Obesity in Australia now requires larger ambulances

by Grant Martin on

Any health professional will tell you about the epidemic of obesity that is sweeping the country. With over thirty percent of the populous in this category, health care costs are skyrocketing, diabetes is becoming more common and the situation is spiraling out of control.

Apparently we’re not the only country with these problems. The crisis in Australia has gotten so out of hand that they had to start ordering “mega-lift” ambulances to accommodate patients. Apparently, the occurrence of passengers too large to fit inside of the vehicles became so common that they had no choice but to get larger units. Each mega-lift ambulance is fitted with reinforced stretchers, special wheelchairs and wider cabins, all at three times the cost of a regular vehicle.

Looking through the statistical data on obesity around the world, I was surprised at the percentages of Australians in this category. This year, over half of the adult population in the country is classified as obese, a staggering 7.4 million individuals.

I wonder when the airlines will catch on and start making wider seats?

Why you shouldn’t tease crocodiles

by Anna Brones on

When traveling in Australia, Israeli Novon Mashiah quickly found out why crocodiles should never be teased. While Mashiah was leaning over the back of the boat trying to snap an up close and personal shot of the crocodile, the animal jumped out of the water and towards his paparazzi. The lesson to be learned? Crocodiles are not photo friendly. But just in case you do find yourself in a similar situation, better find out how to survive close encounters in the wild.

How would your travel plans change if you won the lottery?

by Abha Malpani on

An Aussie backpacker won US$830,000 in a lottery after he impulsively decided to buy a ticket when he arrived to New Zealand. Before becoming a millionaire in Kiwi-land, the plan was to travel around the country for a few months, fruit picking on the way. “However, we will now be able to travel in a bit more style,” he says.

This story made me wonder: if I won the lottery, how would that change my plans?

Honestly, I’d still backpack. I repel 5-star hotels. Other than a luxurious bath, they really have nothing to offer and they make me feel like I am living in a posh, protected bubble that hides everything real the place I’m visiting has to offer. Paying a fortune for a clean bed makes no sense to me and often makes me feel sick.

This feeling was reemphasized lately when I went to Barcelona for work and I was put up in the Arts Hotel — the most expensive hotel in the city. Everyone spoke English, I was surrounded by every nationality except Spaniards, a measly and tasteless coffee cost me €5(!!), and there was no place in my vicinity (other than a grubby Chinese restaurant) where I could eat for less than €20. I would much rather have stayed in a cheap little hostel in the city center where I would meet cool people (who don’t have a pole up their backside or a $ sign on their forehead) and have access to cheap local food and bars where the Catalans hang.

So if I won the jackpot, I would invest some of the money in assets that would generate consistent revenue so I could spend more time more often on the road; the rest I would give to some cause. What would you do?

Swimming side by side with sharks

by Iva Skoch on

The first time I saw one of these in Australia, I found it very strange. People swim in the ocean, yet separated by a wall of concrete or at least a net. Children are covered head to toe in nylon suits, and most adults don’t even go into the water. What’s going on here?

One sunny day, I asked the lifeguard why nobody was at the beach. “We have seen a couple of crocs here last night. It’s hatching season,” he said. Yeah, that pretty much satisfied me as a good enough reason. The following week nobody was at the beach because “there were too many poisonous jelly fish”. A week later, “shark sightings.” Clearly, with all their picturesque beaches, Australia is not a country for your typical beach lover.

Needless to say, I grew to appreciate their “pools inside the ocean.” No chlorine, and a safe distance from the crocs, jellyfish and sharks. The New York Times travel section has a piece about them today.

Woman in New Zealand attempts to hijack a plane

by Iva Skoch on

It is not often you hear about women trying to hijack planes, but I guess it was bound to happen with the closing gap of gender opportunities.

As reported by Herald Sun, a 33-year-old New Zealand woman of Somali descent boarded a 19-seat plane headed from Blenheim to Christchurch earlier today and about ten minutes after take-off she demanded to be flown to Australia. She rushed into the cockpit and stabbed one pilot in the hand and the other in the foot, claiming she was going to detonate the two bombs she brought on board. She was subdued by the co-pilot as the twin-propeller plane came in to land at Christchurch, and arrested after landing.

Passengers on regional flights in New Zealand apparently do not have their carry-on luggage screened. That’s why she was able to smuggle a knife on to the plane. No bombs were found.

I feel bad for pilots these days, I really do.