Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport

Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport … from the Watch Out Travel Series

Front Desk:    Good morning, sir and madam. Welcome. How are you both today?
Doc:               Very good, thank you. How are you?
Front Desk:    Very well too, sir. May I have your passports, please?
Doc:               Sure, both?
Front Desk:    Yes, both.

Always have your travel document in sight or store it safely

Although you are always required to show proof of identity when you check in to your hotel, in some countries, especially in South Asia, the law requires hotels to also make non-returnable photocopies guest passports for security reasons. I get this. I want to feel safe there too.

Xeroxing is a standard procedure, but Doc and I have been through several incidents that made us suspicious of the staff. They are listed below for you to be aware of because some criminal organisations steal personal information or passport pages. Generally, all passports are at risk, but the ones from the West are more popular targets for theft.

An overview

Incident 1: 

Our passports were requested at the front desk during check-in. After ensuring the faces on the documents matched the faces standing in front of him, the front desk officer handed us the room key and briefly informed us about the hotel facilities. We learnt that there were two restaurants, a swimming pool, and a gym located in this hotel. Then, he nodded at the bellboy, who quickly came to take our luggage and escort us to the room. The front desk officer smiled as he told us we were all checked in and could proceed to our rooms. So far, so good. These are pretty standard procedures at most hotels all over the world.

But hey, wait! What about our passports? 

The front desk told us not to worry as he would bring the passports over after he photocopied them. Though we were not comfortable with this arrangement, we followed the bellboy to our room anyway. After all, we were at a relatively high-end hotel, so what could go wrong?

An hour passed, but our travel checklist status was in red, as our passports were still not with us. We were getting agitated and called the front desk several times to inquire. Eventually, our travel documents were returned to us. We checked the contents. They were intact. When asked why it took so long, the officer told us the photocopier was down and that he had to get the machine fixed.

I later understood from the hotel’s online reviews that the same had happened to many other guests. The reason for the delay was the same – the photocopier was faulty. Since a photocopy is essential for their business, we found it strange that the copier hadn't been fixed despite the many online reviews.

 

Incident 2: 

Another variation occurred when the front desk officer “forgot” to photocopy the essential passport pages during the check-in procedure and sent a bellboy over to collect the document from our room. Based on our experience, we decided to take a walk with the bellboy and, this time, waited until our passports were photocopied and handed back to us before we returned to the room. This incident happened in a tourist-class hotel.

 

Incident 3: 

Photocopies of passports were required, but we were informed the photocopier was off the premises in another office. This is a very convenient reason for someone to separate you from your passport for a while. When we insisted that we go with them to get the documents photocopied, magically, another hotel staff informed us there was no need for that as there was a copier in the next room. He apologised for the mix-up, saying that the officer at the front desk was new.

Observe. Be safe

What I Learnt

• Incidents such as these can happen anywhere and on any continent. Your passport is your responsibility. Always have it in sight or store it safely.

• Keep your passport in a hotel safe or safely with you when you are on the go.

• If a photocopy of the passport is required for security and local government requirements, that's fine, but request it to be copied within your sight. 

• Ideally, passports should be black-and-white copied. 

• Check your passport once it's returned to you. Make sure it's not been tampered with. Also, check that no passport pages are torn away.

• Know that there is no reason for any hotel to hold your passport without your request. 

• For local travellers, apply the same safety measures for local photo IDs, as they could also be stolen. Examples include National Registration Identity cards, Social Security cards, and Citizen Card Aadhar cards.

Keep your passports safe when you travel. That little book deserves more respect than it's sometimes given.

Invited for coffee, but not for trouble. Prevent!

Footnote:

Regardless of whether you are a business traveller or vacationer, a one-time or frequent traveller – if you travel, you are exposed to risks. It’s important to understand that some of us are easier targets than others.

Doc was a sensible traveller, while I, quite the opposite. Through Watch Out! Travel Mishaps from Reaching Delphi Travellers Alert series, I will share some of our travel misadventures with you. My aim is to create the awareness of such incidents and some useful suggestions to reduce the occurrence of unpleasant events. 

