Home & Away Travel Page
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TRAVEL Home & Away with Robert Walshe Home and Away Extra Aer Lingus are running extra flights between Dublin and London Gat- wick providing six flights per day between the two airports, an increase from the four flights on offer last winter. The new 06.40 flight will be the first departure by any airline from Dublin to London Gatwick and in turn, the first morning departure from Gatwick at 06.50 will also be the first by any airline from London Gatwick to Dub- lin. An extra evening flight in both directions will add more choice for business commut- ers and those travelling at peak times. There will also be a lunchtime flight at 12.55 in addition to the existing 10.50 and 14.50 departures. The new schedule increases the number of flights between Dublin and London to 18 per day, a greater frequency than any other airline www. aerlingus.com Stena Line has been voted the top ferry company for a record 19th time at a re- cent travel and tourism awards. This week the company will start their new Belfast to Cairnryan service which will also see the introduction of two new vessels, Stena Superfast VII and Super- fast VIII, the largest ships every to have sailed be- tween Northern Ireland and Scotland. www. stena.co.uk Living FIRST results from ongoing Phase III trial show malaria vaccine candidate, RTS,S* reduces the risk of malaria by half in Af- rican children aged 5 to 17 months. Half the world’s population is at risk of malaria which is responsible for close to 800,000 deaths each year, most of whom are chil- dren under five in sub-Saharan Africa. First results from a large-scale Phase III trial of RTS, S, published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), show the malaria vaccine candidate to provide young African children with significant protection against clinical and severe ma- laria with an acceptable safety and tolera- bility profile. The results were announced today at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Wash- ington. The vaccine, developed with the help of British scientists, claims to halve the rate of severe malaria in babies and young children. www.tmb.ie Holiday Hotspot Jamaica’s beaches, resorts and weather attract tourists from around the world, especially the winter-weary in Northern Europe. Direct flights whisk travelers from the UK & Ireland in hours however many thousands more visit the island by Jamai- ca’s cruise ship ports. The Falmouth port was once a busy shipping port that fell into decline. In early 2011, it reemerged as a premier Jamaican port with tourist diver- sions and attractions of its own and con- venient connections to the attractions on Jamaica’s north coast. The government of Jamaica formed a partnership with Royal Caribbean cruise line to create the world’s first cruise port theme park. Visitors arriv- ing need only walk a few hundred yards to a newly created pier with upscale re- tail stores and duty-free shopping. The preservation of historical sites in nearby Falmouth allows history buffs to tour the historic district to see some wonderful examples of rich Georgian architecture, reminiscent of the town’s heyday. Visitors can also see key sites that illuminate the role of Falmouth in Jamaica’s emancipa- tion struggle. One of its founding fathers was Edward Barrett, great-grandfather of famous English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, if you are arriving by ship other attraction choices include Dunn’s River Falls, horseback rides on the beach, rafting on the Martha Brae River, Appleton rum factory tasting tours, and many other day trips featuring culture and music. www. falmouthport.net Nearby is Ocho Rios the centerpiece of Jamaica’s north shore. The major resorts here rub shoulders with the town and most compounds are within a few miles of downtown. I wanted to experi- ence villa life and we stayed at Kai Kala a remark- able, waterfront estate in the af- fluent Prospect area. Overlooking the water amidst tropical gardens, my luxurious retreat features four separate vil- las, with a total of 10 bedrooms. The staff includes a chef, personal butler, housekeep- ers, laundress and yardmen. With a large, saltwater pool, two spas and an inviting seaside deck, the property is simply per- fect and I intend to return for longer than a one night stay! Dolphins Cove at nearby Treasure Reef offers visitors the opportu- nity to interact and swim with dolphins. An interesting and informative presenta- tion on the dolphins is given first before you enter the home of these magnificent gentle mammals, stroke their smooth skin, get kissed and even get a foot push or a dorsal pull around the cove. For the fear- less swimmer you can also swim, hold, feed and learn about Caribbean sharks. An interesting and informative presenta- tion on the dolphins is first, before your personal trainer takes you for an unforget- table 30-minute swim with two playful dol- phins, where you get to enter the home of these gentle mammals. stroke their skin, enjoy a kiss and even get a dorsal pull around the cove. The children also adore the trails journey here interspersed with animals, birds, Iguanas, snakes and other reptiles all in their natural habitat. www. dolphincovejamaica.com Many other ad- venturous excursions locally are offered by Chukka Caribbean who showcase the natural side of the Caribbean however for the culture vulture in you their newest lo- cation, “Great House” at Good Hope built in 1755 by Thomas Williams for his bride Elizabeth, who died shortly after their marriage and was buried beneath the ground floor entryway is a must see. www. chukkacaribbean.com Virgin Atlantic fly three times weekly to Montego Bay from London Gatwick all year round or to King- ston, Jamaica direct up to March 2012 Fares start at £655.50 (including tax). For more information please call 0044 8444 2092 770 www.virginatlantic.com For more information on Jamaica, visit www. visitjamaica.com Weekly Best Buy American Holidays have launched their latest cruise brochure, offering a wonder- ful