BAHRAIN BRITISH BUSINESS FORUM
From The Chair
W
elcome to the Spring edition of Forum, the magazine of the Bahrain British Business Forum. It was recently suggested, that BBBF might really stand for the Bahrain Buffet and Bevvy Forum. While I am sure the comment was not intended to be excessively critical, there are some grounds to support it. What is the BBBF really about? From the outside looking in, it would be easy to assume that the primary benefit of membership was to meet up with friends and colleagues for lunch once a month.
If that was the case, would it be a bad thing? Many an important business deal is consummated on the golf course and I am sure many leads and ideas are exchanged over monthly BBBF lunches. Despite being a small island, it often seems incredibly difficult to keep up to date with friends and associates on a regular basis. However, I am sure we can do better than this. By building our contacts with the Chambers of Commerce in the UK, by developing closer relationships with Bahrain based business groups and by leveraging the excellent support we have from the British Embassy in Bahrain, I am sure we can build a more efficient and more effective enabling mechanism without detracting from the important and useful social element of the Forum.
The committee is working hard in the background to develop some ideas and will present you with new ideas and a new agenda in the coming months, but as I have said before, we need your feedback too. This edition of Forum focuses on travel. I would like to invite everyone to allow their imagination to travel to the farthest corners of their minds and those crazy ideas you once had for developing your business. Dust them down and send them to us – perhaps they are not as crazy as you might think and perhaps, together, we can make them happen. In the meantime, I hope you find this edition of Forum interesting and useful.
Steve Ritchie BBBF Chairman
Contents Welcome to New Members ................ p3 Letter from H.M. Ambassador ........... p5 BBBF Member Profile ...... p6 Travel Market News ......... p7 Holiday Britain .............. p10 Sail Away ..................... p12 Top Travel Tips .............. p13 The Success Of Your Trip... Is In The Bag ................ p14 It Makes Sense To Be Prepared ............. p17 Holistic Corner ............. p18 In Praise of... The Banana .................. p19 Bahrain News ............... p20 And Finally ................... p20 Our thanks to the advertisers; without their support this issue would not be possible. Please give them yours. AXA/Norwich Union .... OBC BankTech Associates ...... p3 Batelco ........................ p14 Group4securicor .......... p17 HSBC ........................... IFC Kanoo Travel ................ p16 Royal & SunAlliance ...... IBC SDT ............................... p2 Registration number SBBB 492
The 2005-6 BBBF Executive Committee
Chairman Steve Ritchie Mob: 3967-3145
Deputy Chairman Linda Jennings Mob: 3962-5004
Treasurer Austin Rudman Mob: 3969-9475
Hon. Secretary Julie Lomas Mob: 3960-6712
Membership Secretary Rob Grey Mob: 3966-3452
Media Coordinator Terri Harwood Mob: 3964-8419
Member Peter Lyall Mob: 3933-5003
Embassy Representative Rebecca Eriksson Mob: 3953-6989
BBBF Tel: +973 1781 3488 Fax: +973 1781 3489 Email: bbbforum@batelco.com.bh
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Diary Dates Date: Tuesday 21st June 2005 Speaker: General Zayani (Subject: Crime in Bahrain) Venue: Hilton Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1 pm Cost: BD7.000 for members; BD8.000 for guests Date: Tuesday 19th July 2005 Speaker: Rick Hillson of 2Connect (Subject: New telecommunications company) Venue: Hilton Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1 pm Cost: BD7.000 for members; BD8.000 for guests Date: Tuesday 16th August 2005 Speaker: Robin Watson of the Benefit Company (Subject: Setting up Credit Bureaus Poacher turned Gamekeeper) Venue: Hilton Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1 pm Cost: BD7.000 for members; BD8.000 for guests Date: Tuesday 20th September 2005 Speaker: To be advised Venue: Hilton Hotel Time: 12 noon for 1 pm Cost: BD7.000 for members; BD8.000 for guests
Welcome New Members
Charles Acworth Head of Bahrain Operations Hamptons International & Partners PO Box 20291, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1753-1557 Fax: 1754-0015 Mobile: 3666-1964 Email: bahrain@hamptons-int.com
Martin Fish Chief Executive Bahrain & Regional Head Northern Gulf and Levant Standard Chartered Bank PO Box 29, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1720-9600 Fax: 1721-3372 Mobile: 3969-1914 Email: darthia.drake@bh.standardchartered.com Mathew Gollant Project Director Ernst & Young PO Box 140, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1753-5455 Fax: 1753-5405 Mobile: 3972-4441 Email: mathew.gollant@bh.ey.com
Nick Maynard Business Director OgilvyOne Bahrain PO Box 2140, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1757-8723 Fax: 1722-3266 Mobile: 3961-3065 Email: nick.maynard@ogilvy.com
Steve Sutton General Manager Elames PO Box 26095, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1770-1166 Fax: 1771-1166 Mobile: 3671-2233 Email: steve@behzad-group.com
Martin Whitaker General Manager Bahrain International Circuit PO Box 26381, Sakhir, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: 1745-1003 Fax: 1745-1116 Mobile: 3932-0643 Email: m.whitaker@bic.com.bh
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This edition of the BBBF Forum magazine was compiled by Andrew Mead at Mead Management Services Ltd. Chandler House, Fox Croft Walk, Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 3YB United Kingdom UK Mob: 0044 7940 55 99 25 KSA Mob: 00966 506 271 151, email andrew@sbtd.co.uk in cooperation with Krishnan Surendran at Jumana House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tel 009661 402 4785 Fax: 00966 10 405 9861 Our thanks to all the contributors and advertisers without whom this issue would not have been possible. If you would like to contribute to a future edition please let us know either by calling or sending an email to info@sbtd.co.uk A full page advert is charged at BD300. A half page advert at BD180. Other sizes by arrangement
Why Join The BBBF? BAHRAIN The Pearl of the Gulf has had a long standing relationship with Britain and is still a major trading partner. BRITISH Trade with Bahrain is now subject to significant competition in this era of globalization particularly from countries in Europe and from the USA. BUSINESS between Bahrain and Britain must be promoted in order for Britain to maintain its dominant position. The BBBF has been formed to help in whatever way it can to do this and through its close cooperation with the British Embassy seeks to promote exchange of trade and good relations between Bahrain and Britain. FORUM Is defined in the Collins English Dictionary as, “an assembly or meeting to discuss topics of public concern”. The BBBF provides through its monthly meetings a platform for networking amongst its members
BBBF Membership Application
and the exchange and dissemination of useful business leads and opportunities. In addition, in return for a modest subscription, members receive the benefit of inclusion in an annual directory describing the products and services they have to offer and a listing on the BBBF website again with a description of activities, contact numbers and useful links. Membership directories are distributed to members of visiting Trade Missions and are available to businessmen visiting Bahrain through the Embassy and business centres in five star hotels. Simply click on “Sign Up” on our website www.bbbforum.org complete the application form and click submit. Sounds simple, it is, it must be worth it. Cost of membership Individual Membership: BD 50 per annum, with an additional BD20 once-only registration fee. Corporate Membership: BD150 per annum (up to 5 individuals)plus BD40 for each applicant up to a maximum of 10,with an additional BD50 once-only registration fee.
