BirdBound Travel Cautions

>MONEY MATTERS:
Once currency is exchanged (see Travel Tips), now is the time to really organize that cash and valuables. Moneybelts (the flat nylon zippered type - not the pants belt type - see Eagle Creek) are essential. The whole idea is to keep all but the day's needs out of sight, so these are worn beneath pants or skirt. In this: Airline tickets (after airports, discard extra paper folder), passport, extra credit card, extra cash. Split the cash between adult travelers to keep moneybelt as flat as possible.
Always keep trimmed small photocopies of credit cards (front and back), airline tix (last page, 'passenger receipt' only), passport (page of photo and number), and the travelers checks dupes in a separate small zippered pouch. We keep ours in a side pocket in one of the suitcases. Extra passport photos (1 for each traveler) can be very helpful as well. This is all to speed up replacement process if anything is lost or stolen.
A regular wallet that's more accessible (in deep or velcroed pants pocket or exterior waist pouch or the neck string type wallet) should only have the credit card and cash needed for that day. Women: Leave the purse at home - too easy to snatch or set down. If you insist on using a messenger type bag instead of a waist pouch or daypack, wear the shoulder strap across your body.
Each evening, replenish your cash supply for the next day.

>FOOD SAFETY:
A very misunderstood area. Basically, Traveler's Curse arises from two main sources: Water and uncooked, handled food. The unsafe water can be in several sneaky forms - the water in your juice or the ice in your drink or the water used to wash your beautifully arranged tropical fruit plate.   Wash (with bottled water) and peel your own fruit. Overly-handled and uncooked food is a problem on two fronts: The kitchen help may not have clean hands or, if they've washed their hands, it's that tap water again. Therefore, even in 'better' hotels (where food 'presentation' is more prevalent), one has to follow...
The Rules:
No ice
Only bottled water
Hot drinks like tea and coffee okay
No salads and no peeled-and-cut fruit plates
Run from mayonnaise and such sauces
Avoid pork and seafood, particularly shellfish
Fried fish generally okay
Well-cooked meats only
Milk should be pasteurized or shelf-type
Beware of buffets or lukewarm food service
These rules may seem difficult, but really are not. Fruit and bottled water are usually easy to buy everywhere. Beef and chicken, rice and potatoes and noodles, vegetables and eggs, sodas and beer are nearly universal.

>HEALTH AND INSECTS:
Make sure all your regular vaccinations - tetanus, polio, etc. - are up-to-date. Check additional recommendations for your particular destination(s) at the CDC Website - ie. Hepatitis, Malaria, etc.
If Malaria prophylaxis is needed, pay attention to which type of medicine is mentioned. Like viruses, mosquitoes evolve and some of the older drugs aren't effective any more in certain areas. We consider malaria prophylaxis just one of the necessities for safest travel, and are amazed at the risks taken and excuses made. The best way to avoid Malaria is to avoid being bitten. Malaria mosquitoes are out dawn and dusk - wear long pants and long sleeves. One can buy or spray clothes with Permethrin (lasts through three washings) before traveling (however, Google it first - there is some toxicity controversy - decide for yourself - we use it on our clothes, but not on our skin). DEET is effective, but beware of concentrations above 30% (or above 20% for children).   Picaridin (Cutter Advanced) is new, and looks hopeful.

>INSURANCES:
Three types to consider: rental car, health, and trip cancellation. See Travel Tips for rental car. The other two are a personal choice. Check your own health insurance to see what is covered while traveling internationally. Buying a supplemental policy, along with trip cancellation (which covers you if your sister-in-law gets ill or your airline goes bankrupt or a hurricane interrupts, etc.) is easy. Try Travel Guard to start - a big company that's been around awhile.

>MISCELLANEOUS:
*Jet Lag - as mentioned in Travel Tips, sleep as much as possible on the plane. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, and drink plenty of water and/or juices. Resist the temptation to crash at 10am in your new destination. Allow your 'I'm here!' excitement to carry you through a fun first day. Then go to bed at an 'early' local bedtime.
*Don't drive at night.
*Carry small tissue pack and antibacterial wet wipes (single pack easiest) into restrooms.
*If nervous about hotel security or there's no chain or deadbolt: Put a chair or something that will make noise if moved against inside of door.
*Avoid foreign dogs and cats and mammals - no matter how cute or how much you miss your pet.