Professional Travel Health Advice

The best Professional Travel Health Advice about food and drink on holiday, can easily be summarised as follows

1. The first thing to realise is that unpasteurised milk, non bottled drinks , and uncooked food, are likely to be contaminated and therefore possibly unsafe. This does not include fruit which can be peeled.

2. Use bottled or boiled water for cleaning your teeth.

3. Don’t open your mouth and drink water in the shower.

4. Dishes containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as home-made mayonnaise, some sauces (e.g. hollandaise) and some desserts (e.g. mousses), are not a good idea.

5. Ice-cream that doesn’t have a recognisable international brand name, and could be made locally, is often contaminated and could be a danger.

6. When confronted with cooked food, the holidaymaker should ensure that it has been thoroughly and freshly cooked; i.e. that it is piping hot.

7. Be aware of eating out the day after a public holiday, as reheated food appears, and it can be dangerous.

8. Foods that are cooked in advance need to be held at a temperature of below 10 C or above 60 C to ensure their safety.

9.Cooked food left out for some time constitutes one of the greatest risks of food borne disease. Contaminating or surviving bacteria may multiply in it if it is. Put another way, if the food has been cooked but not refrigerated between cooking and serving, because it has been left out, then you could be taking a risk eating it. This means attractive cold buffets are very definitely unsafe if they have been laid out hours before being eaten.

10. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled before it is drunk. 11. Bottles of drinking water that contain non carbonated water should be regarded with suspicion, unless you see the seal broken in front of you, because it could be straight from the TAP!!

12. Ice should be avoided unless made from safe water.

13. Drinks such as wine or beer hot tea or coffee, and carbonated soft drinks or fruit juices that are bottled or otherwise packaged are usually safe to drink.

14. Apply strict hygiene while away especially after using the bathroom and before you eat food – never use communal, damp towels in public conveniences! Use disposable paper towels or hot air.

BASIC TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE SAYS boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.

More Fun, Much Safer – the Festival of Songkran 2008

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), along with the Thai government, concentrated on making Songkran 2008 more safe, peaceful, and yet fun, and still managed to successfully retain and exemplify the values of the customary Songkran. The participants, due to the prior arrangements, could enjoy the event to its full extent while avoiding all the ugly raucousness. The success of the event can be attributed largely to a set of new rules that were implemented this year.

 

This year, the risky water guns and PVC water pumps were notably missing. The retailers were prevented from selling them by the authorities. Hotline numbers were displayed so that people could report to authorities if anyone was found selling the banned items. The trend of roaming around the streets in big cars or pickups that carried big water containers and too many people was banned too. It may sound unusual for those who haven’t witnessed a typical Songkran in Thailand. These big cars and pickups literally roam the city streets hunting for people to drench in water and color. This is quite fun, but very risky too, and has been rightly stopped.

 

Although many old trends were banned, the event was still as much fun, more so, with many of the safety regulations being followed. Along with the usual water splashing bashes, this year had the feature of a special nine temple tour. Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram, Wat Rakung, Wat Arun and Wat Kalayanamitr were the temples included in the tour.

 

The famous Khao San road in Bangkok was where a great part of all the intense action and fun took place during Songkran 2008. This year, with some efforts, the Thai government and the local businesses tied up to follow the new regulations and many diverse entertainment activities were offered to visitors. This included the traditional Thai dresses and celebration of the event in the customary Thai manner.

 

The Siam Square, Silom road, and the Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok also witnessed huge crowds of visitors and many celebrations. This year even the bigger departmental chains also took an active part in the Songkran 2008 festival. Notably, the Central World on the Ratchadamri Road had a special campaign, “Splashy Songkran FEST”. The Bangkok Songkran Music fest at Siam Paragon was a hit too with large crowds.

 

Bangkok is a multifaceted city and visiting the city can be a remarkable experience for anyone. Bangkok serviced apartments are available for visitors seeking convenient accommodations in the city. No matter why or when you visit there are several convenient such as Royal President suitable for tourists, businessmen, families and groups.

