PPMeow!turned one year old a few weeks ago … and in an effort to make the most of this New Year, I took a START-STOP-CONTINUE approach to help me focus on what I wanted to accomplish and focus on.
I promised myself to START Shopping Less, to Travel More!
Well…I’m doing just that friends!! I’ve taken the bulk of March off work to explore South-East Asia!
In 2012, I was fortunate enough to finally visit The Motherland (India) …without being limited to strictly visiting one distant relative’s home to another, as I remember doing as a child on our only family trip to Calcutta. This time I travelled with a gf — we took 21-days to explore several cities in Northern and Eastern parts of India, which included: Delhi – Varanasi – Agra – Jaipur – Pushkar – Udaipur – Goa – Mumbai. This was the most adventurous trip I had ever taken – complete with 8 near-death experiences. Click here for a few pics of that fab trip.
That was my first time travelling to Asia as an adult. And in preparation, I did a bunch pre-trip research at that time. Research that I needed to refresh myself on as I prepare for this next visit in a couple of months. So I thought I’d share my tips with y’all in this post 🙂
A Visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued. The country issuing the visa typically attaching various conditions of stay, such as the territory covered by the visa, dates of validity, period of stay, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, etc. Many Asian countries issue visas free of charge on arrival at major airports and land-boarders. You simply show that your official your passport is valid for at least another six months and that you have a ticket out of the country. India, however, requires visitors to buy a visa in advance before arriving.
This table gives a broad outline of visa requirements in Asia, You should confirm the details of a visa requirements for a particular country before travelling as rules at each embassy changes often. The forms can be lengthy and may require you to hunt down info that you may not know off-hand. So, best to start the visa process early, if you can.
2. Booking the Flight
Once you have your visa application, you can now BOOK A FLIGHT. The travel industry is hugely competitive business so it pay to shop around! talking to a travel agent will help you come up with interesting alternatives within your destination as well. Some of the sites I’ve had the most luck with are Flight Centre; CheapFlights.ca; and SkyScanner.
3. Travel Insurance
Whatever the length of your trip to Asia, it is strongly advised that you arrange travel insurance to cover medial treatment and perhaps the loss of personal possessions. If you get seriously ill or are involved in an accident, your insurance coverage will enable you to get the best care as well as medical evacuation to your home country, if necessary. The insurance industry is also a highly competitive one, so shop around and price compare on websites to help you make your mind up. Also check with your company benefits provider, as well your credit card providers – there might be some cardholder deals available to you for travel insurance. 😉
4. Vaccinations
Preparing for a great trip doesn’t just involve packing right, it also involves preparing yourself medically to ensure your travels are healthy and worry-free while you’re there and upon your return.
It is wise to get medical advice as early as possible about which vaccinations you require for your trip as many are given as a course of two or three intervals in order to be effective. You also need to find out early about the type of malaria-preventative medication that is recommended for other areas you are visiting as you may need to start taking tablets in advance of departure. While your family doctor may offer some injections cheaply or free, you may want to contact a private travel clinic to make sure you get the most specialized information available.
5. Budget
Last, but certainly not least, is determining a BUDGET. When planning a big trip like this, everyone’s budget will be different and unique to them.
Now, the Western Dollar goes a pretty long way in Asia. Here are a few “sample budgets” to help illustrate top-end…mid-range…low-end begets might work out when traveling to different parts of Asia. Hopefully to give you a better idea of how much things will cost and how much you should expect to be spending on certain things.
Congratulations —- You are now armed with the essentials to know before you go and travel Asia!!!!
Are any of you thinking of doing any big travel this year? Where are you off too? Did you find this post helpful as a starting point to getting your travel ducks-in-a-row? Hope it helped you recognize the importance of planning BEFORE a big trip. Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.
Ooooh…I’m getting excited (and nervous) for MY big South East Asia trip now!!! I’ll announce the countries I’m planning on visiting this March in my next wanderlust post. Stay tuned friends. xo
Here we go… Keepin’ It Causal continues on the blog with yet another quilted vest from Old Navy – they were only $15…had to get it in black as well 😉 (Click here to see the other colour I got.)
