Travel Insurance - we strongly recommend travel insurance especially for those travel free and easy). we do not endorse any insurance companies.  the info here is as a guide on what is the cost: most basic travel insurance ($30-35 for 10 days in asia cover only MEDICAL and NOT flight delay) Comprehensive will cost about $110 and above.  please check with your insurance companies
Summary of Cover
At Aviva, you’re guaranteed a comprehensive deal on travel insurance. But you’re probably the best judge of how much travel insurance coverage you would need for your trip. Click “More” to find out about each feature.
For policies purchased before 15th Aug 2012
Policy feature	Maximum amount payable per person per trip
Travel Coverage - For policies purchased on/after 15th Aug 2012	Travel Plus	Travel Lite
Bitmap Trip cancellation (Health):
Loss of irredeemable travel and accommodation expenses paid in advance and occurring within 30 days prior to departure from Singapore due to death or serious injury or serious sickness of you, close relative or travelling companion; unexpected outbreak riot, natural disaster, epidemic or pandemic outbreak, serious damage to insured residence from fire or natural disaster or a subpoena as witness in the court of law.	S$15,000	S$5,000
Bitmap Trip cancellation (Insolvency):
Loss due to carrier or agency insolvency. Covers trip costs and/or deposits that cannot be recovered following the insolvency of an IATA carrier or NATAS approved travel agent.	S$5,000	S$1,000
Bitmap Trip interruption:
Loss of irredeemable travel and accommodation expenses paid in advance due to death or serious injury or serious sickness of you, close relative or travelling companion; unexpected outbreak riot, natural disaster, epidemic or pandemic outbreak, serious damage to insured residence from fire or natural disaster or a subpoena as witness in the court of law.	S$8,000	S$3,000
Bitmap Delayed departure:
S$100 for each full 6-hour consecutive delay.	S$1,000	S$1,000
Bitmap Missed departure or connection:
Cover for expenses incurred due to the delay of connecting scheduled flight.	S$500	S$200
Theft of valuables or personal money	S$750	Not applicable
S$750	Not applicable
Bitmap Loss of passport/travel documents:
Coverage of administrative and other associated costs with the replacement of your passport/travel documents.	S$5,000	S$3,000
Bitmap Delayed baggage:
Pays S$200 per insured for every full 6-hour of baggage delay both overseas and in Singapore when on a scheduled carrier.	S$1,000	S$1,000
Bitmap Loss of baggage:
Up to S$700 for any one article (or set of articles if grouped together) and S$1,000 per laptop.	S$5,000	S$3,000
Personal accident protection	Travel Plus	Travel Lite
Accidental death & permanent disability	S$100,000	S$50,000
	S$100,000	S$50,000
Emergency medical cover	Travel Plus	Travel Lite
Overseas Emergency medical & evacuation	S$2,000,000	S$250,000
Medical & accidental dental expenses in Singapore	S$50,000	S$10,000
Overseas Emergency medical – pregnancy related	S$5,000	S$1,000
Overseas Emergency Dental	S$800	S$800
Chinese physician treatment (Registered)	S$500	S$100
Bitmap Overseas hospital income:
S$200 for every 24 hours hospitalised overseas.	S$50,000	S$10,000
Bitmap Hospital income in Singapore
S$100 for every 24 hours hospitalised.	S$1,000	S$500
Bitmap Repatriation:
All expenses incurred in the repatriation of your remains in the event of your death whilst overseas to Singapore or your home country for non Singaporeans.	Unlimited	S$30,000
Bitmap Compassionate visit:
Pays for incidental expenses for a friend or relative to assist in repatriation of your remains.	S$10,000	S$3,000
Bitmap Hospital visit:
Pays for the incidental expenses for a visit of one relative or friend if you cannot be evacuated and require hospitalisation for more than 5 consecutive days.	S$10,000	S$3,000
Bitmap Emergency call charges:
Coverage of all telephone call charges incurred whilst contacting Aviva’s Medical Emergency Assistance Provider for medical assistance.	S$250	S$100
Bitmap Child minder:
Covers expenses for a friend or relative to accompany your children home after the insured’s hospitalisation.	S$10,000	S$3,000
Additional benefits	Travel Plus	Travel Lite
Personal liability	S$1,000,000	S$500,000
	S$1,000,000	S$500,000
Bitmap Kidnap, hostage & mugging:
S$250 per 24 hours detained.	S$10,000	S$3,000
Bitmap Golf cover:
Loss or damage of golf equipment.	S$750	S$500
Bitmap War cover:
Accidental death and permanent disability	S$100,000	S$50,000
Full terrorism cover (aggregate)	S$100,000	S$50,000

Benefits of Walking -
30 minutes of walking per day for a healthy body.

