This is how I travel on holiday, and why you should too
But we all have a child lurking inside of us, according to Swiss psychologist Carl Jung. It may only be a metaphor for the childlike aspects of our personality and emotional state, but ignore it at your peril, or your inner child will scream for four hours straight on the long-haul flight and throw a tantrum if you don't take it to Disneyland.
We need to give these little brats – sorry, adorable youngsters – a good time because otherwise travelling can just be too grown-up for words. That means giving ourselves permission to spend half a day in an amusement park – the Tivoli in Copenhagen, or the Prater in Vienna – and to do silly things, like hire a pedal-boat on Lake Geneva, or stop for an ice-cream whenever you feel like it.
In Bordeaux, the Miroir d'Eau, or Water Mirror, is a thing of beauty – but it is also a thing of fun. An adult would stand there and aim for a symmetrical photograph in which the pool of shallow water reflects the shimmering magnificence of the Place de la Bourse and surrounding monuments. They would tell you the reservoir of water beneath it contains 800 cubic metres of water, that it operates ecologically as a closed circuit, and that it was designed by Michel Corajoud in 2006. A child would just run into it, laughing, delighted by the finale of thick clouds of fog.
Inner children don't know there are any rules to break, which gives them a great advantage over adults. My partner is keener on luxury spas than she is on visiting aquariums and zoos, so I head off to spend a couple of hours with manta ray sharks or wander through butterfly enclosures on my own. Except I'm not on my own, because mini-me is always with big-me, having a grand old time.
I still laugh out loud every time I think of the polar bear in New York's Central Park Zoo. As he did his daily laps in the pool, he'd press his giant white furry bottom against the viewing glass, right in front of my face, before pushing off to the other end. Biggest bum I have ever seen. Imagine if he'd farted! (Kids love farting.)
Feeding your inner child is even more amusing. It's incredible the rubbish they are prepared to eat, at any hour of the day. Chocolate is especially good – for breakfast. In Naples, it's worth seeking out the best pizzeria for a margherita (Pizzeria Da Attilio), to feel that little face light up; and in Singapore, follow the crowds to the best ice kachang stall (Annie's, at Tanjong Pagar hawker centre), for a frozen treat that's like a kid's birthday party on ice.
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As a general rule, airlines will not refrigerate drugs on board (space is at a premium), but cabin crew will replenish your cooler with ice as required so don't be afraid to ask for help. Happily, things will be a little easier aboard your Uniworld cruise. I had a chat with the team and they said all you have to do is approach a Uniworld crew member when you board the ship and they'll store your pens for you in one of their fridges, no problem at all. Remember, too, that when you're travelling with diabetes equipment, you must carry copies of a letter from your GP outlining your medical condition, your medications and the devices you're using for your insulin and blood glucose testing. You should also carry scripts (readable, and in your name) for all medications, as well as your National Diabetes Services Scheme card, which is accepted as proof you need to carry your diabetes equipment. You'll need to present your medication at security, but it's helpful to know that your supply is exempt from the 100ml of liquid maximum in carry-on rule for international travel. I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. I'm planning on joining an organised tuktuk tour in Thailand. Can you advise on travel insurance companies which will provide cover for this? When I read your email, I started thinking about the number of times I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. Did I start panicking on behalf of all Aussie travellers who've done exactly the same thing? You betcha, but happily, Natalie Ball from Compare Travel Insurance provided reassurance. 'Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk,' she said. 'While Thailand has a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders and passengers, there is no law that you must wear a helmet in a tuktuk.' Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk. Travel insurers take individual circumstances into account and many tuktuks do not provide helmets for passengers, she added. 'We're not aware of any travel insurer that specifically says that you must wear a helmet when travelling as a passenger in a tuktuk, but if you're heading to Thailand, it would pay to check with your insurer.' If you're struggling to find the right insurers, Fast Cover and Travel Insurance Direct both clearly state that they provide cover for those riding as passengers in tuktuks. Phew! Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible . Originally published as Doc Holiday: Do I need a visa if I'm transiting through the USA?
