Although every large ship in operation today should have a well-equipped medical centre and at least one fully qualified doctor on call at all times, seasoned travellers often carry their own first aid kit to enable them to deal with minor cuts, abrasions, and other injuries as and when they may occur. If you are planning a cruise in the near future, it is worth putting together a basic kit to take on your travels.

First Aid Kit

Travel (Motion) Sickness

As with many forms of travel motion sickness can strike at any time causing, even the most seasoned traveler, to stick their head in a paper bag and scream for mercy.

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness characterized by a feeling of nausea and, in extreme cases, vertigo experienced after spending time on a craft on water. It is typically brought on by the rocking motion or movement while immersed in water.

Cause

The most common hypothesis for the cause of motion sickness is that it functions as a defense mechanism against neurotoxins. The area postrema in the brain is responsible for inducing vomiting when poisons are detected, and for resolving conflicts between vision and balance.

When feeling motion but not seeing it (for example, in a ship with no windows), the inner ear transmits to the brain that it senses motion, but the eyes tell the brain that everything is still. As a result of the discordance, the brain will come to the conclusion that one of them is hallucinating and further conclude that the hallucination is due to poison ingestion. The brain responds by inducing vomiting, to clear the supposed toxin.

Treatments

One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.

Fresh, cool air can also relieve motion sickness slightly, although it is likely this is related to avoiding foul odors which can worsen nausea.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications are readily available, such as Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) and Bonine/Antivert (meclozine).

Bonine Motion Sickness Tablets

Ginger is reported to calm and relax the valve that allows the stomach to operate normally. It is the undesirable effect of retention in the stomach that eventually results in vomiting. Vomiting is not seasickness but is only a symptom or side effect; although the effect most commonly associated with seasickness.

Chewing ice is also recommended but more as a distraction than anything else.

What to Pack

Below is a list of the things that you are most likely to need onboard a cruise, which you can use as a starting point when assembling your first aid kit. As with any medication, it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage when using any of the drugs in this list and to follow the instructions carefully.

1. Paracetamol

If you wake up with a headache and are due to take a tour of the port where you are docked, a couple of tablets should ensure that a mild headache does not spoil your plans. While you could take aspirin, paracetamol is a safer bet if you would like to be able to offer assistance to other travelers as some people are allergic to aspirin. Ibuprofen can be taken if preferred and because it is an anti-inflammatory, it can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.

Paracetamol

2. Thermometer

Although it is to be hoped that you will not develop a fever while on holiday, it is worth bringing a decent thermometer just to be on the safe side. If your temperature is abnormally high, you will be able to alert the medical team on board your ship and receive the care that you require. A strip that can be stuck to the forehead may be more convenient to use if there will be young children traveling with you.

Medical thermometer

3. Antiseptic

There are many brands available, such as Dettol, TCP, and Savlon, all of which are useful when dealing with cuts and grazes. If you should cut or graze your skin while holidaying, you can clean the affected area with running water then use the antiseptic to guard against infection. It goes without saying that more serious lesions should be attended to by a qualified medical professional if at all possible.

Antiseptic

4. Plasters

A selection of sticking plasters in a variety of shapes and sizes always comes in handy and will enable you to cover minor cuts and stop them from getting dirty. If you are planning to spend any time on a beach, a plaster will help to ensure that you do not get sand in open wounds. Waterproof plasters are very useful when on a cruise as they will stick even if you decide to enjoy the onboard swimming pools found on most modern vessels. Hypo-allergenic ones are available in many shops and are a good choice for those with sensitive skin.

Plasters

5. Cotton wool

Another very useful addition to any first aid kit, cotton wool can be used with antiseptic to clean cuts and grazes. It is a good idea to carry it in a resealable plastic bag to make sure that it stays clean while you are travelling. Many brands come in such bags, saving you the bother of having to buy them separately.

Cotton wool

6. Antihistamines

Hay fever sufferers will be familiar with these products but even if you do not suffer from this particular allergy, it is worth taking some with you when travelling. If you should happen to suffer a mild allergic reaction to something that you encounter on your adventure, antihistamines will alleviate symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. If you have a more serious reaction to anything that you come into contact with, you should seek medical attention as a matter of urgency.

