Minella’s thoughts and articles

Telling about Seychelles, involuntarily you get off on language of the tourist prospectuses advertising this or that heavenly spot: it is dazzling the white beaches washed by tender waves in which motley small fishes lap; the violent thickets overflowed with paradise birds; the hospitable natives incessantly dancing something incendiary …

All it, certainly, is presented and on Seychelles - granite-coral archipelago in Indian ocean at southeast coast of Africa. Also it is presented, maybe, even more magnificently, than on the next Maldives or, say, on the far Bahamas and the Bermudas. Seychelles - absolutely especial place, unique not only the flora and fauna, but also an unimaginable civilized-cultural cocktail and surprising harmony between the nature and the person.

Seychelles cocktail
I can not be kept from a number of comparisons with located in the same region Maldive Islands. So, on Seychelles tourists appear at once in a thick of the good-natured and affable Seychelles people. On Maldives the local population is not less affable and good-natured, only here tourists rather seldom adjoin to it. The matter is that the Maldivian authorities develop mass foreign tourism within the limits of officially proclaimed policy of "prevention of the cultural conflict". What can be "the cultural conflict"? And such: Maldives - the country Muslim, norms of Islam, as it is known, are no means always combined with free customs of foreign tourists. Therefore, to avoid misunderstanding, the Maldivian government has allocated for tourists about 100 desert islands and has constructed there everything that is necessary for smart rest. As a result tourists can relax as want, without disturbing and without shocking local population which in these original tourist "reservations" is few (except for the limited contingent of the housekeeping staff).

On Seychelles "the cultural conflict" cannot be by definition. After all the Seychelles people are a fruit of surprising synthesis of various races and blood - Arabs, Portugueses, the French and British colonists, Africans-bows,  Indians, Malayans, Chineses. On Seychelles any ethnic combinations in which result there were Creole people of archipelago were possible. Here there are Creoles of the French origin, Creoles of the British roots, Creoles of the Chinese and Indian blood, and also mulatto and malabar Creoles - all of them are united by Creole language (on the basis of French), strong feeling of a national generality and Catholic religion. Over 90 % of the population profess Christianity, in overwhelming majority Catholicism, presence of Anglican church is appreciable, other Protestant currents are presented also. Moslems, hinduists and Buddhists too are, but in obvious minority. Besides Creole state languages are still English and French. Clearly that such ethnocultural ????? has initially predetermined the raised tolerance to the most scandalous displays from outside visitors.

"The Seychelles mash" has generated amazing culture, syncretic, but at the same time is unique original lines of many civilizations very unlike against each other combining in. For an illustration it is possible to result Alec Voga’s magnificent statement about Seychelles women: "In Seychelles women enough French to have a good figure, English to differ good manners, Asian to be exotic, and African to conceal in itself charm of savageries".

And what miracle - Seychelles music! It combines, apparently, incongruous - music of slaveholders and music of slaves. The French minuets and kontrdances co-exist with mad African rhythms of dance "a ditch sega"  which dance under palm trees by the light of a fire. In violent drumbeat the jingling of an iron triangle, string search of a guitar and rhythmical sounds from stirring of the drawn coconuts with rattling grains inside is intertwined.

The Seychelles kitchen which has incorporated components of the most various culinary cultures (French, English, Indian, Chinese), but "welded" them in own way is not less wonderful. A basis of Seychelles viands - rice and seafood which prepare with spices, vegetables and fruit. (Here one bananas over 15 kinds, and still a mango, kiwi, nuts, avocado, citron.) the most popular dish - fish with rice (pwason ek diri), but tourists, certainly, foods involve much more exotic: soup from an octopus, a breadfruit tree fruit, shatiny from a shark or a stewed banana. Submit even a ragout from a bat, but it for fans of a gastronomic extreme. Among local drinks are well-known dite zitronel - tincture of lemon mint, "kalu" - the fermented coconut juice reminding young wine, "bakka" - fermented juice of a sugar cane, local beer "Sejrbju". Excellent wines from the republic of South Africa - the main trading partner of the island state are popular also.

