offthebeatentrack:Community

Mountain Sickness and Frost Bite

2008-10-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

HIGH ALTITUDE OR MOUNTAIN SICKNESS

Mountain sickness may be experience by travellers going to destination 3,000m (10,000ft) or more above sea level.

If ascent to a high altitude is gradual and not more than 3,000m (10,000ft) per day, the body acclimatises and the traveller will eventually experience no change in general health. However, if a traveller ascends rapidly, such as when flying to a high-altitude city of climbing up a steep
mountain, he is more likely to experience the symptoms of benign acute mountain sickness (AMS), such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, malignant acute mountain sickness may developed. The 2 types of malignant AMS include:
a) High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Fluid builds up in the lungs. This lead to breathlessness, cough and blueness of lips.
b) High altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). Fluid accumulates in the brain. This lead to drowsiness, unsteadiness on the feet, abnormal behaviours and even coma.

Treatment
• Evacuate the person to a lower altitudes as quickly as possible.
• Drug: Dexamethasone may be used in HAPE & HACE and nifedepine for HAPE.
• Supplemental oxygen.
• Individual pressurization in a portable compression system (e.g. Gamov bag)
• Rest in bed

Prevention
• Gradual ascent with rest days every 3,000ft above 9,000ft (the motto is: climb high but sleep low).
• Drugs, such as acetazolamide (Diamox) 250mg tds or dexamethasone 4mg bd or 4mg tds. These drugs prevent or reduce symptoms of AMS and should be started one day before ascent and continued 2-3 days after reaching the high elevation. However, some people taking them have been known to develop AMS. It is, therefore not advisable to use prophylactic drugs unless rapid is unavoidable (e.g. rescue attempt).

FROSTBITE

Local severe chilling of exposed or poorly insulated tissues (e.g. nose, cheek, chin, ears, hands and feet) can occasionally result in freezing with or without general chilling or hypothermia.

Predisposing factors for frostbite include:
• How cold it is.
• Degree of wind chill
• Amount of tissue at risk. (area exposed, tissue to which blood supply is restricted)
The initial symptoms of frostbite is intense pain in those body parts at risk and at this stage the part must be re-warmed. The part subsequently becomes numb, white and hard to touch
because it is frostbitten.

Treatment
• At the painful stage of impending frostbite, the treatment is stop, protect, insulate and re-warm the affected part.
• Take the opportunity to correct any factors that may lead to frostbite by changing wet clothing and consuming a hot meal.
• To avoid instant freezing, avoid touching bare metal with bare hands.
• The patient should be kept in a warm room, where a high temperature 21¼C of can be maintained. The affected part should be washed with antiseptic solution (certimide 1%), bandaged lightly and elevated.
• Commence a course of antibiotics such as penicillin and pain killers such as paracetamol.
• Surgery e.g. amutation might be required.

Prevention
• Be aware of the risk of cold, exposed tissue.
• Keep an eye on wind chill index (Air temperature/
wind velocity).
• Wear adequate protective clothing - well fitting and build on layer principle - neck and wrist opening recommended so water vapour from sweat can escape.
• Well fitting socks and boots.
• Remember that socks worn for too long may:
(a) become wet with condensed sweat and possibly lead to chilling.
(b) develop holes and hence lose their insulation value.
(c) shrink and thus, blood supply to feet and toes are impeded.

By the way, the only similarity between the video above and this post is the word FrostBite, were you like thinking..what the heck?haha

Travel from Singapore to Bangkok by Train

2008-08-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Taking the train is the safe, comfortable, cheap and traditional way to travel independently between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang & Bangkok. It's environmentally-friendly, too, compared to unnecessary short haul flights. Singapore-Kuala Lumpur takes 6 hours on one of two modern daytime trains or 8 hours on a time-effective overnight sleeper train, from just approximately $9 one-way. Singapore to Bangkok is a wonderful 1,249 mile overland journey, it takes about 48 hours including an afternoon free in KL and a morning spent in Penang, departures are daily, and it costs a bargain of approximately $50 one-way including comfortable sleeping-berths with fresh clean sheets. You change trains at Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth (Penang), and of course you can stop off to see Kuala Lumpur or Penang as long as you like, or catch the ferry to Ko Samui or the bus to Phuket or Krabi. See train schedule below:
Footnotes:
L = Deluxe sleeper(Premier Night Deluxe), 1 or 2-bed compartments with private shower & toilet, air-conditioned.
F = 1st class sleepers(Premier Night Standard), 2-bed compartments with washbasin.
S = 2nd class sleepers(Superior Night), upper & lower berths with curtains for privacy, air-conditioned.
1 = 1st class seats (Premier). Quite luxurious, reclining, air-conditioned.
2 = 2nd class seats (Superior). Comfortable, air-conditioned.
3 = 3rd class seats (Economy). Modern & fairly comfortable, but basic.
* = Only one 2nd class sleeper & seats car runs to/from Hat Yai. The 1st class sleepers only run between Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth & Padang Besar.
** = Trains 3 & 4 have been suspended from 17 March 2008 until further notice, so please use other trains until or unless they reinstate this one.
All times shown in local time (remember that Thailand is 1 hour behind Malaysian time!).
Please check times before you travel at www.ktmb.com.my, as they change from time to time. See notes by train number below.

Explanation of the schedule

Each column is a separate train, and you read downwards. You can buy tickets for any train, between any two stations. So for example, in the second column you see that train number 2, with 1st & 2nd class seats, running daily, leaves Singapore at 07:40, stops at Johor Bahru, Gemas, Tampin, calls at Kuala Lumpur at 14:19, stops at Ipoh and finally arrives at Butterworth (for the Penang Ferry) at 21:35. You could change trains at KL onto train 8. Or you could stay on board till Butterworth, stay overnight and catch train 36 to Bangkok next day. It's up to you...

Fares:

Here are some pics of the train interiors:

The above are summarised from http://www.seat61.com/. They have a comprehensive list of international train rides, including the trans-siberian railway!

Southeast Asia - Plan Your Travels According to Festivals

2008-07-25T01:02:00.000-07:00

Vietnam

January/February

Tet

Vietnamese and Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important Festival of Vietnamese people. This sacred Festival sometime between late January or early February (depend on Lunar Calendar ) and Tet has become so familiar to the Vietnamese that when Spring arrives, the Vietnamese, wherever they may be, are all thrilled and excited with the advent of Tet, and they feel an immense nostalgia, wishing to come back to their homeland for a family reunion and a taste of the particular flavours of the Vietnamese festivities.. Although officially a three-day affair, festivities may continue for a week or more with every effort made to indulge in eating, drinking, and enjoyable social activities. It is also a time for family reunions, and for paying respect to ancestors and the elders. Gifts of food are made to friends, neighbors and relatives in the days before Tet.