Zoomed in view of the various patterns mixed into this casual look!
I tried taking a close up so that you are able to see the different fabrics, textures and patterns that help create more ‘interest’ in this causal look 🙂
For Fall especially, try not to be afraid of bright colours. Fabulous colors make an otherwise ordinary outfit totally vibrant. Since I kept the footwear simple and black, I went for bright yellow and a multi-coloured scarf for some pizzazz.
This was another quickie outfit – comfortable enough for window shopping on WQW (West Queen West), yet polished enough for a casual lunch out somewhere too 😉
There we go …playful prints for Fall. What do you think of this look? Yay or Nay? Use the Comments section, tell me your thoughts.
Continuing with casual looks on the blog today. Fall and Sweater Weather seem to go hand-in-hand. Turns out most of my outfit is from Reitmans today.
I think I put this look together for some errand running and grocery shopping. Since this is a short-sleeved sweater, had the weather been cooler I could easily worn a long-sleeved tee underneath to make this look work without additional outerwear wearability. 🙂
I just love this stripped glossy patten leather Kate Spade NY purse! (As I’m sure you know by now, as it seems to make an appearance is many of my outfit posts lately – click here, here, here, here.) It just give any outfit a more polished look I think. 🙂How I Got The Look: Sweater, white tee & capri activewear bottoms all from Reitmans; Sneakers from Ardene; Necklace gifted and stripped glossy patten leather purse from Kate Spade New York
If you’re looking for more Sweater Weather inspirations click here, here, here and here.
In my short time blogging I’ve been very fortunate to have met some fantastic, inspiring new people. People who truly encourage and support the endeavours of bloggers within the plus size community, who operate with the true spirit of collaboration. Stefanie Augusteijn, Owner of SexyPlus Clothing embodies all of this – she talks the talk, and walks the walk. Earlier this week she threw a soiree… a Blogger Exclusive …to preview the fabulous Fall fashions her lovely boutique has to offer.
Dresses! Jackets! Boots! Jewellery! Wine and Cake!
Best. Wednesday Night. Ever!!!!
Ok let me introduce you to all who were in attendance —
CakeStar cake covered in social media – perfect for this Blogger Event!
We were lucky to have the creative, photographic talents of Rebecca Northcott, Rebecca Northcott Photography on hand to capture all the moments of the event. I’ve peppered my blogpost with a few of my favourites 🙂
Naturally, I HAD to try on a few items of course…. any of these strike YOUR fancy for Fall friends? Special shoutouts to go the lovely shop-girls, McKina and Sabrina who were uber attentive and helpful, providing honest opinions and encouragement once you’re ready to emerge from the change rooms.
Fall fashions from Joseph RibkoffFall fashions from Joseph RibkoffI LOVED this Joseph Ribkoff jacket … as you can tell by the way I stepped out of the change room 🙂Fall fashions from Joseph RibkoffI really loved this top….made in Canada by ArtexThis gorgeous Joseph Ribkoff black n’ leather fit me more like a dress than it did a jacket … ah yes, the pleasures of being petite.
Overall, it was a fantastic night. Or in the words of Miss Stefanie:
It was a girl-power-curvy-positive-collaborative-fashion-princess-empowering-sizesexy kind of night.
Too funny…..us being drama queens … “It’s Too Hot!”
So … the big question – what did I go home with? 🙂
1. A gorgeous statement necklace by Victorious Me, a Toronto-based retailer
2. A long slit dress, custom made for SexyPlus Clothing by Ralph C also made in Canada – $99…reduced to $25!!!! Crazytown score – hooray for me!
3. The newsprint dress: made in Canada by Artex, called the Jax dress, new Fall arrival priced at $89 — a steal and a half!!!
I even got my very own MEME out of the night … words to live by, I think 😉
So, waddya think of my Fall haul? See anything you like from SexyPlus Clothing‘s Fall Arrivals?
If you’re in the GTA and are planning on visiting this fab boutique to get your shopping on… I’ve got a few discount cards that I’d happily send YOUR way. Simply leave a comment below and let me know!
PPMeow! 