TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Boeing’s latest state-of-the-art jet, the 787 Dreamliner, touched down at Dublin Airport in recent weeks as part of a world promotional tour that began in China. It is billed as ‘the first all-new airplane of the 21st century’ that is not only luxurious but cuts cost, noise and carbon emissions. After making her maiden voyage from Tokyo to Hong Kong last October, 870 of the new ‘super-efficient’ jets have been snapped up by 50 major airlines from around the world -- including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic -- at a cost of $180bn (€137bn). For those few airlines that actually pay the full price, they are will rewarded in the end with a 20pc greater fuel efficiency which is due to the plane’s construction. The jet is the first commercial airliner that is comprised of 50pc carbon fibre reinforced plastic which is both lighter and stronger than aluminum. Among its other attributes, the new jet is more environmentally friendly than its rivals and produces less carbon emissions and 60pc less noise. Other perks include: l LED lights that can be set to any colour desired. A galley entrance which is wide, sleek and roomy. Portholetype windows that are longer and fitted with an electronic dimmer switch that allows passengers to dim down to a virtual blackout or have a full view out the window whenever they want. The cabin is pressurised at a level 2,000 feet lower than conventional jets which means the body is able to absorb more oxygen and experience less dizziness and fatigue, which also helps reduce painful ear popping during take off and landings. It also provides eight times less turbulence than conventional jets due to a massive 60-metre wing span and the good news is that the new design means passengers will get to their destinations faster.
Holiday Hotspot
Zanzibar is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean remaining unspoilt by mass tourism. The archipelago is approximately 35km off shore from the Tanzania mainland six degrees south of the Equator. It is comprised of two main Islands, Unguja (also called Zanzibar Island), and Pemba, along with many smaller islands. These provide miles and miles of palm lined beaches and coral
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Zanzibar Ta
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reefs perfect for diving or soaking in the atmosphere. Zanzibar’s history shaped by its geographical location s situated on the eastern edge of Africa within range of monsoon winds and ocean currents. For many years Zanzibar was a popular respite for ships traveling to Arabia, India and the Far East. It is thought that the first people to settle here were fishermen who travelled across from the mainland around five to six thousand years ago. Since then Zanzibar’s history has been forged by many external factors, evidence exists in the architecture and even the language, Kiswahili is a mixture of Arabic, Portuguese, English and Hindi words. Zanzibar has been popular throughout history with artists, musicians and poets and still captivates people to this day. The very name conjures wondrous images and evokes intrigue. Stone Town located on the west coast is considered to be one of the most traditional of remaining old Swahili trading settlements that would have been prevalent along East Africa. It resembles the labyrinth style medinas of North Africa and Morocco with all the narrow streets, twists and turns. In more settled times Stone Town has attracted back many foreign settlers and tourism has brought in much needed money. Modern Stone Town has everything, from banks to hotels, markets, shops and restaurant’s; however it is impossible not to feel that you have stepped back in time as you wander round and explore the city. Serena Inn Zanzibar
Pet’s Corner...
is one of the most upmarket hotels in Stone Town, tastefully decorated with typical Arabic furniture. Idyllically situated on the sea front it is truly a haven of tranquility amongst the bustle of Zanzibar. The eighty rooms are small although the seaview suites do have large balconies and hammocks and there are interleading family rooms (suites with standard rooms). The bathrooms have showers only. A real highlight is the pool area, which is certainly the best in town and enables guests to relax in between expeditions into town. The bar and restaurant are pleasant enough. The Serena owns Mangapwani a dazzlingly white beach north of Zanzibar offering private water sports and dining. Zanzibar Serena Inn is the easiest place to stay in what is a challenging environment for a lot of visitors. www.serenahotels.com/serenazanzibar The climate is tropical and coastal areas are hot and humid with the rainy season typically in April and May. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travelers coming from countries considered to be endemic by the Tanzanian authorities. The risk of yellow fever is highest in northwestern forest areas. Coastal Airways developed the “Scheduled Flying Safari”, offering the opportunity, to small parties and single persons, to join into an adventure which would otherwise have prohibitive costs. The operation offers air charter services in East Africa and flying safaris to various destinations in Tanzania.
