Beijing Olympics Plagued with Bugs and Drugs

The press have reported that the British public are losing their taste for the Beijing Olympics.  Is it surprising?  Many people, especially the young, are put off by China’s record on human rights, its politics, and environmental issues (air pollution in particular).  The smog and pollution is apparently so bad in Beijing that many athletes are being advised to stay indoors as much as possible. (It’s that bad despite many of the most polluting factories being temporarily closed and a lot of cars taken off the roads). 

We can only hope the 6.0 earthquake which rocked China today, approximately 700 miles SW of Beijing, was not a warning or bad omen. The timing coincided with the parading of the Olympic Torch on its way to Beijing for the Friday opening and was close to the area where a huge quake killed hundreds of thousands of people in Sichuan province in May.

The misuse of drugs and subsequent banning of more than 20 Olympic athletes is spoiling the one-time-wholesome reputation of the games once again.  Many people, including athletes themselves, believe that a cloud of suspicion will hang over some of the results and wins.  As if all that is not bad enough, thousands of people are reported to be left disappointed and without legitimate seats because they purchased tickets from bogus websites!

News that the Chinese government is spying on the phone and email communications of delegates and visitors staying in the city hasn’t helped freshen the mouth and make the bad taste go away.  The best advice offered to those who wish to preserve any sense of privacy has been to use pay-as-you-go phones and discard them once the games are over.

Despite all the problems, and fears of terrorist attacks, the organizers are guaranteeing that the Olympics will be safe and that security is being tightened.  Let’s hope the original spirit of the Games will somehow manage to prevail and all the negativity will evaporate once they are underway.  In today’s world where we often can’t trust anything to be what it seems, it’s nice to know that a good quality Travel Insurance policy will do what it says and run the extra mile to help if problems arise!

Looking Ahead to Tickets for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games

We still have the Beijing Olympics to look forward to but it’s never too soon to start planning for the next games if you want to grab the best tickets. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Canada with venues encompassing a wide area from south of Vancouver to the snow-packed mountains of Whistler.  Tickets go on sale in October of this year (2009 for Paralympic tickets) so make a note on your calendars.  

Dates are February 12-28, 2010 for the XXI Winter Olympic Games, and March 12-21 for the Paralympic Winter Games.

A detailed schedule of events was released on August 1st, so it’s time to start thinking about making plans to attend, or maybe to seek a job or volunteering opportunity.  For more information visit the official website.

As always, when taking on the Herculean task of booking tickets, flights and accommodation don’t forget to protect your efforts, yourself, and your investment with a good Travel Insurance policy.  If you plan to take in some of your own downhill action please obtain a quote for your Ski Insurance .

Many Brits Choosing Butlins, Pontins or Camp Sites over Foreign Holidays

According to recent reports, a lot of penny-pinching Brits are deciding to forego their overseas holiday this year – more out of necessity than choice.  Many are packing the family and dog into the car and heading for a UK caravan or camp site.  Old favourites such as Butlins and Pontins are also seeing a surge in popularity due to the current economic crisis.  Devon and Cornwall are always popular destinations for summer beach holidays.  The good old-fashioned British seaside resorts like Blackpool,  Scarborough, Bournemouth and Great Yarmouth have plenty of activities for the kids - if you can keep them from eating too much candy floss, chips and ice-cream!   Faced with rising prices for all the necessities in life and the prospect of astronomical gas and electricity bills looming for the coming winter, many have resigned themselves to a budget UK holiday rather than no holiday at all.   

Those staying in the UK and travelling by car should take out Vehicle Breakdown cover.  You’d have a welcome lifeline if the mechanical gremlins should pay a visit rather than facing the merry-go-round of finding a mechanic by yourself on a busy weekend.

Mobile Phones on Flights Still on Hold

Opponents of the use of mobile phones on aircraft will not have been happy to hear that Ofcom, the communications watchdog, has approved the use of mobile phones on flights.  Several airlines have been conducting trials and many are waiting anxiously for the final connection to be made. Hurdles yet to be jumped include approval by the Civil Aviation Authority and European Commission so the matter is still up in the air.  By the time it all gets approved passengers (other than first- and business-class) may be forced to choose between making a very expensive call that could wait or paying their mortgage, heating bills, filling the car with petrol or even eating!  It may end up being a moot (or mute) point.

More important than phoning or texting at great expense in mid-air is the need to take out Travel Insurance before taking off!

Volcanic Activity on Montserrat - Check Travel Advisories

Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.  British passport holders do not need a visa to enter as a visitor.  However, note that it is required to have at least six months validity on a passport at the time of entry, and accommodation must be booked in advance of arrival.  The hurricane season runs from June through November. 

