Monday, April 28, 2008

Going to Johor Bahru

On last weekend I went to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. That was my first time to Malaysia ad of course my first time to Johor Bahru. The journey was started from Kranji MRT station, Singapore, because I have been living here. Fromm Kranji, I have to take bus to the first check point. That was very near from Kranji MRT station, just for about 5 minutes by bus. In this check point, we have to show our passport to Singapore immigration. It was so crowded because it was holiday, so many people from Singapore went to Johor Bahru for shopping or traveling just like me. For many Singaporean or for many people that work in Singapore, shopping n Johor Bahru is like a paradise because of the the price is cheaper than in Singapore. It is also because of the rate of Singapore dollar is higher than Malaysian ringgit. After waiting and queuing for about 1 hour, finally I could finished the immigration process and continued to another check point. This second check point was in Malaysia, but the distance from the first check point is just 10 minutes by bus. The border between Singapore and Malaysia is just a river. So I just have to cross the river by bus from the first check point in Singapore into the second check point in Malaysia. In this place I have to finished the immigration process from the immigration of Malaysia. The condition between those 2 places are very different. I just across the border for 10 minutes and certainly get the different condition. Singapore is very clean and has very good public transportation. But when I just enter Johor bahru, everything changed rapidly. The immigration office in Malaysia was very hot because the air condition and the fan was not work properly. Besides that, it was a very long queue, so that situation make us very tired. It was so different than when we was in Singapore. So after waiting and queueing for about 1 and a half hour, finally, I could finished the immigration check and continued my journey in Johor Bahru.


Enjoy delicious food, delicious places, delicious activities with Delicious Life.

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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Plan Your Trips

I had to plan a road trip. I thought I had a few weeks of boring work ahead of me. Wrong! As I laid out our itinerary and began to look closer and deeper into the areas we would visit, I began to get excited.
We were going to take a car trip, to the Northwest, starting in early May. We had no set plans and no motel reservations. We hoped to stay off the interstate as much as possible, fish at some trout streams, and try to see a lot of the western U.S..

I started the planning at our local AAA office where I got a roadmap of the US. Using two 'scenic roads' books I have as guides, I took a highlighter and marked the scenic routes on the map.

Using the internet, books and articles, I traveled along the route I had highlighted. I 'checked out' small towns, 'toured' museums, and ‘stayed’ at elegant bed and breakfasts. As I continued my research, I discovered many special places. I began to wonder how many more unique places could I find? As time went on, I began to get worked up with excitement in the planning.

A relaxing trip meant we needed to get a good idea of how much our daily mileage should be. We didn't want to end up driving while tired. And we also didn't want to rush through areas. While it's pretty easy to calculate mileage on an interstate, it can be hard figuring mileage for secondary roads, the kind we hoped to take a lot of. For help with this, I used the Triptik® tool at the AAA website. I was able to get the needed mileage information and also information about roads and mountain passes that could still be closed in the late spring/early summer.

After weeks of planning, we packed the car and got on the road. Did we keep to the plan? Not 100%. We were tempted off our route by the signs for Promontory Point, Craters of the Moon National Park and the Birds of Prey Center to mention just a few. And let's not forget the trout streams we passed that just about hollered 'FISH ME!' And, of course, the time needed to walk that great beach we found.

Our trip took 4 days long than the originally planed, putting over 10,000 miles on the car. It was a great trip and now I'm working on one to take us to the Southwest.

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Friday, April 18, 2008

Auto Transports

uto transport is one of the leading demandable services all over the world. A person who have vehicle or wants to transfer the vehicle from the one place to another requires vehicle shipping services from the company. More number of companies is offering the services to the customers in most excellent way to meet their requirements in an exact manner without comprising in customer service. Today, almost every company started to be an auto shipper with innovative technologies and experienced employees. The important things need to be known by the customer while choosing a best auto transport for the vehicle. There are more factors are to be considered before moving a car across country or overseas which should be known by the customer.
The client is required to know that the pickup and drop terms serve the purpose and it is sensible for the customer to ship their motors to the place required. When you make the shipping order then the company should have to make proper arrangements regarding car moving, so that vehicles can delivered at the consignment date. Sometimes, the delivery of vehicles may get delayed due to traffic, unforeseen events. Today, almost every car shipping company offers the services for prices affordable by the customers.

