It was inevitable wasn't it? The introduction of speed cameras on ski slopes.

Is it the thoughtlessness of a handful of daredevil speed demons that have messed up the fun for the rest of us? Or is this health and safety gone crazy again? Have we as a human race become so irresponsible that we need the Nanny State to protect us from ourselves even when we're out trying to spend our hard-earned cash on holiday and having a little fun?

Well, sadly the statistics are not good. With the high number of accidents, injuries and deaths at ski resorts throughout the world every year, it does seem that something has to be done. The number of skiing accidents has noticeably increased in Switzerland alone, with accidents in the tens of thousands last year, many of which were fatal or caused serious injuries. The number of helicopter rescues also increased - to the tune of hundreds in just one month.

So, the Swiss have had enough and are putting speed cameras on the slopes. Ski personnel will catch the speeders with hand-held radar gadgets. Those who are caught are given a warning first, and then could face a fine or confiscation of their ski pass. The cameras are in operation at Andermatt and will also be in operation at other major resorts like Davos, St. Moritz and Zermatt. Some may applaud Switzerland for taking a stand - but will this new trend catch on in ski resorts throughout the world?

In a perfect world, we'd all be at liberty to hurl ourselves down the slopes and not have to worry about anyone else. We'd never get hurt or killed or injure another innocent person. It is because we don't have this ability that anyone who sets off on a ski trip without taking out travel insurance and winter sports coverage should have their head tested. If you're not aware of the potential astronomical medical expenses associated with helicopter rescues, serious injuries and broken limbs (especially in North America) then it's time for a wake up call!

The beautifully groomed pistes may be partly to blame. It's hard to resist pointing the board or tips down the hill and just going for it. But on crowded slopes it just isn't smart. There's no question that skiing and snowboarding and other winter sport activities can be very dangerous. If you've ever had a run in with a tree, or another skier and survived it you will already know what a painful impact it can be.

Just as on the roads, we can't always blame the people driving at high speeds. It is possible they are totally competent and in control - even if they are breaking the law! The problem is often other people on the roads (or pistes). If you come up behind someone going slow on the road (or piste) and want to overtake them it is always potentially hazardous. You just can't know what the other person is going to do. You also don't know if another car is going to pull out of an unseen side road (or out of the trees), or a deer (or snow machine) will suddenly appear in front of you.

The drink driving laws have just about taken all the drunks off our roads, but on the slopes you are still likely to come across someone who's partaken of a bit too much Gluhwein during their lunch stop. No one stops them strapping on the skis or board and potentially endangering the lives of others. Then there are the novices skiing out of control on slopes beyond their abilities. Skiing in flat light can also be dangerous, no matter how experienced you are. You can't see all the bumps and dips in the terrain - or the icy spots - and if you hit them at great speed you may find yourself heading for a tree or another skier, and there's nothing you can do to stop that impact from happening. It could be expensive at best.

Tests using dummy people have been carried out (like the ones they do with cars). It was shown that speeds above 19 mph (30km/h) are unsafe. Speeds much above that figure are highly likely to cause fatalities if something goes wrong.

So will speed cameras on slopes be a trend that is likely to spread throughout the world at all ski resorts? For many it will take all the fun, excitement and thrill out of it. Will speedometers on skis be the next trend? How else can we monitor our speed or have any idea how fast we're going? Will there be speed limit signs posted at the sides of the ski runs that we have to obey, as on the roads?

Speed is not the only danger when out skiing. This ski season twenty-six people have been killed by avalanches in Europe in less than one month! The average annual number of people killed in avalanches in the U.S. is around twenty-five, but often much higher. Other weather-related hazards cannot be ignored, such as blizzards and sudden changes in the weather and conditions.

Who would have thought we'd see the day they put speed cameras on ski slopes. What's next? Ski insurance and winter sports coverage is not mandatory, but perhaps it should be...

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For some people, going on holiday is something that they work toward all year, and if this is you then you will want to be sure that you are appropriately covered through travellers insurance. This way you can simply pack up and go on your trip without having to worry about whether or not you will be covered in the event of a problem or an emergency. This kind of continuous travellers insurance is often referred to as backpackers insurance and it is something that you will want to check out if you are the type of person who likes to simply pick up and go out on holiday at a moment's notice.

You can easily check with a number of different insurance companies to see what it is that they offer and how they can assist you in your holiday planning needs. You will want to double check everything because it is extremely important that you get the insurance that will work to fill your needs. Since insurance is something that is supposed to be designed to fit your individual needs then you will want to be sure to go over all of the options to make sure that you are completely covered no matter what type of holiday you like to enjoy.

