Some information for Australian travellers to Thailand, Egypt, Mexico & Italy.

1. [Michael Reyes-Smith
Braedon Rickard
Belinda Long]

2. Thailand
An exotic mix of tropical warmth, majestic
tigers, elephants, sumptuous food juxtaposed with
advanced technology and manufacturing, sun kissed
seas, rich history, golden temples and beautiful people.

3. Getting there and things to see and do
Airlines flying into Bangkok and Phuket 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:
• Palm edged beaches, glittering white sand and sparkling aqua waters.
• Erawan Shrine (Bangkok).
• The Grand Palace (Bangkok).
• Elephant rides.
• Nightlife in Patpong (Bangkok) and Patong (Phuket).
• The history and beauty of Chiang Mai.
• The Bridge on the River Kwai.
• Golden statues and Buddhist temples.
• Phi Phi Islands.
• Koh Samui.

4. Languages and Currency
Thailand’s official language is Thai. Many words do not had a literal
translation into English. However other languages are frequently used and
heard in tourist areas and 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. Since 1 Jul 2012 the exchange rate has
hovered around 1AUD = 31THB.

5. Food and Cuisine
Food plays an important role in Thai culture. Social events are often
centred around, with dining experiences involving shared banquets rather
than meals served for individuals. As such, it is generally considered to be
poor etiquette to order a meal for an individual.
Popular Thai dishes and key foods include:
• Jasmine rice, a variety of rice originating in Thailand.
• Noodle based dishes
• Nam pla, a strong smelling fish sauce, servers as a popular ingredient in
many Thai meals.
• Fruit is often served after a meal, including papaya, mango, rose apples
or pineapple.
Herbs and spices are a often a part of Thai meals, with salty, sweet, spicy
and sour flavours all being common. Thai dishes have a large emphasis on
aroma.[1][2]

6. Cultural Dos and Don’ts
In Thailand heads and the top of everything from people’s heads to the top
of inanimate objects are revered.
Place hands together when greeting people in a prayer-like pose. This is a
traditional and respectful greeting and is called wai.
Smiling and laughing helps to get things done, even when you’re unhappy
or criticising someone or something.
Never criticise or disparage the King, the flag or the royal family as they are
universally admired.

7. Mexico
A contrasting land of the ancient Aztec and Mayan
civilisations, home of Don Quixote, Spanish influence in the
Americas, food to tempt all palates and one of the largest
metropolises in the world.

8. Getting There/Things to Do
Many airlines fly direct from Australia to Mexico, including British
Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, United Airlines and Qantas.
Australians entering Mexico must provide a Multiple Immigration Form
(FMM) along with their passport.
Mexico offers much for the visitor to explore, including:
• Mexico City, one of the world’s largest and most insane cities.
• Mayan and Aztec temples. It may too late to witness the Apocalypse on
21 December 2012 but the temples are fascinating and sophisticated.
• Relax on an Ensenada beach.
• Swim with whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

9. Languages and Currency
Mexico does not have a single formal national language. The most
commonly spoken language is Spanish. However, over 60 languages are
formally recognised by the Mexican government, many spoken only by
indigenous peoples. English is commonly used in metropolitan and tourist
areas but be prepared to try to decipher a heavily accented version.
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.
http://www.xe.com/currency/aud-australian-dollar?c=MXN

10. Food and Cuisine
Fajitas, chimichangas, guacomole, tacos, salsas and nachos are well known
but Mexican food is much more than that.
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.

11. Cultural Dos and Don’ts
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
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-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
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-This slide is at its word limit and addressed several things

12. Egypt
Where else on earth would you find monuments that are
at the same time immense, epic timeless and egotistical?
The land of the Pharaohs takes you back to time of
extraordinary construction, mythical beliefs and
advanced learning and culture.

13. Getting There/What to experience
Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates all fly direct from Australia to
Egypt’s major centres of Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor.
Egypt is known for its ancient civilisation and the time of the pharaohs. Of
course you’ll want to see the sphinx and the pyramids at the Giza plateau
but there is much more.
• The Aswan Dam.
• Colossus of Ramses II.
• Sailing a felucca down the Nile.
• The great library of Alexandria.
• British museum in Cairo.
• The Suez canal.
• Luxor and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens.

14. Languages and Currency
• The official/primary language/s of Country a is/are: [blank].
• Other languages include: [blank].
• Dialect issues (local/difficulties/different from other forms (only use
this if needing extra words)
• Country A’s currency is the [blank].
• It’s symbol is [blank].
• Current exchange rate vs the Australain dollar (AUD) is [blank].
• More info (traditionally weak/strong on world markets)

15. Food and Cuisine
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-This slide is at its word limit and addressed several things

16. Culture
The majority of Egyptians are Muslims and follow traditional customs such
as fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and 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.

17. References
 Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-
cgi/view/Advice/Thailand. [Accessed 07 May 13].
 Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Italy.
[Accessed 07 May 13].
 Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-
cgi/view/Advice/Mexico. [Accessed 07 May 13].

18. References (cont.)
 Australian Government. 2013. smarttraveller.gov.au.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-
cgi/view/Advice/Egypt. [Accessed 07 May 13].
 kiwntessential. 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].

19. Getting There/Things to Do
And so forth.
Really just need to address the style (dot points vs paragraphs) then I’ll be
ready to get started on this. If this slide formatting is fine, I’m happy to
handle the slide part if you guys just want to submit your work via Word
Documents and I’ll e-mail the finished slides back out. Although if you
want any changes let me know, it does seem a bit simple.
I’m unsure about pictures in sub-topics as it might look a bit overloaded.
Input?

20. Getting There/Things to Do
-Individual page for each sub topic. Roughly 62 words per sub topic.
Either dot points or paragraphs. Dot points allow for more information, but
paragraphs would look and read better, but would eat up the limited
wordcount without saying much.

21. References

22. [Authors]

23. Country A

24. Getting There/Things to Do
-Individual page for each sub topic. Roughly 62 words per sub topic.
Either dot points or paragraphs. Dot points allow for more information, but
paragraphs would look and read better, but would eat up the limited
wordcount without saying much.

25. Food and Cuisine
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-This slide is at its word limit and addressed several things

26. Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-This slide is at its word limit and addressed several things

27. Languages and Currency
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-Country A is known for [blank], [blank] and etc.
-It is common practice for _______.
-More info
-Etc. And so forth, filler words, filler words.
-This slide is at its word limit and addressed several things

28. Country B

29. Getting There/Things to Do
And so forth.
Really just need to address the style (dot points vs paragraphs) then I’ll be
ready to get started on this. If this slide formatting is fine, I’m happy to
handle the slide part if you guys just want to submit your work via Word
Documents and I’ll e-mail the finished slides back out. Although if you
want any changes let me know, it does seem a bit simple.
I’m unsure about pictures in sub-topics as it might look a bit overloaded.
Input?