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Numerous airlines fly into the countries capital city Dar es Salam and onward connections are easily organised www.coastal.cc
Weekly Best Buy
Irish Ferries is giving motorists a free trip to Britain if buy a return ticket to France from June to August. The offer applies to a car plus two passengers departing from Dublin and Rosslare, and is available from September until the end of August 2013.The offer applies to a car with two passengers only and one of the adults must have travelled on the original booking to France. A supplement of €120 return per car applies to peak dates. www.irishferries.ie Legoland Windsor will allows kids under-15 free entry to the attractions if you stay at the new Legoland Resort Hotel opening in March. The offer applies to a package including two-day park tickets, an overnight stay and breakfast. Prices start at £220 (€264) for a family of four staying in a themed Pirate or Adventure bedroom. The offer allows one child entry only for each full paying adult. Children under three are admitted free to the park all year round and if you extend your stay you get an extra day of park tickets at no cost. See www.legolandholidays.co.uk Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
Home and Away Extra London’s most famous cinema and host of international film premiers, the Leicester Square Odeon, is to be turned into a hotel after being bought by Radission Edwardian. There is already planning permission to develop the site into a 245-room hotel with five restaurants and 33 apartments. A two-screen cinema could be retained. Radisson has not revealed how much it paid to buy the property from Irish debt company National Asset Management Agency. It said it would make significant announcements about its purchase in the coming weeks
with Kathleen Murray
Is your dog in your back yard all day?
There are many myths about what a dog’s needs are so it’s important that you have the right information before you take on the life of a dog. One of these myths is about space. When I ask people about how often they walk their dog some people have said to me “Oh, he/she has a big back garden to run around in or He has two acres to run around in so exercise is not a problem”. This is one of those myths about exercise and walking your dog. A dog that has two acres, 10 acres or more will often sit on the back doorstep all day waiting for you to come out of the house. The amount of ground doesn’t mean the dog is being exercised. Unless you go out and play ball with the dog or take it for a run somewhere or bring in another dog for them to play
with, then you cannot say that your dog was exercised. Some dogs need more exercise than others. This is one of the main reasons (also lack of proper toilet training and basic manners) why dogs get thrown out into a yard. The owner hasn’t exercised the dog, the dog then becomes hyper and destructive and the back door is opened and out he goes to be left to his own devices... which will be either barking to get back in again, destructive behaviour or sitting on the doorstep waiting for you to come out to him. Any running he will be doing will be short lived as it will be after a cat, or to see what’s happening if a neighbour comes out into their yard. This is not exercise. Only hyper behaviour or bad habits can be learned when a dog is in a
yard all day by themselves. An average collie could trot along covering up to 30 Kilometres a day so, for an owner to walk it around the block for 10 or 15 minutes, wouldn’t be enough for the dog.
Tired No person can walk fast enough or far enough to exercise a healthy young dog properly. When the owner is winding down, the dog is often just warming up. A tired dog causes very few problems for anybody so this basic need has to be fulfilled otherwise you are not being fair to the dog. There is a way around it though if you’re not up to the 30 kilometres. Find another dog that your dog gets along with and let them play for a bit to let off steam, work the dog’s
mind by teaching new games, tricks, or commands, and also take them for a couple of 20 minute walks or a free run somewhere e.g. forest or beach. As always, bring your poop bag. Doing the poop is natural, cleaning it up so that others don’t walk in it should also be natural. You need to allow time in your day for your dog because he/she has needs the same as you and your children. If you overlook them or dismiss them as not being important then your dog will pay the price as he/she will be turfed out and let revert to wild behaviours that are of no use in a family environment. The dog deserves better. If you don’t have time for your dog
then please re-home it as it will have a better life or find a way to fit it into your life by enlisting the help of someone that has some time to spare. A dog is a social animal, a pack animal... that means part of a pack, not alone. Dogs behave better if they have someone to show them what to do, as this calms them down. They like to learn and they like to please so if that is not happening then you need to do something about it. They don’t learn much if theycan’t see you or hear you.