What to bring to China: highlighted

Featured items:

• Documents and money: passport valid for long enough (>6 months after your departure date), a copy of your passport is also useful, your visa if you need it and other travel confirmations.
• Money: cash yuan for the first few days is useful, especially if your debit card suddenly doesn't work. Alipay or WeChat are lifesavers!
• Care: if you don't want whitening stuff on your skin, it is useful to bring your own sunscreen. Face masks are nice if you want to protect yourself from smog or want to follow the local fashion.
• Outdoor and conveniences: if you go during the rainy season, don't forget a waterproof cover for your backpack or bag, and for yourself
• Clothing: fresh and sometimes even tropical clothing for the warm areas, but thick, warm clothing for the cold areas.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: a small first aid kit, hand sanitizer and your own medication, because this can be difficult to find in China.
• An impregnated mosquito net, if you are going to the south of China.
• Technique and equipment: in China they use type A and I, so it may be wise to take a travel plug.
• Women: tampons, because they are not available everywhere in all shapes and sizes.

What else can you take with you:

• A water bottle with filter.
• A Point-It booklet, because Wi-Fi is not available everywhere and it is sometimes more appropriate to keep your phone with you.
• Tissues, these are missing in many public toilets.

What knowledge is useful when you go to China?

• Knowledge of the hierarchical systems, etiquette, honor.
• How to use a squat toilet.
• Which apps you can and cannot use.
• The strict rules and what you should and should not say.

Are there mosquitoes in China?

• Mosquitoes are especially common in the southern provinces including Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and rural areas. There is a risk of diseases such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis here. Especially in the summer.
• Mosquitoes are most active near rivers and stagnant water and at sunrise and sunset.
• In urban areas, mosquitoes are usually not a problem.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in China?

• You can easily get mosquito spray in China. Usually the mosquito repellent is a natural spray that works reasonably well, instead of DEET and Picaridin. You can get these too, but it is more difficult.
• So when you want to use DEET or Picaridin, it is best to bring it yourself.
• Wearing light-colored and loose clothing also helps a lot.

Where can you get food and drinks in China?

• Street food is fantastic and notorious. Try dumplings, jianbing (Chinese crepe) and hotpot.
• Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Walmart, Aldi and local chains have a lot to offer. You can also have groceries delivered to your home.
• Local markets are perfect for vegetables, fruit and other fresh produce. Restaurants are everywhere, from fancy to dirt cheap.

Can you buy a joint or weed in China, or take it to China?

• Cannabis is far from legal and the penalties are severe.

Packing list for Indonesia, travel insurance for Indonesia, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to Indonesia, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in Indonesia?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to Indonesia?

What to bring to Indonesia: highlighted

Highlighted items:

• Documents: passport that is valid for long enough (>6 months). An online and/or offline copy of your passport is always useful.
• Money: cash is certainly useful for the first few days, a debit card for afterwards.
• Care: sunscreen with a high factor, that is not cheap there.
• Outdoor and conveniences: in any case sunglasses and good, coral-friendly sunscreen! If you go during the rainy season, do not forget waterproof clothing and a waterproof cover for your backpack or bag.
• Clothing: clothing for both heat and humidity (see also tropical clothing and clothing for warm weather) that also covers legs and shoulders in case you want to visit temples or mosques.
• Shoes: good shoes for walking through the city or in nature. Flip-flops are also useful for showering or a day at the beach!
• Medicines and travel kit: a set of mosquito repellents (preferably with DEET, see also DEET mosquito repellent) and a medical kit (self-made or not) with anti-diarrhea.
• Lying down and sleeping: mosquito net, if it is not already present in your accommodation.
• Safety: a money belt or fanny pack is definitely recommended here.
• Technology and equipment: do not forget to bring a world plug, a Dutch plug does not fit into the socket in Indonesia (see also world plug or travel plug)
• Woman: scarf or light shawl – handy if you want to visit a mosque.

What else can you bring:

• A snorkel set, sometimes you can also rent them on site
• Water shoes given the coral and stones in the water at the various locations
• Hat or cap against the sun and heat
• A shawl that you can wear as a sarong, although you can of course also buy them there. This is especially useful at the temples in Bali.
• Reusable bottle with water filter - that saves a lot of plastic!

What knowledge is useful when you go to Indonesia?

• Knowledge of local customs and culture. This also differs greatly between Bali, very remote islands and the rest of Indonesia.
• A few words of Bahasa Indonesia can sometimes go a long way.
• Information about safety, health risks and how to protect yourself against theft.

Are there mosquitoes in Indonesia?

• Indonesia is full of mosquitoes that pose a considerable health risk.
• You are at risk all year round, but this increases even more during the rainy season.
• They are found throughout Indonesia, you are not safe anywhere except perhaps on a high mountain.

Are there sand flies in Indonesia?

• Sand flies are not a very well-known problem in Indonesia, but they do occur.
• If you protect yourself well against mosquitoes, you are generally also protected against sand flies.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in Indonesia?

• Products containing DEET are available at supermarkets, mini markets and pharmacies, especially in the cities. The amounts of DEET are often lower than in Europe.
• Soffell is the most popular product in Indonesia.
• Picaridin is harder to find, so it is better to bring your own.

Where can you get food and drinks in Indonesia?

