your life’s components.

Jobs and Being a Nomad

Nomads don't have permanent homes. They never stay put. Well, that's in my words, at least. I may have been one of them in my past life.

This week I saw an ad about Singapore Airlines hiring this particular travel position that I've been wanting. During my younger days I've always wanted to work for an airline. I've tried to enter the industry by going for interviews with a number of airlines (well, about a handful). I was starting out then. No travel industry experience 8 years ago. They did not take me in. I suppose it was not meant to be.

Now, as much as I would love to experience working for an airline (nice real travel benefits!), they are not the most stable employers. A lot of airlines are continuously downsizing. I would need a bit of security and stability.

Talk about irony though, I was talking to hubby recently as well. And was asking him if I was to want to relocate to another city (or country) again, if he would come and follow me AGAIN. He didn't answer me for a second, or two. I guess he felt a bit threatened in a way about the idea of me always wanting to pack my bags and head off to another city. He's seeing the pattern with me moving to different places to live just when I am about to settle in. (Just for my own credit, Though I am proud to say in a span of 8 years I've only been employed in 3 companies so far).

But anyway, talk about wanting a stable career in a stable industry. This doesn't exist I suppose nothing in this world is certain, especially nowadays. But how can I justify wanting a change of environment every 5 or so years? Sooner rather than later we should be starting our family. And we all know that kids need routine and a steady home.

All I can say is one day. One day soon.

PS: I am sure I am not alone in this world who feels this way...

A day in the life of a travel agent

I guess a typical day in a travel agent's life can be quite boring (?!)... Or maybe, it's just mine.

I wake up either 8am or 9am. Depending on what time my shift starts. I jump in the shower half asleep.

I sometimes try to wake up earlier so I can prepare (or grab) a very quick snack to take to work.

This can be a few loaves of bread, my can/s of tuna, ham croissant, or home-stirred iced tea.

I quickly grab my chocolate bar for '3:30-itis' (That time in the afternoon when me and the other girls get restless)

I run to the train station, walking through the park and for one second try to appreciate the birds chirping and the landscape people doing the grass. BUT, it's winter now so I just dash to the station. If I'm lucky the train is immediately there within a minute or two.

I take my 8 minute train ride, sometimes I see a few familiar faces who take the same train at about the same time. I pass by the station which overlooks the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I barely get to think about anything else, as 8 minutes is just enough to get a seat on the train. Breathe. And then jump off the carriage.

I run to my building, in 5minutes. Bit of a chitchat with the doorman/guard...I clock in, log in, stare onto my PC (I am half awake)... and then take calls, answer emails. Occassionally I get weird emails requesting for more baggage allowance to take a ladder onboard the aircraft (?!what?!), sometimes I get fun calls (oh, my passenger produces for MTV hmmm, interesting, or yep, I saw you won Ms Universe Australia, Congrats.....). Other times an angry client would call from overseas saying they cannot get on the plane and have been bumped off by the airline....BlahBlahBlah... I take a quick lunch break (or sometimes take long lunch with a friend or colleague).. Chat with the other ladies... Attend a few trainings every so often... A few meetings... Etc.

End of my shift. Finally!!.. I put on my coat and my scarf, ready to brave the cold winter night... I quickly remember that I needed a few things from Coles (supermarket), so I grab them and check them out. The lady in the counter is Pinay. A bit of small talk. Nice way to end the day in the city. Only if I hadn't actually lived in the city (I do live in the city)...

OR, other days I have travel industry events to attend to after my shift. I proceed to the hotel. Meet a few suppliers, get brochures/rates/etc. Then have a few drinks, listen to a few speeches. Wait to see if I win any exciting prizes. None. My name is not called. So I just head off....

So, I take the train home.. Read the free newspaper on the way. Actually skim it, as 8 minutes is not enough to read that 14 page hand-out. A friend calls, asking about what options he has if he wants to take a week off from work and travel. I put in a few things I know... End call.

I get off the train... Walk quickly through the park again... In my heels, and my aching armload full of grocery bags + plus my big shoulder bag. I wish it wasn't that cold.. And then it was quite drizzling.. Good thing I live close by..

Home sweet home. I cook up something quick. Have dinner. Shower. Watch a bit of TV. Surf the net for good hotel deals, or some hot destination, answer a few emails. Sit in front of my computer until I don't feel like it, or when the words are all blurry.

Then off to lalala land for this travel agent. Until the next day again. When the cycle starts over again. With a few occassional variety of people contacting me, a few extra things to do, a few extra people to meet. Occassionally I get a few major drama headaches in between.

C'est La Vie.

What would you do if you were the Richest Man in the world?

Just watched a special feature on BBC Channel on Bill Gates and his empire. It just blew me away. The segment feature Bill Gates and his beginnings, his interests, his young adult life, background and how his interest in computers and technology led him to create the mega company Microsoft. In the interview it was said that Gates made so much money and that if quantified, he’s been earning about $5 million a day, since 1975. That means he is worth more than about $68 billion dollars! I probably won’t even make $5 million in my lifetime, and here he is just doing that overnight! The interviewer mentioned that Bill Gates likes burgers, and that with his earnings, he could give each person on the planet (all 60 billion people) a hamburger (costing say a dollar each), and he would still have about $6 billion left as a change.

The good thing though about Bill Gates, or at least what the interview made me believe, is that he is not a greedy person. Him and his wife, Melinda, have invested and created a foundation in the interest of education, world health and population. Gates has actually invested billions of dollars to funding research on malaria, and is aiming to make an impact on every person’s life by him contributing his earnings for the benefit of the world. Husband and wife Bill and Melinda Gates have decided to give back to the public what they have earned, instead of acquiring properties or giving this to their children as inheritance. Really, one can see that they are quite a well grounded couple.

He's one of those people who looks like all their lives they've just been using their brains. By choice or by not, I think the world needs more people like him. Making good use of his talent and his resources.

The week that was

Are there times at work when you feel like there's just too much to do, so little time? Is it about time management? Or is there really too much work to be done? I guess it can only be one or the other.

Don't you just feel obligated to carry on more burden than usual just to get things done? Particularly when a colleague is away and all their big chunk of files are parked on your already cluttered desk?

One can't always whinge (thats how Aussies say it, but in American terms it's whine). Sometimes one just has to pick it up and do it.

I've got two more weeks until my colleague whose files I am looking after returns back to work. I guess I just have to cope. I can imagine the fies I left at work when I went on my Manila trip last December.

It's all about teamwork, at the end of the day. Things need to be done. And that's the way it is.

I am so glad it's the weekend!! :) Enjoy people!

Work out what's best for your business

When I was starting my career in travel, I’d hear about my friends who were working at call centres. We’d exchange daily stories about my passengers and bookings, while they would share about how they were given a telemarketing list of people to call and quotas to achieve per day. I sometimes think whether I’d survive living in a work environment that works around telemarketing lists. I guess call centre jobs are for some people and not for the others. Having said that though I myself used to work towards a sales target. It was not a very strict goal, but it involved going through my direct mailing list to see who I could send my travel packages to. I suppose in any business, we all work around trying to achieve our goal, however way that is for as long as it is legal and brings in the bacon then is the approach to productive working. What works for your business?