Lim Festival
The Lim Festival takes place every year on 13th day of the 1st lunar month. Visitors come to enjoy the festival and see the performances of "lien anh" and "lien chi". These are male and female farmers who sing different types of songs in the pagodas, on the hills, and in the boats. Besides this, visitors can come to the Lim Festival to enjoy the weaving competition of the Noi Due girls. They weave and sing Quan Ho songs at the same time. Like other religious festivals, the Lim Festival goes through all the ritual stages, from the procession to the worshipping ceremony, and includes other activities.

Yen Tu Pagoda festival
Yen Tu Festival commences annually on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts three months. Tens of thousands of pilgrims begin their journey after a solemn ritual held at the base of Yen Tu Mountain. After the three-hour trekking along winding path, going through forests of pines or bamboos, tourists reach the Bronze Pagoda atop the mountain. Upon getting up there all visitors feel like entering Nirvana.

Dong Da hillock festival

Dong Da hillock festival takes place annually on the 5th (20 February 2008) of Lunar New Year. This is a victorious festival, organized in memory of the King Quang Trung's great merit - the hero in national history of anti - invaders. Two centuries ago, Dong Da was a battlefield where Quang Trung (Nguyen Hue), a Tay Son farmer who later became a National Hero defeated more than 200,000 soldiers of the Qing invading army. Dong Da Hill became a glorious historical site of the Vietnamese nation.

March
Phu Giay festival
Phu Giay festival, one of the most popular festivals in Vietnam, takes place annually from the 1st to the 10th of the third lunar month in Kim Thai commune, Vu Ban district, Nam Dinh province.Every year thousands of followers join the yearly Phu Giay Festival, Vietnam. 20 to 30 young men from every village join the festival carrying two meter long decorated bamboo sticks. They stand in ranks to forge four Chinese characters “Mau Nghi Thien Ha”.

3rd March is the death anniversary of “The Mother”. Mother Lieu Hanh is escorted from the Van Cat Temple to Dan pagoda on 5th March and from Tien Huong Temple to Goi Pagoda on 6th March. The young men have an important role in these processions. It involves lacquered and gilded palanquins to be carried by eight people on each trip. Old women carry a long piece of cloth on their head forming “The Bridge” for geniuses and spirits to travel. Colorfully dressed young men and women holding burning incense sticks follow them dancing and chanting loudly. These processions stretch for more than two to three kilometers.

Nui Ba Festival

During this annual celebration, thousands of Buddhists and tourists flock to the Ba Mountain to worship and sightsee. The festival is celebrated during spring till the 30th day of the 1st lunar month. The festival reaches its peak on the day of the full moon of the first month when people from the Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of the south gather in crowds at the mountain. Pilgrims start at the bottom of the mountain and climb one half of the mountain to Saint Linh Son's communal house. Then, they follow a path that leads to a pagoda.

April

Hung Temple Festival
Hung Temple Festival in Hanoi is one of the most royal of the national festivals that celebrate the Hung Kings, whose contribution to the foundation of the nation is revered at. As you witness this festival, you will be impressed by the tangible show of emotive natives of the land, who celebrate their love and heritage of the country almost with the passionate zeal of religious faith. It lasts for 3 days.

Dong nhan Village Festival
The Trung Sisters, two Vietnamese heroines who led a rebellion against the Han invaders (40-43 AD) are not only worshipped in Hanoi, but also in Dong Nhan village (Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi). Dong Nhan village holds its festival from the third to the sixth day of the second lunar month, date when villagers recovered the statues of the two sisters in the Red River.

June
Giong festival
The Giong Festival in Hanoi is the northern festival which is celebrated annually in the Phu Dong Village, Gia Lam District in Hanoi. The widely popular Giong Festival in Hanoi is celebrated on the ninth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. Giong Festival in Hanoi is commemorated to honor the hero of the village, saint Giong who saved the village by defeating the An invaders. To express their honor for the hero of the village who made a sacrifice of his life to defeat the invaders, the villagers proclaimed him as Saint Giong.

August

Honchen Temple Festival

The Hon Chen Temple Festival is organized twice every year in the 3rd and the 7th lunar months. The festival takes place at the Hon Chen temple, 10 km west of Hue. It starts with a procession referred to as the God Welcoming ceremony, said to bring all the worshipped Gods from the village temples and shrines to the communal house where various rituals are performed, including the procession in honour of Saint Mother Thien Y A Na. The procession takes place at night on the Perfume River, which shines with a myriad of lights. The procession ivolves a long line of boats bound together into bigger rafts.

September
Mid-autumn Festival

For a long time, Vietnam and some other Asian countries who follow the rite of worshipping the Moon Genie, welcome the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This is the time when the moon is full, the farm work is at rest, and the weather is cool and fresh. Apart from the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the most impressive event for the Vietnamese, particularly the children. There is no other event in the year other than this festival that provides them with as much entertainment, toys, cakes, candies, and fruit.

Doson Buffalo Fighting Competition

The Buffalo Fight in Do Son (Haiphong City) is officially held every year on the 9th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. There are, in fact, two rounds of elimination before the middle of the 5th month and 8th day of the 6th lunar month.
The preparation for this festival is very elaborate. Fighting buffaloes must be carefully selected, well fed, and trained. These buffaloes must be between 4 and 5 years old, with a good appearance, a wide chest, a big groin, a long neck, an acute bottom, and bow shaped horns. The fighting buffaloes are fed in separate cages to keep them from contact with common buffaloes.

Kiep Bac Festival
The Kiep Bac Temple, where people come to worship Tran Quoc Tuan, the main general of the Tran Dynasty, is located in Hung Dao Commune, Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province. Tran Quoc Tuan was the general who defeated the Chinese Nguyen-Mong invaders three times. Because of his merits to the nation, he was proclaimed a saint.

October
Keo Pagoda Festival

Keo Pagoda is located in Vu Nhat commune, Thai Binh province. This great pagoda was built as early as 17th century in honour of a monk whose name has been recorded in books: Duong Khong Lo. This man was originally a fisherman, then entered religion and attained Nirvana. He knew magic and once came to the capital to cure King Ly Thanh Tong so he was honored as the teacher of princes. He had Nghiem Quang Pagoda built and later renamed it Than Quang (Keo Pagoda). The Keo Pagoda festival is annually held for three days, from 13th to 15th of the 9th lunar month to worship Buddhist Duong Khong Lo.