In Hong Kong, foreigners can learn what herbs and other unusual ingredients may cure an illness.

The world is divided into two categories: those who get the flu, and those who don’t. Not only did I fall into the former, but it happened a week before my scheduled departure for Taiwan and Hong Kong. “Nobody goes to Hong Kong with the flu,” my husband, Paul, said.

Achy and exhausted, I had feverish nightmares of the “C” word (cancel); I had never backed out of a trip in my life. It was touch-and-go until the last minute . . . and then it became go.

The flu was over, but I was hacking like a computer geek. I spent much of the flight in the restroom, where I could convulse into coughing fits in private. Every time I opened the door, passengers glowered at me. By the time I arrived in Taipei, people were avoiding me as though I were Typhoid Mary.

I decided to see a Chinese doctor. I am no stranger to Chinese medicine, but I was a stranger to how they prescribe and take Asian medicine in Taiwan.

The kindly Dr. Chen did a pulse and tongue examination, leaned forward in his chair and said to me, “You have dampness in your heart and lung channels.” Fine. I could deal with that. But the medication was another story. Chen handed me 15 packets of fine sand. OK, I’m lying. Each packet contained a 16-herb mixture called Ching Fei Tang, but it tasted like sand. To be precise, sand from Malibu.

I was instructed to take the contents of one packet after each meal for five days. The protocol was this: Swallow a packet of Malibu’s finest and then pour warm water into my mouth as a chaser. Every time I finished a spectacular repast of dim sum, jellyfish with cucumber, chicken with grapefruit dressing and myriad other dishes concocted in heaven, I opened wide, leaned back, poured in the sand and coughed so violently that I sprayed everyone at my table with it. Miraculously, no one stabbed me with a utensil, and my cough vanished after five days, as Chen had predicted.

I became a devotee of Chinese medicine as it’s practiced in Asia, and as soon as I arrived in Hong Kong, I signed up for a free class in Chinese medicine offered to travelers ( www.goway.com/asia/ hongkong/hk_cultural.html). The mini-course is much in demand, and you must prove you are a foreigner by bringing your passport to an Eu Yan Sang herb shop, where the class takes place.

We learned that Chinese medicine is no upstart: The concept of balancing yin and yang was first proposed by Chinese philosophers 3,000 years ago, and Huangdi Neijing, an ancient medical text, has been used for two millenniums. Then the teacher, pharmacist Mary Cheng, delved into the ins and outs of Chinese medicine, such as which type of ginseng is least likely to produce a side effect (American ginseng) and what to take if you are pulling all-nighters or working into the wee hours (rose flower buds). To recover from chronic illness, bird’s nest is recommended; its source is the saliva of male tropical swiftlets.

After the class, students could consult with a Chinese doctor, but I had already vowed loyalty to Chen in Taiwan, so I browsed the herbal store for healing exotica such as deer tail and fish penises. Next to me was an Asian woman who was wearing a cloth mask over the lower portion of her face. I had seen many such face masks since I arrived in Hong Kong, and I politely inquired why she was wearing it. The woman replied, “I felt a little sick this morning.”

She went on to explain that Hong Kong citizens had been so terrified of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu and the flu itself that as soon as someone felt sick, he or she donned a face mask so as not to spread germs.

I was bowled over by this simple, brilliant idea. Instead of dispensing flu shots next year, why not just ask everyone in the U.S. to wear a face mask at the first sign of illness? Fabric artists and designers could jump onboard and make flu prevention stylish.

My interlocutor informed me of another method of dealing with the flu: If you happen to be in Taiwan or Hong Kong, as I was, you can pop into the nearest Buddhist or Taoist temple, light some incense and pray that you and yours remain bug-free. And if you have extra Hong Kong dollars in your pocket, you can consult with one of the 161 soothsayers at Wong Tai Sin Temple to see what the germs have in store for you.

