Travel
Tip of the Month: |
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For Babies:
Older Babies and Toddlers
Pre-Schoolers
Pre-Schoolers to Grade 2's
Older Kids
Travel Games - to play in cars or planes
Connect the Dots is a two-player game: each player takes turns drawing a line between a pair of dots. The dots must be adjacent, but can be anywhere on the page. The goal is to close four sides of a box. Each time you create a box, you get a point; then you take another turn. The player who creates the most boxes wins:
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| PREVIOUS ADVICE: Safety |
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• Think about putting your money and passport etc.. in a money belt or shoulder belt • Be very careful in subways, busses and other crowded places where pickpockets prowl • Know the neighborhoods in which you travel. Learn the locations of possible "safe areas" - fire & police stations, hospitals, and restaurants or stores that are open late • Beware of hotels which don't have adequate fire protection and prevention such as sprinklers, fire escapes etc... • Don't let yourself be distracted. Criminals often work in pairs as one person will get your attention while the other steals your wallet, purse or shopping bag • Try to sit in the middle cars where there are other passengers. Do not sit in an empty train car alone • Make your car look local by removing the rental company decals and putting a local newspaper in the back • Try to dress conservatively when you go abroad. You do not want to appear too affluent or "touristy" as both looks attract thieves • Use the hotel room safe for your valuables, but avoid bringing valuables with you when traveling if possible • Avoid parking lots that glitter with broken glass and get advice from your hotel on where to park • Try doing a general security check of your hotel and room when you arrive -- such as checking to make sure windows are locked, see if there is a dead bolt on the door and make sure rooms that are connected to your room are locked • Don't tell strangers where you are staying • Think about bringing your baby car seat for your baby while in the airplane or other modes of transportation Extra Safety Tips for Woman Travelers • Women traveling alone are most vulnerable - keep an eye out for suspicious activities, take a room off the main floor and bolt the door • Try to learn the sexual customs of the country you are traveling to - this may help avoid misunderstandings and unwanted advances • Be aware of the local dress code, especially in Islamic countries • If you are harassed or bothered, appeal to local women for assistance or maybe ask "What would your mother say if she knew you had done that?" • Wear a ring on your wedding finger, even if you are alone and/or unmarried. This sometimes helps • If someone asks if you are alone, say that your husband or boyfriend will be right back • Have your key ready when you get near your hotel • Use cabs at night instead of walking if possible • Don't hang onto that purse if someone grabs it - is it really worth your life? • Avoid traveling alone • Trust your senses, if it looks dangerous, it probably is |
| PREVIOUS ADVICE: General Travel Tips |
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1.
Check the Centre for Disease Control Website (
www.cdc.gov/travel ) well in advance of
your trip to determine which shots and vaccinations you may need and any
special situations that may exist in the countries you are going to visit. 2. Check to determine your safety in the countries you plan to visit. 3. Pack light - you don't need much and it's not much fun to drag around a lot of extra stuff you don't need. 4. Dress down - don't make yourself look like a wealthy target in a poor country. 5. Lock your checked baggage to keep prying hands out. 6. Remove any metal items from your person (large metal belt buckles, etc.) from your person so you can quickly walk through airport metal detectors. 7. Check on the safety of the local drinking water before you go. 8. Drink a lot of purified water - one gallon a day will keep you healthy in tropical or hot climates. 9. Don't ask a local if the water is safe to drink: - of course it is for them but may make you very sick. 10. If the local water is unsafe, don't: drink coffee or tea; use ice, eat washed and unboiled food or vegetables, or use a washed glass if you can avoid it. 11. Learn how to say "please" and "thank you" in the languages of the countries you visit. 12. Buy travel Insurance. It's inexpensive and invaluable if you have a medical problem during you dive travels. Diver's Alert Network (DAN) offers such insurance - check their website at: www.diversalertnetwork.org 13. Carry required medication that you can't afford to be without. 