Antihistamines

7. Rehydration solution

To combat heat exhaustion or just to help you recover from a heavy night, a solution that contains salt and other electrolytes is always handy to have around. Hydralyte have a good range of flavored powders that are easy to pack.

Electrolyte Powder

8. Travel sickness pills

These are probably the most important out of this list. If you discover that you suffer from sea sickness on your first cruise, you will be glad that you brought some of these along with you. (see top)

The United States of America is a huge country filled with incredible sights, diverse scenery and cultural wonders.

Image via Flickr – caveman_92223

From the sun-drenched Florida beaches to the vastness of the Rocky Mountains, traveling across the country can be the adventure of a lifetime. Getting back to nature by camping out in a tent or RV or spending the nights in a hotel while exploring famous routes, taking in historic sights and visiting the national parks offers a custom experience for every level of adventurer.

Oregon Trail

Following the same route as the fur traders, Lewis and Clark and the early pioneers, The Oregon Trail takes travelers along the same route as the first wagon trains that headed to the Pacific coast. Starting near Independence, Missouri, across South Pass in Wyoming and through the Columbia valley to Oregon City travelers can cross the historic route in a matter of days.

Route 66

Known as “The Mother Road,” historic Route 66 winds its way from Chicago to Los Angles. Running through Missouri, Oklahoma and New Mexico, Route 66 was the first modern highway running to California and was the road that opened the southwest to motorized travel. Most of Route 66 can still be driven, with the aid of a historical map.

Image va Flickr – aloha75

Places to Visit

From the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Titusville, Florida to the observation deck of the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, the U.S is filled with one-of-a-kind attractions.

The Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas, where American legends like Dave Crockett and Jim Bowie fought for Texas’ independence, is preserved as a museum that teaches the history of the famous battle.

The Museum of the Confederacy and the American Civil War Center in Richmond, Virginia tell the tale of one of the most contentious times in America’s history.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Ohio showcases the most talented players and coaches from the Great American pastime’s past.

A four-lane bridge spanning the Colorado River and part of U.S. Highway 93 between Las Vegas and Phoenix, the Hoover Dam is the largest hydro-electro dam in the world.

Image via Flickr – salim

Connecting San Francisco to Sausalito and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Golden Gate Bridge is an architectural wonder spanning a 1.7 mile section of the bay. The largest suspension bridge ever built at the time, the Golden Gate Bridge carries over 100,000 vehicles a day.

A towering man-made wonder, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota showcases the likeness of four or the United States’ greatest presidents super-sized in granite.

National Parks and Forests

With 58 national parks and 155 national forests America has some of the most beautiful wide-open spaces on earth.

The “Great Granddaddy” of national parks, Yellowstone, is a community unto itself. Home to the largest heard of wild bison in the U.S. and largest collection of geysers in the world, Yellowstone National Park has eight separate villages with attractions and amenities.

Perhaps the most memorizing landscape in nature, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona offers river rafting and mule-train rides though a wild and scenic gorge that nature took 5 million years to create.

Image via Flickr – rosengrant

For those wishing to sleep under the stars instead of a hotel roof, most U.S. National Forests offer inexpensive campgrounds or free camping in any area that is not posted prohibiting it.

Well it just so turns out that in many foreign languages there IS!

Here are thirty foreign words with no direct English equivalent.

1. Hygge

(Danish)

Denmark’s mantra, hygge is the pleasant, genial, and intimate feeling associated with sitting around a fire in the winter with close friends.

2. Seigneur-terraces

(French)

Coffee shop dwellers who sit at tables a long time but spend little money.

3. Cafune

(Brazilian Portuguese)

Tenderly running your fingers through your lover’s hair.

4. Greng-jai

(Thai)

That feeling you get when you don’t want someone to do something for you because it would be a pain for them.

5. Spesenritter

(German)

Literally, an expense knight. You’ve probably dined with a spesenritter before, the type of person who shows off by paying the bill on the company’s expense account.

6. Kummerspeck

(German)

Excess weight gained from emotional overeating. Literally, grief bacon.

7. Schadenfreude

(German)

Happiness at the misfortune of others.

8. Iktsuarpok

(Inuit)

The feeling of anticipation when you’re waiting for someone to show up at your house and you keep going outside to see if they’re there yet.

9. Mencolek

(Indonesian)

You know that old trick where you tap someone lightly on the opposite shoulder from behind to fool them? The Indonesians have a word for it.