Price is the important factor which should be considered and more importance should be provided. Today, world becomes more competitive and everybody offers the services for different prices to meet the customers of all sorts. The prices should be competitive at same time it should be more economical for the people. Well qualified vehicle transporters should be employed in the transit company, so that guaranteed services can be obtained.

The person should possess proper experience and knowledge in the field to offer the service in more excellent method as required by the customer. Flexible mode of payments enables the client to pay off the payments easily. Door-to-door delivery services are also offered by the moving company to facilitate the customer with

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Six Legs in Thai Food

Many people enjoy Thai food worldwide: spicy soups and salads, flavorful rice dishes are abundant. But in Thailand, fried or roasted insects and scorpions are also popular, readily available, and inexpensive.
Insects have traditionally been a rich source of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals in the Northern Thailand diet. They are also prized as delicacies. In fact, it is unusual to find an insect which is not eaten in one form or another by local people. Among the most popular are:
• cicadas, locusts, mantises, crickets, and grasshoppers which are all deep fried and are rather crunchy;
• bamboo worms, which are also deep fried;
• giant water bugs, which are steamed; they are also ground into a paste with chili and eaten with sticky rice;
• weaver ants (red ants with a painful bite) and their eggs; sticky rice is dipped into a mixture of ants, eggs, and chili;
• dung beetles; which add a wholesome flavor to curries; however, many people will not eat them because they live in and on excrement.
In addition, Thai people will eat
• the pupae of silk moths and other moths and butterflies; you must first remove the pupae from their cocoons, then boil them until soft with a pinch of salt, finally sautée them lightly;
• the larvae of wasps and bees; these are deep-fried;
and arachnids:
• poisonous scorpions, which are grilled;
• giant tarantulas, which are also grilled.
I have not seen other spiders eaten, but I suspect if it moves, it is considered food somewhere.
Also, termites (large white ants) are grilled and their eggs are a delicacy used to make a flavorful soup.
Where I lived in Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 4, every night starting around 5:00 PM, there was a street vendor with half a dozen kinds of fried and grilled insects and scorpions; her customers were mainly the bar girls in the area. Every night she was quite busy as the girls consider these insects a tasty snack, and munch on them as frequently as Western people munch on potato chips.
The lady vendor does not speak any English, but will pose with her wares for a photograph if you give her a 20 baht (about 60 cents) tip. And if you're brave, you could always buy a bag of deep fried bamboo worms.

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Monday, April 14, 2008

Traveling with friends

My mother used to say visitors were like fresh fish, great for the first two days, OK for the next day but that they start getting a little hard to bear on day four, as for days five and onwards, the fish or the friends….a little hard to bear!
Now try spending two weeks, in one four-by-four doing the “Botswana” or other safari “thing”… as passengers in a friend’s car, my wife and I looked forward to a stunning experience with two of our best friends.
Planning was fun with us enjoying many a meeting gathered around maps on the table, lists detailing packing methods, food and equipment, list upon list developed and added to around eventful evenings sharing good food and fruits of the vine. What for I call a friend, we have known each other for many years, shared fun and laughter and know each others good and bad points, personality failings and deepest secrets, that kind of friend is who I refer to in this context. To put this differently, forgive me if I over elaborate, we were all four, ready willing and able to head for the savannah together with no hesitation.

Going back to my mother for a moment, we once did the caravan “thing” with another family in a large caravan with supporting tents and spent two weeks in the rain, needless to say that was my mothers first and last camping trip. Moving on to the present, the day arrived and off we went, the first and last days being dedicated totally to travel, via the exciting metropolis of Maun and into what can only be described as one of the most wonderful of all the last remaining natural wonders of Africa.

Dare I digress again but with names like Moremi; Third Bridge and Savuti rolling of one’s tongue, if one can put to one side the exorbitant prices and the few acceptable facilities one should normally expect, this is top of the pops, bite the bullet, pack well and head for Botswana, it’s worth it.

