Although Islam is Malaysia’s official religion and makes up more than half of the population, the country is a melting pot of cultures. Not all restaurants in Malaysia are halal-certified, so you will easily find a wide variety of restaurants serving pork in Malaysia. Restaurants serving pork in Malaysia have clear “non-halal” signs right at the entrance and same goes for those serving alcohol, of which many are owned by local Chinese or Indian people.
If you’re wondering “where to eat in Malaysia?” – The capital city Kuala Lumpur offers endless places to try out the best dishes in Malaysia – from roadside stalls opened 24/7, to well-established restaurants in shopping malls, hipster cafes, as well as fine-dining venues with the most amazing views.
Penang on the other side is paradise if you’re looking for hawker food – it is THE place to be if you consider yourself a foodie!
That being said, it will depend on where exactly in Malaysia you’re thinking of visiting. It can be difficult to find pork in Malaysia when you’re in areas like Kuala Terengganu which is a Malay (muslim) majority state, but if you are sticking to big cities, and you are determined to eat pork dishes, then finding restaurants serving pork should not be an issue.
Malaysia has such a diverse and fascinating range of cuisine, that even if you were to spend a whole year there, you would not tire of the endless non-pork dishes available in the country. In fact, when you return from your Malaysia holiday, you will most likely be craving many of the non-pork dishes you enjoyed whilst in the country! So, to answer your question: Pork is available if you need it, but you will not be disappointed if you don’t eat any pork during your 10-15 day holiday in Malaysia.
Tattoos are not illegal in Japan, therefore it is okay for you to travel to Japan with tattoos. However, the social stigma against tattoos in Japan remains strong. In Japan, tattoos are associated with criminals and gang-related activities. For this reason, tattooed individuals are often barred from places like gyms, swimming pools, as well as onsens (Japanese hot springs). Several Japanese organisations also ban employers from having tattoos and many traditional Japanese inns (ryokans) do not accept tattooed guests.
Is it okay to show tattoos in Japan?
While it is common to spot a local Japanese with tattoos nowadays, you might still notice that a lot of people will try to avoid coming in contact with you if you show visible tattoos in Japan. If possible, try keeping your tattoos covered with long sleeve clothing when in Japan, and especially if you’re visiting a sacred site or temple.
Why are tattoos still taboo in Japan?
Back in the days where prisons did not exist yet, criminals in Japan would get face tattooed as a form of punishment. This was also the only way for the community to recognise a criminal. Tattoos in Japan have long been associated with felony and low-class individuals lacking education.
However, the actual reason why local Japanese people still hold pejorative perceptions of tattooed people is because of the Yakuza – a criminal Japanese gang that has run illegal businesses of prostitution for years and which is often associated with gambling. Yakuza members were expected to get a face tattoo in order to be part of the group. The ritual was to prove one’s level of pain tolerance and courage. At one point, tattoos were also made illegal in Japan; however, this changed after World War II.
The answer, in general, is ‘yes’ but it will depend on ‘where in Japan’ you’re planning to visit. Travelling on holiday to Japan only speaking English is definitely not easy, you’re in for an adventure but it is surely not impossible. Speaking Japanese is not a must to go on a Japan holiday, but it is definitely a plus.
English-friendly places for Japan Tours
Most touristy towns like Tokyo and Osaka are English-friendly so you will face fewer communication issues in those areas. Local Japanese people do not necessarily master the English language or at least, they’re not at a level where you can easily get across what you want or need, so be sure you’re coming with a lot of patience!
Truth be told – the trouble comes when you have to venture out of big towns that usually see fewer foreigners. If you’re looking at going off-the-beaten-path holiday in Japan, it is highly recommended you opt for the services of a local Japanese English-speaker tour guide/translator to facilitate your travels. There are several guided tours and travel packages for Japan that are available for English-speakers. This is one of the best ways to discover hidden gems in Japan if you do not speak Japanese.
How to go on holiday in Japan without speaking Japanese?
There are many ways to make the most of your holiday in Japan without speaking Japanese. While in big cities, you will find that most tourist sites and public transport stations have signs in English. However, it might be a struggle to travel around Japan by bus. Taxi drivers in Japan also come with very limited English skills, so you need to have your addresses saved on your phone to show them, or thanks to technology, you can always rely on translation apps that are available for free download.
The easiest way to travel around Japan is to take the train. This is an extremely easy option for English speakers as announcements aren’t only in Japanese and you can always pre-buy your tickets online.
Any type of swimwear, including bikinis, are allowed in Dubai. While there aren’t strict swimwear rules in Dubai,, it is still important that you remember that Dubai is an Islamic country. Therefore you might attract some stares if you’re wearing a bikini at the public beaches in Dubai, where local Emiratis gather.
