Smells of Cities and Countries - Bali, England, India, Singapore - and anti-Mosquito Perfumes

Singapore and the Smell of Jasmine 

When I am in department stores worldwide, and passing perfume counters at airports, I see Jasmine perfume and cosmetics featuring the aroma of the flowers.  I recall the colours and vivid smells of Singapore, especially the Jasmine. 

The national flower of Singapore is an orchid. The Botanical gardens has an orchid garden. You can also visit orchid farms. Restaurants often have an orchid flower in a small vase on the table. 

Singapore And Durian

Another distinctive seasonal smell of Singapore is durian. You will see signsbanning durian on the MRT (underground and overground railway). Taxis also ban durian. You can get it delivered. If you wrap it sufficintly well that nobody can smell it, then you could travel with it. That's the whole idea. You should not be carrying durian which others can smell, or which leaves a smell which lingers after you have left.

Bali and Tuberose

Is all the Far East the same? No. For me, Bali's distinctive smell is Tuberose. I encountered this in the lobby of a hotel. A huge central flower display in the hall. 

I afterwards ordered tuberose which I planted in my front garden in London. It did not thrive. So for me, the smell of tuberose is still the smell of Bali.

England, London and Lavender

The smells of London are roses. But also lavender. You can visit lavender farms. Lavender soaps and perfumes and hand creams are in supermarket, department stores and chemist shops (which Americans would call drug stores). 

Perfumes from flowers attract people, but also insects. When I realised that my perfumes from the UK were making me a magnet for mosquitos, I started stocking up on different perfumes.

Lavender is also said to repel mosquitos. I used to yo-yo between Signapore and London, before and after Covid. In London I would stock up on lavender cosmetics to take back to Singapore. Marks & Spencer stocked pefumed products in the UK and later in Singapore. But UK products were cheaper in the UK than in Singapore. A British lavender brand is Norfolk Lavender. 

France and French Lavender

France also has French lavender. I recall visiting a perfume factory in Grasse, in Southern France. I went there on holiday when I was single. After I married, I went there again with my husband.

Indian Spices in India, England and Worldwide

India has different spices in different areas. Meats are in muslim areas and markets and restaurants. Vegetarian dishes are in Hindu areas. In England you will find tandoori foods in almost every high street (Americans would say main street). Tandoori is from northern India and Pakistan. Many vegetarian restaurants are well known in India, Singapore and in London, such as in Rayners Lane near the Rayners Lane tube station.

Italy, Lemons and Citronella

In Italy I discovered that lemon aromas repel insects. The lemon scent is in citronella. 

Singapore's Little India

Singapore is tropical, high temperatures. Eternal summer, bright flowers, strong smells of flowers. My previous post was about jasmine in Singapore, which I smelled daily in my walk to Cashew station.. 

I previously lived in Singapore's Little India. Strong smells of spices waft from the flower sellers selling garlands in the markets of Little India. You also get aromas from treading on petals fallen onto the five foot ways, covered paths along the shops. Also strong smells of curry and spices from the restants and stalls in Little India.

I travel with lavender and lemon scented cosmetics and perfumes. (As well as mosquito and insect repellent, anti-insect spray for hotel bedrooms, and sting relief.

Lovely Lavender and Model Village in Vauxhall Park, London

Model Village in Vauxhall Park, London. 

A walk through Vauxhall Park under the trees.

Vauxhall Park in London has lavender and a model village. A good place for a day out with the family.

Lavender

Lavender can be used to scent clothes. I started using lavender soap and moisturizer and cosmetics when I read that it repels mosquitos and I was living most of the year in Singapore. I have lavender in the garden in London. Without picking it, to enjoy the aroma, you can pinch it between your fingers and sniff your fingers, and to preserve the aroma, rub your fingers on your hair.

I have tried putting the sprigs of lavender in the pockets of my clothes, but this disintegrates into a mess which has to be emptied out. So just enjoy the look of the lavender and take pictures close up of the colours.

Useful Websites

 https://www.facebook.com/share/o3xF7Sj79PeXHTBp

Please bookmark and share links your favourite posts.

Practical Travel Clothes: Anti Mosquito and Convertible Zip-Off and On Trousers

 

Tropical Countries

I was shocked when I went to Bali and found that they had mosquitos. We were warned to keep our bedroom doors shut We had mosquito nets over the bed.