Corporate Membership please complete separate form for each applicant
Please complete the membership form and send it to: Individual Membership BBBF Administration Manager, Fax: (00973) 1781 3489, or Email: bbbforum@batelco.com.bh. For further information call (00973) 1781 3488, Web site: www.bbbforum.org
BAHRAIN BRITISH BUSINESS FORUM
Company Name
Website address of business (if applicable)
Title and full name (Surname first)
Describe how you / your company contribute to substantial business interests in Bahrain (Maximum 150 words)
Position in business
Nationality
Date of Birth
CPR Number
Address of business (P.O.Box & Town)
Business telephone
Facsimile
Home telephone
Mobile
E-mail address
I agree to abide by the BBBF Constitution & Internal regulations.
Applicants Signature
Date
From Her Majesty’s Ambassador
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Committee for 2005-2006. I look forward to working closely with Steve Ritchie and the other members of the Committee to continue to promote UK commercial interests in Bahrain. I am glad to report that the most recent trade statistics show that UK exports held their own in 2004, even increasing marginally over the strong figure recorded in 2003 (£157.8 million compared to £154.8 million). I would like to applaud BBBF members and other British businesses and congratulate you for your continuing success in spite of the strength of the sterling exchange rate.
Above: Guests at the Queen’s Birthday Party in Bahrain in April were entertained by members of the Ministry of Interior Public Security Band. Below: The Ambasador’s reception in March for visitors on the Wales Trade International (WTI) trade mission and the Middle East Oil Show (MEOS).
You are the people doing the job; but we are keen to do what we can to help and support your success. Our entry in the BBBF Directory includes an introduction to my UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) team’s services. Our higher profile events so far this year have included a Wales Trade International (WTI) trade mission and the Middle East Oil Show (MEOS) in March, when the British Trade Office in Al Khobar and I co-hosted a reception at the Embassy for British exhibitors which attracted guests from both sides of the causeway. This worked well and we will look for suitable opportunities to do it again in the future.
Robin Lamb
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BBBF Member Profile Who is Andrew Hedges? the City Centre and several other major sites; Comstock was here for over seven years. He left them after a fantastic job offer from the Khooheji family to run their UK office, however although he was well paid, the job was really more suitable for an older man, not a young man looking for real challenges.
Andrew Hedges, who will be celebrating his 70th birthday in September this year, originally came from Oxfordshire in England. His UK residence is about 100 metres from the house in which he was born on the family farm and where he grew up learning about farming before becoming a qualified butcher in a family business which held over 60 shops throughout the UK. He was one of four siblings, a brother who died recently and two confident successful sisters who both still reside in England. The family continues to grow with plenty of nieces and nephews and a wonderful grandson called Archie. Andrew was single when he first came to Bahrain. He did marry in 1970 but divorced in 1976. His son Tom, who is now 32 and a first time father, is married to a delightful woman called Georgie, from Somerset. Unfortunately his son does not get the chance to visit Bahrain very often because he is running his own business, however, he did make it over for the 1st Bahrain Grand Prix and hopes to return with the family (for Andy to show off his grandson) for the next race in 2006. Andrew first visited Bahrain in 1973 while living between Dubai and London and working for a major construction company called Comstock International as a New Business Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company won the contract to build Salmaniya Hospital and
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On his return to Bahrain his career changed once again, this time he worked happily as a commodity broker for a London company for 18 months, but when the parent company went bankrupt back in the UK, Andy remain in Bahrain to tidy up the mess. He decided to keep the gold bullion side of the business going for a while but eventually sold it to start his own company called Trans Gulf Trading. The same company today acts as an umbrella company for several other operations including Liquor trading which is still very active. Andy introduced the ‘King Robert’ brands to the region via Gulf Cellar in the 1980’s in quantities which continue to sell well in the region, and has expanded this line of business as far as Africa, Cambodia and Singapore. Apart from spirits, his range includes various good quality wines and beers from Australia and New Zealand. Andrew now takes a back seat in another venture this time in the Oil and Gas Services sector. Although this business was a slow starter it recently expanded with new business in Kuwait and Iraq. The operation now has four aircraft flying daily into Iraq mainly carrying passengers from Dubai and Kuwait. This is a charter airline now called Heston Middle East, (originally Heston Air), and there’s a possibility it may soon go public and be given an Arabic name.
Andrew’s mind is always busy and his desk is always full of new ideas for business in the Middle East. Bahrain has been his inspiration for many ideas, some of which have been very successful. One of the ideas which caught on very well included a water processor, which was eventually bought by CCC, a large Greek owned company of which Andrew is still a shareholder. Andrew, a well-travelled man, had just returned from Australia when he spoke to us, where he had travelled to various small islands accessible only by boat. He loves Mozambique and used to travel there frequently before the civil war and before it became too commercial. He adores France, especially St Tropez and says it is the best place for lovely wine and lovely women!! He’s also quite partial to the States, particularly Florida where he tends to spend the New Year holidays. Speed has played an important factor in Andrew ’s life and continues to do so today. Anything to do with powerboat racing, motorcycle racing and fast cars are of particular interest. He is a life member of the British Racers Driving Club and actually started out in his 17 year racing career driving a vintage Bentley. He has since driven just about everything from a Ford to a Porsche Carrerra. Andrew has competed in some of the world’s best-known motor racing events including the Le Mans 24-hour race during the
1960’s. In ‘68 he was among the drivers in the London to Sydney Marathon driving through places such as Afghanistan and Iran. This experience inspired him to write a book about Formula One Drivers, so you can guess where he can be found at the beginning of April in Bahrain…at our very own F1 Circuit. His racing has not been restricted to motors and he was also part of the British Olympic bobsleigh team which competed in Austria in the mid 60’s. Even now he still goes to Switzerland on a regular basis and races with an old fashioned bobsleigh! His other sporting loves include football, tennis and squash and of course Rugby, Andy still travels all over the world to watch a game. He was the president of the Rugby Club in Bahrain for 3-4 years. To the list of the active participant sports from his younger years, we must add his other interests of horse racing and music. He plays the piano and drums and is quite adept at strumming his guitar. [Is there no end to this man’s talents?] Andrew is an entrepreneur with a wealth of experience and a very pleasing character. He has had and continues to live a fast and interesting life picking up plenty of interesting friends along the way. He likes to have a good time and professes that laughter is a great healer.
Travel Market News Gulf Air Wins Catering Award In the latest World Airline Catering Awards to be published by Skytrax, Gulf Air has clinched top position for both First and Business Class onboard catering on long-haul intercontinental flights. The latest accolades follow the strong showing by Gulf Air in the last year’s Skytrax poll, in which the airline was recognised for the Most Improved Performance 2004 as well as achieving the Best On-board Catering (First Class) and the Best Check-In Facilities (Business Class, at Bahrain Airport) awards.
BA Announces New Ticket Policy British Airways customers can now use credit cards issued in any country to book and pay
for a journey originating in their country of residence, as well as worldwide destinations served by the airline. Previously the website www.ba.com was only able to accept credit cards for payment if they were billed in the country of departure. Foreign-billed credit cards were accepted by the airline on a face-to-face basis only at their sales outlets.
Gulf Air Launches 4 New MuscatLondon flights Gulf Air is to introduce four more non-stop flights between Muscat and London.Following the success of the daily, nonstop flights from Muscat to London Heathrow, the new flights will further reinforce Gulf Air’s position as the biggest operator to the Gulf from Heathrow.
