Don't Read This If You Want To Get Sick on Your Travels!

A touch of Montezuma's Revenge or sunburn while you're on vacation is bad enough, but if you don't take the right precautions, you could end up with something much more serious. Fortunately, with a little preparation and some common sense, you can avoid most health risks, no matter where you happen to be traveling.

Since I'm heading to South Africa in just a few weeks, I want to be sure I'm covered when it comes to my health. After all, much of my time will be in rural areas. Health insurance is all very well, but an ounce of prevention is even better.

If you're heading somewhere off the beaten path, I highly recommend that your first step in your travel health planning be the CDC Travelers' Health website. This is the same site that my GP and my travel specialist both use for checking up to date health risks. The site allows you to search by country or by illness, check vaccinations, and pick up general information on everything from insect bites to yellow fever.

Next stop was my regular GP. I am already up to date on my tetanus, but she recommended shots for Hepatitis A and B. Although both require a six month follow up shot, which I will get in June, she decided it was better to have some protection from the preliminary shots than none at all.

A shot now can save a lot of trouble down the road.

For my other shot information, I paid a visit to the University of Kentucky Travel Clinic. The amount of information I got here was staggering; the physician provided information on shots, sunscreen, insect bites, food, public safety, even where to change currency. As it happens, I didn't require anywhere near as many shots as I expected. Since I am flying directly to South Africa and not passing through any other African counties, I do not need to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever. We decided the rabies shots are incredibly expensive and probably unnecessary. (The local Health Department offers great treatment in the event of exposure.) So that just left Typhoid, and instead of a vaccine which offers 2 years of protection, the oral preventive is cheaper and offers 5 years of protection. I completed my course last week (just one pill every other day for 4 doses).

I also have anti-malaria pills (recommended for the region I am visiting) and a course of antibiotics (just in case). My original malaria Rx was for Larium but the doc at the travel clinic changed that. It turns out that Larium is no longer used by the state department or the military as it can have some nasty side-effects and there are a host of contraindications if it is used with any other meds. It could have potentially serious side effects because of another medicine I take. Luckily, the doc caught that and wrote a different prescription.

What other advice did I pick up from the travel clinic?

• Given my fair skin, a sunscreen of minimum 30SPF.
• A mosquito repellent containing at least 30% DEET. (I am usually an open buffet for mosquitos).
• No swimming or wading in water unless its safety can be GUARANTEED.
• No bare feet. The doc cautioned me that even flip flops offer little real protection against potential parasites that can enter through the skin. 
• Be careful with the water. This also applies to ice cubes in drinks and salads. Just a few weeks earlier, the doc had seen a patient with a severe infection. She insisted she had not drunk the water during her trip to Kenya, but it didn't occur to her that the ice cubes in her coke were...water.

Best of all, the UK Travel Clinic is considered a public service which means all I paid for were my typhoid meds.

If it sounds a little paranoid to be taking all these precautions, think again. I now feel secure in the knowledge that my trip is unlikely to be marred by severe illness. Furthermore, the typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations will last for years to come.

So if you want to get sick on vacation, skip the shots, skip the pills, and skip the common sense. While you're rushing for the loo for the umpteenth time, I'll be enjoying the scenery.

Five Things to Remember When Shopping for Travel Insurance

I know this will make some of you cringe, but I have rarely bought travel insurance when going overseas before. However, this was usually because I was covered in other ways - European health coverage, provided by my employer in Japan and so on. When we traveled to Mexico a few years ago, insurance was part of the vacation package, so once again, it was something I didn't need to spend too much time thinking about.

But the bottom line is that even if I didn't have to think about it, I was insured in one form or another.

This time though, I've had to think about it.

And it can be complicated.

Photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com

So what should you look for when buying travel insurance? And where should you look? Here are a few tips to get you started. (Please note: I have NOT been compensated in any way by the companies I mention).

There are tons of different packages available, covering from a few days to a year, one trip or multiple, baggage only to natural disaster evacuation, plane cancellation, and a zillion other things.

One great place to start is STA Travel. I've used them in the past and they are excellent to work with, plus they are all highly experienced in dealing with world travelers.

Since I like to compare prices, I ended up using InsureMyTrip. By plugging in dates, age, cost of trip, and destination, I was able to pull up a long list of possible policies and compare them, eventually narrowing them down to those that would best suit my needs.

My most important factors?