10. Boketto

(Japanese)

The act of gazing vacantly into the distance without thinking.

11. Bakku-shan

(Japanese)

The experience of seeing a woman who appears pretty from behind but not from the front.

12. Tartle

(Scots)

The nearly onomatopoeic word for that panicky hesitation just before you have to introduce someone whose name you can’t quite remember.

13. Lagom

(Swedish)

Maybe Goldilocks was Swedish? This slippery little word is hard to define, but means something like, “Not too much, and not too little, but juuuuust right.”

14. Ya’arburnee

(Arabic)

This word is the hopeful declaration that you will die before someone you love deeply, because you cannot stand to live without them. Literally, may you bury me.

15. Bilita Mpash

(Bantu)

An amazing, pleasant dream. Not just a “good” dream; the opposite of a nightmare.

16. Kaelling

(Danish)

You know that woman who stands on her doorstep (or in line at the supermarket, or at the park, or in a restaurant) cursing at her children? The Danes know her, too.

17. Koi No Yokan

(Japanese)

The sense upon first meeting a person that the two of you are going to fall into love.

18. Pelinti

(Buli, Ghana)

Your friend bites into a piece of piping hot pizza, then opens his mouth and sort of tilts his head around while making an “aaaarrrahh” noise. The Ghanaians have a word for that. More specifically, it means “to move hot food around in your mouth.”

19. Glas wên

(Welsh)

A smile that is insincere or mocking. Literally, a blue smile.

20. Faamiti

(Samoan)

To make a squeaking sound by sucking air past the lips in order to gain the attention of a dog or child.

21. Zhaghzhagh

(Persian)

The chattering of teeth from the cold or from rage.

22. Lampadato

(Italian)

Addicted to the UV glow of tanning salons? This word describes you.

23. Vybafnout

(Czech)

A word tailor-made for annoying older brothers—it means to jump out and say boo.

24. Pana Po’o

(Hawaiian)

It means to scratch your head in order to help you remember something you’ve forgotten.

25. Yuputka

(Ulwa)

The phantom sensation of something crawling on your skin.

26. Shemomedjamo

(Georgian)

You know when you’re really full, but your meal is just so delicious, you can’t stop eating it?  This word means, “I accidentally ate the whole thing.”

27. Zeg

(Georgian)

It means “the day after tomorrow.”

28. Cavoli Riscaldati

(Italian)

The result of attempting to revive an unworkable relationship. Literally, reheated cabbage.

29. Packesel

(German)

The packesel is the person who’s stuck carrying everyone else’s bags on a trip. Literally, a burro.

30. Rhwe

(Tsonga, South Africa)

To sleep on the floor without a mat, while drunk and naked.

The exciting news is that we are now LIVE!!  Yes it has been a long time coming but we have finally released our baby into the world wide web for you all to play with. Of course, as with any baby, we know that there will be some teething issues early on. Because of this we really encourage you to join the site and have a good poke around – then tell us what you like and don’t like along with any issues that you might come across.

In conjunction with the release of our ‘beta’ site we are also running an IndieGoGo campaign to raise some much needed awareness and additional funding for the future development of the site.

Exciting times I hear you all say. Well it most certainly is but it has been one of the most challenging tasks both James and I have ever had to work on.

A Little History on the TravelByU Story

Those closest to us know that the TravelByU idea has been a work in progress for over two years now. More than two years…… it’s a long time time to dedicate your entire life to a single project but the light at the end of the tunnel is finally starting to shine a little brighter.

The Early Days

Back in 2009, I had just finished a role that I would like to forget in my travel career, and was working in a temporary sales job while I tried to figure out my next career move. That is where I met James and after a couple of weeks we discussed some ideas that I had for a travel directory site.  It was going to be the place to find anything travel related, like a yellow pages but for travel only.

Note: Online directories were big back then

It wasn’t until a little later on in early 2010 that I decided to start a Facebook page called The Travel Project where I was going to try and build a test community of people to see what they were interested in (relating to travel). I posted regular updates and asked lots of questions trying to get an insight into where they sought information about travel on the web.

Not long after I created another page that was more dedicated to adventure travel and called it Backpacker Travel. The page quickly grew to a few thousands fans and we were getting a lot of good ideas about scrapping the travel directory idea and building a social networking site with a built in travel planner (Little did we know that every other man and his dog were thinking the same thing).

