http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_breaks/ Latest activity breaks available from Medics Away en julian@medicsaway.com Copyright 2010 2010-04-25T08:06:51+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/galapagos/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/galapagos/#When:08:06:51Z gtgt Ecuador, Sightseeing 2010-04-25T08:06:51+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/san_pedro/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/san_pedro/#When:12:43:02Z Spend five nights at the Ambergris Caye one of the largest and most northern of Belize’s islands. It is twenty five miles long and parallels Belize’s barrier reef. Ambergris Caye, once claimed by Mexico, is separated from Mexico only by a narrow channel. Ambergris Caye is located east of the Corozal District. Its main town of San Pedro is about 36 miles from Belize City. San Pedro Town is the major settlement on the island. The town is a picture postcard setting - small colorfully painted houses set alongside sand streets nestled beside the clear turquoise sea. Coconut palms sway and rustle in the gentle cooling trade winds. Low rise hotels, guest houses and bungalow style resorts, from modest to magnificent, are nestled along the coast and throughout the town. If you want a comfortable, shorts-and-sandals seaside vacation, at a moderate price, just a bit off the beaten path but not too far, where the seafood is fresh and beer is cold, where the water won’t make you sick, an island with most of the modern convienences without the plastic tackiness, with great diving, excellent snorkeling, beautiful water and beautiful white sand beaches, where local folks are mostly friendly and hablan English (though they may speak Spanish at home), with dependably beautiful weather most of the time, then I guarantee you’ll enjoy Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is the town you will land at, boat to, eat at, shop in, meet people; in short, San Pedro Town will be a large part of most visitors’ experience of Ambergris Caye. It is the transition point between dives and Maya tours. If you’re new to the island, leave about two thirds of your clothing at home, bring swim suits, sun block, sandals, and a hat. This is one very relaxed place. Most people step off the plane, and struggle for about three days to slow down. It’s hot and fragrant and moist, the wind is cooling, and, well, things just don’t seem so urgent. Belize, Sightseeing 2009-09-12T12:43:02+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/snorkeling_picnic/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/snorkeling_picnic/#When:12:25:54Z Spend the day out snorkeling in the beautiful reefs that surround the island of San Pedro. Finish your day with fresh fish caught and cooked especially for you, on the beach in front of your hotel. Snorkel Mexico Rocks, Tres Cocos, Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Add a little fishing and a picnic with seafood prepared right on the beach by your guide and it’s another fantastic day on the waters of the Caribbean. First stop is Hol Chan where visitors will enjoy an abundance of sea life and coral gardens. Swim with rays, yellow tails, parrotfish, grouper, snapper and countless other varieties of colorful fish. You may also enjoy an encounter with a moray eel. Sea fans, brain coral, iridescent sponges and other formations will make it hard to get back in the boat. Next, it’s on to Shark Ray Alley where snorkelers will touch and pet nurse sharks and stingrays. Once again the marine life and coral formations will take your breath away. Mexico Rocks lies just north of San Pedro in clear, vibrant blue waters. Here you’ll see barracuda, horse eyed jacks, grouper, sand sharks and thousands of tiny neon colored fish. Swim through over 30 types of corals including brain and elkhorn corals. Belize, Ocean Sports 2009-09-12T12:25:54+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/nile_cruise/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/nile_cruise/#When:11:05:07Z To fully discover the ancient wonders of Egypt, a cruise on the River Nile is truly an unforgettable experience. The Nile River has been Egypt’s lifeline since ancient times and there is no better way to trace the passage of Egypt’s history than to follow the course of the Nile. Each day gives you every opportunity to explore new sights or simply enjoy a different view. A first time visitor to Egypt who wants a classical (pharaonic antiquities) experience would do well to book a Nile cruise. Of course modern airlines shuttle tourists to the southern region of Egypt, but historically the Nile cruise was really the only way to visit the temples and tombs located along this stretch of the river. It is still a popular means of visiting upper Egypt and has many advantages to other means of travel. Around the middle of April, locks on the Nile river are closed due to water levels, ultimate time for a Nile cruise is between October and mid April, when the weather is fairly cool, but the locks are all open. However, most cruise boats