 

Backpack fitting tips – Part 1

Most of us prefer to have a fairly relaxed view of the world we live in, whether that’s valid or not. We tend to make the presumption that if something costs quite a bit more in comparison to similar items, it should be of good quality and meet our requirements well. A common, but frequently inaccurate, evaluation. Backpacks need to fit their wearer well to increase load-bearing capacity and minimize skeletal and muscular strain.

Even the backpack you acquire for a one-off adventure into the wilds should be, not only of at least a reasonable quality, but specifically appropriate to you, your current body shape and fitness. Novice backpackers often presume that there is no significant difference between backpacks besides brand name and price. They may purchase one that they envision will fulfill their needs. If they stick with it as they become more and more experienced, their familiarity may lead them to recommend it to those following in their footsteps, without any legitimate comparison to the alternatives available.

The reality is that backpacks are no different to clothes. A unisex, fits all sizes garment, may cover and protect your body within general terms, but it fails completely to meet specific circumstances. We select and wear attire that both fits us and is suitable to the situation we expect to encounter. Our choice of backpack should be exactly the same; its aesthetic appeal is peculiar to ourselves, but its functionality is dependent on how well it conforms to our body shape and meets the particulars of our intended trip.

The backpack that will allow you to enjoy or achieve the maximum from your backpacking adventure is the one you have spent the time and effort to choose properly. And there are perfectly valid anatomical and physiological reasons for you to take that time and make that effort.

The femur (thigh bone), tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) are relatively thick and strong. The pelvis is also comparatively thick and strong. Above the pelvis we have the spine, composed of vertebrae that enable us to bend and adjust our posture in highly beneficial ways, supported and aided by our back and abdominal muscles; but this stunning skeletal structure is inherently fragile.

The backpack we use needs to be suited to our individual anatomy to avoid incurring health problems, whether immediate or in later life. Back problems, such as a slipped disk or pulled muscles, can be not only extremely painful but inhibit us from engaging

Budget Your Backpacking Trip – Checklist

There can be a lot of costs involved with backpacking. Avoid having to cut your trip short by doing a realistic budget before you leave. Use the below items to create a budget for your next trip.

* Airline ticket – use a search engine to find the best prices

* Airport tax – sometimes included in the ticket price

* Cancellation insurance – may be included if you pay by visa

* Transfer costs to/from airport

* Insurance – check what is included in your home owner insurances

* Cost of immunizations – shop around, prices can vary a lot

* Medicine – some medication (e.g. against malaria) can be quite expensive

* Food – do you plan to cook yourself or eat out all the time?

* Accommodation

* Local transport

* Tours – these can be a lot cheaper if you buy them locally than through a middleman in your home country

* Tips – this can be quite expensive in some countries, check out what is expected

* Entrance fees

* Telephony – check roaming charges with your operator if you plan to bring your cell phone

* Internet

* Souvenirs

* Camera film

* Courses – do you plan to study a language, take surf lessons

* Film development

* Visa fees – may be cheaper to get on the road than back home

* Costs for home while away (e.g. rent, electricity)

* New things to buy (e.g. new backpack)

* Other unexpected costs (bound to happen)

Use the above budget items as a start to create your own cost model. Add or subtract items according to profile of the trip that you plan. Happy travels!

Thailand Buddhist Temples

The vast majority of people in Thailand are Buddhists for whom the temple plays an important role in the spiritual wellbeing of individuals and the community. There are over 31,200 Buddhist temples spread around Thailand. In Thai they are called wat. They are grouped into two main groups: temples which are permitted to carry out religious functions and those which are used only for living quarters for monks.

Wherever you happen to find yourself in Thailand you’ll never be too far from a temple where you can go to offer your prayers and “make merit” even if you aren’t Buddhist. Although all Buddhist temples share similar beautiful characteristics, there are some that are architecturally more magnificent and historically significant.

