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Archive for the "Travel & Health" Category

Taking Care of Your Health Needs When You Are Away From Home

In my many years of traveling around the world, I have learned that it is far more important how you travel than where you travel. Whether you are an explorer of uncharted territories or just in need of a good vacation, the exposure to new experiences will benefit you greatly. However, you can only enjoy the fun when you feel good and, most importantly, when you are healthy. Falling sick while traveling in foreign countries and unfamiliar surroundings is unpleasant at best and can be downright dangerous. So when it comes to travel, smart and precautionary planning is key – especially with regards to your health. Read more »

Guides For the Health-Conscious Traveler

The ”Health & Travel” section of this blog focuses specifically on health issues in connection with travel, such as vaccination/immunization requirements and recommendations, guidelines for dealing with medical emergencies, precautionary measures that should be taken with regards to food and water supplies, etc. While you can’t expect to avoid all possible unpleasantries, a little knowledge and forethought can to make your journey reasonably safe.

How to Travel
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Modern Day Travel
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Making the “Bucket List”
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An Experience of a Lifetime – Make It a Good One
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Travel With Children in Africa
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Modern Day Travel

Travel used to be a simple matter. You traveled for business or pleasure. If you traveled for pleasure, you were on vacation. For most people, that meant taking their families on the road and staying at a particular destination until it was time to return home. Locations were mostly chosen because of their accessibility and convenience. Going on vacation was like an annual ritual, often limited to a few favorite spots that became like a home away from home.

By contrast, today’s travelers are thrill seekers and adventurers. They want experiences. They explore the unknown and seek the exotic. Distances no longer matter. High mountain tops, deep oceans and dense jungles are the places to be now. Opulence and luxury, at sea or on safari, are considered standard fare even for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read more »

Travel With Children in Africa

Contrary to the widespread belief that it is not safe to travel with young children to foreign countries, I would encourage parents and grandparents to expose the younger members of their families to the experience of travel as early as possible. That also includes exotic places – especially Africa!

Many parents who shy away from traveling with their children at a young age are concerned about potential health hazards, and these concerns can be quite justified. However, with careful planning and a few extra precautions, it should be reasonably safe to bring children on a family vacation or even an extended expedition to Africa.

There are many ways to see Africa as a family. The easiest, although costliest way to vacation with children here is to stay at high-end, western-style hotels and resorts where the premises are comfortable and safe and where food and water supplies are of less concern. Some safari lodges and camps, however, have a minimum age limit for their guests. Another downside is that these places are often designed for adults only and children can soon get bored if no age-appropriate facilities or entertainment programs are available.

Some would argue that an authentic experience of Africa cannot be had in such privileged insulation. There may be better ways to introduce kids to environments and cultures not their own. But for parents this can be a tough call to make. They have to judge for themselves what kind of exposure they think is appropriate for their children. In any case, traveling as a family can be a great way to spend quality time together, but even more so, it gives kids an invaluable opportunity to widen their horizons and learn about the world in ways they never could in their familiar surroundings.

family_on_safari_in_africaThe travel industry is by no means blind toward the phenomenon of traveling families in Africa. There are a number of agencies that offer specifically family-friendly itineraries. In fact, emphasis on educational and fun activities for children has become very much a part of today’s African safari experience. For instance, a company based in Northern California called Bushtracks Expeditions® has created a “Ranger Program” for kids and teens who travel with their families to Africa, Australia or South America. Included is a “Pen-Pal” correspondence program where youngsters from different parts of the world can come to know each other via e-mail before they finally meet in person. The benefits of initiatives like these for everyone involved are immeasurable.

Before you go…

Since health issues are among the most prevalent concerns for parents considering a family trip to Africa, some advice for important precautionary measures in this regard is useful. This is especially relevant when you travel with babies and very young children, since they are the most susceptible to illnesses and accidents.

Travel-related immunizations are as necessary for children as they are for adults. Children should also be up to date on their routine childhood immunizations. You may want to do some research on current health risks that may exist in the region you’re traveling to. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) offer great resources, and so do many other institutions dedicated to the subject of Health and Travel.

Your own research, however, is no substitute for a visit to the doctor’s office or (even better) a travel medicine institute or clinic. If your child takes any medications, make sure to mention those before your child receives any vaccines. Also bring existing health conditions or allergies to the doctor’s attention. Last, but not least, have your entire family get their dental check-ups before you go. A tooth ache is no fun at any time and you certainly don’t want one when you travel.

In addition to these precautionary measures, you should also consider buying comprehensive travel insurance. Most travel agencies offer insurance packages that cover your costs for medical emergencies and evacuation. Some insurance may even be mandatory. For peace of mind you may also want to know what coverage you can get if you have to cancel your trip on short notice.