This series is dedicated to Doc - SV Narayanan, who constantly reminded me and many others to 'Watch Out!. 

 Follow Coffee Trail – Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi for travel updates and tips.

 

Also in the WatchOut! series:

Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport

Watch Out! Watch Those Pryfing Eyes

When a Stranger Offers You Something

Watch Out! When It Sounds Too Good to Be True

Hopscotch, Hopscotch, Hop Your Way to the Entrance.

Hickory Dickory Dock, What’s with the clock?

To know or not to know… yours truly, Confetti

Trick or Treat, Watch Out and Decide Wisely.

Watch Out! What the Heck! You told me you were close by!

Watch Out! Excuse me, say that again - No reservations?

Watch Out! Secure Your Belongings Before You Leave the Room.

Watch Out! The Banquette Seat Ride  

 

 

Watch Out! Watch Those Prying Eyes

Watch Out! Watch Those Prying Eyes… from the Watchout Travel Series

Every breath you take

Every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take

I'll be watching you

Do you remember this song? “Every Breath You Take” was the Police's Grammy Award–winning song from the eighties. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. How would you feel if a stranger was watching and following every move you make, just as Sting mentions?

Watch over your coffee & other belongings

Doc and I were at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre in Paris when we noticed someone following us, and the scene I am about to tell you was exactly like the lyrics of this song.

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre

See, we didn't have selfie sticks during this trip to France, nor did we want to lug around a bulky tripod. Though a relatively new model, our camera didn't have the built-in selfie feature some models do today. And by the way, these were the days when we'd ask a kind stranger to snap us a photo when we wanted a family shot. You know what? I am glad I still stop people for one! How about you?  

Although there were many visitors, the surrounding area looked very calm, as it usually is over there. We wanted to capture the serene moment, so we looked around for the right person to take a photo for us (i.e., someone who wouldn't run away with our camera). It was at this point that Doc noticed a pair of eyes on us. A tall bloke, he was. As we climbed the stairs leading to the grand basilica, he kept on following behind us. He didn't have a camera, nor did he look like a tourist. He kept his hands in his pocket most of the time. When we took five steps, the bloke would also take five. When we took three, he matched with the same number. We pretended to rest midway to appreciate the view. He also stopped, but instead of admiring the view, his eyes were on us. Though he knew that we were aware of him trailing us, he didn't give a damn and continued to follow us up the stairs leading to the basilica. 

Inside the basilica, we quickly took a seat at the prayer bench. As the bloke walked past us, we could see his head turning around as he searched for us. Since it was crowded and a dimly lit, he lost sight of us and probably found another victim to spy on. 

I was lucky Doc spotted the watchful eyes in time—otherwise, we may have gotten pickpocketed or mugged that day. Although you may say this won't happen to you today with CCTVs around, trust me; the games played today are far more sophisticated.  

Tried to get a photo together, alas...

What I Learnt

• The stranger following was not the Prince Charming of a Daniel Steel novel. Wake up! It probably would not have the joyous ending you hoped for.
• Again, be wary of strange characters around you, especially those who try to get close to you. Observe. 
• Walk in crowds to avoid being singled out.
• Stay in brightly lit areas, especially if you are alone. 
• Avoid keeping all of your important items in a single place. This way, for instance, if a bag gets nabbed, some of your other important items won’t be lost along with it. 
• Make copies of important documents. Email a copy of these to yourself/travel group for safe-keeping.
• CCTV cameras don’t always work. It’s always good to be a self-guard.

Every breath you take

Every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take

I'll be watching you

Inside the bag is a caricature of us by a Picasso-like artist at Montmartre...in his eyes.

Note: The original analog photographs had been scanned for this post.

Footnote:

Regardless of whether you are a business traveller or vacationer, a one-time or frequent traveller – if you travel, you are exposed to risks. It’s important to understand that some of us are easier targets than others.

Doc was a sensible traveller, while I, quite the opposite. Through Watch Out! Travel Mishaps from Reaching Delphi Travellers Alert series, I will share some of our travel misadventures with you. My aim is to create the awareness of such incidents and some useful suggestions to reduce the occurrence of unpleasant events. 