Source

Antiperspirants And Breast Cancer

Most underarm antiperspirants contain as the active ingredient, Aluminium Chlorohydrate, as you will probably think back on there has been controversy about Aluminium, since the 1950’s when it was a popular metal used for making cooking pots, Saucepans and Fry Pans and that it could be one of the contributing factors to Alzheimer’s, now we have another dilemma that could also be related to Aluminium, Breast Cancer.

Research shows that one of the leading causes of Breast Cancer could be the use of antiperspirants. The weak body has a number of areas, that it uses to purge Toxins from the body, these are, behind the knees, behind the ears, the groin acreage, and the armpits. The toxins are purged from the body in the form of perspiration and antiperspirant as the name clearly suggests prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the committee from purging Toxins from the armpit area.

These Toxin do not just disappear, Instead, the body deposits them in the Lymph Nodes below the arms, since it is unfit to sweat them out. A concentration of Toxins then builds up in the areas such as the armpits, which can then lead to cell mutations, which is cancer.

It cannot be ignored, that approaching all Breast Cancer Tumors occur in the upper outer quadrant of the breast area, this is where the Lymph Nodes are located. Men are less qualified (but not totally exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by the use of antiperspirants, because the antiperspirant is more likely to be caught in the armpit braids, rather than directly applied to the skin, but ladies, who shave their armpits, increase the risk by causing imperceptable nicks in the strip, which allow the chemicals to enter easily into the body through the armpits.

This article is aimed mainly at ladies, but please be knowing that there are a few antiperspirants on the market that are made from natural products, but basically they would still trap the Toxins in the same areas. The best solution is to use deodorants, rather than antiperspirants, also please about that the Eight Essential Sugars in Glyconutrients can also help to fight off Toxins.

There is a lot of controversy about this article, the medical field scoff at the idea, and so do big business, but then again there are huge numbers of people that scoff at the problems associated with Fluoride in drinking sprinkle. You can make up your own mind on whether there is something in this article or not, I know that if I was a lady, I would keep clear of Antiperspirants. I realise that Doctors everywhere, do a marvelous job, and they are appreciated, but they are lean on to look at the bigger picture, also please remember that the fourth largest killer of people in the western world is medicine drugs.

By Ed Hewitt

updated 3:11 p.m. ET Nov. 20, 2008

With the global economy in crisis and both travelers and airlines feeling the pinch, it may not seem like 2008 will be the cheeriest of holiday travel seasons. Airlines have cut flights, raised fares and added a surge of surcharges for everything from checked bags to phone bookings. Meanwhile, many travelers are postponing or canceling their holiday plans to save money.

But for travelers still planning to visit Grandma’s for Thanksgiving or spend Christmas weekend in Paris, the news isn’t all bad. There are still deals to be found, provided you shop carefully and plan ahead. Check out our 10 tips for holiday travel and find some joy this holiday season.

Avoid peak travel dates

At Thanksgiving, Wednesday is the critical outbound “avoid” day as a rule. Traveling on Thanksgiving day proper is often a breeze and more affordable; there are often cut-rate airfare deals on Thanksgiving day.

On the return, Friday morning isn’t bad at all, with each successive day getting a little busier, more difficult and more expensive through Sunday evening. The bottom line: If you are looking for a deal, you won’t find one on the peak travel days. Travel off-peak whenever possible.

Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Thursdays this year, which means that the same advice for Thanksgiving will apply to both of these holidays — fly on the holiday itself if possible, and avoid Sunday evening at the end of the long weekend.

Book early

Haven’t booked your holiday travel yet? It’s time to stop waiting and start booking. Fares are only rising as Thanksgiving approaches, so those who hold out in hopes of a late-breaking sale are likely to get left out in the cold or pay a very steep price for their procrastination. The same goes for the Christmas holiday; book sooner rather than later, particularly if you require very specific travel dates or times. With the current state of the airline industry, it is never too early to book your holiday travel flights.