If you’re planning to enjoy the private beach or pool at your hotel in Dubai, then there is nothing to worry about wearing a bikini. Otherwise, avoid skimpy clothes and stick to swimsuits that are less revealing while on public beaches. It’s also best recommended to pack a sarong or beach cover-up as a sign of respect for the local culture.
Dubai dress code for females – What to wear in Dubai?
Of course, wearing a bikini is not always an appropriate dress code in Dubai – having a swimsuit on to walk down the road is considered highly disrespectful. Come the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, stricter regulations are put in place to ensure tourists cause little to no offence by wearing appropriate clothes. Rest assured though, by this, we absolutely do not mean that you will have to wear a full head covering or burqa.
So what to wear in Dubai? If you’re planning your packing list to Dubai, here are some must-haves that will not only show respect to the locals but also protect you from the extreme heat of the summer:
- Lose clothing – Avoid tight clothes in Dubai but keep shoulders and knees covered
- Hoodies and sweaters – Yes, do pack some even for the summer as it gets quite cold in the air conditioned shopping malls in Dubai
- Flowy long dresses and blouses
- Headscarf – Always good to carry one if you plan on visiting religious sites
- Revealing clothes like crop tops and mini skirts are usually allowed at popular nightclubs that are part of hotels or big touristy areas
You do not have to cover up in a full-face veil like a niqab or burqa in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country that has seen several relaxed restrictions on women for the past years. At this point in time, you’re only expected to wear decent and respectful clothing covering your shoulders and knees as much as possible.
If you’re planning on visiting religious sites in Saudi Arabia, you will however be required to cover your head, so a scarf always comes in handy. Put simply, it is important that you remain sensitive to local culture and respect traditional customs to show respect to the locals in Saudi Arabia. It’s also always useful to get informed on the Islamic culture and beliefs before travelling to Saudi Arabia, read a few blogs, ask questions to expert travellers, so that way you can prepare to be well received within the community.
Saudi Arabia dress code for female foreigners – What to wear in Saudi Arabia?
Many women wonder “is modern Western-style clothing acceptable in Saudi Arabia?”. Well, if not too revealing, you can still wear dresses and tops (with sleeves) in Saudi Arabia. Pack some good pairs of pants or jeans, blouses or t-shirts to feel comfortable in public. However do keep in mind that shorts, mini skirts, tight dresses and crop tops are not allowed in public.
Nowadays, the highly conservative Kingdom is relaxing its laws when it comes to dress codes – there are no restrictions on shoes, headscarves aren’t compulsory either, but bikinis remain unacceptable at public beaches. You are only allowed to wear bikinis in Saudi Arabia when at a private beach or within your hotel (this is newly put in place in order to promote the tourism industry in the country). That being said, we strongly suggest you wear a non-revealing swimsuit at all times in order to avoid unnecessary attention and stares from the locals.
As of 2019, a newly available tourist visa with relaxed restrictions allows non-muslim solo female tourists of 49 nationalities (including the UK), above the age of 25 to travel to Saudi Arabia. So are you able to travel to Saudi Arabia as a single female? Technically yes, you are now allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia without a male guardian, provided you fulfil the necessary requirements mentioned above!
Now, although this does not affect your travel plans, you might find it insightful to know that since this change in regulation, there have been distinctive changes in women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. It is now also legal for local women to drive and vote in Saudi Arabia!
However, we have to warn you – you still have to be mentally prepared for a massive culture shock in Saudi Arabia as several strict rules and restrictions still govern the country. For instance, the culture of conservatism and gender segregation are still very much present – in most restaurants, men and women have separate areas to sit at, and the same goes for queuing lines.
Travelling to Saudi Arabia as a woman – Dos and Don’ts in Saudi Arabia
As a Muslim country, Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted in its culture and traditions. For that reason, it is important for women and men alike to respect local customs while on holiday in Saudi Arabia. If you’re wondering what is not allowed in Saudi Arabia, here’s a quick list of dos and don’ts that will help you understand Saudi Arabia’s etiquette and ensure you’re not partaking in any illegal activities while on holiday there:
- It’s important that you try to avoid being left alone with a member of the opposite gender in areas such as elevators/lifts or any kind of private room
- Women are recommended to dress modestly with knees and shoulders covered
- It is best you avoid talking about pork meat in public due to religious beliefs
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia with rather harsh punishments, you won’t find any liquor (not even in food or other products)
- Avoid publicly criticising the Islamic religion or royal family while in Saudi Arabia
- Discussing sexual matters in public isn’t well accepted (all pornographic websites are also banned in Saudi Arabia)
- Saudi Arabia isn’t necessarily LGBTQ-friendly – same-sex relationships are illegal and highly punishable by law in Saudi Arabia
Exploring India as a solo woman traveller requires some precautions, but this should not stop you from discovering the destination.
Although India has a bad reputation for sexual harassment, there are several perks for female travellers. In big cities, you will find separate ticket counters and queuing lines for women, reserved areas on public transports and more special benefits that are offered to ensure your safety.
