The Ultimate Guide on How to Travel with Money

Posted by admin in Travel Planning on Dec 16th, 2018 | Comments Off on The Ultimate Guide on How to Travel with Money

When travelling, money is one of the main things that you must always have with you. Even after paying for your flight ticket and booking accommodation, you will still need money to cater for goods and services that you will be using during the trip. Besides, emergencies can also arise and, money is usually the easiest way out.  In this guide, we highlight key ideas on how to travel with money.

Cash

Regardless of the destination of your travel, it is always advisable to carry some cash for smaller transactions here and there. But, cash can also be quite easy to lose. Here’s how to safely handle cash when traveling;

• Only carry a small amount of cash at any given time.
• Keep cash in different places. Stash some in the wallet, some in the carryon bag and others in the pocket or even socks.
• Do not flaunt your money openly. Only take out what you need to use and keep the rest hidden.

ATMs

ATMs are also a convenient way of accessing money during a trip. With credit or debit cards, you can easily withdraw money from ATMs across the world. However, it should be noted that overseas, the most you can do at the ATMs is view your balance and make withdrawals. Below are additional tips for using ATMs to access money when travelling.

• Make withdrawals from bank affiliated ATMs
• Consider using online banking to monitor transactions
• Use ATMs during official banking hours
• Know the withdrawal limits

When using ATMs, you should also be very vigilant not to allow others see your PIN or fall into the trap of skimmers.

Debit Cards  

Unlike credit cards, debit cards can be used to access money from ATMs and pay for goods and services directly. To safely use a debit card when travelling, it is important to always limit your account balance, keep your PIN safe and maintain a watchful eye on the activities in your account.

Generally, the best way to handle money when traveling is electronic. Coupled with the above ideas, you should also be keen to act low key and avoid any activities that could put you at risk.

 

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Travel Photography

Posted by admin in Travel Planning on Dec 6th, 2018 | Comments Off on The Do’s and Don’ts of Travel Photography

Photography is one of the best ways to capture the moments when travelling. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and can tell the story of your travels much better. Besides, photographs will remain to tell the experiences even long after you are gone. However, there are few things that you should keep in mind to ensure the best travel photography. Below are the dos and don’ts of travel photography.

Do Ask If it is Safe to Take Photos

When travelling, there are lots of new and interesting things that you might want to capture. However, it should be noted that every culture has its own peculiarities and snapping certain scenes may not be appreciated. At some places, you will even find signs indicating that photographs are not allowed. To be safe, always ask around if you can photograph beforehand. F they say no, just accept and move on.

Do Not Over Pack

Before heading out, ask yourself why you need to take the photos and the types of pictures that you require. Your reason for photography and the particular style of pictures that you need will determine the equipment to use. Nevertheless, do not bring all the photography equipment. Only carry the basic photography equipment that you will be using at the scene.

Focus More on the Details

It is very easy to get caught up in different activities when travelling. However, that should not mean you have to capture everything. Some will pass you and, that is just normal. The big and extravagant shots are great but, also dig deeper into the details that most people do not see. Sometimes, the little moments and sights often neglected by many make the best photos.

Do Stay Connected

One of the main reasons for travel photography is to document the experiences. But, all the photos can be lost in a moment in case the camera is spoilt, stolen. So, make sure that after every session, you upload the photos onto a digital storage platform for backup.

With so many sights to snap in a limited period of time, it is easy to get stuck behind the camera. However, you should remember that there is so much beauty around that can still make your trip worthwhile.

 

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Advisory Before You Travel To Unique Madagascar

Posted by admin in Travel Planning on Nov 16th, 2018 | Comments Off on Advisory Before You Travel To Unique Madagascar

Uniqueness

Finding a country endowed with much diversity as Madagascar is unusual. A trip through its lush jungles and breathtaking mountains is an experience of a lifetime. The forests teem with countless species of wildlife and plants that are not found anywhere else on Earth. There are the charismatic Lemurs, chameleons, unique bird species. There are spectacular, unspoiled beaches around the crystalline waters of the Indian oceans in which swim the humpback whales. You can sail or visit the dive sites to scuba-dive and snorkel to explore the abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs.

Madagascar is unique in that it is an African country away from the real, mainland Africa. It was separated and set adrift to the east coast of the main Africa millenniums following a catastrophic earthquake. Its culture is also unique compared to other African cultures. Men and women wear the same cloths in Madagascar.

Size and population

It is the fourth largest island in the world. With an area of 364,770 square miles, it is the size of France. Madagascar has a population of 25 million people, half of which survive on less than a dollar per day.

Languages

The official languages are French (spoken by the educated) and Malagasy, which has acquired various dialects throughout the island. Many names are quite a mouthful and so hard to pronounce for newcomers. For instance, the Capital City is called Antananarivo. Other cities are Fianarantsoa, Antsiranana,

When to visit

It is best to visit Madagascar during the dry season between May and October when the temperatures are favorable. There are cyclones in the rainy season, and this can be a threat to your safety. The rainy season is between November and April.

Transport

To travel through the country, you will need to use shared taxis, here called taxi-be. Railways are not reliable.

Security

Compared with other African countries, Madagascar is relatively safe to visit. But you should avoid the following:

Demonstration

There is always some political confrontation taking place or about to take place in Madagascar; therefore civil unrest can be frequent. Avoid demonstrations and political rallies for your own safety, for fights between the opposing groups do occur or the police get in to stop the activities if deemed unlawful.

Taxis

Take extra caution when traveling in bush taxis, commonly called taxi-brousse. Statistics indicate that carjacking incidents are high, especially at night. Try to move around during the day, so you don’t become part of the statistic.

Do not show off

Madagascar is not a rich country. If you travel there, do not show off your wealth, as in wearing gold chains and watches as you sunbathe on the beach. The more you display these, the more a target for kidnapping you make yourself. Armed gangs have sometimes attacked and robbed tourists in the uninhabited areas like Montagne d’Ambre National Park and the region of Nosy Be.

Conclusion

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary. There are agencies for currency exchange at the main ports of entry.

Have a safe trip.

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