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"My unexpected $223,000 overseas bill"

Jeffrey Yates had just embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday with his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Instead, he ended up racking up a whopping $223,255 bill, the biggest claim his insurance company had seen during 2017. The 71-year-old from Western Australia said the pair’s much-anticipated trip had started off well. “The trip was a particularly special one as it was our 50th wedding anniversary, so it was something we’d been looking forward to for quite some time,” Mr Yates told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/health-safety/my-unexpected-223000-overseas-bill/news-story/94cd850899f9e1367bf6f3fb49621307">news.com.au.</a> “We started in Dubai, and then went over to Athens. From there, we jumped on a cruise from Athens to Barcelona.” But things soon took a turn when Jeffrey was struck with a series of illnesses while in Italy. “We were only a week in when my health started to deteriorate,” he said. “I contracted legionnaires’ disease and pneumonia which led to me discovering that I had emphysema on the trip. “The experience was quite scary and my wife and our two friends had to leave the cruise early to assist during my recovery.” He ended up in hospital for more than a month. “Within three days they’d dropped us off in Naples to see a specialist hospital, which led to 16 days in intensive care. This was followed by an extended stay in hospital. “All up, I was out of action for 47 days. After all was said and done, the total came to well over $220,000 … It was an extremely difficult situation.” Jeff says that while the couple always take out travel insurance, it was more for his wife who has ongoing health issues. He hadn’t anticipated he would need it. “It’s not something you think about, especially given how quickly those transportation and hospital bills can add up,” he said. “Of course, we were disappointed that such a long-awaited trip had been cut short, but we are grateful that it wasn’t worse and that we weren’t left out of pocket.” He says his experience show that all travellers need to protect themselves when travelling – as you really never know what could happen. Jeff still has ongoing health issues that he is being monitored for, including breathing issues for which he still requires oxygen. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

10 tips for planning a staycation that’s better than an overseas trip

We spent so much of our lives daydreaming to be somewhere else that sometimes we lose sight of how amazing our surrounds actually are! Of course it’s nice to venture overseas, but sometimes it’s equally as nice to take a moment to smell the roses. Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of your staycation: 1. Plan ahead Not having a clear idea of what you’re actually going to do on the day is the death knell of any staycation. So do some research and figure out some interesting activities to try in your city. A little bit of planning ahead can go a long way. 2. Find timely events Is there a festival you’ve always wanted to go to but never managed to find the time? Well, a staycation is the perfect opportunity to try this. Staycations are pretty much designed for this sort of experience, so enjoy! 3. Don’t go it alone A staycation is also a great opportunity to catch up with some old friends (or even make new ones) so make sure you invite some other people along. 4. Set a budget Even though you’re not really travelling anywhere, it makes sense to set a weekly budget to make sure you’re not spending too much. Or if that seems like a bit too much, even just set out a basic daily limit. Also, take advantage of free regular events in your own city. 5. Check the weather before you head out There’s nothing worse than getting rained on without an umbrella. Check the forecasts and make sure the weather suits your staycation. 6. Say yes as much as you can We spend so much of our lives saying no, but when you’re on a staycation this is your opportunity to say yes as much as possible. Be spontaneous and fun! 7. Ice cream and junk food Well you are on vacation after all! This is a great opportunity to take advantage of those foods you avoid on a weekly basis, even if your belt ends up fitting to a different notch. 8. Mix up your routine Sleep in, stay out late and throw your routine out the window. Enjoy your city for what it is and make sure you take advantage of everything. 9. Be silly Don’t take yourself too seriously when you’re on a staycation and make sure you spend plenty of time enjoying the company of those that are nearest and dearest. 10. Reward yourself While you’re technically not travelling everywhere, staycations still require a lot of work, so make sure you reward yourself with a glass of wine. Image credit: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

Readers respond: What was the first country you ever travelled to?

Everyone remembers the butterflies and excitement of travelling to another country for the first time. For many, the first trip overseas is unforgettable, because you are exploring another part of the world that is different from home. We’ve asked our readers about the first country they ever travelled to and the responses are diverse. Here’s what they said. Anita Thornton - Nigeria, in 1956, I was seven. Dad worked there and we joined him. So many wonderful memories. MarilyneJames Kelly - Went to the U.S. to Disneyland when I was 16. Ruth Jean Jennings - New Zealand ......and keep going back despite having travelled to heaps of other places!!! Susan Moldrich - Sri Lanka. I loved it so much I've been back nearly every year. Audrey Jones - To New Zealand from England. Mum. Dad and us 6 kids came by boat on 9th July 1954. Travelled back and around the world many times. Hilary Mole - By car and ferry, France, Switzerland and Italy 1960. By plane, Holland in 1965. Frances Nelson - Portuguese Timor. We drove Sydney to Darwin where we caught a small TAA plane to Dili. The only other tourist we met was a chap from Mozambique. Wonderful experience. Mindy Brown - Okinawa via Japan. My husband was stationed there in late 1960's Diane WillmoreHunsbedt - England when I was 7 my mom was a war bride and went to see her family Jenny Champness - Uganda from Australia with my sisters and parents for my dads new job. Amanda Onder - Italy, first of three trips there as a child. Pamela Tow - Papua New Guinea, where I worked in Goroka for a year. Beryl Hamblin - France Image: Getty Images

International Travel

Why one Aussie couple chose to retire overseas

Have you ever considered escaping the high cost of living in Australia for a more affordable (and comfortable) retirement overseas? One couple did and they haven’t looked back. For many retirees, the high cost of living in Australia means strict budgeting to make sure their finite amount of retirement income can go the distance. As groceries and utilities continue to rise, and with the government looking to cut back discounts and rebates, it doesn’t leave much in the kitty for leisure or recreation, let alone holidays! That’s no problem for Over60 community members Virginia and David Downton, 61 and 66, who chose to retire to popular South-East Asian destination, Thailand. “We live here for a fraction of the cost of living in Australia,” Virginia says. “We live in a great condo with a gym and a pool, we have lots of friends and regularly travel all over Thailand or visit other Asian countries.” The retired couple were living in sunny Cairns in the far north of Queensland when they decided to make the big move to Thailand. Having visited the country many times before, it didn’t take much soul searching for Virginia and David to settle on this beautiful part of the world. “We are comfortable here and know that we can afford to live here very comfortably, which is something we cannot afford in Australia, sadly,” she explains. They found their current residence browsing the internet, after searching ‘places for rent in Thailand’ on Google. Before permanently moving over, they rented the place for a year first to get a feel for the area. The condo ticked all the boxes for the couple. Rent was cheap, the place was fully furnished (down to the linen, cutlery and cookware), and it had a pool and gym. Plus, it’s within walking distance of a language school, which the couple attend two days a week. “We decided that if we were going to live here we should learn to speak the language,” Virginia says. “We’re now able to have brief conversations with the locals. They are very helpful and appreciate the fact that we’re trying to learn their language. Their eyes actually light up when we speak to them in Thai.” She added that the Thai people are “so friendly” and want to know all about Australia. While they may be far from friends and family, the internet has made it easy for them to stay in touch. They’re also surrounded by many other retired Aussies, who are located in tourist hotspots Chiang Mai and Bangkok, as well as many other parts of the country. Many Australian retirees have made the move to tropical parts of South East Asia, with Thailand and Indonesia being two popular choices. The cheaper cost of living is usually one of the motivating factors behind the decision, with retirees able to stretch their cash further in places like Thailand. “Everything here is around two thirds less than in Australia, which makes the lifestyle here very affordable. Medical care is included in this!” Virginia says. “We feel we are permanently settled. We may buy later on or continue to rent. We will come back to Australia for holidays, but not permanently. Of course, things may change but we doubt it.” If you’re considering retiring overseas, Virginia and David suggest doing your homework first. They say take a look around the entire country you plan on moving to, whether that’s Thailand or somewhere else, and don’t restrict your exploration to the tourist areas. Also, be aware of visas and the local culture and if in doubt, ask someone for help. Images: Getty

