As Rudyard Kipling wrote: "Whoever hears the call of the East will forever remember this call." The magical Southeast Asia beckons you, but you don't know where to start? We have prepared a short instruction for you on what you should pay attention to (medical insurance abroad and other subtleties).
Air travel
Except in very exotic cases, you can only get here from Russia by plane. There are only a few airports through which the main tourist flow passes. These are, first of all, Bangkok (Suwannapum), Delhi, Goa (Dabolim), to a lesser extent - Singapore. In addition, connecting flights in China or the UAE have become popular lately. Further, an extensive network of local flights will allow you to travel anywhere by plane, land or water transport. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a tour to Thailand or India than to buy an air ticket on your own. In addition to the air ticket, this money also includes payment for the hotel, travel insurance abroad and other bonuses. Medical insurance is often included in the air ticket price, but it can be purchased separately. In most of the Southeast Asian states, there is a visa-free or facilitated visa regime for Russians, so it is not difficult to move between countries.
Sights of the countries of Asia
Among the many attractions of this region, there are real must-see "must see":
- Temple complex Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- French Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Royal Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- Colonial City Center, Luang Prabang, Laos
- Taj Mahal, Agra, India
- Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Some of them are included in the list of the "seven new wonders of the world." It is a good idea to start planning your trip around them. If you are fond of diving or other extreme sports, we recommend purchasing travel guides published by Lonely Planet - there is a lot of information about places, prices and contacts of guides and instructors. The main thing is that your insurance abroad covers sports risks. Regular travel insurance usually does not cover them.
What to take with you: medical insurance abroad, etc
Here's what to pack in your backpack or suitcase:
- Gadgets (smartphone, laptop or tablet) in order to plan a route and upload photos.
- Travel insurance abroad, valid in the countries of your stay. You can understand how much such insurance costs for traveling abroad, for example, on the website travel.in-touch.ru.
- Contact information for Russian consulates for emergency situations.
- Sunscreen - the sun is very dangerous there and should be avoided whenever possible.
- First aid kit with the usual medicines - you may not find them at the right time. Once again, this does not preclude the need for you to have insurance abroad. The very small amount that travel insurance costs abroad can save you a lot of money and nerves.
- Rights. It is best if you have a motorcycle or moped license. This is a very popular transport that can be rented cheaply. Overseas insurance for motorists can also include a so-called Green Card.
- Trekking boots or sandals, light trousers, long sleeve shirt. First, they are needed for sun protection. Secondly, in Muslim areas, you will be inappropriate in open clothes, especially if you are a female.
What you need to know
- English is spoken in many places, but not all. A phrasebook in pictures will be useful to you, which will allow you to explain yourself in a cafe or store.
- Prices in most countries of Southeast Asia are significantly lower than Russian ones. However, it is customary to bargain fiercely there.
- Malaria and dengue fever are common health threats in some areas. Check if your insurance policy includes hospitalization and assistance in this case. Medical insurance abroad is supplemented with funds for these diseases, which are better bought locally.
- Keep in mind that living standards and sanitary standards in this part of the world are much lower than in Russia or in European countries. It sometimes shocks impressionable tourists. As a rule, in megacities there are many homeless people, beggars, disadvantaged areas, as well as a bad ecological situation. If you dream of palm trees, volcanoes and white beaches, choose small towns and villages. An insurance policy will help you in case of poisoning and infections, which are not so rare when you get to know the specifics of local food. Travel insurance abroad will also save you from fish bites, which can be quite dangerous to your health in tropical countries. And in case you lose valuable things, having insurance will help you reimburse their value. But it must be borne in mind that insurance may not be valid in the event of a natural disaster. If there is an earthquake, typhoon or tsunami in your area, be prepared to resolve issues related to health and loss of property on your own.