Our bookings along the way, and I mean a….long the way, we started out in the Eastern Cape which necessitated sleeping over a few times, accommodation organised with thanks to www.staysa.co.za… at last we finally arrived.

Our friends are fanatical bird watchers….now lets put this into perspective, one gets nature lovers who enjoy a broad range of the boundless beauty of nature, like most of us, then one gets the nature lover who also takes a little turn towards birds – we are in this category, my wife and I watch birds, we do this in most places, we log them and we enjoy spotting the different birds in each region. We love climbing into a hide or securing a quiet spot, perhaps with a glass of Chardonnay, to sit and watch. We do not however need to spend fifteen minutes at each bird, particularly if it is the tenth example of the exact same bird on that particular game drive! To cut quite a long story short, by day three, when I had stopped to see a Superb Starling for the umpteenth time we were quite ready to never see another bird ever, and I mean ever again! Have you ever experienced real claustrophobia, the fear of closed or confined spaces? Well let me tell you, that was the smallest four-by-four that ever travelled Botswana, every time I was in the mood to gaze over a waterway to watch a family of Hippo frolicking about with the young males play-fighting, perhaps even a bird or two, we were allocated about thirty seconds tops and then whisked away to another Superb Starling or similar.

Thank goodness our friendship is and was so sufficiently strong we could deal with this, an agreement in the evening limiting a five minute stop and only for a first sighting or at least a good sighting was soon agreed and the four of us ended up sharing that can only be described as the holiday of our lives, made possible through friendship and trust. So much for the happy ending, how can you ensure the same thing when on a combined holiday:

• Most importantly, select a destination and friend carefully; repeat carefully, to ensure all of you have the same expectations and desires for your holiday enjoyment.

• Obviously, the friends would not be classified as such if you did not share similar interests in food; people; the environment; fun activities and the like. Make sure they are really friends, do you know them well, make sure you have been on the odd weekend away before you commit to something like the trip mentioned above or perhaps a yacht cruise or similar confined quarter.

• Agree everything in advance, where are you staying; what are the costs; who is responsible for what.

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Sunday, April 13, 2008

Backpacking

It is useful to be able to compare room rates at a number of hostels in your preferred destination. Backpacking can be a wonderful experience. Book a room in a hostel today, so that you aren't roomless on your arrival.
People from all walks of life and every corner of the world stay in hostels. Backpacker Hostels are very affordable. Expand your horizons - Taking excursions away from your original plan is part of what makes backpacking fun.

Safeguard your important documents and money - Get one of those thin money belts that fit inside your clothes. That way you can carry your passport and money with you at all times. Tip of the day - Always carry your student or youth card because you may be able to get a discount. Many hostels offer a wide range of activities - from city tours to white water-rafting.

Travel in comfort - Bring a pillow with you for those long bus journeys. Almost all hostels offer lockers, either free of charge or for hire so that people staying in dormitories can lock up their valuables. During the daytime, there is usually a lockout time from early morning to late afternoon when the rooms are being cleaned.

Planning that seems so trivial at home can become complicated when you are in a strange place. Today, many hostels are not unlike budget hotels where the only significant difference is the price. Many hostels provide access for wheelchair users, and specially adapted rooms are becoming more common. Many hostels in the country are so quiet you can hear your heart beat.

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

Advantages of Travel Books

Travelling is regarded as one of the preferred options by most of the people to stimulate their tiring souls. Exploring unknown places can be very exciting as it helps the people undertake adventurous tasks to overcome the hurdles of daily life. However, it is also very absurd to start travelling without having any prior knowledge of the concerned place or locality.
A particular place incites our curiosity only when it is very popular or has some unique feature. This kind of activity is basically undertaken by a person when he or she wants to take a break from the daily hectic schedules. As such a person should careful plan to enjoy his whole trip. It would be very irritating if the travellers get lost in the midst of their journey. As such the travel books are carefully written to guide the readers to the right path.

The Travel Books perfectly depict the records, events, people and the history of the concerned place. These books form a different genre in literature. However the readers should not get confused with the travel literature and the travel guides.

