Thanks to medical advances, he has now got a false eye which look almost real, with precise colour-matching, accurate shaping and some eye movement possible. Modern surgery means that, if possible, the tear glands are not removed, so people with a false eye can still cry.

Mr Ashwin Reddy, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at Barts, who performed Teddie’s operation, explained that eye implants today are made of a bone-like material called hydroxyapatite. The tissues around the eye and the blood vessels then grow into this. The implant is stitched between the muscles at the back of the socket so that the patient can move their ‘eye’

Teddie can still do all the same things as other children his age, including swimming. The only thing he should avoid is contact sports.

It is nice to hear a medical good news story, which I why I thought I would share it with you, even though I would admit that it doesn’t really have much to do with travel. Nice to think though that medical advances like these make it a lot easier for people with medical conditions to enjoy going on holidays, and doing whatever activities they want to do when they are there…

According to a BBC report, the right has been suspended by the High Court. In November 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the damage sustained by air passengers in cases of long delay is comparable with that of cancellation, unless the delay is caused by “extraordinary circumstances” beyond the control of the airline. However, the High Court has referred the matter back to the ECJ for a further hearing and has put a stay on new rulings in the UK, until the ECJ has time to reconsider.

This new judgment from the ECJ could be delayed until the first half of 2012 so that leaves a while to wait for a decision.

Oh dear! Now we all know how annoying it is when you are at an airport and your flight is delayed. All you want is to get to your holiday destination  (or get home) and start relaxing. It is especially problematic when you have a short break and then a large proportion of your holiday might be lost. So what can you do about this?

Well unfortunately, not much. We all know that some airlines seem to be worst offenders for delays than others, so you might want to be a bit choosy with the flights you book. Alternatively, you could always consider a cruise as a least if there are any delays (although this is unlikely) you are still enjoying your holiday at the same time!

One other big consideration should be your travel insurance. If you opt for a comprehensive travel insurance, then you can still claim for travel delays. For example, AllClear offer up to £100 benefit if you experience delays (depending on the length of delay). This is the case if your trip is delayed by industrial action (provided industrial action wasn’t expected when the policy was taken out); adverse weather or technical fault.

So what do you need to do if the worst should happen and you are delayed? Well first of all stay calm, and try and not let the delays spoil your holiday! And then secondly make sure you obtain written confirmation from the airline stating the period of delay and the reason for it.

If you have any other questions about travel delay, or claiming for it, please do ask them below and we will try to help…

Carrie-Anne Dudbridge broke her spine in three places after falling 20ft from a balcony while on her honeymoon in Corfu. The honeymoon was a surprise gift from wedding guests.

Unfortunately, the couple were then left stranded because they travelled without any travel insurance. They wrongly believed they were covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), formally known as the E111.Thankfully, an appeal to raise the £16,000 required for a specially equipped air ambulance has reached its target. An appeal was also placed on the Millwall FC website, as the couple are fans.

Do you know what your EHIC card really means when you require treatment while on holiday abroad?

We are very pleased that the couple are now getting to go home, but this tragedy really does raise the important point of EHIC. Unfortunately, it is quite confusing what is, and is not covered, so I just wanted to open the forum for a bit of a discussion around this. 

Basically the card guarantees the holder will “receive the same level of medical health care as a local resident”, but the important distinction is that it does not cover any travel costs to come back to the UK. Therefore, given the costs of medical transport back to the UK, it is clear that the EHIC is not a substitute for private travel insurance. – you need both.

So I just wondered what other people’s experiences were of the EHIC card? Have you ever used it when you were away? Has it helped? Or have you had problems trying to use it?

June 1 marked the official beginning of what scientists expect to be a particularly strong hurricane season. The National Weather Service forecasts an 85 percent chance that the 2010 season will be “above normal.”