Retirement Life

Travelling overseas? Here’s what the embassy will – and won’t – do to help if you get in trouble

Australians are jetting back out into the world again. The numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, but almost <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia">1.1 million Australians left the country</a> in December last year – compared to 1.3 million in December 2019. According to information provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, passport applications smashed records in 2022, averaging more than 250,000 each month in the second half of the year. International travel is a safe, positive experience for most people, but unfortunately things do go wrong for some travellers. Trouble, when it comes, can involve anything from lost passports and small-scale theft to serious welfare problems, hospitalisation and arrests. In these cases, DFAT’s consular service will be expected to do what it can to assist. But where does personal responsibility begin and end when we leave our shores? What should we expect from our government, and what can we do ourselves to minimise the risks? <h2>Travellers behaving badly</h2> As a former head of the consular service in the early 2000s, I know the caseload involving overseas Australians is not limited to major, news-grabbing situations, like the recent <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/23/png-hostage-freed-australian-professor-researchers-captive-papua-new-guinea-mount-bosavi">kidnapping</a> of an Australia-based academic by a criminal gang in Papua New Guinea, or the impact of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/11/turkey-and-syria-earthquake-australian-death-toll-believed-to-have-risen-to-three">devastating earthquake</a> in Turkey and Syria on Australians and their families. These were serious situations requiring intensive work from our diplomats, but there is much more to the job than that. <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/consular-state-of-play-2021-22.pdf">From June 2021-22</a>, an average of four Australians died overseas every day, while an average of two Australians were arrested every day - on matters ranging from immigration breaches to drugs crime, theft and fraud. In total, nearly 16,000 Australians turned to their local Australian overseas mission that year for help in “crisis cases” – more than triple the number in 2018-19 before the pandemic. COVID-related repatriations arranged by DFAT were counted separately – there were more than 62,000 of these in the past three years. Carrying an Australian passport means we can rely on a consular service to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/what-happens-when-things-go-wrong-for-australians-overseas/13973350">provide support in these situations</a>. But expectations have grown among travellers in recent decades, partly because of the speed of our communications and the instant public feedback we receive via social media. While most Australians are self-reliant travellers, there are still many not living up to their side of the bargain. Most importantly, there are still too many not taking out appropriate travel insurance. Others disregard official travel warnings and then turn to the government for help when things go wrong. Then there are those whose expectations are just inappropriate – asking officials to arrange opera tickets or look after their pets, for example. More seriously, expectations can be very hard to manage in arrest cases overseas. Some Australians are shocked their citizenship doesn’t come with a “get out of jail free card”. But we are all subject to local laws and authority, no matter what notions we might have about the standards of justice that apply in some countries. At any given time, there are between <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/consular-state-of-play-2021-22.pdf">300 and 400 Australians imprisoned</a> overseas. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, there are real <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/consular-services/resources/arrested-jailed-overseas-factsheet">limits to what the Australian consular service can do</a> in these cases. The service will check periodically on the welfare of prisoners overseas, guide them towards local legal representation and monitor their trials. But that’s about it. This applies to foreigners imprisoned in Australia, too. To be sure, there is occasionally a case that is clearly so arbitrary or unjust, our government calls for the release of the individual. This was the case for Sean Turnell, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-australian-economist-sean-turnell-came-to-be-in-and-freed-from-a-myanmar-jail-195419">who was imprisoned in Myanmar</a> for political reasons until being released last year. But unlike Turnell, most Australian prisoners overseas probably have a case to answer. <h2>Three ways to stay safe</h2> 1) Be informed about where you are going Australians have a responsibility to know what’s happening at their planned destinations. The conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere have impacted many travellers, as have major weather events and natural disasters. With international flights returning to normality over the last year, DFAT’s COVID repatriation program has largely wound up. Travellers once again need to look to their own resources – or their travel insurance policies – to ensure they get home. The government’s <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/">Smartraveller</a> website is a reliable source of up-to-date information on everything from emerging health risks to cultural and legal issues in specific countries to the local security situation. They have recently launched a <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/sneak-peek-our-new-ad-campaign">fresh advertising campaign</a> in an effort to highlight the importance of avoiding trouble in the first place. 2) Stay in touch with family back home The consular service deals with hundreds of “whereabouts” inquiries each year. And if disaster strikes when you are travelling somewhere, your family and friends will be worried. In each of the major consular disaster responses I was involved in, including the September 11 attacks and the 2002 Bali bombings, there were people who caused their loved ones untold grief by not letting them know they were safe. In my recent book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Consul-Insider-Australias-Diplomatic-Frontline/dp/0702263494">The Consul</a>, I recount the story of one Australian who worked on an upper floor of the World Trade Center in New York, but took ten days to let his family know he had actually been in London when the attacks took place. 3) Buy good travel insurance If there’s one thing travellers really should do, it’s to take out travel insurance. Most people think about insurance as a way of covering themselves for flight cancellations or for the theft of personal items. But if you get sick or are injured overseas – or even in the case of a death – insurance is critical. The Australian government cannot just step in and pay for a medical evacuation. From my time as consular chief, I know that some Australians were forced to sell their homes to cover their medical costs overseas. People also often find themselves under-insured, or are surprised to learn that certain activities, such as adventure sports, are not covered. Young people are the least likely to take out insurance. <a href="https://insurancecouncil.com.au/resource/aussies-planning-to-travel-more-but-need-to-do-more-travel-planning/">Travel industry surveys</a> indicate about 12% of travellers below the age of 30 do not intend to take out insurance, and the number is higher for those heading to destinations in the developed world regarded as “safe”. It really doesn’t work like that though - hospitalisation in the United States without insurance can mean financial disaster. It doesn’t take much to minimise the risk of difficulties turning into disasters overseas. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/travelling-overseas-heres-what-the-embassy-will-and-wont-do-to-help-if-you-get-in-trouble-198589" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

