Meter or no meter?

My experience of taking taxi in Kuala Lumpur is an adventure. There are 3 types of taxis in Kuala Lumpur - Airport taxi, Budget taxi and Premier Taxi. The taxi situation is so bad that if you type in "KL taxi scam" - you have more than a million hits. There is watchdog for Malaysian taxi called Teksi Gila - in Malay means "Crazy Taxi"

Airport Taxi - It is safe and regulated if you purchase at the counter. DO NOT TAKE THE TAXI TOUT - they are the ones that stand inside the airport saying "taxi" - it is not regulated with no insurance cover. This airport taxis are white in colour. The main job of this airport taxi is to bring you from KLIA to your destination. Just go to the airport taxi counter, tell the counter lady your destination and pay accordingly. I have tried this and like it because this system is that it is regulated, the driver will bring you to your destination at the shortest path possible and the counter has the ID of the driver.

Budget Taxi - highly unregulated and this is where the fun begins. The meter starts at RM 2. But during peak hours, when you board the taxi - you will be ask "no meter, ok, RM15?" translated to mean "I will turn off the meter, ok, and charge you RM15 to bring you to your destination". If you mentioned, "wah, so expensive" - the driver will say "traffic, lah". This happened to me so many times.

On one funny incident at KLCC, there were rows of taxi lining up - so I went up to the first taxi and mentioned my destination Renaissance Hotel - the taxi driver immediately says "RM15". So I walk away, saw another taxi - hail it and the driver says "RM10", so I walked away. I crossed the road and hailed taxi and this time it was on meter - reach my destination and the meter read "RM2.20". This is outrageous. I notice this happens during peak hours, going out of KL city, at major shopping centres, and coach depots.

Another incident that happens to me is that taxi driver with the meter on takes the scenic route to your destination. I can never figure out why the prices are always different even from the same origin and destination. I have read from other travel reviews that taxi drivers tamper with the meters if you are not looking and advise to sit in front - to my best knowledge it has never happen to me and hope it remains that way. This is day light scam - outright cheating.

I think the reason is that after the cost of taxi is paid for by the taxi driver and he owns it - then there is a likelihood of the taxi driver doing unscrupulous behaviour. In Malaysia, the part of the taxi rental actually goes into paying for the cost of the taxi - so after 3 years the taxi belongs to the taxi driver but he still has to pay the taxi company for the license on a monthly basis which will be lower. The cost of the taxi vehicle is very low so it is quite often paid up within 3 years or so.

Premier Taxi - Bigger taxi and the meter starts at RM$4 and quickly ticks along very fast. These taxis normally sit around hotels pounding on unsuspecting hotel guests - the bell boy will automatically hail for this taxi. So, you need to tell them budget taxi and they will hail one for you.

Once you are in KL take the monorail and Putra LRT it beats the traffic jam....

Unique Seafood

Review: Hotel Renaissance
Friendly staff abound this hotel - each staff wears a smile readily it makes you feel very welcome. The hotel has a East Wing (formerly the New World Hotel) and West Wing. The hotel is also located a 5 minutes walk to the "Bukit Nanas" monorail - which is just across the road. You need to be extra careful crossing the road because the pedestrian lights does not turn green and you do not know when is the time to cross or not. So, I had to time the red light and green light to make my way across the road but had a little help from a taxi driver when crossing the road - he was waving me to cross. Also about 15-20 minutes walk to KLCC - taxi about RM$4-$10 depends on the type of taxi.


Restaurant:
Eden Village @ Chulan Square - $$$$ - a western seafood and steak restaurant. Just not my type of seafood restaurant. This restaurant serves prawns, lobsters but not my favourite, crabs. Maybe too messy for a western diner? but one consolation is that I like their wild mushroom soup. At their entrance displayed frozen fishes, prawns and lobster but none of the live seafood as a typical seafood restaurant.

Unique Seafood @ Lot 9B, Jln Kemajuan, Sec 13, PJ - $$$ - upon entering you are met with the most awesome display of live seafood of different types of crabs, geoduck, abalone, prawns and fishes. For each variety you can choose the style of cooking - for crabs I chose for it to be cooked "Salted egg" style - it was my first time trying such a dish. It was deliciously cooked - KL is very innovative in their cooking unlike in Singapore, we only have steam, chilli or pepper crab. KL has steam, butter, sweet and sour, cheese (not tried yet) and now salted egg crab style. Geoduck was served sashimi style and also for those unadventurous they provide provide steamboat style. I recommend this restaurant for the ambience and good food but you need a KL friend to bring you there as the location can be very confusing - even for a taxi driver.

