TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe First results from ongoing Phase III trial show malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S* reduces the risk of malaria by half in African children aged 5 to 17 months. Half the world’s population is at risk of malaria which is responsible for close to 800,000 deaths each year, most of whom are children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. First results from a large-scale Phase III trial of RTS, S, published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), show the malaria vaccine candidate to provide young African children with significant protection against clinical and severe malaria with an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. The results were announced today at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington. The vaccine, developed with the help of British scientists, claims to halve the rate of severe malaria in babies and young children. www. tmb.ie
Holiday Hotspot
Runaway Bay is located on the northern coast of Jamaica in St. Ann’s Parish. The area is west of Ocho Rios and east of Discovery Bay, two other popular Jamaican destinations. It is especially recommended for those who want to escape from the hustle & bustle of Ocho Rios, where cruise ship crowds in particular intrude on your Caribbean serenity. Jamaica’s North Coast has several distinctions: It was the first part of the island seen by Columbus, the site of the first Spanish settlement on the island, and the point of departure of the last Spaniards leaving Jamaica following their defeat by the British. The most impressive resort experience here is “Super Clubs Breezes” which underwent a full refurbishment in 2010 giving all of its rooms and suites a new look! The resort has 266 rooms, including 30 oceanfront rooms and suites and a further 33 in the “plunge pool veranda “category. All are air-conditioned with private balconies overlooking gardens or pool equipped with usual amenities such as satellite TV, coffee
makers and in-room safe. This adult only resort has exceptional sports facilities which feature a fitness centre and tennis centre in addition to a variety of water sports including scuba diving and skiing. Three freshwater pools include one in front of the oceanfront room block and a second along the eastern beach which has a swim-up bar. There are also Jacuzzis, one near the beach, and the other PGA Gof n Superclubs Runaway Bay close to the games room . rse Cou for relaxing after a workout. The PGA golf course opened in 1960 is a 72-par, 18-hole championship facilwith exotic locations to tie the ity designed by UK Commander knot and the beachside wedding John Harris. The course is a golf- gazebo at Runaway Bay is the lover’s paradise, where guests perfect tranquil seaside setting. can enjoy free golf with unlim- www.superclubs.com The reited green fees. For beginners 20 sort is located about a half hour hours of instruction can be had drive from some of Jamaica’s top each week, and the school also attractions including Columbus boasts a 10-bay driving range, Park Museum, on Queens Highlarge practice green, sand trap way There’s everything from a and chipping areas, all to perfect canoe made from a solid piece of your game. It’s also satisfying cottonwood -- the way Arawaks to know that you have rubbed did it more than 5 centuries ago shoulders with the golfing greats to a stone cross that was origihere as Runaway Bay hosted sev- nally placed on the Barrett Eseral championship events includ- tate by Edward Barrett, brother ing Ryder Cup matches, Jamaica of poet Elizabeth Barrett BrownOpen, and the World Cup of Golf ing. Bob Marley fans from all over Super Qualifier. If time permits a the world visit the little hamlet of massage at the Blue Mahoe Spa Nine Mile where he grew up. You is well worth the extra cost and can go inside Marley’s two-room adds even more relaxation to shanty, filled with family memoa stress-free experience. There rabilia, including photographs. are a variety of bars & restau- Marley lived here from the ages rants at the resort. For my one of 6 to 13. Adjoining the shack is night stay I dined at the splendid the so-called mausoleum in which “Munasan” serving Japanese fare Marley was buried. He shares the with a sushi bar and Teppanyaki gravesite with his half-brother, table. The experience was tasty who was gunned down by poand atmospheric. Buffet lunch & lice in Miami during a drug bust. dinners may also be experienced Virgin Atlantic fly three times at Beach Terrace, a poolside din- weekly to Montego Bay from ing room with themed nights and London Gatwick all year round midnight buffet while Martino’s or to Kingston, Jamaica direct is their elegant Italian restaurant up to March 2012 Fares start at with antipasto bar, where reser- £655.50 (including tax). For more vations are required. Reggae Café information please call 0044 8444 on the beach serves Jamaican 2092 770 www.virginatlantic.com jerk dishes while the Starlight For more information on Jamaica, Grill is their vegetarian offering all visit www.visitjamaica.com served under the stars. Breezes properties across the Caribbean Weekly Best Buy & South America provide couples American Holidays have
Pet’s Corner...