How to dress in India – What should female tourists wear in India?
Can women wear shorts in India? Non-touristy states and villages in India are conservative. Simply put, if you can avoid it, then do not wear provocative, short and tight clothes while travelling around India as a woman, especially if you’re alone.
Avoid tank tops and have pants on your list of clothes to wear in India. At the beach, stay away from wearing revealing swimsuits or simply cover up with a sarong. This isn’t only for your safety but primarily as a sign of respect for the local culture.
Tips for travelling solo around India – What precautions should women take in India?
Booking a reputable hotel in India is of utmost importance for your safety. Make sure to do a little bit of research about the stay, read online reviews and check for some pictures on social media to have a feel of the place. As a rule of thumb, it’s also important that you avoid venturing out alone at night. If you’re still not confident about it, we recommend you book a travel package to India through an established travel agent.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s absolutely no reason for you to be afraid of street food in India. Indian street food is one of the best you’ll ever have – although often spicy, they burst in flavours! However, if you still have doubts about it and wondering why tourists often fall sick in India, here are some precautions you can take and safety tips to follow in order to avoid getting sick in India. Remember to include some activated charcoal pills in your packing list for India too!
Tips on eating street food in India – How to avoid food poisoning in India?
Street foods to eat in India
- Anything fried is usually absolutely safe
- Street food carts that have long lines (especially of locals) are more likely to have food of better quality
- Chai and other hot drinks from a street vendor are also safe to drink
Street foods to avoid in India
- Avoid meat and stick to vegetables – meat exposed to bad air quality and extreme heat in India is often prone to bacteria and more likely to cause food poisoning.
- Food that looks too spicy – you can always inform the vendor of your spice level
- Avoid cold drinks and ice cubes as very often, you won’t be able to tell where the water is coming from, so stick to ordering hot drinks in India
- Sauces are also a big no-no when it comes to Indian street food as they’re water-based and again, you don’t know where the water is sourced from
- Avoid dairy-based street food and drinks in India (except for Chai and coffee which are served hot and are absolute must-haves in India)
- Skip raw fruit and vegetables unless they can be peeled
If you’re planning on travelling to developed areas like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and other touristy destinations, malaria pills are not required for your trip to Thailand.
However, it is always great to pack malaria pills if you want to visit provinces, rural areas and jungle towns, especially the ones bordering Myanmar and Cambodia where malaria transmissions are more frequent. The same goes if you plan on staying at a riverside hotel in Thailand; these are places where you’re most likely to get bitten by mosquitoes while in Thailand.
It’s also important for you to keep in mind that although malaria is not common in Thailand, there is however a rising number of dengue fever and Zika virus cases, especially during the rainy season between April and December, so always remember to bring along mosquito repellent and long sleeves clothes to protect yourself against mosquitoes in Thailand!
Travel Vaccine and Advice for Thailand – What vaccinations do you need for Thailand?
From a fellow traveller to another, we would recommend you to have the following vaccinations for Thailand. Although not obligatory, these are precautions you should take to avoid contracting any type of disease in Thailand:
● Hepatitis A – Protects you against a liver infection that spreads through contaminated food or water
● Yellow Fever – Protects you against a serious mosquito bite infection
● Tetanus – Protects you from contaminating cuts and wounds
Yes, of course, South Africa is safe for white tourists and for everyone else! In fact, over 7% of South Africa’s population in itself is white.
Race, nationality and skin colour aren’t determining factors why tourists get attacked in South Africa. While it’s true that South Africa sees a high number of sexual assaults and robberies, the multicultural country welcomes over 3.5 million travellers each year, making South Africa one of the safest third-world countries to visit.
Common types of dangers in South Africa – How dangerous is South Africa for tourists?
Carjacking tends to be of common occurrence in areas like Pretoria and Durban. For that reason, it is recommended to travel around South Africa with a local driver or tour guide.
Petty crimes like robberies are also common in most cities, therefore try to avoid keeping valuables in your car.
Tips from locals and fellow travel experts also include calling for an Uber rather than hopping on a cab from the streets, as well as hiking in a group rather than alone!
Cities safe to visit and places to avoid in South Africa
As one of the three capital cities in South Africa, Cape Town is also known to be the safest city to visit in South Africa. Filled with fun things to do, amazing restaurants and bars, Cape Town is one of the best places to be while in South Africa. That being said, you will still have to be aware of your surroundings at times, and especially at night.
Similarly, Johannesburg is highly enjoyable if you know how to keep yourself away from potential dangers. Although there have been reports of several cases of violent crimes in neighbourhoods close to the city centre, South Africa’s largest city is home to an amazing collection of tourist attractions that are worth exploring! Pretoria and Durban do however require extra precaution and vigilance due to a surge in crime records, especially if this is your first time in South Africa.