The mozzies are back with vengeance

This is what is happening in Singapore, dengue is back with vengeance. I had dengue fever in 1998 and recovered but Dengue has many strains and it can be fatal if I am bitten the 2nd time by another strain of dengue virus. The danger is that there is no current cure for Dengue fever and it affects badly the elderly and the young. Every residents in Singapore have a responsibility to ensure that no stagnant water remains any where within one's home.

Singapore experienced its worst dengue fever outbreak in 2005 when 19 people died from the disease and more than 13,000 were infected. Dengue is caused by the Aedes mosquito and is normally associated with poorer tropical countries. Visit www.dengue.gov.sg

SINGAPORE: An 85-year-old retiree died from dengue shock syndrome on 28 April after being warded at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital three days earlier with symptoms of breathlessness, vomiting and fever. More cases of dengue have since surfaced. The latest figures from the National Environment Agency (NEA) show that there were 210 cases last week, the highest reported number this year. And NEA said foreign workers such as construction site workers, clerks and nurses accounted for 35 percent of reported cases.




It said this could be due to their lower immunity to the virus strains found here. Lee Yuen Hee, CEO, NEA, said: "We actually anticipated that there could be a rise in dengue cases because of the traditionally warmer weather at this point of time. "It could be due to a combination of factors. It could be the switch from the stereotype from Type 1 to Type 2 or the intermittent rain that creates and recreates breeding grounds."

Video about Mosquitoes danger in Singapore

The NEA is working with 25 other government agencies to stop the Aedes mosquito from having a chance to breed by targeting sites outside residential areas such as construction sites and vacant plots of land. Dr Ooi Peng Lim, Deputy Director, Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, said: "The mosquito is always striving to look for places to breed, so whilst these habitats are being eliminated, the mosquito is actively seeking new habitats. And these efforts may in fact drive the mosquito to look into households to lay their eggs." And according to the NEA, some 85 per cent of breeding grounds are found in homes. "If we don't take heed, then we are giving the mosquito every opportunity to propagate itself, introducing infective virus into the community and triggering an epidemic," said Dr Ooi.

The Health Ministry said an epidemic could happen in the next two years if the trend continues uncontrolled.


Reference:
Channel News Asia - 24 May 2007

Sickness Free Business Travel

One of my joys in business travelling is eating different cuisines, most of the time cooked differently in style and taste. Unfortunately, business traveling also has it perils – diseases and food poisoning are the main causes. To avoid it, I need to be well prepare for the journey ahead and not hastily try every food and drink that is placed in front of me. Before I embark on any journey, I normally check my government health site about any health warnings that I need to be aware of, the health standards and requirements in the country of my destination.

India

In was in 1994, my first trip to Mumbai and Bangalore, with the limited knowledge from friends and relatives I was aprehensive about this trip and decided to be extra careful. I had the necessary jabs - Typhoid and Flu vacination and was careful of what I ate and drink, making sure the food was always piping hot and the drinks are void of ice. Why ice? because ice is made from the tap water. On a hot day in Mumbai, when your mind badly needed a cold ice Coke, your stomach says "Coke with no ice, please". I felt terribly ill on the day before my departure and soon realise that a simple action of brushing my teeth and gurgling with tap water can be the cause. I should have used bottle water to brush my teeth. Though my first trip to India was 'painful' – the hospitality from my business partner was overwhelming. Till today, no matter how prepared I am - India is the only country that I always fall sick either there or back home in Singapore.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is not a trival matter for business travellers like myself, who routinely eat food prepared by strangers in strange places, and increasingly venturing further to new destinations.
Food poisoning, especially mild cases, if often shrugged off as a stomach virus, a touch of the flu or indigestion. But not all symptoms associated with food poisoning are caused by toxic food or by food handlers’ poor sanitation – some causes of commonly occurring diarrhea are caused basically by “foreign bacteria” that your body simply may not be used to.”