The problem was that neither James or myself had ever built a complicated website. James had built a few small WordPress sites and I had dabbled once but we were totally over our heads with the requirements for this project.  Couple that with the fact that we were bootstrapping the idea and the only real solution was to outsource the development of the site overseas……

We did what we thought was our due diligence and eventually settled on a team in India. Now I’m not one to place blame as we were clearly amateurs with big ideas but what came next we can only put down to learning from your mistakes. Over the next year we worked with these developers in building the site. We changed our minds many many times and basically fluffed around without clear direction on what the site really stood for. The end result was that we built a pretty crappy website which had a lot of issues and didn’t function the way we wanted.

Learning from Our Mistakes

So we went back to the drawing board and looked into taking on a developer with more experience while we cleaned up our direction and figured out our USP (Unique Selling Point).

Considering the travel sector is an extremely crowded market we knew we had to find a niche without too many big competitors. Clearly the travel planning idea was going to be difficult to break into and over the last year we had seen a multitude of Startups come and go without really making any impact or gaining significant traction. The industry was already looking towards personalization but there were still opportunities to create something useful.

Travel is one of those industries that has so much information it can really be overwhelming for people to actually find something that suits them. Yes you can ask your friends for their opinions, go to a travel agent or “Google it”….. but there really isn’t a ‘One size fits all’ method.

The Solution

When it comes down to the crunch there are two USP’s where we have an opportunity to make an impact. The first is personalization,  not just personalization but really giving someone the tools to filter through the ‘noise’ of all that information and get to the useful stuff.

The second is by compiling a huge database of festivals and events from around the world. Our goal is to help our members to explore the world – not just the sights.

So how are we doing this?

1. Personalization by YOUR Interests

The mission we have is to categorize each and every destination, festival, hotel etc. by a set of predetermined INTERESTS.  Does it hold cultural or historical significance? Is the destination known for it’s food? This is a dynamic process that doesn’t just rely on an algorithm or manual entry in the admin panel. It is constantly evolving –  as people add their own reviews  the search results will reflect a ‘popularity based method’.

Let’s explain this in simple terms: The more people that have selected Interest X for a page (destination/ festival/ service) = the higher it will appear in the search results based on a search for Interest X. Therefore you are not reliant on your friends – who might not share your interests – and the results will be consistent.

Discover great places to go with our innovative travel inspiration search.

But how about filtering that noise like you mentioned? Glad you asked…. Throughout the site we have incorporated ‘drop down’ filters which allows the user to sort the current results into manageable chunks of information making it easier to find exactly what you are looking for. Filter by where your friends have been (or haven’t been), alphabetically A – Z or Z – A, Popularity based on user reviews out of a possible 10 just to name a few.

Personalized results based on search for diving.

Diving results

2. Festivals and Events Around the World

How do you feel when you arrive in a city and are lucky enough to discover that there is a really cool festival happening? It can turn an average holiday into an experience you will go home and rave about.

Now imagine that you weren’t so lucky and didn’t find out about this festival until after you got home. You would be pretty disappointed wouldn’t you.

Unfortunately the latter is much more common… if you even find out at all.

The fact is that it is very difficult to find up to date information on events because there are no good sites with quality information and Google doesn’t do a great job here either (unless it’s a music festival or sporting event).

We are compiling a database of festivals and events from the weekly food market to the world famous music or sporting event by working with Tourism Boards and Event Promoters to help them reach the right people.

Find a festival or event at your destination or even in your home town.

What’s Next

There is a long road ahead of us and we need to focus on making the site easy and fun to use so people find it worthwhile. The challenge as with any social network is to reach ‘critical mass’ – a tipping point where we have sufficient users to drive the review process and create a marketplace where people actually want to add their events.

We will be working on automating the process of adding and recommending events. This will not only allow for rapid expansion of our festival and event offering  but also send out notifications to members about events that are happening in their home town and also in the places they have added to their wishlist.

So we need your help in driving the growth of the community. All you need to do is join the site and tell us about your travel – Who doesn’t like doing that?