Oc Om Boc Festival
The Oc Om Boc Festival is a religious service to worship the moon god of the Kho Me minority group. The festival is usually held on December 15th of the Buddhist Calendar, or in October following the Gregorian Calendar. At this religious festival, people thank the moon god who brings about good crops, provides abundant fish in the rivers, and maintains the health of human beings.
During the night of the full moon, as the moon appears, people prepare a feast in the front yard of the pagoda or in their houses. A plate of green rice flakes, ripe bananas, fresh peeled coconuts, mangoes and other dishes are served to the moon god.

November/December
Kate Festival
The Kate Festival is held annually by the Cham ethnic group who inhabit the An Phuoc District of Ninh Thuan Province. The Kate Festival ia held on the first ten days of the seventh month of the Cham Calendar (this cooresponds with September or October). The Kate Festival is an occasion for the Cham people to express their venerability to their god. This god is considered the creator of the universe and is thought of as a national hero. During this festival, people go on a pilgrimage to the holy land of My Son and visit their friends and family.

Ghe Ngo Festival
According to the Khmer people, the 15th day of the tenth lunar month marks the end of their year. Khmer people in Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta celebrate this event with ceremonies, feasts and Ngo boat races. On the Khmer New Year's Eve, villagers gather in the grounds of their local pagoda, in a treeless area. The moon is invited to watch the ceremonies, which begin with the construction of a bamboo archway, decorated with leaves and flowers. Beneath this arch stands a table on which villagers place offerings of bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, cassava and, most importantly, new sticky rice. When the moon appears, an old man lights incense and candles and prays to the Moon Deity. Following this prayer, children kneel and raise their clasped hands to the moon. The host of the ceremony places chunks of sticky rice in the children's mouths, pats them on the back and tells them to make a wish. These wishes are said to foreshadow the fate of the community in the coming year.

Cool Travelling Gadgets - The Eco friendly Way

2008-07-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

Wind Powered charger - A windmill made small to power up your handphones, mini radios e.t.c. If there is no wind, you can still blow at it! And best of all, wind is free..

Solar Powered bag - There is a socket in the bag to plug the things you need to recharge. You can hold it over your head to shield yourself from the sun and get the maximum sun exposure for the best effect.

Water Powered Alarm Clock - Do away with the need to find batteries or dispose of them. Use water, the readily available source of power...unless of cause you are in the desert!

Handpower charger - This gadget will work day and night, without wind, water or sun. Helps give you lean arms too...

Confused about Adapters for Travelling?

2008-07-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

An adapter will allow you only to plug your appliance into another type of outlet. It will not change the electrical voltage. Here are the most common kinds of adapters used worldwide?

Used in North America ( including Canada), Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica and Venezuala, Vietnam

Used in North Amercia ( including Canada), Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica and Venezuala

Used in Continental Europe and South Africa.

Used in India and South Africa

Used in France and Belgium

Used Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

Used in Great Britain, Singapore and Indonesia

Used in Australia

Used in Israel

Used in Denmark

Used in Switzerland

Used in Italy

Still Confused?(like i am). Try this....

The Travelling Adapter!

Are Budget Airlines Safe?

2008-07-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

In a word: yes. Just because budget airlines charge cheap fares, it doesn’t mean they compromise on safety to save costs. In fact, budget airlines are arguably safer than many of their traditional "full service" airline competitors for a number of reasons:

- Brand New Planes

Most budget airlines only came into existence in the last decade, and as a result have some of the newest models of airplanes currently in service which have the latest safety mechanisms and procedures.

- Streamlined maintenance

As well as having new planes, budget airlines also typically use only one model of plane. The Boeing 737 is the most popular aircraft used by low cost carriers around the world. By only having one model of aircraft in their fleet, budget airlines streamline their maintenance and repair costs and make staff training much easier, rather than having several different types of older airplane in a legacy fleet to maintain, each with their own idiosyncrasies.

- Keeping A Flawless Safety Record

The perception that budget flights are inherently less safe than full service flights is a difficult one for low cost carriers to erase, so budget airlines are hyper sensitive about maintaining their reputation and flight safety record. They realize that an accident would be a disaster for their company in every sense of the word. As such, budget airlines strive to have flawless safety records rather than considering any compromise on safety in order to cut costs.

The world’s oldest budget airline, America’s Southwest, has never had a crash in 40 years of operation – that’s over 12 million flights. South West pioneered much of the uniform way of running an airline with the same planes and streamlined procedures which has been adopted as the blueprint for virtually every other budget airline. The UK’s two biggest budget flight operators, Ryanair and Easyjet, have also never suffered a crash throughout their company history.

Sources: http://www.budgetairlineguide.com/

Do You Know Your Rights When You Get Bumped Off From a Confirmed Seat?

2008-07-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

What does being bumped off a flight mean?

It means being asked ( or persuaded) to get off a flight voluntarily or involuntarily due to airlines overselling airline seats. For those who have never experienced being bumped off before, below are the recent statistics on just what the probability is of being bumped off. ( Based on US airlines only).

So Just how do you reduce the likelihood of being bumped off?

1) Get to the gate early. Airline rules typically state that if you don't arrive at least 10 - 20 minutes before the scheduled departure, you will forfeit your reservation and too bad for you..

2) Try not to take routes frequented by business travelers, particularly those on Monday mornings and the hours between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.

3)Demand for departures after noon on Fridays or on Sunday evenings are also high and therefore the likelihood of being bumped off is higher.

4)Also routes that have scant nonstop or direct service with no change of planes are very likely candidates for bumping people off.

5)To be extra sure ( Kiasu..)Be at the gate before the majority of the passengers have checked in, your chances of retaining your original reservation are favorable.

Bumped off? Know your rights...
Airlines willl try to seek out volunteers. Such volunteers can receive lucrative rewards, from cash to free air vouchers. In general, the longer the delay to the next flight, the better the payoff, and if the airline cannot secure enough volunteers to forfeit their seats the first time around, the payoff will generally increase as the flight nears take-off time and the airline grows more desperate to empty seats. Some airlines will even offer meals, free drink coupons, free headsets on the next flight, an upgrade to first-class, a free long-distance phone call or admission into the swanky airline clubs. So be sure to try your luck in asking for more perks....

If the airlines is not able to secure any enough volunteers, they will have to compensate. Under the new rule by the U.S Department of Transportation which goes into effect in May 2008, fliers who are involuntarily bumped would receive up to $400 if they are rescheduled to reach their destination within two hours of their original arrival time or four hours for international flights, and up to $800 if they are not rerouted within that timeframe. The amount of these payments are determined by the price of the ticket and the length of the delay, and are in addition to the value of the passenger’s ticket, which the flyer can use for alternate transportation or have refunded if not used.Please note that the above applies to those operated with aircraft seating 30 people or more and that it may not apply in non-US jurisdiction. (Anyway, it would be good to know the industry norm..right..)