selection for 2012. With so many ex- citing itineraries and endless activities, there is something for everybody with the American Holidays 2012 Cruise pro- gramme. Highlights include the Mediter- ranean & Northern Europe, Caribbean & Bahamas, Alaska, Canada & New England, Hawaii, and many other exciting ports of call. Highlights include a Western Med - Royal Caribbean 7 Night Fly/Cruise on the Adventure of The Seas from €695pp Depart: 28th April 2012 or a Barcelona to Venice - Royal Caribbean for a 6 Night Fly/Cruise on the Splendour of The Seas from €789pp De- part: 22nd April 2012 Robert Walshe is a freelance contrib- utor / broadcaster and guest travel writer for River Media newspaper ti- tles across the island of Ireland Pet’s Corner... with Kathleen Murray Feeding birds over winter EVERYONE is familiar with feed- ing the birds over the winter. Bird tables are stocked with seeds etc so that when the cold weather, or snow, comes and food is hard to find, the little birds still have something to keep them going. People should keep a watch out for unusual birds. Sometimes a pet bird escapes from the house and would surely come to a very cold sad end in this weather. Time is a major factor if a house bird (parrot, budgie, baraband etc) es- capes. They cannot take the cold at all so need to be found very quickly. Keep a close eye on your bird at all times. Doors and windows should always be closed when your bird is out of the cage. What else should you watch out for in the cold weather? You could watch out for hibernating animals. Hedgehogs are often in danger be- cause people don’t know that there is one in their garden and may light a fire without noticing the sleeping hedgehog under leaves or bits of wood. One thing that brings great joy to people at this time of year is the ar- rival of the swans and the wild geese. They are beautiful to look at. They arrive in October and leave again in April so enjoy them while they are with us. Watch out for their welfare as swans mate for life and when one re- turns alone it is a very sad and lonely sight. They can get caught in wire or net- ting, or may walk on broken glass by accident, as they cross a road etc. If you are an animal lover then you could leave a little box or crate of some kind in a quiet corner of the garden in case an animal wants to rest up for a little bit, out of the wind and rain. Animals often get lost or have ac- cidents on the road and run away in shock. They are often disorientated and lost. Sometimes they just need somewhere to put their head down for a sleep until they are well enough to move on again. If you wake up to a pile of cats from the neighbour that didn’t bother to neuter, then that’s a whole different story. Lift the box and all that’s in it and set it down in the neighbours garden again. Get yourself a new box and continue with your good work. The animals will ap- preciate it. n Falmouth Courthouse, Jamaica. n Robert Walshe at Dolphins Cove Jamaica. n Villa Kai Kala, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
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Transcript of Home & Away Travel Page
TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe
Home and Away Extra
Aer Lingus are running extra flights between Dublin and London Gat-wick providing six flights per day between the two airports, an increase from the four flights on offer last winter. The new 06.40 flight will be the first departure by any airline from Dublin to London Gatwick and in turn, the first morning departure from Gatwick at 06.50 will also be the first by any airline from London Gatwick to Dub-lin. An extra evening flight in both directions will add more choice for business commut-ers and those travelling at peak times. There will also be a lunchtime flight at 12.55 in addition
to the existing 10.50 and 14.50 departures. The new schedule increases the number of flights between Dublin and London to 18 per day, a greater frequency than any other airline www.aerlingus.com Stena Line has been voted the top ferry company for a record 19th time at a re-cent travel and tourism awards. This week the company will start their new Belfast to Cairnryan service which will also see the introduction of two new vessels, Stena Superfast VII and Super-fast VIII, the largest ships every to have sailed be-tween Northern Ireland and Scotland. www.stena.co.uk
LivingFIrST results from ongoing Phase III trial show malaria vaccine candidate, rTS,S* reduces the risk of malaria by half in Af-rican children aged 5 to 17 months. Half the world’s population is at risk of malaria which is responsible for close to 800,000 deaths each year, most of whom are chil-dren under five in sub-Saharan Africa. First results from a large-scale Phase III trial of rTS, S, published online today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), show the malaria vaccine candidate to provide young African children with significant protection against clinical and severe ma-laria with an acceptable safety and tolera-bility profile. The results were announced today at the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Wash-ington. The vaccine, developed with the help of British scientists, claims to halve the rate of severe malaria in babies and young children. www.tmb.ie
Holiday HotspotJamaica’s beaches, resorts and weather