If you like what we are trying to build there are a few things you can do to help us out:

1.  Complete your profile by adding a profile picture, description and current home city

2.  Show off the places you have been and add the place you want to go

3.  Share your best travel photos to the relevant destination page

4.  Add reviews and tips to the places you have been

5.  Send us feedback – we would love to hear from you

Here are a few more screenshots.

A sleek profile to show off where you have been and what you have done

We show you the top destinations to visit in each country. You can quickly add it to the places you have been (or want to go)

Summer here typically consists of two months of relatively warm and clear weather from late September through November. This is really the only time you can safely head out in shorts and a tee.

To combat this lack of summer warmth we have been told to venture out of the city for weekends away as the temperature changes dramatically with only a 30 minute drive or more.

So we recently took this advice, rented a cheap car, and set off for sunny Santa Cruz which lies approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) to the south of San Francisco.

The drive from San Francisco to Santa Cruz

The journey is around two hours but the drive itself was quite spectacular as we took the slower route along the coast down highway 1. Luckily for us the weather was very clear, (normally a lot of fog as you exit the city) so the views were well worth the extra few minutes of driving.

There is a plethora of accommodation in Santa Cruz to cater for the influx of weekend warriors coming from the Bay area. The majority is made up of budget style motels and they all seem to be located within a mile or so of the Beach Boardwalk.

What to do in and around Santa Cruz

The majority of tourists seem to come to Santa Cruz specifically for the beaches and the historic Beach Boardwalk. It is surprising how often an advertisement will come on in San Francisco with their catchy tune but obviously works well.

The Beach Boardwalk

Opened in 1907 the Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.

Entrance to the Beach Boardwalk

The Boardwalk features both modern and classic rides, carnival games, restaurants, miniature golf, video game arcades, and family bowling, all located on a mile of sandy beach. One of the best things about the Boardwalk is that entry is free, of course this doesn’t include any of the rides or games but is a great way to check out the park and decide if you want to go on any of the rides. Ride tickets cost anywhere from $3 – $5 and they also offers affordable ticket options where you can get a season pass for $69.95 which includes unlimited ride entry.

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One of the main attractions to the park is the Giant Dipper. This classic wooden roller coaster was first opened in 1924 and recently surpassed a whopping 60 million visitors. It is a bone-shaking experience from start to finish but one that will definitely leave a big smile on your face.

Ocean Kayaking with Kayak Connection

Just off the coastline of Santa Cruz lies the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest national marine sanctuary in the United States. Encompassing 276 miles of shoreline and 6,094 square miles of ocean it is home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, hosting marine mammals, seabirds, fish, invertebrates and amazing kelp forests that the local otters call home.

One of our favorite  activities is to get out on the water in a kayak and Lisette and I always jump at any opportunity to do so. We decided that this time, rather than just grab a rental, it would be great to join a tour. After a quick search online I found Kayak Connection, a local business with great reviews who did both rentals and ocean tours through the marine park.

On the morning of our tour, our guide David greeted us with a big smile and thoroughly explained the safety aspects along with a brief on some of the marine animals that we would potentially see out on the water. We were lucky to have a gorgeous blue sky with very little wind as we set off paddling from the Santa Cruz Harbor.

David was extremely passionate about the conservation of this protected area which was reflected in his enthusiastic approach to teaching us about the tainted history of over-fishing in the bay as we paddled through the harbor entry including how the otter population was nearly wiped out.

The area is a playground for whales, dolphins and other marine life and we had only just cleared the harbor mouth when we were greeted by a friendly harbor seal. After an enjoyable paddle across the bay with spectacular views of the boardwalk and pier we arrived at the local surf spot, Steamer’s Lane. Here we watched as number of sea otters playing among the kelp. There were two in particular that were very inquisitive and swam right towards our kayak….amazing!!

On the paddle back we passed by the pier where hundreds of sea lions basking in the warmth of the sun on the wooden foundations. One even swam out to greet us and followed close behind for a while as we head back to the harbor.

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Overall this was an incredibly memorable experience and one I would strongly recommend to anyone looking for an eco-friendly adventure.

 Redwood Canopy Tours at Mount Hermon

The Redwood Canopy Tours at Mount Hermon offers visitors an exciting eco-adventure into the redwood canopy of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Enjoy the coastal redwood forest from the unique perspective only a zipline canopy tour can offer. The two hour guided tour includes six ziplines and two sky bridges at heights of up to 150 feet. Each tour of up to eight is led by two certified guides who share their ecological knowledge and bring the history of the Santa Cruz redwood forest to life. The Redwood Canopy Tours are the original canopy tour ziplines in the redwood forest and is the first facility of its kind in the region.

