Don’t let the problems snowball if your ski holiday hits the skids

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Title – Don’t let the problems snowball if your ski holiday hits the skidsSource – The Independent
Date – 14th January 2009

With 1 in 4 Britons who take a winter sports holiday doing so without travel insurance, many people are going to have very expensive travel stories to tell.

The fundamentals of travel insurance are very similar whether you are going skiing, diving, taking a week’s holiday or going on a volunteering gap year; make sure you are covered for ALL the activities and countries you travel to and for the whole duration of your trip.

Repatriation after an accident, be that a ski accident as mentioned in this article or following a moped crash in Sri Lanka, can be very expensive. The example given in this article of £35,000 in repatriation and emergency rescue cost is no exaggeration. Never assume that the status quo at home, applies abroad.

We are used to the excellent social welfare system we have in the UK, when you get ill the NHS looks after you; you don’t call an ambulance thinking about the cost and if you can afford it. This is simply not the case in most countries; in some the ambulance crew will first ask for proof you can pay and then treat you.

There are many stories about those who failed to get any insurance suffering not just the anguish of illness, accident or financial loss while travelling, but we also hear regular stories of insurance policies that are barely worth the paper they are written on. You must do your research; with insurance the cheapest is certainly not necessarily the best.

The ‘small print’ is all important and before you buy your insurance check that the activities, duration and destinations of your intended travel are suitably covered. For example if you are intending to go diving on your trip; are you required to take out additional cover, if not how many days diving will the policy cover and is the depth you can dive to limited? Does an annual travel insurance policy actually cover a whole year’s travel? Often annual multi trip policies allow a limited duration for each trip through the year.

There are a lot of questions and you need to get the answers before you leave. Remember limits on insurance policies are usually there for a good reason; for example the insurance company knows that the risks involved in off-piste skiing are much greater than with on-piste skiing, hence why they will not insure it or will charge a premium. When you are considering risks involved in your trip it is worth noting not just what you are insured for, but if the additional risks that your insurance company will not insure are worth taking… those are the risks you should avoid.

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Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Insurance and what questions you should ask when you a sourcing insurance and the limits within which you should stay to Travel Safely.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

I tried to gouge its eyes: surfer battles to drag girl from jaws of 16ft shark

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Title – I tried to gouge its eyes: surfer battles to drag girl from jaws of 16ft shark
Source – The Times
Date – 13th January 2009

After a spate of shark attacks in Australia this winter (UK winter that is) some people will hear the classic Jaws music in their heads as they enter the water off the coast of Australia. Should they worry?

Australia does have a reputation as a country full of dangerous and deadly animals both on land and in the water, but it is also a country that understands these dangers and where they manage these risks through information and preventative measures.

Snakes although being some of the world’s deadliest kill very few people in Australia and in comparison with South East Asia; the numbers of fatalities is so low as to be insignificant. Why? The answer is that people in Australia generally wear footwear which those working the fields in South East Asia don’t.

What I am getting at is that we need to have perspective, the fear from shark attack is completely disproportionate to the threat they pose. In Australia the far greater threat comes from your vehicle breaking down in the outback.

Understanding risk goes a long way to reducing it. Should you swim off the coast of Australia? Absolutely, but be careful and listen to local advice about the safest place to swim; the rip tides and currents are dangerous in Australia and are responsible for some 15 tourists fatalities a year; make sure that you are a capable enough swimmer and physically fit enough for the conditions. Lifeguards in Australia rightly complain about the number of ‘poms’ they have to drag from the water because they are drunk, have a hangover or generally do not pay attention to the warning signs. Ask a lifeguard on Bondi Beach around Christmas time what they look out for most and the answer of a ‘pasty pom’ will be near the top of their list.

These stories of the great courage shown by those attacked and those who helped save them, tell of punching sharks when attacked or gauging at the eyes. In the case of attack you should try anything you can, but it still remains the case that prevention is so much better than the cure. Humans are not natural prey for sharks, many bite and ‘spit’ people out; avoiding those places they are known to frequent is the best way of preventing an attack and the Aussies know where most of those high risk places are. Being afraid of sharks is natural if a little disproportionate; being afraid to ask for advice and to take it is actually quite dangerous.