 

The human body is made to walk. Walking 30 minutes a day cuts the rate of people becoming diabetic by more than half and it cuts the risk of people over 60 becoming diabetic by almost 70 percent.   Walking cuts the risk of stroke by more than 25 percent.   Walking reduces hypertension. The body has over 100,000 miles of blood vessels. Those blood vessels are more supple and healthier when we walk.   Walking cuts the risk of cancer as well as diabetes and stroke.   Women who walk have a 20 percent lower likelihood of getting breast cancer and a 31 percent lower risk of getting colon cancer.   Women with breast cancer who walk regularly can reduce their recurrence rate and their mortality rate by over 50 percent.   The human body works better when we walk. The body resists diseases better when wewalk, and the body heals faster when we walk.   We don't have to walk a lot. Thirty minutes a day has a huge impact on our health.   Men who walk thirty minutes a day have a significantly lower level of prostate cancer. Men who walk regularly have a 60 percent lower risk of colon cancer.   For men with prostate cancer, studies have shown that walkers have a 46 percent lower mortality rate.   Walking also helps prevent depression, and people who walk regularly are more likely to see improvements in their depression.   In one study, people who walked and took medication scored twice as well in 30 days as the women who only took the medication. Another study showed that depressed people who walked regularly had a significantly higher level of not being depressed in a year compared to depressed people who did not walk. The body generates endorphins when we walk. Endorphins help us feel good.   Walking strengthens the heart. Walking strengthens bones.   Walking improves the circulatory system.   Walking generates positive neurochemicals. Healthy eating is important but dieting can trigger negative neurochemicals and can be hard to do.   Walking generates positive neurochemicals. People look forward to walking and enjoy walking.   And research shows that fit beats fat for many people. Walking half an hour a day has health benefits that exceed the benefits of losing 20 pounds.   When we walk every day, our bodies are healthier and stronger. A single 30 minute walk can reduce blood pressure by five points for over 20 hours.   Walking reduces the risk of blood clots in your legs.   People who walk regularly have much lower risk of deep vein thrombosis.   People who walk are less likely to catch colds, and when people get colds, walkers have a 46 percent shorter symptom time from their colds.   Walking improves the health of our blood, as well. Walking is a good boost of high density cholesterol and people with high levels of HDL are less likely to have heart attacks and stroke.   Walking significantly diminishes the risk of hip fracture and the need for gallstone surgery is 20 to 31 percent lower for walkers.   Walking is the right thing to do. The best news is that the 30 minutes doesn't have to be done in one lump of time. Two 15 minute walks achieve the same goals. Three 10 minute walks achieve most of those goals.   We can walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night and achieve our walking goals.   Walking feels good. It helps the body heal. It keeps the body healthy. It improves our biological health, our physical health, our psychosocial health, and helps with our emotional health. Walking can literally add years entire years to your life. Its goodto walk. Be good to yourself. Be good to your body. ALL ACCUPRESSURE POINTS ARE IN THE SOLE OF YOUR FEET .....

Be careful when visiting China

中國公安局特別提醒 
 
 
Public Security Bureau reminds: If someone on the street tries to sell you the Fujian Tie Guan Yin (a type of Chinese tea) and makes you smell the stuff, you must be careful not to be taken in.
This is not the Iron Goddess of Mercy, it is a white clay to ease, is an Ecstasy, a faint smell of which would make one go off in a faint and after which, a crime would follow. They will either rob you or kill you for your organs for sale.  Very cruel. It is taking place now in Guangdong, Hebei, Tianjin, Heilongjiang provinces and cities. Please forward this immediately to tell all the friends and relatives.
Emergency Notification: If someone on the street tried to sell you dried seafood products and garlic, and also suggest that you smell the products or taste it, you must pay attention. "It is not garlic! It is a ether garlic!". A kind of drug that would makes you faint after smelling it. When this happens, they'll take your wallet and all valuables. Be sure to send this to all you know. 
The crime had begun to appear in places like Chengdu, Mianyang, Jiangyou, Ninth Link, Shenzhen Komeito, Songgang, Pingdi, Longgang, Dongguan area. Please be careful!

 

公安局特別提醒:
公安局特別提醒請相互轉告：若是有人在路上接近你，向你推銷福建安溪鐵觀音，又讓你聞一下，你一定要注意不要上當。
這不是鐵觀音，那是觀音土，是一種迷魂藥，一聞即暈進而做案，輕者搶財劫色，重者殺害高價出售器官。非常殘忍，現已在廣東、河北、黑龍江天津等省市出現，請馬上轉告轉發所有親人。
緊急通知 :若是有人在路上接近你，向你推銷海味乾貨大蒜等產品，
又建議你聞一 下味的話或者請你品嘗時一定要注意了"這不是蒜！那是乙醚蒜！
"一種迷藥類的東西，當你聞到它，你就會昏，然後他們就會拿走你皮夾、
你身上所有的值錢物品，請務必寄給你所有知道的群，現在成都、綿陽、江油、九環線、深圳公明、松崗、坪地、龍崗、東莞一帶等幾個地方已開始出現，大家小心！

How to pack luggage for travel

HOW TO PACK LUGGAGE FOR TRAVEL
Travel light! Whenever you travel

Packing for a trip is easy when you plan ahead.  Remember to pack according to the weather, location and activities planned

