International Destinations for New Travellers

Authors

Michael Reyes-Smith

Braedon Rickard

Belinda Long

Thailand

Getting there and things to see and do

Airlines flying into Thailand from major Australian cities include Thai Airways International, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia.

Australian travellers do not require visas if going for less than 30 days.

Amongst many visitor highlights, Thailand offers:• Tropical beaches.• Erawan Shrine and the Grand Palace (Bangkok).• Elephant rides.• Nightlife in Patpong and Patong.• The history of Chiang Mai.• The Bridge on the River Kwai.• Golden statues and Buddhist temples.[1]

Languages and Currency

Thailand’s official language is Thai.

Other languages frequently used and heard include Chinese, Malay and Mon-Khmer, while in tourist areas common ones include English, Japanese, Russian and German.

The currency is the Thai Baht (THB). The symbol of the baht is .

As at May 2013 the exchange rate to the Australian dollar (AUD) is approximately 1AUD = 30THB. [2][3][5]

Food and Cuisine

Food plays an important role in Thai culture. Social events are often centred around food, with dining experiences involving shared banquets rather than meals served for individuals.

Popular Thai dishes and key foods include:• Jasmine rice.• Noodle based dishes• Nam pla is a popular ingredient in many Thai meals.• Local tropical fruit is often served after a meal.

Herbs and spices are a popular part of Thai meals, with salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavours all being common.[4]

Culture

The tops of everything, including heads and the top of inanimate objects, are revered.

Placing hands together when greeting people in a prayer-like pose is a traditional and respectful greeting and is called wai.

Smiling and laughing helps to get things done, even when you’re unhappy with someone or something.

Never criticise or disparage the King, the flag or the royal family as they are universally admired.[6]

Mexico

Getting There/Things to Do

Many airlines fly direct from Australia to Mexico, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and Qantas.

Mexico offers much for the visitor, including:• Mexico City, one of the world’s largest and most insane cities.• Mayan and Aztec temples. • Relax on an Ensenada beach.• Swimming with whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.[7][8][9]

Languages and Currency

Mexico does not have a single formal national language. The most commonly spoken language is Spanish. Over 60 languages are formally recognised by the Mexican government. English is commonly used in metropolitan and tourist areas.

Mexico’s national currency is the Mexican peso (written as MXN). The symbol of the peso is $ or M$. The exchange rate in May 2013 is approximately $A1 = M$12.25.

US dollars are often accepted in many border towns and tourist destinations.[3][11][12]

Food and Cuisine

Fajitas, chimichangas, guacomole, tacos, salsas and nachos are well known. Traditionally, Mexican foodstuffs have been based on corn, bean, squash and chili. Meats can include goat and ostrich in addition to beef and tomatoes and avocado are heavily used. Everyday staples such as tortillas and tamales are amongst the customary offerings on the Day of the Dead.

For the adventurous there’s always maguey worms, ants or fried grasshoppers.[10]

Culture

Mexican culture varies between the larger, busier cities which are adopting more Americanised values and smaller centres, which still adhere to more traditional values.

• Family is at the centre of Mexico’s social structure with the father acting as the head of the family

• Authority is highly respected in Mexican culture. • Mexico is a largely catholic nation, with over 82% of Mexicans

identifying with that religion.• Popular music is highly influenced by their Spanish heritage, including

Mariachi groups consist of singers, trumpets, violin, marimba and acoustic guitar.[10][11][12][13]

Egypt

Getting There/What to experience

Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates all fly direct from Australia to Egypt’s major centres.

Egypt is known for its ancient civilisation. Apart from the sphinx and the pyramids at the Giza major attractions include:• The Aswan Dam.• Colossus of Ramses II.• Sailing a felucca down the Nile.• The great library of Alexandria.• British museum in Cairo.• Luxor and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens.[14][15]

Languages and Currency

The national language, since the Muslim takeover, is Egyptian Arabic.

The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), a ‘guinay’ in Arabic and is written as E£ and 1AUD currently buys 6.81 EGP.

Small change is hard to come across in Egypt so it is wise to also have carry some cash in US and Euro dollars, as well as a credit or debit card. [16]

Food and Cuisine

Egyptian cuisine mostly consists of vegetarian dishes, breads, dips and seafood (along coastal regions). Meat has historically been too expensive for Egyptians to sustain it as a core part of their diet.

Sharing a selection of different foods is a preferred way to eat.

Traditional dishes include:• Rice-stuffed pigeon.• Koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, macaroni & chickpeas).• Baba ganoush.• Kofta.• Felafel and duqqa (dukkah).[17]

Culture

The majority of Egyptians are Muslims and follow traditional customs such as fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, praying five times a day and observing Friday as a holy day.

Family always takes precedence over the individual. Respect and honour are important values and social class defines people’s positions and their opportunities.