But both of them are useful for the travellers as they offer huge chunks of information regarding the hotels, major sights, restaurants and travel tips etc. These books are specially written after extensive research and survey. The writers in most of the cases travel to these places and share their experiences in these books.

Reading the travel books will not only guide you in your journeys but can also help you to enhance your knowledge about a particular place. These books efficiently help the readers to wander in those wonderful and exciting places in their imagination.

These books superbly depict the histories of those exciting places and the habitation of the people who reside there. They can perfectly guide the readers to undertake adventurous decisions to have thrilling experience throughout their journeys.

Some of the top rated travel books are Ancient Rome, Apples of Kazakhstan, Basrayatha, Black Gold of the Sun, Down in New Orleans, God's Middle Finger, Humberger Eyes and Goodbye Madame Butterfly etc. These books would give you an insight about your preferred destination. The online shopping stores can also help the travellers to get their preferred books at affordable prices.

These stores have various genres of books to suit the taste of every category of people. Moreover, the customers can browse these sites to avail their preferred book along with various attractive offers and gifts.

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Flights, Travel, Holidays, Vacations

Almost anyone will probably agree that in a perfect world they'd be able to travel more. It is one of the most natural human desires to want to see different parts of the world and experience new things. And anyone who has traveled will probably agree that you don't really appreciate or think about your home too much until you have the perspective of seeing how people live in other parts of the world.
The problem of course, is that travel has always been expensive. Although airfares have gotten cheaper over the years, they are still expensive enough that most people don't fly regularly, and this is likely to remain the case. So unless you plan on suddenly getting rich, you're going to have to come up with some discount travel solutions if you want to fly more, and a great thing to look into if you're looking for a cheap flight are charter flights.
Charter flights are cheaper because they work on a different system than a started airline flight. A standard airline will have a set route between two cites: an airline will fly a certain amount a times a week between two cities, and this remains constant regardless of the amount of passengers. In other words normal airline routes function like bus routes, and sometimes there may only be a few people on the plane. It is this need to average out costs - to be able to afford all those times when the plane is a third full - that leads to high airfares.
A charter company can offer cheaper fares by working in a different fashion: they will charter an entire plane from an airline for a particular date and time, and thus receive a heavy discount on the cost. They can then pass some of this discount on to you by offering a lower per seat price for the flight. Most charter companies operate along very common routes during peak times - for example, sunny vacation spots during the winter.
Charter flights are much more reliable then other more radical ways of obtaining discount airfare, and fares will generally get cheaper as the departure date approaches. There is a certain amount of risk, however: a charter company can decide to cancel a flight if they haven't sold enough tickets. Unlike a regular airline, which constantly has planes going to multiple destinations, the charter company may not be able o immediately put you on another plane. So instead of waiting a few hours it's likely that if your charter flight is cancelled you'll either be receiving a refund, or waiting at least a day or two for another charter - which of course can ruin any vacation.
That being said, there are many large and reliable charter companies, and charter flights — while not offering discounts as big as can be found through other discount travel methods - remain a reliable alternative to regular airfare. And if you're flexible and willing to buy a ticket on short notice, you can find many excellent airfares from charter companies, making charter flights one of the more popular discount traveling methods

