The Loss of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, A Very Sad Day

I was so shocked and saddened to hear the news that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed yesterday. I grew up watching both of these people and even though I know that life is very fragile and can be taken away at any time, it came as such a shock to hear that they are gone, especially Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson, the music icon was such a public figure and I always felt for him as he was constantly being scrutinized by the media about something. I imagine he lived a sad and lonely life.

Farrah Fawcett was also unfortunately harrassed by the media in her last days battling cancer, which must have been extremely difficult on her. She just wanted her privacy during her difficult times. I really wish journalists would have respected her wishes.

The impact of the death of Michael Jackson is being felt all over the world. He was scheduled to play in 18 concerts throughout the UK this summer. I was planning to make it to one of those concerts. I would have flown across the world to see him perform again.

We at BikeHike Adventures send our deepest condolences to the friends and families of both of these icons and hope that they both rest in peace.

Trish
BikeHike Adventures

Don't let lost luggage ruin your vacation: Here's a solution...

Every time I’m standing at the luggage carousel, I am always amazed by the amount of travellers who have black suitcases with wheels for their luggage. Doesn’t that just make the odds of losing your baggage that much greater? You could always slap a hot pink piece of tape on your luggage to try to differentiate it, but why ruin a perfectly nice piece of luggage. I’m proud of my light green original duffel bag that I can spot a mile away. I can rejoice the minute I see it come down the luggage shoot, without having to wait until it gets too me to check the tags.

The other problem with standing at the luggage carousel, is sometimes you are still there after everyone else is left wondering where in the world is my bag? Approximately 42 million pieces of luggage are misplaced a year by the airlines! There is always the chance that your bag might never make it to your destination. It’s always wise to bring some stuff in your carry-on that will help you through the first few days of your trip, in case your bag is one of those 42 million that go missing.

To help ease your loss, there are 3 companies (i-Trak, ImHonest and Trace Me) who sell luggage-tracking devices that are more durable and contain extra private information than the cheap paper tags the airlines provide. All you need to do is log on to one of the above company’s websites, order labels and then attach them to your luggage. If your luggage goes missing, the tags have information for the “finders” to call a toll-free number or file a report on-line. The company will then contact you and see where you need the bag shipped to (with a fee of course). For services starting at $15 a year to $30 for a lifetime membership, its something worth considering for your next trip!

Happy Travels,

Meghan

CouchSurfing....A Great Way to Travel the World on the Cheap

If you're on a tight budget, and want to meet people all over the world, check out the latest rage of "couch surfing", www.couchsurfing.org This innovative website offers a listing of friendly hosts all over the world who are willing to accommodate travellers in their homes with a spare bed or couch in the hope that somebody somewhere will do the same for them one day.

Couch surfing is a great way to authentically meet the people, experience their cultures, and see their cities and countries from the eyes of a local, not a tourist. It is so much better to see a destination the authentic way, away from the tourist traps.

It is free to sign up with couchsurfing.com. Once you're registered, find a place that you'd like to visit and ask individual members if they are willing to offer you a bed for the night.

For safety reasons, you might want to meet with your host before staying at their home, to make sure that you get good vibes and feel secure to stay in their homes.

Good luck and happy surfing.

BikeHike

A Cool Travel Website - Turn Your Holiday Pictures into Postcards

When was the last time you remember receiving a postcard from your friends and family traveling abroad? I used to love receiving postcards, but people are now too busy to write out postcards and post them in the mail. Oftentimes the postcards arrive home after the traveller does.

I've discovered an interesting site called HazelMail.com which allows you to upload your digital photos as JPEG or PNG files and turn them into personalized postcards, that actually will get delivered in to the receiver in the mail. There is even a iphone application for the site.

You can personalize your message, or if you're out of practice with writing postcards, the service offers standardized messages, i.e. Having a Great Vacation, wish you were here! 

If you're short on time, and want to send the same postcard to a number of people, simply add recipient and you can even add personalized messages for each person.

The cost is 1.50 US to create and mail anywhere in the world (including postage). It takes about one week for your postcard to be received.  If you buy the dozen package, the rates are discounted. 

Happy Writing,

BikeHike Adventures

Tips for Avoiding Altitude Sickness

There are several destinations that pose a risk of altitude sickness, including Cuzco, Peru at 11,500 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at 19,340 feet and even certain mountain regions in the States.

The most common and mildest form of altitude-related syndromes is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Most people who travel from lower altitudes to above 8,000 feet could experience some mild symptoms. The symptoms usually begin 6-8 hours after your arrival, but can take up to 36 hours to show, and usually last a few days. AMS resembles a hangover in many ways, with headaches, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, vomiting, confusion and nausea. This occurs as a result of the body’s reaction to a diminished supply of oxygen. The higher the altitude, the harder your body must work to obtain oxygen. It’s hard to predict in advance how you will be affected, if at all, as the symptoms vary from person to person.  I know for me I always feel lethargic and seem to get out of breath just walking one small flight of stairs. Just remember, anyone can get sick at high altitude regardless of age, gender or previous travel to high altitude regions.

Here are a few things you should know before your next adventure to try to limit your symptoms of Altitude Sickness:

• Give yourself enough time to acclimatize to your new surroundings. Take it easy the first few days and avoid strenuous exercise and get lots of sleep.
• Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine your first few days, eat light, and drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is important.
• If you experience symptoms, continuing to climb could be extremely dangerous. Treatment should be immediate and you should start to descend right away.
• Never leave a person with signs of altitude sickness alone.
• It is not a race to get to the top of the mountain. It is better to go slow and pace yourself. Overexertion will not get you to the top any faster.

When altitude sickness becomes more severe, common symptoms include loss of balance, the inability to make clear decisions and difficulty walking, especially uphill or on stairs. It's important to not push yourself and start descending to a lower altitude right away if feeling the above effects. It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention if necessary.

When the symptoms are severe, without medical attention one can experience high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. Cerebral edema is a condition where the brain swells and pulmonary edema is when fluid collects in the lungs. Both conditions are serious but treatable.

Following the above guidelines should help you get the most out of your next adventure in high altitude regions. Remember to listen to your body and act accordingly. By the end of the trip, chances are the memories you'll be taking home are of the people, scenery and adventures you had, rather than how you felt the first few days of the trip.

Happy Trails,

BikeHike