I have told my wife to email me instead of sending SMS but she has never listened. I think the cheapest mobile phone option which I have is to buy local prepaid mobile number  and get my wife to use Skype to contact me. At least Skype charges is cheaper and I can talk with my wife longer.

Diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travelers. Statistic estimated almost 10 millions international travelers develop diarrhea while traveling. The big sign of diarrhea is when traveler experiences four to five loose or watery bowel movements each day. If that is not enough, other symptoms which can confirm diarrhea including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, fever, urgency, and malaise. Diarrhea primary source of infection comes from contaminated water and food. So, be careful with what you eat and what you drink while traveling. Try to avoid eating foods or drinking beverages purchased from street vendors or other establishments where unhygienic conditions are present. So far, I have not faced diarrhea while abroad but not at home.

1) Spend some time in the community before you give to beggars

A little cultural familiarity will give you a better sense for which beggars are and are not truly needy and will allow you to see how locals react to beggars: when they give money, and how much they choose to give. Most of the world’s spiritual traditions have time-honored practices for helping the needy, and following these local religious protocols is often the most culturally appropriate way to give money. In less religious societies, such as those in Western Europe, state funds are often available for the homeless and indigent, theoretically eliminating the need for hunger-based beggary.

Donations to local charities and NGOs are another solution for helping the needy in a given community, though you should research aid organizations carefully, since many such agencies are notorious for siphoning money into bloated administrative overhead.

2) Practice skepticism

Practice proper discernment when choosing to give. This in mind, try and donate to those who truly need it (physical deformities are usually a reliable indicator of need), and try to avoid putting money into the hands of hustlers. Any able-bodied beggar who is too aggressive, charming, accusatory, persistent, melodramatic, or (in non-Anglophone countries) good at English is probably working a scam, trying to raise drug money, or avoiding legitimate work.

Children who beg are always a tough call, since it’s natural to feel sympathy for them. Try to never give to child beggars, however, because child beggary is so often tied to organized crime and familial exploitation. Moreover, even if a given kid is begging independently of opportunistic adults, it is best not to reinforce this behavior at such a young age.

3) Don’t be afraid to say no

It’s better to give out of conviction than guilt, so don’t give if you truly don’t want to. Some travelers even have a policy of never giving to beggars at all (reasoning that their donation stands to create as many problems as it solves), and this is as legitimate a way as any to deal with the situation. Beggars realize that what they’re doing is a numbers game, and that not everyone who walks past is going to give them money.

4) You’re not saving the day

Giving money to a person on the street may make that person’s day a little better, but rarely will it do much to actually change his or her life. Individual travelers are rarely more than a fleeting presence in the lives of beggars, so keep things in perspective, remain humble, and don’t condemn those travelers who choose not to give.

5) Be courteous

It is perfectly normal protocol to ignore beggars in a given situation (they’re used to it), but don’t lecture them on how they should live their life or spend their money. In other words, remember the essential humanity of the needy as you travel, and don’t presume the presence of beggars is somehow an affront to your vacation. After all, as a traveler you are a mere guest in a faraway place, and they have just as much right as you to hang out at a given landmark, a public square, or tourist attraction.

I have to tell something. Actually the flight ticket to go there is free because I have a few thousands of air miles with Emirates. So, I am going to redeem the air miles and save money on air ticket. If without the free ticket, I will have to fork out roughly RM500++ for a return ticket to Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur using the same airline. There is a cheaper option which is flying with AirAsia but I have to buy air ticket early. So, it’s not very convenient for me to plan 3-4 months early. I have checked Airasia fare just now for the same departure date and the fare is quoted including taxes at RM456.98. It’s not cheap considering what I will get from full service airline.

I am not sure on hotel accommodation whether to book from here or just go over there and try my luck. Surely there are many good and cheap hotels or hostels available which does not have online reservation. I will leave this decision until the last minute. I still have got time to think about that. I am a last minute guy.

I have listed down my list of task to do for this trip.

1. Prepare pocket money
2. Buy a travel back pack
3. Redeem air miles from Emirates
4. Search for accommodation
5. Prepare travel itinerary
6. Prepare route map/map
7. Learn a few local words
8. Read other travelers experience

The lists can go on with no ending. But I am putting these 8 taks as the most super important tasks to do prior to my trip in August. Bagus sekali ya..!