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Another Thailand's girls

Anyone who has ever visited Thailand will know about the beauty of Thai women. In their twenties, they are striking. In their thirties, they are looking more mature, but still most are very attractive.
The women working in the ubiquitous bars and massage parlors of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket are mostly former housewives, believe it or not, married but separated, with two kids they left back in their village with their mothers. Most are from Isaan, the North-East corner of Thailand, which has a large amount of poverty. Some are from other parts of the country, especially Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and a very few are from Bangkok or central Thailand.
But about 1 in 100 is not a female at all, but a "ladyboy", or katoey in Thai. Quite often, they appear more feminine than the real women. I have seen many a farang ogle and lust after a very sexy woman, not realizing that "she" is a "he".
Like the women, most ladyboys are from Isaan. I have talked to a few on a one to one basis, and asked them when they first knew they wanted to be a female. All said they knew at an early age, around 5 or 6 years old. They said they liked the female manner, didn’t like rough sports, were partial to art and music.
Katoeys are an accepted part of Thai culture, considered to be a third sex in Thailand. Several are movie stars and TV announcers. One is a national kick-boxing champion. You will find ladyboys everywhere, working as waiters, store clerks, hairdressers, couriers, etc.
In North America and Europe, a sex-change (also called a gender re-assignment) operation is considered to be a big deal, requiring many months of psychological counseling before the operation to make sure the person is committed to the change.
In Thailand, a sex change operation is quite common. There are several clinics and hospitals which perform it, and the cost is a fraction of what the western charge would be, typically US00-7000. Nevertheless, for a poor person from Isaan, 00 is a huge amount of money.
There are three main areas in Bangkok where ladyboys are present in large numbers: Nana Entertainment Plaza (on Sukhumvit Soi 4), Patpong Road (off Silom), and Soi Cowboy (close to the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and Asoke Road, which has both BTS SkyTrain and MRT Subway stations).
At Nana, the majority of ladyboys are "pre-op", meaning they still have a penis. At Patpong and Soi Cowboy, most are "post-op", meaning they have had the operation to create a vagina. The operation involves cutting out a section of intestine, which will become the vagina. The penis is cut open and inserted into the intestinal tube; typically some of the scrotal sac is used to increase the length of the new vagina. The tip of the penis becomes the new clitoris, and is normally still sensitive after the procedure is finished and everything has healed. The ladyboys I talked to said they could still have an orgasm, but did not ejaculate.
Scar tissue is visible if the post-op ladyboy retains his/her public hair, but if it is shaved off, it is difficult to tell an artificially created vagina from the real thing.
However, this is typically not the end of the story in sex reassignment. The male body is typically larger than the female, even in Thailand, where many people seem to be 80% the size of western people. The ladyboy has to take hormones for a couple of years before the operation; these hormones help him grow breasts and reduce his facial and body hair growth. Thai men don't usually have much body hair, compared to Western men, but they do have some; hormones or another treatment are needed to reduce or eliminate it. However, hormones have a side effect of reducing the ability to ejaculate.

Males typically have a protruding Adam's apple, so that is yet another operation: it can be shaved by a surgeon to reduce or eliminate the protrusion. And many have electrolysis to eliminate body hair, especially in the armpits.
If you visit Nana Entertainment Plaza after 7PM (which is when it opens), you will find several hair-dressing establishments located on the decks that run around three sides of the structure. The ones at the front cater to the bar girls; the ones at the rear cater to ladyboys. You can watch some of the ladyboys preening and preparing their makeup.
Some of the bars are exclusively ladyboys. If you enter one such bar, you will find that most ladyboys are more than passable and some are strikingly beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen an ugly ladyboy.
As far as relationships go, ladyboys are just like Thai women. They want a long-term relationship, and they will try hard to make the relationship work. Many speak some English, but you really need a product like Speak Easy Thai to help you learn some basic Thai vocabulary. If you can communicate better, you have a much better chance of a lasting relationship.
A part of Bangkok's nightlife that should not be missed by any visitor, ladyboy cabaret shows are professionally done, with spectacular productions (lots of feathers and glitter, good music, and some comedy as well). You can see them at the Calypso Cabaret (Asia Hotel, Ratchathewi SkyTrain station), Golden Dome Cabaret (15 minute walk from Sutthisan subway station), and Mambo Cabaret in the former Washington Theater between Sukhumvit Soi 22 and 24.

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Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Travel Restrictions

Do you understand the basics of air travel and luggage restrictions? There have been various changes throughout the years due to increase security at airports. You'll need to understand the luggage restrictions.
Do note that there may be differences in restrictions when traveling outside of the United States. Be sure to check with the airlines about any additional restrictions if you are traveling to other countries. Here's a quick guide to what you can and cannot bring with you on the plane.
Liquids, Gels, Aerosol Containers
The basic restriction is that you must have only 3 ounces of each liquid in small containers. You can't have 3 ounces of liquid in bigger containers. That means you have to leave your rolled up toothpaste and big bottles at home.

On top of that, you have to put all of your liquid small bottles in a quart size only plastic baggie. That quart sized plastic bag must have a zipped top. You can't use gallon-sized bags, and you can't use bags that are unzipped, like a sandwich bag.

