May 2010 Entries
Mountain trekking in Nepal. Heli-skiing in the Andes. Cheese rolling in Canada. Any of these appeal as a holiday activity? Whether you’re planning an adventure holiday like these, or thinking about trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Piccu, cruising Antarctica, or zip-lining in Thailand, you’re in the right place to find out what’s covered with an Adventure Holiday Travel Insurance Policy – and what’s not.
Before deciding on your holiday, it’s wise to research what Travel Insurance covers and what it doesn’t. If you are unlucky enough to be injured while on your adventure of a lifetime, medical costs can mount...
The following information concerns the ongoing civil unrest and protests in Thailand and applies to travel insurance policies issued prior to Friday 23 April 2010. This advice replaces the advice issued on 30 April 2010 and is effective 14 May 2010.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised on its www.smarttraveller.gov.au website that Australians should reconsider their need to travel to Thailand. DFAT reports:
We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the recent deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and civil disorder occurring in Bangkok...
Nadi International Airport is the main airport for Fiji, and Pacific Blue, Air New Zealand and Air Pacific all have regular flights between Fiji and Australia.
Culture and customs
Bula! (Hello or greeting) is heard everywhere in Fiji. Almost everyone in Fiji speaks English, but they will be delighted if you can say a few words in their language, such as :
Please yalo vinaka (yalo vee naka)
excuse me tulou (too low)
yes io(ee-o)
thank you vinaka (vee naka)
no seqa (senga)
For a full list of phrases in Fijian, visit Tropical Fiji.com.
You can also find information here about Fijian festivals, Fijian culture, and much more.
Practicalities...
The following information concerns the ongoing strikes and riots in Athens, and applies to travel insurance policies issued prior to Wednesday, 5 May 2010.
According to a Reuters news agency report on 4 May 2010, Greece’s main public sector union vowed on Monday 3 May to step up its fight against austerity measures by strike action that will test the government and its new deal with the European Union and International Monetary Fund on a 110 billion Euro bailout of the Greek economy. The union, which represents about half a million Greek public sector employees, condemned cuts in wages and pensions...
Culture and customs
Blonde Traveler has some insider tips for safety and to help you get along:
For women, always carry a sarong – they are light and cheap, and you may need to cover up if you find yourself near a temple or mosque.
No prices are fixed, even if the vendor says it is. You can always bargain.
Learn how to say ‘no’ to the hawkers politely; a simple but strong “Tidak, termia kasi” (Tee-dak, ter-ee-ma ka-see) will do the trick.
The dogs in Indonesia (particularly Bali) are known to be rabid. And they’re everywhere. If you find one following...