What to pack…

elephant_cow_with_babyThe answer is, as little as possible. If you travel within Africa by small plane, you will face strict weight restrictions for luggage. There is also no need for a big wardrobe. Safari dress codes are extremely relaxed. Laundry service is available in hotels and most upscale camps. The warm climate during the dry season does not require heavy clothing, although in some places in can get cool during the night. For your kids, you should bring cloths that are comfortable, simple and easy to wash. Avoid bright colors, especially on game drives and walking safaris. Sturdy shoes, sneakers or light hiking boots are preferable to sandals and flip-flops. There are plenty of critters on the ground that may fight back if they’re stepped on. For the same reason, you should not let your kids walk barefoot outside hotel rooms or otherwise enclosed areas.

If you travel with babies and very young children, you need to bring your own feeding equipment. Also, pack a sufficient amount of nappies (diapers), since those may not be readily available outside of major cities. If you plan to travel by bus or car, you may consider bringing your own child safety seat. If you intend to walk longer distances, you should have a backpack or other baby carrier with you. Strollers don’t really work well in areas with few paved roads.

Some rules to travel by…

It goes without saying that all the vaccines in the world cannot eliminate certain health risks. Without being overprotective, you must be vigilant at all times when it comes to your children’s health. In the mostly warm and hot climate of Africa, dehydration is a constant danger for everyone, but even more so for children. It is very important that you always carry sufficient supplies of safe drinking water with you. Don’t force your kids to eat if they’re not hungry or don’t like the unfamiliar food. But, under all circumstances, make certain they drink lots of fluids throughout the day.

baby_rhinoUnfortunately, you can’t always rely on the safety of the water, not even when it’s bottled. If you have any second thoughts about the safety of your drinking water, apply your own purification measures. I personally prefer using a Steripen®, but there are other ways that work just as well. Don’t ever drink tap water and don’t use it to brush your teeth. Have your drinks without ice. Explain to your kids why they must be extra cautious about water, but don’t assume they remember your warnings every time they’re thirsty. If your kids get invited into someone’s home, make sure you know what they’re being offered in terms of food and drink. In case of doubt, it is better to violate the rules of hospitality than to get sick.

Use only (trustworthy) bottled or boiled water to make up baby formulas when you bottle feed. It is a good idea to prepare all of your baby’s meals yourself. Wash the utensils thoroughly in boiled water or, better yet, sterilize them (with sterilizing tablets).

Have lots of antibacterial wipes handy for frequent cleaning of dirty or sticky fingers. Discuss the need for extra hygiene and cleanliness with your children and explain how they can guard themselves against potential health hazards. Discourage touching of mouths, eyes and noses as well as scratching of insect bites and other open wounds. But don’t get carried away! It is important that you strike a balance between caution and unnecessary fear. There is no point in scaring your children to the point where they can no longer enjoy their vacation.

Where Malaria is an issue…

Generally speaking, it is not recommended to bring young children to an area where Malaria is widespread. Unfortunately, this is the case in many parts of the African continent today. Malaria may be less present in the higher terrains of East Africa and along the coastal regions of South Africa. So, you may consider visiting only those places.

Since the malaria virus is carried by mosquitoes, it is imperative that you protect your family as best as you can against mosquito bites. Only females can pass the virus on, but how can you tell which is which? Use child-friendly insect repellents only (no DEED!) and make sure everyone‘s safely tucked in under their mosquito nets at night.

Adults and older children should by all means take malaria preventive drugs, such as Chloroquine or Malarone. Sometimes, these drugs can have unpleasant side-effects, but it is important that you continue taking them throughout your stay in potentially malaria infested areas and for some time after you return home. A doctor or nurse at any tropical disease institute can give you all the information you need. If you or your child develop a fever, you should not hesitate to seek medical attention right away. African doctors are very familiar with the local diseases and will be able to help you before things get out of hand.

One last thought: It may be a good idea to get a medical check-up for yourself and your family when you come home, even if everyone feels fine – just to be safe.

Making the “Bucket List”

In an upcoming movie, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two characters with vastly different social backgrounds who find themselves both diagnosed with cancer. They decide to forego the less than promising medical treatment and, instead, live their last days to the fullest hoping to go out with a blast. The movie is titled the “Bucket List,” a choice of words that suggests that we make a list of things to do (and/or see) before we inevitably “kick the bucket.” Despite its ultimately dire prospects, the message of the movie is supposedly positive and even funny.

The idea of “get-it-before-it’s-too-late,” of course, is by no means new. There’s already a best-selling book series (with a follow-up TV reality show) out there that urges us to see at least 1000 places around the globe before death will stop us in our tracks.

