Stay Healthy When You Travel - Travelling tips

It is important to stay healthy when you travel abroad, particularly to the northen hemipshere during winter. I just got back from Beijing and Xian tour a week ago. The trip is somewhat one of the worst holiday tour package that I've ever signed up for.

Apart from the army style hectic schedule that one has to bear with (everyday its morning call at 6.30pm follow by hectic stopover at various places of interest and late dinners usually around 8pm follow by checkin to various hotels at close to 10pm, bathing and then its again another day of early wake up morning call and the cycle repeats), the extreme cold and dry weather makes the journey all the less enjoyable.

To further aggravate the situation, the tour coach heater is never turn on throughout the trip! The reason given was that it saves fuel by doing so!. As a result the cold weather, lethargy,lack of rest and the stone cold coach, I caught fever and flu on the last day of the trip.

I am actually quite lucky compare to the rest in the group where two women in their late 40s fell extremely ill. If it is not for the medicine and other first aid kit that I had with me throughout the trip, those two ladies would've probably end up in the hospital.

Being a seasoned traveller, here's couple of travelling tips that I wish to share for those who intend to travel during winter

1) Bring plenty of warm clothings, in particular winter clothings. Check the weather forecast before you set off. Always remember to bring at least one reasonable thick winter wear along with you during the flight. Don't pack all your warm clothings into the check in luggage!!

2)The weather in Beijing and other parts of china northeast can be extremely cold so don't assume winter warm clothes that can keep you warm in London or Europe will do its job in China! Bring necessary gears to protect your face, mouth and hand from the froze dry biting cold wind of the northeast terrible weather.

3)Remember to bring first aid kits such as flu and stomach ache tablets, aspirins, and any other medication deem necessary. In between, if possible try to get flu jabs before you travel during winter.

4)Apply moisturizer to expose parts of the body such as the face,lips, arms and etc. Always make it a point to bring a strap pouch or a bag to carry some of these essentials when you travel.

5)Get a good thermoflask to keep some warm water as long as you can. No doubt when you are in sub zero temperature that dips below -20degree Celcius, the warm water may turn to ice preety soon.

6)Get plenty of hotpads to help keep your body warm. There are plenty of hotpads that you can choose from. Some last for 4 hours and some can last for well over a day or so.
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7)Stay in the coach if you don't feel well. Tell the tour leader or the tour guide that you wish to rest and keep warm. Try to catch some rest if the travelling time is long.