9 minute read
Lifestyle
Jump onboard!
I’m back in familiar territory - my old stamping ground of Japan.
And while this is a mother and daughter holiday, I’m also refreshing my knowledge and checking out things for March 2019 when I will escort a fabulous cruise taking in China, Korea, and Japan during their haze free, picture perfect, too short spring.
If you haven’t heard of this trip before, then you’re clearly not in the know! This Regent Seven Seas luxury cruise (at a very affordable price) is all but sold out, save for the few rooms that Trendsetter still has available to sell. And it’s a great deal because not only will you enjoy 18 days sailing, but we then follow this up with 3 nights touring in Tokyo, a most exciting city. Come with me for this taste of the experiences to come, if not in reality at least vicariously!
Our journey commences in China with an overnight in each of Shanghai and Tianjin (the port for Beijing). Both these cities are amazingly modern - remember the iconic architecture created for the Beijing Olympics? And yet each has managed to retain some of the traditional and old so that you can still feel the roots and sense the culture that imbues life in China today. The unlimited free excursions enjoyed on this cruise will allow you to experience this for yourselves. Leave the skyscrapers and travel to the water village of Suzhou, or explore the Forbidden City in Beijing. Plenty of choices await.
There is also one more Chinese city you’ll get to explore and that is Dalian, consistently voted one of the top three cities in China. It was supposedly built on a plan of Paris, and with its many trees and gardens is high on the liveability index.
We then leave China and sail toward Korea, arriving after a palate-cleansing day at sea, ready for the delights of Seoul and Busan. I’ll be heading to picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village, a village of traditional banok houses dating all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty. Amazingly, they are still lived in and in the heart of the city between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Busan will be new to me. Described by Lonely Planet guide as “one of the great unheralded cities in Asia. Brimming with cobalt oceans, verdant mountains and delectable fare, it's a city full of surprises and a laid-back vibe.” I can’t wait!
Finally, we travel south to Japan with Nagasaki our first port of call. Long before it became famous as the second of two Japanese cities to succumb to extensive bombing, Nagasaki was the port where many foreigners, particularly the Dutch, came to trade and where missionaries tried to convert the Japanese to Christianity. For decades it was always more outward looking and somewhat accepting of cultural differences, and this coupled with its southernmost location provides a totally different experience to that of the traditional cities.
From Nagasaki we sail to Kagoshima, known as the Naples of the East for its bay location, hot climate, and stratovolcano Mt Sakura; and then Hososhima, the gateway port to a number of Kyushu’s beautiful shrines and temples. The next stop is Hiroshima, where it’s unlikely anyone will miss the opportunity to visit Peace Park and the Museum dedicated to the memory of the atom bomb experience that in these times of political uncertainty, serves as a poignant reminder about why rearmament is indeed scary. An overnight in Hiroshima will allow us all to explore further – Hiroshima is not just about the war.
The Inland Sea of Japan is one of the most scenically beautiful and revered places in Japan, being a long expanse of inland waterway and peppered with hundreds of small islands and rocky outcrops. We wend out way up through Kochi (where I will be looking to bathe in some natural hot springs), and overnight in Kobe, the port for the temple and garden heaven Kyoto with thousands of cherry blossom trees in bloom. Our penultimate stop is Shimizu, from where many will head towards iconic Mt Fuji , before a final sail into Tokyo harbour for our 3-night land touring.
Wow, what a diverse and exciting range of experiences this cruise and tour presents. I jumped onboard, so to speak, at the chance to escort a group on cruise, which is sure to be a ‘best of’ event. The choice of up to 56 complimentary excursions is a wonderful bonus. I do hope you can be enticed to join me in March 2019 and I welcome your enquiries where I can tell you much more. I am brimming with excitement!
TRAVEL Adrienne Witteman, Managing Director, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre.
More than just a pretty smile
Looking after your pet’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do for their health and wellbeing.
Dental disease is often underestimated - both in how frequently it occurs and the significance it has on the affected animal. Your vet can assess your pet’s teeth and guide you on dental care, whether it is home care or a dental procedure performed under a general anaesthetic.
Dental problems in dogs and cats can range in severity from tartar and gingivitis through to bone loss, tooth root abscesses and rotten teeth.