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Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, but how to protect against shark attack is not high on the agenda; understanding risk, evaluating it and putting proactive measures into place to prevent risk are. To do this we take a very rational view and look at the facts not the myths. It is still the case that on average there are about 1.2 fatal shark attacks a year in Australia’; that makes Sharks about 10 times less dangerous than swimming itself.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

‘Bug’ could combat dengue fever

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Title – ‘Bug’ could combat dengue fever
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 2nd January 2009

Another step in the fight against Dengue Fever and serious outbreaks such as the 2008 outbreak in Paraguay (

Paraguay put on dengue alert) has been achieved in Australia.

Developments that provide even a partial solution to reducing the number of Dengue Fever ‘victims’ is something to be welcomed, not only by the local communities who suffer badly from this potent virus due to lack of health care facilities, but also by travellers who travel to those areas where it is so prevalent.

But as with every advancement in science, it still has a long way to go and even if it is eventually successful, will take time to implement and will take some time to be effective.

As with all insect borne diseases, prevention should be your primary defence. There is no prophylactic drug to protect you against Dengue Fever as there is with for example Malaria; so it is doubly important to take preventative measures.

To take these measures you first have to be aware of the nature of the carrier. Most people assume that it is at dusk and during the night that mosquitoes are at their most active and take measures to protect themselves at these times. Many travellers who catch Dengue took all reasonable steps at night time, but did nothing during the day. The female Aedes mosquito, which is the Dengue Fever carrier, is however most active during the day…. That is what catches most people out.

When you travel to the tropical region where these mosquitoes thrive you must take proactive preventative measures 24 hours a day. The people who tend to catch Dengue Fever are those who think ‘it won’t happen to me’ and ignore the risks. No one is immune to the risks, no one can claim they don’t get bitten and those who do are either ignorant of those risks or enjoy the ‘game’ of Russian Roulette’; They should take the time to speak with people who have caught Dengue, which although rarely fatal in travellers who have access to medical care, is excruciatingly painful, can be very expensive and has the ability to ruin your ‘once in a lifetime experience’.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health; what you need to do before you go, including what Travel Equipment you might consider; protective and preventative measures you can take on your travels; how to recognise the signs and symptoms of diseases so you can seek medical help as soon as possible and thus reduce the consequences to a minimum; and the level of Travel Insurance required.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Fireworks blamed as 60 are killed at nightclub

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Title – Fireworks blamed as 60 are killed at nightclubSource – The Times
Date – 1st January 2009

Sadly yet another tragedy has struck a nightclub in a popular tourist destination and fire has once again claimed too many lives. The reasons are in hindsight so obvious and so wholly avoidable, but across many parts of the world safety standards in bars, nightclubs, hostels and hotels are low and they remain at risk from devastating fires.

Just a few days before this tragedy another tragedy unfolded in Peru, not fire this time, but the release of what was described as ‘tear gas’ resulting in panic, a stampede and the death of 5 partygoers.

These may seem like very separate incidents, but the causes are unfortunately all too similar, but not inevitable. By having a greater sense of awareness you can make yourself aware of the dangers of frequenting these premises and either avoid going to the most dangerous ones or at the very least reduce the risks.

The cause of the fire may well have been fireworks and sparklers which revellers were allowed to bring into the premises or in the case of Peru the gas thrown into a packed dance floor, but the reason for the high fatalities was more to do with the poor management and safety standards. Lack of exits, closed or locked exits, no separation in the building, lack of emergency lighting, overcrowding, flammable decorations and lack of trained staff.

Taking some simple steps can reduce your risk to some degree. Always look for alternative exits when you arrive, do they look blocked or locked in any way? Does the premises feel uncomfortably full? Can you see any emergency lighting? How will you get to safety and if your primary route is unavailable, how else you can escape? Do the staff look to be in control or overwhelmed? Are there obvious heat sources too close to possible fuel sources?

