Travel Tips

It's always important to take care of your health, but there are additional concerns to keep in mind when you're traveling.

Whether you're taking a quick trip with your family or studying abroad for several months, it's easier to get sick when you're in a new place because your body hasn't had a chance to adjust to the food, water, and air in a new environment. Traveling can bring you in contact with things that your body isn't used to.

Here are some tips on keeping your travel experience as healthy as possible.

Don't Take a Vacation From HealthThe stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you're more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip — and your trip will definitely be more enjoyable. The good news is that as a teen, your immune system is as strong as an adult's, but lack of sleep and a poor diet can make it easier for you to become sick.

The first thing you should do if you're heading overseas is to find out what kinds of vaccinations you'll need in advance because different countries have different requirements. In the United States, contact your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a list of necessary vaccinations. You'll want to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

Common Travel Troubles
Three of the most common health problems that you may experience when traveling are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you fly across time zones, the differing amounts of light can change your internal body clock, resulting in a condition known as jet lag. Jet lag may cause some symptoms that are bummers on a fun trip, including upset stomach, insomnia, and tiredness.

There are some things you can do to combat jet lag; for example, if you're traveling from west to east, you should stay out of the sun until the day after your arrival. If you're flying from east to west, go for a brisk walk as soon as possible after you arrive.

Altitude sickness is caused by dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure when you travel to a higher altitude than you're used to. As a result, you may have problems, such as headaches, dehydration, and shortness of breath. Some people are affected at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), but others aren't affected until they reach altitudes of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) or more. Find out what altitude you're traveling to before you go to see if altitude sickness could be a problem.

The best prevention for altitude sickness is to gradually increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, a drug known as acetazolamide can help relieve and even prevent symptoms of altitude sickness. If you think that you might get altitude sickness, talk with your doctor before you leave home.

The topic of diarrhea may seem gross, but it can be a serious problem. Traveler's diarrhea, known as turista, often occurs when a foreign type of bacteria enters your digestive tract, usually when you eat contaminated food or water. The best way to prevent turista is to be very careful of the food you eat and the water you drink on the road.

Safe Eats and Drinks
So what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving.

Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Here's an example: Nine friends ate at a restaurant when on a school trip overseas; eight had diarrhea the next day. The one who didn't get sick was the only one who had ordered a dish that didn't need to be touched by human hands right before serving.

One of your favorite foods at home is on the safe list on the road — pizza! Pizza dough, sauce, and cheese are foods that are less likely to spoil than others, and the high heat of a pizza oven tends to kill any harmful bacteria in the food.

You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth, rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink, first take precautions to ensure the water is safe.

You Can Take It With YouWhen you're packing, you'll want to include any medications and other medical supplies you use on a daily basis because they may be hard to find in another country if you run out. Even if you can find them, there's a good chance the formulations will be stronger or weaker than the ones you're used to. These may include any prescriptions you already take, such as inhalers, allergy medication, and insulin, as well as contact lens cleaners and vitamins.

Packing an over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen and diarrhea medication is also a good idea. And pack some OTC allergy medication even if you don't take it at home. People sometimes unexpectedly develop allergic reactions to the pollens and other allergens found in a new environment. Those with asthma or other allergies can unexpectedly react to these new substances.

Write It All DownEven if you watch what you eat and drink and get enough rest while you're traveling, you might still get sick. The good news is that you'll probably be able to find competent medical care. The key is knowing where to go. Most travel guides suggest you go to a hospital where English is spoken or U.S.-trained doctors can be found. For this reason, it's wise to always carry a written copy of your medical history with you.

Having such important information available in one place can help health care workers make appropriate decisions, and you won't have to worry about forgetting important information at a time when you're likely to be upset and not thinking clearly.