Food-borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria and viruses. But basically, if you get a dose of food poisoning of any type (and there are dozens), the culprit is often likely to be an unsanitary food handler – or even a fellow diner, especially at one of those sumptuous buffets so familiar to business travelers attending conventions, trade shows and conferences.

In exotic areas, a well-cooked piping hot piece of chicken from a roadside stall might sometimes be a safer bet than a piece of fresh fruit or a salad at a fine restaurant.

A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it".

Whether travelling on business or vacation - the trip can be marred by just one member falling sick, so it is important to take the following vaccinations ranking with importance:-

Hepatitis A and B
Vacciniation against Hepatitis A and B is a precaution to take when travelling to some Asian countries, where the level of food-handling hygiene may be compromised. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver in which the most distinct characteristic is yellowing of the eyes adn skin, usually preceded by tiredness, high fever and pain in the upper right abdomen. Once striken, the patient may suffer from fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetitie. These symptoms can linger for up to nine months, causing untold anxiety because recuperation will be an inevitable cause for absenteeism from work.

Hepatitis A is food and water borne. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated bodily fluids such as blood transfusions and sexual contact. Both Hepatitis A and B can cause liver disease. A simple blood test can determine whether your family needs to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B, particularly if you are going to countries that have a high incidence of hepatitis B. There is also a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B for those who want double protection. All children is Singapore are vaccinated against Hepatitis B from birth. Those vaccinated will retain immunity for between five and ten years.

Flu jab
Influenza, or flu is one of the most common infections throughout the year in Singapore. The infection peaks from May to July and November to January. This coincides with the school vacation and peak travel periods in Singapore. Vaccination will protect the traveller travelling to south temperate regions like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa during May to July, and northern temperate regions around November to February.

The Flu virus attacks the lungs and can spread easily. For some, it can be very serious, even fatal. Young children, the elderly, or people who already have health problems are among those likely to suffer the worst effects. Sometimes the flu is mistaken for a cold, because some of the symptoms are the same. Runny nose, sore throat and a cough are common to both. Both flu is usually worse, resulting in body aches, headache and fever. Symptoms of flu can last longer than those of a cold, sometimes for weeks.

Flu is a highly infectious illness, which spreads very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. The virus circulates every winter, usually over a period of a few weeks, so that a lot of people get ill around the same time. The flu jab is the best protection against the virus. The flu virus changes, so you need to have a flu jab every year to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus. Another good alternative is Tamiflu but currently with the Bird Flu scare, this anti-flu viral tabs is in scarcity. Governments around the world are stocking up millions of Tamiflu tabs.

Typhoid
You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where hand washing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage. Typhoid fever can be prevented and can usually be treated with antibiotics. It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to know for sure if an illness is typhoid fever is to have samples of stool or blood tested for the presence of S. Typhi.

Typhoid jab last for 3 years.


It is still wise to be careful.

• If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.
• Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
• Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.
• Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.)
• Do not eat the peelings. Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.

Only 2 vaccines have been designated as compulsory. These are immunisation against Meningitis, which is required for all who make the yearly Haj pilgrimage, and Yellow Fever , which is endemic in parts of South America and Africa (It would also be advisable to be protected against Japanese Encephalities).

Earthquake tremors in Bangkok

A 6.3 earthquake measured by the US Geological Survey, on the Laos-Burma border rattles towers and people in Bangkok, yesterday. The earthquake took place at around 4pm - about the same time I was in the limousine leaving the airport.

Now, I know why so many office workers were standing outside their buildings creating commotion and confusion.

The powerful quake's epicentre was near the border in the far north, but the capital's soft foundations were blamed for intensifying the tremors by three or four times. The soft clay is the reason why the tremor was felt in Bangkok even though the earthquake took place 700 kilometes away. The City of Bangkok is underlain by a thick deposit of soft highly plastic marine clay that poses severe foundation problems.

As I saw many people outside the buildings - it dawn upon me that it is the last thing to do as thousands of glass planes can come down with horrendous results.

Do you know what to do when a strong earthquake hits?

• If you are indoors, duck or drop down to the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. Hold on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, woodstoves, and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts. If you are in a crowded area, take cover where you are. Stay calm and encourage others to do likewise.
• If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings and power lines.
• If you are driving, stop if it is safe, but stay inside your car. Stay away from bridges, overpasses and tunnels. Move your car as far out of the normal traffic pattern as possible.
• If possible, avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs.
• If you are in a mountainous area, or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rock and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake.
• If you are at the beach, move quickly to higher ground or several hundred yards inland.

