TRAVEL TIPS
What you decide to take with you will often depend on which destination you are visiting and at what time of year. Your travel consultant will discuss this with you on your pre-departure call but the below is a general guide
Luggage
Once you arrive at your destination you will rarely ever have to carry your luggage as your guide will generally assist you, but that said Oasis would still recommended that you travel relatively light.
Try to use a slightly oversized bag. If you over pack your bag before departure you will inevitably find you will struggle to repack everything as well as the first time. This is especially important on faster moving itineraries where you spend just one or two nights at each destination.
If you are travelling as a couple it is also an idea to share bags, at least with your essentials, as if you are unfortunate enough to have a bag lost or stolen, you will not have lost everything.
If your bag is of standard design and colour, use something to easily identify it on the carousel, such as a coloured band or sticker to make it stand out.
Make sure you lock your bag, it will become less of a target for thieves and will be less likely to open accidentally during transit. Combination locks are best as you will never lose the keys!
Essential Travel Items
If you wear glasses take a spare pair as in remote areas they will be hard to replace, but do take a copy of your optical prescription, as in the major cities you can pick up a new or spare pair at much cheaper rates than in Australia!
Mobile Phones
Ensure your mobile phone is only accessible with a pin code so in case you lose it no one will be able to use it before you get chance to cancel it. Check with your network provider before departure to ensure you will have coverage in all the countries you are travelling to. If there is not coverage you can always pick up a local SIM card, your guide will assist you with this if necessary. Don’t forget your charger and electrical adaptor!
Footwear
In most parts of Asia when visiting practising temples such as in Bangkok or Luang Prabang you will be required to remove your shoes before entering. For obvious reasons slip on and off footwear is most convenient.
One or two of the more upper class restaurants and bars do not allow males entry in open toed footwear (if it is a restaurant or bar we recommend we will endeavour to warn you in advance).
If you are visiting older ruins and temples such as Sukhothai, Angkor Wat or Wat Phou we recommend you wear comfortable well fitting sports shoes.
When trekking in the more mountainous regions such as Chiang Mai or Kalaw you should wear well worn in, comfortable sports shoes or in the rainy season lightweight, breathable worn in hiking boots.
Apart from the major cites and established beach resorts there is little reason to pack high heel shoes.
Clothing
Temple visits
When visiting temples, particularly in Buddhist countries you are required to dress conservatively with covered legs and shoulders. Singlet tops should not be worn, T –shirts and short sleeved shirts and blouses are acceptable.
For specific advice please ask your travel consultant before departure or your guide.
Cold and wet weather
Most of Asia is tropical, warm and humid for most of the year where lightweight natural fibre clothing is best. Destinations that can have chilly spells are best dealt with by dressing with layers as opposed to heavy items so you can peel off as the days warm up and the temperature changes.
Thailand
The beaches of Southern Thailand and Bangkok are warm all year round so light natural fibre clothes are best. At some times of year there is rain so a small umbrella may come in handy. Rain coats, even breathable gortex type fabric versions, will generally be too hot. Northern Thailand can get a little chilly between December and February especially if you are in the hills outside of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. It is a good idea to pack a warm fleece; this will also make the prefect gift for a local when you leave the area for sunnier climes. You will certainly not be requiring a coat, hat or gloves!
Laos
Unlike its neighbours Laos, especially the more northern parts get decidedly cold in the winter (October – February). If you are entering Luang Prabang from the Golden Triangle by boat, which is always our preferred route where there is time, we recommend you bring a warm fleece and a fold away wind proof jacket as the sun does not appear until after 9.30am most mornings and the boats can be cold. Usually by 10.00am however just shorts and shirt or T-shirt will be sufficient. April through to September are hot so natural fibre, light weight clothes are best. At some times of year there is rain so a small umbrella may come in handy.
Cambodia
Cambodia is warm all year round. There is no need for warm clothes other than a light weight jumper or sweat-shirt for winter (Dec –Feb) evenings. At some times of year there is rain so a small umbrella may come in handy.
Vietnam
Northern Vietnam can be cold in the winter (Nov – Mar), whilst there is no need for scarves or gloves a warm fleece is recommended. The mountainous region of Sapa is chilly most of the year, take warm clothes for the evenings and layers to wear in the mornings so you can peel off as the day warms up. Central Vietnam gets windy and cold between November and January and you will need a warm jumper or fleece some days. Southern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta never get cold, but an umbrella may come in handy between June and October.
Myanmar
Apart for Putao in the Himalayan foothills in the very far north of the country, where you will need a warm fleece, the country is warm all year round. At some times of year there is rain so a small umbrella may come in handy.
Malaysia
Peninsula and Borneo
Both areas of Malaysia are warm and tropical all year round. Warm clothes are not required apart from if you are visiting the Cameron Highlands where a lightweight jumper or sweatshirt will suffice. At some times of year there is rain so a small umbrella may come in handy. Borneo is a rainforest covered island so by its very nature it will rain at some point during your stay, however it is usually short heavy down pours lasting no more than an hour or two. A breathable gortex type of fold away jacket can be handy here. If you are venturing in to the rainforest leech socks will also come in handy, these can be purchased in the major towns or at some of the resorts.
Singapore
Is hot and tropical all year round, hence lightweight, natural fibre clothes are recommended.
Indonesia
Indonesia is hot all year round, hence lightweight, natural fibre clothes are recommended.
Other Travel Tips
Traveller’s tips on Google
Easy way to find flight information.
To find flight information all you have to do is enter the flight number in to Google. For example type “QF1” and Google will link automatically to flightstats.com and let you know all the details (see below for an example), a fantastic tool if someone is picking you up from the airport and they need to know the arrival time or check you are on schedule!
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