3 budget-friendly overseas holidays destinations

You don’t have to rob a bank to go on an overseas trip. While you may be pinching pennies for retirement that doesn’t mean that a holiday is out of the question. Jetting off somewhere doesn’t have bleed you dry, actually, there are quite a few spectacular, great-value overseas destinations that allow you stretch your purse strings without making a dent in your savings. Why not consider one of these: Northern Ireland With many affordable guesthouses near Antrim’s seaside Giant’s Causeway and budget flight options, there are many great deals for a holiday in Northern Ireland. Make sure you see Pritzker-winning architect Zaha Hadid's cutting-edge Titanic Belfast museum, which brings fresh life to the dockyard where the doomed cruise liner was built. You’ll also want to make sure you take in the astounding interlocking rock columns of Antrim. India If you travel outside of the tourist favoruties – Mumabi and Delhi – there are many hotels that are reasonably priced if not utterly cheap. And the country has lots of landscape and culture for the buck. If you travel around by train and dine at low-key local places it will not only make you trip more authentic, but your pennies will go further. From lounging on the beaches of Goa to affordable skiing on Himachal Pradesh, there are many budget-friendly options including staying at Rajasthan's former palaces and living like a maharaja for less. Laos With better deals than Thailand, with its natural beauty and friendly locals, Laos is somewhat a majestic destination. With its sleepy riverfront and statue-decorated Buddha Park, Vientiane – the capital of Laos – offers much to be explored that you don’t have to pay for. Observe saffron-robed monks at dawn moving gracefully around the temple-filled holy town of Luang Prabang, or discover dramatic megalithic stone vessels, believed to be funerary urns, in the Plain of Jars. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

Aussie tourists share their ordeal after Bali boat capsizes

A newly-engaged Melbourne couple have described their horrifying experience after their tour boat <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/terrified-tourists-forced-to-abandon-sinking-boat-in-bali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">capsized in Bali</a>. Dino and Carolina said they became concerned immediately after boarding the Kebo Iwa Express, which was taking passengers to Sanur, a port near Denpasar on Tuesday. “The boat was hitting the wave and (it) looked like it was flying,” Carolina said. “It was awful, awful.” Passengers then alerted the crew to a leak below deck and put on life jackets as the vessel started to take on water. 28 tourists on board and 6 crew members leapt from the sinking boat with footage posted to social media showing passengers clinging to the side of the vessel. Another angle appears to show just three passengers in the water hanging on to the fully upturned vessel before one jumps into the water. “I told (Carolina) to: Swim and swim as fast as possible because the boat could explode’,” Dino said. The group were rescued by passing boats. Dino and Carolina, who got engaged on New Year’s Eve, and are now stranded in Bali and desperate to get home after losing their belongings, including their passports, during the ordeal. Image: 7News

Travel Trouble

Cruise ship carrying more Covid-positive passengers docks in Sydney

A cruise ship docked in Sydney on Friday morning containing potentially hundreds of passengers infected with COVID-19. It was given a “tier two” virus status by NSW Health. This means that “there are quite a few cases on board (30-99 positive cases per 1,000 people) and/or the vessel’s staffing or resources are impacted. However, it can safely maintain critical services.” But in a statement, Celebrity Eclipse says there are only about 4 per cent of people on board with Covid. “The individuals are fully vaccinated, mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and being monitored by our medical team,” the statement read. “Celebrity Eclipse is sailing with fully vaccinated crew and guests and following a robust protocols plan developed with guidance from local authorities and other leading public health experts. The safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is always our top priority.” The cruise ship has recently returned from New Zealand and has moored at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. It comes as hospitalisations for COVID-19 continue to rise around the country. The "fourth wave" of the disease has taken hold in the community and cases are rising, with some experts calling for the reintroduction of mask mandates in the lead-up to Christmas and beyond. Image: Nine News

Travel Trouble

8 simple measures to avoid sickness overseas

At best, getting sick overseas is an annoying inconvenience that takes time away from your trip. At worst, the outcomes of falling ill in another country can be potentially disastrous. As with most things in life, when it comes to overseas illnesses prevention is better than the cure, so we’ve put together a list of eight simple measures that will ensure you stay healthy overseas. Before you book anything, it’s a good idea to check this website and see if there are any medical warnings/requirements for your planned destinations. Once you’ve booked accommodation and tickets, you can register your plans to ensure you’re easily accessible in an emergency. To stay healthy when travelling overseas, we recommend you take the following measures: <ol> <li>Visit a travel health specialist, particularly if you’re visiting parts of the world that require vaccinations. These medical professionals can administer the vaccination.</li> <li>Take out travel insurance, which will ensure that you are covered for activities you’re undertaking, as well as any the event of hospital treatment or medical evacuation. </li> <li>Keep your insurance company’s contact details handy, and with you at all times. If they’ve got an emergency assistance card even better. It’s also important to contact the company the second you feel as though you need help. Most travel insurance companies provide 24-hour emergency contact and advice services for travellers signed onto their policies.</li> <li>Consider taking a traveller’s medical kit, which can be filled with useful items such as aspirin, antiseptic, cotton wool, band aids, insect replant and hand sanitiser.</li> <li>Exercising good personal hygiene, as well as a degree of care in regards to what you’re eating and drinking can go a long way to help avoid the dreaded symptoms of gastro.</li> <li>Pack mosquito repellent, and wear clothing items like long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid being bitten by mosquitos as they could be carrying some nasty diseases.</li> <li>Avoid contact with dogs, and other animals like monkeys that may be carrying rabies.</li> <li>Get a quick check up, when you return home, particularly if you’ve felt ill when away.</li> </ol> Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Five things to do in Dubai