If you are uncomfortable with any of the answers to these questions then think twice about staying and choose somewhere else to go for your night out or somewhere else to stay. Taking a chance should never be an option.

Consider other steps you can take to reduce the risk. Have a torch to hand, stay near the exit you have identified, stay out of the busiest parts of the venue, look for a safe haven, be prepared to leave if the situation deteriorates.

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety including fire safety and accommodation choices and ways of reducing the risks you face on your travels.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Man’s £5 debt repaid 39 years on

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Title – Man’s £5 debt repaid 39 years onSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 19th December 2008

Undoubtedly travellers make a connection with people they meet while travelling. Many life-long friends are made and even more acquaintances; a combination of shared experiences and shared hardships, but primarily a meeting of minds, people visiting the same places for the same reasons.

Often it is the commonality that brings people together, in countries far away from home where language difficulties may stop us communicating effectively; meeting a ‘kindred spirit’ from a more familiar world is often reassuring when you feel a little out of your depth.

This is one of those travel stories which restores our trust and faith in human nature and in fellow travellers, many travellers have similar stories even if usually they are over slightly shorter periods of time.

There are two key points to remember and take from this story.

Firstly; if you make a promise keep it. This is especially important if you tell local people you will keep in touch or send them something they have requested once you get home. If you can’t fulfil your promise don’t make it in the first place. Where you probably will not lose any sleep if someone you meet on your travels fails to stay in touch or doesn’t ‘poke’ you on facebook, local people (especially in remote areas) may not take it so well. Often when you visit other countries your visit bring honour, pride and kudos on the family you visit. Their standing within their community may rise, they may well proudly tell everyone of their honoured guest. They may have very little to show for a lifetimes work and something as simple as a picture you have promised to send may become a prized possession; so make sure you send it.

The second thing to remember is that unfortunately while most travellers are honest, think like you and act like you, there are always some who don’t. Theft from travellers is not restricted to the local population, in-fact some people believe that more theft occurs between travellers then by local populations. Dorm rooms are especially notorious for this, there are unfortunately many travellers who budget badly or do not have funds they require to complete their journeys and there are those who are just plain dishonest and greedy. Never leave valuables or expensive equipment lying around unsecured, be careful where you stash your valuables (always use hostel safes where appropriate and ask for receipts if necessary) and where you display them. It never fails to amaze me how safe people feel in hostel dorm rooms sitting on their beds counting their cash before stashing it right in front of strangers…

At

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) looks at many different issues including Travel Safety and Travel Insurance, including the best ways to secure your valuables and the safest way to carry the money required for your travels.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Huge tidal waves smash into PNG

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Title – Huge tidal waves smash into PNG
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 10th December 2008

When you travel you form natural bonds with people you meet and the countries you visit. You don’t even have to visit for very long to have these experiences. The consequence is that even years later when you read or hear stories that involve those people, it affects you in a very personal way.

This is just another reason why we recommend travel to everyone we meet; it expands the mind and expands people’s world, both literally and figuratively. In an age of 24 hour news we have become partially immune to bad news stories. By ‘immune’ I mean there is so much bad news we simply can not make an emotional connection with all of it and even if we sometimes feel guilt at ‘switching off’ when confronted with these stories. When you have visited the place involved, these stories become impossible to ignore, because they are real places and the people involved are ‘real’ people; people you have met; people you know and people you have an unbreakable bond with. A house destroyed is not just another house, it is one you saw, one you stayed in or even one which belongs to a family you saw or met.

Papua New Guinea (PNG as it is commonly referred to), is one such place for me, it’s a magical place, a country where your experiences will be unique; a country of people who are trying to join the ‘modern’ world but who are also bound to their traditional past; a people who are trying to find the right balance between the best of the old world and the best of the new world. This balance sometimes seems to be some way away.

PNG is a country in some limbo, its past history is of a fierce and violent society a society fractured by the remoteness of the country and individual villages within that country. Almost each village has its own language, over 800 in total (almost 12% of all the world’s languages). Due to the isolation of one village from the next, they can be seen almost as separate countries and in the past this was ‘workable’. There were violent confrontations between villages and raiding parties from one to the other, but that was often the only contact they had. In a modern world that doesn’t work, the towns contain people from all the different villages and the traditional differences and rivalries are not good bedfellows of this more ‘modern’ way of living.

