| Adapt to the country you visit, some countries are high | | | | 6. Staff in supermarkets and stores may try to short |
| risk and other are low risk. Do not get paranoid - it will | | | | change you i.e. they give you back less change than |
| ruin your trip, but do have a healthy respect for things | | | | you are supposed to get and will play all innocent |
| that can happen. Certain places are higher risk and | | | | when you point this out. Count it to make sure you get |
| warrant extra attention such as around ATMs, money | | | | all the money you are supposed to get. |
| changers, bus and train stations, crowded streets and | | | | 7. Avoid flashing expensive jewellery, money and |
| markets. | | | | watches around. |
| Check your guidebook and with the locals to see what | | | | 8. Do not give money to beggars. If you want to help |
| the scam of the day is and which areas are best | | | | give to charity instead. If you still want to give money |
| avoided (varies during day and night). | | | | do not flash your big wallet. Instead keep some small |
| | | | change in your pocket to hand over. |
| 1. If you carry around a hand bag in high risk | | | | 9. Use small locks to lock your backpack and daypack. |
| environments (e.g. markets) keep the bag in front of | | | | Combination locks are easier to handle than key locks |
| you and keep one hand on top of the zipper. Do not | | | | since you do not have to bother with the keys. A |
| let it hang on your back. | | | | disadvantage with combination locks is that they can |
| 2. Spread your money into several places (e.g. your | | | | get worn out rather quickly and suddenly they will stop |
| daypack, backpack, wallet and money belt) so that | | | | working, usually when your backpack is tied to |
| you do not lose all at the same time. Hide some | | | | something and you are in a hurry to catch a bus :) |
| emergency cash under the sole of your shoe, in your | | | | Once the locks start giving you trouble throw them |
| sock or elsewhere. | | | | away and get new ones. If you find yourself with the |
| 3. Do not keep valuables easily accessible in your day | | | | combination lock not responding, dial it to your set |
| pack and then hang it on your back. Bag slashers use | | | | combination and try changing the first digit one step up |
| razors to cut your bag and steal your valuables | | | | and one step down (e.g. your combination is 1234, |
| without you noticing. You will not feel it. Put something | | | | change it to 0234 and 2234), if that does not work do |
| of little value in the outer compartment so that they | | | | the same with the next digit (i.e. 1134, then 1334) until |
| get hold of that if they get hold of anything. | | | | you have tried them all. |
| 4. Be careful with your valuables and important | | | | 10. Keep the lock on your daypack when you go on |
| documents (passport, tickets, and traveler´s | | | | day tours. If you have to leave the bags behind e.g. in |
| cheques), use a money belt or leg pouch. You can get | | | | order to do snorkelling or to go deep into a grotto this |
| belts with secret pockets on the inside where you can | | | | prevents curious hands from going through your bags |
| store cash or you can get a separate pocket for | | | | while you are busy elsewhere. |
| money which you can put on the inside of your pants. | | | | Personal Experience - The Hoi An Hang-up |
| The idea behind a money belt is to keep it on you - not | | | | When I was in Hoi An in Vietnam I had locked my |
| in the daypack which you carry on your back. If it is | | | | backpack to the bed with a combination lock. When it |
| too sweaty you may be better off leaving the | | | | was time to leave the lock would not unlock no matter |
| valuables in your hotel than carrying them in your | | | | how much I tried. Finally we had to use a hammer to |
| backpack. | | | | smash the lock. It took quite a surprising lot of beating |
| 5. If you walk with your backpack and have to stop, | | | | before it gave in. Buying quality sometimes has its |
| move a little from side to side so that it will be more | | | | drawbacks :) |
| difficult for anyone to get to your bag without you | | | | Happy travels! |
| noticing. | | | | |