Travel Safety and Security …. Few words of (hmmm) wisdom

Palawan, the Philippines

Oh yes – security. Hot hot topic. It is all about security these days. But truth be told the issues of safety and security were never really much of concern to me.  I practiced common sense and it worked just fine. Luckily nothing has ever happened to me nor to anyone I know so the need of taking extra precautions didn’t feel all that urgent. After all, bad things only happen to other people, don’t they?

“The time they are changin“.  Perhaps I got a bit older. I am officially a GlamMa now. Perhaps I got a bit wiser. Or perhaps there is too much information out there. For today you not only have access to information about the most fantastic adventures in most remote locations in the world but also tons of scary stories about bag snatchers, scammers, pickpockets, gangs, not to mention kidnappings or other politically and religiously related unrest. 

You can always get help if you need it

All those alarming stories made my imagination go wild.  Surely my age will make me an easy target (or so will the bad guys think). Surely my very visible DSLR will attract some undesirable interest. Surely this, surely that …  After all, isn’t it the opportunity that makes a thief?  Phew. I was getting seriously worried.  For not only was I about to travel to supposedly very unstable part of the world but I also was going flashpacking for the first time ever in my life as a female solo traveler and photographer … at the age of 60+.

I went and (of course) survived to tell the tale. Came back without a scratch.  And so will you. Don’t get me wrong. By no means do I want to marginalize security issues. Not at all. Bad things do happen in the world, including your own town. You should learn about the latest scams and tricks and how to avoid them just don’t let the stories you read ever scare you off so that you’ll cancel your trip. Use common sense and you’ll be fine. But to make you feel still saver, give you bit more peace of mind and above all help you avoid unnecessary annoyance I outlined few practical tips below which I hope you’ll find useful. 

Bring smart Phone with GPS

Never go anywhere without your smart phone

If there is only one advice I can give or if there is only one device you can bring with you – this is it.  I cannot stress enough how important this is.  Do not leave ‘the house’ without your smart phone.  Ever. This little smart thing will make you smart and in charge.  This little smart thing may save your life if you ever happen to find yourself in real trouble. You do not need local SIM, network access or even WiFi. Just turn on the GPS and you’re good to go.  Note that SIM cards in Asia are very cheap. In Vietnam, for example, a SIM card with unlimited data valid for 1 month costs only 7 USD. 

Always download a map that can be used offline prior to your arrival. For some mysterious reason, many taxi drivers have difficulties finding their way around when they think they see dollar sign approaching their cab and may try to take you ‘for a ride’. They will, however, quickly find the way once you pull out your cell and let them know you’re in charge. (It happened to me numerous times that I had to lead a taxi driver to my hotel in a town I never visited before. )

Also, which goes even without saying, an offline map is a priceless tool in finding your way around in unfamiliar places.

Choose the right hotel

Another reason you may like to stay in a well lit place. (Locals never use pavements after dark but walk on streets.)

It feels more secure to have a hotel already booked prior to your arrival, especially when you are visiting unfamiliar destination for the first time and/or arriving after sunset. If you plan on staying longer, make a booking for 2 days only. This will give you plenty of time to find something better should you wish to do so. With a bit of luck and some negotiation skills, you may even get a better deal than the one offered by booking sites. 

There is always a reason why hotels are clustered together.  Typically such areas are most central, touristy, populated, popular, walkable and best-lit part of town with plenty of landmarks, people, restaurants bars, and nightlife. As a solo female traveler, you don’t want to stay in isolated hotels on badly lit streets on outskirts of town which you can only reach by taxi.

Always view the room before you check in

(Unless you’re specifically looking for solitude) you want to stay in populated areas, in hotels located on well-lit streets, preferably main street, with easy access to restaurants and other attractions which you can reach on foot even after dark. 

Booking.com offers great maps.  Pick the largest cluster and hover over individual hotels to see the prices.  Click on one within your budget and then zoom in as much as you need to make sure the hotel is really located directly on the main street or another large street, and not in a small ally some 20-50 meters off the street which may often be the case in the SEA. You don’t want to live there. A walk in a dark, rat infested alley, even if it is only 20 meters short/long, can ruin your whole stay.   

Always view the room before you check in to make sure you’ll be getting a room you thought you booked. 