Redwood Canopy Tours at Mount Hermon

Other Attractions

Of course if you are coming to Santa Cruz you are more than likely going to be here for the beaches and Boardwalk but here are a  couple of other attractions you might like to check out while you are in the Santa Cruz area: The Mystery Spot and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

Finally a Great Bite to Eat

We were looking for somewhere interesting to eat on the saturday night and happened to stumble across The Greek – Authentic Cuisine restaurant (with a little help from Yelp). This family run establishment is apparently quite iconic in Santa Cruz due to the lively owner Vasilis and coincidentally it turned out to be his 64th birthday on the night that we were there.

The restaurant has a fun and lively feel with traditional Greek live music, plates smashing on the floor and a homely feel to the decor. Sara, our waitress, noted that Vasilis hand sketched all of the artwork that adorns the walls….quite impressive we thought.

The meal portions were very generous so we decided to go with the smaller size house specialty salad along with some dolmathes and tzatziki for starters. All in all the food was delicious and well worth checking out if you plan on visiting Santa Cruz.

The Greek Authentic Cuisine Restaurant

This Halloween he will be conducting his London ghost walk and, throughout the year, he operates the popular Jack the Ripper Tour in London.

With the nights drawing in, and Halloween rapidly approaching, it’s time to cover yourself in cobwebs, don your witches, monsters and other scary outfits and set out into the haunted hinterland of ghostly London to find the perfect place for Halloween.

London has the reputation for being one of the most haunted capital cities in the world, The Tower of London alone has a veritable township of phantoms residing within its imposing walls. But, since it won’t be open to the public – unless you are fortunate enough to obtain tickets for its nightly Ceremony of the Keys – you’re going to have to look elsewhere for London’s most spooktacular Halloween locations.

Here are his five suggestions:

50 Berkeley Square.

Closest Underground Green Park.

For many years, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 50 Berkeley Square enjoyed the chilling reputation as London’s most haunted house. Quite what the “thing” was that used to be seen in one of its top floor rooms was never established, since few who saw it survived to tell the tale and those that did were rendered hopelessly insane by the encounter.

Nowadays, a more peaceful ambience permeates the property, which has, for many years, been the premises of Maggs Brothers, antiquarian booksellers. Yet, at night, if you stand in front of it and gaze up at its ink-black windows, you can still find yourself slightly unnerved as you sense the eyes of former residents gazing down upon you. Indeed, having braved this haunted location you might find yourself in need of a drink and, about twenty minutes walk away, is just the pub in which to continue your search for Halloween haunts.

50 Berkeley Square

The Grenadier Pub – Wilton Mews, off Wilton Row.

Closest Underground Hyde Park Corner.

Finding your way to this tiny hostelry is something of a challenge. It’s tucked away in a tiny mews that seems centuries removed from the busy Marble Arch traffic junction that is just a few minutes away.

Once you’ve climbed its steep stone steps, and crossed its timeworn threshold, you find yourself pitched into the snuggest pub interior imaginable. To say this place is on the small side is an understatement, it’s positively miniscule. Yet, it has long been considered one of London’s most haunted pubs.

It began life as an officers mess for a nearby barracks and acquired its resident revenant at some stage in the 18th century when an officer was caught cheating at cards on the premises. His fellow officers were so incensed by this that they gave him such a sound thrashing that he died from his injuries. Although the exact year when this happened is uncertain, it is generally held that the month was September, which is when the ghostly activity at the Grenadier increases dramatically. However, the rest of the year isn’t without spectral goings-on and, should you pay a Halloween visit, you might well be treated to the ghostly push in the back that several customers at the bar have felt, or, even worse – given the recent smoking ban in English pubs – you might catch the whiff of phantom cigarette smoke that has been known to drift across the bar in the late evening.

The Grenadier Pub

Charterhouse Square.

Closest Underground Barbican.

Having slaked your thirst with the ghostly officer, you could then head across town to Charterhouse Street where you will find the wonderfully eerie Charterhouse Square.