Colarado State University Hurricane Forecasting Team (Reuters), predicted back in April that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season will produce an above-average eight hurricanes, four of them major, posing a heightened threat to the U.S. coastline. The team also predicted 15 named tropical storms. The team forecast a 69% chance of at least one major hurricane making landfall on the U.S. coastline in 2010, compared with a long-term average probability of 52%. Major hurricanes pack powerful sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour. For the Gulf Coast, from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville, Texas, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall was seen at 44% versus a long-term average of 30%. We have already seen the season’s first hurricane, Hurricane Alex.

The Colorado State University team also predicted a 58% chance of a major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean, where Haiti is vulnerable after a devastating January 12 earthquake that left more than a million people homeless.

Another forecaster, AccuWeather.com, last month also forecast a potentially “extreme” hurricane season this year, with “above-normal threats” to the U.S. coastline.

So if you are thinking of holidaying in the US or the Caribbean, this is something that you really need to think about. Make sure that you check that you book your holiday outside of the hurricane season if at all possible. For example, in Florida, it is by November when there is less chance of hurricanes, but temperatures are still within the 18-26°C range, with six hours of sunshine. Also, make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance in case you need to make a change to your holiday as a result of hurricane activity.

So where are the popular places for a Winter 2010 holiday? Well here are some Winter Sun Spot suggestions from the BBC  Travel Notebook and Travelio.net 

• Spain: Winters are usually mild, warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from 14-23°C. Occasionally there will be severe weather, with gales and heavy rain, as there were in early November 2001 – so those would be the times you would wish you hadn’t bothered booking a winter sun holiday!
• USA: Temperatures in Florida stay within the 18-26°C range, with 6 hours of sunshine. This area is prone to very changeable weather though – check about hurricanes (link to hurricane blog)
• Caribbean: The winter months are dry, with temperatures around 24-27°C and 9 hours of sunshine every day
• Cyprus: Temperatures range from 16-23°C, and although winters are usually mild and sunny, the island can experience its heaviest rainfalls at this time.
• Portugal: The Algarve and the island of Madeira are popular year round destinations.
• Asia: In Thailand, temperatures stay at 30-34°C all year round, but with less rainfall from November to April.  Equatorial Malaysia has hot and wet weather all year round, with temperatures in the 30s°C. The Indonesian islands, like Bali, have a similar climate to Malaysia. It stays hot and humid all year round, with temperatures averaging out at 29-31°C.
• Australia: Imagine relaxing on the famous Bondi beach in Sydney while your friends struggle with the drizzle and gloom back home.
• Brazil: What about checking out Rio de Janeiro, especially during the annual February Carnival.
• South Africa: A mini-tourism boom is anticipated for South Africa in 2011, following on from the success of the World Cup and the intense media coverage.

So what does this information mean for you as you plan your holiday? Well, the key thing I notice from the list is that other than a few places in Europe, the majority of places are quite far away, and you know what that means – yes, that’s it – cramped long haul flights (unless of course you have the time and inclination to go on a long cruise to book your holiday).

So I thought I would provide you with some top tips for those long haul flights. Ultimately, as this article in the Telegraph details, you need to decide the balance between comfort and a lower fare, and obviously that will differ for everyone. Thanks to Backpacking Matt for some of the tips too.

These first tips are all for while you preparing your holiday, and actually travelling to your destination.

