Travel warning for country loved by backpackers as fourth tourist dies in mass poisoning

Travel

A teenager has become the fourth person to die in a suspected methanol poisoning Laos.19-year-old Australian Bianca Jones died just hours after the US State Department confirmed the death of an American in the tourist town of Vang Vieng.The deaths follow the passing of two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, last week in the holiday destination, which saw 2.6 million international visitors between January and August this year.Authorities confirmed that Ms Jones’ friend, Holly Bowles, and a British woman are currently on life support in the hospital.Ms Jones’ parents paid tribute to their daughter and her “incredible spirit.”They told the Herald Sun: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away.“She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us.”The father of Ms Bowles told reporters outside the Bangkok Hospital that his daughter is being treated and that his daughter remains in critical condition.He said: “Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she’s on life support.”A police investigation is ongoing into the cause of the deaths. Still, news reports and testimonies of fellow tourists suggest that the dead may have consumed drinks laced with methanol, a substance common in bootleg alcohol.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss.“This is every parent’s very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure.”Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in too many parts of the world, so at this time, I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks.A recent traveller to Vang Vieng has taken to Facebook to urge caution to those offered free drinks after her friend fell ill after drinking local spirits.Bethany Clarke took to a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos to warn: “Urgent – please avoid all local spirits,” she wrote. “Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars.“Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.”The hostel’s owner in which the two Australian women stayed has confirmed that it is closed for a police investigation.The hostel’s manager told the Associated Press that they had served over 100 drinks on the night in question, including free shots, arguing that nobody else had shown signs of illness. He said that he hoped an investigation would clear the hostel’s name.He told ABC: “Right now the police (are telling) every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng…not only our hostel, other hostel and hotel customers have the same problem.”

‘Panic’ in Spain as beautiful city overrun by rats with British tourists warned

Travel

Rats have been seen swarming a beautiful Spanish city popular with British tourists, prompting fears of a potential illness outbreak as the rodents spread their germs. The southeastern city of Alicante has seen an influx of rats around the Plaza de San Blas area, prompting swift action from the council. Last week, locals complained of multiple rodent sightings around the areas green spaces that are currently under construction. Local government officials have been trying to get rid of them as they crowd around sewers and areas with grass and other vegetation. One resident posted a shocking video to social media showing rats appearing out of newly constructed walls and benches in the Plaza de San Blas development before jumping into the street.Another person posted to videos to social media platform X showing rats climbing on trees, joking that the city should change its slogan to “Alicante: city, beach and RATS”. A third local, Glorida Valor, warned of the “proliferation” of rats, adding that they are being caught by pets. She said “Areas next to the sports courts are attracting rats and my dog has found some.”More than 5.5 millions Brits visit the Costa Blanca each year, many of them specifically heading to Alicante. It also had a significant expat population.The Plaza de San Blas development project started in April 2022 and has plagued the area with noisy construction, and now rats. It shiould have been completed in March 2023 but the original constructor announced they woud not be continuing with it, putting it on pause until April 2024. It’s now set to be completed in 2025.The area will be completely remodelled, including new trees, pavements, benches, lighting, and a playground. Resident Felicidad Campillo expressed frustrations with the project that “is full of mistakes”.She said: “Nothing makes sense as it is more than two years late and it is full of mistakes. They have removed a lot of parking spaces and widened the pavements in an absurd way.”

If You Refuse To Check Any Bags While Traveling, You Need These 28 Carry-On Essentials

Travel

It comes in different colors and the labels are customizable.Check it out on TikTok!Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon as a way to eliminate single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. BuzzFeed contributor Abby Kass has these and loves them! Here’s what she has to say about them: “I recently got a set of four of these, and, wow, I love them so much. I used them on a six-day trip recently, and they were perfect. I customized the label so I knew which one was my shampoo vs. conditioner and did a general label for any other things I wanted to bring along. They do hold a surprising amount. According to the brand, they hold approximately one to two weeks of skincare products, more than two weeks’ worth of serum, two to three days’ worth of haircare, and more than 15 tablets (for medicine and such). And while two to three days worth of haircare might not seem like enough, I found it held more than that for me, but I also don’t wash my hair every single day. They were small enough to slip right into my toiletries bag and go through TSA with no problem. The container was easy to open in the shower (even with wet hands), and I had no leakage from them (like I did from my face wash bottle that will not be making the trip with me next time. SMH). These are an incredibly useful tool anyone who travels will want in their luggage.”Get the daily routine capsule set from Amazon for $130 or a set of seven from Cadence for $161 (available in seven colors and with label customization). 

The Internet Is Loving This Wholesome Travel Tip That Is So, So, So, So Thoughtful, And I Need Everyone To Know About It ASAP

Travel

Travel Expert Samantha Brown Shares Airport Kindness Tip

Traveling for the holidays can bring up a lot of stressful feelings. But even though things can get a little taxing toward the end of the year, there’s one tip you can incorporate into your “airport routine” to make your travel experience a little more enjoyable.

Samantha Brown, who has been a television travel host for over 25 years (you may know her from hosting Travel Channel shows like Great Hotels and Passport to Europe), recently posted a video on Instagram about an incredibly helpful and thoughtful tip: “Here is my best travel hack on how you can make the airport a wonderful place; a great experience.”

“Okay, you know how I say, ‘Always confirm your gate before you do anything else?’ (i.e., you go to the restroom, get a cup of coffee, or that kind of thing).”

“So, you’re at your gate. Right now, take a look around. Is there a person who’s in a wheelchair that’s all alone? They can’t go anywhere. Maybe there’s a single caregiver whose hands are full with kids or an aging parent. Go up to them and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to get a cup of coffee, would you like one? Or can I get you anything? Can I get ya a bottle of water, a snack?'”