operate all year. If the locks are closed, cruise operators will arrange boats on either side of the locks, and a transfer must be made between boats. A typical three night cruise usually departs from Aswan to Luxor and includes the following visits: Aswan: The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae Kom Ombo:  Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo Edfu: visit the Temple of Edfu Esna: visit the Esna Temple   Luxor: visit the west bank in Luxor to see, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Egypt, Sightseeing 2009-08-25T11:05:07+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/luxor/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/luxor/#When:10:44:54Z Luxor has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that know of.  Actually, what most people think of as Luxor is really three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor. To say that the Luxor area is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt would be an understatement.  It has been a tourist destination since the beginning of tourism.  Even in ancient times, during the late Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods, the area drew tourists, and has been doing so ever since.  Today Luxor is well equipped to accommodate tourists with many hotels and in general a tourist industry ready and willing to serve the people from many countries that descend on this area of the Nile Valley every year. Within Luxor, there are only three main streets consisting of Sharia al-Mahatta, Sharia al-Karnak and the Corniched, next to the Nile.  The street in front of the train station is Sharia al-Mahatta and runs away from the Nile where it meets the gardens of Luxor Temple.  Sharia al-Karnak, or Maabad al-Karnak which means Karnak Temple Street runs along the Nile from Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple.  However, Sharia al-Karnak is known as Sharia al-Markaz where it meets Sharia al-Mahatta street, and to the south around the temple it is known as Sharia al-Lokanda.  Along this street one will find the colorful signs of restaurants and cafes, as well as bazaars where the usual variety of Egyptian souvenirs can be found.  Of interest is the alabaster, which is plentiful along the west bank and miled not far from here.  Also look for the clay pots used by the locals for cooking, which are more unusual. Luxor today is a city of some 150,000 people and is governed by special statues that allow it more autonomy then other political areas of Egypt.  One thing you might notice is that various government and other buildings confirm to an ‘ancient’ building code.  Particularly, the National bank of Egypt (located near the winter palace), the spa south of the police station, and the railway station are all designed to appear as pharaonic constructs.  All of this occurred after the Egyptianization of the modern town resulting mostly from the mania that resulted from Howard Carter’s discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun. As one might think, the city has all the amenities tourists might expect, including a variety of hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Egypt, Sightseeing 2009-08-25T10:44:54+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/valley_of_the_kings/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/valley_of_the_kings/#When:10:40:48Z The Valley of the Kings (Biban El Moluk) situated on the ancient site of Thebes is where the pharaoh’s were buried and hoped to meet their Gods in the afterlife. This is where you will find Tutankhamun’s tomb which was discovered almost intact in the 1920’s. You can go inside the tomb, but you’ll have to visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to see the treasures he was buried with. Tutankhamun was actually quite a minor king in the scheme of things and there are many larger and more impressive tombs to discover in the Valley of the Kings. Not all tombs are open and officials occasionally close particular tombs for restoration. The style of the tombs did undergo changes throughout the New Kingdom and one should try to see examples from the span of 500 years that the Valley was in use. The tomb of Tuthmose III is at the far end of the East Valley and is one of the earliest in the Valley. Its burial chamber is in the shape of a cartouche (oval-shaped) and its inscriptions are interspersed with stick figures. The climb up the modern metal staircase outside and then the descent into the tomb will give you a very good physical workout - but it’s worth it! Horemheb’s tomb shows a transition through to the Ramesside-style of tombs. Just a little further down the main path is the tomb of Ramesses III. While in a state of ruin deep within (the burial chamber is off limits), it is definitely worth a visit and one of the small side chambers contains the famous paintings of two blind harpists. Ramesses VI’s tomb has a magnificent burial chamber in which lie the broken remains of the large stone sarcophagus. Along the length of the chamber’s ceiling are two images of the sky