Travel

10 Things Every Diabetic Should Take Along While Travelling

Published

4 years ago

May 17, 2021

Whether you are off for a weekend holiday or go on a cross-country journey, it is difficult to predict everything you may need to take along. This can be critical if you are a diabetic. Having the tools you need on hand can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation or trip and becoming extremely ill very quickly.

In this article, we are going to help you create a “to-go” bag that you should always have prepared and on hand. It is compact and easy to carry and you always have one prepared.

Diabetic Glucose Meter

Your diabetic glucose meter or blood sugar meter is the most important tool you can have with you at all times. Your blood meter is the only way you can take a look at your blood within a couple of minutes and know if it is dangerously low or dangerously high.

This is especially important to have while traveling because there are several things that can cause your blood sugar to rise beside the food you eat. Some examples are:

Illness.

Stress.
Not getting enough sleep
Being unable to eat or take your medications at a particular time.
Caffeine.
Dawn phenomenon
- This is when a diabetic has an unusual rise in their blood sugar, for no apparent reason, between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Insulin.
- Your body may not react to the insulin as it normally does.

Photo credit: Google

Meters

When it comes to meters, you want one that is high-quality, affordable and comes with features that are important to you. Ascensia is the maker of the Contour meter line. This line of meters has many styles and there is sure to be one that is exactly what you need. They are highly accurate. Ascensia is the industry leader in personal glucose meters. They were the first company to make them. They have been working for more than 70-years to make products to improve the lives of people dealing with diabetes. When they started in the 1940s, the average lifespan of an adult with diabetes was in their 40s. Children usually died before they were 5-years old. We recommend you have two meters. One should be with you at all times. Keep it in your bag, office, or car. A good one to have is the Contour Next Blood Glucose Meter. The other meter should be kept in your “to-go bag”. If you leave for any length of time, you can grab your bag and you know you are covered.

See your doctor

Before you engage on any trip, see your doctor for a check-up. Make sure you are in good physical condition before you take on the trip. Let him know your plans and see if he advises anything special that you should take along. If you are going on a cruise, he may recommend a nausea patch so your diet will not be interrupted. If you are traveling across the world via plane, he may want you to take a mild sedative to calm you on the long trip. He may want you to take along a few sleeping tablets to keep your sleep regulated, especially if you travel internationally.

Photo credit: Hoang Loc

What to take along and building your “to-go bag”

Glucose meter
- As established above. Keep this in your bag
Medications, including needles, extra strips, and enough meds for your trip plus 3 days
- Airlines may not let you take your entire prescriptions on the plane.
Copies of your prescriptions written from your doctors
- You can get this from your pharmacy
- (keep one on you and one in your bag.)
Glucose tablets or hard candy to bring your sugar up fast
- Never be without these. (Keep extra in your bag)
Extra shoes/socks
- You must take extra precautions with your feet
Copies of your wallet contents
- You keep your identification, credit cards, insurance cards, and other important information in your wallet. Make a copy (front and back) of everything in your wallet. Keep this copy in your bag. If your wallet is lost or stolen you will have all the card numbers and phone numbers to report your cards stolen so you can get emergency replacements. You will have your insurance information so you can get to a doctor or hospital without problems. This will save you a lot of time and stress. Note: when you get to the hotel, lock your copy in the hotel safe along with airline tickets.
Snacks
- Always have a snack with you.
  - Keep extra snacks in your bag. If you are stuck and cannot find food, a granola bar or peanut butter crackers will help. They travel well and will give you the extra sugar you need. Also, carry a bottle of water.
First-aid kit
- You must always watch for blisters on your feet, cuts, and scrapes that can get infected. Keep a small first aid kit in your bag with antibiotic ointment and bandages to treat any minor injury quickly.
Sunscreen cream or spray
- A diabetic has sensitive skin. You must protect your skin from burns. Even on a mild day, the sun can burn you. Be sure to keep sunscreen in your bag.
Map
- Map out where you are going and when.
  - Include where you can get medication or medical care in the area
- Take a copy with you and leave a copy in your bag. If you become ill and do not return on time, this will let people know where you are going. This could save your life.

You can travel with diabetes. But, you have to take extra steps to be well and responsible. You must let others know your situation if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t tell them. This is just good common sense. So go ahead and book your trips. There is nothing stopping you but you. Just go for it! You will be glad you did.

Travel

Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2022

TOCaribNews

St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season. Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Mr. James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

Travel

Gambling Regulations In Canada And The Caribbean: What You Need To Know

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2022

TOCaribNews

There are several trusted licensing authorities that oversee land-based and online gambling in the Caribbean, and in Canada, it’s all overseen in each province by the local provincial government. You also have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is situated on an Indian land reserve in Quebec.

This trusted licensing authority is independent of Canada, and it’s part of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory government. At one time, it was the licensing authority in the whole of North America, prior to US states regulating online casino gambling. Here is a look at gambling regulations in Canadian and the Caribbean and what you need to know as a player.