My time in PNG was incredible, so many unforgettable experiences, so many people that I can never forget, so many stories still to share with new friends. However if I look at the trip in a very rational way, it might not be all that appealing, my experiences include; being surrounded by machete wielding locals demanding my wallet; getting lost after midnight in Port Morseby, one of the world’s most dangerous cities and at the mercy of strangers who turned out to be saints; being caught out on an active volcano when the wind turned and surrounded me with a cloud of sulphuric gasses making it very difficult to breath; arriving deep in-country in a canoe on the Sepic river with all my supplies exhausted; the list could go on…

What I remember of the trip is the village chiefs who took me in as an honoured guest; the children who greeted me at every village I arrived at; having a wash in the river only to turn round and see the entire village looking on; spending hours letting each member of a tribe try out my hammock; standing on the top of an active volcano and listening to it rumble; waking up in the morning and having to brush the layer of volcanic ash from my tent; sharing my food supplies with my local guides and watching the difference between my distain at tinned tuna (again) and their joy; this list goes on and on and on….

PNG is no place to go without planning and plenty of it. It is a challenge at every turn and really not for the faint-hearted. It is a violent society, full of the friendliest people. Seeing Wewak, New Ireland and New Britain once again hit by a tidal wave and knowing how fragile the infrastructure is and how self-sufficient the people have to be, reminds me of all the fabulous memories I have. It reminds me how lucky I was to get through the challenges I faced unscathed, how I had to use every experience from 10 years of independent travel to overcome the hurdles I faced, but mainly it makes me think about my friends there and to hope that they recover quickly from this latest onslaught of nature.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshop (GYITSA) provides candidates with the skills they need to travel more safely and to avoid as many negative experiences as possible, so their memories and stories can be as enthusiastic and relentless as those my friends have to listen to over and over again.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Thai Protesters overrun airport blockades

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Title – Thai Protesters overrun airport blockadesSource – The Independent on Sunday
Date – 30th November 2008

This situation was if not inevitable, at least wholly predictable. The political situation in Thailand has been deteriorating for some time now and the patience of the protestors was being pushed to the limit; some form of further action seemed inevitable. Sadly stuck in the middle now, are over 100,000 tourists trying to leave Thailand and countless others, who have had to cancel their plans to travel.

The effect this will have on the tourist industry in Thailand is to yet to be established. Thailand had just started to get back to normal after the devastation of the 2004 Tsunami. Will it stop people travelling to Thailand? Probably not, certainly in the short term it will have an effect as people choose other destinations rather than taking the risk of having to cancel holidays; but in the longer term it will bounce back again. However that will certainly start to change if this ‘siege’ repeats itself, Thailand will start to lose its appeal in favour of other destinations if people start to see the country as unstable and believe the chances of their holidays being disrupted as high.

Thailand is in deadlock. A government seemingly fairly elected, even if the current prime minister was appointed by the elected party rather than through any electoral mandate (not so unusual when you consider our own prime minister…); suggestions of government corruption at the highest level; an army that wields great power but is reluctant to act against the people, especially those who ‘support’ the King, to whom the army is ultimately loyal; a police force who are loyal to the government, but not highly effective and who are keen not become political pawns or go against the army, the king or the people; and the King who is revered in Thailand by all, but who is keenly aware not to get involved in civilian politics or meddle with the government structure and who has himself not designated a clear order of succession to his rule which is a worry to everyone in Thailand.

