Yearly Archives: 2024

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

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

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

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 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.