Temples are classified into two main categories: Royal Temples and Common Temples. The Royal Temples were either built by royalty or came under their sponsorship. In Thailand, there are about 200 Royal Temples though there are only six of the highest grade.

With its beautiful temples, rich culture and history, great weather, fine food and world-renowned beaches, Thailand is visited by approximately seven million visitors each year. It is a country of approximately sixty million people, with a land area equivalent to that of France. It is undergoing a remarkable economic expansion, with growth rates of approximately 8%-10 % each year. That’s why Thailand continues to enter the sights of Thailand property investors looking for new opportunities away from the traditional European and Caribbean markets. The two key drivers behind the Thai property market are the domestic economic growth and tourism, and the expectation is that developments in both areas will contribute to a continuing upward trend in property prices. People buy property in Thailand for a number of reasons, from capital investments, to holiday rentals (with a long-term view of capital appreciation), to personal use as a holiday or retirement home.

Tourists and other foreigners should know some basic information before visiting Thailand and especially its temples. Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held secret. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors. Visitors to temples should ensure that they are suitably dressed – no shorts or sing lets and ladies should also cover their arms. Shoes should be removed before entering any building and it would be polite to sit quietly when in the main temple buildings.

When visiting a temple it is polite to seek the permission of the Abbott before taking photographs or entering other than the main area. This can be done by approaching a monk or one of the many helpers found in the temple grounds. Normally permission is granted without seeing the Abbott, but your show of respect by asking, will be returned. If visiting popular temples, such as Wat Phra Kaeo in the Grand Palace grounds, there is no need to seek any permission, but you should look out for signs indicating where photography is forbidden.

Wat Phra Kaeo temple is situated in the capital city of Bangkok and is more commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha because it houses a small two foot jade statue of Buddha which rests upon a huge golden alter. The temple is very elaborately decorated with a rich array of colours that are sure to astonish and dazzle all visitors. This Buddhist temple is also significant in that it is the official royal chapel where the revered Thai royal family goes to perform their religious ceremonies. Phra Kaeo temple is situates inside the grounds of the Royal Palace and aside from the decorations of the actual building is home to some fascinating paintings and sculptures.

Wat Traimit, Temple of the Gold Buddha- the most amazing feature of this temple is the fact that the 3 meter tall Buddha image is made up of 5.5 tons of solid gold. It was made about 700 years ago in the Sukhothai period but the image was covered in plaster in fear of the invading Burmese. It was rediscovered about 40 years ago.

Besides these one should also visit the Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon or Temple of Reclining Buddha) Wat Suthat , Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Ratchanatdaram , Wat Thepthidaram , Wat Saket (The Golden Mount) , Wat Mahathat and the Wat Rakhangkositaram.

Should travelers explore their home country first or travel abroad as often as they can?

In 2006, I decided to pack up and travel around the world. I was in a boring and monotonous job and was desperate for a change of scenery and something new. The thought of travelling to foreign lands was like an adventure, a whole new world to explore.

Now, I am from the UK and have visited a fair few places in my home countries. There are without doubt some beautiful places spread across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland which are great to visit for a break. However, the question is what does somebody want from their travels? To see a nice view? To visit a beautiful castle? How about a walk through a lovely forest? You can do all of these in the UK and may well have a great time. What you don’t get however is any sort of cultural experience.

In the UK, whether you are in the north, south, east or west the cultural differences don’t go far beyond accents and slightly peculiar eating habits in some parts. Ok, so some areas have their own distinguishing features but in general societal norms between places are the same.

Travelling on the other hand really brings home what culture is all about. Nowhere is like home. My first stop when I travelled was in Thailand. Masses of traffic, complete disregard for driving laws, market stalls everywhere, haggling as a norm, eating creepy crawlies. These are just the first things that you notice. Every country teaches you something completely different, whether you are Waltzing Matilda or dancing to the Haka in the Southern Hemisphere or going to the Rio Carnival.

