retrocreation

Hiking can be one of the most favorite activities by youth, but sometimes it can be harm if you dont know the "how to's". here are some tips on how to safely hike.

Respect the rights of others including private property owners and all recreational trail users, campers and others to allow them to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.

Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to use and operate your equipment safely.

Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams, unless on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitat and sensitive soils from damage.

Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, restoring degraded areas, and joining a local enthusiast organization.

For detailed information about steps you can take to ensure a safe trip, see How to Have a Safe Trip. Meanwhile, here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

* Register so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at Travel Registration This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

* Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

* Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

* Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.

* Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at US Dept Of State has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.

* Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

* Contact us in an emergency: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the website at Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.

source:US Travel

By utilizing a safe travel guide when we are out to enjoy ourselves on vacation we are more likely to experience positive events which will affect how much we enjoy our stay.

Travel can be expensive enough as it is without expensive mistakes which could be avoided, resulting in a dislike for your chosen location and its people.Situations like this can even escalate and it is not uncommon where people are reluctant to leave their room or even have to spend time in a Police station trying to explain the problem. Always use common sense if you want to travel safely, whether shopping

in a local village or spending time on the beach, do not put yourself in a position where you could either be in danger or taken advantage of.People often neglect to trust their instincts in a situation which can lead them into unnecessary trouble. When you go out to discover new places, bars and restaurants, think about what you are taking with you; are all your credit cards, passport and airline tickets for example necessary where you are going? Expensive and necessary items like identi-fication tickets for example should be left at the hotel in their safe or the room safe if you have one; it is much easier to recover your vacation if you only lose a few important belongings instead of all of them. One easy thing to do to protect your money is not carry all of it around at once or leave it in just one location where a thief can steal everything you have quite easily.A follow on to this tip is to carry two separate credit cards instead of two from a joint account as this adds an extra security measure should one be stolen; this travel safely tip means this way you are not without a credit card. Some of the easiest possessions to steal are bags and cameras owing to the way people carry them without even recognizing that they are an easy target for thieves; ensure the straps are over the head and across the chest if you want to hold on to them. If you are the person carrying the camera or bag, then walk away fro the edge of the road where it is easy for motorcycle

thieves to grab something and make a quick getaway. The reason most people fall for these tricks is because we are more relaxed on vacation and the people that carry out these crimes are very good at it. We can become complacent believing it will not happen or we are cleverer than them but this is how they make their living and in many cases the way that they feed their family every day. If you carry a bag of any kind, buy yourself a small padlock or combination lock as the few dollars you spend will be well worth it as it will deter the majority of sneak thieves. Some people are always losing their keys which isn't a good idea when you are on vacation so a quick remedy is to buy a D-shackle or similar and attach it your belt or backpack with the keys attached. Most guys (and some girls) will place their wallets in the back pocket of their jeans or shorts making them an easy target for pick pockets; so change your habit and place wallets in the front pockets or perhaps buy a bum bag or money belt. Generally speaking there is no reason why you shouldn't have a great vacation if you just remember to travel safely, listen to your instincts and act using your common sense.

One of the most varied landscape of hills and mountains is Bali, Indonesia , its contains much rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colorful and deeply spiritual culture of this "Island of The Gods."
Planning tips are needed to help maximize your time and money spent in Bali. Below are a few questions that are commonly asked plus tips on the do's and dont's while you are in Bali.
1/ Bali : Need Visa?
Commonly you don't need to get a visa before you go to Bali from most countries. A visa costs approximately US$10 for 7 days/US$25 for 30 days. If you have a Hong Kong or Macau SAR passport, then you will get a free visa.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfill both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country.
The Visa on Arrival is non-extendable and cannot be converted into a different visa. Once you disembark, you will come to an area where you buy your visa. (Dont miss this section). AFTER you have paid for and received your visa THEN you proceed to Immigration where your visa will be processed.

2/ Bali : Is it safe?
As we already know on October 12th, 2002, the most commercialized, southern area of Bali was under attack by terrorists. The Kuta Beach tourist area is often referred to as "Little Australia" by the local people because it is known to primarily cater to Australian tourists and surfers. This shocking tragedy sent the message around the world that no tourist destination is completely safe in our dangerous times. What a disappointment to all who have come to deeply appreciate the hospitable Balinese people and their culture. But the intent of the perpetrators was to strike at Western revelers and their commercialism. Since Bali as a whole is primarily unscathed by such ugly decay, the Balinese culture remains untouched. However, the impact on the tourist economy has not been minimal.
In recent years, tourism has contributed significantly to the financial well-being of this island and even to Indonesia as a whole. Swift efforts by the government to ensure a speedy recover are underway. Strict security measures have been implemented. Some countries have already lifted travel warnings implemented, and tourism to Bali is again on the rise.

3/ Bali : Do I need a License to Drive or Ride?
Yes. If you live in Australia, then the best way to do this is to see your NRMA branch and apply for an International Drivers License which will cost you $25 for one year. Other countries: see your roads and traffic authority to apply for an international licence.This is easy to do, will save you the headaches of police fines and problems; and will be a lot easier than applying for a temporary license once you get to Bali as this takes a full day in Denpasar filling in applications and doing the test.

More Tips:
- Change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel's) calculator before changing !
- Drink a lot of bottled mineral waters and eat lots of fresh fruit - do your body a favor.
- Be careful with your belongings at all times. Crime is on the increase and can ruin your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe deposit box and wear your bag across your shoulders ! (backpack).
- Try not to step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
- Respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk!
- Haggle when buying (except on price-tagged goods.)
- Buy 'Imodium AD' to relieve bouts of Bali belly.
- Have a great holiday in Bali!

Dont:
- Forget to take your passport (or a copy of your ID that contains your photo of course!).
- Do drugs! (narcotics, amphetamines, xtc, etc) It can carry the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali (that never come back to their countries) courtesy of the Govt. Prison service!
- Touch people's heads - it is very offensive to Hindus.
- Enter a temple OR MOSQUE during menstruation (its very prohibited!) Sorry Ladies!
- Forget to put salt on your food & drink water - you will probably sweat a lot.
- Worry too much about the ice - its government-quality controlled in established bars and restaurants.
- Forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
- Forget to reconfirm your flight 72 hours prior to flying.

By following these tips, you will get the most out of your holiday with the least amount of hassles. Have a great trip in Bali and enjoy your vacation!

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