All flights will be on Gulf Air’s luxurious ultra-long haul Airbus A330 aircraft, which are currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme as part of a $10 million upgrade programme.
Air France KLM Profit Tops Forecast Air France KLM beat forecasts for its full-year operating profit, as strong traffic levels and higher savings than expected from the Franco-Dutch group’s 2004 merger helped offset high fuel prices. But the world’s largest airline by revenues said its core profits should remain largely flat in 2005/06, when it expected the impact of high oil prices to further intensify. “The complementarity between our two carriers, despite the strong rise in fuel costs, has enabled us to improve strongly on the performance of last year,” Air France KLM
Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta told a news conference.
First Saudi Private Airline May Take Off This Autumn The Al-Tayyar Travel Group has asked the government to license a company that will operate a private airline in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The market has up to now been a monopoly of Saudi Arabian Airlines. The new domestic airline is likely to begin operations later this year. “We have already presented an application to the government to license a domestic airline company,” Dr. Nasser Al-Tayyar, CEO of the group, told a press conference in May. He said the new company would have an initial capital of $50 million, adding that it would start operating domestic flights within six months after receiving the license.
A New Tower Of London … At Heathrow
British Airways Takes Business Class Travel to New Heights British Airways’ Club World traveller can now benefit from a range of products and services that have been introduced as part of the £600 million development programme to redefine business travel for the 21 st century, and set new industry benchmarks for comfort and innovation.
A futuristic air traffic control tower now taking shape at the world’s busiest international airport in London will create an astonishing landmark for the United Kingdom capital and give controllers the best views from any such tower on earth. Heathrow is the biggest of London’s three main airports and despite handling 67 million passengers a year it is expected that traffic will grow by 30 million a year, staving off the competitive threat from other European airline hubs at Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Much of this extra traffic will be handled by the arrival next year of the first of a new generation of superjumbo jetliners, the 650-seat Airbus A380. Heathrow promises to be a centre of operations for the giant newcomer because it will be used by at least six of the 11 international airlines that have together ordered 129 of the four-engined double-deck giants of the sky. This travel explosion means that Heathrow’s 50-year-old control tower and four passenger terminals will be unable to cope, and the British Airports Authority (now known simply as BAA) is in the throes of a 4.2 billion pounds expansion that will provide both a unique
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showpiece control tower and a fifth passenger terminal more than 400m long. Since January this year, the control room structure has been progressively jacked-up from its base to enable six steel mast sections, in 12m lengths, to be installed and for the structure to be raised skywards to its full 87m height. The tower, designed by the UK’s Richard Rogers Partnership and engineered by the Arup company, has just reached an important stage with a toppingout ceremony to mark reaching its full height, more than twice that of the old tower. The tower will have a 360-degree cone of vision, the best viewing capability of any control tower in the world. Heathrow’s 55 air traffic controllers expect to move into the tower – costing 50 million pounds - in the winter of 2006/07. The Heathrow topping-out ceremony involved gold bolts being ceremoniously tightened at the base of the control tower to mark completion of its main structure. A BAA spokesman explained: “The ritual is aimed at ensuring that prosperity and good luck for the building will ensue. Once the bolts were tightened, the team followed top-out tradition by hosting a celebration.”
The most ground-breaking of these products - and British Airways is the only international airline to offer this to business class travellers - is the seat in Club World that converts to a completely flat, six-foot bed. The ergonomically designed Club World seat is fully electronic with integrated lumbar support and can adopt any recline position between fully upright and completely flat. In addition to the fully adjustable headrest with ‘ears’ to provide extra support, the unique footstool makes the most of the generous legroom to allow customers to really stretch out their legs and relax. Comfort and space in the Club World cabin have been enhanced with an innovative design that has created the first “lounge in the sky ” environment for business travellers. Seats are now designed in forward and rearward facing pairs to maximise personal space and privacy, with the added feature of individual privacy screens at each seat that can be opened or closed depending on whether customers are travelling together or alone. “Our new sleeper service, gives customers an even better and longer night’s sleep and ensures that they arrive in London in the best possible
shape,” said Rory Black, British Airways Manager, Bahrain and Qatar. The new onboard catering includes a “Night Cap” service of a hot or cold drink and a snack such as warmed cookies or a toasted sandwich or mezze plate. Substantial snacks from a “Midnight Munchies” menu such as savoury rolls, luxury ice-cream or a cheese selection are available throughout the flight and a “Breakfast in Bed” will also be served as close to landing as possible for those customers who want it. Following customer feedback, the airline will enhance the flat bed with the latest cushioning technology, similar to that used in the latest premium household mattresses, to provide customers with more comfort and further ergonomic support. This is the first time such cushioning has been used in an airline seat. Customers can also take advantage of larger pillows and higher quality thicker blankets to help them sleep even better. With many business travellers obliged to take their laptop computers on trips abroad, British Airways has doubled the Club World hand baggage allowance to two pieces and a total of 18kg.
WTM Gives Boost To ‘Fashionable’ London
New Joint Frequent Flyer Programme On 6th June 2005, Air France and KLM will offer their 66.3 million passengers a new joint frequent flyer programme – FLYING BLUE.
Open exclusively to the trade, the World Travel Market (WTM) is the international travel industry’s premier business-tobusiness forum with over 44,000 industry professionals from over 190 countries present. WTM, which celebrated its 25th Silver Anniversary in 2004, had its most successful year ever with an increase in exhibitors, exhibition space and visitors. Places such as Carnaby Street in London’s Soho, and selected places in Scotland, seemed to have featured highest in terms of attracting new interest towards UK tourism. The latest reviews in The Times, and Italy ’s Vogue - among many other distinct news and lifestyle titles - have given a new impetus to visitors and Londoners to go to Carnaby Street, the capital’s well-known fashion district. The quarter won its name as a hot visitors’ lifestyle place in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The area has been recently revamped to get the attention of new-generation tourists and also serve Londoners’ taste for such destinations. This unique London area includes Carnaby Street, Newburgh Street, Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street, Beak Street, Kingly Street, Marshall
Street and recently opened Kingly Court, an open-air courtyard housing 30 one-off boutiques. It has become a magnet for fashion and music stylists as well as celebrities so visitors may see some famous faces. “The newly revived Carnaby area is one of the most fashionable clothes districts in Europe”, says The Times. And according to Italian Vogue, “Kingly Court is shaping up to be a centre for excellence, thanks to a policy that mixes edgy with street and then throws in regular events for good measure”. As the World Travel Market was closing last year, Scotland (www.visitscotland.com), which is international visitors’ other favourite UK destination after London, got a new boost from an unexpected direction. The Scottish parliament made the first in Europe legislative proposal to ban smoking anywhere in the country. This proposition is already being examined by members of the European Commission in view of its favourable effect on health and also on Scottish recreational tourism and leisure industries. It is possible that it will be matched in the future with a similar EU directive.