This is a plague pit where victims of the 14th century Black Death (bubonic plague) were buried and where, so local tradition maintains, they still lie buried to this day. An eerie feeling of despondency certainly seems to hang over the square and you can see why, in the days when the Charterhouse School was located in the old manor house, that still sits on the opposite side of the square, there used to be a standing dare amongst the boys to sneak into the square at midnight, press an ear to the cold earth, and listen for the spectral moans of the plague victims who were buried alive and, as a result, can never find complete rest.

The Charterhouse

Amen Court, off Ave Maria Lane.

Closest Underground St Paul’s.

A short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral brings you to the intriguingly named Amen Corner, beyond which is Amen Court where the Cathedral’s clergy live in buildings that date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Gaze to the rear of the court and your eyes will focus upon a dark, imposing wall. Beyond this wall until 1902 there loomed the mighty bulk of London’s infamous Newgate Prison. The wall hides a passage which, in the days of the prison, was known as “Deadman’s Walk.” It was along here that the condemned prisoners were taken to their executions and beneath it were buried afterwards.

The wall is haunted by the dreaded Black Dog of Newgate, reputedly a fearsome hound sent to exact revenge on his fellow prisoners by a sorcerer whom they had been unwise enough to devour during one of London’s medieval famines.

Whatever its origins, an appearance by the Black Dog of Newgate bodes ill for those who chance to gaze upon it, so linger here as long as time or your nerves will allow and prepare to descend into the chilling cellars of another of London’s haunted pubs.

Amen Court House

The Viaduct Tavern – Newgate Street.

Closest Underground St Paul’s.

This 19th century hostelry is one of the City of London’s true treasures. But a spectral “something” lurks in its dark cellars. Although it is not true, as many books claim, that the pub’s cellars were formerly the cells of Newgate Prison, it is perfectly true that strange and unnerving things go bump in the night (and during the day) in the cellars of the pub.

On one occasion a landlord was tidying up down there when, suddenly, the door slammed shut, the lights went out and a voice from the darkness snarled “there’s just us down here now.” Needless to say within a very short time there was only it down there as the landlord raced back up to the bar to imbibe of a nerve-steadying brandy!

Others who have dared descend the rickety wooden staircase that takes you from the bustling, busy and well lit bar to the shadowy, almost claustrophobic, depthshave felt ice cold fingers run down the backs of their necks and have even heard a ghostly voice whispering close behind them but, on turning around, have found themselves to be quite alone.

London certainly has more than its fair share of spectral inhabitants and these five places certainly receive a fair amount of ghostly activity. So, if you are looking for somewhere to while away a few hours this Halloween, why not pay them a visit and decide for yourself whether, or not, they make for the most spooktacular spots to spend Halloween in London.

The Viaduct Tavern

Whale sharks off Mexico’s Caribbean coast follow the climatic patterns that sustain their supply of food and water. Others travel vast distances each year to instinctually return to their ancestral breeding or birthing grounds. These creatures migrate in great numbers not only because of their communal instincts, but because it provides safety from predators.

I have selected a few of the my favorite migrations to inspire you to see something truly special that nature has to offer.

Wildebeest and Zebra Migration

When: August to September
Where: Kenya and Tanzania

Image source: Mandala Travel via Flickr

From august through september the game preserves of Kenya and Tanzania (especially Amboseli, Serengeti, and Masai Mara) come alive with vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. Some 1.5 million animals traverse the veldt here kicking up dust clouds on their way north to follow the rains and the lifeline they provide.

Elephant Migration

When: February to May
Where: Mali

Image source: DexterPerrin via Flickr

All African elephants migrate in search of food, water and habitat. Elephants in Mali cover more than 300 miles. While Mali’s African elephant population is relatively small  the country’s dry climate ensures its elephants must be in a near state of continual migration, on the search of new drinking water. Mali’s African elephants follow a counter-clockwise oval route dotted with water holes from the Niger River in the north to the Burkina Faso border in the south.

Emperor Penguin Migration

When: November and December
Where: Antarctica

Image source: StormPetrel1 via Flickr

Every year some 200,000 Emperor Penguin follows a long, difficult, migration path to a place in Antarctica away from their normal home by the edge of the sea. Some 200,000 emperor penguins make a punishingly long, arduous trek from the Antarctic coast to inland laying grounds each year. The father takes the egg inland and keeps it warm all winter while the mother is feeding in the distant ocean. The journey culminates in the hatching of thousands of chicks at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Green Sea Turtle Migration

When: June and July
Where: Costa Rica

Image source: puuikibeach via Flickr

Thousands of endangered green sea turtles enact an extraordinary annual migration ritual by returning to the same remote stretch of Costa Rica’s northeastern coast where they were born in order to lay eggs of their own.