Travelling is not about visiting a place, it is about experiencing a place and everything that goes with it. This is why going abroad is the best option is you really want to explore.

Wat Arun in Bangkok: The Temple of Dawn

The famous Wat Arun in Bangkok is known as The Temple of Dawn. It is also known locally by the Thais as Wat Chaeng and is situated on the West side of the Chao Phraya River. This Buddhist temple is a well known landmark and most recognize it by its massive elongated central prang. The tourism Authority of Thailand is proud to announce that the prang is 104 metres high; however others have said it is only around 70 metres high.

History of the Temple
The temple was constructed in the days of Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya. It was a host to two Buddha images; the Emerald Buddha (relocated to Wat Phra Kaew) and the Phra Bang. King Rama II, King Rama III and King Rama IV restored the temple while in reign and it was King Rama IV who named the temple Wat Arunratchawararam.

Architecture
The temple is a beauty, its architecture and fine craftsmanship is of excellence. To date, it is one of the finest and most outstanding temples in Thailand. Wat Arun is decorated by seashells and Chinese porcelain bits whose origins were from the boat’s ballast; these boats sailed from China to Bangkok during the rule of King Rama III. The exterior is decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass, making it extremely spectacular at sunset and at night when the temple is lit.

Touring the Area
Walking up the stairs of the prang to catch a glimpse of the Chao Phraya river is possible, however be careful as the stairs are pretty steep. Walking around the Wat grounds is peaceful; one could view the murals, mystical guardians and Buddha image. Although the area is peaceful, the peace might be disrupted by the locals asking for donations of about 100 baht.

To get the best views and photographs of Wat Arun, it is advisable to wait till evening so as to capture the sun setting behind the attraction. However, due to the closing time (stated below), one could go into some restaurants on the other side of the river to watch the sun set and take some photos.

Opening Times and getting there
This attraction is opened daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm and the easiest way to get to Wat Arun is by taking a ferry through the river. The ferry leaves at every few minutes and it can be taken from the Tha Tien express boat pier (South-West of the Grand Palace).

A visitors guide to trekking in Nepal

Guarded by the snow clad Himalayas and the cold desserts of Tibet on the northern and eastern fronts and the Indian fertile plains on the remaining borders, is the Royal kingdom of Nepal; a land of interminable magnetism for those who love to explore culture, nature, wild life or ancient history.

Even though you may not be an obdurate mountaineer, the magical spell and magnetism of the Himalayas may still fascinate you for a short trek on the rough terrain where the most spectacular vistas keep you good company. And when you are done feeding your senses with the splendor of this nature’s magnificent creation, head a bit southwards into the historically and culturally rich Kathmandu valley. Kathmandu the capital of Nepal is the largest city of this country, a great tourist center, and the hub of activities of more than a dozen cultural groups. With the only international airport in Nepal being Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu, you are most likely to land up in Kathmandu, unless you approach it from India by road. And while you are in Kathmandu do visit the Durbar Square where most of the prominent monuments, temples and royal palaces wait for the travelers. Some other attractions of the town are Freak Street, Kantipath and the Tudikhel parade ground.

For those interested in cultural history a visit to Lumbini, Janakpur and Tansen are highly recommended. Amid the rich natural settings of the south western plains lies the holy city of Lumbini which is the birth place of Lord Buddha and thus a major pilgrimage for all Buddhists world wide. Second in line, is Janakpur, which allures several Hindus and those interested in Hindu mythology, for it is the birth place of goddess Janaki, as also the place where she married Lord Ram. The crafts work and paintings from this town can be great souvenirs to carry back home. And lastly, Tansen is home to the prosperous heritage of the time-honored art and architecture with uniquely designed Newari houses, temples built in pagoda style, and holy shrines and stupas to mesmerize you.

And when you intend to satiate your desire for something wild and adventurous, there is lots Nepal can offer you. A visit to Chitwan National Park is indeed one of the finest wildlife experiences, and in an open jeep safari you can enjoy same real close encounters with the exotic collection of flora and fauna found here. Further you can set your adrenaline running with treks and adventure sports at Pokhara, where water sports steel the show.