This series is dedicated to Doc - SV Narayanan, who constantly reminded me and many others to 'Watch Out!. 

 Follow Coffee Trail – Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi for travel updates and tips.

 

Also in the WatchOut! series:

Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport

Watch Out! Watch Those Pryfing Eyes

When a Stranger Offers You Something

Watch Out! When It Sounds Too Good to Be True

Hopscotch, Hopscotch, Hop Your Way to the Entrance.

Hickory Dickory Dock, What’s with the clock?

To know or not to know… yours truly, Confetti

Trick or Treat, Watch Out and Decide Wisely.

Watch Out! What the Heck! You told me you were close by!

Watch Out! Excuse me, say that again - No reservations?

Watch Out! Secure Your Belongings Before You Leave the Room.

 Watch Out! The Banquette Seat Ride 

Watch Out and Check-in and Take Only Yours.

When a stranger offers you something… from the Watchout Travel Series

Imagine you are waiting in the queue to check in for your bus ride or flight, but the line is long and slow-moving. What do you do?

Me? I like to chat with the stranger next to me.

Fortunately for me, strangers respond to me about 80% of the time. Sometimes those conversations blossom into a continuing friendship, but most strangers simply become a pleasant companion during the hour-long wait.

Other conversations are not as rosy, though. Let me tell you why. I travel light because I want to be kind to my spine. Also, I don’t want to carry my entire house with me on a getaway. But before you read further, allow me to clarify that this article is not about how you should pack. I am sure you are way ahead of me when it comes to that. 😉

As a wannabe light traveller, here are few statements thrown at me when people notice I travel with just a few light items.

"Oh, ma'am, that's all you have? Did you know you can carry 20 kilos of items? This is a total waste, you know. Can you check-in these, too, for us at least?"

 "I have two carry-ons. You have none. Can you take one of mine, just until the gate?”

 "Can you do me an urgent favour and check in with us as part of my travel group? We can combine our weight distribution.”

 "Can I see your ticket? What is your seat number? Can I leave my carry-ons at your overhead compartment?"

 

Heck no. No, no, and NO! Carrying unknown possessions is a crime. 

Earlier, I mentioned I liked to travel light. Well, that's partially right. The truth is, I rarely shop on vacation trips, so my bags are relatively light, but I do enjoy picking up a couple of unique mementoes for close loved ones. Duty-free shops, you’ll see me again!
 
I recall browsing at a handicraft outlet in a South Asian airport once. As always, I mentally calculated how much I could spend that day. I had enough local currency to purchase a couple of small wood or marble handicrafts. A few other travellers in the store, like me, desperately searched for last-minute goodies to pick up. I could hear discussions among other customers in the background.

"Do you like any of those?” I hear, my thoughts interrupted. I dislike store operators who tailgate customers. I am sure you don't like that either. When I come across such rude store workers, I just stare at them until they get the message and walk away. On this occasion, I looked up, a little irritated at the voice that took my attention away from the bangles. To my surprise, the bloke wasn't a store worker but another traveller. 

"I haven't decided," I told him. We talked for a bit. He told me that he would be stopping over in several other cities, including my home city, Kuala Lumpur. As a kind fellow traveller and to display the Malaysian hospitality, I was friendly but cautious. I learnt that his name was Avyaan (real name is changed for this post), that he lived in Mauritius, and that he was on the same flight as me.

"What do you think of these?" Avyaan, a middle-aged man, pointed at several wooden sculptures of half-clothed women. "I want to get one of these for my wife.”

Offensive, I thought and definitely not something I would purchase for anyone or ask a stranger for opinion on. I just shrugged in response.

"I have to finish off these." Avyaan showed me a stack of foreign currency that was way more than what I would walk around within my pockets. He had a lot of money, and I was pretty sure he wouldn't be travelling by coach with that much in hand. 

 "I hope she likes the gift," I replied indifferently.

After picking up and paying for a couple of small souvenirs myself, I was relieved to leave the store and Avyaan behind.