14. Photographers: it's best to buy all the film you need before departing for better prices and quality. We recommend that you carry on all of your film (exposed or unexposed). Don't let the airport security people talk you into sending your film through their x-ray equipment. Multiple x-ray exposures can degrade even low speed film. Carry your film in a large, clear zip-loc bag and request hand-inspection. If you have a lot of very expensive photo equipment you might want to consider a special insurance policy. 15. Airline baggage insurance has a per bag limit - split up your valuables. Carry small items of high value. Be aware that certain international carriers have rigid limitations on carry-on baggage. Scuba Related 1. Carry your mask - it's not usually replaceable at most destinations. 2. Tanks and weight belts should be rented at the dive destination. If you decide to check a tank, remove the valve and cap the tank to keep it clean inside. 3. Do not carry dive knives - they will be confiscated. 4. "Taste" the air in your tank before getting into the water. If it "tastes" bad, don't use it. 5. Choose the best, most reputable Dive Center to work with - it usually costs the same for much higher quality equipment and service. |
| PREVIOUS ADVICE: Jet Lag |
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Managing Jet
Lag
Also known as
circadian dysrhythmia. Refers to a condition in
which rapid travel across multiple time zones
precipitates symptoms of sleep disturbance,
fatigue or daytime sleeplessness and loss of
mental efficiency. In layman’s terms it means
that you are “exhausted and spaced out after
spending a long time in a plane. Travellers experience jet lag almost universally. Surveys have found that 90 – 96% of travellers experience jet lag. This can affect passengers and crew. Jet lag is usually less severe when you travel from east to west. It is easier to delay sleep by several hours than to force yourself to sleep earlier. This is especially true if it is still relatively early local time and the night is just getting started. Jet lag is not a concern if travelling north to south, but other aspects of travelling may show similar symptoms. Jet lag becomes more severe as more time zones are crossed. With maximum disruption in the cycle experienced after travelling across more than 8 zones, or crossing the International Date Line. There is also some evidence that jetlag is more severe in people who already experience some form of sleep disturbance. On the other hand, people who fall asleep easily and do not have to adhere to a strict morning routine, tend to have milder cases. Children experience the symptoms less severely. Other symptoms of jet lag may include poor concentration, slowed reflexes, indigestion, hunger at odd hours, increased irritability, headaches, muscle pain and decreased resistance to infection or illnesses. Of all the symptoms however, dys-somnia persists the longest. It can last up to a week and some people may require one day to catch up for each time zone crossed.
Factors complicating jet lag: Other factors may complicate jet lag. Some may be travel related and others not. Of these, pre travel stress levels and pre travel physical condition are amongst the most important. Dehydration: The air in an aircraft cabin is relatively dry and is re-circulated, often leading to a feeling of “staleness”. This leads to dry skin and nasal irritation, which may lead to headaches and susceptibility to colds, coughs or sore throat. During flight the relative humidity in the cabin is equal to a dry summer climate. Anyone can become dehydrated without enough liquid. Rule of thumb is to drink a litre of water for each hour in the air. Drink plenty of low sugar fluids and water. On Board Stressors: include, crowding, uncomfortable seats, distraction that prevents you from sleeping, changes in cabin pressure, temperature extremes and increased noise. Request a window seat to avoid being disturbed, use an inflatable neck pillow to relieve stiffness. Listen to soft music to block out surrounding noise. Inactivity: the inactivity of sitting in a marginally comfortable seat for hours can be one of the worst parts of overseas travel. Uncomfortable clothes and shoes can be another problem. Inactivity increases the incidents of peripheral endema, which is the swelling of legs, ankles and feet. Inactivity leads to a decrease in circulation. Some airlines provide warm socks to be worn without shoes. This in combination with in-seat exercises or walks about the cabin can help prevent the swelling or deep vain thrombosis. Take every opportunity to stretch out or walk around the cabin. Travel diet: Alcohol and caffeine have an impact on jet lag. Caffeine is a stimulant and can affect the body for up to 15 hours after being taken. This can impair your ability to sleep on the plane. Caffeine is a diuretic and tends to increase the effects of dehydration. Alcohol can also worsen the jet lag. High sugar content drinks affect the wake / sleep cycle – so water is the drink of choice. High carbohydrate snacks rather than high sugar content snacks are recommended. Take along snacks from home. Take care if you are not happy with the preparation of airline food.
Jet lag prevention:
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