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I went on my first holiday to the tropics recently. I was afraid of catching disease, so I did a bit of research, and took some precautions. Here are some tips I found useful.

1. Get your shots.

I spent a short time in areas relatively free of mosquito-borne disease. The key word is ‘relatively’. A two week holiday in an urban area is probably alright. If you’re staying for months, or in an area flagged as dangerous, get your shots well in advance. Don’t leave it until the last minute, as by then it’ll be too late! The drugs need some time to ‘kick in’, and your doctor may have to order them in advance.

2. Get an insect repellent.

I made one for mosquitoes by mixing citronella with olive oil. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I rubbed the mixture on all exposed areas morning and night, and after washing. Seemed to do the trick. I put too much oil in, I think, so it smelled a bit. Better that, than being bitten, I say!

3. Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers.

I also wore socks in bed. Give pests no purchase! Mosquitoes are just doing what comes naturally; they need your blood to live. It’s just unfortunate that they can pass on parasites when they bite. Deny them a meal, and the only things you’ll bring back from your holiday are a silly hat and some souvenir photos. To wear long sleeved garments in bed, you’ll need a room with a fan and air conditioning. No need to set them to freezing; just cool, with a slight breeze.

4. Air conditioning.

Air conditioning and fans are supposed to deflect mosquitoes, which is good. Avoid ‘going native’, and thinking you’re as hardy as the locals. They get malaria and dengue as well, be sure of that.

5. Use mosquito nets.

Do what you can to keep them at bay. Paranoia is good!

6. Avoid ice and salads

Ice can have faecal coliforms. It depends on what water it’s been made from. Salads can be prepared by low-paid workers who’ve forgotten to wash their hands. In Muslim countries, they often don’t use toilet paper, just a hose, so if the staff haven’t been scrupulous about their personal hygiene …

You may feel self-conscious about refusing. Would you like your holiday to be spoiled by a spell in hospital, in a Third-world country, just for the sake of avoiding embarrassment? People like people who are forthright, so stick to your guns.

7. Don’t drink the water.

A country can have a veneer of modernity, but what separates the men from the boys is the sewage system. The tap water may not be filtered properly. Drink bottled water, or water you’ve boiled yourself. Get a kettle, and boil it up every day, then put the water in your water bottle in the morning. Easy.

8. Drink plenty of water.

A few sips every so often, rather than a litre in one go. You’ll save on trips to the lavatory!

9. Stay out of the sun.

There’s a reason the locals are laid back; it’s too hot to run around like you do at home. Sun tanning is actually skin damage. Due to ozone layer depletion, you may be getting more than a golden tan. Who cares if you don’t come back home bronzed? Ladies especially will appreciate this in later years, when their sisters have leathery skin from roasting on the beach. Nothing less ‘cool’ than a white man with sunstroke, either.

When travelling in the tropics, it’s best to be paranoid. I hope you can still enjoy your holiday!

T. O’ Donnell http://www.tigertom.com/chat_rooms.htm is an internet entrepreneur in London, UK. His latest project is an ebook on mortgages in the UK, available at http://www.tigertom.com/mortgages-uk.shtml

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In the excitement of considering life as an RVer, it may not occur to some that the new lifestyle demands several non-recreational roles to be assumed. One of these roles is the handyman (ladies included). I point this out not to throw cold water on the exciting plans, but to prepare you for a certainty that comes standard with living in an RV, no matter how new the unit.

If fixing things around the house is your thing, then fixing things in an RV will come easy for you. On the other hand, if you rely on someone else when the simplest thing goes wrong, prepare yourself to become handy or take a handyman along on your RV adventure.

Think that you can dismiss this role by throwing money at it? Not so fast! Even if your budget can sustain paying for all preventive maintenance and repairs, services may not always be available. Imagine the difference it would make if you can do your own RV repair, versus having to spend a day or two of your week-long vacation at the shop.

RV REPAIRS VS. HOUSE REPAIRS

Even though an RV is considerably smaller than a modest house, it requires more frequent repairs. This is also true for brand new recreational vehicles, while new houses are mostly trouble-free in their first few years.

Some of the reasons for the increased repairs in an RV are the following:

• Lighter construction throughout, due to weight and space constraints. Even the appliances are not made as well as the ones manufactured for fixed residences.
• RV’s have more moving parts, some of them complex.
• Vibration, bumping, and frame flexing caused by travel can break or loosen all sorts of components.
• Less insulation means preventive measures must be taken in freezing weather. If preventive measures are ignored, repairs may be necessary.
• Unlike houses that are frequently inspected during construction, RV’s have no such regulatory requirements. This leaves quality control up to each manufacturer, some of which choose to build poor quality products. This is why it is so important to inspect all RV’s before buying.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A HANDYMAN?

From my own experience and from observing others on both sides of the handyman fence, I have come to the conclusion that the two requirements to become handy are: interest in solving a problem and not being intimidated by machinery. A close third is knowing your limits; knowing when a problem is beyond your skills and being willing to ask for professional help. Once you posses the above three attributes, the finer skills of being a handyman can be learned with time and practice.