1. Baggage coverage. If my baggage is lost or delayed, I don't want to be stuck in South Africa with no clothes or personal items. I chose a policy that provides an allowance to buy clothes and other items if my bag is delayed. I also chose coverage of up to $2500 for lost or stolen baggage. This was the maximum amount I could find. $500 or $1000 may sound plenty, but factor in a small laptop and a camera, and that's not much at all. (Be aware, though, that there is often a maximum reimbursement per item of no more than $500 - that wouldn't cover my camera but it's better than nothing). For anything particularly valuable, either purchase an individual rider, or consider if you really need it. My wedding/engagement ring is staying at home and I'll wear a simple band from Walmart.
2. 24 Hour Assistance. I wanted reassurance that it anything happens, as long as I can get to a phone, I can get help. My policy includes a worldwide 24 hour assistance number. I just reverse the charges.
3. Medical Coverage. This is the big one for me. I will be taking plenty of health precautions, but I'm also realistic. I will be working with wild animals in remote areas, and in an area with multiple potential health risks. If something happens, I don't want to be worrying about an enormous hospital bill.
4. Evacuation. Continuing on from medical coverage, I wanted to be sure that my policy includes emergency evacuation and repatriation. Obviously, I hope I never have to use it, but if the worst comes to the worst, I want to be sure I can be flown home to loved ones and that I can receive the best medical care, whether that's in Africa or here in the US. On a more macabre note, my husband tells me that when I'm eaten by lions, he wants to know that my remains can be flown home. (I think he's joking!) Don't assume that your insurance policy automatically includes this. I saw a lot of medical policies that do not include evacuation, for medical emergencies or otherwise.
5. Car Rental. This was a final addition that I may or may not need, but since I may end up renting a car for a few days, and my choice came down to two comparable policies with the same benefits and for the same cost, I chose the one that included this. 

There are plenty of other clauses and coverage types, so each person has to decide what they need for their trip. In the end, I got my policy from Allianz Global Assistance. It gives me plenty of coverage for my trip, and therefore peace of mind for me and my husband.

I've printed out my policy and will leave a copy here at home, as well as taking the emergency contact numbers with me. 

It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but after hearing just last week about a girl flown home with contracting an unknown parasitic infection during her trip to Kenya, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Update on Trip and Changes at Chimp Eden

With only 24 days to go until I fly to Johannesburg, I wanted to give a few updates to my trip. More importantly, I wanted to let you all know about some changes at Chimp Eden and how that may alter my plans.

The flights are booked, insurance purchased, and I take the last dose of my typhoid vaccine tomorrow. (See a post coming later this week about travel health). I also dreamed last night that I got there and all the monkeys were laughing at me - I suppose the equivalent of first day at school nerves.

Some of you may know that I have been in contact with David Devo Oosthuizen, the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute in South Africa. Because of this, I already knew that some changes at Chimp Eden might mean I need to be make some changes to my original plans. Yesterday, the Jane Goodall Institute and the Cussons family both issued press releases about the future of Chimp Eden. You can read both statements here.

So it seems that I have really bad timing, huh?

What does this mean for my trip? Firstly, I want to reassure all of you who have generously helped to make this trip possible that it is still going ahead. My original plan had been to spend two weeks at a monkey sanctuary near Pretoria, before flying to Nelspruit to spend two weeks at Chimp Eden. At the moment, with the changes at Chimp Eden, it is uncertain whether their volunteer program will be reestablished in time for me to spend two weeks there in February; I will be contacting David in another week or two to find out.

If I am unable to volunteer there, my backup plan is to spend three weeks at the sanctuary in Pretoria. I will then still fly up to Nelspruit, where I will spend a week exploring Kruger National Park. I will still visit Chimp Eden. David has made it clear that even if the volunteer program is not in place, I am still very welcome to visit. In that case, I would hope to spend at least two days there, looking around, learning about the facilities and the changes, and chatting with staff.

Travel plans have to be flexible, and I am confident that this trip will be more enriching than I could ever imagine, whatever schedule I follow.

P.S. Those who supported my IndieGoGo campaign are no doubt wondering about the private trip blog. This is currently being set up so it will be in place before I depart. Details will be sent to each of you nearer the time.

Thank you again for your support.

Closer to Home: Stanford's Bluebird Cafe

Because travel doesn't always mean the other side of the world...

Whether you live in Kentucky or just happen to be passing through, the Bluebird Cafe in the small town of Stanford is well worth a stop. With locally sourced products, including hormone and antibiotic free meats, you are guaranteed the freshest food with a wonderful taste.