In Singapore, insects are known in condos, even up in the air, on the 12th floor.

Singapore - Insect Attacks

Even in flats and condos up in the air, in Singapore, insects fly up there. When there's a spate of cases of dengue fever in your area, government inspectors come round to check you have no breeding places such as water in saucers under plant pots.  Insects could get carried in, are born and breed on plants on balconies, get everywhere. 

One person I knew caught dengue from mosquitos breeding in the gutters of brand new houses in the street where she was living. Another friend of mine came down with dengue after being bitten when she chased after a golf ball into long grass. She was wearing shorts. 

Maybe she would have fared better with convertible shorts.

Convertible shorts-trousers

Zip off trousers. Photo from Wikipedia. Author Mabalu.

Companies such as Craghoppers and others who specialize in outdoor wear, often have a line or two of 'convertible pants' which zip off trousers lower legs to make shorts. To me it is more important that you can zip on the lower leg. If you are out in the countryside after a morning in town. 

Also if you stop at a mosque or mausoleum, as we did on holiday in Cyprus. There they had a dress code of trousers for men (and long dresses over the knee for women).  No shorts allowed.

Dengue Fever Warning

Dengue alert in Singapore. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Dengue alert. Photo taken and cropped by Angela Lansbury.

Singapore Mosquitos

 Insects fly up high rise buildings to your residence in condos. Insects can get carried in. The little devils are born and breed on plants on balconies, get everywhere. 

If you get heat rash, and mistakenly think you must have been bitten, you rush to find protective clothing. 

Useful Websites

Craghoppers

https://www.craghoppers.com/womens/trousers/zip-off-trousers/

Check the temperature at your destination: charts, clothes, insects, fans, timers

32 degrees centigrade. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

 Temperature

Today in Singapore the temperature is just under 32 degrees centigrade which is over 90 degrees fahrenheit. How do we know and remember that?

Charts

You might like to print out a temperature chart and stick it in your diary. 

Check your diary's information pages. Some diaries have a conversion chart which you never noticed or have forgotten.

Many newspapers have temperature charts worldwide on the back pages. In the USA some papers show the temperature in the different states. In winter in the north, traditionally the Canadians fly south to Venezuela, which is on the north coast of south America. We used to fly from the UK via Singapore and Australia to New Zealand in the long summer break in July or August to take our son skiing in New Zealand. The Australians fly in their long summer over Christmas to London in the UK.

Packing For Heat and Cold

What does this temperature mean when you start packing? Firstly, if you are flying to a tropical country or packing for a holiday, have some layered clothes so you can be cool at your hot destination. This includes a protective hat.

(See later post.)

Warm Wrap

However, pack a light, warm wrap so that at night, or in an air conditioned hotel, you can cover up. 

You might also want to cover up against insects. In Singapore we have signs warning about malaria and dengue from mosquitos. (A friend of mine has just come down with dengue.)

It is handy to have a unisex jacket in case your partner complains that their restaurant seat is under the air conditioning whilst you are fine in your seat.

We Wipes And Tissues

You may want to shower or wash frequently, or carry disposable wet wipes. Or tissues so you can wash and dry.

Quick-Dry Washable Clothes

In the fortnight before I pack, I note which clothes dry quickly overnight, or feel cool in hot weather.

Folding Umbrella

You might want to carry a small folding umbrella in your hand luggage. Especially if your handbag or backpack is not waterproof or you want to protect a mobile phone or computer as well as passports and documents.

Printed Documents

I print out my travel documents, the ticket, airline seat, any directions to the lounge, the regulations on the amount of wine and perfumes you can import. 

Flower & Fruit Regulations

Check if you can take flowers, or potted plants, or corsages, if going to or from a wedding or birthday party. 

Insects, Repellents and Perfumes

To avoid attracting insects in tropical or hot months You might prefer insect repellent perfumes. Consider lavender, or lemon (citronella).

You might also want to pack some kind of insect repellent, suncream, and sting relief. Preferably not a large spray which might be confiscated or explode. A small cream, ideally in main luggage. Rather than in hand luggage where it could get confiscated. 