Reference:
The Nation Thailand, May 17, 2007

Bangkok new Airport

Today, was my first trip back after the coup at the new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. This airport is huge and the arrival would be more welcoming to have some plants, flowers, paint the pillars to liven up the airport. The weather is a bit hotter than Singapore at 32 degree Celsius. Surprising the departure atrium is so much nicer and lively, what a contrast.


Transport at the Airport
I took the Airport Limousine taxi from AOT Limousine counter just outside the arrival gate – it was quick and efficient – zapped my credit card for B1,100 for a London cab. A Mercedes taxi would have cost me B1,500. But after the first 15 minutes, I should have chosen the Mercedes limousine taxi instead. The ride on a London cab was very uncomfortable and bumpy even going at 100km/hr. This is the first time I strapped on a seat belt sitting at the back seat of the taxi, I normally don't. It was the solid yellow handle bars sticking out around the back seat cabin that gave me the creeps. What if there was an accident hitting one of those bars would be nasty. So, next time no more London cab limousine.

I left the airport @ 4pm after about 25 minutes - I was in a horrendous traffic jam where time literally just stood still - so I took out my notebook and start blogging. Bangkok's heavy traffic is legendary posing a challenge for residents and visitors to this city. Once in the city to avoid the traffic jam get on the BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway - it is a reliable alternative.

Hotel Review:
Grand Hyatt Erawan
Location: 494 Rajdamri Road (near BTS Chitlom)

My Room

Comments: I have stayed here before and it is a grand and nice hotel. It is very central with the Skytrain just within walking distance. In front of the hotel has a famous shrine - Erawan Shrine - it is open free from 6.30am - 10.30pm. This is one of Bangkok's business intersections, the crowded shrine to the Hindu creation god Brahma and his elephant Erawan is filled iwth worshipers lighting incense, buying lottery tickets and watching the traditional dancing group which performs for a nominal fee.

Restaurants I recommend
Scala Shark-Fins Restaurant (1992) - $$$ - 218 Siam Square 1, Opposite Scala Theatre Bangkok - tel:252-0322. Very good Thai Teochew seafood - try the Shark Fins braised in brown sause, stir fried eggs with shark fins and crab. The Thai Chinese shark fin's soup with it whole shark fin is very different from Chinese Shark fins soup where the shark fins are shred.

The Empress Restaurant- $$ - located on the ground floor of the Royal Princess, Larn Luang Hotel. Award winning Cantonese restaurant. I had tim sum and it was just as soon as having it at any best Hong Kong restaurant.

Anna Cafe's - $ - value for money Thai food - the orginal cafe is located at Saladaeng Silom Road. I recommend this restaurant it is really good food at reasonable price.

Thai massage
This ancient style of massage is traditional Thai massage without oil, using acupressure points that stimulate muscles and nerves, and assisted by yogic stretching. Skilled Thai massage practitioners employ their hands, elbows, knees as well as their own body weight, to apply various degrees of pressure and mobilisation to different parts of the body. This ancient form of healing can do wondes for all of the body's organic systems by helping align and balance the energies of the body. By enhancing blood circulation, Thai massage can help to break down and release toxins trapped in the body, in turn strengthening the immune system. Though Thai massage can at moments be a bit painful, the after-effect is not one of fatigue but calm. Bangkok offers more places to indulge in massage than any other city on earth.

A great Thai massage can cost just B100 per hour, while posher spas like I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club @ Grand Hyatt Erawan can easily cost 10 times that.

Today, I tried this famous Reflexology (also called Foot massage) - Chang Foot massage & Spa - located @ Siam Square Soi 6 near Novotel Hotel. Chang also has a branch at the Suvarnabhumi Airport costing B300 for 1hr.

Travel Health Insurance - don't leave home without it?

Many people make trips to other countries all the time and one of the most important thing to take into consideration is "Are you covered when you are overseas?". Since I make lots of trips within in a year - I took up an annual travel insurance which is much cheaper. When my family travels with me - I get for them a single trip travel insurance which will cover them for the duration of the trip.

Think about if something happens...