Europe’s leading loyalty programme will enable its members to earn and spend miles on Air France, KLM, flights operated by Sky Team member airlines, an additional 30 airline partners and some 100 nonairline partners (eg. Hotels, car rentals etc). With a global network of 18,000 flights and 900 destinations, customers benefit from a number of advantages. Flying Blue is structured in four (4) levels: Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Frequent travellers on any of the nine (9) Sky Team member airlines and Kenya Airways collect miles, enabling them to move up to the next highest tier. Platinum members also enjoy the possibility of becoming lifetime Flying Blue Platinum members, with all its privileges included. Members will benefit from the consistently high quality service on the combined network of both airlines. Innovative, forward looking and user friendly, Flying Blue offers members the freedom to manage their account on www.airfrance.com or www.klm.com websites, with exclusive advantages for Internet surfers. The new airline partners include Aeromexico, Alitalia, Continental, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Aircalin, Kenya Airways, Air Alps, Air Europa, Air India Airlinair, Alaska Airlines, Avianca, CCM Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cityjet, Comair, Globalpass, Indian Airlines, Jet
Airways, Maersk Air, Malaysian Airlines, Malev, Middle East Airlines, TAAG, TAM, Twin Jet and Ukraine International. Gulf Air’s newest frequent flyer programme replaces the airline’s earlier offering. It has been remodelled and refined to bring more advantages and benefits that puts it on a par with any other frequent flyer programme in the world. Several of its features are quite unique. Unlike many other programmes whose miles have a relatively short lifespan, Gulf Air Frequent flyer miles are valid for 10 years. The rewards for flying in their premium classes are quite generous. Take a qualifying flight in Business Class and you’ll earn twice the miles you’d earn in Economy Class. And you earn three times the standard mileage when you fly First Class. From January 2005, Gulf Air has introduced Tier Bonuses for Silver and Gold members at 25% and 50%, this is on top of the twice and three times the miles when you travel on Business and First Class. Once you’ve reached Silver or Gold status it’s easy to maintain it, because the required number of loyalty points is lowered for the second and subsequent years of membership. Gold members who clock up a total of 10,000 loyalty points within a five year period, are awarded Gold membership for life! Points are awarded for every flight a member takes with Gulf Air, Gulf Traveller or Oman Air on any eligible fare, the number of points depending on the route and class flown.
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allocated a time and table for either the first or second sitting.
Holiday Britain Two hundred years ago most ordinary working people in Britain only rested on holy days (Christmas & Easter); there were no such thing as the “holidays” we know today. In Victorian times you might find a few daytrippers spending a day at the seaside, when taking a boat trip around the pier was the most exciting part of the day. But it was the arrival of the charabanc that changed people’s leisure habits. Instead of staying in their own towns, they were getting out to the coast, a place that many people had only ever seen in picture books. Whole villages and factories would save together for the year so that they could hire a charabanc. Often only the women and children could go, as the men were unable to take the time off work. Indeed it wasn’t until 1938 that a law was introduced entitling every worker to a paid holiday. A few years earlier, an advert was placed in the Daily Express announcing the opening of the first Butlins Holiday camp. The Ad invited the public to book for a week’s holiday enclosing a ten-shilling registration fee (about 350 fils). The ad offered holidays with three meals a day and free entertainment. A week’s full board cost anything from 35 shillings (BD1.2) to 3 pounds a week according to the time of year. The camp was opened on Easter Sunday 1936 by Amy Johnson. There were already quite a few holiday camps in existence but Billy Butlin took the concept to a whole new level by making them far bigger and by offering a previously unheard of range of activities and entertainment.
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A few days after the advert appeared, Skegness Post Office telephoned the camp informing them that they were inundated with sacks of mail. The response to the Ad had been “unbelievable”. One camper, from Nottingham was so eager that she turned up for her holiday a day before the camp opened. Nine Butlins camps were built in the UK. The pre-war camps of Skegness (1936) & Clacton (1938), the wartime camps of Filey, Pwllheli and Ayr and the post-war camps of Mosney (‘48), Bognor (‘60), Minehead (‘62) and Barry (‘66). The Butlin camps were really in a league of their own and were far larger than anything seen before or since. But this whole ‘mega-camp’ idea was not to everyone’s taste. Until the late 1960s the only option was fullboard. At some of the larger camps it was quite possible for 10,000 people to be staying on site at any one time and all of these had to be fed 3 meals day. Each camp had two or more cavernous dining halls and two sittings were arranged for each meal, usually an hour apart, with campers being
The first ‘package’ holiday to Spain was offered by the Horizon Holiday Group in 1954 but it was in the 1970’s that the airline industry really expanded and operators began to offer cheap package holidays to Spain. Taking advantage of their higher levels of disposable income large numbers of UK residents started to go abroad for the first time. In the 1980’s Skiing holidays were being promoted and the ordinary family started to discover that it could be cheaper to holiday away, than to stay at home in the UK. By the time 1990 arrived packages to the USA were gaining in popularity and during the following decade many were taking ‘second’ holidays or discovering that more exotic locations were actually within their budget. By 2002, 43 million Britons were taking holiday flights. Another 10 million were getting to their holiday destination by sea and over 5 million were using the Channel Tunnel to escape for a break. In 2002 and again in 2003 Spain topped the holiday league with over 12 million visitors.France was not far behind with 11 million in 2002. Ireland and the USA took about 4 million each with Italy & Greece following close.
Germany, Belgium, Portugal & the Netherlands made up the top ten destinations for Brits to get away from home. Hardly surprising then that in 2003, the British government started a campaign to encourage Brits to take their holidays at home. Whole volumes have been written about almost every village, town & city in the country. The internet is awash with millions of words about every aspect of the British countryside, places to see and things to do, but I often wonder just how many of us really know the country we call home.
Speak to ‘foreigners’ about going to the UK and the majority seem to assume you’re talking about London. But, London is not the ‘UK’ and although over 12% of the UK population lives there, there’s much more to the UK than just its capital city.
Devon coastline. The Sea wall pictured in Millais Boyhood of Raleigh is still there and only just up the road are the gardens at Bicton where three hundred years of horticultural history are laid out in a superbly landscaped park.
A quick review of just one corner of Britain might just throw up a few ideas for your next trip home. Starting in Cornwall, the village of Polperro is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places in the southwest. Packed tightly into a steep valley on either side of the River Pol, the quaint colourwashed cottages and twisting streets offer surprises at every turn: the Saxon and Roman bridges, the famous House on Props, the old Watch House and the quayside with its protected inner harbour full of colourful boats and the occasional seal.
To get to Cornwall, many drive straight through another of England’s prettiest counties. Yet only a few miles from the motorway running through Devon, small towns and villages offer quiet and relaxing holidays, away from the stress of modern day life. One of those is a previous winner in the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competitions. Budleigh Salterton, a small town south of Exeter, enjoys a unique ‘quiet’ style of life and offers many glorious views of the East
For two thousand years Bath has been a spa town, built around Britain’s only hot mineral springs. For centuries this natural phenomenon has attracted visitors to Bath, and led to a unique historic urban environment around the springs. One of the most visited spots in the famous Royal Crescent built to the designs of John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1774 and is justly considered one of the finest achievements of urban 18th century architecture.
Go east into Dorset and almost hidden behind laurel bushes, yet only just off the main road near Bovington and some seven miles from Dorchester, is “The Cottage” where that great Englishman lived for the last years of his life, Lawrence of Arabia. The cottage was handed to the keeping of the National Trust by his family and today in the summer months, large numbers of visitors go to see this quiet retreat. The cottage is certainly not outstanding for itself. Over the door in Greek is inscribed “Nothing Matters” reflecting perhaps, Lawrence’s feelings at the time of the first war, but the key may be obtained from the house over the road and there are a number of interesting personal relics. Travel up into Somerset and a 2004 winner of another of those Britain in Bloom competitions is the City of Bath. A city of gracious crescents and golden streets, Bath is a city with a unique character and inviting atmosphere, full of colour and culture, style and sophistication.
