Round The World Tips (Arrival)

RTW Tips (Arrival)

Information based on Asian Countries

You've landed at your first destination. You wouldn't be alone if your feeling a little nervous. Why wouldn't you be? This is it! The journey you spent so long planning and saving for. From this point onward your life becomes a blank canvas... So go get it Filthy!

Currency

If you haven't already brought local currency with you from your point of origin. You'll need to visit a money exchange counter. Luckily Airports in all countries are full of these and are the most trustworthy sources. Also the exchange is usually very decent as the exchangers will often compete for your custom. I'd suggest changing up half of the cash you brought with you into local currency and keeping that in your wallet. The rest of the original currency can be stored in your valuable front pack which nestles neatly between the protection of both of your arms at all times.

Now you should have enough money to see you into the comfort of your first hotel room. From this point onwards you won't be desperate for local currency, so you can shop around for the best deal on the exchange of the rest of your cash. Keep your eyes peeled for money exchange centres. (They're Everywhere)

Your first Taxi

Its highly unlikely that you'll be ready for public transport at this point so that leaves the old faithful taxi. Now this little scenario you're about to face will probably be your first taste of the countries finest con men. Leading toward the exit of the airport you'll have to face the gauntlet of Taxi desks, rows of men offering their transportation services. Be sure to approach at least two desks near each other, near enough so that each can here the others offer and beat it. This will allow you to sit back at watch the auto haggling process complete itself.

After letting this play out, choose your taxi and ask for a non A/C car. They are about half price and there is a good chance that all the taxis come with A/C anyway. This means the driver is unlikely to drive for an hour in the stifling heat just to make you uncomfortable. Also sometimes if you pay for A/C its so mild that you'll get cooler from sticking your head out the window anyway.

PrePay for your ticket and follow the relevant representative to the assigned vehicle. Don't let anyone touch your case, load it into the boot of the Taxi yourself or literally everyone who skimmed their fingertips across your bag will expect a tip.

During your journey the driver will probably make feeble attempts at conversation with you. Play this however you want but take note that some drivers even expect a tip for this sorry excuse for banter. My advise at this point is to sort your smaller change from the bigger notes before you arrive at the destination. Take out a two or 3 low denomination notes and roll them up or fold them messily together. Keep this in your hand or somewhere you can whip it out swiftly and move on.

When you arrive at your booked hotel, make sure the name and street correspond with the booking details you'll have with you. Many hotels steal each others names when one particular place is doing good business. (Its a very clever trick and got me at least 3 times) Grab your own bag from the back (if your fast enough) and slap the rolled/folded notes into the drivers hand before turning your back and entering the hotel. This Procedure saved me hundreds of Rupees in India once I'd worked out how to master it effectively. The Asian people are culturally VERY different from the British, and have no problem telling you that your tip is stingy and quite simply not enough. Prepare for this rudeness.

And that my friend was your first Taxi ride complete! A complicated process that you'll face several times a day so get used to it.

Prebooked hotels

Don't relax just yet, even prebooked hotels will try and swindle money from you. Make sure you have brought every single document to do with the booking with you. If you don't, somehow it will be that very piece of paper that you needed the most. If the hotel can get you to pay twice or upgrade to a more expensive room they will. So stand firm with your documents, eventually they will back down and give you what you've already paid for.

When you get inside the room make sure it's the one you booked. Then you can relax.