The obvious purpose of these messages is to promote a rapidly growing market that is opening up with the retiring Baby Boomers in mind, the generation that has dominated America demographically for the last forty plus years. “Active retirement” is the new fad. Although that sounds like an oxymoron, it’s supposedly the next place to be. And for good reasons. Due to increasing longevity and overall higher quality of life of today’s older generation, it is only logical that traditional retirement is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. There’s talk about a “second spring,” or even a “second adolescence” that mature adults revisit when their grown kids leave the nest. Read more »

How to Travel

Finally, I’ve been able to fulfill a dream I’ve had for a very long time – a trip to India. It was always high on my list of “Places-to-see-before-I-die” – but somehow it never materialized.

I wanted it to be special. So I chose to go in the supposedly less crowded off-season and I picked my destinations carefully trying to stay off the beaten path as much as possible. No luck! Wherever I went, there were already plenty of fellow-travelers who apparently had made the same calculations.

Even in these times of economic uncertainty, interest in travel seems undiminished. Despite concerns about high transportation costs, the weak dollar or the threat of terrorist acts – to mention a few – it can safely be said that the travel industry is alive and well. However, the last frontiers of travel are disappearing fast. There are not many places left that are truly exotic. The beach resorts in Hawaii, Samoa or Kerala offer all more or less the same accommodations and creature comforts we travel-consumers have come to expect. It’s hard to get into the spirit of discovery and adventure when everything looks so familiar. Read more »

An Experience of a Lifetime – Make it a Good One

I went on a cruise – Alaska. It wasn’t my first trip up there, but I realized again how deeply in love I am with this part of the world. Of course, the wilderness experience was dramatically tamed by the comfort of being on a cruise ship. These floating cities make you feel like you’re staying at an upscale resort or a mall – while you’re surrounded by breathtaking wonders of the wild.

I like being pampered and spoiled as much as the next vacationer. Knowing that my every need will be catered to at a moment’s notice is something I could get used to very quickly. And I can understand why so many people call it an experience of a lifetime.

Unfortunately, there’s a downside to this as well. Since almost everything you find on board is included in your pre-paid fare, you may want to get the biggest bang for your buck. My advice is: Don’t! When it comes to food, cruise ships can offer what no land-based eatery can. Imagine a restaurant advertising: “All you can eat – to go!” I say: “Beware of what you wish for – because you will get it.” Yes, it’s easy to become accustomed to the richly decorated buffets, the delicious meals served at all hours, the wine tastings and the cocktail parties that take place from morning to night. If that’s too bothersome for you, there’s always room service. And you have a perfect excuse for this perpetual indulgence: You’re on vacation!

Naturally, having so much fun can’t go unpunished forever. While treating yourself once in a while to something that gives you joy and pleasure is good and healthy, overindulging comes inevitably with regret. Soon you’ll discover the unwelcome side-effects, especially around the waist line. If that happens to you, you’re not alone. Trust me, everybody eats more on a cruise than they normally do – simply because the food is there.

And there’s no way you can burn off so many extra calories. Not on a vessel. Yes, you could maintain a regular exercise routine on board and today’s cruise ships offer numerous amenities in this regard. Passengers are actually encouraged to make use of the gym or run around in circles on the outdoor jogging track. There are even weight-loss classes – imagine that! However, spending a large part of your vacation on a treadmill doesn’t sound like fun. You can stay at home for that! There has to be a better way to enjoy yourself without having to suffer the consequences in the aftermath of your trip.

Since this was not my first cruise, I knew beforehand what to expect. So I made a list of dos and don’ts before boarding. Here are some guidelines that helped me to avoid the worst pitfalls:

Stick as closely as possible to your normal eating habits! If you eat breakfast at a certain time, keep to your routine. The same goes for lunch and dinner. Eating too early or too late can affect your metabolism. If you’re used to having a mid-morning snack, don’t make it a second breakfast. Choose items that you would normally eat (or do you typically have a salmon fillet before you go to work in the morning?). Don’t get in the habit of filling up your tray with everything you see displayed in the buffet line. Tell the servers how much (or how little) you want of each item. The staff doesn’t know what your nutritional needs are, they just want to see you happy.

Having your meals served in one of the dining rooms is preferable to self-help buffets, especially if you have a hard time controlling yourself. The portion sizes are much smaller there and your overall dining experience can be more satisfying. Also, you will automatically eat less if you eat at a slower pace and give your stomach time to signal when it’s full.

Another issue is alcohol: It flows in nearly unlimited quantities on cruise ships. There’s nothing against a little celebration, after all you’re on vacation. Just like with food, however, there’s a tendency to consume more when it’s easily available. Alcoholic beverages, in any form or strength, have lots of calories. Often, those are the ones you forget to count.

So let’s raise a glass and salute the good times we had – hoping for many more to come. And let’s also keep in mind that good health is an essential part of the happy memories that last us a lifetime.