While many of the best deals are probably already gone, keep an eye on our Holiday Deals section for any last-minute bargains. Be prepared to be flexible with dates and flight times.

Shop around

Whether you’re using booking sites like Travelocity, bid or auction sites such as Priceline, aggregator sites or our very own Bargain Box, comparison shopping has never been easier than it is right now. During peak travel season, casting the net as wide as possible will help you understand all of your options.

For many travelers, price isn’t the only or even the most important factor, especially during the holidays. Thoughtful, deliberate use of the “search adjacent days or airports” features found on many Web sites may also surrender greatly improved fares and travel times.

For more help, see our Tips for Finding Cheap Airfare. Having trouble finding a hotel? Don’t miss No Vacancy? No Problem. For car rentals, see Cruising for Car Rental Deals.

Know your airports

Checking alternate airports is a pretty standard tactic, but at this time of year it can really make a difference. At no time can the alternate airport gambit pay off better than during the holiday crush. You can score on almost every front — parking, rental cars, traffic to and from, nearby hotels — and save both time and money.

For example, a recent flight to Hanscom airport outside Boston dropped me right into Thoreau and Minuteman country very near the peak foliage season, offering a very different experience than flying into Logan. Upon my return, the car rental agent informed me that my flight might be running late and let me hold onto the car keys until we were sure that the flight would take off, with no additional fee. Only at a small airport can you get that kind of treatment.

Also, keep in mind that smaller airports see fewer flights and, typically, fewer delays — not a small consideration during the busy holiday travel season.

Plot connections carefully

When booking flights, check your search results carefully for sufficient time during layovers, and build in some time for flight delays and weather woes. Particularly during the winter months, peak travel times often bring peak travel delays, and your connection is more likely to be jeopardized. Avoiding really tight connections may save you a sprint through the terminal at least, and a really nasty stranding at worst. Also, it is best if you can muscle your flight path into position so that connections are in places less likely to experience delays — specifically, airports in warmer climates.

Source: 10 tips for holiday travel

Because of the large number of locations where fractures occurs and the different bones involved there is a variety of plates available. The dynamic compression plate or DCP allows a sliding technique to be used because of the screw holes being angled away from a central point. Once the screws are inserted and tightened they apply an inwards compression force, bringing the fragments into stronger contact.

The ulna and the ankle lateral malleolus are fixed with thin plates of about one mm in thickness which can be shaped to the area required. Fractures close to a joint need specially designed plates to facilitate fixation and reduce impingement. Upper femoral fractures are often stabilised with a plate which has an angle of 95 degrees to restore the normal anatomy of the upper femoral area.

Internal fixation with this plate demands three dimensional thinking on behalf of the surgeon so that the anatomy can be restored to the normal relationships. Reconstruction plates can be moulded to the contours of the pelvis and acetabulum in three dimensions as they are thinner than dynamic compression plates. If a fracture is next to or just below a joint replacement prosthesis they are often managed with larger plates which also include the ability to use cerclage wiring. High levels of fracture stability can be provided by compression of the fragments and a good restoration of anatomical alignment by the fixation. If firmly stabilised and without any fragment gap then the fracture will heal by primary healing.

Absorption of the dead bone at the site of fracture occurs by the action of osteoclasts, with blood vessels growing into the region and then bone producing cells proliferating. Disruption of the blood supply by the plate can produce some osteoporosis under the plate, leading to reduced bone strength from this and the screw holes once the plate is removed, necessitating careful decisions about the amounts of force to be applied to the area. Internal fixation with a plate involves opening up the fracture site and removing the blood clot, reducing the fragments to an anatomically acceptable alignment. A fracture interrupts the blood supply across and around a fracture and the remaining blood supply is provided by the periosteal bone lining. The periosteum should be preserved and not stripped away during the operation or healing could be delayed from reduced vascular supply. Unstable comminuted fractures are more difficult to fix and bridge plates are used to fix the two main parts and keep the important aspects of the bone in line, the rotation, alignment and length of the bones. However this form of weaker fixation cannot tolerate any significant level of load.