But what if hand luggage goes missing or is delayed, with your insect repellent inside? 

Hotels And Insect Protection

Heat means insects. We arrived at our hotel in Bali, Indonesia, and insects flew straight into our bedroom. The time was too late at night to unpack because we were tired and it was bedtime. Or you wait for luggage to be delivered by the porter, before you have time to unpack? Ask for insect repellent (which might be a burning coil) and protective nets.

In a home or hotel room it may be cheaper to open two doors or windows to create a draft, or to use a ceiling fan or floor fan rather than running the air conditioning.

If the fan makes a noise, you can use the fan before and after your zoom call. You can improvise a paper fan from a concertinered piece of paper. You can stiffen it with a lolly stick.

Crumbs and Wrappers

In the UK in winter and in cold countries you could leave the wrapper from a chocolate bar on the table, an unwashed cup, an empty drinks can, or crumbs on the work surface or under the dining table. In Singapore you would come back an hour later in your hotel bedroom or your home as an ex-pat and find a line of ants. 

I disturbed a cockroach having a drink or bath in my wet swim shoes.

Hot weather is great for sunbathing, having set your phone alarm to limit the time. Hot weather is great for swimming outdoors, (having set your phone alarm or counted the number of widths and timed them).  

In Singapore it rains in the afternoon in April and May. So you need to swim in the morning. I swim before breakfast so as not to swim on a full stomach. 

Once you know the temperature, day and night, indoors and outdoors you can prepare and pack well.

Useful Websites

http://www.weather.gov.sg/weather-currentobservations-temperature/

https://www.calculateme.com/temperature/celsius-to-fahrenheit

Sunrise and Sunrays in Singapore - the sky signalling when to swim, visit the gym, take a taxi

 Photo taken by a friend in Singapore. For permission to copy and for other versions, contact Angela Lansbury. Credit: Angela Lansbury photo collection.

My friend 'Vee' was swimming when she saw this. She called to another friend who was not in the water and had a mobile handy, to ask him to take a photo. We were all delighted and stunned by the results.

When the sun stays behind the clouds, the weather is cooler and the pool is cool. You know immediately, by the temperature of the metal ladder into the pool shallow end. If the metal is cool, the water will be cool. 

If the clouds bring rain, you have to get out of the pool. A sign by the pool says you must vacate the pool immediately if you hear thunder or see lightning or are advised to exit by a member of staff. That is for your safety.

So, we watch the sky all the time in Singapore. If it rains, you cannot swim. 

If you want to go out, or leave your friend's house, you will find it hard to get a taxi. When you see the sun, rush down to the pool, because you probably want to avoid the sun's rays between 11 am and 3 pm. Then at four pm the school children are out of school, swimming, shouting, screaming as they push each other or go down the slides. The swimming instructor is shouting instructions to the children. At dusk the mosquitos are out. At 7 it gets dark. On the dot. I know when my evening meetings will begin, all year the same time in the tropics. 

If the sun is out in the morning, I will hear tennis balls from the tennis courts, birds calling each other. Time to swim and check the sky. If it overcast, run to swim before the rain. 

About the Author of this blog

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Weird, wonderful and helpful travel tips

About the Author Angela Lansbury

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.

Quick Quotations

Who Said What When

 

How can you get rid of ants, cockroaches, lizards, mosquitos and spiders?

In the UK at home we have had ants, silverfish and spiders. On holiday in Greece at a hotel I encountered little lizards running up the bedroom wall. In America I saw cockroaches for the first time. In Singapore we get ants, and cockroaches, and lizards - and mosquitos!

Ants
We have bought three brands of ant traps in Singapore. The ant traps you buy in Singapore are designed so that the ants eat the poison and take it back to the nest and poison the queen ant. The instructions tell you not to kill any ants you see but let them go back to the nest. It will take up to a week for the last ant to disappear.

Cockroaches
One system I have heard of is to spray them with hair spray.

In Singapore we just spray them with anti insect spray. It is horrible to inhale. You have to shut the door and get out of the room. We keep the spray on the work surface near the sink so it can be found and grabbed in a hurry.

Lizards


Mosquitos
When I first went to Singapore I was bitten a lot and I read that mosquitos and other insects are attracted to flowery perfumes, so I stopped wearing perfume. Instead I stocked up with lavender and citrus products, lavender hand creams and bath gels and lemon soaps.