I found a comfortable seat next to the window at the boarding gate, sipped my coffee, and was happy to get on with The Orient Express, which was getting more exciting by the page. However, I was still feeling queasy about the person I had just exchanged some details with. But I wasn't in any position to be a Hercule Poirot, so I let the thoughts pass.

So far, this sounds harmless, right? But hold on, it gets more interesting. As I was boarding the flight, someone taps my shoulder.

"I was hoping to see you," Avyaan said. "Here, for you." He handed me a foot-sized, paper-wrapped object.

"Hey, dude. I don't want this." I declined the gift, but he walked away.

The aircraft's doors closed, and soon we took off. I didn't see Avyaan for the rest of the trip, but I was shaken, and I kept imagining the worst. What if there were drugs inside or smuggled diamonds? I didn't have the courage to open the parcel.

Carrying unknown items, drugs, or any smuggled items for anyone is a serious offence, and the traveller doing so can be jailed. Though I was much younger when this incident happened, I was well aware of these criminal offences. Usually, young girls travelling alone become prey of organised syndicates looking to transfer illegal items. In recent years, I’ve read of horrifying incidents where several criminal organizations offered luxurious travel opportunities to new recruits who very trustingly carried unknown things on their behalf and were detained by customs during inspection.

When I got off the flight, I saw Avyaan, thanked him for the gift, but told him firmly that I wouldn't accept the gift and chucked it back to him. He was disappointed and insisted he needed to talk to me the next day.

In all fairness, this passenger who offered me the gift could have been genuine, but I did the right thing. I chose to decline.

What I Learnt

• Do not accept any gifts from strangers or offer to travel with anything you have not inspected yourself. This applies to both checked and carry-on items.

• Your first instinct during contact should indicate when something is fishy. Be prepared to walk away, ask for help, or report suspicious behaviour.

• Do not compromise your family's safety by giving away any personal contact information or social media links containing private information to strangers. You never know when you might be giving access to a stalker.

• You have the right to refuse to carry something on behalf of someone else. So don't feel guilty for exercising this right.

• Opt for online check-in whenever possible. It’s quick, safe and gives you no reason to check-in some random strangers items.

Note: The photographs posted in this post are not from this trip.

Footnote:

Regardless of whether you are a business traveller or vacationer, a one-time or frequent traveller – if you travel, you are exposed to risks. It’s important to understand that some of us are easier targets than others.

Doc was a sensible traveller, while I, quite the opposite. Through Watch Out! Travel Mishaps from Reaching Delphi Travellers Alert series, I will share some of our travel misadventures with you. My aim is to create the awareness of such incidents and some useful suggestions to reduce the occurrence of unpleasant events. 

This series is dedicated to Doc - SV Narayanan, who constantly reminded me and many others to 'Watch Out!. 

Follow Coffee Trail – Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi for travel updates and tips.

 

Also in the WatchOut! series:

Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport

Watch Out! Watch Those Pryfing Eyes

When a Stranger Offers You Something

Watch Out! When It Sounds Too Good to Be True

Hopscotch, Hopscotch, Hop Your Way to the Entrance.

Hickory Dickory Dock, What’s with the clock?

To know or not to know… yours truly, Confetti

Trick or Treat, Watch Out and Decide Wisely.

Watch Out! What the Heck! You told me you were close by!

Watch Out! Excuse me, say that again - No reservations?

Watch Out! Secure Your Belongings Before You Leave the Room.

Watch Out! The Banquette Seat Ride  

 

When It Sounds Too Good to Be True, Check Again

 How I Met My Treadmill (WatchOut! Travel Series)

The current pandemic needs no further introduction. Here in Malaysia, strict movement control operations (MCO) are once again being enforced due to the rising numbers in COVID-19 cases. I am sure you have experienced similar movement control enforcement as well. As responsible citizens, we know it is our moral and social responsibility to stop the spread of the virus, but it also is natural for people to feel agitated, depressed, frustrated, and angry when locked indoors for extended periods. Having said this, these pandemic lockdowns are not the same as being caged up. People are still allowed out to tend to their essentials under guidelines set.