I had been meaning to make the drive down to the Bluebird for some time and I finally got the chance last Saturday. It had been several years since I was last passing through Stanford and I was pleasantly surprised to the changes on Main Street - lots of little shops, everything wonderfully decorated for the season, and a real sense of community renaissance.

The Bluebird was BUSY! We were able to get a table straight away but by the time we left, people were waiting for the next available spot.

But I know what you're all really interested in is what we ate, so here it is:

I enjoyed the Somerset Wrap and a side of slaw - bacon and chicken from the nearby Marksbury Farm, avocado, cheese, greens, and a chipotle honey mustard sauce that gave it a real kick. The coleslaw was excellent, not overly vinegary or swimming in mayo like some I've had elsewhere. Just what I was looking for.

Nic wanted something more warming so he opted for the Bluebird Burger with a side of chili. The burger is made of local grass-fed Marksbury beef, topped with local Cheddar, garlic mayo and grilled red onions. I tried some of his chili (he wouldn't let me near that burger!) and it was thick, rich, meaty, and spicy.

The service was friendly and knowledgeable about the food. I also have it on good authority that they do an excellent breakfast.

In short, for my first visit, I was very impressed. It's always good to see restaurants with locally sourced food doing well and I predict a long and happy future for the Bluebird. Although Stanford is a bit of a drive from my side of Lexington, I get the feeling I'll be making the trip again.

Yikes, This is Real!

Nic always despairs that I rarely get overexcited or overemotional about things. He explains it as being a product of my British upbringing. My being "mildly enthusiastic" is what he hopes for, since he knows I'm not about to jump, scream, and generally carry on.

So of course he was out of town on business all this week, in particular at 2.30am this morning when full on panic finally set in.

I'm going to Africa in a little over 6 weeks.

On my own.

Crap!

As the dogs lay snuggled in the bed, I was pacing until I decided I felt too jittery to pace. I was hungry so I ate some peanut butter which I promptly threw up. There then followed 20 minutes or so of "This is really happening!"

This unexpected attack of panic made me realize one thing. It has been far too long since I've traveled on my own. Not traveled as in going somewhere on my own, I still do that fairly regularly. I mean going somewhere outside my usual comfort zone. Somewhere completely new, where I don't know anyone and have no idea what to expect. In fact, I haven't done that since I moved to Japan back in 1995. Moving to the US wasn't exactly a bold leap, but this....

This is really going to happen...and after a few hours of sleep, I felt very excited this morning as I drove to the doctor's surgery to get my first two hepatitis shots, plus a prescription for malaria pills and one for antibiotics. (Good tip: Take a course of antibiotics with you when traveling somewhere out of the ordinary. It can help you cope with a whole range of ailments, if needed.)

I'm going to Africa in a little over 6 weeks. On my own. I have no idea what to expect, but I know it will be an incredible experience.

Splendid Isolation

I wanna live all alone in the desert

I wanna be like Georgia O'Keeffe

I wanna live on the Upper East Side

And never go down to the street.

"Splendid Isolation" by Warren Zevon

I admit it - I like my own company. And while I'm not quite the hermit my husband likes to think I am, we all need human contact after all, I do enjoy working, traveling, and living alone. It's why I don't mind so much when he has to travel for work, but also why I am happy to see him when he gets home again.

Photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com

As I prepare to go to South Africa, one of the questions I am asked most often is whether Nic is going with me, followed by whether I'm scared about going on my own. 

Not at all.

In fact, that's part of what is so invigorating about it, and a little scary at the same time because it has been a while since I traveled somewhere new alone.

I'm used to traveling alone and I have found it opens up some wonderful possibilities, and allows you to discover incredible things about the world around you and about yourself. Some of my favorite memories from solo travel include:

• Going to Germany after high school to spend three months working on a mountain hut. One way day's hiking trip I was adopted by a Romanian couple who called me their daughter of the Edelweiss. They spoke no English; I spoke no Romanian, but we were able to communicate through French.
• Moving to live in rural Japan. The first few weeks were incredibly lonely, but I started to pick up the language and become known in my little town. Neighbors and farmers took me under their wing, and soon I'd find myself arriving home from a simple walk armed with fresh produce from their gardens.
• During a solo trip to the Japanese coast, I loved walking and people watching. One evening, I was the only customer in a small Italian restaurant. The chef opened a bottle of wine and joined me for dinner.
• On a train ride around the western US, I met a group of women on their way to see Oprah, an elderly woman who had grown up in an earth house on the North Dakota plains, hiked in Marin County, and more.

