$6 Poison - Toxic Fish That May Have Killed Bali Pair

Going out to dinner in an exotic holiday destination may seem like a not only safe but exciting activity - you're able to try something new, share good memories with traveling companions and relax after a day of adventure.

But in some cases, it doesn't end so pleasantly.

A tragic end

Australian mother Noeline Gay Bischoff and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana sadly passed away at the weekend after sharing a meal at the Padangbai Beach Resort restaurant in Bali on Friday night.

It was the early hours of Saturday morning that symptoms struck, leading teenager Yvana to seek help from hotel staff, but unfortunately by then it was too late for the pair and details of exactly what happened are still a blur.

Media across the world has been speculating about what happened, with reports streaming in of everything from signs of asphyxiation to scombroid toxicity from their last $6 meal of Mahi Mahi.

While autopsies are still to be carried out and the bodies are set to return to Australia to determine for sure what killed the women, it's a reminder that now more than ever you need to be on the ball when ordering food overseas.

Safety before indulgence

Fish toxicity is among the most common of food-related illness, along with stock-standard allergies, and you may not be struck down with such a specific illness, but there are always extra precautions you can take in foreign countries.

- It's generally best to follow any rules you would at home - no soft cheese platters that have been out for a while, no consuming drinks that haven't been made by you; all the things your mum told you as a kid.

- Even in countries where locals tell you the water is completely safe to drink, it doesn't mean your well-taken-care-of American digestive system can handle what those of other nationalities can. So at least for the first few days try to buy bottled water and avoid ice, in South East Asian countries especially.

- While it's always fun to try new, particularly exotic local dishes, and we're not telling you not to - you're traveling after all! - try small parts at a time to see how you react - nobody wants to spend the next day hugging the toilet with a solid case of Dehli Belly.

- Keep hydrated. Seriously.

- And lastly, arguably most importantly, if you experience anything suspicious at all - odd feeling in the stomach, rash, unecessary sweating - see a doctor. And always, always fork out for travel insurance.