Like other sea turtles, they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Many islands worldwide are known as Turtle Island due to green sea turtles nesting on their beaches. Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge and walk into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to age 80 in the wild.

Monarch Butterfly Migration

When: August to February
Where: North America and Mexico

Image source: stevewall via Flickr

Monarchs are especially noted for their lengthy annual migration. In North America some 300 million monarchs make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost. A northward migration takes place in the spring. The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates both north and south as the birds do on a regular basis. But no single individual makes the entire round trip. Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations.

Red Crab Migration

When: October and November
Where: Christmas Island

Image source: sidknee23 via Flickr

The Christmas Island red crab is a species of land crab that is endemic to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean. Although restricted to a relatively small area, it has been estimated that 43.7 million adult red crabs lived on Christmas Island alone

During breeding season swarms of crimson-colored crabs head for the coast to lay their eggs in the ocean. On their way, they cross roads and dodge many obstacles and try to avoid dangers such as cars, pets and birds. More recently they are facing a much larger threat from an exploding population of the yellow crazy ant, an invasive species accidentally introduced to Christmas Island and Australia from Africa.

Whale Shark Migration

When: May to September
Where: Philippines, Western Australia, Mexico

Image source: Daniel Kwok via Flickr

The whale shark is found in tropical and warm oceans and lives in the open sea with a lifespan of about 70 years. Although whale sharks have very large mouths, as filter feeders they feed mainly, though not exclusively, on plankton, which are microscopic plants and animals.

They are known to migrate every spring to the continental shelf of the central west coast of Australia. The coral spawning of the area’s Ningaloo Reef provides the whale shark with an abundant supply of plankton.

In 1998, the Philippines banned all fishing, selling, importing and exporting of whale sharks for commercial purposes, followed by India and Taiwan. They are currently listed as a vulnerable species; however, they continue to be hunted in parts of Asia.

Flamingo Migration

When: April to August
Where: Kenya, Argentina, Chile

Image source: Rainbirder via Flickr

In the summer, Andean Flamingos live in salt lakes and migrate to the lower wetlands for the winter. The cause of this migration from summer to winter is possibly due to the extreme aridity of salt-flats during the winter. The path of migration is unknown, but it is thought to occur between the Chilean breeding grounds and the wetlands of central and western Argentina.

On the other side of the world in Kenya lakes supply flamingos with their primary food source, green algae (which, interestingly, gives the birds their coral-pink color). One of the major stops on their culinary tour is central Kenya’s Lake Nakuru. During the wet spring season, the shimmering shallow waters of the lake are completely obscured by thousands of bobbing, slender-necked, stilt-legged birds.

Fruit Bat Migration

When: October to December
Where: Zambia

Image source: YoTuT via Flickr

Every year, from October until December, 8 million Straw-coloured Fruit Bats arrive from the Congo to feed on the wild musuku fruits in Zambia’s Kasanka National Park. This is Zambia’s secret bat spectacle and the world’s largest mammal migration.

Whirling and tumbling, the bats arrive in bewildering numbers, shrieking and colliding as they return to roost in the trees. But resting is dangerous. The bats are frequently attacked by birds of prey, such as fish eagles, while crocodiles snap up any unfortunate individuals that fall to the forest floor.

Bar-Headed Goose Migration

When: February
Where: India to Tibet

Image source: Sandeep Somasekharan via Flickr

The Bar-headed Goose is a goose which breeds in Central Asia in colonies of thousands near mountain lakes and winters in South Asia, as far south as peninsular India.

The Bar-headed Goose is thought to be one of the world’s highest flying birds, having been heard flying across Mount Makalu (at 8,481 metres (27,825 ft)) and apparently seen over Mount Everest (8,848 metres (29,029 ft).

The challenging northward migration from lowland India to breed in the summer on the Tibetan Plateau is undertaken in stages, with the flight across the Himalaya (from sea-level) being undertaken non-stop in as little as seven hours.