Are online casinos in Canada licensed by the Canadian government?

In Canada, gambling at online casinos is legal, and the gambling operator that’s based in that province must be licensed by the local provincial government’s licensing agency. For example, in Ontario, gambling is monitored and regulated by iGaming Ontario, which is a subsidiary of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).

In other words, to legally operate an online casino in Ontario, an operator must have first obtained a license from iGaming Ontario. However, there’s still nothing stopping a foreign operator that’s based outside of Canadian borders from aiming their business toward Ontario citizens because they fall outside of Canadian jurisdiction. One of the other major licensing authorities that has issued licenses to hundreds of online casinos is the previously mentioned Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Because the regulation and licensing of online casinos and other similar real money gambling sites is still relatively new in Canada, it’s why you will see that many of today’s best Ontario casino sites are licensed outside of Canada, by one or more other reputable licensing authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or the Malta Gaming Authority.

How is online gambling regulated in the Caribbean?

There are several different gambling regulators/licensing authorities in the Caribbean, but these are often referred to as ‘rubber stamp’ licensing authorities. For example, you have the Directorate of Offshore Gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority in the Anjouan and Comoros Islands, and the Curaçao Ministry of Justice in Curaçao (the former Netherlands Antilles).

While not all online casinos that have obtained a license from one of these authorities can be classed as ‘rogue casinos’, the best thing to do would be to stick to playing at the sites that are licensed either by a provincial Canadian government licensing authority or by one of the others mentioned above (e.g., by the UK Gambling Commission – one of the most trusted online gambling regulators in the world).

Why sign up to a casino that’s licensed by a provincial Canadian government or the Malta Gaming Authority?

These reputable authorities don’t just hand out a license to any old operator that has the cash to buy one. They heavily vet their licensees and carry out the necessary due diligence prior to issuing a license. They have the best legal framework in place, and they only license the most trusted operators. Should an issue arise at a casino that’s licensed in one of these jurisdictions (which is highly unlikely), you would have the proper legal backing that you, as a player, deserve. In other words, your complaint or issue will not go unanswered and will be resolved within a relatively short period of time.

Travel

11 Fun Vacation Ideas That Will Keep You Entertained

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2022

TOCaribNews

When it comes to taking a vacation, many people think they need to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. This is not always the case! Plenty of fun vacation ideas will keep you entertained without breaking the bank. This blog post will discuss 11 different vacations you can take without spending a lot of money. So whether you are looking for an adventure or want to relax on the beach, we have you covered!

Hiking and camping

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, hiking and camping are great options. There are many trails all over the world that you can explore. And if you camp in an RV or tent, it will be even cheaper! This is a great way to get in touch with nature and see fantastic sights.

Try your hand at gambling

Gambling doesn’t always mean going to a casino—there are many different ways to gamble, and not all require money. You can play card games or bet on sports games with friends. You may wager on sports, horse races, and other events from anywhere with just a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You should give it a chance now that single-game betting in Ontario is legal in different provinces. Numerous online betting firms provide bonuses and incentives, and the whole idea of gambling is to have fun.

Visit a national park

Another excellent option for those who love the outdoors is to visit a national park. There are parks throughout the United States and in many other countries. This is a great way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth without spending a lot of money. Many parks offer free or discounted admission days, so check out before going.

Take a road trip

A road trip is another great vacation idea that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can explore different parts of your country or even take an international trip! Just be sure to plan your route and budget accordingly. And don’t forget to pack snacks and games for the car ride.

Have a staycation

If you are short on time or money, a staycation is always an option. This is where you spend your vacation at home or in a nearby city. There are many things to do on a staycation, such as visiting local attractions, going out to eat, and seeing movies. You can also use this time to relax at home and catch up on some much-needed rest.

Take an art class

One fun activity you can do on vacation is taking an art class. This is a great way to try something new and connect with your creative side. You can find classes for all different types of art, such as painting, pottery, and photography. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a museum

Museums are another great option for those who want to learn on vacation. There are museums for different topics, such as history, art, and science. Many museums also offer discounts or free days, so be sure to check that out before you go.

See a live show

Seeing a live show is an excellent option if you are looking for some entertainment on vacation. Depending on your interests, you can see a play, musical, or concert. This is a great way to experience some cultures and see something new.

Visit a theme park

Theme parks are always a popular vacation destination. And there are many different ones to choose from all over the world. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun at a theme park. There are often discounts and promotions available if you plan ahead.

Take a cooking class

One last fun vacation idea is taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and get some hands-on experience in the kitchen. You can find cooking classes for all different types of food, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, visiting a winery is a great option. You can spend your days touring different vineyards, sampling wines, and learning about the wine-making process. And many wineries offer discounts or complimentary tastings if you visit during certain times of the year.

These are just a few of the many fun vacation ideas that you can try. So get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to have fun!