Everywhere in Singapore you see signs on banners, posters and leaflets about the Mossie Wipeout. This is prevention rahter than cure. You are asked not to put saucers under plant pots nor to have any kinds of bowl in a public place which could catch rain water where mossies can breed. The main concern is not malaria but dengue fever.

Mosquito Fogging
Buildings have regular mosquito fogging in Singapore. But you still get mosquitos and biting insects.

Fogging in India.

Spiders
So many systems are available. You can try the simplest which is to put a see-though drinking glass on top. Slide a piece of thick paper underneath. Carry the spider outside, or to the nearest window. You have to be sure that the paper is not thin and flexible or it bends and the spider wriggles out.

Another method is to vaccuum clean, if it is on the ceiling or some corner where you cannot reach it and capture it.

I once had a spider-catcher with a pyrmid of transparent  plastic on the end of a stick and a flat sliding piece which could be moved by hand or would fall if you rotated the end of the stick.

It worked very well. But you got up rather close to the insect. I preferred the vacuum cleaner which allowed me to stay at a distance.

Mosquito proof clothing
It is also advisable to wear long sleeves and long trousers and socks. the fabric should be insect proof.  Check the weave. I think woven horizontally and vertically is usually tighter than knit which is loops. (Or is it the other way around?)

Craghoppers make protective clothing.

You

Useful Websites
https://www.99.co/blog/singapore/7-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-lizards/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_control

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

How To Protect Yourself Against Mosquitos

Mosquito. Photo from Wikipedia article on dengue fever.

Mosquitos bite and spread malaria and dengue.

Where?




In Singapore, Indonesia, and now even threatening cold UK.
Signs show you outbreaks.

Whether its the weather, global warming, it's a problem and there are several solutions.

Prevention is better than cure.

Mosquito Nets
Provided at some hotels in Bali. Make sure you close the bedroom door and windows. Pull the mosquito nets aroound your four-poster bed so the nets overlap, no gaps. Nets are not there to add romance but to protect you from bites.

You can also buy your own mosquito net to take with you. Invest in mosquito proof clothing with long sleeves and long legs.

Clothes
Wear long  sleeve and long leg clothes, or carry wraps to cover yourself at dusk or when you hear an ominous sound.

Note which of your clothes are knitted and which are woven. Carry a large wrap. Certain plants are known to repel mosquitos and can be bought for your balcony or garden.

Shut windows before you turn on the lights.

Camping shops sell suitable clothing. You can also buy sleeping bags which zip up and have drawstrings or velcro to cover you.

Aussie hats with corks attached to brims were designed to keep off mosquitos. You can also buy baseball style hats with added neck protection at the back or all around. If you need to improvise, add a scarf over the hat or under it.

Mosquito Areas
Keep away from water and long grass. Don't sit outside at the restaurant but enjoy the virew from a window seat behind glass. go inside at dusk. The dengue mosquitos are daytime. The malaria mosquitos are night time, dusk and dawn. Avoid grassy open areas around car parks and motorbke parking.

Perfumes
Pefumes designed to attract humans also attract insects.

Repellents
Instead opt for lavender or lemon.

You can buy anti-mosquito creams and sprays. Carry them with you on walks so you can apply them to yourself and the family. Some wear off after a few hours so you may need to apply them later in the day. You might also need to re-appy after swimming.

Fogging
Fogging (spraying), take place in Singapore around the vegetation at the base of skyscraper residentital blocks, hotels and so on. You should see the announcements about fogging on notice boards. Shut doors and windows as the white mist makes you cough.

Mosquito coils. If the coil is under the desk in your bedroom in Thailand or Indonesia but nobody has bothered to light it, at dusk or when you arrive, ring rception and ask them to light it.

Insect repellent. Carry with you or buy insect repellent. Also sting relief.

Nets
If you are the nervous type or moving into a news home, buy your own nosquito net and a hook to attach it to the ceiling above your bed. Also ask the landlord or landlady if you can have crened windows and patio doors. Unlike the USA, in Asia not all home and buildings have them.

