Bangkok - "A City of Angels"

Our stay in Thailand is short. We will be in Bangkok Sunday, January 24 through Thursday, January 28. We are very fortunate to have made a contact through my friend and colleague, David Morrisey, Director of the U.S. International Council on Disabilities (USICD). On Monday, we will be visiting the office of the Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Region (DPI/AP) where we have the honor of hearing from Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay, Regional Development Officer.  She will present on ‘Disability and Poverty in the Asia-Pacific Region.  This will be followed by a presentation on ‘ICT, Disability and Development’ by Mr. Sawang Srisom, Assistant Regional Development Officer.

My son is happy knowing there is a pool where we are staying at the Bhimaninn Inn (I love to swim). The online ad also states that guests can stroll along the Chao Praya River pier. The Emerald Buddha Temple; the Grand Palace, Khao Sarn Road, and Banglampu area are within walking distance.

Here's a nice description in the Wall Street Journal of the area where we are staying. It describes a nice 4.5 K walk along the Chao Phraya River and refers Bangkok as the "City of Angles".

Sticker shock re anti-malaria drugs

Four hundred dollars?!!! This is what the pharmacist said it would cost for drugs (Malarone) to prevent malaria while in Africa.  My insurance company doesn't want to pay for it. 

My first thought... I wish that Dorgan amendment to allow for cheaper drug importation had been allowed to pass during the health reform debate in the Senate.

My second thought... does my insurance company want to pay for my care when i get malaria instead of just paying for the drugs to PREVENT it.

My third thought... I will just wear full length clothes and bathe in deet while in Accra.

Instead, the pharmacist suggested I have my doctor call the insurance company and tell them that I need the drug. I will try this.

Has anyone else experienced this issue with their insurance company?  Mine is United Healthcare.

Nepal: Mt. Everest, ancient temples and friendly people

Our third stop will be Kathmandu, Nepal, where we'll stay for a week. We're set to arrive on Jan. 16.

I'm looking forward to flying over the tallest mountains of the world, including Mt. Everest. But I'm not only expecting great scenery, but also friendly people. Friends who've gone there for vacation were struck by how friendly the people are.

We're booked at a hotel in the Thamel district called the Hotel Buddha, which claims to have wireless internet. Yeah, I hope it's true! And more importantly: Does it have laundry?  This hotel also boasts 24-hour electricity with backup generators guaranteed...Hmmm, I'd better have my laptop, camera, and cell phone charged up before leaving Dubai!

I don't have all the details yet, but here are a few highlights of what we'll do there..

We'll have a group excursion to Changunarayan to tour the oldest temple in Kathmandu. After lunch, we plan to take a 3-hour guided hike to Nagarkot.  Nagarkot is 2,175 m above the sea-level where we hope to have a panoramic view of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest).

Readers: Other places that have been suggested to visit include those listed below.  Any other suggestions to add to this list???

In/Near Thamel

Keshar Mahal Palace and Gardens
Kathmandu Durbar Square / King’s Palace
Kumari Ghar

Around the Kathmandu Valley
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Pashupatinath
Boudhanath Stupa
Swoyambhunath Stupa

Please see earlier posts for information about Accra,Ghana and Dubai, UAE.

Investigating Dubai

I'm looking outside at almost 2 feet of snow making it hard to imagine that we will be in HOT Dubai in just a few short weeks!  We will arrive in Dubai on January 10. I am reviewing the information about our trip to Dubai put together by Laura Eisenman, one of the UDel faculty primarily responsible for organizing this amazing experience for the students.

Here is an online tour of the beautiful Hotel Riviera overlooking the famous Dubai Creek where we are fortunate to be staying.

On Tuesday our group will be visiting the Jumeirah Mosque, the only mosque in the U.A.E., which is open to non-Muslims.

On Wednesday, following our class time and site visits, we hope to experience the amazing Dubai desert.

I also hope to have time to take this walking tour of the old Deira when we have a break in our schedule.

I invite readers (especially you students who should now be completing your finals and going home for the holidays) to add to this conversation!  Are you packing your bags? What are you doing to get ready?

International Day of People with Disabilities

Today, December 3, 2009, is the International Day of People with Disabilities. This annual observance promotes a global understanding of disability issues and the opportunities to achieve full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by people with disabilities. I just read a statement from the United States International Council on Disabilities concerning this important day. The website also has an array of news and features regarding disability and human rights community in the US and abroad.

Disability Situation in Ghana: a summary

Our first stop on our world tour is Accra, Ghana.  We leave from Phila on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 6:55 p.m. and arrive in Accra on Sunday at 8:55 p.m. (after an 8-hour layover in London).

Before our departure, we are all asked to research and study the political, geographical and disability systems in the countries we are visiting.  Here is a summary of the Disability Situation in Ghana.

We are staying at the international hostel at the University of Ghana. Here's a map of Accra.

Query for experienced world travellers

Only one month until departure.  I have a question for anyone who has travelled to London and or India.  We have two 8-hour layovers during our trip.  One at Heathrow airport on Jan 3 and one in Delhi on Jan. 23. 

Is is possible for 25 people to see some of London during that time and get back in time for an international flight to Accra? and what about 8 hours in Delhi on Jan. 23 prior to departure for Bangkok?

Meeting the Students

At our first orientation at the University of Delaware, I was able to meet the 23 students joining us for the trip around  the world. We discussed the itinerary, our accomodations, and what programs we will see.

My first post

Hi!
This is my first post to my new blog: Disability Around the World.  I am joining the University of Delaware this January to take 23 students to Accra, Ghana; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Kathmandu, Nepal, and Bangkok, Thailand. 

Today I mailed an application to renew my passport (my last one was issued in 1996 but I think I look the same :-) and I had to make an appointment at a local travel clinic to get vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, and malaria.  These vaccinations are not given by primary care providers and my insurance will, unfortunately, not pay for the cost of them (estimated to total about $150).

Our first orientation meeting is this Friday at the University.  We will be discussing the itinerary, how to prepare for the trip, the course readings, and other details everyone needs to get ready. I am looking forward to meeting the students!

Kim