How do you keep calm when travelling? I have learned from my sinking heart moments what to do. What were my sinking heart moments? My Embarrassing Moments - I have written a book about them.
The Lost Coach
We were the first coach to arrive at a car park in China. However, when I got back to my coach, the car park was full of coaches. I knew our coach had been parked near the fence. I hopped on the front coach.
The coach drove off. The guide spoke in German.
I asked him to repeat what he had said in English.
He said, but this is a German group.
I was on the wrong coach!
The coach had to drive back to the car park. The coach driver was not happy. But I had my own problems.
I ran around frantically. Which was my coach? Finally, the guide on my coach called out to me.
Most mishaps can be prevented with a little forward planning - and a few photos.
1 DESTINATION DETAILS
Know where you are going. Put the address in your contacts list, your diary, and phone. Add the address with map and directions in your computer, mobile phone or car satnav. Know the motorway numbers, exits, alternative routes.
2 CONTACT DETAILS
Know vital contact details.
Emergency numbers at your destination.
Hotel or restaurant address, and the name in which the booking was made.
3 BACKUP PLANS
Have backup plans for everything. A second restaurant or hotel. Spare clothes in your airline wheelie bag.
4 ALLOW TIME FOR DELAYS
I don't arrange meetings the day of travel, nor driving the day after. Then delays don't stress me. I don't get stressed driving tired, nor drive when accident prone.
5 ID
Check all passports and visas and driving licenses and credit cards for expiry dates the month before travelling. Carry a pair of spare passport photos for a replacement passport, or lift pass.
6 CAR & coach
Check your car tyres pressure and petrol levels a day in advance or better still a month in advance.
When leaving a coach for a break during an excursions, note the numberplate and photograph the coach and driver.
7 BOOKS, TOYS
Have a book or activity to amuse yourself and family. Have activities to keep children in seats with books or toys with no pieces to lose.
8 IDENTIFIABLE CLOTHES
Wear matching colour outfits to find each other in crowds.
9 MEETUP POINTS IN PUBLIC PLACES
Arrange where to meet up in cafes and malls and outside toilets which are at the ends or corridors or with gents and ladies in different directions.
10 MEETUP POINTS IN HOTELS
Decide on hotel reunion points, lobby, reception, restaurant or bedroom, or in car in car park, gym or swimming pool, or hotel shop.
SET WAITING TIMES
Have waiting limits. Arrange whether to jump on the first bus, train, taxi, or wait for the group.
Inform your group leader if you are leaving after a fire, flood or emergency so nobody endangers themselves nor wastes time looking for you.
TRAVEL KIT
Carry:
spare plasters,
a comb and comb case, and
a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Take a photo ID.
Carry a badge and lanyard, in case you are not on the meeting list and they have not printed your name badge. You can also be photographed wearing your name badge and carrying your company brochure or your book if you are an author.
About Angela's Books
I am the author of twenty or so books and e-books on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Lulu.com
My latest book in 2025 was Embarrassing Moments.
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