Just to east of Bath, the county of Wiltshire offers a host of attractions for the visitor and the most famous of these has to be the truly significant Megalithic sites at Stonehenge and Avebury.
Stonehenge is the only stone circle in the world with horizontal lintels across the top of the stones. Believed to be at least 5000 years old, it has been estimated that the three phases of the construction required more than thirty million hours of labour. In the third phase of building, 3500 years ago, some 82 bluestones from the Preseli mountains, in southwest Wales were transported to the site. Quite how some of the stone was brought to the site is still subject of much debate.
Nearby Avebury is another of the 14 British World Heritage sites and includes the largest stone circle in Europe. It also has the largest prehistoric mound - in the form of Silbury Hill. If quaint villages attract you then you must take a walk through Castle Coombe and here’s a tip: check out the parking at the bottom of the hill first. If you park at the top and walk down it’s quite a steep climb back up to the car particluarly if you’ve enjoyed a ‘good lunch’ at the Castle Inn.
Castle Coombe is a village in two parts, on one side you have one of the prettiest villages in England and on the other there’s the racing circuit. As well as watching others race in the Formula Ford sessions they often hold Track Days when you can drive your own ‘road legal’ car on the race track. Check out the website for specific dates.
Whatever your preference, if you have enjoyed a particular area, activity or event in Britain’s countryside, or if you have a story that you want to share - we want to hear from you. Do let us know, we’d like to see your article in the next edition.
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designed with the family in mind and have an extensive range of facilities and activities specifically designed to entertain different age groups and make sure children and teenagers never get bored.
Sail Away With 70 percent of the planet covered in water, the next question should not be where to go to but where to go to first. Cruise ships visit more than 1,800 ports around the world, providing you with rare glimpses into many cultures all in one eye-popping vacation. If travel is meant to be savoured, then crossing the oceans should be a majestic experience, not merely a hop across the pond. Proudly continuing the tradition of luxury cruising that began in 1840, Queen Mary 2 debuted in 2004 as the new flagship of The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World™ - Cunard. As the tallest, longest, largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built, Queen Mary 2 provides her guests with unprecedented amenities and accommodations at every turn. Maintaining the tradition of her predecessors, Queen Mary 2 is the only ship offering regularly scheduled transatlantic service. But what’s life like on board? Imagine a floating palace where the pleasures are unmatched. Where royalty, millionaires and film stars have been known to stroll on
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gleaming teak decks while savoring the earth’s most dramatic panoramas. If you can do that, and have an appetite for the finer things in life it sounds like that cruising might be for you. So where can you go? There is a whole world out there, whether you have dreamt of visiting the dramatic scenery of the Norwegian fjords; the bustling, historic cities of the Mediterranean and Baltic; the magic of the Far East; the idyllic islands of the Caribbean and Indian Ocean or the ancient civilisations of South America. It’s up to you. But surely it takes forever? Cruises vary in length, some around the Far East can be as short as 2 nights, there are also city and short breaks around Northern Europe that can be from 2 nights as well. More usually cruises are between 7 and 21 days although for something like an ‘Around the World’ cruise you would need over 3 months. But doesn’t it cost the earth? Like other types of vacation, cruise prices vary considerably depending on the duration, ship, itinerary and of course, the accommodation you choose. Having chosen your cruise the price will usually include: all
meals, accommodation, entertainment and activities onboard, port charges and taxes. It does not include personal expenses (for example, onboard drinks, laundry charges, health and beauty treatments) nor does it include shore excursions which although offered by most ships are optional and paid for separately. Savings can often be made by booking well in advance, you will also have a wider choice of cabin positions and types by doing this. Charges may be made for certain entertainment and leisure facilities offered by some cruise companies, advice can be given once you have selected a cruise So what do I do with the kids? While some ships are child free, this is because they do not have the facilities on board to cater for them. Other ships are
If you don’t need to consider children you might want to take a look at the latest offering from Stelios, the easyjet founder. During the sumer of 2005 easyCruiseOne will be based n the French and Italian Rivieras and unlike traditional cruising the ship will stay in port in the afternoon to encourage people to have fun ashore and sail in the early hours of the morning for the next destination. What else is there to do? A decade ago, the title “Best Cruises for Active Travelers” might have been considered an oxymoron. The prevailing perception was that cruising was heavily weighted to the heavily weighted. Cruises for active-minded folk were an entirely separate entity from mainstream ships and voyages, and there was little passenger crossover. Gradually, the descriptions have begun to blend, and the young at heart and active in spirit now typically share ships with their more passive fellows. Active travellers will, as well, find no shortage of shore experiences on those ships to whet their appetite for adventure. There is usually a wide choice of things to do on board ship, although activities and facilities
Top Travel Tips Cruising Paying the brochure rate for a cruise is like paying full sticker price for a car. To lessen the sticker shock, book early— generally 120 days prior to the sail date—and be flexible about your travel plans, for just like the rest of the travel industry, off-season cruises are typically cheaper. Aim for a four-day cruise in the middle of the week instead of the popular three-day weekend cruise. You might get that extra day at a great rate!
will vary from ship to ship. Often a daily newspaper will be published to let you know what and when things are happening. Of course, you don’t have to do anything at all if you don’t want to, but if you do tire of just lazing in the sun or reading, then there will be a range of activities to keep you busy. Swimming is a favourite pasttime on board and most ships have a choice of pools and to help counter all those gourmet meals available, ships usually have fully equipped health spas with gymnasium, jacuzzi, beauty treatments, exercise classes etc. Your nights, just like your days, can be as lively or relaxing as you choose. Once you have dined and enjoyed the company of your new friends you many want to do nothing more than take a quiet stroll around a moonlit deck and an
early night. If, on the other hand, you start to come alive in the evenings then there will be an array of entertainment on offer.
Dress Properly – Even if you’re allergic to dress codes, do not show up to a formal dinner in jeans and flip-flops. The ship will have a code for each day, so learn it. Learn the Ship’s Language – Your vessel is a ship and never a boat, and the ship is always a she or her. Left is port, right is starboard. Aft means rear or stern, while the bow is the front of the ship. The bridge is where the Captain and his crew control the ship,
With live shows, novelty acts, live music, dancing, films, night clubs go on into the small hours and most ships have gaming tables. For the less active there are the lounges and bars, some with a pianist playing easy listening sounds or there are a selection of board and card games available.
Forget the captain – your cabin steward is the most important person you will meet, linking you to the ship, its secrets, gossip and intrigue.
With a selection of companies offering a wide variety destinations and itineraries cruising has something to suit every taste and budget.
Don’t eat undercooked or raw meat, fish, or shellfish, even if a local delicacy, shellfish are one of the most common sources of infection- if you do eat them make sure they are well cooked.
Whether you’re a couple, a young family, extended family, retired or travelling on your own, cruising offers you a holiday to remember with each itinerary offering a fascinating mix of countries and cultures.
Cover Image: Lying southwest of Tahiti and east of Tonga, the Cook Islands is the best kept secret in the Pacific. A self governing state in free association with New Zealand; the government system is based on the Westminster model and elections are held every five years. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand. The best holiday weather conditions are from July to September. Search for Princess Cruises on the www for more information.