As a travel blogger, I am lost without my travel pill. So, I decided to kick it up a notch and do something different. This has allowed me to continue travelling despite the obstacles and travel bans imposed. Over the last year and a half, if you hadn't realised, I have taken you with me on trips to India, Thailand, Spain, Greece, the US, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Malaysia. I quenched my travel thirst by time and mind travelling to various famous cities through the ReachingDelphi’s WatchOut! series. 

Virtual & mind travel with ReachingDelphi

And boy, weren’t some of those experiences important eye-openers?

On days when my travel prescription can't be filled, Mr Telly (who, by the way, is one of my best and most loyal friends) comes to the rescue by taking me on expeditions that don’t require me to double-mask or constantly worry about my essentials being misplaced or nicked. But still, as an outdoor person now tied down due to the pandemic and work commitments, I miss gazing at the blue skies and taking long walks.

Preparing for a skype chat during MCO 3.0

Then one day, I thought to myself, Why not do all these at my own convenience? Oh, blimey! Get your dose of daily exercise, gaze at blue skies, and watch travel shows simultaneously. Now, why didn’t I think of that earlier? So, I got hooked on the idea of getting a treadmill. Lucky for me, there was already an online mega sale that was going on. Boy oh boy, treadmills were getting sold as fast as hot buns.

 

Inner Uma: Uh oh, there she goes again

Doc’s voice: If it’s too good to be true, it ain't true.

Outer Uma: I hear you, I hear you.

I disapprove of the idea of having to download every app under the sun. Still, I went ahead and downloaded several online shopping apps onto my mobile device just to enjoy the additional discounts offered only to mobile users. 😉

 

Outer Uma: What’s going on?

Inner Uma: The treadmills seem to be selling fast. Good buys, I’d say.

Inner Uma: Look, this says 70% off the original price, and it comes with a free shipping deal for first-time customers.

Outer Uma: It has over 3,000 positive reviews and a 4.9 (out of 5) customer rating. And the other one has over 1,000 positive reviews.  

Inner Uma: Buy!

Outer Uma: Let's read more reviews.

Doc’s voice: If it’s too good to be true, it ain’t true.

Outer Uma: Hush.

Inner Uma: Duh!

I listed out the models which fit into my budget and read the reviews diligently well into wee hours. Finally, I was pleased with my shortlist. I had previously owned another machine, so I was well aware of the reliable players in the market. Besides, I had to prove to Doc that I had this under control. So, I gave the idea a breather.

Over the next few weeks sitting on my sofa, I watched Tokyo blooms, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Yangtze Riverbank pass by me. Soon Federer and Nadal would be in action in Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I was once again depressed. I need that treadmill, I told myself.

So, I logged in to the online shopping portal once again. More discounts. More offers. An encouraging welcome. But to my dismay, the models I had shortlisted earlier were all snapped up, and I was left with less-known, cheap models that also had raving reviews.

 

Doc’s voice: If it is too good to be true, it ain’t true.

Outer Uma: I heard you. I am thinking.

Doc’s voice: Don’t think. It will hurt you too much.

Outer Uma: Cut it with the sarcasm.

Doc’s voice: Fine, do what you want.

Inner and Outer Uma: Thank you!

The seller I selected had a reputation of being quick and delivered only good products. Plus, the treadmill would be easy to assemble. Well, at least that’s what the 1,000+ reviews mentioned.

The shipment arrived as quick as promised. And, holy shit, it was huge. There was no door-to-door delivery during the lockdown period. I felt a twinge in my back just looking at it in the lobby. With the help of a neighbour, I got it up to my unit.

My bad. I tend to procrastinate. That explains why this article has been in draft mode for a few weeks. And that also explains why the package was left unboxed until the weekend after.  

 

Unboxing Day

Outer Uma: Oh, that’s so easy to assemble.

Inner Uma: Go, girl!

Outer Uma: Hey, the display panel doesn’t fit where it’s supposed to. But I can live with that. Let’s try running the machine.

Inner Uma: Oh, shit! The pin in the AC power cord is broken! It doesn’t go into the three-pin socket.

