The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

My observations.   Safety Tips.   Lessons Learned.   SWOT.

Before you go.

1. All items on Passport are correct and current, with 6 months to expire & >3 blank pages.
2. Visa items match Passport and Tickets exactly.
3. No typos on any forms.
4. Patience, politeness, and neatness at Borders.
5. Patience, politeness, and neatness at Airports & Customs.
6. Efficiency.  Passport, Tickets, Paperwork ready for Officials.
7. Toilet before Customs.   Could be a long queue.
8. Drivers Licence and IDP exact and current. (International Drivers Permit).
9. Registration & Insurance correct.
10. VIN & Engine Nos match paperwork. (My Rego had a mismatch.)
11. Carnet de Passage en Douane(Customs) for vehicles exactly correct, and know how to use them.
12. Travel Insurance.   Details all correct, and most important is medical evacuation cover.
13. Travel Insurance.   Motorcycle cover for over 250cc.                
14. Carry 2 or 3 Credit/Debit Cards. Keep them separate, and test before going.
       (Fill the Cards with money, too)
15. Copies of paperwork with family, in luggage and on Google Docs/Dropbox/iCloud etc.
16. Login and details to Smartraveller.gov.au and travel tips.
17. Visit Travel Doctor for inoculations, if required.  (eg,Yellow Fever)


(Errors in Paperwork WILL delay you, and cost you.)

On the Plane.

p1. Long hours of just sitting.  Be patient.  You'll get there.  After all, the pilot does the hard work.

On the Road.

r1.  If anything goes wrong, accept the blame for just being there.   It's a lot less stressful and you learn more about how not to be in unsafe places.