• Compare prices: Find out the cheapest economy fare to your destination – this will give you a reference price. Compare this price with the national carrier for each route and main UK airlines such as BA and Virgin.
• Compare flight times: The cheapest fares usually involve a detour or change of plane. While you don’t want to increase your journey time unnecessarily, a chance to stretch your legs might not be a bad thing if it means you’re also saving some money. But by paying a bit more, it could be a 45-minute stop rather than a 12-hour wait.
• Compare ticket types: If you are travelling to New Zealand or Australia, you may find that a round-the-world (RTW) ticket is cheaper than a simple return.
• Compare the small print: Ticket restrictions vary considerably and it’s worth checking the terms and conditions before you buy. Often you are unable to change outbound flights: when you can, it could be free or cost anything between £50 and £100.
• Travel Insurance: You will have paid a lot of money for your long haul flights, so make sure that you get comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case of any problem with the airline or your destination etc
• Compare airline seats: You could try www.seatguru.com to compare different airlines. Reserve a window seat if you can
• Exercise the day before you fly:  Get lots of exercise the day you fly out. Exercising releases chemicals in your brain that helps to reduce stress so you will feel more relaxed about the upcoming hours in the air. Exercise will make you feel tired so you will be more likely to be able to sleep on the plane, no matter how cramped the airline seat is!
• Drink lots of fluid:  Spending hours confined to an airplane will result in you getting dehydrated. That airplane air is not only cold, it’s also extremely dry. Most long-haul flight operators make a point of bringing water and juice around – so make sure you do drink it!

 But what about once you arrive at your beautiful, sunny destination – Florida perhaps? Or Malaysia? All you want to do is enjoy your holiday, but at the same time the flight is catching up with you. Here are some tips that may help….

•  Avoid a post-flight nap: Regardless of when you arrive at your destination, do everything you can to avoid taking that quick ‘one hour’ snooze – chances are you’ll feel worse when you wake up. Power on through the day and go to bed at a normal hour. You’ll feel much better the next morning.
  

  How can you beat the time zone changes when chasing winter sun?

• Get lots of sunlight and fresh air when you arrive:

  Stay active and do some exploring. This will result in you getting exercise, fresh air, and increased vitamin D from being out in the sunshine. This will help keep you alert and allow you to make it to bedtime.

I must say though that overall I agree with backpacker Matt, the travelling part of a long haul holiday might not be the best part – but surely that is a small price to pay once you are luxuriating in that winter sun destination, and have left behind (for a while) the cold Britain!

If you have any more tips for a long haul flight, I’m sure that I haven’t covered them all, please feel free to share them below.

For any of you who don’t know, the 2010 Commonwealth Games are being held in New Dehli, India. Opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.  17 sports will be held in 6 major grounds over a period of 11 days, starting on the 3^rd October.

At least of 2.6 million spectators are expected to come to the Games, so what do you need to make sure that you sort out before you go?

• Passport and Visa: You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your return from India. You will need a visa for travelling, which can be obtained from VFS. It may be that after the Games you want to do some exploring around India, but make sure that you don’t overstay your Visa as otherwise you could be fined or even detained.
• Travel Insurance: Make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance. The last thing you want is to be worrying about that when you should be enjoying the games! When travelling in India, medical treatment can be very expensive, and without comprehensive cover it could be a very costly experience. You should make sure that, as far as possible, your belongings are covered in case of pickpockets, or simply losing your valuable.
• Vaccines: Speak to your GP to make sure that you have all relevant vaccines, and malaria medication, if required
• Safety: Delhi police officers wear a khaki uniform with a light brown beret and there will be a presence at all venues. As with all major sports events, expect large crowds and possible delays at venues due to security checks, and allow plenty of time to purchase tickets and travel to events. You will not be able to bring certain items into the venues including alcohol, coins, matches/lighters, bottles and cans, food, backpacks, briefcases and large handbags, perfume and video cameras. A full list of unpermitted items is on the Commonwealth Games website. 
• Transport: Poorly maintained roads and congestion cause a large number of serious traffic accidents in Delhi, although Delhi’s road and public transport systems have been upgraded for the Games. Special care should be taken at night. If you have a Games ticket, you are entitled to free transport to and from the Games venue on the Delhi Metro and on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses on the day of the event for which your ticket is valid.

I hope that information helps. If you are going to the Games, I really hope you enjoy it. You can find further information about travelling to the Games from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Do let us know if you are going to the Games and what you are planning to see….

