Asia

Travel to Asia can be an exhilarating and unforgettable vacation; however, travelers should take measures to guard their safety and health while they are away from home. The Orient is, of course, a huge continent with many countries that travelers can explore. Some of them are well-developed and function in many ways as Western cultures do, such as Japan and South Korea. Others, such as Vietnam and Laos, will require extra research and precautions to enjoy them fully. Many people suffer from sleep deprivation, mood swings, and depression as manifestations of culture shock when visiting foreign countries. To avoid this, a traveler should research each destination before leaving this country. Travelers must understand that simple customs, business transactions, meals, and language will be different from what he is accustomed to so he can find ways to study the new surroundings even before he arrives at his destination. If a person is planning to visit Thailand, for example, he could go to a local Thai restaurant before his trip to familiarize himself, even a little bit, with the food and the language.

Another option is to purchase books or use the Internet to find customs to look for and things to avoid. If a person, for example, drinks the water in a backward area, he may spend the rest of his vacation fighting off parasites or other diseases. The more a person prepares himself, the better he will appreciate the differences between the home environment and the Asian culture. A vacationer should view many Web sites that feature photographs of the people and the landscape as well as articles on the local traditions and customs, so that travel to Asia will not be full of totally unexpected situations and sights. A traveler may want to plan the trip with an experienced travel agency or tour group that can provide him with essential information about what to expect in the various countries as well as how to make the most of the trip.

Keep in mind some easily overlooked but commonsense safety precautions to ensure that you are not a crime victim in a foreign land. For instance, change some money into the foreign currency and keep small amounts of it easily accessible when on the trip. This will keep the traveler from pulling out large sums of money, marking him a target in his travel to Asia. Buy bottled water instead and check the seal to be sure it hasn't been refilled. Bring iodine tablets and portable water filters for use where bottled water is unavailable. Do not drink beverages with ice.

A vacationer should see his doctor to update immunizations and get a check up before he starts the trip. Check with the state department to see which immunizations are required for traveling to that part of the country. Depending on the itinerary, a person should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, rabies, and typhoid. Also, in less developed areas of Asia, use insect repellent containing DEET to guard against bites that could cause diseases such as malaria, Dengue, and filariasis. All of this talk about safety precautions and potential health risks can be off-putting when what a person really wants to do is have fun with travel to Asia. However, knowing how to protect yourself will help ensure that you enjoy your trip and come back home with great memories. Traveling can be a way for a Christian to enjoy his relationship with the Lord. Isaiah 40:26 says, "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number." When we go to other parts of the world, we can worship God through His wonderful creation.

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