Well that’s just a bit to get you planning your next vacation to Nepal, for this geographically small country has something to attract every type of traveler.

Bangkok Attractions

With so much to choose from, any relatively brief selection of Bangkok attractions must inevitably be personal. The following includes some of the most celebrated sights in or near the city, as well as a few that might get overlooked in the course of a short visit:

The Grand Palace Enclosure

No group of buildings in all the country better illustrates the splendour of Thailand’s cultural heritage than this mile-square com¬pound containing the Grand Palace and its adjacent Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The earliest structures, in classic Thai style, date from the reign of King Rama I; extensive changes were made by later rulers of the dynasty, particularly King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who added a number of impres¬sive Western-style buildings to the collec¬tion. Of special interest are the Dusit Maha Prasat, an audience hall with traditional multi¬tiered roofs and an elegant, gilded spire; the Amarin Vinitchai Throne Hall, which served a the residence of the first three Chakri kings; and the Chakri Maha Prasat, contain¬ing the present throne hall, a basically Euro¬pean edifice crowned by three Thai spires.

The temple, known as Wat Phra Keo, houses the famous Emerald Buddha, a small, much-venerated image of northern Thai ori¬gin whose jewelled robes are changed three times a year by His Majesty the King at the beginning of each season. The main chapel, as well as the numerous buildings and monu¬ments surrounding it, are dazzlingly adorned by a profusion of stucco, gilded carvings, mother-of-pearl inlay, glass mosaics, statu¬ary, and other classic Thai arts. (The Grand Palace is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

WatArun

Popularly called Temple of Dawn, this dramatic complex overlooking the Chao Phraya River on the West bank dates from the Ayutthaya period and, during the Thonburi reign of King Taksin, was briefly the home of the Emerald Buddha. In those days its central, Khmer-style tower was only 15 metres tall, however; the present 104-metre creation was started by King Rama II of Bangkok and completed in the following reign. Known as a prang, the tower represents the sacred Mount Meru, a heavenly realm consisting of 33 layers. Wat Arun is noted for its spectacular decoration, consisting of thou¬sands of pieces ofThai and Chinese pottery set in an intricate mosaic of delicate floral patterns covering almost the entire structure. (Wat Arun is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Vimam Mek Palace

This magnificent palace, built entirely of rare golden Teak, was designed by a son of King Rama V at the turn of the century. It was originally intended as a place for the king to stay on visits to the island of Si Chang in the Gulf of Thailand but was moved while still incomplete to Bangkok. There it served for a time as the royal residence during construc¬tion of the nearby Dusit Palace. The octago¬nal building – reputedly the largest teak structure in the world – was restored by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit as part of Bangkok’s Bi¬centennial Celebration in 1982 and since then has been open to the public. Vimarn Mek contains a fascinating col¬lection of Royal memorabilia, including old photographs, furniture, objets d’art, and such curiosities as a large copper bath and the first shower ever seen in Thailand. (Vimarn Mek is open Wednesday through Sundays, 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Jim Thompson’s House

This was the home ofthe famous Ameri¬can who came to Thailand as a military officer at the end of World War II and stayed on to revive the Thai silk industry as well as to form one of the finest private collections of art from Thailand and neighbouring countries.

The Thompson house, which he built in 1959, is actually composed of four complete old Thai-style teak structures and part of a fifth, artfully reassembled to form a single residence. The lofty, panelled drawing room, for example, dates from around 1800 and came from a community of silk weavers across the canal behind the house, while others were found in a village near A yutthaya. Some features, such as the enclosed stairhall and the modern bathrooms, represent departures from traditional construction, yet the essen¬tial Thai spirit has been carefully preserved.