With travel insurance you can backpack your way across the country knowing that you have access to coverage that will help to protect you should you encounter any problems. It is this peace of mind that will allow you to fully enjoy your holiday without the stress and worries of potentially dangerous situations. For example, if you are someone who likes to go to different areas of the world and engage in sporting events, then you can get a tailored insurance policy that will work to cover you in these situations. Because of the availability of so many different policy options, you can easily traverse through your holiday knowing that you are covered.

While it is possible for you to get individual trip insurance for each trip that you take, if you plan on going on more than one or two holiday trips a year, then it is probably best that you consider taking out a year round policy. This way you do not have to worry about enacting your insurance before each trip, and often if you get an extended policy the company will offer you a price break and it could be cheaper than buying individual policies each time that you decide to travel. Not to mention the fact that many of the travel insurance companies offer constant contact with representatives, so no matter what time it is or what country you're in, you can get assistance when you need it.

If you are someone who enjoys travelling and going on multiple holidays each year, then you will most certainly want to consider getting travel insurance of some kind. This way you can make sure that everything from your personal objects to your travel plans and your health issues are all adequately covered.

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For the average family holiday encompassing a trip to a European country, or similar,
Preparation is not too tricky but is still essential. For those travelling further a field, there may be much more to consider.

Picture if you will, a holiday to a popular British tourist destination such as Lanzarote (one of the Canary Islands). In most resorts on this island, you should find everything you need is close at hand as they are very tourist orientated. Preparation for this holiday should not be too difficult, although there are still several items that should be regarded as essential.

First of all and most important; make sure you have a European health card (replaces E111 form), which can be applied for through your local post office. This will ensure that if you were to have an accident the initial emergency treatment will be covered (in most countries). To add to this you should seek a fully comprehensive travel insurance policy. This will cover you for eventualities such as theft (in terms of items, cash and baggage), cancellation, personal injury and many other varying possibilities. Something you should be aware of is the need to file a police report if you are a victim of theft. If you do not file a report within the first 24-48 hours (varies, usually the former) you will not be able to claim.

After that brief scare we shall continue along similar lines to talk about holiday money.
The main thing to consider here is what forms this should come in. You should never have your entire holiday spend in cash. It more prudent, for interests of safety to have the remaining amount loaded onto on of the new breeds of pay as you go currency cards. These are basically visa connect cards with chip and pin, that can be preloaded with credit to use. A brilliant idea as if they are stolen they are as secure as a debit/credit card. Most companies offering this service will also have in place duplicate card security to allow a second card to be hidden somewhere in case of theft of the first. As mentioned above, holiday money will also most probably be covered on your holiday insurance policy.

Another essential piece of kit you should take with you is a first aid kit. This can be invaluable and is easy to stock yourself with essential items, such as; Loperamide (anti-diarrhoea drug), antihistamines (in case of insect bite/ prickly heat rash), pain killers (such as paracetamol), hangover cure, antiseptic wipes/liquid, plasters, cotton wool, emollient cream, indigestion remedies, thermometer, first aid scissors and anything else you can think of (Vinegar can be especially useful to neutralise jelly fish stings).

To enter into a topic that is always readily addressed and repeated in articles such as this, don't forget sun cream. This is possible one of the most important items to take and something that cannot be overrated. You most probably already know that the sun is at it's strongest between the hours of 11am and 3pm. It is important to apply at least a factor 15 sun cream/block and reapply this every 2 hours and after swimming (even if the product suggests it is waterproof) Small children should be kept out of direct sunlight if possible and covered wherever necessary. Sun block of factor 50+ is advisable if young children are to be exposed to the sun.

See part 2 for information on travelling further a field.

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Is travel insurance a rip-off? That is a simple question with a complicated answer. To properly understand this issue, you should first understand what travel insurance is. The definition of it is fairly straightforward -it's short term insurance that covers you while you are on vacation. Travel insurance coverage depends on the parameters of the policy, but in general it extends to lost or broken luggage, thefts that happen during your vacation, medical needs that might arise during your vacation and lost personal items.

There have been many documented occasions of travel insurers being downright fraudulent. The internet is rife with examples. Many people have complained about this that travel agencies or airlines recommend for them being absurdly expensive, difficult or impossible to use, or even non-existent. In some cases, class-action lawsuits have been filed and have been paid to fraud victims. Many people have claimed that exploitative travel agents offered them vacation packages at seemingly steep discounts, only to force them to purchase overpriced travel insurance packages.

