Precaution for H1N1 in Korea

My family has been bugging me to stop traveling due to H1N1 pandemic but I just wouldn't budge. The stubborn me. ^^

I am worried! Who says I'm not?

I must take some precaution before I go.

Those travelers like me that still want to travel to Korea but worried about the virus, here are some necessary info to help you if it really happen. Touch wood!

1. Wash your hands frequently especially after visiting crowded places.

2. Make sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, handkerchief or your clothes when you cough.

3. If you develop symptoms like a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, wear a mask and contact your tour guide for information on the nearest hospitals or state-designated clinics where you can receive the proper medical treatment.

4. Patients with chronic diseases (including lung diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease), pregnant women, the elderly over 65, and babies under 59 months are especially vulnerable to influenza A. If they show signs of fever or respiratory symptoms, take them to nearby hospitals or state-designated clinics to get further medical care.

5. If you experience fever or respiratory symptoms, avoid crowded places and get proper medical care.

Contact no:

1339 (Emergency Medical Information Center)
- Available in English, Japanese and Chinese 24/7
- Consults on symptoms of Influenza A and provides information and guidance on the nearest hospital that provides service in your language.

129 (call center run by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs)
- Partial English and Japanese service available
- Consults on symptoms, provides information and guidance on the nearest hospitals for travelers

1330 (Korea Travel Hotline)
- Available in English, Japanese and Chinese 24/7
- Provides information on nearby hospitals or state-designated clinics where you can receive treatment.

Note: Costs incurred other than the anti-virus medicine will need to be covered by patients themselves.

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2010 International Postage Stamp Design Contest

Due on 15th September!

I know this is late but those out there who are passionate about stamps and more so for competing with prizes in Korean won, this is worth to mention. ^^

Give it a shot! We never know until we try, right?

Application forms: Available at post offices nationwide

The forms can also be downloaded from the website of K-Stamp Portal and Korea Post.

Application Period: July 1- September 15, 2009(For the overseas category, designs that arrive by September 30 will be eligible.)

Address: Postage Stamps & Philately Division, KOREA POST Jongno 6 (154-1 Seorin-dong) Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-110, Korea

Inquiries: +82- 2 -2195 –1255 (Korean, English)

E-Mail: vogelruf@mke.go.kr

Homepage: http://www.koreapost.go.kr , http://www.koreastamp.go.kr

For more information: Visit Tour2Korea

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Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yanasampanno (Tiger Temple) : Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Otherwise known as the Tiger Temple (not to be confused with the Tiger Cave Temple), Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yanasampanno Forest Monastery in the Saiyok district, kanchanaburi is an animal rescue centre run by local monks. The centre houses a dozen tigers, some who were made orphans after their parents were killed by poachers while others are their offspring born at the temple. Visitors are given the chance to pet some of the tamest of the specimens and other animals including monkeys.

The interesting in Tiger Temple are..

Bodhi Tree.. 11th May 1995: Venerable Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno-"Luangta" kindly paid the first visit to Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yanasampanno, and grew a bodhi tree as an auspicious start. "Luangta" stated that… “We must think first where we’ll plant a Bodhi tree. Bodhi tree is a tree of importance. Once grown, it’s hard to move, as it’s like the Great Teacher was there. For the Buddhist, when doing anything and encountering with a Bodhi tree, no one will dare to destroy it. Since the Great Teacher attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. So, “Bodhi tree” is an auspicious sign not to be treated in a disrespectful way. Even the authority, when cutting a road and encountering with the tree, will avoid it. They will use the tool until the tree dies itself, not out of intention. That’s how it is”.

Phra Buddha Kanchanaphisek (Golden Jubilee Buddha Image) is important, a precious treasure of the nation. In 1995, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej wished to make a personal merit to Phra Rachayanwisutthisophon (Phra Acharn Maha Bua Yanasampanno) of Wat Pa Baan Taad, Muang District, Udonthani. He’s a senior monk with austere practice, traveling on foot, having good reputation, respected by meditation monks in the path of Phra Acharn Mun Bhuridhatto; and the public, both at home and abroad. So, the king had a royal command to Dr. Chao Na Silawan, the councillor, to construct a large Buddha Image, using his personal fund. The Buddha Image was dedicated to Phra Rachayanwisutthisophon (Phra Acharn Maha Bua Yanasampanno). In addition, the king made a wish to recover from heart disease.

Arkhan Metta Tan Chaokhun Maha Bua Yanasampanno 84 years: Phra Acharn Phusit (Chan) Khantitharo had asked for the opinion and guideline for the construction from the Chairman in the construction, Somdej Phra Mahamuniwong, Wat Noranatsuntrikaram, Thewes, Bangkok. Somdej Phra Mahamuniwong kindly gave the name of the biggest building of the monastery as “Arkhan Metta Tan Chaokhun Maha Bua Yanasampanno 84 years” (Compassion Pavilion of Tan Chaokhun Maha Bua Yanasampanno 84 years). The reason for the word 84 years is because in the beginning year of construction, "Luangta" Maha Bua was 84 years old.

More information or donation please visit http://www.tigertemple.org

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Sai Yok National Park : Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Sai Yok National Park is not as well developed as the other national parks, but it is Kanchanaburi's most accessible wilderness areas. Inside the main entrance of the park you can find limestone caves, the remains of a bridge on the Death Railway and Japanese ranges (actually little more than piles of bricks). There is also a network of clear streams that bubble up from sources in the park, and a cave where people want to see clouds of bats stream out at dusk. Unfortunately the park is not a detailed hiking maps or much in the way of visitor information to English speakers.

Near the Visitors Center is misleading Nam Tok Sai Yok Yai (Sai Yok Yai waterfall), which is better described as a small stream cascading over a waterfall. It flows into the Mae Nam Noi Khwae near the suspension bridge. It was in this park, the famous Russian roulette scenes in the 1978 film The Deer Hunter was filmed.

Noteworthy fauna in the park, the Kitti's Hog-nosed bats (smallest mammal), the world's regal crabs, barking deer, blue Pittas, crowned hornbills, gibbons, Malayan porcupine, Slow Loris and Serowe. There is also wild elephants which occasionally cross from Myanmar.

Forestry Department bungalows (0 2562 0760; bungalows 800-2100B) available at Sai Yok National Park, drag them to six. Incredibly beautiful is the number of houses near the suspension bridge, which was completely deserted on weekdays during the rainy season - just you and the River. One of the best is Saiyok See Raft (0 3451 4194, s 700B) who rooms with private bathroom, which looks at the stream has. Ask when booking to arrange meals and food options are limited. There are a number of fast food stalls near the Visitors Center.

The entrance of the park is approximately 100 miles northwest of Kanchanaburi and 5 km from Hwy 323rd You can Sangkhlaburi Kanchanaburi-Bus (50B, two hours, frequencies) to turn off and hire a motorbike taxi from the main road to the entrance. Tell the driver you want 'name Tok Sai Yok Yai. The last bus back to Kanchanaburi crossing at about 3:30.

From raft houses near the bridge, you can rent long tail, both for sightseeing along the river and caves or Daowadung Tham Tham Lawa. Rent a long tail costs about 400B per hour, but rates are negotiable.

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