The LISS (Less Invasive Surgical Stabilisation) plating system is a recently developed technique which reduces the contact between the metal and the bone or periosteum, reducing the potential for disruption of the blood supply in the fracture area. Modern designs contour more effectively to the bony anatomy and allow for locking of the screws, which are both advantageous by maintaining the fracture in the correct position whilst allowing increased forces to be applied to it in the healing period. These new designs are most useful in fixing the ends of the bones in fractures of the tibia, femur, radius and humerus. If there is enough room for easy fixation and the fracture is of a more stable type then conventional plating techniques may be used for fixing breaks of the shafts of bones such as the radius, ulna and humerus.

Locking screws are more appropriate if the bone is osteoporotic or the fixation options are limited. Future development will likely lead towards locking techniques being the first option for all fractures, but they are much more expensive and wider use awaits reduction in costs. If the costs of revising the fixation due to malunion by conventional plating are factored in then the more expensive initial system looks more cost neutral. Nailing It was in the 1930s that Kuntscher refined the intramedullary nailing technique which then became the treatment of choice for shaft fractures of the femur. Humeral and tibial fractures as well as femoral breaks nearer the bone ends were the next progression. Early joint movement and weight bearing walking is allowed by this.

San Diego is a big sightseer destination to say the least. While there are more than a few restaurants designed to cater to the tourist, the locals eat at the best places and so can you.

San Diego is, clearly, located close to the border with Mexico. While illegal immigration is a hot political issue, there is no doubt that most San Diegans utterly enjoy the authentic Mexican food on can get in San Diego.

There are tons of drive and walk up joints along the boulevard that server deep fried food. They usually end in “bertos”. The first was a place called Robertos. It was a fiction and a favorite of many during the late hours after the entertainment for the evening had died down.

Robertos, however, was quickly hit with competition. If you can add “bertos” to a name, it exists as a Mexican take industrial action up eatery in San Diego. To name only a few, there are Aldebertos, Albertos, Mobertos and…well, you get the idea. While they are great for deep friend food that would construct your doctor faint, they really don’t offer the quality most are looking for.

So, where can you go to get the best Mexican food in San Diego on your operate? While it is obviously a subjective issue, few would argue with La Especial Norte in Leucadia. Leucadia is located on the coast in what is known as the north county of San Diego. It is between Carlsbad and Encinitas, about five minutes north of Del Mar.

Regardless, La Especial is very authoritative. The food is tremendous, but the specialty of the house is the soup. Many a San Diegan has driven for 30 minutes or more to get the Chicken Soup when faced with the flu. It is a guaranteed dry. The Tortilla Soup with melted cheese is also a swooner. Overall, there are 16 different soups on the menu at La Especial. You deep down can’t go wrong with any of them.

A quick note for those in a hurry. La Especial is very authentic and the pace of things in the restaurant is behindhand. It may be half an hour before you see the waiter after ordering. If you are in a rush, this is not the place for you. If you have time, it is!