Suzie Mackenzie is a journalist and writer who recently wrote a biography of Gordon Brown. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with the highly invasive skin cancer, malignant melanoma. When it recurred five years later, statistics and medical opinion said she would be dead within two years. However, she underwent a controversial therapy which, she says, is the reason that she is still alive today.

Melanoma is a systemic cancer, meaning it can travel to any organ. It begins on the skin, sometimes in a pre-existing mole but commonly on normal skin and looks like a mole. Usually darkly pigmented, it will typically have an asymmetric border. Melanoma is now the fastest growing cancer in the world. Two thousand people died of it in Britain last year, out of 10,000 new cases diagnosed.

Nowadays, we are all a lot more aware of the risk of sun exposure and it is relation to skin cancer – you only have to look at professional cricketers or the signs at your doctors surgery. Nevertheless, it is still not necessarily the main thing that we think about when we are on holiday. But we do really need to be cautious as Melanoma is directly linked to UV-ray exposure. A major trigger seems to be intense bursts of sun, particularly when young. Sunburn and sunbeds both increase risk.

Suzie underwent High-Dose Interferon (HDI) therapy, an experimental treatment that some studies had shown could extend life in some melanoma patients. High Dose Interferon is a form of immunotherapy, which boosts the patient’s own immunity to attack cancer cells. Suzie’s treatment took a year. One month having HDI intravenously for five hours a day, followed by 11 months of self-administered injections every other day. There are a number of side effects: extreme fatigue, nausea, hair loss, weight loss, and serious depressive illness to name but a few.

Most people agree that with Stage 3 Melanoma, HDI improves the odds of survival a small amount, but the drug is controversial as side effects are regarded as disproportionate to benefits. The NHS does not fund HDI as trials have proved inconclusive, but in many US states, HDI is the standard treatment.

If you are considering travelling abroad for treatment for skin cancer, then you might want to take a look at this blog www.thetravellingpatient.wordpress.com which is all about medical tourism.

This one might be a bit of a tough one though, because we are asking  where you have been on holiday and had your best ever food! So it might be a bit tricky to pick just one place, but this is what we are asking you to do.

It might be a pizza in Italy, or a burger in America. Or it could be a curry in India or noodles in Thailand. Just mentally scroll through your holiday memories and then you know the drill –  please fill in the poll below, and we will reveal the results once you have all voted.

 Get voting! And if you have any ideas on what you would like to see in the next poll – please let us know.

That is because we are very proud and wanted to share the news that Globebloggers is a finalist for a Travel Blog award. The award is for the best business to consumer travel blog. The awards are held annually by Travolution, which provides essential information, commentary, market intelligence and analysis for online travel businesses.

The Travolution Awards recognise companies, brands and individuals who excel in the fields of online travel distribution, digital marketing and technology. According to their website, they are the UK travel industry’s highest accolade for innovation and excellence online.

The awards ceremony is being held on the 28^th September so we will let you know how we do. Wish us luck!

As you are sitting there right now, what gadgets do you have in your pocket or handbag. A mobile phone or blackberry, an I-Pod, a digital camera or your laptop? And if you left to go on holiday right now, what gadgets would you be taking with you?

Because according to a recent article in Insurance Times, UK Tourists take £7bn worth of electric gadgets on holiday with them, with up to £1.61bn uninsured. This is because only 77% have travel insurance and only 49% have personal possessions cover on their home insurance.

The average adult will take £424 worth of kit including phones, laptops, MP3 players, DVD players, cameras and camcorders. A group total will reach on average £738 of electronic equipment. And with children add another £100 or more to include electronic games such as Nintendo DS. The average holiday party will take at least two mobile phones with them as well.

So imagine if you lose these gadgets when you are on holiday, or they are stolen. The last thing that you want is issues around claiming for your personal goods. So always make sure that you read the small print of your travel insurance policy and check what is actually covered. If you have any questions, your travel insurance provider should be able to help you.