• you do not have enough money to pay for medical bills
• your flight gets cancelled
• your tour agent just declared bankruptcy
• you became too sick to travel
• You missed your flight connection due to flight delays
• your personal belongings just got stolen

Have I convinced you?....read on. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Annual or Single Trip Travel Insurance?
Single-trip travel insurance covers you for one specific holiday. Buying annual travel insurance covers you for several trips over the course of the year and can offer large savings in comparison to booking single-trip insurance every time you travel.

Annual travel insurance also offers a convenience factor - you only have to do it once for the year rather than messing around with travel insurance each time – especially useful for those who tend to travel frequently or are forgetful. My advise is to read the fine print of any policy before you purchase your selected travel insurance.

Tour operator insurance or Travel Insurance company?
My advise is best NOT to buy your travel insurance from your tour operator.

• Most travel insurance policies offered by the operator are less flexible to your individual needs
• Provide a lower amount of coverage
• May only cover a portion of the trip
• Tour coverage will only pay for what you own private health insurance does not cover
• May duplicate coverage you already have
• The tour operator goes bankrupt and you would lose both your trip and the premium
• Many travel agents are not fully knowledgeable when it comes to understanding the details of various travel insurance policies and may overlook something that could be important to you or your family.

Travel insurance policy comprehensive should consist of:-

• All medical and accidental dental expenses
• Medical expenses in Singapore for continued care from injuries sustained overseas
• Emergency Medical Evacuation Automatic extension of policy period (usually up to 30 days)
• Travel cancellation or postponement due to serious sickness or compulsory quarantine
• Loss of travel deposit due to tour agent bankruptcy
• Loss or damage to baggage, clothing, personal effects, notebook
• Loss of travel documents
• Travel delay
• Personal liability abroad
• Golf advantage due to damage or loss of golfing equipment
• Home Guard due to fire damage when left vacant for the duration of the trip
• Cover in the event of Terrorism

You would also like to check with your credit card company. Depending on the policy of the credit card issuer, you may be provided with some travel insurance protection. The travel insurance coverage varies from credit card companies.

Bon Voyage...

Rubbish Paradise

Singapore - If you ask any Singaporean do you know where is Pulau Semakau, their response might be: - Ugh? or Se-bak-kau (in Hokkien it means "4-eyes monster") or a "blur" look in their eyes.


In fact, Pulau Semakau is a largely man-make island with mangrove swamps that host some of Singapore's most colourful marine species, double as a dumping ground for incinerated waste.





The fact certainly impressed American journalist Eric Bland on a recent trip, as he lauded the island as a potential useful conversation and waste management model for other cities. He said "The only visible trash is a bit of driftwood on the rocky shore, marking high tide in an artificial bay. Water rushes out of the bay through a small opening, making waves in the Singapore straits. The smell of rain is in the air....."


You would never know that all the trash from Singapore's 4.4 million residents is being dumped here 24 hours a day, seven days a week - and expected to last till 2040. This is no ordinary landfill: the island doubles as a biodiversity hotspot, of all things, attracting rare species of plants and animals. It even attracts ecotourists on specially arranged guided tours.


In 1999, when the last remaining landfill on Singapore’s mainland was exhausted, the Semakau Landfill was created by enclosing Pulau Semakau and a small adjacent island (Pulau Sakeng) with a rock bund. The bund enclosed 11 bays, or cells, into which the ash from incinerated waster is deposited each day. Water is pumped out of a cell before the waste, sealed in plastic to prevent leakage, is deposited. So far, four cells have been fully filled above sea-level, topped with dirt and planted with grass.


During the construction of the landfill, effort was made to protect the marine ecosystem, especially mangroves and corals. Mangrove swamps surrounding the original were replanted, and have thrived. Wildlife continues to thrive on Pulau Semakau, and the air and water quality remains good.


On 16 Jul 05, Pulau Semakau was opened for nature-related recreational activities. Members of the public can now visit the island for birdwatching, sports fishing and guided walks.


Did you know that Singapore generates 3 per cent of its electricity from burning rubbish, three times the power needed for all street lighting, an that the rubbish burns at such high temperatues that it doesn't need any extra fuel?



Reference:
wildsingapore.com
BT - 11 May, 2007

Paintwork starts on the First A380

Question: How many litres of paint is used for the first Singapore Airlines A380? don't know...read on.

