After backpacking through Southeast Asia multiple times with my Lonely Planet travel books, I learned some interesting things from experience and other backpackers along the way. First of all, when traveling to a third world country, don’t flash your fancy luggage, wrist watch, and jewelry at the locals. Leave your cologne and perfumes at home too…They stink, and all they’re going to do is attract the Mozzies (mosquitoes) encouraging them to find you tasty. Carbon dioxide also attracts mosquitoes so don’t exhale during your trip…

      Travel lightly… If you can’t pick up your duffel bag or backpack with one hand, it is too heavy. To prevent Malaria and Dengue Fever, take natural products with your meals like Wormwood and Black Walnut. They both paralyze malaria and other intestinal parasites before they can muck you up, and you’ll pee them out as you go. You can buy them in tablet form at any natural food store. Also, take “heat resistant” acidophilus tablets with each meal to prevent diarrhea, and drink only bottled water and plenty of it. The only time you should use the local water is for brushing your teeth in your hotel room, but rinse out your mouth with bottled water after. That tiny exposure to the local water can inoculate you against their germs, and if you do get sick it will be less intense.

     Avoid ice in your drinks because you never know what nasty little critters are waiting to be thawed out. If you should fall prey to some nasty microbe and you’re stuck on the toilet reading about adventures instead of living them, ask for some ginger tea. Ginger is the best natural remedy for diarrhea and nausea. Learn to love garlic and eat it every day when venturing through the tropics. It’s the best natural antibiotic on the planet. Garlic bread or any other form of garlic in your dinner daily will not only keep the vampires and werewolves away, but will keep those pesky little mosquitoes away too. Remember your relationship with them is one sided: They love you, you don’t love them…. 

    Bugs and germs want to spoil your trip, but with a few precautions, they are nothing to fear. Bring 2 different types of repellant: One that has DEET and one with Citronella and use them together on different parts of your skin. I find bugs like our ears, neck, and ankles. They are also worse in the late afternoon and evening hours than in the morning. After 5pm wear repellant and it should protect you for the whole night, unless you get wet or sweat a lot. Reapply it if need be…

     Traveling through ancient temples and jungles is a mystical experience. Pretending one is Tarzan on the back of an elephant is also just as rewarding. Scuba diving and swimming in the waters off exotic beaches is another treasure one will always remember. Happy travels where ever you go and experience as many different cultures as you can. It reminds us of how precious our little planet is and how wonderful meeting other people far away can be…

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