For those who might not have set your foot in Penang, the weather is consists of only two main elements which is rain or shine. The average weather can be summarized as below :

Transportation is not to worry as many buses and taxis available to go around Penang. Although taxis as happening anywhere in world charge higher fare but still the most convenient to use. Previously, meter fare is not compulsory but last year all taxis are forced to install the meters. So, don’t worry on the excessive charge anymore as you have the meter to rely on. But do have in mind that maybe one or two dishonest taxi driver who might overcharge fares or do not want to use the meter.

For those who are okay traveling with buses are encourage to do so as the fare per journey is quite cheap. Average fare per journey is only at RM1.00 but off course the journey is not as smooth as taking the taxi. Car rental can be the options for those who wants conveniences and is available from Avis or Kasina. You are able to book the car even before arriving to Penang through internet. Another way to move around Penang is by renting a small engine motorbike. If you prefer the adventurous way, motorcycle is cheap at RM30 per day and a good way of exploring Penang island except when it’s raining.

I will add some more on places of interests soon..

It’s going to be a long day for me today as many things need to be packed. Personal things and material samples for 9 days. It should not be a problem for me because traveling has already becoming a routine for me. I still remembered the very first time when I have the opportunity to travel overseas. I was panic when seeing a long lists of things to be brought over. I was ready with the packing two days before departure and the luggage was so heavy. I learnt a good lessons from there because whenever I travel now, I will make sure to try to leave as many as possible and travel lite. By doing this, many souvenirs can be bought. Haha..

I have booked a room at Nile Hilton Cairo from Asiatravel.com for 6 nights. If I book directly from the hotel, the rate is USD162.00 per night with breakfast but through Asiatravel.com, the rate given is marvelously low at USD82.00 per night inclusive breakfast. At first, I’m a bit sceptical but after searching some information on their credibility, I decided to give a try. Their service is quite fast as they confirmed my booking within an hour and booking voucher to be presented at check-in counter is issued within 6 hours by asiatravel.com.  Good service!

For your information, I paid the booking using debit card Visa Electron. I need to tell this as some online merchants do not accept debit card. Airport transfer is charged at USD27.00 per way.I requested a Nile view room and was informed that I need to pay additional USD15.00 per night. I would not take it as USD15.00 can buy me a lot of things in Cairo. Without Nile view is not going to hurt me..

As I said in the earlier posting, Nile Hilton is chosen because of it’s location. I have stayed at Conrad Cairo before. I would love to stay there again but I have to look for another hotel this time around because of it’s location is a bit far from the downtown and the rate is not budget friendly.

Asiatravel.com has impressed me so far for the first part. Second part of the review will be given when I am back from the trip.

1. Try to get check-in counter who is handled by male staff. Man are known as not too rigid on those tiny requirement.
2. Register with airline frequent flyer programme. This can be a big help to you where certain airport do check on this. I was given up to 30kgs at Kuwait Airport only by showing the basic member’s card during baggage check-in.
3. Greet the check-in staff with a nice and sincere smiles as your long face will help when you are facing with troubles.
4. In case you do have some excess weight. Try to balance them by putting some into  another small bag and bring them with you into the cabin. If the weight of the small bag is more than 7kgs, try to act like you are carrying an empty bag. In case if you are stopped by the cabin crews if they noticed the heavy bag, don’t worry as they will ask you to check in the bag. During this time they will not charge anymore.
5. If you have extra bags to carry and the weight is more than 20kgs, try to call the airline office a few days before departure to request for extra weight allowance. Use your acting talents by giving some good reasons. This trick will sometime work.
6. Last but not least, upgrade your ticket to business class.

Care to share your tips? Why not?

As been informed, weather at this point of time is summer with temperature around 34 to 40 degree Celsius. It is hot comparing to my home country. I have to drinks a lot water while there. During summer, Egypt especially Cairo will be invaded by the Arabs from the gulf countries as the hot weather in Cairo is not as hot as in the gulf. Prices of hotels will go up but not to worry as I have found a travel website which a very offer good rate for booking made through the website. I am planning to book a room at Nile Hilton. The website is offering a standard room at USD80 per night which is cheap as Nile Hilton is located at the most strategic place within Downtown Cairo.

So many things that I have to prepare before departing on this coming 18th May. Hopefully I will not missed anything.

I have not tried and don’t have intention to do so. It’s against my belief and my responsibility as a husband, a father and a leader of my family. And to make it worse, you don’t even know who is the girl you are sleeping with. What if she has had something to be passed to you? One lustful shot will make you regret forever and not only you will be affected, even your wife and your future childs. It’s a risk that I will not compromise.