Guidelines implementation for Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in Singapore

2008-07-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

From 8 May 2007, Singapore is implementing new guidelines that restrict the amount of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels in hand-carry luggage. The guidelines apply to all flights departing Singapore.

Passengers are advised to check-in all Liquids, Aerosols and Gels that do not meet the new guidelines:

Liquids, Aerosols and Gels must be in containers with maximum capacity of 100ml
Containers must be placed in a 1 litre transparent re-sealable plastic bag
The re-sealable plastic bag must be completely closed
One re-sealable plastic bag allowed per person
The re-sealable plastic bag must be presented seperately at the security screening point
Exemptions made for medications, baby food and special dietary items

Liquids, Aerosols and Gel include:

Drinks, Soups and sauces
Perfumes and deodorants
Creams, balms, lotions and oils
Mascara and lip gloss
Toothpaste
Shaving foam and hairspray
Hair and shower gels
Contact lens solution

Taken from the great folks at: www.airserve.com.sg

Southeast Asia - Plan Your Travels According to Festivals

2008-07-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Thailand
January
Chiang Mai Winter Fair
Local handicrafts are put on colorful displays to lure buyers. Numerous stalls selling delectable local food can also be seen. Miss Chiang Mai beauty pageant is the highlight of Winter Fair Festival. Venue in Chiangmai - Sanam Kila and Sala Klang

February

Chiang Mai Flower Festival
For flower lovers this is the best time of the year for a visit to Chiangmai.In addition to the orchid, many flowers native to the north can be seen in all their splendor at the annual show, and they can be seen flowering all across the northern landscape at this time of the year

Bangkok China Town Festival
Yawaraj, or Chinatown, is Thailand's largest Chinese enclave and celebrates each year in true style with its own festival - lots of food and partying included.

March
Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival

Thais have long believed that doves are creatures that bring good luck to those who rear them. They are also regarded as symbols of purity and peace. Those with qualities specified by ancient texts are believed to bestow great wealth and honour upon the owner. The ASEAN Barred Ground Dove festival attracts dove-lovers from all over Thailand as well as from the neighbouring countries of Thailand to the southern city of Yala. The major highlight is a dove-cooing competition.

April

Songkran Festival

Also called Thai New year,a time for cleansing and renewal, it falls every year in April and is noted for the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors, visiting the wat ( temple) to pray and give food to the monks, and refrain from doing bad things.

Pattaya Festival

Each April Pattaya celebrates itself with a week long festival of music, dance, beauty contests, parades, sandcastle contests and partying. This celebration is not meant to be an example of authentic Thai culture. instead, it is intended to promote Pattaya as a premier tourist destination.

May
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
This is an ancient royal rite held in Thailand to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season.In thai language, it is called "Phraraj Pithi Jarod Phranangkal Reak Na Kwan.

Visakha Bucha
Visakha Bucha Day is one of the most important days in Buddhism because of three important incidents in the life of The Buddha, i.e. the birth, the enlightenment and the passing away, miraculously fall on the same month and date, the Vesak full moon day. .So each year, Buddhists throughout the world gather together to perform the worship to recollect the wisdom, purity and compassion of the Buddha

Yasothon Rocket Festival

For the duration of the festival, thais launch their massive rockets into the skies in an effort to reach the greatest height.The rockets were thought to "stimulate" the rain clouds and encourage the rain gods to provide a plentiful watering for the newly-planted crops.

June

Thailand Grand Sales

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale, Thailand's annual shopping extravaganza offers world-class shopping, a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of 10 - 70 per cent and promotional offers being extended by participating department stores, shopping complexes and retail outlets along designated ‘Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok and the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai.

July
Candle Festival

It is the time where devouts donate to monks items of personal use, such as candles and where giant candles are paraded through the town, each representing a local temple, district or other institution.

August
Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's birthday on August 12 is a public holiday, celebrated nationwide as Mother's Day. Individual people and organizations raise flags and portraits of Her Majesty in Bangkok and all over the kingdom. On Her Majesty's birthday, one of the best places to join in the celebrations is on Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the areas around the Grand Palace, which are festooned with colorful lights, flowers and portraits for this special occasion.

September

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song".

Phichit Boat Races

The Phichit Boat Races take place on the Nan River in Phichit, one of the most scenic regions in Thailand. The event features long boat competitions with great fervour amid enthusiastic cheers from crowds of spectators.

October

Wax Castle Festival

The annual event comprises displays and processions of intricately carved wax castles. Originally, locals created the wax castles from beeswax and offered to local temples as a means of ‘merit making’. Over the years this simple act has not exactly developed into a competition, but there’s a competitive edge as to who can create the most ornate design.

Chon Buri Buffalo Races

In the festival, water buffaloes and the jockeys will be decorated with colorful cloth bands, flower garlands and other ornaments before vying to win the race. Along side with the buffalo race are the buffalo fancy dressing contest, the healthy buffalo contest and Miss Farmer Pageant. The festival really makes the visitors sense of the indigenous culture of the region.

Illuminated Boat Procession Festival

The illuminated boat procession is celebrated in I-San, the northeastern region of Thailand.
As night falls, majestic fire boats, elaborately-adorned with flowers, incense sticks, candles and lanterns and each bearing an assortment of ritual offerings, are set alight and floated down the Mekong River.

November

Loy Krathong

"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk, decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river.

The act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad parts of oneself. Many Thai believe that floating a krathong will create good luck, and they do it to honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha.

Surin Elephant Roundup

The majestic Thai elephant has long been a central element in Thai culture and has held a respected place in Thai history. A symbol of power and grace, the elephant was revered by the ancient kings.The event consists of a series of shows displaying the strength and skill of the animals, such as football games and tugs of war

Phimai Festival

An annual festival held for more than a century, the traditional long-boat races draws thousands of visitors from all over.
This event is further enhanced by a light and sound presentation at Prasat Hin Phimai, local art and cultural performances, various fun-filled competitions, and sales of local products and exhibitions

December

Birthday of His Majesty the king

Buildings and homes all over the country are elaborately adorned with flags, portraits of His Majesty and bunting, predominantly in the color yellow. Around the Grand Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue areas of Bangkok, thousands of vividly colored marigolds decorate the streets. On the evening of the holiday itself, the streets around Ratchadamnoen and Sanam Luang are closed to traffic and thousands of people take to the streets. Spectacular fireworks displays are held and the atmosphere is joyous and festive. The best way to enjoy the atmosphere is to take a bus to the Rattanakosin area, and just stroll along the crowded but traffic-free streets for a truly memorable experience.