Having won the bid to hold the Expo 2020, Dubai continues to cement it’s position as one of the travel hotspots you should be adding to you to-do list. A thriving metropolis with world-class attractions on its doorstep, one of the best things about Dubai is its accessibility to Australia. Furthermore, the city stretches some 40 kilometers along the coast, a straight up-and-down journey from one place to the next. Taxis are cheap and plentiful and now, with the metro up and running, getting around is all too easy. Offering culture mixed with newfangled architecture and a melting pit of cultures thanks to its large expat population, it’s an experience like no other. A couple of tips for those interested in visiting, Dubai is a Muslim emirate. So while it is relaxed compared to other areas in the UAE, you should be respectful of their ways such as covering up even though it can often be very hot. Covering ones shoulders and wearing trousers or skirt to the knee should be enough. Also, while there is plenty of alcohol to be had, drinking is limited to licensed venues that are housed in hotels. Other than that, there is a lot to explore and amazing things to see in the Arabian city. Enjoy! The Burj buidlings Both the Burj Khalifa  and the Burj Al Arab are sites to behold. The Khalifa is the most amazing of the two. As the tallest structure on the planet, it's impossible to miss from the moment you arrive in Dubai. The opportunity to view the city from the observation deck on the 134th floor is not to be missed – either day or night, the view is truly spectacular. Then the Burj Al Arab is the world’s only seven-star hotel and has been an icon for Dubai for many years now. From the aquariums that flank the escalator to the underwater seafood restaurant or the exotic glass elevator, it is all eye candy for new visitors. Definitely stop in for high tea or cocktails in the Skyview Bar, but book at least a week in advance. The Dubai Mall    You’ve likely heard of the infamous shopping in Dubai and until you experience Dubai Mall, you won't really understand the scale of its amazement. It is simply huge, with something for everyone inside. The shopping and eating are almost a side attraction. With a 22-screen cinema; an indoor theme park, called Sega World; a world for children, called Kidzania; a giant Aquarium with an underwater zoo; and a full-sized ice rink you, will want for little. Just be sure to be wearing comfortable shoes. To top it all off is the Dubai Fountain, which has shows – set to music – every evening at 6. Walk down Jumeirah Beach Walk Locally known as JBR, it is the largest single-phase residential construction in the world. Made up of 36 towers dotted along the beach front in Dubai Marina, JBR is a lovely, wide promenade flanked on one side by shops, cafes and restaurants and on the other by a single-lane road. This is the ideal spot to enjoy a leisurely meal while people and car watching. You’re guaranteed to see some jaw-dropping sites such as a gold-plated Porsche Cayenne, a two-tone Ferrari or a monkey or cheetah hanging out a local’s car window as they drive by. Desert safari Be sure to book in a desert safari. There are many carriers you can choose from, but most include a camel ride, four-wheel driving and a traditional Arabic BBQ in the desert complete with belly dancers. Arabian Adventures is known to be one of the best to book with. Souk it up   Whatever you do, don’t leave Dubai without visiting at least one souk. Some of the better ones include the Old Souk for textiles and materials, The Gold Souk for some great deals on gold and the Meena Bazaar. Walking through the souks offers a real chance to soak up the Arabic culture, shop like a local and come home with some fabulous Middle Eastern treasures. Image: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Aussies invited overseas to live and work tax-free

Does the digital nomad lifestyle seem too good to be true? Well, working poolside could be your next sensible business move, with popular tropical holiday destination Bali introducing a new visa to entice visitors. The Indonesian government has announced a foreign “remote workers” visa where freelancers can dial in from the beautiful resort-style island tax-free. Proposed earlier in 2022, the renewed B211A visa allows Australians to work in Indonesia for up to six months without paying tax, according to the Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno. The announcement was made last week in an attempt to attract workers who are keen on a change of lifestyle. Typically, digital nomads are on 30-day tourist visas and have had to leave and re-enter the country monthly if they wanted to stay. Tourism Minister Uno now hopes the government turning its attention to Bali’s remote worker crowd will help foster growth. He said the move could help create an extra 4.4 million jobs across Indonesia by 2024. “With a visa valid for two months and can be extended for six months, I am more confident that the number of foreign tourists interested in residing in Indonesia will increase and will automatically impact the economic revival,” he said. A proposal for an extended version of a similar visa is still under discussion. Image: Getty

Money & Banking

The latest polio cases have put the world on alert. Here’s what this means for Australia and people travelling overseas

