A holiday with your family to a Pacific Island, a road trip with your mates across NZ, or a solo O.E. Whatever type of travel takes your fancy, are you travel smart?
If you’re not, you could end up contracting something like ‘Delhi Belly’ – where the only site seeing you’ll be doing will be from the perch of a toilet seat... It definitely pays to be an informed traveller. So here are some hazards that you need to be aware of:
Before you leave…
The first travel hazard you’ll come across even before you leave home is packing your luggage. It may seem like an innocuous task, but it can soon turn into a nightmare and a literal headache for the inexperienced. So, here are some handy hints that will ensure you start your travels off on the right foot:
If you’re packing for an O.E you’ll most likely be using a backpack, so for this situation you should use the rolling method to pack your clothes. This is the best way for you to save space and reduce wrinkles. For example, if you've got a long-sleeve T-shirt, lay it flat, smoothing it with your hands, cross the arms over each other, fold in half vertically, then, starting from the bottom, roll it up.
If you’re going to be using a suitcase on your travels, however, the interlocking method is the way to go..This means laying those long-sleeve T-shirts on top of each other, then folding their sleeves over.
But whether you decide to roll or interlock, always unpack your clothes as soon as you reach your destination because no item of clothing is going to look good after being squished in a bag for several days.
Also don’t forget to check the limit for the weight of your bags. Excess baggage charges are expensive! And if you are travelling with someone, why not pack half of your clothes in their bag, and carry half of theirs in your luggage. That way if disaster happens and one bag goes AWOL, you’ll at least have half of your things.
The final way to prevent a luggage nightmare is to make sure you carry any travel documents, medication, jewellery, traveller’s checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage.
In transit…
If you’re going to undertake any long-distance air travel, a long journey by car, train or bus, you run the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot, which develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg, because of prolonged immobility. This can cause pain, and severe complications if it reaches the lungs.
You can reduce the risk of developing a DVT by exercising your legs once an hour, by taking regular breaks if driving, or by walking up and down the bus, train, or plane aisle.
Exercise your lower leg muscles while sitting by pulling your toes towards your knees then relaxing, or by pressing the balls of the feet down while raising your heels.
Other preventative measures include
- Avoid sleeping pills. These cause immobility, increasing the risk of DVT.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Keep legs uncrossed.
- Keep hydrated by drinking
- Avoid alcohol to prevent dehydration.
- Wear graduated compression stockings or socks. While not exactly an item of high fashion, they will greatly help improve blood circulation to your ankles and legs. You can buy them from pharmacies.
Once you’ve arrived…
Jet Lag
Jet aircraft can pass through eight time zones in 24 hours, so after a long flight your body literally doesn’t know what time it is. As a result not only can your sleep be affected, but even your judgement and short-term memory.
A way to reduce the effects is to plan to arrive at your new environment in the evening local time, and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids en route. Go to bed early, and continue to avoid alcohol.
Delhi Belly
If you’re travelling to a tropical or sub tropical country the most irritating (and embarrassing) travel hazard you’re most likely to come across is Delhi Belly, i.e. Diarrhoea.
Bacteria in contaminated water, milk and food are the culprits, so that’s where prevention starts. Drink only bottled water, and if it’s not available, boil all water or add water-sterilising tablets. Avoid shellfish, raw or underdone meat, raw seafood, egg products, mayonnaise, unboiled milk, dairy products, and uncooked fruit and vegetables.
Linda N
Last updated: 30/04/2008
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Before you leave…
Also don’t forget to check the limit for the weight of your bags. Excess baggage charges are expensive! And if you are travelling with someone, why not pack half of your clothes in their bag, and carry half of theirs in your luggage. That way if disaster happens and one bag goes AWOL, you’ll at least have half of your things. 
Once you’ve arrived…