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City - Travel Tips

2008-07-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

The Quick Get-Away to Vietnam

Foreward
Traveller is a Singaporean who has never been to Vietnam before and does not know how to speak a single word of Vietnamese. He on a shoestring budget and is not travelling with a Vietnamese. If you feel you are somewhat like him, please read on as he shares his experiences and dishes out advice freely and lovingly. Travelling period is from 3 July to 6 July 2008.

Foreign exchange:
What happened?
Changed all of the SGD to USD in Singapore. Changed all of the USD to VND at the Vietnam Airport. ( advice given to us before we left)
What you should know.....
We can actually bring SGD to Vietnam to change to VND. Also, money changers at the Vietnamese airport charge an additional 3% commission/service charge and the rate is not good. Fellow travellers from Singapore, just bring SGD and change to VND outside the airport where there is no 3% charge. The rates are also better.( All the shops we went to accepted USD by the way.)

Taxi Rides:
What happened?
Took a taxi outside the airport to our hotel. We were charged nearly twice the usual amount.
What you should know...
You can choose to be charged according to meter rate or flat rate. If you choose flat rate,be extremely specific. Don't be fooled by the driver when he quotes you a reasonable rate as the rate most probably refers to per person. You have to tell him one whole car( or everybody ), travel from where to where, cost how much, inclusive of any "airport parking charges" or not. (By the way,the correct rate from the airport to our pre-booked hotel, An An Hotel (around half hours ride from the airport) should be around 110,000VND. If you choose metered, beware that he might bring you on a round about tour. Flat rate is preferred unless you know the directions and can direct the driver.

Don't be persuaded by the driver about changing hotels in the cab as he will most probably recommend you a more expensive hotel room with all the talk about how centrally located it is and how safe it is. Stick to your orginal plans.

Hotels:
What happened?
We pre-booked a budget hotel before travelling ( we did not pay yet). A queen sized bed in a private room with air-con, fridge,own toilet and TV. (No meals provided) for USD35 a night at An An Hotel.
What you should know...
There are many budget hotels in Ho Chi Minh clustered close together, so pre-booking is not that really necessary. ( Its a good idea to pre-book though just to hedge against the slim possibility of there not being available space or if festivals or major events are around the corner, just don't pay any money yet.) The hotel staff are very willing to let you view the rooms first which is what we did and we manage to get another hotel room at USD15 a night, comparable to the one we pre-booked, saving USD$20. ( See top right directly for the cheap and good hotel name and address. It is opposite the brightly lited Go2 Go2 Go2 bar. The staff are honest and helpful, even giving us a wake-up call.)Morale of the story, take some time to view the hotels when you reach there. You almost certainly will be able to get a better deal.

See hotel receipt on the above left. Paid only 45USD for 2 persons for a 3 nights stay. Attached toilet, fridge, fan,air-con, TV included.

Beer:
What Happened?
We were charged nearly 3 times the price of a beer ( 333 beer) by the airport taxi driver, who seemed so helpful to buy it for us.
What you should know...
A can of beer(333 beer) cost 11000VND. Tiger cost (14000VND). Heinekan cost ( 16000VND).

Food:
What Happened?
It was great!
What you should know...
Ben Thanh market is a good place for seafood. There are 2 lanes at night selling food. Choose the lane nearer to where the lighted signboard "Fuji" and "Sanyo" is . Its cheaper. A meal for 2, about 7 dishes ( prawns, softshell crab,snails, Squid, pork, mutton, e.t.c) and 3 drinks cost around SGD 22. If you happen to stay near Go2 Go2 Go2 bar, for lunch, you can eat at this shop called 77. Its a quaint mini coffeeshop that sells superb vietnamese economy rice.

Small Kids bugging you to buy flowers or donate:
What Happened?
They are cute and they keep bugging us. Don't we look like we are already on a shoestring budget?
What you should know..
Just tell them you will call the police if they are persistent. It works! Apparently, it is illegal to tout. ( From a vietnamese friend)

Day Trips
What happened?
We went for the following 2 trips organised by TNK Travels. They are pretty good at what they do. These trips were booked at the budget hotel.
Cu Chi tunnel ( 1/2 day) cost USD$5-
A labyrinch of tunnels used by the National Front for the Liberation of South Korea ( NLF Guerillas) against the French and the Americans during the Vietnam war. (left)

Read more on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cu_Chi_tunnels

We got to shoot an AK47 at Cu Chi Tunnel. 6-7 rounds at approximately 200,000VND (left)

Various Booby Traps used during the war(below)

Mekong Delta (full day) cost USD$9-

This trip was pretty worth it and engaging. First we took a ferry, then a pony inland, before being transferring to a sampan and back on the ferry.

Lunch and light snacks (mostly fruits) were provided along the trip.

Apparel Technology for Adventures or Fuss Free Travels

2008-07-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

1)Great fabric technology for going on hiking, camping or just travelling with your hyperactive, messy kids
DuPont™ Teflon® fabric protector is applied at the textile mill, and forms an invisible molecular barrier around the individual fibers of a fabric. Water and oil-based spills are repelled on contact. Liquid spills bead up and roll off, and any residue can be easily wiped away or blotted with a clean cloth. Dry soil can be brushed off easily. Stain repellant technology provides outstanding protection against liquids spills. Wine, coffee, oil and even viscous liquids like ketchup can be wiped away.http://www.teflon.com/

2)Control odor caused by Microbials by using this technology
The AEGIS Microbe Shield technology controls the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi, reducing odor, staining and deterioration which is the most common result of repeatedly using active wear and equipment. Just because you are active doesn't mean your clothes have to look or smell like it!

ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology does not dissipate or leach, it can not be absorbed by the organism - or by you. With the ÆGIS Microbe Shield technology, the membrane of the microbe is physically ruptured by a stabbing and electrocution action. Since it is not consumed and does not dissipate, the antimicrobial active is not depleted and continues to control microbial growth over time. This means that the antimicrobial will be fully effective as long as the surface remains intact. It has even been used in hospitals to decontaminate blankets, mattresses and pillows! http://www.aegisasia.com/aegiswork.html

3)Stay Cool, Dry and Odor-Free with this Apparel Technology

Dri-release is a unique fabric that feels like cotton and keeps wearers comfortable, dry and odor-free. Made from a patented yarn, with just a trace of natural fibers, Dri-release combines the best qualities of both-it wicks moisture away from the skin and it's soft to the touch. A Freshguard® treatment embedded in the yarn virtually eliminates odor.