Before you leave your home sweet home, create a medical history form that includes the following information:

•your name, address, and home phone number as well as a parent's daytime phone number
•your blood type
•immunizations
•your doctor's name, address, and office and emergency phone numbers
•the name, address, and phone number of your health insurance carrier, including your policy number
•a list of any ongoing health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or AIDS
•a list of current medications you are taking and pharmacy name and phone number
•a list of allergies to medications, food, insects, and animals
•a prescription for glasses or contact lenses
•the name, address, and phone number of a relative other than your parent
It also helps if you have some basic emergency medical knowledge, not only for yourself but for helping others you may be traveling with. A great way to prepare for your trip is to take a first aid or basic life support course before you go; if you're traveling with a group, you should know where the first aid kit is and what's in it.

Basic Safety:It's easy to let your guard down when you travel. After all, you're more relaxed and there are so many new sights to focus on. In addition to paying attention to your personal safety (avoiding secluded places and not walking alone after dark), you'll need to reset your thinking when it comes to traffic safety, too. The rules of the road aren't the same overseas as they are at home. In some countries, people drive on the opposite side of the road and you'll need to be aware of this before you cross the street — look in the opposite direction from the one you're used to. Pedestrians don't always have the right of way overseas, either. Be sure there are no cars coming when you step into the street: If there are, they may not stop for you!

Practice these healthy hints and you can focus on the scenery — not medical emergencies — and return home with nothing more troubling than some tacky souvenirs!

Gurney Drive - famous local hawker food centre

Gurney Drive, or Persiaran Gurney, is famous throughout Malaysia and possibly abroad as synonymous with Penang food. Named in honour of Sir Henry Gurney, the British High Commissioner who was ambushed and assassinated by guerillas of the Malayan Communist Party on 6 October 1951 near Fraser's Hill in Pahang.

Gurney Drive has one of the best view of Penang sunset, is a favorite among families and lovers. This coastline stretch is a upmarket residential area, many bungalow lots, hotels, condominiums, and a shopping complex. Yet, in early mornings, people can be seen taking their walks along the coastline and have their breakfast at the restaurants there. Families enjoy spending their leisure time strolling or flying kites. In the evening, crowds will flock to the famous hawker food stalls at the roundabout, and lovers can be seen strolling along the coast.

Take an eco-friendly vacation in paradise in Costa Rica.

Over 27 percent of Costa Rica's land has been set aside for national parks, biological reserves, and wildlife refuges. At its core, there are 20 natural parks and reserves that populate the island. Bring out your inner hippie and experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica, with an eco-friendly trip around its tropical isles.

Lodging in Costa Rica

Stay in the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in the heart of Golfo Duce in Costa Rica. This eco-luxury, tree-top lodge features yoga classes and swinging hammocks with views of the rainforest. For dinner, guests gather by candlelight inside of a thatched roof hut, dining on tropical-Latin infused grub. At nightfall, lodge guests retreat to deluxe cabins, snoozing in canopy beds and waking up to views of the jungle and sea that surround the lodge. This rainforest lodge offers a variety of Costa Rican exploration packages for the visiting adventurer, including deep see fishing, family trips through the rainforest and bird watching.

Heat Up Your Trip

The Arenal Volcano National Park , is home to the Arenal volcano and can be explored by land or by sky. Bold tourists explore the massive volcano on a canopy tour, strapping into a canopy and whisking along a zip line over the floral and lush fauna below. While you're visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park, don't miss the Tabacon Hot Springs Spa. These natural, thermal springs are a combination of rain water and magma that heats it and fills the water with healing minerals. The waters here have been found to have curative properties, such as improving oxygen flow in the tissues of the body and aiding in muscle relaxation.

Travel the Rainforest at Nightfall

Put a spin on your Costa Rican rainforest excursion and take a guided tour through the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve at nightfall.
Engulfed by a canopy of clouds, the reserve is located in Puntarenas, about a four-hour drive away from San Jose, Costa Rica. The forest's reserve has a misty atmosphere which causes its 300 species of orchids to blossom vividly.

The tour begins as the sun sets, when animals that scour the jungle's floors and trees quietly during the day, come out to play. A tour guide leads guests through a jungle trail for two hours, exploring and taking in the sights of the jungle around them. For those afraid of the dark, tours are available during the day, in which guests can trek through the rainforest on bike, on foot or on horseback. During the day, visitors can also take a peek into the Monteverde bat jungle exhibit, where bats roost, mate and dine.