The Weekend Market

For a comprehensive introduction to the real life of contemporary Thailand – its people, its culture, and its products both natural and man-made – few single places can equal the great public market held every Saturday and Sunday at Chatuchak Park. Here, late on Friday evening, thousands of vendors move in an amazing assortment of goods, and for two days the 31-acre area is packed with Thais of all classes in search of a bargain or just the pleasure of its colourful atmosphere.

Though mostly covered, the market can be hot for visitors and involves a good deal of walking, so wear your most comfortable clothes and shoes; plenty of open-air food stalls are scat¬tered around, however, offering a cool drink or a bowl of quick noodles for those whose energy flags. (The Weekend Market is open Saturday and Sunday, from dawn until nightfall.)

The Rose Garden

Located some 32 kilometres west of Bang¬kok on the bank of a picturesque river, this beau¬tifully landscaped park has a golf course, a modem hotel, and Thai-style bungalows for rent. Most people, however, go there for a day trip – often in conjunction with a visit to the nearby Floating Market at Damnern Saduak, — and enjoy a few hours of strolling around the extensive gardens, eating in one of several restaurants, and seeing a cultural show performed every afternoon at 3 o’clock. Traditional village culture is the theme of the show, which includes folk dances, trained elephants, Thai boxing and sword fighting. (The Rose Garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

All you Need to Know About Travel Health Insurance

Many things can go wrong while you are on vacation or even a few days before you are scheduled to depart for the vacation. God forbid, but you may become sick just before the day you are to fly on an expensive prepaid vacation and you’d probably have no option but to lose your money. Or you may fall sick while on the vacation and may have to unceremoniously turn back. All this means not only a loss of money but also the emotional hang-up that you missed your chance to be on a lovely vacation.

This is where travel health insurance can provide some consolation. This insurance is designed in order to provide coverage for unexpected monetary losses related with vacations. However, all travel health insurances aren’t alike; hence you must know what they are before going out to purchase one.

Simply put, a travel health insurance is an insurance policy which covers for unexpected expenses that might occur while on vacation or shortly prior to the vacation. These unexpected expenses might or might not be related to health. Needless to say, travel health insurances tend to be quite expensive and so the buyer must carefully plan out what options they require or not. Due to the expensive nature of travel health insurance, it is quite unwise to use one if you are planning a short flight and will be back within a few days. A travel health insurance could make more sense if the vacations is going to last for several days and you have paid a very heavy sum – read several thousands of dollars – for the vacation.

There are many types of streamlines coverage plans that travel health insurances provide. So spend time to see which one will suit you the best. One of the foremost things to check is whether the plan will be covering you for the entire time you are on vacation or not. Some plans cover only the journey aspect of the vacation and do not cover the people after they land or before they begin their journey back home. Some other plans may not cover the journey, but only the time when the person lives at the holiday destination. Also decide if you need people traveling with you covered also. A travel health policy is useful only if it covers the medical expenses; so that should be your primary deciding factor.

Travel health insurance becomes all the more important if you are traveling to an underdeveloped or developing nation where health facilities are limited. If any medical emergency were to occur there, then you would need to be transported to an advanced country with the proper facilities. This would incur heavy expenditure.

For people who vacation a lot, a single travel health insurance could be quite economical. Such people could go in for multi-trip travel health insurance policies. These policies would cover a specified number of trips within a specified timeframe. A multi-trip travel health insurance makes more monetary sense than several individual policies.

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure that you are getting what you want. This means, all the points you need covered should be included in the plan. All leading cruise lines, travel agents and independent insurance agents provide travel health insurances. But you must scour the market for better deals since prices on these policies could vary very vastly. Independent brokers would sell the policy for higher prices (since their brokerages would be included), but they are safer. Big companies may not honor their policies if they go bankrupt.

If you are going on a big vacation, consider the travel health insurances carefully. This is not just more money you’ll be putting into the vacation, but this is money that would ensure you are covered should any emergency happen. If you are spending thousands of dollars on a cruise, then spending a few hundred more to safeguard the cruise is quite certainly a good idea.

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