Avoiding the travellers upset stomach Cook it, peel it or leave it, is a good rule to follow when eating unfamiliar food in unfamiliar places. Choose restaurants with a good reputation. Does it look clean? Is the food covered or in the open with flies all over it?
Avoid un-pasteurized milk, ice cream and yogurt from uncertain sources. In many places it’s also a good idea to avoid salads and unpeeled fruit. Often salad has not been washed or could have been washed in contaminated water. Use your common sense in what not to eat and where not to eat. If it doesn’t look clean don’t eat there. Stick to bottled water – check the seal is intact even in restaurants make sure you see the waiter break the seal at your table. Carbonated water is possibly safer as it can’t be refilled from the Tap. Avoid ice in drinks.
Beating Jet Lag - Tips from Donna Karen’s new book. On long haul flights take with you snacks of carrots, wholewheat pretzels and fresh fruit, nibble on them when feeling a little hungry. Drink Camomile tea (best to take your own tea bags as many airlines do not have on board) Drink lots of water, no alcohol, or Tea and Coffee, Take Vitamin C on the hour.
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The Success Of Your Trip Is ... In The Bag “A worldwide study by the Dull Men’s Club has revealed that 45.4% of airport luggage carousels turn in an anticlockwise direction.” so said an article in one of the national dailies recently. Findings on carousel direction from 357 airports apparently uncovered the fact that 7.6% actually travel in both directions. [No sign, though, that the direction depends on which side of the Equator you are on.] So while you’re standing there waiting for that suitcase with the yards of duct tape holding it together and the handle that’s half torn off, isn’t it about time you considered a new one?
Though packing a suitcase is a grim but unavoidable part of traveling, buying something specific to your requirement is a bit easier especially now that the luggage industry has introduced so many features that make baggage-hauling a much less arduous chore. You’ve no doubt noticed those confident, slightly smug travellers who breeze through airports wheeling neat black bags that glide smoothly over tile floors, asphalt parking lots, even curbs and stairs. Maybe you want to be one of them. And you can. These days, virtually every type and style of luggage comes with wheels, whether you prefer a duffel, a garment bag or a Pullman suitcase.
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Backpacks were once the only type of luggage without wheels, but now there are wheeled backpacks as well. Wheels may be the biggest luggage innovation of the past 10 years, but they’re by no means the only one. Abrasion-resistant fabrics, retractable handles and detachable straps that let you hook one bag to another for easier transport are recent improvements too. Though these features make luggage more durable and versatile, they also give consumers more to think about when it’s time to buy something new. Your first consideration should be the type of trips you take. Weekends at the beach? Three-day business trips? Marathon jaunts through Europe, Africa and Asia? Each of these demands a different type of bag. Choices, choices One marketing company has just released their latest figures for the UK luggage market which they claim has a value of nearly £149 Million for the period Jan - December 2004. Over 44% of the value is contributed by the suitcase market. But before you dash off and buy the entire Loius Vuitton range take a little time to decide what you actually need.
A casual canvas duffel might be fine for beach weekends, but for short business trips you’ll probably want a wheeled vertical suitcase that you can carry on the plane. And you’ll need a large Pullman suitcase or wardrobe bag for those extended trips abroad. Next, consider how often you travel by airplane. If you’re a frequent or even periodic flyer, you’ll need something that’s sturdy and long-wearing. Though hard-sided luggage has its fans, luggage dealers say 75% of suitcases sold are soft-sided pieces (duffels and garment bags) and semi-softsided suitcases, which consist of plastic or metal frames covered with fabric. The most popular color is black, chosen for 70% of luggage purchases. It hides wear and tear better, retailers said, but its main advantage is that it will never be discontinued or out of style. Finally, assess the individual features of the various brands and styles. Here’s a few pointers on what to look for. Fabric Luggage dealers and manufacturers unanimously single out DuPont Cordura Plus nylon as the strongest fabric for soft- and semi-soft-sided luggage, telling impressive tales about the fabric’s durability and its other uses. Some manufacturers also make bags from ballistic nylon, the fabric used in bulletproof vests. Ballistic nylon has a special two-by-two weave that keeps the fabric from tearing if it’s punctured, though the weave doesn’t diminish its ability to resist abrasion. The most common fabric for semi-soft-sided bags is polyester, which is less durable but also less expensive. The key to choosing the strongest polyester is to look at the fabric’s denier, a term that refers to the density of the weave. The heavier the denier
of polyester, the tougher it is and the better the wearability. Polyester also can be woven using the ballistic technique, which makes it stronger — but, as more than one luggage dealer pointed out, it’s still polyester. Wheels Ten years ago, suitcases had four wheels and were pulled along with straps that looked like leashes. It seemed like a wonderful system, even though the bags often tipped over and the wheels often got knocked off.
NOT NEEDED ON VOYAGE A clever new way to avoid the hassles of luggage, from heaving heavy suitcases to and from the airport to the long wait for them to turn up (or not) at the carousel, is to send it on ahead. If you’re in the UK one phone call can save the hassle. First Luggage will arrange to collect bags from your home or workplace the day before departure and deliver them to a hotel in Europe, the USA or the Caribbean in time for your arrival. The same procedure is available for the return trip. Prices vary according to the country, with the average for a suitcase to most European countries being £149 return. Suitably unencumbered, you can skip up to the fast-track, hand luggage-only check-in desk. Check details online at www.firstluggage.com
All that changed when a Northwest Airlines pilot, came up with a better way. He turned the bag on its side, installed wheels on two corners and put a retractable handle on the back.
particularly if they’re placed on the corner or edge, where abrasion may ruin them. Zippers set back an inch or two from the edges, or covered by an additional layer of fabric, are much more durable.
His bags were so popular with flight crews that he soon established a mail-order business to sell them to airline employees. In 1990, the bags became available to the public, and Plath’s company, Travelpro, became an industry leader. Now virtually every luggage company makes wheeled bags.
Look for the biggest, strongest zippers you can afford, because once broken, luggage zippers rarely can be repaired. On the other hand, zipper pulls that fall off are easy to replace; see your luggage dealer if you need this repair.
Not all wheels are created equal, though. Plastic wheels have a tendency to chip and Rubber Rollerblade wheels or ball-bearing wheels have a better, smoother roll and give the bag a better balance. Wheels should be partially recessed into the bottom of the case to protect them. Large wheels that sit on top are just asking to be knocked off.
Check the stitching too, around the zipper and everywhere on the case. It’s often the first thing to go. Nylon thread holds up best. Price range What you spend for luggage should depend on how often you travel and how often you plan to use your new bag.
The maximum weight is 32kg (70 lbs). Additionally any bag over 23kg in weight should be tagged as ‘HEAVY’ with the actual weight of the item clearly visible on the tag. Gatwick & Manchester have already followed suit and others are sure to follow. But stand by - it’s not just the bags they’re checking. South African Airways issued a statement in April 2005 that it has begun randomly weighing its passengers together with their hand luggage through a voluntary process at Johannesburg International airport. SAA said this is being done to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations, as well as to ensure the safety of its passengers. In the last survey in September 2003, SAA discovered that passengers’ weights were increasing as a result of some overstepping the maximum amount of hand luggage allowed on board. The most recent survey showed that passengers are carrying an average of 10,1kg of hand luggage on all routes, which is an increase of 3,1kg compared with the previous survey held in 1997. The survey also showed that the average male weight increased by 6kg from 91kg to 97kg, and female weight is up by 5kg from 72kg to 77kg. The average weights of children remained constant at 35kg.