It is not a hurricane but the island’s Soufriere Hills Volcano causing problems at the moment.  According to an advisory by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the volcano has been showing regular signs of activity since 1995.  On July 28, 2008, in a period of just one hour, an eruption sent a cloud of ash approximately 40,000’ into the air and pyroclastic flows into areas that had previously been zoned as unsafe.  The area is currently on a Level 4 volcanic alert (with the highest being 5).  Entry to certain parts of the island are prohibited or restricted and some areas of the coastline are Maritime Exclusion Zones. 

For more information visit the FCO website for Montserrat where updated and useful information travel information and advisories can be found.  We advise all travellers to research their destinations on the FCO website before departing on their travels.

Don’t forget to take out travel insurance.  Whichever policy you choose, check for any exclusions and ensure that you will be covered for all the activities you plan to engage in before departing on your trip.

Eurostar Adding Extra Train to Brussels

From December 14 Eurostar will add an extra daily service between London and Brussels.  Demand for Eurostar tickets has increased dramatically since introduction of the high speed service in November last year.  Tickets for the new service will be available for sale from August 16, 2008.

Recent Volcanic Eruptions in Galapagos Islands/Ecuador - Check Advisories

Ecuador is a fascinating country to visit, but also prone to volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.  Visitors, backpackers, and adventure travellers heading for areas which are likely to be affected should check local and all travel advisories.  Visitors should also educate themselves about emergency and evacuation procedures so they will know what to do in the event of an eruption.

According to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) the Reventador volcano in Napo Province has shown increased activity since 28 July, 2008.  In February 2008 the volcano at Tungurahua, near Banos, erupted covering surrounding areas with ash. The volcano has shown increased activity during July causing access to be prohibited. The FCO advises against travel to within a radius of six miles of the volcano.  At the end of May the Cerro Azul volcano in the Galapagos Islands erupted, sending lava flows down its eastern side.  Again, the FCO advises visitors not to climb the volcano and avoid the surrounding areas, including the San Rafael Waterfalls. 

Ecuador is also prone to earthquakes and tremors, with hundreds of quakes of 4+ on the Richter scale occurring throughout the year.  The FCO have also issued advisories against travel to certain jungle areas because of the risk of flooding and landslides due to El Niño.  These advisories should not be ignored because travelling into areas considered unsafe and against official warnings and advisories could invalidate related travel insurance claims.

Travel Insurance is a must for all travel, but especially so when it involves adventure travel.  It is vital to make sure that the policy will cover all planned sporting and other activities before departing the U.K.  Visit our Travel Guide section for Ecuador, which contains a link to the FCO for updated and comprehensive travel advice and information.  For Backpacker Travel Insurance click here.

Strike by Lufthansa Staff Affects Long Haul Routes

Lufthansa has had to cancel its European and domestic flights over the past two days of industrial action and appears no closer to reaching an agreement over a pay dispute.  They are now forced to cut their long haul services which include flights to Calcutta, Calgary, Chicago and New York. 

Flybe Airline is stepping in to fill the gap by arranging to use larger aircraft on its flights servicing Germany from Birmingham, Manchester and Southampton to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover and Stuttgart.

Obtain a low cost quote for Travel Insurance.

Visiting California? Wildfires and Earthquakes Plague Another Summer

Any sizeable quake in California arouses renewed fears of the ‘Big One’ coming.  Those with plans to visit or backpack in California should keep up with the latest news and travel advisories. California is experiencing yet another shake and bake summer of earthquakes and fires - which tends to happen over there when Mother Nature gets hot and thirsty. 

A 5.4 earthquake hit the Los Angeles to San Diego area yesterday, causing buildings to sway and shake.  The epicenter of the quake was about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County.  Evacuations were carried out and many buildings sustained cracks in walls, but thankfully no reported injuries.  Several aftershocks have rocked the area. 

Hundreds of wildfires have plagued California already this summer and currently a fire is burning close to Yosemite National Park.  The fire has destroyed about a dozen houses and hundreds more are threatened.  Anyone with plans to visit or backpack/camp in the stunning Yosemite Park should obtain updated travel advisories as several of the entrances to the park have been closed.  On Sunday a separate brush fire burned about 25 acres close to Los Angeles Zoo causing evacuation of several residents.

Chances are that your trip will be problem-free but remember that medical costs in the U.S. are astronomical so don’t take a chance and leave for your trip without Travel Insurance or Backpacker Insurance.

Need a Visa or Ticket for the Beijing Olympics? Better Hurry!

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are scheduled for August 8-24 (beginning on 080808).  The Paralympic games will run from September 6-17 2008.

In case you’ve left everything until the last minute, check your passport to make sure that it will be valid for six months from the date you enter China.  A visa from the Chinese Embassy in London is needed to enter China.  Those planning to travel from Mainland China to Hong Kong must obtain a multiple entry visa to get back to the mainland.

Tickets should only be purchased from an official supplier - which in the UK is Sportsworld.  For more information and updated travel advice visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website section for China and follow the links to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.   Don’t forget to take out travel insurance before leaving on your trip.