Baggage Weight Restrictions:
some airlines allow ONLY one luggage bag restricted to 20kg

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the way airline passengers travel and prepare to travel has changed drastically. In fact, what’s permitted and not permitted on planes has left many travelers puzzled, upset and disappointed -- especially when they’re forced to surrender a prohibited item before boarding. Knowing in advance which items are not allowed as carry-on baggage will save you frustration and time, and also help keep the security checkpoint line moving at a brisk pace. In addition, following some guidelines can reduce the likelihood that your checked bags -- as well as your valuables -- will be lost or stolen.

make a STANDARD TRAVEL checklist so you will NOT miss out any items !!!  (make the list as short as possible)

make multiple copy of your travel document, itinerary, air ticket info, credit card, overseas contact info and important travel documents inside each of your bags.
It is strongly recommended that you additionally store a backup of your information in your email account or other on-line storage

Items you will need

• Suitcase(s)
• Carry-on bag(s)
• Three-ounce bottles
• Clear plastic zip bags

Step 1

Roll up your clothes for efficient packing and to help keep apparel wrinkle-free. Many backpackers swear by this method, especially for pants, skirts and sports shirts, according to IndependentTraveler.com. Lay pants and skirts face-down and roll from the bottom up. Fold back sleeves before rolling up shirts.

Fold longer items in half, filling the length of the bag with them, alternating waists with hems at the ends.

Do not bring natural fibred clothing as it is hard to dry and are heavier than synthetics. 

Tip: Pick bulkier items to wear on the plane or in the car so they don’t take up precious luggage space.

Step 2

Pack your carry-on bag lightly, according to AirSafe.com. Most airlines limit carry-ons to 40 pounds. Heavier bags can cause injury if they fall out of the overhead bin. You also don’t want to lug a heavy bag through the airport, especially if you have to make a connecting flight.

Step 3

Follow the rule of 3-1-1 when packing fluid items in carry-on baggage, according to the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Each passenger is allowed 3.4 oz. or less of liquid, aerosol or gel in as many bottles as will fit in a 1-quart clear zip bag. (Three-ounce bottles, one bag, 1 quart = 3-1-1.) Pack non-essential fluid items of more than 3.4 oz. in your checked luggage. Secure all caps and pack each bottle in its own zip bag to avoid accidental leakage. At the airline-screening checkpoint, you can declare larger quantities of medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk -- in reasonable amounts -- as carry-on items. You don't have to pack these in a plastic bag.

Step 4

Leave hazardous or prohibited materials at home. Certain items are allowed in checked bags but not in carry-on luggage. These include box cutters, scissors, knives, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, realistic replicas of weapons, self-defense sprays, hammers and other tools. Unload any firearms carried as checked baggage, pack them in a locked, hard-sided container and declare them to your airline at check-in. Check with your airline to see whether ammunition is allowed as checked baggage, as rules vary by company. A complete list of prohibited and restricted items can be found at tsa.gov.

Step 5

Include your contact information on the inside and outside of every piece of carry-on and checked luggage, advises AirSafe.com.  thereby making it easier for the airline to reunite you with your bags.

Step 6

Keep valuables in your carry-on luggage, including cash, traveler's checks, laptop computers or other electronics, jewelry, prescription medication or items of sentimental value. Pack them in a bag small enough to stow under your seat.

Sample Travel Packing Checklist

IMPORTANT documents:□ passport (more than 6 months validity)

□   air ticket or travel documents/vouchers
□   hotel or transport reservation vouchers
□   money and foreign currency
□   credit card and card lost contact
□   travel insurance emergency contact

Clothes -
□ Do remember to take leisurewear which will keep you relaxed and comfortable.□ Do remember to take clothes that dry easily.

□ Do not take too many formal clothes, one or two is enough.

□   Underwear

□   Jacket (note inside the plane can be very cold)
□   Two shirts
□   Socks
□   Sweater for Cold Weather

□   Two pairs of pants

□   Gloves/scarves/hat (depend on weather)
□   night sleeping clothes

Personal Items

□   personal doctor medications

□   Travel medications - including Aspirin, vitamins, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamines, remedy for diarrhea and antacid.

□   Toiletries

□   Lotion

□   Lip balm
□   moisturiser especially winter

Electronics
□   overseas phone sim card (balance from previous travel)

□   Phone charger

□   Computer and tablet

□   Camera and charger

□   extra batteries for phone, camera, etc

□   extra SD cards

□   World Travel Adapter (different countries plug converter)

□   Music player or eReader

Miscellaneous

□   extra foldable bag + Lock
□   business or friends contacts

□   local speaking language translation book
□   sun glasses or extra spectacle
□   alarm clock
□   portable weighing machine to check luggage weight

If you have limited space, do not roll your shirts, pants, etc. Instead, fold your shirts into squares. Better yet, stack them. In the space you could fit about 3-4 rolled t-shirts, you could fit 5-6 stacked shirts (depending on your suitcase size).

we wish you a happy and enjoyable travel