• There are good and reasonably large supermarkets in the cities. Especially in Bali you can get a lot of foreign products.
• Try the local warungs, these are restaurants in people's homes where you can get real, healthy food.
• There are also many restaurants and fast food chains these days, especially in Bali and in the big cities.
• Street food can be found spontaneously and at local markets. Pay attention to what you eat, so that you don't have to break your supply of anti-diarrheals!
• Finding vegan food is very difficult outside of Bali.

Can you buy a beer or wine in Indonesia, or take it with you to Indonesia?

• If you are 21 years or older, beer and wine are easily available in Bali (although it is a lot more expensive) and in the big cities and tourist spots.
• But... in other parts of Indonesia, alcohol consumption can be heavily regulated. In the province of Aceh, alcohol is even completely prohibited. If you do drink here, you can expect, literally, severe lashes as a punishment.
• You are allowed to bring 1 liter of alcohol to Indonesia, so you can at least toast your arrival.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Indonesia, or bring it to Indonesia?

• A clear no. Don't grow it, don't smoke it, don't bring it.

Packing list for Thailand, travel insurance for Thailand, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to Thailand, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in Thailand?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to Thailand?

What to bring to Thailand: highlighted

Highlighted items:

• Documents and money: passport that is valid for long enough (>6 months), an extra copy of your passport is also useful, cash for a week.
• Packing and protection: if you go during the rainy season, don't forget a waterproof cover for your backpack or bag.
• Insects and animals: a set of anti-mosquito repellents (preferably with DEET, see also DEET anti-mosquito repellent).
• Clothing and shoes: clothing for both heat and humidity (see also tropical clothing and clothing for warm weather).
• Lying and sleeping: mosquito net, if it is not already present in your accommodation.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: medical kit (self-assembled or not).
• Outdoor and conveniences: sunglasses.
• Technology and equipment: don't forget to bring a world plug (see also world plug or travel plug).
• Safety and theft: money belt.
• Care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor & aftersun.

What other options are there to pack:

• A snorkel set, sometimes you can also rent one on site.
• Reusable water bottle with filter.
• Water shoes given the coral and stones in the water at the various locations.
• UV protective shirt for snorkeling.
• Hat or cap against the sun and heat.
• International driving license, this is mandatory if you want to rent a car or scooter.

What knowledge is useful when you go to Thailand?

• Knowledge about the customs and local habits, especially when you visit temples.
• Knowledge about the local regulations, especially if you smoke a joint every now and then.

Are there mosquitoes in Thailand?

• In Thailand, mosquitoes can be found all year round. Although you generally have the most trouble with them in the rainy season (June-October), they can never be completely avoided. Some mosquitoes in Thailand still carry malaria (in a limited number of areas), the other mosquitoes stick to dengue, and partly other mosquito-borne diseases.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects or malaria.

Are there sand flies in Thailand?

• There are sand flies on some beaches (or in certain seasons), so it is always good to check with the place where you are sleeping what the situation is.
• What are the favorite islands of sand flies in Thailand: Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
• Where else do you encounter a lot of sand flies? East Thailand (Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Chang) Central Thailand (Koh Phayam and Ao Yai).
• Which islands are not overcrowded with sand flies? Western south coast (Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi). Eastern south coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao).
• Your set of mosquito repellents with DEET can provide a solution! More about sand flies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in Thailand?

• In Thailand, you can find both natural mosquito sprays and lotions as well as a variant with DEET. In addition, there is a wide choice of brands (both local and international) and stores where you can buy mosquito repellents.

Where to buy DEET in Thailand

• The 7-Eleven in Thailand is open 24/7 and sells just about everything you need, including mosquito repellents.
• Other (large) supermarkets, such as Family Mart, Tesco Lotus and Big C, also sell products with different percentages of DEET.
• In addition to supermarkets, many drugstores sell mosquito repellents. Watsons, a drugstore with a large number of branches in Thailand, sells various brands of mosquito sprays and lotions with DEET. Brands that sell mosquito repellents with DEET in Thailand include Soffell (including a spray and lotion with t 13% DEET) OFF, Sketolene and Merci.
• Sketolene also sells a ‘jungle’ variant with a percentage of 95% DEET.
• If you are going to a remote area, make sure you have purchased enough DEET in advance.

Where can you get your food and drinks in Thailand?

• Supermarkets have large assortments with everything you need.
• For snacks or last-minute purchases, you can go to the many convenience stores.
• Street food is delicious and available in many places!
• Markets are popular for trying all kinds of unique dishes.
• Of course, you also have local and international restaurants in all shapes and sizes.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Thailand, or take it with you to Thailand?

• It is forbidden to take weed with you to Thailand. Make sure you do not carry any traces with you at all. No matter how full the prisons are, there always seems to be room for a tourist with a joint.
• Weed is sold openly in Thailand. Smoking marijuana in public remains tricky.
• Traveling around (and possessing) cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, opium, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, ketamine or, for example, magic mushrooms all fall under the strict Thai law.
• E-cigarettes and vapes are also prohibited.
• The rules have been adjusted in 2024. Cannabis is supposed to be 'legalized', but the rules are now almost even vaguer than before. In addition, they can be changed at any time without warning.
• The fines and prison sentences are a lot less vague, by the way.