When people buy a dog for themselves or for others they sometimes underestimate the overall cost of the product they have just invested in. Looking at a dog as a product is good when you are trying to get a proper picture of the cost. There should be no emotion involved as this is what often gets in the way of common sense, causes ill feeling in families and gets many dogs killed. Lets say the product initially costs €300 - €1000. This is the price that is put on many pedigree dogs today (way over priced). Proper breeders don’t actually make any money but puppy farmers make lots of money at the expense of the animals and families they end up in. Some people charge these prices for cross breeds... amazing. The average person
is taken for a fool by these gimmicks. A mongrel dog should be free to a good home even if it is the prettiest thing you ever saw. Rescue dogs need to be charged for as a lot of money is often put into them (vaccinations, neutering etc) during their stay in the foster home. This is where people should be getting their dogs from. Back to the cost... initial investment in an average dog. After the initial investment you now have to invest further in feeding, worming, vaccinations, neutering, bedding, toys, kennel fees, training classes, poop scoop and bags, health insurance and legal requirements. If we take a dog of one year old, a Labrador, then feeding will cost between €15 and €25 a week (for the rest of it’s life),
with Kathleen Murray give or take which brand you use. Very cheap brands will often just run through the dog causing it to poo several times a day (no need for that). There are so many brands now so it is important that you find one that suits your dog’s digestive system (dogs are not all the same). Vaccination prices vary from vet to vet but around €50 is average, a worm dose (every 3-4 months) €12, Microchip €35 is average, Flea dose (as often as required) is around €12 for a Labrador sized dog. Neutering: Male €75-€95 Female €130€150.
Grooming If the dog is long haired then grooming will be regular (every 8 weeks) and will cost approx €30-€40 depending on the dog. A Labrador will not require this
Living
n Munasan Te
Runaway B ppanyaki Restaurant ay Jamaica Breezes .
n Virgin Atlantic Award Winning Service Jamaica
launched their latest cruise brochure, offering a wonderful selection for 2012. With so many exciting itineraries and endless activities, there is something for everybody with the American Holidays 2012 Cruise programme. Highlights include the Mediterranean & Northern Europe, Caribbean & Bahamas, Alaska, Canada & New England, Hawaii, and many other exciting ports of call. Highlights include a Western Med - Royal Caribbean 7 Night Fly/Cruise on the Adventure of The Seas from €695pp Depart: 28th April 2012 or Barcelona to Venice - Royal Caribbean for a 6 Night Fly/Cruise on the Splendour of The Seas from €789pp Depart: 22nd April 2012 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 Aer Lingus are running extra flights between Dublin and London Gatwick providing six flights per day between the two airports, an increase from the four flights on offer last winter. The new 06.40 flight will be the first departure by any airline from Dublin to London Gatwick and in turn, the first morning departure from Gatwick at 06.50 will also be the first by any airline from London Gatwick to Dublin. An extra evening flight in both directions will add more choice for business commuters and those travelling at peak times. There will also be a lunchtime flight at 12.55 in addition to the existing 10.50 and 14.50 departures. The new schedule increases the number of flights between Dublin and London to 18 per day, a greater frequency than any other airline www. aerlingus.com Stena Line has been voted the top ferry company for a record 19th time at at a recent travel and tourism awards. This week the company will start their new Belfast to Cairnryan service which will also see the introduction of two new vessels, Stena Superfast VII and Superfast VIII, the largest ships every to have sailed between Northern Ireland and Scotland. www.stena.co.uk
How much does a dog cost? but it will need to be brushed well once a week to keep it’s skin and coat healthy and dirt free. Legal requirements are a licence €12.75 (post office), a disc with owners details €10 approx,. The dog will need a collar and a lead €20 and a Bed with bedding €30. Toys can cost anything from €2 to €50 depending on size and destructive capability of the dog. Toys are replaced often due to boredom or teething as dogs use them more during these times. These costs do not cover the replacement of plants, buckets, mops, shoes, furniture, carpets, tea towels, underwear, kids toys, school bags etc etc that get peed on and chewed if the dog is not trained or supervised properly. A Labrador is capable of ripping the number plate off
your car for the sake of something to do, if it is idle or bored. The cost on your nerves will be considerable. This is just a brief outline of what a product with four legs, a mouth and a backside can cost. There are many other hidden costs like compensation claims, car accidents, fines from dog wardens for pooing in places it shouldn’t,, unexpected illness and much more. The daily routine of feeding, training, exercise, brushing, toileting several times and cleaning up means you also need time for your dog. Think before you buy.