The presenting or giving of flowers are generally restricted to weddings or illness.[18]

Getting There/Things to Do

Flights are available to Rome and Milan through various airline providers, including Qatar Airlines, Air China, Qantas and Emirates.

Australians can enter Italy for up to 90 days without a visa.

Italy is rich with historical icons, such as;•Colosseum (Rome).•Pantheon (Rome).•Galleria degli Uffizi (Florence).•Basilica di San Marco (Venice).•Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps (Rome).•Vatican museums (Rome). [7][19]

Food and Cuisine

Italian food has developed over time, with much of its influence stemming from the ancient Greeks, Romans and Byzantines.[7]

Although Italian meals are prepared using many different ingredients, with an emphasis on meats, vegetables and sauces, there are many regional differences in food preferences.

Italian cuisine is often known for:• Risotto, more commonly found in the Northern regions.• Its numerous varieties of pastas.• The use of a variety of tomatoes and cheeses.[20][21]

Languages and Currency

The primary language Italian, with numerous regional dialects found throughout the country. Many European languages, such as French, Franco-Provençal, English, German and Sardinian are commonly used in Italy.

The primary currency in Italy is the Euro, denoted by the symbol €. As at May 2013 the exchange rate to the Australian dollar (AUD) is approximately 1AUD = €0.7721.[22]

Culture

Food, fashion, art and architecture are most important to Italians, who believe in living life well to the full.

Italians pride themselves on the quality of their wine, food and coffee – it is considered offensive to criticise any of these!

The majority of Italians are catholic, with the Vatican (within Rome) being the spiritual and physical home of the Roman Catholicism.

References[1] Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand. [Accessed 07 May 13].[2] Kwintessential. 2012. Thailand - Thai Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html?highlight=YToxOntpOjA7czo4OiJ0aGFpbGFuZCI7fQ==. [Accessed 17 May 13].[3]Reserve Bank of Australia. 2013. Exchange Rates. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/frequency/exchange-rates.html. [Accessed 17 May 13].[4] About.com. 2013. Thai Food. [ONLINE] Available at: http://thaifood.about.com/od/thaifoodandculture/a/foodculture.htm. [Accessed 17 May 13].[5] currency-converter.com. unknown. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.currency-converter.com.au/. [Accessed 17 May 13].[6] Kwintessential. 2012. Thailand - Thai Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html?highlight=YToxOntpOjA7czo4OiJ0aGFpbGFuZCI7fQ== . [Accessed 11 May 13].[7] Webjet. 2013. www.webjet.com.au . [ONLINE] Available at: http://travel.webjet.com.au/webjettsa/home.aspx?TripType=Return&CityFrom=SYD&DateOut=2013%2F5%2F19&CityTo=mexico+city&DateBack=2013%2F5%2F27&TravelClass=ECONOMY&NumAdult=1&NumChild=0&NumInfant=0&EntryPoint=Flight&RequestFrom=Outside. [Accessed 13 May 13].[8] Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Mexico. [Accessed 16 May 13].[9] Visit Mexico. 2012. Mexico. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitmexico.com/en/. [Accessed 13 May 13].[10] Visit Mexico. 2012. Mexico Gastronomy. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitmexico.com/en/cuisine. [Accessed 12 May 13].

References (cont)[11] NationMaster.com. 2012. North America > Mexico. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/mx-mexico/rel-religion&all=1. [Accessed 17 May 13].

[12] http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/mexico-country-profile.html

[13] kwintessential. 2013. Mexico - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/mexico-country-profile.html. [Accessed 11 May 13].

[14] Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Egypt. [Accessed 07 May 13].

[15] Lonely Planet. 2013. Egypt [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt [Accessed 16 May 13].

[16] Lonely Planet. 2013. Money & costs [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/egypt/practical-information/money-costs [Accessed 19 May 13]

[17] Amir Atiatalla. 2013. Top 10 Delicious and Unique Egyptian Foods [ONLINE] Available at: http://listverse.com/2011/10/28/top-10-delicious-and-unique-egyptian-foods/. [Accessed 19 May 13].

References (cont)[18] Kwintessential. 2012. Egypt - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html?highlight=YToxOntpOjA7czo1OiJlZ3lwdCI7fQ==. [Accessed 17 May 13].

[19] Lonely Planet . 2013. Italy – Getting there & away. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/transport/getting-there-away#23371

[20] inmamaskitchen.com. Unknown. Food is art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/ITALIAN_COOKING/rome_Lazio/Rome_LAZIO.html

[21] Encyclopaedia Brittanica. 2013. Italian cuisine. [ONLINE] Available at:]http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/718430/Italian-cuisine

[22] XE. 2013. XE Live Exchange rates. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=AUD&To=EUR&r=1#rates

Acknowledgements

Photographs courtesy of http://www.stockvault.net/ (except Slide 2 – from Michael Reyes-Smith personal collection)