Gap Year Survival

14/09/2026

A couple of years since this report was written, but as the ‘tiger mosquito’ (Aedes albopictus) spreads north with climate change, so do the human diseases that it carries.

Concerning rise in dengue fever cases as climate change pushes mosquitoes further north, warn experts.

09/09/2026

Episode eight of our YouTube series will focus on the stupid-arse things you can do to mess up your travels. It includes dangerous tattoos in unlicensed bars, drinking free shots and messing with drugs.

We didn’t think to include cosmetic surgery, and particularly not p***s enlargement surgery. Worth taking this as a warning!

The probe follows an inquest that found Igho Ubiribo died from complications linked to a pe**le filler injection

30/08/2026

I’ve just been filming episode 8 of our new YouTube series. One of the more tragic stories is about the deaths of young people due to methanol poisoning. Below is a link to a Foreign Office Video. Worth watching.

To keep yourself safe:

Avoid Spirits: Campaigners and official guidance suggest avoiding local spirits, cocktails, shots, unlabelled bottles, or free/unusually cheap drinks in high-risk countries. Stick to beer or duty-free alcohol.

Recognize Symptoms: Methanol is odorless and tasteless. Symptoms often mimic a severe hangover within 12 to 48 hours and include blurred vision, trouble looking at bright lights, or blindness.

Action: Seek urgent medical help immediately if methanol poisoning is suspected, as small amounts can be fatal or cause permanent damage. You can view official guidance on the UK Foreign Travel Advice portal.

A holiday. A few drinks. What seemed like a hangover. For the fa...

28/08/2026

A tragic story. Massive respect to Calum for sharing his experience.

27/08/2026

Very sad! This could only happen if an infected female mosquito was able to survive and feed in the German airport. Perhaps a sign of things to come.

It is believed the mosquitoes arrived at Germany's busiest airport on a plane, according to German public health officials.

26/08/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6y8mjmnpxv0t

In Tibet, CCTV captured a wall of mud and water hitting buildings at a border crossing. The flash flood submerged villages in an area popular with trekkers.

26/08/2026

Sorry to source the Daily Mail, but loads of information here as Nepal tragically suffered another earthquake with associated mud slips and floods. Sadly, disease will be soon to follow in affected regions.

Hundreds of tourists, including 12 Britons and three Americans, are missing after devastating floods and mudslides swept away buildings and bridges along the Nepal-Tibet border.

26/08/2026

Sorry that this is from the Daily Mail. Tragedy strikes Nepal again. We’ll be keeping up to date as things develop.

Hundreds of tourists, including 12 Britons, are missing after devastating floods and mudslides swept away buildings and bridges along the Nepal-Tibet border.

24/08/2026

A good read regarding road safety, corruption in Vietnam, discontent in Asia (which could erupt into serious protests at any time) the ‘Asian Spring’ and the power of Gen Z.

Confirmation of the circumstances around Do Ngoc Phuong Thuy's death have only spurred more questions.

18/08/2026

We’re working on avatars for the Gap Year Survival project. We would like to give a feel that someone is keeping a gap year student or backpacker safe. A cozy, but adventurous feel. Maybe initially as they leave home, then as they spread their wings and embrace exotic locations.

Which do folks prefer?