attract tourists from around the world, especially the winter-weary in Northern Europe. Direct flights whisk travelers from the UK & Ireland in hours however many thousands more visit the island by Jamai-ca’s cruise ship ports. The Falmouth port was once a busy shipping port that fell into decline. In early 2011, it reemerged as a premier Jamaican port with tourist diver-sions and attractions of its own and con-venient connections to the attractions on Jamaica’s north coast. The government of Jamaica formed a partnership with royal Caribbean cruise line to create the world’s first cruise port theme park. Visitors arriv-ing need only walk a few hundred yards to a newly created pier with upscale re-tail stores and duty-free shopping. The preservation of historical sites in nearby Falmouth allows history buffs to tour the historic district to see some wonderful examples of rich Georgian architecture, reminiscent of the town’s heyday. Visitors can also see key sites that illuminate the role of Falmouth in Jamaica’s emancipa-tion struggle. One of its founding fathers was Edward Barrett, great-grandfather of famous English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, if you are arriving by ship other attraction choices include Dunn’s river Falls, horseback rides on the beach, rafting on the Martha Brae river, Appleton rum factory tasting tours, and many other day trips featuring culture and music. www.falmouthport.net Nearby is Ocho rios the centerpiece of Jamaica’s north shore. The major resorts here rub shoulders with the town and most compounds are within
a few miles of downtown. I wanted to experi-ence villa life and we stayed at Kai Kala a remark-able, waterfront estate in the af-fluent Prospect area. Overlooking the water amidst tropical gardens, my luxurious retreat features four separate vil-las, with a total of 10 bedrooms. The staff includes a chef, personal butler, housekeep-ers, laundress and yardmen. With a large, saltwater pool, two spas and an inviting seaside deck, the property is simply per-fect and I intend to return for longer than a one night stay! Dolphins Cove at nearby Treasure reef offers visitors the opportu-nity to interact and swim with dolphins. An interesting and informative presenta-tion on the dolphins is given first before you enter the home of these magnificent gentle mammals, stroke their smooth skin, get kissed and even get a foot push or a dorsal pull around the cove. For the fear-less swimmer you can also swim, hold, feed and learn about Caribbean sharks. An interesting and informative presenta-tion on the dolphins is first, before your personal trainer takes you for an unforget-table 30-minute swim with two playful dol-phins, where you get to enter the home of these gentle mammals. stroke their skin, enjoy a kiss and even get a dorsal pull around the cove. The children also adore the trails journey here interspersed with animals, birds, Iguanas, snakes and other reptiles all in their natural habitat. www.dolphincovejamaica.com Many other ad-venturous excursions locally are offered by Chukka Caribbean who showcase the natural side of the Caribbean however for the culture vulture in you their newest lo-cation, “Great House” at Good Hope built in 1755 by Thomas Williams for his bride Elizabeth, who died shortly after their marriage and was buried beneath the ground floor entryway is a must see. www.chukkacaribbean.com Virgin Atlantic fly three times weekly to Montego Bay from London Gatwick all year round or to King-ston, Jamaica direct up to March 2012 Fares start at £655.50 (including tax). For more information please call 0044 8444
2092 770 www.virginatlantic.com For more information on Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com
Weekly Best BuyAmerican Holidays have launched their
latest cruise brochure, offering a wonder-ful selection for 2012. With so many ex-citing itineraries and endless activities, there is something for everybody with the American Holidays 2012 Cruise pro-gramme. Highlights include the Mediter-ranean & Northern Europe, Caribbean & Bahamas, Alaska, Canada & New England, Hawaii, and many other exciting ports of call. Highlights include a Western Med - royal Caribbean
7 Night Fly/Cruise on the Adventure of The Seas from €695pp Depart: 28th April 2012 or a Barcelona to Venice - Royal Caribbean for a 6 Night Fly/Cruise on the Splendour of The Seas from €789pp De-part: 22nd April 2012
Robert Walshe is a freelance contrib-utor / broadcaster and guest travel writer for River Media newspaper ti-tles across the island of Ireland
Pet’s Corner... with Kathleen Murray
Feeding birds over winterEVEryONE is familiar with feed-
ing the birds over the winter. Bird tables are stocked with seeds etc so that when the cold weather, or snow, comes and food is hard to find, the little birds still have something to keep them going. People should keep a watch out for unusual birds.
Sometimes a pet bird escapes from the house and would surely come to a very cold sad end in this weather. Time is a major factor if a house bird (parrot, budgie, baraband etc) es-capes.
They cannot take the cold at all so need to be found very quickly. Keep a close eye on your bird at all times. Doors and windows should always be closed when your bird is out of the cage. What else should you watch out
for in the cold weather? you could watch out for hibernating animals. Hedgehogs are often in danger be-cause people don’t know that there is one in their garden and may light a fire without noticing the sleeping hedgehog under leaves or bits of wood. One thing that brings great joy to people at this time of year is the ar-rival of the swans and the wild geese.
They are beautiful to look at. They arrive in October and leave again in April so enjoy them while they are with us. Watch out for their welfare as swans mate for life and when one re-turns alone it is a very sad and lonely sight.
They can get caught in wire or net-ting, or may walk on broken glass by accident, as they cross a road etc. If
you are an animal lover then you could leave a little box or crate of some kind in a quiet corner of the garden in case an animal wants to rest up for a little bit, out of the wind and rain.
Animals often get lost or have ac-cidents on the road and run away in shock. They are often disorientated and lost. Sometimes they just need somewhere to put their head down for a sleep until they are well enough to move on again. If you wake up to a pile of cats from the neighbour that didn’t bother to neuter, then that’s a whole different story. Lift the box and all that’s in it and set it down in the neighbours garden again. Get yourself a new box and continue with your good work. The animals will ap-preciate it.
n Falmouth Courthouse, Jamaica.
n Robert Walshe at Dolphins Cove Jamaica.
n Villa Kai Kala, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