goddess Nut which depict both the swallowing and rebirth of the sun disc. Egypt, Sightseeing 2009-08-25T10:40:48+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/new_york/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/new_york/#When:09:10:12Z With so many unique attractions, world-famous museums, theatres, and skyscrapers there is always plenty to do in New York. New York is a vibrant and eclectic place. There is an incredibly diverse range of things to see and do- but there are a few attractions like no other. No visit to New York City is complete without visiting the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Medical students are free to explore the sights and indulge in the nightlife. All accommodation and transfers are included. The Empire State Building For the better part of a century, visitors to the New York have headed straight to the Empire State Building for the thrill of a lifetime: the journey aloft to its fabled Observatory nearly a quarter of a mile above Fifth Avenue. Here you are treated to breathtaking panoramas across the rooftops, avenues and byways of the New York Metropolitan areas, to as far away as four neighboring states. Statue of Liberty Visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, both only a short ferry ride from Battery Park. Be sure not to miss the historic halls and galleries at Ellis Island, where more than 12 million immigrants first entered America. St John and the Devine Cathedral Explore one of NYC’s unique attractions – the world’s largest cathedral. So tall that the Statue of Liberty would fit comfortably under its dome and over two football fields long! Take a tour and discover its soaring Gothic and Romanesque architecture, magnificent stained glass windows, beautiful gardens, and wandering peacocks. The New York Pass grants you free admission to the Cathedral and a free Highlight Tour. New York Theatre Broadway Shows, Leisure & Services Seeing a show on Broadway and going to the theater in NYC is one of the most popular events not only for tourists, but New Yorkers too. New York City offers everything from award winning new musicals like Wicked, Jersey Boys, and Mary Poppins to emotionally powerful musicals like Spring Awakening, and The Color Purple, to some of the most uplifting feel-good musicals of all time such as Mamma Mia, and Hairspray. Shopping in New York City New York is a shopper’s paradise! You can find anything and everything in the many stores throughout the city-and now you can shop TAX FREE in NYC on clothing and shoes priced under $110. There are thousands of shops, so whether it’s upscale Madison Avenue or the bargain-friendly Lower East Side, the Big Apple offers everything for everybody! Canada, Sightseeing 2009-08-25T09:10:12+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/niagra_falls/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/niagra_falls/#When:08:49:25Z The Niagara Falls are voluminous waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. Students can expect to spend 3 days at the location, soaking up the awe-inspiring sight of the falls whilst enjoying the plethera of local restaurants, amenities and attractions. Certainly an experience of a life time. Over The Falls In October 1829, Sam Patch, who called himself “the Yankee Leapster”, jumped from a high tower into the gorge below the falls and survived; this began a long tradition of daredevils trying to go over the Falls. On October 24, 1901, 63-year-old Michigan school teacher Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel as a publicity stunt; she survived, bleeding, but virtually unharmed. Soon after exiting the barrel, she said, “No one should ever try that again.” Previous to Taylor’s own attempt, on October 19 a domestic cat named Iagara was sent over the Horseshoe Falls in her barrel to test its strength. Contrary to rumours at the time, the cat survived the plunge unharmed and later was posed with Taylor in photographs. Since Taylor’s historic ride, 14 other people have intentionally gone over the Falls in or on a device, despite her advice. Some have survived unharmed, but others have drowned or been severely injured. Survivors of such stunts face charges and stiff fines, as it is illegal, on both sides of the border, to attempt to go over the Falls. Facts About Niagra Falls - The Falls at Niagara are about 12,000 years old - Falls were formed when melting glaciers formed massive fresh-water lakes (the Great Lakes) one of which (Lake Erie) ran downhill toward another (Lake Ontario). The rushing waters carved out a river in their descent and at one point passed over a steep cliff like formation (the Niagara escarpment). From the original falls going over the Niagara Escarpment, the water began to wear its way back up the river. The path that it left is known today as the Niagara Gorge (a deeply-cut and very scenic river path). - Currently, Niagara Falls wears its way back another approximately 1 foot/year. - The Niagara River flows at approximately 35 miles/hour (56.3 kilometers/hour). - There are actually two waterfalls in