Until recently, polio had only been detected in a handful of countries, thanks to global eradication efforts. But this year’s polio alerts in the United States, United Kingdom and Israel are a reminder that as long as poliovirus is found anywhere, it is a potential problem everywhere. That could include Australia. Here’s what the latest polio cases mean for Australia – including under-vaccinated communities and people travelling internationally. <h2>The US case</h2> In July this year, a young man in Rockland County, New York, developed paralysis and was diagnosed with polio, the <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2022/07/21/n-y-state-detects-polio-case-first-in-the-u-s-since-2013/">first US case since 2013</a>. He had never been vaccinated against polio, which is not uncommon among <a href="https://forward.com/news/512089/polio-rockland-county-new-york-vaccine-orthodox-jew/">Orthodox Jewish people</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8549591/">in some countries</a>. Rockland County has the highest percentage of Orthodox Jewish people in the US. Currently, only <a href="https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/polio/county_vaccination_rates.htm">about 60%</a> of children in the county are vaccinated against polio, compared with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/immunize.htm">more than 90%</a> nationally. As of August 12, poliovirus was <a href="https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2022/nysdoh-and-nycdohm-wastewater-monitoring-finds-polio-urge-to-get-vaccinated.page">still being detected</a> in sewage in New York City and other counties in New York State, indicating the virus is still circulating in the community. The reason there have been no further cases of paralysis reflects the fact that only around <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/poliomyelitis">one in 200 people</a> infected by the virus develops paralysis. <h2>A child in Israel</h2> One <a href="https://twitter.com/propublica/status/1558140096028737539">indirect link</a> to the New York man may be in Jerusalem where, in March 2022, poliovirus <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON366">was found</a> in sewage and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01201-0">one case</a> of paralysis occurred in an unvaccinated child. Vaccination rates among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish people in Israel have been historically low, including <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-middle-east-religion-israel-557e9d18f3f78f4fc141eeddaaefb8eb">low uptake</a> of COVID vaccines. <h2>UK ramps up vaccination</h2> In June this year, the UK government <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/poliovirus-detected-in-sewage-from-north-and-east-london">reported</a> wastewater surveillance in north and east London between February and May had identified poliovirus on consecutive occasions. This indicated a provisional “silent” outbreak and prompted health officials to instigate catch-up vaccination campaigns. No cases of paralysis have been reported. This is reminiscent of an earlier “silent” outbreak of polio in 2013-2014 when, after decades without a case, Israel <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1808798115">detected</a> poliovirus in wastewater samples in many areas, mainly in southern regions. Stool surveys indicated the outbreak was restricted mainly to children under the age of ten in the Bedouin population of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27334457/">southern Israel</a>. The virus originated in Pakistan and arrived in Israel via Cairo and then, probably, through Bedouin communities in Egypt and Israel. <h2>Hang on, hasn’t polio been eradicated?</h2> It’s tempting to think polio has been eradicated. The last case of locally acquired polio in Australia <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-pubs-cdi-2002-cdi2602-cdi2602l.htm">was in 1972</a>. Australia was declared polio-free on October 29, 2000, along with the other 36 countries in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization. The last case reported in Australia <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2660702/">was in 2007</a>, when a student contracted the infection in Pakistan. The <a href="https://polioeradication.org/">Global Polio Eradication Initiative</a>, launched in 1988, successfully eliminated wild poliovirus from all but two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan – where in recent years there have been very few cases. In <a href="https://polioeradication.org/where-we-work/afghanistan/">Afghanistan</a>, there were four cases last year and one so far this year. In <a href="https://polioeradication.org/where-we-work/pakistan/">Pakistan</a>, there was one case in 2021 and 14 so far this year. The recent cases and wastewater detected polioviruses in the UK, US and Israel are not the wild variety. Instead, they are derived from the oral polio vaccine. When a child receives a dose of the oral vaccine, they excrete the virus in the stool for several weeks. In very rare cases, the vaccine-derived virus mutates to a form that causes paralysis. This form is called a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). This occurs only in populations where polio vaccine coverage is low. Just recently, cVDPV was reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Yemen, as well as in wastewater in five other countries. Australia, like all high-income countries, does not use the oral polio vaccine. Instead, children receive <a href="https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/poliomyelitis">injectable inactivated polio vaccine</a>, which prevents paralysis but does not prevent transmission of the virus. This is why so-called silent outbreaks can occur in countries that use the injectable vaccine. This is when the virus spreads from child to child but does not cause paralysis. <h2>What are the implications for Australia?</h2> Given Australia’s open international borders, there is no reason why someone who has recently received the oral polio vaccine wouldn’t enter the country and excrete the virus. In Australia, at the age of five, <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/node/38782/childhood-immunisation-coverage/current-coverage-data-tables-for-all-children#five-year-olds">about 95% of children</a> are fully vaccinated against polio. However, there are places with lower vaccine coverage, such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/14/when-covid-came-to-the-anti-vax-capital-of-australia">Byron Shire</a> in northern New South Wales, with lower rates of childhood vaccination, including against polio. This vaccine-hesitant community is vulnerable to the introduction of polio and has had cases of diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and tetanus in recent years. Unlike some other Orthodox Jewish communities overseas, there is no evidence this community in Australia is more vaccine hesitant than other Australians. <h2>How do we look out for cases?</h2> For years, wastewater monitoring has been routinely implemented in many countries. This acts as an early warning system to identify and rapidly mitigate the spread of many pathogens, <a href="https://theconversation.com/sewage-surveillance-is-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-polio-105012">including poliovirus</a>, hepatitis viruses and, recently, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID). At wastewater treatment facilities, sewage from an entire region is combined. This allows scientists to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01201-0">detect pathogens</a> at the population level and before anyone presents with symptoms. In December 2017, Victoria’s environmental testing program <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/media-releases/health-surveillance-system-detects-poliovirus">detected</a> a rare type of poliovirus in pre-treated sewage from the Western Treatment Plant in Melbourne. No cases of paralytic polio were detected but all Victorians up to the age of 19 were offered three doses of vaccine, free of charge, as part of catch-up arrangements. Australia’s poliovirus infection outbreak response plan <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/05/poliovirus-infection-outbreak-response-plan-for-australia.pdf">focuses on</a> clinical surveillance (where health workers report suspected cases to health authorities) and laboratory investigations of people who present with acute paralysis. While the plan refers to examples of wastewater surveillance overseas, it does not propose a specific strategy in Australia. Other than Victoria, it is not clear where wastewater polio surveillance is being conducted in Australia. <h2>What happens next?</h2> Australia is just as vulnerable to importations of poliovirus – both wild and vaccine-derived – as any other country. Australia should ensure routine wastewater surveillance for poliovirus is conducted, at least in metropolitan areas. Community-based vaccination campaigns should be sensitively conducted in vaccine-hesitant communities, such as in Byron Shire, to achieve high coverage. Education should also be provided through GPs to parents planning to travel to Jerusalem, New York City and Rockland County. They should ensure all travelling family members are fully vaccinated against polio. Visitors to Israel may be able to access a dose of oral polio vaccine in that country for their children (which will prevent them being infected) but this is not available in the US. Poliovirus enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected person. So parents should also pay special attention to their children’s hand hygiene, particularly if travelling overseas to any of the locations mentioned. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-latest-polio-cases-have-put-the-world-on-alert-heres-what-this-means-for-australia-and-people-travelling-overseas-188989" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. <div style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; --tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(51,168,204,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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Travel Tips

Do you need travel insurance for domestic trips?

When adding up your travel budget, insurance can seem like an unnecessary extra that you never really use – especially on a domestic trip. But before you dismiss the idea, here are a few reasons why you should insure every trip. 1. If you fall ill or injure yourself within Australia Medicare will cover your treatment, so you won’t need to call on your insurance. But a broken leg or stay in hospital most likely means you’ll need to change flights or cancel accommodation, and that won’t be covered by Medicare. Travel insurance will reimburse you for any changes you need to make. 2. You’ve booked your tickets, packed your bags and bought your sunscreen – then disaster strikes. There can be any number of reasons that you need to cancel a trip: a close family member gets sick, you have an accident, a cyclone hits the resort you’re staying at or your employer cancels your leave. Travel insurance will cover the out of pocket costs associated with cancelling flights, rental cars or accommodation. It can also cover any additional expenses that you incur if an airline cancels your flights. 3. Theft doesn’t just happen overseas and insurance will cover you for any of your property – and, sometimes, cash – stolen while you’re travelling. It can also cover items that are lost or accidentally damaged during your trip. 4. No one thinks they will injure another party or cause damage to property while they’re travelling, but it happens. If you’re at fault you could be sued and damages can run into the millions. Travel insurance generally includes coverage for personal liability, which covers you for legal expenses and compensation you may be required to pay to the other party. 5. If you travel a few times a year, purchasing an annual policy makes domestic insurance really cheap. Because you are covered by Medicare premiums are much lower than international policies. For only around $200 a year you can have full coverage around the country – and that’s less than the cost of one night in a hotel because of a delay.

