Tips To Enjoy The Flight

Whether on a short or long-haul journey, flying can be a pleasant experience if you are well-prepared. Here are some steps to ensure you have a safe, smooth and comfortable flight:

SHOULDER LIFTS
Gently lift your right shoulder and lower the left one simultaneously. Repeat the movement five times by alternating both shoulders.

KNEE LIFTS

Lift knee up toward your chest and hold the position for 10 seconds. Gently lower knee and repeat with the other leg. Repeat the exercise as desired.

FOOT PUMPS
Keeping both heels on the floor, point feet upwards as high as you can. Return feet to earlier position.Then, lift heels while keeping the balls of your feet on the floor.Repeat the exercise as desired.

BEAT THE LAG
To counter the effects of jetlag, get as much sleep as possible when flying west to east. When flying in the reverse direction, try and stay awake as much as you can.

PREVENT DEHIDRATION
Keep yourself hydrated during your flight. Airplane cabins are extremely dry and dehydration can occur easily. Drink lots of water and continue drinking water once you reach your destination. Try to minimise consumption of alcohol or caffeine onboard; both are diuretics, which can further dehydrate.

POPPING EARS
Changes in air pressure or altitude cause our ears to ‘pop’ and  sometimes ache during take-offs and landings. For a comfortable flying experience, suck on sweets or mimic the act of chewing and swallowing
if you do not have any with you. This will relieve the discomfort and help stabilise the pressure in the ear canals. Pacifiers will work just as well for toddlers and, if you have a cold, use a nasal decongestant to clear your nasal passage and alleviate the ache.

 

BE AWARE OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
DVT can occur when a blood clot forms in the large veins of the legs or arms, partially or completely blocking blood circulation. Sitting still and moving very little during long flights may lead to the occurrence of DVT.If youare flying long-distance, ensure you perform in-flight exercises such as those listed here as a precaution against developing DVT. When possible and permissible, stretch your legs and walk along the aisle. Be aware of early symptoms such as pain or swelling in the legs, which can happen even after you disembark. Seek medical treatment immediately if this occurs

Tips from 3Sixty Magazine, June 2012

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Explore The Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon’s history can be traced back as early as the 6th century AD when the Mon people lay claim to an area named Dagon, a small fi shing area that grew around the Shwedagon Pagoda. In 1755, King Alaungpaya conquered Lower Myanmar and renamed the area Yangon. The name Yangon is a combination of two words – yan  (‘enemies’ in the local language) and  koun (‘run out of’). It can also read as ‘end of strife’. Later, the British conquered Yangon during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826) but returned the city to the local administration after the war ended. Its alternative name, Rangoon, comes from the British pronunciation of Yangon in the local Rakhine dialect. Yangon was the capital city of Myanmar until the administration relocated to Naypyidaw in March 2006. Yangon is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and beautiful lakes,
and remains the largest city and the main economic hub of Myanmar.
EAT and FOOD
Myanmarese food is infl uenced by its multi-ethnic society and its neighbouring countries such as India, China and Thailand. The use of bean curd, soy sauce and stir-frying techniques in local dishes showcase the  Chinese infl uence in dishes such as  we tha dote htoe  (offal cooked in light soy sauce) and  kat kyi hnyat (rice noodles with seafood, meat, bean sprouts  and fried egg). Mohinga (rice vermicelli in
fi sh broth) is a very popular noodle dish that is arguably the country’s national food. Other offerings include gyin thohk (ginger salad with sesame seeds) ohn-no khao swè (curried chicken and wheat noodles in a coconut milk broth), danpauk  (Burmese  biryani ) and samusa (local  samosa). Nonetheless, Chinese, Indian, Thai and European food are easily found everywhere in Yangon.

MUST DO IN MYANMAR
- Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, a resplendent Buddhist temple on top of Singuttara Hill. The star attraction is a 100-metre high, gilded bell shaped dome. Its upper dome its studded with more than 5,000 diamonds and precious gems, with a single 76-carat diamond at the tip of the stupa.
- See the impressive 65-metre long reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. The statue’s feet are decorated with 108 sacred Buddhist symbols.
- Catch spectacular sunrises and sunsets from atop the Golden Rock Pagoda in Mt. Kyaiktito (210 kms from Yangon) that hangs over a cliff edge, 1,100 metres above sea level.
- See the majestic Karaweik Hall, a fl oating restaurant in the shape of a bird on the eastern side of Kandawgyi Lake. The structure is a replica of a royal barge built in 1972.
- Hop on the three-hour Circular Train ride to witness city life in and around Yangon. Buy local merchandise at countless markets such as Theingyi Market, Bogyoke
Market (Scott’s Market), Yuzana Plaza, Blazon Shopping Centre and many more.
- Learn the history of Myanmar at the National Museum, home to countless priceless artefacts, including the royal throne of Myanmar.

picture: Goldan Rock Pagoda. 3Sixty Magazine, June 2012

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Bandung: Paris Of Java

Beloved by Dutch colonialists who considered moving Indonesia’s capital there on account of its cooler climate and natural fortress of volcanic mountains, Bandung, with its art deco buildings and tree-lined streets, retains a nostalgic charm and continues to be a travellers’ favourite. Shoppers fl ock to the city that was once dubbed Parijs van Java for fantastic bargains at numerous factory outlets, while the Tangkuban Perahu volcano, nearby forests and hot springs lure visitors in search of the natural wonders of the land.