Unlike other topically finished performance polyesters that lose their ability to wick away moisture with each washing, Dri-Release's comfort qualities are permanent. They're built right into the yarn itself so clothing made with Dri-Release always feels soft, always stays dry.

How it worksOptimer's Dri-release®, uses a patented blend of natural and synthetic fibers. The natural fibers absorb moisture pulling it off the skin and into the fabric. Synthetic fibers repel moisture, forcing it through to the surface of the garment where it evaporates quickly as airflow moves across the fabric. So, Dri-release® moves sweat and moisture from the skin, through the fabric and releases it into the air faster than 100% cotton, faster than any other performance fabric.

In drying-time tests, Dri-release dries four times faster than cotton, and as fast as or faster than the leading performance polyesters. And, while it performs better, it feels like cotton.

http://www.drirelease.com/

4)Insect Repellent Technology that You Can Wear

Insect Shield® Repellent Apparel and Insect Shield® Repellent Gear are revolutionary products designed to provide long-lasting, effective and convenient personal insect protection. The durable protection provided by Insect Shield apparel and gear is the result of years of research and testing. In July 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted registration of Buzz Off Insect Shield Insect Repellent Apparel—the first-ever, EPA-registered insect-repellent clothing. Buzz Off Insect Shield, LLC, is launching the Insect Shield® brand to introduce its remarkable, enhanced repellent-apparel technology. The EPA has granted Buzz Off Insect Shield extended durability claims for its apparel registration, through 70 washings. Insect Shield apparel and gear products combine the patent-pending Insect Shield process with a proprietary formulation of the insect repellent permethrin—resulting in effective, odorless insect protection that lasts the expected lifetime of a garment.

Comparison of Insect Shield with Topical Repellents

Check Out: www.insectshield.com

Things you might not know about Mosquitos(a.k.a Mozzies)

2008-06-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Why Mozzies Must die!
Because they buzz in our ears when we sleep, suck our blood and give us that irritating itch. A shark might bite you in half, lions can tear you limb from limb and a snake can inject you with a toxin that will leave you a quivering mass in minutes, but none is as irritating and as numerous as these pesky creatures. By the way, do you know that more people die from the bite of this lowly lower than low lifeform than all the above creatures put together. Below are just some of the diseases these scums can give:
1)Dengue fever- 50 and 100 million cases worldwide
2)Rift Valley fever - Primarily an animal disease that can cross over to humans, and can result in an inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissue or haemorrhagic fever.
3)Canine heartworm-worms deposited from mozzies enter the bloodstream where they multiply till they infest the heart or lung arteries, ultimately resulting in death if untreated.
4)Encephalitis - acute inflammation of the brain
5)Yellow fever - just know that you can die from it.Period.
6)Elephantiasis - parasites deposited by mozzies that ultimately clog up your tissues and lymphatic systems leaving one grotesquely swollen. See left.(Purposely made smaller so that your lunch is still intact.)
7)Malaria - predominantly in the tropics. Ultimately coma/death if untreated. ( needless to say)
8)Blemish - very common. You get bitten. You itch. You scratch.You get scarred.

Mosquito Hotspots to Take Note Of When You Travel (Check with your doctor the available vaccinations to take)
Did you know? Like people, mosquitoes do display dining preferences which explains why some unfortunate people get bitten more frequently than others. This is due to the unique body odour which is distinct and different for each human.
If you want to be more attractive to mosquitoes, do the following:
1)Try perspiring as much as possible. Human sweat contains volatiles such as lactic acid and ammonia which attract mosquitos.
2)Stay in a place with high humidity where you will increase your chances of being bitten.
3)Wear dark coloured clothings.
4)Make more movements than the people around you. Mosquitos will sense your movement and zoom to you.
5)Pant more (Do loads of exercise).The smell of carbon dioxide from your heavy breathing draws them to you.
6)Get pregnant or get large. Pregnant women produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide, similar to large people.
7)Put on loads of perfume or aftershave. Generally, mosquitoes do get attracted to such stuff.
8)Go out often to mosquito infested areas during dawn or dusk. Mosquitoes are active during these times of the day.
If you want to be less attractive to mosquitoes, do the following ( in addition to doing things opposite from the above):
1)Use an insect repellent. Make sure you use according to instructions as large amounts may be harmful to health especially when ingested.Duh...Do not apply to cuts or open wounds too...Duh.
2)Plant plants that repel mosquitoes such as the following around your home. But you are travelling, so maybe you can lug around cut flowers and look like a hopeless romantic.
-Lemongrass
-Chrysanthemum
-Marigold

3)Wear insect repellent clothings. Check out http://www.insectshield.com/. With extra baggage weight being charged more by airlines and restrictions imposed on liquids, investing in these types may be a good ideas.

4)Wear long sleeves shirts and long pants. Long sleeves shirt to be tucked into the pants.
5)Use mosquito nets when sleeping.
6)Use Citronella candles or smoking coils, but you will have to stay in the plum of the smoke to stay protected. When travelling, stay downwind of the candles or coils and follow the wind direction constantly...if you can. Just joking.
7)Stay at least 1 mile radius from their breeding site as they don't like to travel further than that. I prefer to remove the breeding site though.
8)Rear a bat and bring it with you on your travels. Make sure you train it well, so that it flies back to you.
References: www.bbc.co.uk, Today Newspaper ( Singapore Print)

How to survive in the wilderness after a wreck.

2008-06-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

You have crash landed. You survived. Just when you thought the worse was over, you looked around and see things you only get to see in National Geographic. Bred and raised in the urban jungle, just what are you going to do now? Below is a quick and dirty guide on just what you can do to increase your odds of survival.
Know thyself

Fear - For anyone faced with a wilderness emergency survival situation, fear is a normal reaction. Unless an emergency situation has been anticipated, fear is generally followed by panic then pain, cold, thirst, hunger, fatigue, boredom and loneliness. It is extremely important to calmly assess the situation and not allow these seven enemies to interfere with your survival.
Pain - Pain may often be ignored in a panic situation. Remember to deal with injuries immediately before they become even more serious.
Cold - Cold lowers the ability to think, numbing the body and reducing the will to survive. Never allow yourself to stop moving or to fall asleep unless adequately sheltered.
Thirst - Dehydration is a common enemy in an emergency situation and must not be ignored. It can dull your mind, causing you to overlook important survival information.
Hunger - Hunger is dangerous but seldom deadly. It may reduce your ability to think logically and increase your susceptibility to the effects of cold, pain and fear.
Fatigue - Fatigue is unavoidable in any situation so it is best to keep in mind that it can and will lower your mental ability. Remember that in an emergency situation this is often the bodies way of escaping a difficult situation.
Boredom & Loneliness - These enemies are quite often unanticipated and may lower the mind's ability to deal with the situation.