Travel Trouble

Heartbreaking final texts from teen who died on school trip

After the distraught parents of the 15-year-old boy who died on an overseas school trip in June 2019 stated that more should have been done to prevent his death, the upsetting final text messages he sent to his mother have been revealed. Timothy Fehring was meant to be on the “trip of a lifetime” in Germany with his classmates from Blackburn high-school, with two teachers serving as chaperones. Now it has been shown in a string of text messages received from her son that his condition appears to have worsened everyday, along with his desperation to feel well enough to enjoy the trip. He initially messaged to say he was “very sick” after arriving in Germany, which he linked to the spicy food he was served on the plane and in his dinner: “Hey mum it’s 6:58 here and I’m very sick. I think it’s all the spicy food because I have been on Thai Airlines and they only gave me spicy food and now I’m having dinner that has spices in it because it’s German,” he wrote, according to an image of a text exchange. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/Texts1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> “I almost throw up and am working on getting better so I can have a better time. I’m going to sleep like a baby because it might be exhaustion. I have not slept in hours and I always feel dizzy," he messaged. In a separate message, Timothy wrote: “Love you mummy and will keep you up to date with more.” About an hour later suggested that the water he was drinking might have been contaminated, causing him to feel sick. “I also think it has to do with the water because someone had a blood nose when they had it and I was feeling sick so I might have to buy some water,” he wrote. Shortly after that message he asked his mum for help with the water issue. “I can’t buy the water because it’s just the same water ugh can you help me mum?”. The teenager’s <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/grieving-parents-call-for-change-after-aussie-teen-dies-on-school-trip" target="_blank" rel="noopener">parents say teacher's were too fast to dismiss his illness as homesickness</a> following the release of a coroner’s report that documented the days just prior to his passing Timothy was vomiting from the beginning of the trip and couldn’t keep food down, was persistently exhausted and lost about five kilos in just a few days, according to details outlined in the report. Attempts to revive him via CPR were unsuccessful, and he passed away on June 28, 2019. Images: Nine

Caring

Grieving parents call for change after Aussie teen dies on school trip

The parents of a teenager who died on an overseas school trip say more should have been done to prevent the death of their “fit and healthy” 15 year old. Blackburn high-school-student Timothy Fehring was meant to be on the “trip of a lifetime” when he attended a school trip in Germany in 2019, along with 16 other students and two teachers who chaperoned during the trip. But, after departing Melbourne and arriving in Germany on June 23, Timothy became ill. His mum, Barbara, received a text from Timothy that read: "I almost threw up and am working on getting better so I can have a better time." Barbara and her husband Dale said their son wasn’t one to complain and rejected claims he was just “homesick” in the leadup to his death. "He was a super fit and healthy child and he would never want to make a fuss or bring attention to himself," Barbra told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/timothy-fehring-family-speak-after-melbourne-schoolboy-dies-on-school-trip-in-europe/b8144abe-790c-46d1-8a35-f2dedfd5f1ff" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a>. As he continued to participate in activities, TImothy became violently ill, vomiting multiple times and eating very little on the first two days of the trip. When a teacher took him to a chemist and explained his symptoms, he was given some medication. Waking up the next day, Timothy asked his mum to get him home. "He expressed dissatisfaction about how he was being treated," the coroner’s findings read. Timothy was then taken to Munich Children’s Hospital and “thoroughly examined” by a doctor, and left six hours later with a diagnosis of a combination of homesickness, constipation and gastroenteritis. On June 27, he joined the group on a walking tour in Vienna, Austria, with the coroner’s findings stating he carried a “vomit bag”, walked slowly and looked tired. He asked to go back to the hospital, but staff denied his request. Then, when he threw up his dinner that night, staff contacted Timothy’s parents and made arrangements so he could fly home alone on June 29, which would include making a trip to a GP to secure a fit-to-travel certificate on June 28. But, after walking into the hallway to get some air, Timothy was found unresponsive with blood trickling from his nose. He was hospitalised but died on June 28, with an autopsy revealing he had a “highly acute” infection in his stomach and lungs, and had suffered a heart attack. Barbara and Dale said they weren’t made aware of the severity of Timothy’s illness, and are calling for change to staffing for overseas school trips. His mother acknowledged that the two teachers were trained in first aid, but said a school nurse would have had a better understanding of his illness. "They would have picked up on the signs quicker and we wouldn't be here today," she said. “He wasn’t homesick,” she continued, adding that having more adults accompany students would have helped save her son. "When he said he was sick and said something wasn't right, that was the truth. "No one was being his advocate, we think it's important to have more adults to student ratios.” In his findings on Timothy’s death, Coroner Simon McGregor called on the Department of Education and Training to increase the staff to student ratios on these trips, and recommended that organisers should ensure there were enough resources available if someone did fall ill. "With the benefit of hindsight, staff made the wrong judgement call that Tim's complaints were not sufficiently serious," McGregor commented. Since then, the department said a group the size that Tim was in now requires three adults, not two. The Fehrings continue to mourn their son, with Dale saying it has been a “hard three years”. “Children shouldn’t die, this is so tragic,” he said. "It hits you hard and it has been a hard three years. We have tried to cope." Images: Nine

Travel Trouble

The real reason liquids over 100ml can’t be brought onto international flights

One thing most people keep in mind when setting off on an international holiday is to condense any liquids in their carry-on to 100ml or less, or run the risk of it being thrown out by security. This goes for bottles of water, makeup, skincare, and other liquid toiletries, as well as big bottles of hand sanitiser or the coffee you bought on the way to the airport. While we accept this is a part of boarding an international flight, a lot of people don’t know the reasoning behind the strict rules. So, why can’t we take liquids over 100ml in our carry-on on an overseas flight? A Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force spokesperson told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/why-liquids-over-100ml-need-to-be-tossed-for-international-flights/news-story/385fc9198465d82812f04d000c4f339c">news.com.au</a> restrictions on the volume of liquids, aerosols and gels were introduced in many countries around the world, including Australia, following the disruption of a terrorist plot in the UK back in 2006. The 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot targeted various aircrafts with specific liquid explosives. “[And as such] screening measures restrictions on what can be carried on board an aircraft have been enforced to ensure the safety and security of travellers,” the spokesperson said. Even if you have a 100ml or more bottle of liquid that is only half filled, it will still be thrown away by security. The only exceptions to this rule are some baby products and medications, but these must be presented to security officials along with a doctor's letter. While these rules are non-negotiable for international flights, domestic flights around Australia don’t have the same level of restriction. Image credits: Shutterstock

International Travel

Readers Respond: Which tourist attraction disappointed you?