Sail with Sea Turtles in Tortuguero Village

The Tortuguero Village and its jungle canals are a must-see destination on any Costa Rican eco-tour. The Tortuguero National Park is located on the Caribbean coast and is famous for its green sea turtles and their hatching periods, when hundreds of tiny turtles can be seen scurrying out to sea. Guests visiting the village and the park can stroll along its beach, or tour the canals by boat, floating over murky waters where a variety of fish lurk, making it an ideal spot for fisherman as well.

Explore the Pristine Waters of Isla Del Coco

Dive into the waters of the Isla Del Coco. Just 532 km Southeast of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, whale sharks, snapper, moray eels and frogfish roam freely in pristine, blue waters. Steep cliffs surround the outer edge of the island, and waterfalls spout from its rocks, shooting water out onto the shores below.

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Penang Butterfly Farm

Penang Butterfly Farm has about 400 flying butterflies from 120 species in an enclosure of 41 by 43 meters. The beautiful gardens are landscaped in such a manner to allow visitors to be surprised by exhibition station at each hidden nook and corner of the enclosure. Visit every station and read every highlight. You will miss a lot if you do not do so. Observe every small activity. You will discover the characteristic can be observed up to arm's length. You can observe the other exhibitions so closely that you can discern their secrets.

Watch out for the butterfly eggs, caterpillars and pupae. Observe butterflies coming out of their pupal case, still wet and just waiting to soar in flight around the gardens. See the giant grasshopper, the legendary scorpions and 10-inch long millipedes! Search for the phantom insects (phasmid)! At the snake corner, observe some species of tree snake, oriental whip snake, red tailed racers and pit vipers. Be astounded by frogs, water monitor lizard and other small exotic lizards from Malaysia rain forest on display in the other stations. Remember to watch the lively seed-feeding finches flying so swiftly in the enclosure, children will find it interesting to feed fishes in the Koi pond and the Mandarin and Wood ducks in the Duck pond.

If you happen to be at the farm at about 10.00am or 3.00pm on any day, hurry to the show time area and be exhilarated by the live handling livestock with a running commentary. You are allowed to touch and handle the exhibits and take photographs with them in your shoulder or in your arms. As you come to the exit of the enclosure, you will come to the Live Insect Room mainly showing easing live Tarantula, Beetles, a variety of geckos and lizards. Watch out for the orchid mantis especially.

After that, you will come to the Insect Museum where you will be surprised to see about 2000 specimen, which consist of 1400 specifies. This is not the end of your visit yet. Step into the Tribal Arts and Artifacts gallery. You will be thrilled by the wide range of historically and culturally fascinating objects originating from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, china, Borneo Island, Papua New Guinea and the rest of the Malay Archipelago.

Kek Lok Si Temple

One of the finest Buddhist temples in South-east Asia . The Kek Lok Si temple stands majestically on a hill in Air Itam. This temple built in tiers culminates the beautifully crafted ''Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas''. It took more than 20 years to build which features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures. There are many souvenir shops leading up to the temple which offers good buys. And as for food lovers, famous hawker food are lined up near the Air Itam market.

The temple was begun in 1890 and, from all appearances, construction really hasn't ever stopped. And it's still going on! The temple is supposedly the largest in Malaysia . The Kek Lok Si project was inspired by the chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple of Pitt Street. With the support of the consular representative of China in Penang , the project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

Without doubt the largest and best known temple in Penang, the Temple of Supreme Bliss , better known as Kek Lok Si, staggered on the hillside overlooking the town of Ayer Itam . Since the olden days, the hills of Ayer Itam are regarded as important geomantically. Known as He San, or Crane Hill, they are recommended as a retreat for Taoist practitioners striving for immortality.

Construction of the temple started in 1893, but it was only in 1930 that the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after the Thai king who laid the foundation stone, but better known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddha's, was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.!