Mesh
A hire car may be provided with mesh over the side windows. If not, consider whether to install it in your new or hired car. Mesh does get in the way of taking photos.

To Stop Insects Breeding
1 Empty or upturn vases, and pot underplates daily or regularly or bring them indoors.
2 Gutters should be cleared and insert anti-mosquito products.
3 Consider calling rentokit to fumigate the place. This is done a couple of times, an inital visit and follow up visit. Can be costly. Might be done by landlord rather than tenant if there is a demonstrable problem.

Useful Websites
https://www.nea.gov.sg/dengue-zika/dengue
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

What to see and do in Denpasar and Bali, Indonesia

Denpasar
Denpasar - BALI
Denpasar is the capital. Yes, that sounds a good place to start. I love Bali. Doesn't everybody!

Flower petals are on the steps of temples. The perfume is supposed to be released as you walk up the steps into the temple.

The smell of Tuberose wafts around from the huge flower arrangements in the lobby of five-star hotels.

Exotic local women about the same height as me so I don't feel small and can make eye contact.

I love the open-sided hotel lobbies and restaurants.

The bathroom adjoining your bedroom with its open roof showing the sky and leaning trees.

Bali in Indonesia
1 Temples
2 Hotels - especially clifftop hotel and restaurant Kupu Kupu barong meaning butterfly, but also cheaper guesthouses. When you see a repeated word that is a plural in both Malay or Indonesian languages (which like American and British English are almost identical apart from some vocabulary extras).
3 Massage
4 Gamelan music performance

WARNING!
Honest Afterthoughts
Bali - watch out for mosquitos!
Buy and apply insect repellent. Big hotels provide nets over beds. When you go to bed at night, shut the nets so there are no gaps.  But what about when you are unpacking, undressing or just sitting waiting reading a newspaper? Shut the bedroom door quickly! Shut the door onto the balcony when not sitting out. Shut the windows or shut the mesh.

Mosquito coils will be provided. But you might have to ask for them - check when checking in. Or ask the person who carries your luggage or shows you the bedroom to show you where the coil is - perhaps hidden under the bedroom desk or on the floor hidden by a chair or curtain. You will want it switched on if it is electric or lit if it's a small flame with visible oil.

After you've had a shower you will want to re-apply your protection. You could get bitten just waiting for the staff to arrive with the coil.

If you want extra protection against buzzing insects and their bites you might want to buy your own mosquito repellents before leaving for your trip.

Useful Websites:
GENERAL TOURISM
http://tripadvisor.com.sg

See previous post for
BULGARIA
http://bulgariantouristboard.com

BALI, INDONESIA
http://balitourismboard.or.id

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.
More text and photos later. Come back.

TripAdvisor offers to Plovdiv and Denpasar? Where are they? Why go there?

Problem
Tripadvisor keeps sending me offers of cheap flights from London to places I don't know. However often I do those quizzes on Duolingo on the capitals of Europe, up comes another offer. By the time I get around to checking the country, two days later, the offer will be gone. Anyway, let's check out today's offers. If they sent me a feedback form, I would tell them to add the country.

Answers
Plovdiv - second city of Bulgaria.
BULGARIA  - WELCOMING!




Here's the flag, horizontal stripes of white, green and red.

On the map of Europe, it is East of Italy, beyond Greece, bordering the Black Sea, south of Russia.

Plovdiv - BULGARIA
Plovdiv is the second largest city. Bulgaria is on my list. I like to add a new country. I am working on learning the Cyrillic alphabet through Duolingo.

You can see from the map of Europe that Bulgaria is on the inland sea so it has beaches.

The Ethnographic Museum, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. 

The Synagogue, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

PLOVDIV
1 Greek Names
Originally Philip's town, in Greek Philippolis (Philip - polis meaning city, as in the modern English words politics and political - matters affecting the governing of the entire city). Incidentally, the name Philip comes from Philos, as in Philadelphia, meaning love, and lipos meaning horse. A lover of horses would have been a wealthy nobleman. When you look at the map and see Greece is close by, and so is Macedonia, the invasion by Philip of Macedonia is not so surprising. Plovdiv is in the south west of the country, not terribly near those beaches on the East coast, more of a cultural trip unless you have time for a two-centre trip or some travelling.

Meanwhile, what's to see nowadays in Plovdiv?