When you go on holiday the last thing you expect is to be disappointed with your destination. But that’s the whole point of travelling! You never really know what you’re getting yourself into until you’re there, do you? To that end, we asked our readers to share which tourist attractions disappointed you the most and – well – let’s just say your responses disappointed US, because we just didn’t expect that. From the famous Stonehenge to the Trevi Fountain - your responses were quite interesting. But hands down the winner’s response just has to be the one from Virginia Lewington who said: “Anywhere with my ex, he spoilt it everytime.” Check out other less brutal responses below. Lynn Pilling - Paris as a whole. Quite dirty. I had been looking forward to going there for a long time. The hotel room was the size of a closet and my knees hit the wall when I sat on the toilet. Debbie Van Den Dungen - For me it’s often overseas beaches eg Venice beach, Santa Monica…We are so spoiled for fantastic beaches here in Australia. Also Noumea and Vanuatu- shocked at the rundown state of the towns, bars on windows etc not the paradise I imagined. Dot Willcoxson - Stonehenge very disappointing. Tanya Pertot - The Mona Lisa - it was smaller than I expected and I couldn't see what all the “hype” was about - for me there are many works of art that are better. Sandy Dynon - The Trevi Fountain. It’s small, the building behind makes it look bigger. Frances Smith - The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Sandra Varley Donoghue - Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bev Hooper - The pyramids near Cairo. Anita Worsdell - The beaches along the coast of California and Waikiki beach, Hawaii. Australia has the best beaches by far. Laraine Beattie - Prague. Litter, cigarette butts and everybody seemed to be smoking…two visits the same, but beautiful city otherwise. Judy Lee Flynn - The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, it was so small. Lawrence Gray - The Sphinx, badly weathered. Were you disappointed in an attraction and it wasn’t on the list? Share it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtys/posts/pfbid0LUC6Ye4ri9DKeukxzh16x1RvyQ3TzVd4wPGWhVWCkK5DEpzDEJDjHpRfH4ssNUwUl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Shutterstock

International Travel

The medicines to pack for your overseas holiday

When travelling overseas, we all want a comfortable and pleasurable stay. This involves packing the right clothes for the right conditions and bringing a good book or music playlist. But what medicines should you take? The medicines you need will depend on what your expected needs are and what is available in the country being visited. Common medicines you may need to take include those for sleep, diarrhoea, malaria, pain and anxiety. When deciding what to take, it’s also important to remember that even if a medicine is available at home, its supply may be restricted or even prohibited in the country you are visiting. So, you should check beforehand. <h2>Medicines for sleep</h2> Sleeping on an aeroplane, while wedged in a tiny chair listening to a crying baby in the distance, can be very difficult for many people. As such, prescription sleeping medicines may be recommended by a doctor for short-term use. Alternatively, over-the-counter sleeping medicines, like the sedating antihistamine <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/restavit-tablets">doxylamine</a> are available from a pharmacy. But sedating antihistamines should not be used for <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-medical-association-warns-against-sedating-children-on-long-journeys-20150405-1mesd0.html">children</a> when flying. You should also consider whether you actually need to sleep. If the flight is too long, then being asleep or sedated may prevent you from moving around while flying. Leg movement and stretching is <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html">recommended</a> when flying to improve blood flow and protect against blood clots. <h2>Medicines for diarrhoea</h2> Diarrhoea poses the <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2012/october/parasitic-causes-of-prolonged-diarrhoea-in-travellers/">highest infectious risk</a> for travellers overseas, depending on where you are going. Diarrhoea is associated with <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/travellers-diarrhoea">symptoms</a> of stomach cramps, runny poo and nausea. <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/buscopan-tablets">Hyoscine</a> is a medicine that may help relieve cramps by relaxing the stomach muscles. <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/otc-medicine-monograph-loperamide-hydrochloride">Loperamide</a> is useful in helping to stop diarrhoea, altogether. This may be particularly important if you’re stuck on a ten-hour flight, or have just set off on that once-in-a-lifetime jungle safari. Otherwise, medical advice often recommends not stopping the diarrhoea. Why? Because this stops your body from flushing out the pathogen that is causing the problem, and keeps the runny poo in, neither of which is a good thing. It’s best to let the diarrhoea pass and remain hydrated, which may include drinking more than just plain water; <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/rehydration">oral rehydration</a> products may also be needed. These work by replacing all the lost sugars and salts in your body due to diarrhoea. They are available in sachets or effervescent tablets which can be mixed with water, making them easy to carry and use. Sometimes, treatment of diarrhoea will require additional medicines such as antibiotics. Either way you should consult a doctor or pharmacist before using medicines for diarrhoea, especially if it is persistent, if you experience fever, or if you see pus or blood in your wee or poo. <h2>Medicines for malaria</h2> For particular countries, there are medicines you may need to take before your journey to prevent you from getting sick while on vacation. If you are going to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/country_table/a.html">certain areas</a> in Africa, India and Central America, for example, you may need to take an antimalarial medicine, such as the antibiotic <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/doxylin-tablets">doxycycline</a>. To be effective, these types of drugs need to be taken before, during, and after your travels, so it’s advisable to plan in advance with your doctor when travelling to areas with malaria. <h2>Medicines for pain</h2> Many of us use <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/otc-medicine-monograph-paracetamol-oral-use">paracetamol</a> and <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/otc-medicine-monograph-ibuprofen-oral-use">ibuprofen</a> for short-term pain relief. Even though they may be available from a pharmacy in some countries, like Australia, they can sometimes be hard to obtain overseas due to language barriers or different rules about how they can be supplied. <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/codeine">Codeine</a> is also often found in pain relief preparations. Some countries have restrictions placed on the supply of codeine. For example, in Australia, codeine-based medicines can only be obtained with a <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/clinical-topics/over-the-counter-codeine-changes-to-supply">prescription</a> <h2>Medicines for anxiety</h2> Some people experience anxiety when flying. A doctor may recommend prescription medicines like <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/valium-tablets">diazepam</a>, along with psychological therapy for those who experience anxiety when flying. A side effect of diazepam is sedation, but this may be welcomed by travellers trying to sleep on a flight. <h2>Restrictions on medicines when travelling</h2> Some countries require documentation if travelling with certain medicines. For example, in <a href="http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Health_Products_Regulation/Consumer_Information/Personal_Import_Regulations/bringing_personal_medication_into_Singapore.html">Singapore</a>, a license is needed for larger quantities or doses of codeine. If travelling to Indonesia with codeine, you may need to apply for a <a href="https://www.kbri-canberra.go.id/menu-customs/taking-prescribed-medicine-to-indonesia#requirements">letter</a> from the embassy or high commission to bring such medicines into the country. Restrictions placed on medicines are not limited to those that require a prescription. In Singapore, nicotine chewing gum that is not <a href="http://www.hsa.gov.sg/pub/faq/faq/faqcategory/bringing-personal-medication-into-singapore.aspx">Singapore-registered</a>is a <a href="http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Health_Products_Regulation/Consumer_Information/Personal_Import_Regulations/bringing_personal_medication_into_Singapore.html">prohibited</a> substance. <h2>What to remember</h2> It’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist if a medicine is suitable for your needs. Each person is different and not all medicines are safe, especially among children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and the elderly. It is also a good idea to ask your pharmacist about the storage requirements for any medicines you’re taking with you. And remember, regardless of how you purchase the medicine back home, it’s important to check the requirements in your destination. As a general rule, it’s advisable to check with the relevant embassy or high commission and to take your doctor’s prescription or letter, as well as the labelled medicine box with you when travelling. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-medicines-to-pack-for-your-overseas-holiday-90930" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