“It’s my privilege; of course, I don’t charge — and it’s just a nice thing to do. As we’re all talking about how we can make the world a kinder place, this is just one way to do it.”

After when Samantha posted this video, not only did people love this idea, but someone who uses a wheelchair confirmed this tip could be helpful for those who need assistance.

A person with kids also confirmed this as well.

And finally, another person from the loved one’s point of view provided their thoughts.

People also provided alternative, non-financial ways to show kindness to others in the airport.

For instance, this person said to ask if a wheelchair user needs to go to the bathroom.

Then someone provided an example of how they helped someone who just broke their foot.

Someone else said you can also ask the ticket agents if they need anything if they can’t leave their post.

However, another user said it would be great for airports to hire teams to provide assistance as well.

At the end of the day, it’s nice to hear all the ways we can be kinder to strangers.

So, do you have any kind travel gestures that may help others? Tell us what they are and why they work in the comments below.

Met Office issues rare amber weather warnings as Storm Bert to bring UK travel chaos

Travel

The Met Office has slapped a rare amber weather warning on four UK regions as Storm Bert threatens to wreak havoc across large parts of Britain later this week.The 10-hour alert is in place for parts of Scotland this weekend, as gusts of up to 70mph will hammer into the British Isles.The Grampian, Central, Tayside & Fife, Highlands & Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde areas are all impacted by the severe warning between 7am and 5pm on Saturday, November 23.Storm Bert’s arrival follows a week of wintry showers and freezing temperatures, which have already caused hazardous conditions across northern and exposed areas.Snow and ice warnings remain in place for parts of the UK through Friday, as cold air persists.The weather warning from the Met Office reads: “Heavy snow will spread northeastwards on Saturday morning, giving significant accumulations in many areas. Accumulations of 10-20 cm are likely on ground typically above 200m, with potentially as much as 20-40 cm on hills above 400m.”Snow will eventually revert to rain during Saturday afternoon, but may be preceded by a short spell of freezing rain in places adding to the ice risk.Strengthening winds will lead to drifting of lying snow, with difficult travelling conditions likely on higher level routes, and the risk of interruptions to power supplies. A fairly rapid thaw of lying snow is then likely on Saturday night as milder air moves in.”Southern and western regions of the UK will face heavy rainfall, with 50-75 mm expected widely and over 100 mm possible in parts of Wales and southwest England.Rapid snowmelt and periods of strong winds are likely to exacerbate the risks of flooding and travel disruption. In northern England and Scotland, snowfall could be heavy, particularly over elevated areas.What to ExpectTravel Delays: Roads are likely to face significant delays, with some vehicles and passengers potentially stranded.Power Cuts: Outages are likely, impacting mobile phone coverage and other essential services.Rural Communities: Some rural areas may become cut off due to heavy snowfall.Rail Travel: Delays and cancellations are expected across the rail network.Hazardous Surfaces: Untreated pavements and cycle paths may become impassable.Injuries: Slips and falls on icy surfaces are likely, posing risks to pedestrians.The Met Office urges everyone to prepare for severe weather impacts and follow updates as Storm Bert approaches.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued Cold Health Alerts for England, urging health and social care professionals to prepare for the impacts of prolonged cold weather. The public is also encouraged to stay informed and take precautions.RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With freezing temperatures already causing disruption, we advise motorists to plan well and ensure vehicles are winter-ready. Stick to major roads, reduce speeds, and carry essentials like blankets, warm clothing, and phone chargers.”The unsettled weather is expected to persist into early next week, with strong winds and showers affecting many areas.Although temperatures will average out for most, a brief return to colder conditions with wintry showers may occur before milder weather resumes by the end of next week.

Can Fear Make You a Better Fighter? Here’s What Science Says About Combat Sports

Science and Health

Behind the physical prowess of fighters, there’s a mental game going on in the background. A major component of that game is fear. One can imagine stepping into a ring in front of thousands in the crowd millions behind the screen. The world is watching. The screams and shouts fill the atmosphere, and the noise deafens. Lights illuminate the ring. The person on the other side is ready to kill if needed. Fear is bound to creep in here. It’s imminent. The battle started long before the bell rang. The build-up, the weigh-ins, media, fans so many other things have been eating away at the psyche. The Science of FearThe body activates the sympathetic nervous system in the face of danger. It gives us two options: fight or flight. We can either face the danger or run away from it. In a ring, flight is never an option. One can only pick the other one. As a result, the heart rate shoots up, the skin starts to sweat profusely and blood rushes into the veins. Fear and anxiety are part and parcel of this process. In combat sports, fighters often describe time as slowing down and feeling hyperaware of their surroundings. Yet, fear also tends to distort perception, making them hesitate or second-guess their decisions—potentially fatal errors in the ring. Managing these physiological and psychological changes becomes a vital skill for fighters.

Read More: Indian Philosophical Perspectives on Anxiety and FearHistorical PerspectiveIn prehistoric times, fear was essential for survival since there were predators all around. It was the fear of getting hurt or mauled that made us run away. While fear once meant survival, today it’s a mental opponent in the ring. It doesn’t matter if one is getting his face pounded in or his ribs are being cracked up from the punches. The fight will stop only when they are no longer conscious or if they have given up. Taking words from fighters’ accounts, no feeling is worse than watching yourself get upbeat in front of millions. Fear can stem from many things. The fear of getting injured is beyond repair. Also, the fear of a career-ending concussion. The fear of getting a loss on the record. The fear stems not just from physical pain but from the humiliation, the tarnished legacy, and an overwhelming sense of failure.