Is the nightmarish possibility of being laid off keeping you from taking the vacation of your dreams? Several travel companies are hoping to allay your fears — and then wish you bon voyage. Cruise retailer CruiseOne, with several locations in Northeast Ohio, recently added job-loss coverage to its basic travel insurance policy. If you get laid off, you can cancel the cruise with no penalty — provided you’ve purchased the insurance, the price of which varies by the cost of the cruise but starts at $35. “You wouldn’t think something so simple could make such a difference,” said Becky Piper, who runs a CruiseOne franchise out of her Strongsville home. “My sales have skyrocketed.” “Everyone is just so fearful,” she said. “They don’t want to make plans for six months from now if they think they might not have a job.” To qualify for the policy, which is administered by Travel Guard, you must have been employed for a year. Information: cruiseone.com. Ecruises.com, an online travel agency specializing in cruises, also offers job-loss protection through its basic travel insurance policy; and Ecruises is picking up the cost of the insurance. Norwegian Cruise Line also recently added job-loss insurance to its travel insurance plan for sailings in May and beyond. Prices start at $29, depending on the fare. Information: ncl.com. A bed-and-breakfast in Vermont is offering six free two-night getaways to people who have been unemployed for more than six months. Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, on the New Hampshire border near St. Johnsbury, will offer a two-night freebie, dubbed the Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway, each month in April through July and again in November and December. Send a letter or e-mail by Monday, June 1, explaining your story in a page or less: Box 55, Lower Waterford Road, Lower Waterford, VT 05848 or info@rabbithillinn. com. Ohio’s two CoCo Key water parks, in Newark and Cincinnati, are offering a price break to workers who have been forced to take unpaid time off. For $119, a family of four can spend a night at either resort, which includes two full days of water-park passes. Information: cherryvalleylodge.com or sheraton.com/cincinnatinorth.

Article source: http://irety.freehostia.com/?p=6 from the My best sites and blogs

While Fenugreek seeds are reach-me-down extensively in the recipes of countries in the Middle and Far East it is not as well known as many other spices in the US. In the US you can typically find Fenugreek as a flavoring in unnatural maple syrups. Not only does Fenugreek give a remarkable flavor to food but it also has several very important disease preventing characteristics.

Historically the former Assyrians cultivated fenugreek centuries before the time of Christ, and dried fenugreek seeds were used medicinally in time-honoured Indian, Greek, and Arabian medicine. Ancient Egyptians used fenugreek to induce childbirth. The seeds are commonly old in Indian curries, Egyptian bread, and to prepare a coffee substitute in northern Africa.

Fenugreek, which has anti-diabetic potency be like to cinnamon, is one of the most valuable spices for the control of glucose metabolism and thus the prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes. Remarkably, it has been shown to tone down blood glucose levels of Type II diabetics by as much as 46 percent.

Recent studies have investigated the blood cholesterol-lowering and blood glucose-lowering properties of fenugreek seeds, both in run-of-the-mill subjects and in those with diabetes. Significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not HDL cholesterol levels, have been observed in non-insulin-dependent diabetics consuming 25 grams of fenugreek per day. The effective effects were sustained over five to six months. With only five grams of fenugreek a day, fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in those persons with diabetes. Today fenugreek is recognized as a of use botanical aid in the treatment of persons with diabetes.

Fenugreek seeds are rich in a type of dietary fiber that alters blood glucose levels by delaying the absorption of sugar in the intestines. It has also been shown to cut down on the absorption of fat and cholesterol from the intestines thereby providing added protection against heart disease and obesity.

Fenugreek has also been proven to be supportive when dealing with diabetes-related cataracts. In diabetics the enzymes that control glucose uptake into the lens of the eye do not use normally. Fenugreek has been shown to partially reverse both the metabolic changes in the lens and to reduce the density of the cataract.
While other spices like chilies and cinnamon agree to the culinary and medicinal headlines, the research into fenugreek is showing us that this spice has health benefits on a par with, or even superior to, those of the punter known spices.