Doc’s voice (pointing his finger at me): I told you so.

Faulty Display Panel

I got in touch with the supplier. They asked me if I read and followed the instructions. Hello! There is no instruction on your manual on how to fix a broken AC power plug. If there is supposed to be, you better get your product QC in check.

Broken plug

I waited for a week, and there was still no response to the complaint I made. Alas, I decided to leave a product review on the online shopping website and the supporting evidence for other potential buyers to take note of.

Out of curiosity, I revisited the website several weeks later. To my surprise, the supplier had responded to my review by saying that the issue was resolved, that the adapter was fixed, and that I was happy with the product. 😒

But, the white elephant in my living room was still staring at me. I was infuriated, not about the darn unusable machine occupying my space or the money I had lost, but for their deceptive online response. How many more had they cheated?

I reported the incident to the online shopping portal that hosted this supplier. It certainly grabbed everyone’s attention. My phone was busier than the president’s. The seller, his supplier, and the online portal were all eager to fix the issue for me. The supplier even offered to replace and personally install a new one. But I was no longer keen. I only wanted two things. First, for them to take the faulty machine away. Second, for them to remove their misleading feedback so that other customers do not fall prey to their service or products.

Weeks later, I received my refund, which I later used as a down payment for a more reliable treadmill. So, I am now walking down the streets of Florence with Stanley Tucci in my Aulora fitness pants**.  

 

Get Fit Alora Pants & My Treadmill

Sadly though, the seller's false feedback is still not removed from the online shopping portal.

A wise man told me many times, if it’s too good to be true, it ain’t true. I heard you, Doc, so stop smirking, will you!

 

What I learnt:

• Inner Uma and Outer Uma sometimes forget that they are meant to be my yin and yang. When they do get confused, it is wise to seek a third party’s opinion before making important decisions.
• Very few things are free in life. Even the air we breathe comes with an environmental cost. So, always question when something sounds too good to be true. Anything deemed as good should be evaluated based on facts and evidence.
• Shop wisely, opting for reliable products. Remember, cheap is not necessarily bad, and expensive is not necessarily great, and vice versa. Have your eyes and ears open.
• Always leave an honest product review. Allow others to make their own decisions based on what they feel – good or otherwise.
• Keep only the apps you need on your mobile or tablets.
• Unbox right away. Don’t look for an auspicious day and hour to do this. Refunds for online purchases are only valid for a limited time.
• Record everything. Sadly, we have gotten into a situation where we needed to record the unboxing event to show as evidence of defect on delivery.

 

**AULORA KODENSHI® PANTs are all-day wear pants which offers many health benefits, including improved blood circulation, improved sleep quality and weight loss for slimming. Write to me to know more or  Click here to purchase. 

Footnote:

Regardless of whether you are a business traveller or vacationer, a one-time or frequent traveller – if you travel, you are exposed to risks. It’s important to understand that some of us are easier targets than others.

Doc was a sensible traveller, while I, quite the opposite. Through Watch Out! Travel Mishaps from Reaching Delphi Travellers Alert series, I will share some of our travel misadventures with you. My aim is to create the awareness of such incidents and some useful suggestions to reduce the occurrence of unpleasant events. 

This series is dedicated to Doc - SV Narayanan, who constantly reminded me and many others to 'Watch Out!. 

Follow Coffee Trail – Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi for travel updates and tips.

 

Also in the WatchOut! series:

Watch Out! Keep Your Eyes on the Passport

Watch Out! Watch Those Pryfing Eyes

When a Stranger Offers You Something

Watch Out! When It Sounds Too Good to Be True

Hopscotch, Hopscotch, Hop Your Way to the Entrance.

Hickory Dickory Dock, What’s with the clock?

To know or not to know… yours truly, Confetti

Trick or Treat, Watch Out and Decide Wisely.

Watch Out! What the Heck! You told me you were close by!

Watch Out! Excuse me, say that again - No reservations?

Watch Out! Secure Your Belongings Before You Leave the Room.

Watch Out! The Banquette Seat Ride