Niagara, the American Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. - It is the combination of height and water flow that makes Niagara Falls so beautiful. - The Horseshoe Falls are 180 feet (57 meters) high and allow 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubic meters) of water over the crestline every minute during peak daytime tourist hours (that is about a million bathtubs full of water every minute!). - Man-made attractions of Niagara Falls include Maid of the Mist, Table Rock Scenic Tunnels, Spanish Aero Car, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, Marineland, Casino Niagara, IMAX Theatre, and the new Butterfly Conservatory. - In 1959, the face of Niagara was changed when Louis Tussaud’s English Wax Museum was opened. - Niagara Falls was an area early settled and vigorously active in Canada’s formative years. - The Minolta Tower rises 325 feet above the Horseshoe Falls. - Skylon Tower rises 775 feet above the Falls. - In 1960, Roger Woodward was the boy who had survived a descent over the Falls after a boating accident above the Falls. - Hydro Electricity generated in Niagara Falls at the Sir Adam Beck 1 and Sir Adam Beck 2 power stations from redirected waterflow serves the electrical needs of Southern Ontario and Western New York. - Blondin was a funambulist (tight-rope walker) who performed numerous crossings of the gorge in Niagara Falls during the mid 1800s. - Blondin performed endless stunts on the high-wire, from crossing blindfolded to carrying a cooking stove and preparing an omelet on the high wire. - Most spectacularly, was the stunt during which Blondin carried on his back Harry Colcord his 148-pound manager August 19, 1859. - Annie Taylor “Queen of the Mist” , a school teacher from Bay City Michigan was first person to travel over the Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901. - Since her feat, many stunt artists have challenged the mighty Falls usually in home-made barrel-like contraptions. - More recently, a couple of foolhardy individuals have attempted to survive a plunge over Niagara Falls in a kayak and a jetski - they both perished. - Niagara Falls’ night time illumination makes a visitation to Niagara a spectacular event at all times of the day. - Ice bridges form below the Falls when ice floes travel over the edge and collect at the base of the Falls. - Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is known as the Honeymoon Capital of the world. - The word Niagara comes from the word “onguiaahra” which means “a thundering noise”. - “Uncle Toms Cabin”, a famous novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe was partly inspired by the writers trip to Niagara Falls and her subsequent interest in Reverend Josiah Henson who smuggled runaway slaves across the Niagara River into Canada. - Until 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was erected, the Falls at Niagara were the symbol of America and the New World. Visitors from all over the world targeted Niagara as a must-see during a visit to North America. - The Spanish Aero car ride provides a spectacular trip across the famed Whirlpool Rapids a few miles down from the actual waterfalls. - Water is redirected from traveling over the Falls in order to drive large hydro-electric turbines that produce electricity for Southern Ontario and Western New York State. - An “Old Scow” (a steel barge) remains stranded a few hundred meters above the Falls and has been marooned there since August 6, 1918 when a near tragedy was averted by three men who opened the dumping hatches of the barge to let water in and ground the out-of control boat. - One of the largest Butterfly Conservatories in North America has been added to Niagara’s growing list of attractions. - Water that flows over the Falls at Niagara ultimately ends up in Lake Ontario - from there, water drains by way of the St. Lawrence River in to the Atlantic Ocean. - One of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812 took place on July 25, 1814 at Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls, Ontario… A total of 7500 Americans and Canadians fought for six hours. At the end, 1,000 soldiers lay dead or wounded. - The 20th Century Fox Movie, “Niagara” starring Marilyn Monroe was filmed in Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1952. - In March of 1848, the waters stopped flowing over Niagara’s famous cliff when the Niagara River was plugged temporarily at the mouth of the river in Fort Erie, Ontario. - Niagara Falls is steeped in history and was one of the most popular and busiest New World visiting spot. - Water painting artists embraced this City’s natural wonders as a source for their artistic inspirations - there exists hundreds of these early impressions - consult your local library for reference to these early images. Canada, Sightseeing 2009-08-25T08:49:25+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/ayurvedic_medicine/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/ayurvedic_medicine/#When:21:42:58Z The word Ayurveda is composed of two sanskrit terms - Ayu meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge. Therefore Ayurveda means the knowledge of life or science of life. It is defined as the science, through which one can obtain knowledge about the ways and nature of life. Ayurvedic system is applicable universally to all those seeking harmony and peace. The Classical Ayurvedic texts discuss all forms of science like biology, toxicology and subjects like philosophy and theology. Kerala has developed its own Ayurvedic treatment modalities like Dhara, pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Elakizhi, Sirovasthi, Thalapothichil etc. which are highly effective in a number of diseases which includes Motor neuron diseases, Arthritis of various kinds, skin diseases, heart diseases, peptic ulcer, Asthama, Peripheral vascular diseases and Gynaecological disorders. Medicinal Knowledge about Ayurvedic type of medicine is divided into eight branches. The branches are: 1. Kaya chikilsa (general medicine), 2. Shalya (surgery), 3. Shalakya (ENT and Ophthalmology), 4. Graha (Psychotherapy), 5. Damshitra (toxicology), 6. Bala (Paediatrics and Gynaecology), 7. Jara (rejuvenation) and 8. Vrishya (Aphrodisiacs). India, Satelite Hospitals 2009-08-24T21:42:58+00:00 http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/beach_activities/ http://www.medicsaway.co.uk/index.php/travel/activity_break/beach_activities/#When:12:38:16Z Most of the activity in Kuta is related to the beach. The options are endless – you may try surfing, swimming, wakeboarding, sunbathing or kite flying, or heading into neighbouring Tuban for some waterslide action. If you just want to have fun or relax, you can try kite flying or employ a team of masseurs while you sunbathe. Kite Flying Here is an idea for a safe, fun activity on the beach with your group – kite flying! Wondering where to buy one? You can easily find a line up of small shops and vendors selling traditional Balinese kites ranging from small to giant size, such as Bebean (fish-shaped), Janggan (bird-shaped) and Pecukan (leaf-shaped), the prices vary according to size and the material. Now, find a deserted windy spot and away you go! Sling Shot Care for a little bit of adventure? Kuta has its own way to slake your adrenaline thirst. At a spot in front of Kuta Paradiso Hotel, there is a giant slingshot that can catapult you 52 metres in the air. The forked Y-shaped frame has two rubber strips attached to the uprights, leading back to a pocket for holding two safely designed seats. Open every day 11:00 – late. Waterbom Waterslide Park Waterbom is a sprawling 3.8 hectare tropical adventure park of thrilling water rides. It has 15 high-speed slides, some reaching up to 50kph, dizzying trails, cardiac-pounding rides and wall climbing. Even for the faint hearted, there are a lot of facilities; try the river raft that leads you down a lazy river where you can enjoy drifting along in a tube raft through cascading waterfalls, languid ripples and even luxuriant tropical foliage to screen you from the flurry of excitement, not to mention the spa facilities for an even more relaxing option. On top of that you can sunbathe in the grassy gardens, relax in a gazebo or swim along to the Poolside Bar, to quench your thirst before a second round of adrenaline-charged adventure! For children, the park features a Kiddy Park, which is designed for child safety and is supervised at all times. If you get hungry during all the activity, head to the food court in the centre of the park as it is forbidden to bring any food or beverages in from outside. Surfing Kuta Beach is famous for its breaking waves and waist-deep water, making it such a perfect beach for surfing beginners. To get some basic knowledge of surfing, sign up for lessons with one of the well-known surfing schools located just in front of the beach such as Odysseys, Rip Curl Surf School or Surfer Girl Surfing School. A three-day surfing course in an accredited school costs approximately US$ 100. The next time you come back, as long as you keep in practice, you’ll be able to explore the hidden surf beaches on the island, for sure! For more advanced surfers, you can choose from over 30 other surfing breaks, all within 30 minutes drive from Kuta. Sunbathing If you are coming from more temperate countries, sunbathing must be tempting. Kuta Beach is a magnet for beachgoers, especially for those who are keen to get that much-coveted tan. Lying on the beach wearing your bikini or shorts and sunglasses could be an effortless way to spend the day in Kuta or you can rent a sun-lounger for only around IDR 30,000 a day. However, beware of the harsh rays – you will be very uncomfortable the following day if you don’t apply sunscreen! Choose protection with a high SPF content and avoid the intense midday heat to be sure you get a beautiful glowing tan before you return to your home country. To avoid dehydration you are advised to drink plenty of water and soft drinks – all available from vendors patrolling the beach, also selling snacks, ice cream and fruit. Bali, Sports 2009-08-24T12:38:16+00:00