International Travel

Woman travelling solo shares tips on staying safe

A very clever young woman has shared the important tips she uses to stay safe whenever she is travelling overseas alone. Taking to TikTok, the woman shared the “six lies and tips” she uses against people who approach her when she is travelling solo on a holiday. The first lie is to tell people that she is in fact FROM the country she is visiting, and that her family lives there. Another is saying that her brother is in the room and is keeping an eye out on her. The woman suggested speaking primarily in the language of the country she is in to appear fluent and a local. She also says that she has “been here multiple times” to again make it appear she is a local, or otherwise she might say that she is on business with her coworkers. Her final tip was to put a wedding ring on her finger to make it appear that she is married. The video received more than 2.4 million views with many commending the woman for her stance, while also sharing their own clever tips. “I never answer questions, I just stay there awkwardly, silent or yes-no. People aren't entitled to my time,” someone wrote. “Also when someone says how long are you staying here? (ie hotel, town etc) I always say ‘a few more days’ – never tell people when you are leaving,” another suggested. “I've travelled alone and used some of these as well. It's a shame that women feel we have to do this for our safety,” someone else commented. “Kind of sad that we women still can’t travel safely without worrying for our safety,” another added. “So sad we have to still do this... but smart advice!!” another said. Images: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Common mistakes and insider secrets from all over the globe

You may be trying your best to act like a local in a new city and yes, it’s natural to make a few faux-pas here and there. Fortunately, with a little research and some insider insights, you can avoid a repeat of these accidents. In an effort to do just that, one traveller took to the online forum Reddit and asked locals to share common mistakes visitors make. The topic sure was popular, with over 6,700 comments made by those around the globe and here’s what a few of them had to say. “Underestimating how expensive the cost of living is in Norway. I’ve seen jaws drop when tourists discover the price of the two beers they ordered.” —u/TheYoupi Visiting Oxford? Don’t ask a local where Oxford University is. “The university is spread all throughout the town – to the extent where the town is basically a big uni campus. Different colleges have different buildings, and it’s not like the US where they’re all in a singular central location. —u/jumpedunderjumpman “Underestimating the size of Australia. No, you can’t do a day trip to Cairns from Brisbane. That’s like a two day drive. Even driving to Sydney from Brisbane would take you 12 hours.” —u/trumpstinyhandssayhi “In Iceland, people don’t realise how expensive everything is here, especially going out to eat. If you’re going to a restaurant, expect $30–50 entrees everywhere. Mix in some cheap street food (like Icelandic hot dogs) or find accommodations with a kitchen so you can cook.” —u/DonkeyDD “They say “Gracias” instead of “Obrigado”. Portugal doesn’t speak Spanish.” —u/ tochasHD “People come to the US expecting to see too much in one visit. Unless you’re prepared to shell out thousands of dollars on very co-ordinated flights, you aren’t going to see the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, the Alamo, Hollywood and Yosemite Park all in one week. It’s a big country, so pick a few states and stick to that.” —u/deleted “They trust taxi drivers in Greece. When you’re in my home country, never trust them. You’re just asking to be overcharged. Stick to renting a car or, at the very least, ask a local for typical cab prices before you get in the car.” —u/I_hate_traveling “Bringing winter clothes in the middle of summer. Some people don’t realise that southern Canada actually gets quite warm in July (25-35 C). It’s only permasnow up north.” —u/xarrenJhuud “They ask: ‘I’m going to Oslo, what’s your best advice for seeing the northern lights?’ Oslo is too far south to be a reliable destination to see the Northern Lights.” —u/SalSomer “When you sit down to eat in a restaurant in Portugal, the waiter will usually bring you bread, olives, or some other snacks. I always see tourists get mad when they are charged for eating these seemingly ‘free’ snacks, but that’s just how things work here. If you eat it, expect to pay for it. If you don’t touch it, your waiter will take it away and pretend like [they] never existed.” —u/BaiRuoBing “Tourists visiting London think the Royal Guard in London are just men in silly hats that are not allowed to move. Actually, they’re military men who will absolutely knock you out if you mess with them.” —u/LeahUK “I am from Houston. Best advice for BBQ is to get out of the cities and just pull over to random BBQ joints you see on the side of the road. I’ve found that the best BBQ is in the middle of nowhere.” —u/SodaCanBob “In Canada, don’t you dare try to put ketchup on our poutine. Look, I’m a huge ketchup fan, but poutine is already covered in gravy and cheese curds, ketchup doesn’t belong anywhere near it.” —u/RupeThereItIs “Tourists visiting Los Angeles always underestimate the time it’ll take to get from point A to point B. Our traffic is terrible, and you should add 30 minutes to an hour whenever you want to drive anywhere.” —aimeecurameng “People always visit Hong Kong thinking it’s a cheap South Asian destination like Thailand. Yeah … not so much. Hong Kong is pricey. It’s an amazing place to visit if you have some cash, but not so much for backpackers on a strict budget.” —u/DongLaiCha “Most tourists who go to Marrakesh book a hotel room, but you should really stay in a riad (a traditional Moroccan house built around a garden) rather than at a hotel or hostel. Riads are a big part of the Marrakech experience. It’s unique and the hospitality is awesome. Usually the staff or owners can show you around the chaotic and bustling medina, which is especially helpful.” —u/abedmcnulty “Lots of visitors will only visit London, but the U.K. has great seaside towns like Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and more that are well worth a visit. British seaside holidays have a unique charm that you won’t find in the city.” —u/FloppyEaredDog Image: Getty

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Common mistakes and insider secrets from all over the globe

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

"My unexpected $223,000 overseas bill"

10 tips for planning a staycation that’s better than an overseas trip

Readers respond: What was the first country you ever travelled to?

Why one Aussie couple chose to retire overseas

Travelling overseas? Here’s what the embassy will – and won’t – do to help if you get in trouble

3 budget-friendly overseas holidays destinations

Aussie tourists share their ordeal after Bali boat capsizes

Cruise ship carrying more Covid-positive passengers docks in Sydney

8 simple measures to avoid sickness overseas

Five things to do in Dubai

Aussies invited overseas to live and work tax-free

The latest polio cases have put the world on alert. Here’s what this means for Australia and people travelling overseas

Do you need travel insurance for domestic trips?

Heartbreaking final texts from teen who died on school trip

Grieving parents call for change after Aussie teen dies on school trip

The real reason liquids over 100ml can’t be brought onto international flights

Readers Respond: Which tourist attraction disappointed you?

The medicines to pack for your overseas holiday

Woman travelling solo shares tips on staying safe

Common mistakes and insider secrets from all over the globe

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