Dental disease often starts early in life, with vets commonly seeing tartar in animals as young as one or two years old. This is not particularly surprising when we consider that dogs and cats have teeth and gums that are quite similar to our own. While people brush their teeth twice daily, floss and use mouthwash to maintain dental hygiene, many pets receive little preventative care throughout their life.
People who own dogs and cats are often surprised when their vet finds problems with their pet’s teeth. It is rare for them to show evidence of pain, as stopping eating generally only occurs at the most extreme end of dental disease. We know ourselves that problems with our teeth can be extremely painful - even with relatively minimal disease compared to what our furry friends suffer from. However, a dog or cat’s instinct is to keep eating for survival, so they will eat through tremendous amounts of pain, potentially downplaying the severity of the problem. This can make dental disease more difficult to detect.
Good dental hygiene starts with at home care. Your vet can advise you on the best way to do this dependent upon your pet and their behaviour, size, current issues and dietary requirements.
Specially designed dental diets, chews and water additives can be used. However, the gold standard of at home dental care is tooth brushing. Many people just cannot imagine
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brushing their cat or dogs’ teeth, but surprisingly many animals do take to it well. It is often easier to start when they are young or train them to accept it using positive reinforcement.
Species appropriate toothpaste must be used which is flavoured to increase appeal (chicken flavour is much more acceptable to dogs and cats than mint!) and is safe for them to swallow. A soft children’s toothbrush or a finger toothbrush can be used. Brushing is best performed daily, however there is still a benefit in a few times per week if you cannot commit to daily brushing.
Once dental disease is detected, your vet may recommend a dental procedure. It can only be performed safely, painlessly and thoroughly in an animal under anaesthetic, as full assessment of the teeth requires probing of the gums and dental x-rays. These tests are very important as teeth are much like icebergs, with two thirds of the tooth being below the gum line and therefore out of view. Once the mouth has been assessed, the teeth will be scaled and polished, very similarly to how humans have their teeth treated at the dentist. If any diseased teeth are detected, they will generally be extracted to remove the source of pain and infection.
Procedures such as root canals can be used to retain damaged teeth under Dental certain circumstances, and this would need to be disease performed by a vet with additional training in often starts dentistry. Many owners worry about their animals early in being able to eat once teeth life are removed, but dogs and cats are remarkably resilient in this department, and generally eat normally and comfortably once healing has occurred.
So next time you visit your vet, ask about your pet’s teeth and how you can keep them in the best possible health. Your dog or cat will thank you for it!
Dr Michelle Trebeck. Veterinarian. Figtree Veterinary Clinic Shop 10/225 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove West. Ph: 9428 4700
CONTACT AGENT CONTACT AGENT
1 Carranya Road, Riverview 5 bed 2.5 bath 2 car
Enviably positioned on a rare 965sqm approx near-level, rear-to-north facing block (overlooking Warraroon Reserve), this inviting family abode embraces an idyllic lifestyle within a prized locale.
Paul Nees 0432 995 847 35 Wilfred Avenue, Chatswood 3/4 bed 1 bath 2 car
Hidden back from the street for the utmost privacy, 'Green Trees' is a unique period residence within a stunning National Parkland locale. Perfect fusion of convenience and contemporary design, it delivers a secluded oasis close to everything.
Paul Nees 0432 995 847 Joanne Tan 0410 092 508
AUCTION 21/04/18 at 2.15pm
19 Upper Cliff Road, Northwood 4 bed 3 bath 2 car Open: Sat 1 – 1.30pm & Wed 6 – 6.30pm
• Substantial family home transformed by flawless renovation • Elevated aspect with district, city skyline, Harbour Bridge views. • Formal and informal indoor/outdoor entertaining with lap pool.
Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 Kim Walters 0499 014 886 AUCTION 28/04/18 on site
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An opportunity to purchase a level 651sqm block, superbly located. Potential to capture northerly and westerly harbour views as well as the sought after bridge and city skyline. 1 min walk to Greenwich ferry.
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FOR SALE
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50 Ronald Avenue Greenwich 4 bed 3 bath 5 car
Sensational architecturally designed family home in exquisite bush setting.