2 Roman Ruins
After the Greeks came to Bulgaria alon came the Romans and the city has major Roman remains to see.
 Wiki says: preserved ruins such as the ancient 
Plovdiv Roman theatre, 
a Roman odeon, 
a Roman aqueduct, 
the Plovdiv Roman Stadium.

3 Russian Alphabet
The Russians up north brought the Cyrillic alphabet, which two priestly brothers, one called Cyril, created using letters from the Hebrew and Greek alphabets. From the Bulgarian point of view, creating a script using the alphabet from nearby neighbour Greece seemed a handy, obvious idea, good for travelling or if you already spoke the neighbouring language.

Catch up on the Cyrillic alphabet using Duolingo, and you can use it again later if you ever go to Russia, as well as reading captions on monuments and railway stations in photos of Bulgaria and Russia.

4 Bulgarian Balkan Backdrop
The city is surrounded by seven hills. Plovdiv in Bulgaria is called The City of Seven Hills. You can see that in photos.

5 Modern

For Denpasar in Bali see next post.

These offers have probably gone already. But next time around, I'll be in the know and ready to click on the link.

I am adding a top one, three, five, seven or ten sights or types of sights to see in each country:

Useful Websites:
GENERAL TOURISM
http://tripadvisor.com.sg

BULGARIA
http://bulgariantouristboard.com

BALI, INDONESIA (See next post.)
http://balitourismboard.or.id

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Fly Around The Internet For Travel News: Reader's Roundup On Singapore's Dreamliner

Window seat. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problem
So many snippets of news. Let's keep them together in one place.
March 28 - 2018

Singapore Airlines Introduces the new Dreamliner Boing 787-10
'Designed for Dreams' they say, as they proudly announce that they are the first to fly this aircraft on the Asia-Pacific route.

What's in it for passengers? It's quieter, an advantage for those travelling in all classes.

If you are in Business class, whether on short or long haul, you can enjoy direct aisle access and recline fully (flat!) to sleep or rest with shut eyes. Speaking of sleeping, the windows are larger, but can be dimmed at the touch of a button.

If you can't afford to fly in Business class, you can admire the new seating when flying on the airline. I shall be on one of these planes at least four times later this year. Check it out as you walk past when boarding and exiting and tell your friends about it.

I always look at the abandoned socks, no longer needed by business people, some of them unworn (but nobody is going to sniff to check). I think, if the socks are going to be thrown away, maybe I could just grab a pair and recycle them inside my boots.

But the people behind me are marching briskly forward. I am probably watched by 1984 style videos. My husband would be incensed at my bringing the family, the British, the consumer, into disrepute. The glamorous girl at the door is watching and waiting to bow to me and say goodbye.

Superior Socks
My family are frequent flyers and if I remember to ask, they might remember to save me my Singapore Airlines socks. I have quite a collection. I wear them all winter under boots in Britain. I have navy airline socks, a jolly red pair from Virgin which I flew from the UK to America and back, plus a cream colour pair, from who knows what airline and when, very handy in summer.

Socks save the soles of my feet from getting hard on flat floors in flat shoes. Socks fill out boots bought a size too large ion the internet. When I don't bother to wear socks, I am reminded by itching bites from mosquitos, gnats, who knows what. So and reduce my chances of getting bitten on the ankles by mosquitos in the office in Singapore, I wear spare socks.

If you ever visit me and want to give me a present and don't have time to buy anything, I am always delighted to receive airline socks (even if you've worn them - I can just pop then in the wash) plus sleeping masks, whatever.

I imagine you may be shaking your head, tutting and smiling. It's amazing what other people do, isn't it? It's amazing what you do, and think, when you actually write it down! I once looked around a room at Writers Holiday in Wales, and asked my friend, Linda, 'Who do you think is the most interesting person in this room, who we could write about?' She laughed and retorted, 'You are!'

Hotel Room Booking Bring Airmiles
Use the airline's booking service for hotel and get airmiles. They say they give 2 krisflyer miles for every US$ spent.
Hotels
https://www.agoda.com/singaporeair1?cid=1604904
Flights
http://www.singaporeair.com/

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Good News About Geckos and Little Lizards - and Komodo Dragons! And Mosquitos.