European plan maker Airbus has started paintwork on the first A380 for Singapore Airlines following the completion of cabin installation for the aircraft. The A380 will stay about three weeks in the company's paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, where in addition to the actual painting, most of the other preparatory work such as cleaning, grinding, masking and unmasking the 3,100 square metres of surface of the A380 will be done.

SIA has ordered 19 of the giant planes, with the first to be delivered in October this year.

Answer: About 3,600 litres of chromatic-free paint is used for three layers of paint (primer, customer-paint, top-coat) for an A380. Only about 600 to 1,000 kg of paint stays on teh aircraft. Each layer measures about 0.12 mm and is able to withstand differences in temperatures of about 100 degree Celsius.

Airbus is applying the most modern and environmental-friendly techniques for the A380 painting process. Electro-static pistols are used to minimise paint mist. Used air is cleaned and washed through a multi-stage cleaning process to ensure that paint particles ae disposed separately.

Reference: BT, April 13, 2007

10 Commandments for Good Travellers

1. Thou shall not expect to find things as thou as at home, for thou hast left home to find things different.
2. Thou shall not take anything too seriously, for a carefree mind is the start of a good holiday
3. Thou shall not let travellers get on your nerves, for thou hast paid good money to enjoy yourself.
4. Remember to take half as many clothes as thou thinkest and twice the money.
5. Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
6. Remember that if thou had been expected to say in one place, thou would have been created with roots.
7. Thou shalt not worry, for he that worried hath no pleasure
8. When in a country not your own, be prepared to do somewhat as they do.
9. Thou shalt not judge the people of the country by the people who hath given thee trouble
10. Remember thou art a guest in other lands and he who treats his host with respect shall be honoured.

Alcohol may shrink brain, scan show

Drinking large amounts of alcohol might not only leave you with a headache in the morning - it could also shrink your brain. The warning comes after reseachers examined the brains of more than 1800 people, ranging from former and non-drinkers to heavy drinkers.



Using Magnetic resonance imaging scans, the study found that people who had more than 14 drinks a week had an average 1.6% reduction in the ratio of brain volume to skull size campared with non-drinkers. Study author Carol Ann Paul, of Wellesley College in the US said the effect was slightly larger in women than men, and drinking large amounts of alcohol seemed to have the greatest impact on brain volume among women aged in their 70s.


While previous research had shown low to moderate alcohol consumption helped reduce cardiovascular disease, she said, the new findings revealed a very different result of brain volume - which can be seen as a measure of brain ageing.

"Greater alcohol consumption in negatively correlated with brain volume. There appears to be no beneficial effect of low to moderate drinking on brain volume." The findings, presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston, are the latest to link alcohol with brain size.


Several years ago, US researchers found moderate drinkers had smaller brains than those who abstained, while a separate study of 79 alcholics showed females were losing almost twice as much grey matter as men.

In 1990s. Professor Clive Harper of the University of Sydney, examined the brains of dead people and found that even moderate or social drinking could reduce brain size.

Dr. Richard Cash, said that alcohol could affect brain functions, such as memory and logical thinking and the new study appeared to back that up. "This is valuable evidence of the neurosciences to support what we've been seeing from our neuropsychological studies." He said "Brain volume is related to processing power."

The most recent Australian Bureau of statistics figures show about one in every eight adults consumed alcohol at a risky or high-risk level. An everage of five or more drinks a day for men, and three or more for women, is considered a long-term risk.

Reference: The Age - May 3, 2007

First business trip to Canberra

Canberra - The weather is nicer and cooler in Canberra around 8-10 degree celsius - The Federal Capital of Australia. All the governments offices and foreign embassies are located here. Whilst taking a taxi to my destination - I notice the Singapore Embassy, Japan Embassy, Chinese Embassy all within the same vincinity.



I stayed at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra for 2 nights, Canberra's only five-star hotel, is conveniently located in the national capital's Parliamentary Triangle, minutes from Canberra's major tourist attractions, the city centre and government offices. Heritage listed, this luxurious boutique hotel has been restored to its art deco grace and charm with extensive renovations elevating the hotel to the prestigious Park Hyatt branding. The atmosphere is one of a welcoming 'home away from home', a genteel estate surrounded by landscaped lawns and gardens.