Thailand is perceived by many despite all of these factors to be a ‘safe’ destination for British travellers and Thailand paints this picture well in promotion of its tourism industry. The reality can be very different and complacency is the traveller’s worst enemy. There are many considerations which travellers to Thailand must consider:

Travel Health: There are many travel health concerns to consider; Malaria is widespread in many parts and Malaria Prophylactic drugs should be discussed with a doctor at least 6 weeks prior to departure; Dengue Fever is increasingly common and in some specific locations, almost at epidemic levels, yet despite being aware of localised outbreaks information is not always widely communicated for fear of putting off tourist; Rabies is endemic and travellers should avoid any animal that can be a carrier and consider vaccination before departure; food hygiene is not always of the highest standards and travellers should only drink bottled water;
Travel Safety: Illegal drugs although readily available in Thailand carry heavy sentences, the death penalty is still enforced for drug trafficking, British citizens are not protected from heavy sentences for drug offences; scams of all sorts are common in Thailand, the more serious of these scams can include the drugging of victims for the purposes of robbery; road traffic accidents are a common cause of hospitalisation in Thailand; and statistically Thailand remains one of the highest risk destinations for British citizens;
Destination Advice: Apart from the political situation mentioned earlier, there is an ongoing violent struggle in the south of Thailand between Muslim separatists and the largely Buddhist government. This has resulted in thousands of deaths over the past few years and countless ‘terrorist’ attacks. Tourists have become unwittingly involved in this conflict with kidnappings and deaths occurring as a result.

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) run a Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshop (GYITSA) designed to provide travellers to any part of the world with the knowledge and skills to travel safely and allow them to make the most of all the new experiences they encounter whilst avoiding the wholly predictable pitfalls that occur along the way.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Lorry kills Africa gap year student

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Title – Lorry kills Africa gap year student
Source – Metro
Date – 17th November 2008

It’s always very sad to read stories like this one about Claire; our thoughts are always with her family who have to deal with the loss of a person who was clearly gifted, had a zest for life and a passion for exploration and travel. When accidents happen so far away from home it adds a sense of helplessness that exasperates the tragedy still further.

This is a terrible accident, it could have happened 5 miles from her home or 5000 miles away in Africa. The only difference being that generally speaking regulation is stricter in the UK with regard to driving standards, enforcement and the maintenance of vehicles on the road; so in that sense roads in ‘developing’ countries are by their nature are more dangerous.

I would not suggest that there was much that could have been done differently which would have changed the tragic outcome of this situation, but it can serve as a warning to others. It can act as the starkest reminder that additional care is required on the roads, crossing the roads and even standing at the side of the road, in some parts of the world.

It was only a few weeks ago we were discussing the tragic bus accident in Egypt. In the UK we don’t hear about the many tragedies on the roads in other parts of the world, but look at the statistics and it is clear that people should take much greater care and attention when we are far away from home and we need to appreciate that the rules we apply at home often don’t apply abroad. Many parts of the world the differences are far more profound than just driving on the other side of the road.

At Beyond The Blue (safe gap year) we run Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshops (GYITSA) designed to provide anyone planning a Gap Year or Career Break to travel more safely and with heightened awareness of the risks faced in other parts of the world. We cover issues of personal safety, Transport Options, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Safety and much more. There are some tragic accidents where nothing would alter the outcome; but for many of the problems faced by travellers, understanding the potential risks allows us to reduce them, without affecting the enjoyment travel offers us.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Tourists in India samosa shock

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Title – Tourists in India samosa shockSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 17th November 2008

Here is a tip you can have for free. When travelling anywhere in the world ALWAYS agree the price before you buy. If you don’t you have not got a leg to stand on when you are charged the ‘tourist price’ afterwards.

Often even when you agree a price it will be claimed that either a different price was agreed or that it should be more because of some ‘unforeseeable’ change in circumstance. Ask any traveller if they have felt ‘ripped-off’ at any time on their travels and you’ll meet few who can honestly say they haven’t.

On many of my travels I have argued (sometimes heatedly) that I was only going to pay the previously agreed price or that if a larger bill couldn’t be changed, I was going to refuse to pay; I wouldn’t be the first person to arrive in a new city and take a meter taxi to my guest house which takes 45 minutes from the airport, but when I agree a prearranged price for the return trip, the drive only takes 5 minutes…. It is one of the ‘joys’ of travel.

We need to have some perspective. The key is to do your best to get a ‘deal’ but not to get obsessed over the best deal. Pay what you are comfortable paying and be satisfied with that, don’t fret that you could have saved 10,000 Dong (Vietnam), after all 10,000 Dong is only 38p… how many times will we spend 15 minutes arguing over 38p when we are at home?

