THAILAND
1. Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
2. Don't worry if you have only THB 1,000 notes with you...It is widely acceptable by shops!
3. Some Thais can speak Mandarin and fluent Hokkien too!
4. Heaven for food hunter & shoppaholics!
5. Tuk Tuk is one of the main and popular transportation in Thailand.
TAIWAN
1. Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NTD)
2. Famous for its night markets: ShiLin, RaoHe, FengJia, KeeLung Temple and many more....
3. Fresh fruit stands selling juices and smoothies are all over Taiwan - wonderful thirst quencher!
4. Taiwan's signature tea: High-Mountain Oolong, which is prized among tea connoisseurs the world over!
JAPAN
1. Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
2. It is hard to find a money changer in Japan... In case you need more JPY, look for Currency ATM.
3. You will find good English speakers mostly in airport, train stations, and major tourist attractions.
4. Most of the restaurants in Japan are using self-service kiosk for food ordering.
5. The Japanese do not tip, and you aren’t expected to either.
SOUTH KOREA
1. Currency: South Korea Won (KRW)
2. Pork is a Korean traditional meat, so if you're a Muslim, you should be very well aware of that before coming.
3. Internet in Korea is fast, reliable and everywhere!
4. Most of the locals can only understand a little bit of English, but can hardly converse in English.
CHINA
1. Currency: Chinese New Yuan (CNY)
2. Before you travel to China, you’ll need to arrange your visa well in advance!
3. Some Chinese businesses do not accept any currency other than Yuan, so make sure you bring enough Yuan to spend!
4. You can find an early breakfast of dumplings or noodles at backstreets.
5. Special reminder: Toilet tissue is rarely found in public restrooms in China, carry your own supplies.
HONG KONG
1. Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
2. Get an Octopus Card to make your Hong Kong trip hassle-free.
3. In Hong Kong, Dim Sum is king, but you can also find some awesome BBQ/roast pork, wanton noodle soup, egg tarts, Hong Kong waffles, etc.
4. Take the MRT - it is super easy to understand and get around Hong Kong.
5. Never leave without an umbrella if you visit between June to September.
SINGAPORE
1. Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
2. There are 4 terminals in Changi Airport Singapore... Know which you should drop at.
3. Public Transportation is cheap, convenient and safe.
4. Know the rules - No spitting in the street, No tossing your cigarette butt into a drain, No sticking your chewing gum on public property, etc....
5. Many Singaporeans also speak an additional language besides English, usually Mandarin, Malay or Tamil.
AUSTRALIA
1. Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
2. You will need a valid Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia.
3. Know the seasons - Spring starts Sept, Summer starts Dec, Autumn starts Mar & Winter starts Jun.
4. Australia is BIG, it takes time to get around - If you want to city-hop, flying will be more preferred.
5. Don't be surprised if you spot kangaroos and koalas in the wild!
NEW ZEALAND
1. Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
2. Local i-SITE is your saviour - You’ll find maps, brochures, and essential details about the location you’re passing through from this official visitor information network.
3. You can do hiking, skydiving, caving, bungy jumping, skiing, etc.....It is the adventure capital of the world!
4. Be prepared to experience 4 seasons in one day.
5. Bartering is a no-no - Prices are marked as is and you’ll seldom find room for negotiation.
VIETNAM
1. Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
2. There are no coins in Vietnam since 2011, but the banknotes are enough of a headache - the zeros & colour.
3. Food in Vietnam is unique - flavors of tamarind, chili peppers & loads of fresh greens that go in almost every dish.
4. Traffic is hectic and the best method to cross a road is to always keep a slow pace all the way.
5. WiFi networks are reliable and can be found pretty much everywhere.
INDONESIA
1. Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
2. In Indonesia, most people refer to the denomination less the last 3 zeros. i.e. "20" means IDR 20,000; "200" means IDR 200,000.
3. Indonesians speak Bahasa & simple English, but do expect some difference in Indonesian Bahasa and Bahasa Malaysia.
4. Get healthy especially in Bali - Everything from meditation retreats, yoga seminars, to super healthy organic restaurants and cafes.
5. Currency exchange is best done in USD, but remember to carry only USD notes that are after the year 2000.
PHILIPPINES
1. Currency: Philippines Peso (PHP)
2. Don't worry on the language - English is widely spoken in Philippines.
3. Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Mindoro....so many beautiful islands here for nature lovers.
4. Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful fusion of Oriental, European & American culinary influences with a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits.
5. Tipping is expected for many services, but whether you tip or not is up to you.