BANDUNG AT A GLANCE

• Bandung is the provincial capital of West Java.
• It is located on a highland plateau, about 768 metres above sea level.
• Best time to visit Bandung is between 
• May to October during the dry season but all year round is still fi ne, although later months see frequent rains.
• Average temperature is around 22°C, cooler than the rest of Indonesia. 

BANDUNG MUST VISIT

TANGKUBAN PERAHU 

Literally meaning upturned boat, this stratovolcano, together with Mount Burangrang and Bukit Tunggul, 

are the remains of the ancient Mount Sunda. 

Tangkuban Perahu

SAUNG ANGKLUNG UDJO 

Sundanese arts and culture thrive at Udjo’s House of Angklung, where you can unwind to 

the soothing sounds of the  angklung , a traditional bamboo instrument. (www.angklung-udjo.co.id)

KAWAH PUTIH 

Revel in the natural beauty of this crater lake at Mount Patuha.

Kawah Putih (White Crater)

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Savour Sundanese cuisine here but be warned though, most dishes are served with fi ery sambal  (spicy chili paste).Try  Nasi Timbel  – boiled rice served with meat and vegetables, with the ubiquitous  sambal on the side.

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP  
Bandung is famous for its factory outlet stores, and shops selling locally-made goods.

TOP SHOPPING HAUNTS  

• Pasar Baru Bandung for clothes and accessories at wholesale prices.
• Cibaduyut Shoe Shopping Centre for footwear.
• Cihampelas or Jeans Street for shopping, dining and entertainment. (www.cihampelaswalk.com)
• Alifa Mall for Moslem clothing and paraphernalia.
• Bandung Indah Plaza for luxury goods.
• Pasar Kota Kembang for clothes, belts, shoes or handbags. 
• Istana Bandung Electronic Centre for all things electronic.

Tips by 3sixty Magazine

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Beijing Tourism

Rich in culture and heritage, Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, parks,  hutong  (alleyways), and of course, as the gateway to one of the Wonders of the World – the Great Wall of China. The capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing which literally means ‘northern capital’, remains the political,educational
and cultural hub of the country.


BEIJING QUICK FACTS

•  It is one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of approximately 19.6 million people.
•  Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, and was the imperial seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
•  The city was the proud host of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
•  Beijing has hot, humid summers and cold, dry, winters. The average temperature in January (winter) is about −4°C, while July summer temperatures hover around 26°C.
• Best time to visit is in September and October, during the ‘Golden Autumn’, although the city is just as charming all year round.

Temple Of Heaven

BEIJING MUST VISIT

•  The Great Wall of China 

• The Forbidden City 

• Summer Palace 

• Temple of Heaven 

•  Hutong

Travel Tips by 3sixty Magazine

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The Amazing Vientiane

Vientiane is the capital and largest city in Laos. The city is situated on the banks of the Mekong River and is rich in legend and history. Vientiane has a large gilded stupa, Pha That Luang, which is a symbol of Laos. The streets in this city full of trees, the French colonial buildings, street markets, Buddhist temples, and noodle shops. Just outside town there is a Buddha Park, a park filled with more than 200 cement sculptures depicting gods and monsters of myth Buddhism and Hinduism.

Here are a few tips to make your visit to Vientiane extra fun:

• Make a trip to the Buddha Park or Xieng Khuan, a sculpture park by the Mekong River that features a gigantic reclining Buddha, as well as depictions of Hindu gods.
• Savour Lao favourites like crispy, fried river weed, fl avoursome Luang Prabang sausage that’s made with coriander, dried chili and galangal, as well as laap , a traditional dish of raw meat tossed with citronella leaves, spring onions, cucumber, spices and roasted rice.
• For panoramic city views, climb the Patuxay or Victory Arch, a war monument built between 1957 and 1968, dedicated to those who fought for independence from France. This attraction is open daily from 8.00am till 5.00pm.
• Make a pilgrimage to That Luang Stupa or the Great Sacred Stupa, which holds a relic of Lord Buddha.

Patuxay 

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Tips For Beating Jet Lag

Jet lag might just be the worst side effect of travel. You’ll be overcome with sleep or fatigue during an  exciting tour but end up wide awake in the middle of the night! Keep jet lag at bay with these effective tips:


STAY AWAKE  No matter how much you want to, resist  sleep until night falls at your holiday destination. If you  think you might doze off while standing up due to lack of sleep, take a short nap lasting not more than an hour. Waiting until nighttime to get some rest will help you acclimatise to the new time zone a lot quicker.


SMART ON THE FLIGHT  It’s tempting to go crazy on the fl ight with excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks or, stay awake for hours watching in-fl ight movies. But, avoid these ‘fun’ activities if you want to have a good time on the ground. The more you take care of yourself in the air – by getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water – the lesser the effects of jet lag when you land.

LET THERE BE LIGHT  Natural light is your best friend when it comes to adapting to a new time zone. The
cycle of light and dark has a huge impact on your body’s internal clock, so use it to your advantage when you’re holidaying. Try to get as much exposure to daylight as you possibly can at your destination by going out in the sunlight instead of staying indoors.

Have a nic Holiday!


Tips From Travel 3Sixty Magazine, Photo by Babstips @ Flickr

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