Once you get to the airport, you have to pull out this bag and put it on the conveyor belt if you are taking it with your carry-on luggage.

Save The Trouble Tip - Don't bring anything liquid or gel with you if you can help it. Buy new small travel size items when you get to your destination, and throw them away before you take off for home.

Exceptions To The Rule - Baby formula or milk for baby, or juices for toddlers. Prescription or over the counter products, including eye saline. Juice or liquids for people with a medical condition. Basically, if you have any medical condition or disability and you are taking liquids with you, you can bring those items with you on the plane, you just need to declare it to the security personnel at the airport.

Food and Drinks

Like the rules above, if it's a liquid, or somewhat liquid, it has to be less than 3 ounces. You can have them checked or in your carry on items. In most cases any food that you have, as long as it is packaged properly, can be taken with you.

However, items you buy at the airport can be taken with you on the plane. If you're at the airport and buy something for the trip, you can save some checkpoint hassle by purchasing food and drinks beyond the security point.

Save The Trouble Tip - Use clear packaging when you take food items from home with you, that way security won't have to open things up to see what is inside.

Cigarette Lighters And Matches

Your common every day lighter is permitted in your carry-on luggage only. You might have to throw away some if you have more than one on your person.

You can also take with you matches, but they must not be the strike anywhere kind. They must be in a small pack.

Electronic Items

In general, all electronic items such as PDAs, cell phones, laptops, computer equipment, pagers and the like are permitted both checked and in your carry-on luggage. Most likely you'll have to be prepared to pull it out and place it in special bins when going through the X-ray machine.

For cameras, if you have undeveloped film, the X-ray machine will destroy this, so you should simply declare what you have to the security people and ask them to do a hand search of these items.

Sharp Objects

There are many restrictions regarding sharp objects. The general rule is if the item is longer than 6 inches and sharp, check it with your luggage, don't take it with you in your carry on luggage.

Anything less than 6 inches, not a knife, and usually meant for personal use like knitting needles or a nail file. You cannot bring a knife with you on the plane, even a small pocketknife. Put these with your checked baggage.

Tools in general can be checked, though items less than 6 inches are allowed on carry-on luggage. Larger tools, especially sharp objects, must be checked.

Save The Trouble Tip - Do you really need any sharp metal item while in flight? Keep it all with your checked luggage.

Sporting Goods, Martial Arts Items and Firearms

To keep it simple, most sporting goods aren't allowed as carry on, and must be checked. Same thing with the martial arts items, you will have to put these with your checked baggage. Again, the same rule applies for firearms. Guns and knives can be brought with you, but must be checked baggage. You can also bring ammunition, but again, it must be a checked item. It is recommended that you declare what you have to the individual doing the inspection.

This also applies to anything that looks like a gun, including a BB gun, or pellet gun or any other sort. You must check these items as baggage. The pellets and BBs must be checked as well. To be safe, check toy guns as well.

Things You Can Not Have With You

This is a list of items you cannot have with you, either checked or as a carry on item. You cannot bring these items on the plane with you under any circumstances. You could face severe penalties if you bring these with you.

Flares
Gun powder
Blasting Caps
Dynamite
Fireworks
Hand Grenades
Plastic Explosives
Aerosols *except for toiletry items
Fuel
Gasoline
Gas Torches
Lighter Fluid
Torch Lighters
Strike Anywhere Matches
Flammable Paints
Turpentine and Paint Thinner
Chlorine for Pools and Spas
Fire extinguishers
Liquid Bleach
Spillable Batteries *except for wheelchairs
Spray Paint
Tear Gas

Note: You cannot bring with you realistic replicas of these items either.

Save The Trouble Tip - If you must have these items, plan to buy one at the location you are traveling to, or ship it to yourself. (Make sure you check regulations for shipping these items.)

These restrictions are in place to help keep you safe while flying. Planning ahead is the best way to prepare and make sure what you need makes it through to your destination. The general travel tip: Less is better. Buy items when you get to the location. In most cases if you do need to bring it, try to put it in your checked baggage.

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