That said, not all travel insurers are bad, and buying travel insurance is not always a bad idea. There are many reputable, well-organized, established travel insurers out there. The best thing you can do if you are considering this is do your homework. Compare different travel insurers' rates and coverage packages. Read the fine print. Check consumer reports and fraud awareness websites.

Here is a brief list of circumstances in which you might find yourself where traveler's insurance can be a big help. If you suspect you might run into one or more of these problems during your trip, then traveler's insurance is probably a good idea.

Your flight is cancelled. If you are flying during a very high-volume holiday season and the weather is predicted to be particularly bad, traveler's insurance might come in handy.

Your bags are lost and you have prescription medication. You need to have an emergency prescription filled. If you have critical medical needs, then traveler's insurance is absolutely a good idea. You will want to be sure and have a quality, proven insurer with strong medical coverage. Regardless, you will want to put any prescription medications in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost.

Your passport and wallet are stolen and you need emergency cash and a new passport. It isn't easy to predict a theft, but if you are traveling to an area where you are at greater risk of having your wallet stolen, insurance is a good idea.

A hurricane forces you to evacuate your hotel, resort or cruise. Certain areas of the world are more susceptible to hurricanes, especially during a few months of the year. If you are traveling to one of these volatile locations during hurricane season, insurance could bail you out if a storm comes.

A terrorist incident occurs in the city you're planning to visit and you want to cancel your trip. Terrorism is a horrific, tremendously unfortunate reality in today's complicated world. It's horrible to think about, but if you are traveling in a particularly volatile part of the world, travel insurance might ease your mind.

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Finding a backpackers insurance plan that's tailor-made to assist a traveler is imperative on long-stay excursions. Making all arrangements for a worldwide expedition is often a stressful process with so much to organize and prepare, so being able to plan the ideal travel insurance for backpackers is a welcome relieve.

Backpacking insurance is often a smart and cost-effective approach to gaining protection against possible travel disruptions. Hiking in a foreign state can bring with it a plethora of difficulties, so it is a wise choice to get well prepared for all circumstances.

A long-stay worldwide travel package is designed to offer protection in circumstances such as cancellations or travel delays, personal liability, emergency medical expenses, stolen or lost luggage, legal expenses and advice, personal property, and hazardous or extreme activities.

Long-term travel packages are idea for gap year students, backpackers, or young persons needing low-cost protection on an extended trip abroad. Plans often incorporate a flexible approach - with an indemnity period ranging from 60 days to 365 days, with a choice to extend coverage further if the need crops up.

In preparing one of these policies, make sure each destination on the itinerary is noted within the package. In addition, if planning to take part in hazardous sports or activities, are the actual events noted as an insurable risk. Activities such as kayaking, quad biking or bungee jumping can sometimes feature as one of the excluded sports.

Travel insurance for backpackers is a specific class of protection crucial for those intending on visiting an exotic destination or to venture of the beaten track.

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Obtaining travel insurance with medical coverage while traveling both nationally and internationally is important for several reasons. Because most health insurance policies will not cover you once you have left your country of origin, you will be responsible for any medical expenses incurred during the trip. This includes:

Transportation or evacuation for medical purposes
Hospital stays
Medical checkups, surgery or medications given while traveling

The cost of these medical services and other expenses can be very high and you are usually expected to pay for them when you receive treatment or shortly afterwards.

Protecting your health during your trip also means getting to and from your destination without incident. Many travel insurance policies include health and medical insurance for the time you're flying as well.

Benefits of Travel Insurance

Even if you don't have any serious or minor health issues, accidents can happen at any time. By purchasing travel insurance, you are helping yourself get the medical attention needed to save your life.
Without medical insurance, you could be denied services or you may have to pay for these expenses out-of-pocket, which can be very costly. If traveling with family, you should definitely consider purchasing travel insurance.

Other benefits of travel insurance include:

Medical evacuation or transportation to local hospitals
Medical services
Medications
Ability to travel home to visit regular physicians at no additional cost
Death/dismemberment insurance (transportation of body upon death to country of origin)

Protecting your health and the health of each member of your family is just as important as paying for other expenses when taking a trip.

Not Just for Vacations

Travel insurance should be purchased for both vacation and business travel. If you travel often for business, protecting the welfare of your family by remaining healthy during your trips is important. If you were to become ill or need emergency surgery, you will be covered under your insurance policy.

For those who travel often, annual or multi trip travel insurance is available. This policy can be used throughout the year and is less expensive than purchasing single trip insurance each time you travel.