Problem
In Greece I was terrified of geckoes.

Answer
In Singapore they don't bother me. Why?

Story
Greek Gecko
I recall visiting Greek islands and being terrified of geckoes. I thought they were scary, unpredictable, might bit, were unhygienic, could fall off the walls or ceilings onto me and my suitcase of clothes.

I have to think back. What was I so afraid?

I must have lifted the lid of my suitcase, exposing the contents to anything falling in. Then placed shoes on the floor, exposed to anything hiding inside. Then I lay down to rest on the bed, and heard a noise and saw a lizard scuttling across the wall or ceiling, equally bad when visible or invisible. Maybe I went into the shower, undressed and vulnerable, likely to slip on a wet floor, not wanting a lizard in my white towel, alone with it in a small space, having it in the clean water. I was terrified. I couldn't sleep, hearing it scuttling around. I called the management. They came and assured me that it was harmless. Too avail. I was still upset. Couldn't wait to get out to the restaurant, away from the bedroom where I was alone.

Singapore Gecko
Later in Singapore I first saw geckos on the outside walls. No use screaming and calling for help. The creature was out of reach and disappeared. Just walk away.

Then I saw a gecko indoors with other people around. They were not bothered but chased it away to mollify me.

Finally I was alone with a gecko. But it wasn't a big one - it was teeny.

I phoned for advice and help.

My spouse was at work. "How big was it."

I admitted, "Er - tiny."

"Probably more afraid of you than you are of it. Cover all food. Leave it alone. It will go away."

I went back. It was in a corner. Hiding. But could not escape. Quite right - it was afraid of me.

I tried to reassure it. "Please go out of the window. Or the door. Come on. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. You are OK."

I think that was the turning point. Now I'm not bothered by larger ones the size of my hand. The only ones I don't like are Komodo dragons. On the isle of Lombok. And in London zoo, London, England. They are big and dangerous, like crocodiles combined with a hippo. But little lizards clinging to the wall anywhere else. No problem.

The good news about Komodo dragons was that they were confined to Lombok. The bad news is that we now have one in London, albeit in a zoo.

Tips
Talk to your lizard. Reassure it. Reassure your children or guests. You'll probably soon find that you are no longer bothered.
Geckos eat mosquitos. Since we have had a case of dengue in the block where I have lived in Singapore, a gecko is a welcome sight.

Indonesian Island with 'dragons'
The Komodo dragons, large lizards, are on Lombok. Going east, you see Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Zumbawa, them more Indonesian islands, about another 13,000. I once watched a very nasty video of Komodo dragons circling a poor animals, biting its ankles and watching it gradually collapse until the pack of dragons could eat it.

Author
Angela Lansbury.

Health and Insects Home and Abroad: Precaution and Prevention

In Singapore the cases of Zika have caused recommendations for preventive measures. The current main concern is about mosquitos which can cause pika and dengue fever.


Precautions and Prevention
Methods include:

Protective Clothing
Wearing long sleeves.
Wearing socks and closed shoes and long trousers (USA pants).

Door and Window Barriers
Doors and windows to cover:

Front door
Front door into house or hotel bedroom. Notice the double doors in many bedrooms in hotels (Thailand and Indonesia) with outdoor corridors, not just providing privacy and a place to leave your breakfast tray so it can be collected without disturbing inhabitants of bedroom, not tripping up passers by in corridor.

Side and Back doors
No point blocking the front door if the flies are coming in from the garden or patio windows or sliding doors. Shutters outside and inside can provide barriers whilst letting in fresh air or cool air. In France you often have outside wooden shutters for cooling and therefore windows open into the room.

In the UK we have windows opening outwards.

Side windows. Bathroom windows. Skylights. (These have the advantage that often flies go upwards and can be let out.)

Covering Choices
Covering windows with insect-proof nets which seal at edges.
Covering doors with nets. Or bead curtains.
Fixing self-casing hinges so doors are not left open.
Double barriers - double doors, as are a legal requirement in the UK and UK territories since
Victorian times between toilets and kitchens, so flies can't go from the toilet to the kitchen each time you open the door.

