Holiday Travel: 7 Tips to Make it Less Stressful

Mar 14, 2009 by Syahiera Farhana

HOW TO MAKE TRAVEL LESS STRESSFUL

Traveling is an integral part of the holiday season for many people. While traveling any time can be a major source of stress, holiday travel (loaded with gifts, baggage, kids, through possible wintry weather, and on common crowded pre- and post-holiday travel dates) is even more nerve-racking. Although you can’t eliminate the stress associated with holiday travel, these tips can help you lessen the impact of holiday travel stress.

1. Accept the situation and plan ahead

Crowded airplanes and highways, wintry weather, harried personnel, and unexpected delays are all aspects of your trip that are beyond your control. Assume you’re likely to encounter most or all of these obstacles, and that you aren’t going to be able to change them. Instead, focus on your reactions to these stressors. Anticipation of stressful occurrences, and forming a mental plan for remaining calm and dealing with them, will greatly reduce your perception of stress.

2. Give yourself enough time

Whatever your mode of travel, allow yourself more time than you can possibly imagine you will need when traveling for the holidays. This is particularly important for heavy-travel days (such as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in the U.S.). On these days, just about everything – including check-in lines, security check-in, finding a cab, and airport parking can be expected to take longer than usual. Business travelers accustomed to a travel routine may also find that traveling with the family along doesn’t run quite as smoothly or efficiently as when traveling solo. Knowing that you have adequate time to deal with any unexpected occurrences can help prevent anxiety and stress. Should you arrive at the airport early, remember that sitting in an airport lounge working or reading is far more relaxing than sitting in a traffic-stalled taxi 20 minutes before your flight departs.

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Singapore-Batam Trip

Mar 12, 2009 by Syahiera Farhana

Day 1 – Saturday

Early 2009, I managed to go for a trip to Singapore & Batam with Zue, Ana & Yatt..my former classmate taking BPharm in Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, IIUM. We took one fine Saturday to take Airasia flight to Spore (RM180). Being in KL, I have to wait for Zue & Yatt taking morning flight from Kota Bharu, while Ana took flight from Kuantan. Our flight to Spore boards at 3pm.

We reached Spore around 350pm. Walked around the airport, found the Uniquely Spore booth and grabbed some brochures on travelling/shopping in Spore. Took a cab to our hotel, Treasure Resort Sentosa located in the heart of Sentosa Island. Sitting elegantly on a gentle slope right beneath The Merlion and overlooking the sea, Treasure Resort boasts her colonial architectural heritage tracing back to the 1940s. However, there’s construction work being done. So, the swimming pool is not available for us. Yet, the price? RM 695 for 1 night + bfast for 4 person + the card for getting around in Sentosa for 4 person! I guess, the most expensive hotel room in my life.. The room is OK..comfy & cozy..but too small from what we expected from a Deluxe room.

After much resting & munching our food stock.. we went out after jama’ Mgrib-Isya’. Getting the kiblat direction is one issue. Luckily i brought the Nicorette keychain..which has a small compass on it. So, it helped us. We went out.. using the free ride from Imbiah to Harborfront. The Imbiah station is just opposite our hotel entrance. From Harborfront, took the train to Esplanade. So many ppl there..and we found prob in searching for halal food..and we were getting very hungry by then. We chose one Thai restaurant and had to wait for half an hour before being placed. 3 of us ordered Nasi Goreng Thai Special.. and it was very hot & f***ing spicy..i couldn’t finish my dish. And it was RM32 per dish! We went back to hotel by cab after the delayed dinner and a few photo-shoots.

Day 2 – Sunday

After bfast, we straightaway check-out from the room. And started our tour in Sentosa Island. We planned to do the Luge & Skyride..but the hot wheather made us dehydrated and losing mood to do the activities there.

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