When it comes to your health, taking proper precautions by researching vacation destinations in advance, visiting countries that are safe and purchasing travel insurance can help you have a safe, enjoyable vacation. When looking for a policy, make sure you find one that suits your needs.

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The Wild Coast of South Africa lies along its east coast. It is largely in accessible and untamed, hence the wildness. This also means that it has retained most of its natural beauty and has been unspoilt by developers, which makes it a holidaymaker’s paradise. Part of its unspoilt, natural charm is that a lot of the roads are still gravel and full of potholes. It really is best to use a 4 x 4 to get by, although a regular car will suffice. If you don’t own a 4 x 4 though an option is to rent one for the duration of your holiday. That way you don’t have to risk your car getting stuck on muddy or rocky roads. It’s probably advisable to go for the insurance option on the rented 4 x 4, that way you won’t have to pay for any damage suffered on the roads.

Xhosa is the local language in that part of the country. You will find that not many of the locals, apart from those in the hospitality trade, speak English. It would be useful to learn a few basic words to get by and to increase peoples’ general attitude towards you. A few examples are: Hello – molo; how are you? – unjani; good bye – sala kakuhle; please – enkosi; thank you – enkosi kakhulu; yes – ewe; no – hayi.

The Wild Coast has an excellent climate for holidaymakers. It is neither too hot nor too cold all year round. It varies slightly from temperate sub-tropical in the south to moderate sub-tropical further north. In the winter, which is temperate, dolphins and whales abound in the sea and the weather is ideal for a winter holiday, as it rarely gets colder than 14 degrees Celsius. In fact, the best time of year to visit Port St Johns is in April and May, as the seasons change to winter. Temperatures in the summer months stay cool and comfortable. The Wild Coast gets its rainfall in summer. You needn’t worries about the mosquitoes though; despite its tropical climate it’s a malaria free zone.

Some of the towns that you will encounter as you travel along the Wild Coast are: Viedgesville/Jojweni – a town that has 2 names depending on the language you speak. You might find either or both on a map. It’s a well travelled road and is tarred all the way. Umtata – has many roads leading from it, the most travelled one being the tarred one to Port St Johns, with beautiful countryside to look at as one drives. There is also a less travelled road to the Umtata River Mouth, which is not as good as the Port St Johns road.

Umtata is home to the Nelson Mandela Museum, which is divided into 3 sections. The central section traces his life with photos, write-ups and displays and the other 2 rooms display all of the gifts that have been given to Nelson Mandela from all over the world. There is also an open-air swimming pool and some craft projects. Thirty kilometres north of Umtata is a little town called Qunu, which has the enviable claim of being Nelson Mandela’s birthplace. You can see his “palace” from the N2. One of the improvements that he has made there is that he has had a tunnel built under the road so that the school children can cross the road safely. The Mandela Museum runs free tours of the area and if you book in advance you will be treated to a traditional Xhosa dinner.

If you feel a little bohemian, or artistic or you would simply like to soak up that kind of atmosphere then Port St Johns is for you. It has the best selection of accommodation and restaurants on the Wild Coast. It has also become a haven for backpackers. It has 3 beaches, known very originally as First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach. They are each several kilometres apart and unique in spirit and atmosphere.

Quite a popular tourist attraction is the natural geographical phenomenon – Hole in the Wall. The natural movement of the sea has pounded a large tunnel through a freestanding cliff. The area was a good one for shipwrecks and to this day you have a very good chance of finding traces of the wrecks that occurred. Beads, coins and pottery shards are often found in rock pools. The locals have many colourful stories of their ancestors who came from the ships that ran aground there.

The small community of Coffee Bay, which is not much more than a trading store, a plain camping site and an old hotel, but is also one of the most beautiful spots on all of the Wild Coast. The spectacular beach lies between rolling green hills and the sparkling sea, and the view is simply breath taking. The bay got its name when a ship full of coffee beans ran aground, some of the beans took root and started to grow but the soil was too salty and the shrubs all died. Today no trace of the coffee beans remains.

If you like your coastline rugged and wild, and your beaches pristine and unspoilt, then the Wild Coast is the place for you. If you like to work hard to reach your destination and drive for long hours in difficult conditions and have infinite patience with gravel and muddy roads, then the Wild Coast is for you. If you like mountains and rolling hills and rural scenes and dodging farm animals then the Wild Coast is for you. The Wild Coast is for anyone who likes to have fun and who likes to relax and if that is not you, then what planet are you from and where have you hidden the mothership?

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