When I was in the USA I noticed that in the hot southern states in was common to have fabric or metal insect proof barriers on windows and doors. If your windows don't already have these, as a landlord or tenant or even somebody staying temporarily for short stay abroad you can do this. How to you fix the covering? Just look at the work surfaces and google the possibilities or photograph the surface and take the picture into a DIY store.

Choices include:

1 Touch and close loops (known in the UK by the brand name Velcro);
2 Blue tac or white tac,
3 Washable glue
4 Hammer in nails

(For old property or somewhere about to be demolished where you don't mind damaging the walls when you leave or change decor)
Or drill holes and when you need to leave then fill in holes afterwards with filler and if necessary cover with paint or varnish or decorative gold stars or curtain hooks or stickers.

Hong Kong
In Hong Kong I have stayed with two families. Windows are often overlooked. Some windows have no outlook. Others allow the neighbours in the same block or adjoining block to look in at you, or you are distracted by them. Solutions used by my friends include inside horizontal slatted blinds, or paper pasted onto a closed window.

Australia
In Australia flies can be a great nuisance, quite apart from any danger, especially near beaches and even tourist landmarks such as the multiple rocks in the sea.

In Australia camping shops and outdoor shops and clothing shops sell hats with front brims like baseball caps with side and back covering over the neck.

You can also buy amusing hats with corks around them. However, I find corks bobbing across my sunglasses and vision are a nuisance. Wasted money? I found a different use for these hats as a novelty for wearing on stage in England talking about Australia.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Why read local papers? Dengue Fever and Mosquitos.

Why read local papers - to find out about fun activities but also about safeguarding your health. I just heard from a relative in Singapore that the health inspectors called this morning to check any vases, saucers or items on the balcony or in the house with standing water.

I had read in the local paper that there were 500 cases of dengue fever which is carried by mosquitos which breed. One case had recently happened in the next block to where my relative was renting a flat.

You usually hear the droning of the the machines spraying mosquito killing vapour over the ground floor level once a week. You may see mist rising.

The first time it happened when I was in a block in Singapore I thought it was a fire. I phoned the concierge and they told me it was 'fogging'.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

WHAT ATTRACTS FLIES? DIY FLY AWAY: Fly creams and sprays for travel

Prevention is better than cure. When I hear that dreaded noise past my ear sitting at lunch, or trying to sleep in a hotel bedroom, I an instantly alert, distracted from rest.

I just watched the video on how to make a fly attractor and trap. I remember years ago being told about making a sugar syrup in a half buried bottle. This system adds yeast.

I was interested in what it said about how your body attracts mosquitos. Mostly at night, worse at night. But you can get bitten daytime, anytime you walk on grass, or just sit out around a dining table. I never sit outside, but I have friends and family who always want to sit outside. They think it's part of the joys of summer and holidays or being in a warm country, or off work, or at work taking a meal break.

Hot water, brown sugar and yeast - you must buy the yeast.
This works at home.

But travelling on business or on holiday you'd have to buy brown sugar and yeast and take them (or the portions needed) in the car/suitcase. (Plus a piece of old newspaper, big plastic bottle and tape - which are probably available at your holidays destination, but why leave it to chance. Alternatively pack fly repellent cream for your body and fly killer for the hotel bedroom, or put it on your packing list now.

As for that summer barbecue, garden party, march, or festival, even in the city centre, be prepared.

http://www.viralnova.com/diy-mosquito-trap/

Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, speaker.

Searching for citronella against bites

When I visited Italy the product sold everywhere to prevent bites was citronella cream. Citronella Is sold in the UK in boots chemist for  £5.99 for a small bottle on the display for natural products.

   I want to find the cream and ideally a cheaper price. I hate travelling with bottles which might break, spill or leak. I shall look in other shops to see what they can offer.

   Meanwhile I have bought a lemon in Tesco Express. When I receive a slice of lemon in a glass of water at a restaurant or I am given lemon with fish, I subtly spread the juice on my hands and all over exposed areas of my skin so the smell and taste of acidic lemon repulses insects.
Mosquito Bite Danger
  I was wondering, am I being paranoid about mosquitos, tiny things? A bite is irritating, but does it matter?
   Yes, it does. An advertisement on the back of the ladies' toilet cubicle door at the shopping centre says children are dying of mosquito bites in Africa. So mosquitos are killers.