As you are gaining experience, keep this old saying in mind: “Measure twice and cut once.” The key is not to be so afraid that you won’t try, but to be extra cautious when approaching an unfamiliar problem. Are you about to drill through a wall? Do all you can to examine both sides of the wall and items near it. If there is a chance that utilities may be running through that wall, do not proceed without consulting blue prints or an expert.

MAINTENANCE & REPAIR TASKS

Handyman skills are necessary for RV preventive maintenance and for making repairs. Below is a list of common tasks that a person possessing a good dose of common sense and average skills should be able to handle without specialized training:

Motor home engine or tow vehicle components:

• Check and fill engine oil
• Check and fill engine coolant
• Check and fill other engine fluids
• Check and adjust tire pressure
• Lubricate under-chassis steering joints
• Lubricate hitch moving components

Recreational vehicle components:

• Repair or install cabinetry hinges, slides, and latches
• Re-attach paneling with nails or adhesive
• Fix external storage door hinges and support arms
• Replace broken entryway handles
• Dislodge and lubricate stubborn awning mechanisms
• Replace bulbs
• Find and replace blown fuses
• Troubleshoot basic electrical problems with a multimeter
• Test RV park A/C power voltage
• Check and fill RV battery water
• Test RV battery charge level
• Replace common electric motors such as water pump and waste water valve motors
• Drill holes in various locations to run wires, but having enough sense to know where not to drill in order to avoid damaging components beneath the surface.
• Find source of water leak and caulk it
• Repair leaky water lines and hoses that are easily accessible
• Unclog slow or blocked sink and shower drains
• Insulate exposed hoses and pipes to prevent freezing
• Winterize RV before cold storage to prevent freezing
• Repair broken sewage connectors and covers
• Detect and find propane leaks
• Clear clogged air conditioner drain passages
• Recognize and correct common refrigerator problems. For example, my mostly-new Norcold fridge occasionally stops cooling until I reset the control board by unplugging the 12 volt DC wire in the back. According to a service guy, this is common for this brand.

HANDYMAN ESSENTIALS

Take it from me and the Boy Scoutsit is good to be prepared. I remember racing across Dallas a few minutes before 11:00 P.M., trying to make it to an AutoZone to buy fuses before they closed. The converter in our brand new RV blew a fuse, the batteries were mostly drained, and without spare fuses our new home just sat there in the dark. This incident would have turned into an uncomfortable night were it to happen during a vacation, far away from auto part stores.

To be prepared, take along a complete set of common tools such as hammers, screw drivers, etc. In addition, take all of the following tools, supplies, and spares that apply to your situation:

Tools:

• Hydraulic jacks rated for the RV weight
• Sturdy blocks for using under hydraulic jacks. Check your jacks before you need them because they may not extend high enough to lift the RV without the use of blocks. Concrete or other masonry blocks may not be strong enough to support the weight of heavy RV’s and tow trucks.
• Torque wrench for tightening the wheel lug nuts
• Tags: fifth wheel, motor home, motorhome, recreational vehicle, RV, travel trailerfifth wheel, motor home, motorhome, recreational vehicle, RV, travel trailer

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Are you thinking about your next vacation? Fancy going somewhere exotic? You need look no further than New Zealand. Perhaps you enjoy dining out, maybe you love hiking, perhaps you are an adventure junkie or maybe you just like to laze around on the beach. New Zealand has it all.

New Zealand consists of two major islands. They are very different in terms of scenery and both islands are packed with a variety of holiday options.

The North Island has 2 major cities, Auckland which is the largest city in New Zealand by far with a population of 1.2 million people. Still not that large a city by most countries standards but it is very spread out land wise. Auckland is located in the northern part of the North Island and is the main gateway for travellers coming in to the country. The other major city is Wellington which is located at the southern tip of the North Island. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and there is an efficient ferry service providing the connection between the North and South Island.

The major holiday areas are as follows but don’t be confined to these areas as there is a lot more on offer.

Bay of Islands

Located around 160 miles or 260 km north of Auckland, this region consists of 144 islands and bays. This area has a very temperate climate and is well equipped for visitors. There are many accommodation options and plenty of things to do to keep you occupied. Many of the activities are focussed around the water as wherever you are, you will be surrounded by water containing an abundant marine life. If you are a keen fisherman, you will be in heaven.

Auckland

Approximately one third of the whole population of New Zealand lives in the greater Auckland area. If you enjoy shopping, beaches or sailing, you could spend your whole time in Auckland. Auckland has often been voted the best lifestyle city in the world with its cosmopolitan city and beautiful harbour and beaches close by. As with any big city there are multitudes of top quality restaurants, cultural activities great shopping and as it has a beautiful harbour, lots of water activities.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a unique area of New Zealand. Located about 2

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