Warranty Most luggage comes with a warranty. It might be three years, 10 years or a lifetime, although lifetime refers only to the reasonable lifetime of the luggage, not to the expected lifespan of the traveler who owns it.
Handles Wheeled suitcases commonly have two types of handles: the rigid version used to wheel the case, and the padded type used to lift it.
Zippers Zippers often are the most vulnerable part of a bag,
Since June 2004 there’s a new limit for individual items of baggage, checked in for carriage in the aircraft hold at Heathrow.
and handles, with prices averaging more than $400 per piece. Many also spoke highly of Travelpro and Briggs & Riley, with prices in the $200 to $350 range.
The bag also should have a stair skid, a reinforced panel at the bottom that protects the bag when you’re rolling it up curbs and stairs.
Look for two padded handles, one on the top of the suitcase and one on the side, which will make it easier to lift the case into the trunk or the overhead bin. Screwed-on handles are more likely to stay on than those attached with rivets. Rigid handles should slide smoothly out of their housing and lock into place. On more expensive luggage, the housing is inside the case, which protects the handle and its housing from dents or breakage.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you need a large suitcase for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise or a waterproof duffel for your first and only river-rafting expedition, then you may want to get the cheapest thing you can find. But regular travellers particularly those who frequently check their luggage - should plan to spend more to make sure it holds up. Luggage dealers invariably singled out Hartmann, Tumi and Andiamo as the top of the line. These brands feature heavy-duty fabrics and wellcrafted mechanisms for wheels
Whatever its length, the warranty covers only
manufacturers’ defects: seams that are stitched improperly, handles that don’t retract, wheels that aren’t attached correctly. It won’t cover misuse (that’s your fault) or wear and tear (that’s the airlines’ responsibility). Repairs You’re unpacking your suitcase at home after a long trip when you notice a large gash along the bottom, right next to the wheel assembly. You’re certain some overzealous baggage handling caused the rip. What should you do to get it fixed? Actually, you shouldn’t have left the airport without inspecting your luggage, said the airlines. If you want the airline to pay for the repairs, you must get a damage claim from the airline before you leave the airport. Then, take the bag to a luggage-repair outlet. Do the same if you think the damage was caused by a manufacturer’s defect. Either way, you’ll probably wait at least three weeks for your bag to be repaired or replaced.
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Kanoo Holidays Any time of the year is a great time for a holiday but it’s in summer that we all think about places in (or out!) of the sun. Kanoo Holidays has come up with some great year round holiday ideas for 2005. The exotic Far East is always the right choice and top of the list is Malaysia. From Kuala Lumpur’s fantastic shopping to Penang’s beautiful beach resorts, Malaysia is the perfect destination for a great family holiday or an exciting short break. Want to experience the energy of New York combined with the comforts of colonial Britain, then Hong Kong is for you! The “Manhattan of the East” is bursting with energy, chic restaurants, a stunning location and of course unrivalled shopping. Call Kanoo Holidays
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now for your “Amazing Hong Kong” break. Steeping further afield? Then it has to be Australia- the Land Down under! One of the great holiday destinations, Australia offers something for everyone. The Gold Coast is perfect for family fun. Kanoo Holidays has a great selection of apartments and hotels that make the perfect base for a fun filled family holiday. Feel like something new? Consider The Sunshine Coast, fabulous Hamilton Island or the award winning Hayman Island Resort. Of course nothing beats the sights and sounds of Sydney. The city’s unrivalled location on the harbour combined with the grandeur of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, make for an unforgettable stay in one of the world’s great cities. Kanoo Holidays has a choice of excellent apartments, and a wide variety of hotels to fit any budget.
Perhaps something a little closer to home is more what you’re thinking. Egypt is a wonderful choice and it combines unique sightseeing options with the comforts of Arab culture and surroundings. Cairo, with its famous museum and of course the Great Pyramids is the perfect starting point for your Egyptian adventure. A relaxing Nile Cruise on board Sonesta Cruises is the perfect way to discover the secrets of the of
one of the world’s legendry rivers followed by a visit to ancient Luxur. Egypt is a destination for all the family and Kanoo Holidays has a selection of packages that are great value for money. So don’t wait, call Kanoo Holidays NOW to book the holiday of your dreams. Call the Holiday Dream Specialists in Bahrain on +973 1722-0802 and let us make your holiday dreams come true!
It Makes Sense To Be Prepared
According to some surveys, most of us take out insurance before we travel, but many of us don’t read the policy - so we may not know what our cover is until it is too late. Travel insurance pays out if you are sick or injured while on holiday, lose your luggage or are delayed at the airport. It also covers you if you have to cancel or cut short your holiday in certain situations. Anyone who’s travelling abroad needs travel insurance, but remember to take it out as soon as you book your holiday, as many travel claims include cancellation.
If you walk into a travel agents to buy a holiday, it’s tempting to buy your travel insurance there and then. Two out of three holiday-makers do exactly that, but it is not necessarily the cheapest option. Generally, tour operators and travel agents can’t insist that you take out their own travel insurance. It is illegal in the UK for a tour operator to discriminate against a traveller not taking their insurance by way of price, discount or surcharge. The travel trade is huge and,
as well as high-street agents, there are many independent travel agents that may be able to offer a more competitive policy. You may also get the added security of a consultation and claims service if you book through a travel agent. Things can go wrong on holiday. You could fall ill or have an accident; you could have money or luggage stolen; your visit might be cancelled or cut short through injury or illness; your family may need to fly out to be with you if there is a serious incident. According to the fco website the five locations where injuries are most likely to occur are as follows: roads, the beach, hotels, remote locations, ski slopes. So if things do go wrong, what will it cost you without that travel essential. Here are a few examples:
£30-35,000 Air ambulance (Jet) – East coast of USA £16,000 Air ambulance (Jet) – Canaries £8,000 Air ambulance (turbo-prop) – Balearics £2,000 Air taxi (propeller driven light aircraft) – Northern France £8,500 Scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort – Australia £4,000 Scheduled flight, seated club, with a nurse escort – West coast of USA £1,300 Scheduled flight, seated economy with a Doctor escort – Med area. £3,000-£4,500 Scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort – Mediterranean
If you need to be returned to the UK in an emergency it could cost you thousands. Make sure you have adequate and appropriate travel insurance particularly if the USA is on your itinerary where medical bills can be much higher.
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Holistic Corner Stress Management Beat Exam Stress – Are exams taking their toll your child and on yourself? The start of summer may well be lots of fun for most people, but if you have children at school or university, you’ll know that for them the season before summer means only one thing ‘Exams’, and in this period leading up to the exams students of all ages maybe affected by stress and fatigue.
Symptoms may manifest in many ways, such as the student being very irritable, sleep problems, tiredness, stress, loss of appetite or emotional eating , or simply feeling run down and low in spirits, and quite emotional. These symptoms could make matters worse and affect the student’s ability to concentrate at their optimum level. Of course too added to this may be lack of exercise, poor diet, insufficient sleep, leading to ineffective revision and you can have a recipe for disaster when it comes to their well being, both mental and physical.