Getting to hotel

The safest, easiest, stress-free and hustle free way to get to your hotel is undeniably by hotel airport transfer. Some hotels offer this service free of charge some at a surcharge. A peace of mind is worth so much more than a few extra dollars, even more so after sunset.  So book this service if offered. 

Horse and carriage. Mandalay in Myanmar

But if you need to take a taxi make sure you have downloaded into your phone an offline map, detailed direction to your hotel and flashlight as well as recharged batteries. Google the web to get an idea what the fare is, negotiate the fare before you get into the taxi and demand to be taken to your booked hotel regardless of whatever story you might be told, e.g that your hotel burnt down. And don’t forget to ask your driver to turn on the light and also turn on your flashlight while paying. It is very easy to confuse unknown notes and even more so in a dark taxi. 

Some destinations offer fixed price taxi vouchers.  Find out if your destination does, if so get one before you join taxi cue

Getting around

Alternative way of flying

After months and months of solo travel, dozens of hotels, numerous taxi rides, bike rides, long distance buses, trains, local airline flights, overland border crossings and hundreds of kilometers on foot not once did I feel threatened, insecure or scared; not once did I feel any danger. Yet I was taking the paths not many visitors would dare take. Solo. In fact, my scariest moment (or rather most unpleasant) was the time I was staying in a hotel located 20 meters off the main street in a badly lit ally and (for sure) full of rats.

The 20 meter walk could perhaps be manageable with some company.  If you like a company to explore the location together with, share a taxi or meal the best chance of meeting other travelers is in smaller hotels (20 – 30 rooms) during breakfast or during trips organized by the hotel (e.g. trekking). Just keep in mind (not that it matters) there are very few solo travelers in appropriate age group and even fewer female solo travelers. 

Always negotiate a fare before you take a seat

There is always one good and reliable taxi company in every city. Google the Internet and find out which one it is.  Also, get an idea (Google it) how much taxis/tuk-tuks cost before hiring one to make sure you won’t be overcharged.

The 60+ age is the least of a problem. While traveling it is really a number. I’d say it could even be an advantage. Young travelers and locals treat you like a queen and are very helpful.

Stray dogs and cats  

They are everywhere, in the cities and on paradise beaches. They are part of the environment.  They won’t bother you, won’t come near you, won’t even bark at you. During daytime they are almost invisible sleeping somewhere in the shade, e.g. underneath a car or even in the middle of the street blending dangerously with the pavement  – so be careful not to step on them.  Beach dogs invade beaches just after sunrise and before sunset and are completely harmless just having fun chasing each other.   Cats, however, may come to you and beg for a cuddle.

Do not pet them. Both cats and dogs may have and often do have rabies. 

 .. and those few words of wisdom 

Perhaps reading on scary stories wasn’t such a bad idea after all for they (the stories) highlighted region specific issues, made me aware of what may happen and eventually taught me how to keep guard while enjoying myself. It took, however, few days to accomplish the latter.  I was super alert, watchful, cautious and very suspicious at first.  Almost paranoid. I didn’t have any fun. Few days passed and nothing happened. I began to relax. I could now begin to fully enjoy myself and explore. And explore I did.  I’ve been to places no other 60+ solo female would dare to go. I have also mastered few other skills in the process like crossing the streets while maneuvering among millions of motorbikes so dreaded by all tourists.

Educate yourself and be in charge. Get as much information as you need and don’t let it scare you off. Most of the time things tend to see much darker ‘on paper’ than in real life. Fear of the unknown. Remember, there are no more bad guys in a place you’re visiting than in your own home town. The difference is you know all the how-tos, dos and don’ts in your home town but none at your destination. So read on local specific how-tos, dos and don’ts as well as scam reports, combine it all with common sense and you’ll be as save as in your own home town. And don’t forget – if you get your bag snatched,  or if you get scammed it isn’t the bad guys, but you.  You didn’t do your homework and put yourself in that situation.

… and a couple of words of advice

Do not believe everything you hear.  In Asian culture terms like ‘no’ or ‘I don’t know’ are very rarely used, hence take any reply you may get to your questions, including directions, with a huge grain of salt as it maybe just a lot of nonsense. 

And as for the unrest? Well, they don’t want you there either – if there is any. You’ll be warned not to go and local transportation agencies won’t sell you a ticket to the area. Should you choose to go anyhow – you’re on your own. 

This is pretty much it.  Use common sense and don’t let ‘stories’ scare you off. And above all – enjoy your trip and have fun.