Getting Prepared - Immunization Shots, VISAs, Packing, Reviewing Country Guides, Insurance, Credit Cards

Although my departure for Thailand is over a month off, I have started to complete a number of activities that had long lead times:

1. Immunization shots

• The first thing I did was to visit the CDC site (http://www.cdc.gov/). This site allows one to check on what immunizations are recommended for each country being visited as well as to learn about precautions that one needs to take when traveling. Traveling in rural versus large city travel in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam requires additional health precautions. I printed a copy of CDC’s recommendations for my records.
• Living in Northern Virginia has a number of benefits, one of which is a great public health service. I visited the public health center with my CDC printout and immunization records and met with a public health nurse. A doctor appointment was necessary to review my records and determine which immunizations were required… earliest appointment was 2 weeks later.
• All of my immunization medications were up to date except for Typhoid. I was prescribed a four dose oral Typhoid vaccine. Although I would be traveling in malaria zones especially in Cambodia, the risk was deemed to be minimal. My opportunity for receiving a Japanese Encephalitis vaccine had been missed since it required no international travel for about five weeks. I am taking a cruise in early January which precluded me from getting that shot…plan ahead.
• The cost of the visits, typhoid vaccine and travel consultation was $120. One recommendation that I received was to spray all of my exterior clothing with a chemical called permethrin which keeps away mosquitoes…purchased a large bottle at REI for $16.
  

2. VISAs

• I used the Internet to find out what was required in terms of documents, photos and money for obtaining a travel visa. Thailand does not require a visa for tourist travelers where as Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam do. Each country’s Visa is effective for only a certain period of time after being issued .. Cambodia for 2 months and Viet Nam for 3 months and for a short period of time after entering the country--- 2 to 3 weeks. Be advised that some embassies reserve visa applications to the morning and pick-up in the afternoon. It usually takes 3 – 4 work days to process visa applications.
• Visited Costco to have 6 passport pictures taken…approximately $10.
• Visited the Viet Nam embassy and submitted my passport, documentation describing my trip, 2 photos and $60. Picked-up my passport with attached Viet Nam visa 3 days later.
• Visited the Cambodian embassy and submitted my passport, documentation describing my trip, 2 photos and $25. Picked-up my passport with attached Cambodian visa 4 days later.
• Intrepid travel advised us to wait until we entered Laos for our visa. Intrepid has an agent who will assist in processing the entire group. Bring 2 passport pictures and $30 (US).

3. Clothing and Packing

• This trip will involve travel by boat, bus, plane and train and we have been advised to travel light since we would be carrying our own gear. Recommended weight for one’s backpack is no more than 25 pounds. Clothing has to be durable, light weight, washable, quick drying and look good after numerous uses.
• Since a number of our sightseeing visits will be Buddhist temples and other religious sites, one must dress appropriately…long pants – men, skirts or long pants - women... with decent shirts that covers one’s shoulders.
• Visited REI and purchased 2 pairs of long pants that are convertible to shorts, a couple of light weight shirts, bug net to cover my face when sleeping and the permethrin spray.
  Intrepid travel provided a list of items to bring. I supplemented their list with one from Rick Steves.
• During the major snow storm that struck the Washington DC metropolitan area on Dec 19, 2009, I packed my gear to see if I could fit it in a Rick Steves backpack and determine if I met my 20 pound weight limit…no problem…my pack came in at 18 pounds.
• I plan on taking one large suitcase with my backpack inside. I will leave the large suitcase at our starting hotel and reclaim it after the trip. This will allow me to bring back souvenirs and other items I will purchase during the trip.

4. Know the Countries that You Are Visiting

• Visited the local library and borrowed travel books about each country.
• Found that Lonely Planet is written for the solo traveler and focuses on spending as little as possible. Fodders SE Asia book met my needs since it covered all of the countries that I will visit and focuses on the highlights of each region.
• There were a number of "Rough Guide" books titled “Rough Guide to Laos” and "Rough Guide to Viet Nam” …they were well done.
• Decided to purchase from Amazon.com the newest Fodder’s SE Asia book, Southeast Asia: Lonely Planet Phrasebook and The Rough Guide to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Map 1.

5. Things Left To Do

• Contact my travel insurance carrier and make them aware of my trip. Verify their contact information in the event an emergency arises. My wife and I have purchased a yearly policy which covers the trip (cancellation, delays, lost luggage, auto rental, etc) as well as medical care (accident treatment, evacuation if necessary, etc). We used Mondial Assistance (http://www.mondial.assistance.com/ or 888-489-3227). Annual fee for both of us was $ 784----never, never do international travels without having travel insurance.
• Contact my credit card companies and bank and advise them of my travel plans. I use a Capital One (C1) credit card for all charges that I make oversea. C1 does not apply a service charge like other companies that charge fees up to 3% of the amount charged. Your only cost with C1 is the currency conversion fee associated with all overseas purchases. I use my credit union ATM card since its fees are the lowest.
• Make a list of must sees for each location and attempt to learn a few phrases for each country.