Practical How-Tos

Build a Fire
Building a fire is the most important task when dealing with survival in the wilderness. Be sure to build yours in a sandy or rocky area or near a supply of sand and water as to avoid forest fires. The most common mistakes made by those attempting to build a fire are: choosing poor tinder, failing to shield precious matches from the wind and smothering the flames with too large pieces of fuel.
The four most important factors when starting a fire are :spark, tinder(a readily combustible material), fuel and oxygen.

The most common ways to create spark are:
1)Waterproof, strike-anywhere matches are your best bet. Matches may be water-proofed by dipping them in nail polish. Store your matches in a waterproof container.
2)A cigarette lighter is also a good way to produce a spark, with or without fuel.
3)The flint and steel method is one of the oldest and most reliable methods in fire starting. Aim the sparks at a pile of dry tinder to produce a fire.
4)The electric spark produced from a battery will ignite a gasoline dampened rag.
5)Allow the suns rays to pass through a magnifying glass onto the tinder.

Dry grass, paper or cloth lint, gasoline-soaked rags and dry bark are all forms of tinder. Place your tinder in a small pile resembling a tepee with the driest pieces at the bottom. Gather fuel before attempting to start your fire. Dry wood burns better and wet or pitchy wood will create more smoke. Dense, dry wood will burn slow and hot. A well ventilated fire will burn best.

Build a Shelter
A small shelter which is insulated from the bottom, protected from wind and snow and contains a fire is extremely important in wilderness survival. Before building your shelter be sure that the surrounding area provides the materials needed to build a good fire, a good water source and shelter from the wind.

Wilderness shelters may include:
1. Natural shelters such as caves and overhanging cliffs. When exploring a possible shelter tie a piece of string to the outer mouth of the cave to ensure you will be able to find your way out. Keep in mind that these caves may already be occupied. If you do use a cave for shelter, build your fire near its mouth to prevent animals from entering.
2. Enlarge the natural pit under a fallen tree and line it with bark or tree branches.
3. If you are near a rocky coastal area, build a rock shelter in the shape of a U, covering the roof with driftwood and a tarp or even seaweed for protection.
4. A lean-to made with poles or fallen trees and a covering of plastic, branches, thick grasses or bark is effective to shelter you from wind, rain and snow.
5. A wigwam may be constructed using long poles. Tie the tops of the poles together and upright them in an appropriate spot. Cover the sides with a tarp, branches, raingear or other suitable materials. Build a fire in the center of the wigwam, making a draft channel in the wall and a small hole in the top to allow smoke to escape.
6. If you find yourself in open terrain, a snow cave will provide good shelter. Find a drift and burrow a tunnel into the side for about 60 cm (24 in) then build your chamber. The entrance of the tunnel should lead to the lowest level of you chamber where the cooking and storage of equipment will be. A minimum of two ventilating holes are necessary, preferably one in the roof and one in the door.

Clothing must provide warmth and offer protection from the elements. Hats are a must, as they offer protection from both the heat and cold. Water proof outer layers are necessary.
Equipment must be easily manageable and promote survival in any situation. Items to carry in your pockets may include a fire starter, waterproof matches and/or lighter, a pocket knife, goggles, compass, small first-aid kit and some sort of trail food.
Survival Kit Items for your survival kit should be packed in a waterproof container that can double as a cooking pot and water receptacle and be attached to your belt.
Backpack In addition to a survival kit, a good, comfortable backpack is mandatory. Loads of about 18 kg (40 lb.) are average. Items to include are; flashlight, extra jacket, socks and mittens, a pocket saw, gas camp stove, first aid kit, emergency food, and a tent and fly.
Check List ( For those who plan for the worst-case-scenerios)
1. A map and compass.
2. A large, bright plastic bag will be useful as a shelter, signaling device or in lieu of raingear
3. A flashlight with extra batteries.
4. Extra water and food.
5. Extra clothing such as raingear, a toque(see left) and gloves, a sweater and pants.
6. Sun protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat/cap and long sleeved clothing.
7. A sharp pocket knife.
8. Waterproof matches, a lighter and/or a flint.
9. Candles and fire starter.
10. A first aid kit.
11. A whistle, flares, a tarp(waterproof canvas).

References: www.bcadventure.com

How to survive a plane crash.Touchwood!

2008-06-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Did you know? A look at real-world crash stats ( based on a study by Popular Mechanics of 20 commecial jet crash accidents in the US since 1971) suggests that the farther back you sit, the better your odds of survival. Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive a crash than those in the first few rows up front. See below diagram for the survival rate calculations done by Popular Mechanics. ( It should be noted though that the Federal Aviation Administration's stand is that there is no safest seat.)

First/Business Class (red):49%

Ahead of the wing (yellow) :56%

Over wing (yellow):56%

Rear Cabin(green):69%Ok dude, i want to survive

1) On boarding, mentally take note of the two closest exits and count the rows between them and your seat. In the event of darkness or smoke, feel the seats and count until you reach the exit row

2)Ready for the impact. The official FAA crash position is to extend your arms, cross your hands and place them on the seat in front of you, and then place your head against the back of your hands. Tuck your feet under your seat as far as you can.

If you have no seat in front of you, bend your upper body over with your head down and wrap your arms behind your knees.

3)Wear long pants, sleeves and closed-toed shoes. This will help protect you from glass, metal and the elements.
4)If you're with your family, talk to your children about what to do in the event of an emergency. Divide the responsibility of helping your children between you and your spouse. It's easier for one parent to help a single child than for both to try to keep everyone together
5)Pay attention to the preflight instructions, as all planes are different.

6)When the oxygen mask drops, put it on yourself first before attempting to help someone else. If you fall unconscious, you have no chance of helping your travel mate.

Tips to take note of when your plane is going down(At the very least, try to...)

1)Don't panic. Panic is the reason that many passengers find themselves unable to do something as simple as releasing their seatbelt. For this reason, many crash victims are found still strapped into their seats.
2)In the event of fire, stay as low as you can and get out as quickly as possible. The smoke and fumes from a burning plane are highly toxic and more likely to kill you than the flames.