Now any of those experiences could have happened if I had been traveling with someone, but chances are they wouldn't have been so memorable. When you're traveling in a group, it's easy to be less adventurous, to go with the crowd, to have little to no interaction with locals. 

So when I think about my upcoming trip, am I nervous? Of course. But I am also exhilarated by the knowledge that I will rediscover strengths I didn't know I had. And that's part of the fun of travel.

To contribute to my IndieGoGo campaign, click here. 

You've Got Questions...

And I'm here with the answers.

Since launching my IndieGoGo Campaign earlier this month, I've been asked a number of questions so here is my attempt at providing a few answers.

Why South Africa?

Not as simple as you might first think. You see at the end of this year, I will be celebrating a birthday (one that starts with 4 and ends with 0). Back in the spring, I was suffering a certain feeling of impeding doom accompanied by the inevitable sense of "What have I done with my life?" This coincided with my family starting to think how they could help me best celebrate my birthday and Christmas. The result, they decided, was to help me go on a trip to do something I had always wanted to do.

Thus Africa.

Once we started looking and gasping at the expense of some locations, my sister found Original Volunteers, a UK-based organization with a program in South Africa working with primates. Great! A little more digging and I learned that Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden Sanctuary was also nearby.

And as they would say on the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Why Pay to Volunteer?

This is a question that frequently comes up. If you're volunteering, why do you have to pay? There are some programs out there that charge through the roof, we're talking more than $1000 a week, for the opportunity to volunteer. The programs I have chosen are incredibly reasonable by comparison since I am paying purely for basic room and board.

So What Else Do You Have to Pay For?

While the program costs are relatively low, there are other expenses involved in my trip. Insurance is a biggie, particularly given that I will be working on another continent with wild animals. Another expense is vaccinations - more about that later. And of course, flights to South Africa.


What Exactly Will You Be Doing?

Fulfilling a dream!
Making a difference!
Learning!

Ok, you want a bit more, I know. The work is not glamorous. If you think I'll be spending all day cuddling baby monkeys, sorry to disappoint. At each location, I will be working five days a week, helping to build and repair enclosures, cleaning enclosures, preparing food for the animals, and so on.

At Chimp Eden, I can also undertake a week long program geared to teaching me about chimps, their habitat, conservation issues and so on.

During my time off at weekends, I plan to visit Kruger National Park, Pretoria, and other surrounding areas.

Is It Safe?

Safety is obviously a huge issue. How safe is it to be working with primates? And how safe is South Africa? Let's deal with the latter question first.

A few years ago, when I traveled to Mexico, everyone kept asking us if we were worried about going there, especially since we'd be going through Juarez and Chihuahua. Once there and later, I heard from Mexicans who asked how did I feel safe in the US, where people have guns.

It's all about perspective. And a good measure of common sense. In Mexico, I was not walking around  unfamiliar city streets after dark. But then, I probably wouldn't do the same in LA, DC, or many other US cities.

When I arrive at Johannesburg, the organization will be meeting me to take me to the sanctuary. I will be doing some travel but will be following the same common sense tips that I would use anywhere.

Now about the animals. Chimp Eden was in the news earlier this year when a visiting student was horrifically attacked by a chimp. We all heard about the woman in the US who was mauled several years ago. As a teen, the zoo near my home has an incident where a keeper lost his arm.

All primates are wild animals. It is all to easy to look at a cute monkey and think they are cuddly. Think again. They are not pets. They are not a source of entertainment. They should be treated with caution and respect at ALL times. Chimp Eden has a strict no contact policy. The goal is for the chimps to live as they would in the wild, which means with minimal human contact. We observe. We learn. We do NOT touch.

So About Those Vaccinations...

I don't like needles any more than the average person, but if I want to go to Africa, they are a necessity. My TB should be up to date but I will need shots for cholera and rabies, probably hepatitis too. The information I've received for malaria is conflicting so I will be checking with several experts, but I will probably need anti-malaria pills on the grounds of better safe than sorry.

Then What?

I expect this trip to be more than a vacation. I will be using it as a chance to learn and study as much as I can. Once I return, I plan to compile a collection of photos, and a nonfiction work. I also hope to sell some articles to magazines. Finally, I will be preparing a presentation to offer to local schools about my experiences. My niece's school in England has already asked if I can speak to them.

I will also be blogging about my experiences.

Hopefully, this answered most of your questions, but if not,, leave a comment and I will answer ASAP.

If you would like to make a contribution to my trip, please visit I'm Not Monkeying Around.