How to Avoid Exam Burnout; Study in short bursts with regular breaks – Studies have shown that the brain can only focus properly for up to 20 minutes at a time
Make a revision plan timetable, scheduling in regular breaks. Encourage regular exercise to rid the body of excess adrenalin and to take away the sluggish tiredness feeling. It can also aid restful sleep.
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Encourage a varied and healthy diet, University students are notorious for their bad diets. Suggest they eat nuts and seeds, and fruit, apricots and lean beef which are good for helping improve memory and concentration, and can help curb mood swings. B Vitamins support the nervous system, B1 and B12 may help them feel calm, and clear headed. Drink Chamomile tea before going to bed. Eating carbohydrate-rich foods like pasta, potatoes, or brown rice as the last meal of the day or before sleep also encourages the body to produce the brain chemical serotonin which can help reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep
Holistic ways to help them and yourself to De-stress Use Crystals to help focus the mind and de-stress the mind.
Program a clear quartz crystal for help with focus and concentration. Program a clear quartz crystal to help with insomnia. Program a clear quartz crystal to help keep calm. Note : only clear quartz can be programmed. For yourself or the student, lie in a crystal web of either six clear quartz point crystals or six Amethyst point crystals, place the terminations pointing out outwards, place one either side of the elbows, one either side of the knees, one at the head and one between the feet, lie in this for between 5 to 20 minutes, for instant destress. You can also add small clear quartz on the brow bone to also help with clearing the mind of clutter and help focus. Take a bath with rose quartz – put a large piece or several small pieces of rose quartz crystals in the bath water( making sure the water in not too hot) or sleep with a piece under the pillow, a beautiful calming and nurturing crystal, brings a sense of calm, peace and love to the body and the aura. Keep crystals such as amethyst, rose quartz and clear quartz in the study areas - they all will keep the area filled with calm and peace and absorb
negative energies. Good for your office space as well. (Always make sure any newly bought crystals have been cleaned before using them.) Bathe away stress, add Geranium, Lavender or Chamomile essential oils to a warm bath, (do not put the crystals in a bath with oils). These oils are a real tonic to the nervous system and quell anxiety. Take time out of the revision schedule to unwind and relax, do something just for you. Make a little time with good friends and have a good giggle. Laughing releases endorphins into the blood system which can help dampen stress hormones and help make you feel happy. Burn essential oils such as, Lavender or Chamomile in the bedroom, to aid peaceful sleep. For more information on Crystal Therapy for destressing or workshops on how to use and program crystals correctly go to:
www.consciousconnections.com or call 00973 36727405
Julie Lomas
honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
After Reading THIS, You’ll NEVER Look At A Banana In The Same Way Again! Bananas: Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey, undertaken by MIND, amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS: Forget the pills — eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it
contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassiumpacked fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over- acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower
both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high- potassium banana snack. Strokes: According to research in “The New England Journal of Medicine,” eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!” You might want to pass this tidbit to those friends you’d like to keep around!!!! Julie Lomas
Forum 19
Bahrain News Bahrain Grants Licence To Dexia Bank The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) has granted a licence to Dexia Private Bank (Switzerland). The bank, which is a subsidiary of the Dexia Group, will establish a Representative Office in Bahrain, the Dexia Group’s first presence in the GCC region. The Bahrain entity will operate under the name Dexia Private bank (Switzerland) Middle East Representative Office. The licence for Dexia Private Bank (Switzerland) was earlier approved by Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain and chairman of BMA’s Board.
“They should also produce a medical insurance certificate and certificates for good health and good conduct.
Exhibitions And in Bahrain Finally
10 More Schools For Bahrain
Bahrain International Exhibitions Centre Events
Bahrain’s Education Ministry has received many applications for school licences from individuals planning to open private schools or training institutes, said acting private education director Noora Al Mannai.
14 - 16 November 2005 WATER MIDDLE EAST 2005
‘At least 10 new institutes will be granted licences this year. ‘This is in line with the government policy of encouraging the private sector to invest in the field of education.’ Currently, there are 61 private schools and 127 kindergartens in Bahrain. ‘Also, there are 26 other educational institutes, mainly providing training in the field of information technology, registered with the private education directorate,’ said Al Mannai.
Expats ‘Can Stay Bahrain Theme In Bahrain After Park Work Begins Retirement’ Bahrain authorities are attempting to spread awareness of a scheme that allows expatriates who reach their pensionable age to retire in Kingdom.Under the scheme, they are granted a five-year self-sponsorship residence permit as long as they meet certain conditions.
Work on Bahrain’s BD9.1 million ($24.1 million) Adhari multi-purpose theme park began recently. The park is part of the second phase to revive the Adhari area, which hosts one of Bahrain’s most renowned landmarks - Ain Adhari.
It was launched last year and is open to foreigners who have lived in Bahrain for a minimum period of 15 years.
The natural freshwater spring was renovated and opened to the public 20 months ago while the new-look park will be ready by December next year.
“They must have a minimum bank deposit of BD5,000 and a regular monthly income of BD500 from their personal assets in Bahrain or abroad,” said Under-Secretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The new park will be built on an area measuring 165,319sq m and will feature a rollercoaster, a water park, children’s play areas, a mini-golf course, a bowling alley, a games arcade, family recreation facilities, a shopping mall and a children’s museum.
20 Forum
14 - 16 November 2005 MIDDLE EAST PUMPS PIPES SYSTEMS 2005 23-27 November 2005 JEWELLERY ARABIA 2005 5 - 7 December 2005 INTELLIGENT BUILDING MIDDLE EAST 2005 5 - 7 December 2005 ALUMINIUM MIDDLE EAST 2005 APPA 2005 CONFERENCE 5 - 7 December 2005 METAL MIDDLE EAST 2005 5 - 7 December 2005 MIDDLE EAST MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION 2005 21-30 December 2005 THE 13TH SYRIAN PRODUCTS EXHIBITION 16-18 January 2006 PETROTECH 20069 25 January - 3 February AUTUMN FAIR 17th Bahrain Consumer Products Fair 21 - 25 February BEAUTY ARABIA 2nd Middle East International Beauty Exhibition 27 - 29 March GEO 2006 7th Middle East Geosciences Exhibition and Conference 24 - 27 May PROPERTY ARABIA The Middle East International Property and Investment Exhibition
According to the Times writer Tom Chesshyre, “VICTOR Meldrew gone walkabout” is probably the best way of describing the latest offering from Britain’s grumpiest male writer. David Quantick has published a discourse on why holidays are “just not worth it”. They are, he says, “painful” to organise; attractions are “over-rated”; airports are “vile”; foreigners are “difficult”; and the weather is always “wrong”. “The British male tradition is not to travel round the world for fun, it’s to travel round the world to conquer places and then build drains, roads, railways and things like that,” he said. “We’re just not made for ‘holidays’.” Lets face it, when you’re stuck behind endless caravans on the M4, waiting for a non-existent filthy train, hanging around looking at crap luggage in an airport. Is it going to be worth the effort? Of course it b****y well isn’t. David Quantick here explores everything that makes the rest of the world different – and therefore worse – than Britain and lets us know exactly why it is safer to stay at home than to become grumpy old men on holiday. The indispensable guide to the grumpy old xenophobe in us all.