I have to say I admire many of the people who try and ‘rip me off’ when I travel. The best sales people I have ever met are in countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Madagascar etc. These are people who make the candidates from The Apprentice look like real amateurs; only the circumstance of their birth prevents them from joining the ranks of truly successful business men, business women and often business children!

Think also about what that 30p means to you, as opposed to what it might mean to them. Obsessing about the cost of every little thing can really ruin a trip; it can end up being the focus of everything you do. Being confident and relaxed about your purchases will result in you getting better deals generally, it will allow you to enjoy the haggling rather than dreading it. If you end up paying a little more than the bare-minimum sometimes, think of it this way; someone who most likely struggles each and every day to earn enough to feed their family will be a little happier, it’s not a high price to pay…

Travel should be about what you can get out of the country you visit and what you can give in return, it should not be about how much you can exploit the country you are visiting.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop (GYITSA) provides candidates with the information they need to travel more safely and to make the most of their experiences. We examine issues such as Travel Safety, Travel Documentation (insurance, currency, cash and visas etc.), Cultural Awareness (including a session on haggling) and Responsible & Ethical Travel amongst others.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Burma court jails more protesters

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Title – Burma court jails more protesters
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 14th November 2008

It is always difficult to decide if this blog is really the right place to highlight the problems in Burma and to add our voice to the call for a free Burma; after all this is really about Gap Years and Independent Travel. The world is full of very worthy causes that we should be promoting; Zimbabwe; Congo; Sudan; China & Tibet; The Middle East; the list seems endless…

My justification for it is this; we don’t ignore other parts of the world where very terrible situations are occurring, there is no merit in comparing one situation with the next to see ‘which is more worthy’ and certainly during our workshops we examine the issues of Ethical Travel to those countries candidates are planning to travel to; but it is better I believe to concentrate efforts in this blog and in my life personally on one or two causes that I can be truly passionate about; where I feel I have a direct emotional link to the subject. For now we concentrate our efforts on raising the profile of; the street children in Mongolia through the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, their child sponsorship programme; and to raise the profile of the disaster that has befallen the Burmese people for the past 60 years.

So with this in mind I look at what is happening in Burma at this very moment and see yet more evidence of the insanity (literal) of the generals, who illegally ‘rule’ the country. Much as their insanity is evident in their actions, it is also clear that they are the masters of subtle but devastatingly effective suppression and that nothing anyone inside or outside of the country thinks makes even the slightest dent on their non-existent consciences.

However as much as they have never paid any attention to the opinion of rest of the world, they also like the ‘quiet life’, probably more for the effect pressure has on their trading partners, rather than any pressure they might feel from ‘western’ powers.

Maybe I’m cynical, but if I am it is only because the history of the Burmese Military Regime has proven that cynicism when it comes to their actions is usually closer to the truth than any other approach. Can it really be a coincidence that this seemingly rushed ‘judicial process’ and the disgraceful consequences have taken place when the world is consumed by the worst financial crisis in a generation, when news headlines are dominated by economic meltdown and the inside pages by the crises in Congo? There is little space or time for news agencies to print or report on this story and the lack of credible information makes them more reluctant still.

To think, if I were in Burma writing this Blog I would be looking at 20 years in one of the world’s worst gaols; my family and friends would be facing persecution and any privilege they were afforded would be removed; and many of their friends would have no option but to shun them for fear of reprisals through association…. It makes me feel quite sick to even write this with that thought in my mind…

I have written before on this blog my justification for urging people not to visit Burma on Ethical grounds. I urge you now to visit the Burma Campaign website. Anything we can do to make sure the world does not forget those people who have more courage than we in the ‘west’ can even understand, are not just locked up and forgotten, is worth doing. I have never known a Free Burma, looking at the history of Burma, few people alive in the world have and then only for a few years; I hope in my lifetime I have that opportunity and more then that I hope one day the Burmese people have the opportunity to choose that course for themselves.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.