3)If you make it out of the plane in one piece, get as far away as possible as quickly as you can and tuck behind something large in case of an explosion.
4)Think before you drink. Consuming alcohol will slow your response time and cloud your decision-making.
5)No matter what you believe can't be replaced, never attempt to take your carry-on luggage with you during an emergency exit.
6)Don't inflate your life vest until you're outside the cabin. It will restrict your movement.

References: http://www.howstuffworks.com/ , http://www.popularmechanics.com/

Treating a Migraine. The simple ways.

2008-06-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

About two thirds of migraine sufferers cannot function at a normal level when they get a migraine attack. Below are 9 simple solutions to ease your migraine pain. (Pls note that they are not intended as substitutes for the advice of a doctor.)

The Simple Solutions

1)Get a good night's sleep. Changes in sleep patterns, changing shifts, and jet lag can trigger migraines. Try to maintain a regular schedule and get up and go to bed at the same time every day.

2)Lie down, put an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a cold compress on your throbbing head to soothe swollen, pulsing blood vessels until the pain subsides. If you don't want to put a cold compress on your head to relieve the pain, soak one or both of your hands in ice water for as long as you can tolerate it. While your hands are in the water, ball them into fists and open and close them repeatedly. It can have the same effect as a compress on your head.

3)Believe or not, caffeine works! It's a paradox of headaches: Ingest too much caffeine and you may get a headache, but take a little bit and it can help make the pain disappear.

4) Keep the room dark. Light sometimes aggravates migraine symptoms, lie down in a dark room.

5)Do not skip meals. Skipping meals can trigger a migraine attack. If you can, eat smaller meals throughout the day or be sure to eat three meals. Take note of what you eat. Certain foods triggers a migraine attack in about ten percent of migraine sufferers. It can take from 30 minutes to 12 hours for a food to cause a reaction. If you get a migraine, think back to what you ate in that time frame and try eliminating some of those foods from your diet.

6) Spice it up. The hot ingredient in red pepper, capsaicin, is a terrific painkiller and may help those who have migraines feel better during an attack. You do not need to include red pepper in all your meals. You can buy cayenne pepper capsules in health food stores.

7)Try not to sleep late on weekends. Though it might seem like a reward to relax and sleep in, giving yourself that letdown after stress is a common trigger. Waking up late can also trigger a migraine by changing your normal sleep pattern and may cause you to miss breakfast which also triggers a migraine. If you really must sleep late on the weekends, try sleeping with a tiny bit of your window open to let air in.

8)If you're prone to vomiting during migraines, keep a can of Campbell's Chicken Broth upside down in your refrigerator. Really. After you're finished in the bathroom, take out the can, turn it right-side up, open, pour out the broth (leave the fat stuck to the top), and drink it once you're able. Replaces needed electrolytes, etc., helps relieve the weakness and general malaise. Don't know why Campbell's works better than any other brand, but it does.

9) low levels of the hormone progesterone appear to increase the frequency and severity of migraines. If you are a woman, and your migraines occur more often in the 2 weeks before menses, be suspicious and ask your doctor to check your progesterone levels (note: many doctors are unaware of this link, but if your levels are found to be low, they may be willing to prescribe supplementation).

Enjoy your Travels :)

How to be a Lightweight Traveller.

2008-06-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

It is almost always best to travel light, so that you can avoid unnecessary delays, and get to your destination most efficiently.

1)Get a small bag. The bag should be lightweight and easy to carry. It is helpful to have a bag that can be carried as a backpack, or as a shoulder bag depending on the circumstances. It is also handy if it has wheels.

2)Check the weather report of your destination, so that you know what type of clothing to bring with you. For example, If it is going to be sunny, then bring a hat, etc. Plan your wardrobe so that everything matches with everything else. A good suggestion would be to follow a minimalist approach to fashion, such as bringing single coloured clothings as these are easy to match. One skirt and a single pair of trousers can be matched with a t-shirt, a blouse or a tank top to make six different outfits--plenty of clothes for a week journey. You can get fancy with a scarf, bandanna or a cap. Also, be sure you have appropriate clothing for area you are visiting.

3)Bring enough underwear and socks so that not much laundering is needed. And, bring laundry supplies, if you are planning on doing laundry. (Note: just put enough dry detergent in a ziplock bag for as many loads as you plan to do--don't bring the whole box.). Wisely choose clothing materials that dry quickly, such as Nycott, Polyester or alternative eco material, such as Soy so you only need a few pairs. If you hate doing laundering ( like me!), consider investing in anti-microbial clothing, so you won't stink that much.

4)Bring at least two pairs of shoes that you can walk in comfortably. I also suggest bringing a fun or fancy pair of shoes, in case you want to go someplace like a club, a fancy dinner, or the opera. You never know who you may meet!

5)Consider your packing space carefully. Put items inside of other items, like putting some items in your shoes. Roll clothes into small rolls can also prevent wrinking. Invest in wrinkle resistant clothings so you can squeeze them tight into your bag without looking shabby later.

6)If you have special supplies or equipment that you need to have with you and they are heavy, a way is to have these items sent ahead of you to your hotel or home stay where you can meet them later.

7) Keep necessary items you need in the top of your bag or in a separate hand bag, because you never know what may happen when you travel. As well, carry any valuables with you in this bag .Keep your ID, money, credit cards, in a security pouch or in secret, zipped pockets of your clothings. Keep some small currency in your pocket for little purchases (rather than pulling out everything each time). Carry photocopies of your ID, visas, and credit cards with you but in a separate compartment from the real ones (the idea being that if you lose one, you still have the other). Copies can also be scanned and kept on a USB thumb drive (possibly encrypted). Consider 'buddy packing' where your travel partner keeps your important photocopies and you keep theirs.

8)Not all clothings are created equal for travelling. Some clothings are designed to be light weight. When travelling to cold places, consider warm clothes that have a high warmth to weight ratio.

Other Travel Tips
-Instead of bringing liquid based insect repellent that are heavy and subjected to air line regulatory restrictions, get those non-liquid based ones or even investing in insect repellent clothing.

- Always have extra quart size ziploc bags (for various uses) and a plastic shopping bag in case your clothes get wet and you cant dry them before you pack again.

-Carry a bag of nuts. You never know when you might be on a long train ride with ridiculously expensive food. Nuts are good for you, non perishable and they satiate your hunger.

-Avoid bringing things that you "might" need, simply because you really like them. If you know that you are going to be hiking across Central America, and camping in the outback, then you probably are not going to need that fabulous Betsy Johnson empire mini dress. Take a photo of it, and bring it with you. You can look at it while you are in the outback to remind you of more glamorous times that you will revisit when you return.

-Last but not least,if your bag feels heavy while you are carrying it out of your house, then you have too much stuff.