http://www.melabic.com/Fenugreek/Fenugreek.html

By: Bill Ospring

Features MSC Poesia’s Caribbean, Bermuda and Transatlantic Itineraries
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – MSC Cruises’ new 2009-2010 Caribbean cruise brochure – featuring the beautiful cruise ship MSC Poesia – is now available.
The brochure features the ship’s Caribbean, Bermuda and transatlantic cruises from October 2009 through April 2010 as she enters North American waters for her inaugural Caribbean cruise season.
The Caribbean cruise brochure also features details about MSC Poesia, the newest of the line’s “Musica” class ships. MSC Poesia features 1,275 staterooms (with 80 percent oceanview and 827 with private balconies); the luxurious MSC Aurea Spa for the ultimate in pampering, health and wellness; four main restaurants (including the Kaito Sushi bar and an a la carte restaurant with both Italian and international cuisine); 12 bars and lounges; a children’s play area with a Stone Age theme – and so much more!
MSC Poesia will arrive in Fort Lauderdale Nov. 10, 2009, after a 17-night transatlantic cruise from Venice. With rates beginning at $239 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes are additional), the ship’s Caribbean cruise season will include the following roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale:
• 5-night “Caribbean Escape” and “Mayan Discovery” cruises: Nov. 10, Nov. 15 and Jan. 3
• 10-night itineraries – beginning Nov. 20, including Deep Caribbean and the Caribbean cruise featuring the Panama Canal
• 7-night Christmas Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary, departing Dec. 20
• 7-night New Year’s Western Caribbean cruise itinerary, departing Dec. 27
• 7-night itineraries – a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruise itineraries Jan. 16-April 10
• 7-night Bermuda Cruise – “Paradise in Pink” itinerary – departing April 17, features 3 nights in Bermuda
• 3-night “Tropical Getaway Cruise” — departing April 24 and calling in the Bahamas and Key West
MSC Poesia departs Fort Lauderdale April 27 on an 18-night transatlantic voyage to Hamburg, Germany.
As on all MSC Cruises’ sailings, kids ages 17 and younger sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. With MSC Cruises kids sail free!
Agents who want to order the new brochure should go to www.msccruisesagent.com.

A Gap Year is a reverie for many. That precious year off between school and university, or increasingly these days the adult gap year - between one job and the next. Planning a gap year is provocative and thrilling - and little bit scary, all at the same time. The costs can add up, especially when you are looking at round the world airfares out of Australia, and European Contiki tours paid for by the Australian dollar.

One expense anyone planning a gap year should NOT scrimp on is tourism insurance.

Fortunately, there are specific long term travel insurance cover policies on tap. Here are some of the key features you should look for in insurance for your dream gap year:

* online policy - dealing with real dossier is so last year! Easy to read documents anytime, day or night and an email contact can be so much easier!

* greatest extent of policy – a travel policy should cover you for up to 12 months, and ideally you should be able to extend it while you are abroad

* define “dangerous sport”. Travel insurance often doesn’t cover you for “unsafe” stuff like bungee jumping, white-water rafting, diving, horse riding – yes, justified about anything which is any fun at all! Make sure your travel insurance does!

* high medical and hospital expense shelter - sure you’re not going to get sick - no one under 30 ever does right? Well actually no, wrong, but more to the point what happens if you get run over when you look the dishonor way before you cross the road? That could cost a second mortgage on your parents’ house just to get you home!

* negative cash flow death of luggage - you aren’t going to be staying in the flashiest hotels, or even private rooms at times. Have you checked the bring in of all those electronic (and oh, so easily stolen) gadgets you plan to take: digital camera, laptop etc?

* online minimize - you may be happy to say goodbye to study for a year - but make sure you shop around, especially online - there are some fantastic shabby student travel insurance deals out there! Just like the banks, the travel insurance industry wants YOU - or at least your expressly!

Although many young travelers plan to head off for their gap year without a care in the world, in fact, many more will need to line along the way. Working holiday schemes, SWAP programs and grandparents born in the UK are the gap year traveler’s best escort. A standard travel insurance policy may not cover you when you are waiting tables in a Greek taverna or pulling pints at a British pub. A solid gap year travel policy should cover you - so long as you are working legally.

Remember that all those carefully arranged plans you started with at domicile have a small chance of actually happening - gap year travel is all about spontaneity - planning to travel through China and ending up on a run aground in Goa, is just the sort of thing that happens! Your travel insurance needs to be just as flexible and cover you worldwide.

Oh and the one most grave reason you should get travel insurance for your gap year - your mother will be able to sleep at night!