Paul Hata asked:


The relocation in managing the day-to-day carrying out of business activities or the enterprise’s function to a peripheral service provider is being utilized today. The client organization and the supplier of services drafts and executes a contractual agreement that stipulates the rules and describes the terms of provision and procurement. Nowadays, outsourcing trends have become more expansive encompassing more and more industries.

What is Outsourcing

Outsourcing can be defined as hiring other companies or organizations to do a specific job or function. A good example of this is janitorial services. Instead of the company training several people for the position, they can outsource these tasks to another organization that specializes in recruitment services. This way, they can save the time from hiring and training. Work output can also be expected to be of the highest caliber.

Offshore Outsourcing

Offshore outsourcing is the transfer of the enterprise’s service module to a secondary management that is located elsewhere other than the country where the goods and services are actually availed or consumed. The principle behind the practice is for minimization of production cost with the global electronic internet network as its enabling medium.

Global Outsourcing Market – The global “addressable” Business Procurement Outsourcing or BPO market is worth US$122 – US$154 billion, of which: 35-40 retail banking, 25-35 insurance, 10-12 travel/hospitality, 10-12 auto, 8-10 telecoms, 8 pharmacy, 10-15 others and 20-25 is finance, accounting and HR, according to McKinsey.

Call Center Outsourcing Markets

Research estimates that in five years, 75 percent of offshore outsourcing in the Europe will come from the United Kingdom and that spending of offshore outsourcing operations will increase to more than 3 billion Euros by 2009 and that 76 percent of that figure will be coming from UK businesses.India has 50 percent of all global offshore agent positions, but is facing stiff competition from South Africa, the Philippines, eastern Europe and Mexico.

Medical Transcription Outsourcing

New research published by IDC reveals that U.S. spending on medical transcription outsourcing services totaled approximately $2.3 billion in 2004. IDC forecasts that the market will increase to $4.2 billion in 2008, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1%.

Major Outsourcing Countries

Some of the major countries that provides various outsourcing services :

- Argentina – Web & Software Programming,Game Development,IT Support,Network Solutions,Offshore Outsourcing Service

- Bangladesh – Web & Software Programming,Game Development,IT Support,Network Solutions,Offshore Outsourcing Service

- Belarus – Programming, R&D

- Brazil – Web & Software Programming,Game Development,IT Support,Network Solutions,Offshore Outsourcing Service

- Bulgaria – Programming and R&D

- China – Programming, Data Entry, Customer Support, F&A

- Egypt – Customer Support and Programming

- India – Full Spectrum Services,

- Indonesia – Programming, Data Entry, Customer Support

- Malaysia – Customer Support and R&D

- Nepal - Programming, Customer Support

- Pakistan – Programming, Customer Support

- Panama – Programming, Customer Support

- Philippine – Customer Support, Data Entry,Programming, Animation, Transcription

- Romania – Programming and IT

- Russia - Programming and R&D

- Ukraine – Programming and R&D



Visit Singapore!

Emily Yung asked:


“Rush” and “living in the fast lane” are typical descriptions that characterise the Singaporean lifestyle. In terms of cost of living, the city state ranks among the most expensive cities in Asia to live in. This is one reason why it is hard to find quality services at affordable prices.

But the paradox of it all is that everybody aspires for their own little world of relaxation and indulgence despite the “fast and the furious” lifestyle, and most of them yearn for top quality services at reasonable prices.

The TT Quick Massage concept was born on May 2006 to fill in this longing by the market for a no frills yet high quality lifestyle massage services at reasonable time and cost. Two of the most valued resources by every individual are time and money, and TT Quick Massage provides everyone their own little world of relaxation and indulgence in the time and price they are willing to spare.

Founded by three partners, they desire to provide luxurious Original Traditional Thai Massage in a clean comfortable and hygienic environment. As a member of “The School of Thai Massage Shivagakomarpaj (The Old Medicine Hospital)” Chiangmai, which is supported by Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education, Thailand, TTQM is committed to promote the Original Traditional Thai Massage to Asia and Worldwide.

TT Quick Massage is a new open-concept massage that caters to people from all ages and walks of life. Families and their children, executives and professionals, expatriates and tourist, and even ordinary masses can enjoy the instant massage providing relief from stress after a hard day’s work (or play, for kids). All that they need to do is walk in the cosy hub, get a ticket from the hassle-free Automatic Payment Machine, and immerse in a relaxing authentic Thai massage experience.

Derrick Lim, one of the young founders of TTQM sums it up when he said, “TTQM strives to bring the luxury of Thai Traditional Massage to the mass at very affordable price”



“TT Quick Massage is ready to share the experience through business franchise plans,” said Hsien Naidu, Director of business consulting firm, Astreem that consists of a team of franchise consultants, business consultants, branding consultants and marketing consultants. “TT Quick Massage is set to develop and share their franchise business concept with investors seeking Singapore franchise opportunities through Singapore lifestyle franchise for their business investments.”



Visit Singapore!

Mitesh Janiyani asked:


India have a lot of hospitals offering world class treatments for orthodontic at very affordable price, Indian hospitals has brought the best and multifarious individual dental talents from all parts of the world under one entity. The reason India is a favorable destination is because of its infrastructure and technology in which it is at par with those in USA, UK and Europe. There are several Dental Care packages available for orthodontic in India, depending uponon the requirements of the person dental care. Cost comparison for some of the dental treatment procedures between USA and India may be worth noting. Many of the procedures find a huge difference between the pricing (about 7/8 times when we speak of Top-end dentists). India has some of the best clinics/hospitals and treatment centers in the world with the best facilities for orthodontic. Since India is also one of the most favorable tourist destinations in the world, dental treatment combined with tourism has come into effect, from which the concept of Dental Tourism in India is derived.

 

 

What is Orthodontics?

The very first impression on mention of orthodontics with most people is a face with braces. No doubt, the majority of orthodontic cases involve braces. With the progress in time and medical science time many new alternatives have become available, particularly for younger children as also for adults. Arch expanders for younger children can minimize or eliminate the need for braces when the problem is treated early enough.

 

Nature arranges the teeth in each jaw and in the opposite jaw in a definite set pattern. This helps to keep the tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease and problems at bay, thereby ensuring the long and healthy life of the teeth. A departure from the normal setting of the teeth leads to shortening of the life of the teeth and allows food to be trapped leading to decay of the teeth. Orthodontics is the specialty branch of Dentistry dealing with the identification, prevention and correction of protruded, crowded, retruded teeth and malaligned jawbones. Over times this puts extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ Disorders, neck, shoulder and back pain.

The countries where medical tourism is being actively promoted include Greece, South Africa, Jordan, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. Though a recent entrant, India is fast emerging a most competent and cost effective contender in the world medical tourism scenario. According to a study by McKinsey and the Confederation of Indian Industry, medical tourism in India could become a $1 billion business by 2012. The report predicts that: “By 2012, if medical tourism were to reach 25 per cent of revenues of private up-market players, up to 2,297,794,117 USD will be added to the revenues of these players”. The Indian government predicts that India’s $17-billion-a-year health-care industry could grow 13 per cent in each of the next six years, boosted by all aspects of medical tourism, which industry watchers say is growing in the range between 20 to 30 per cent annually. Hospitals of orthodontic treatment in India at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore are aiding nearly 7800 international patients every year. For more details on orthodontic treatment in India visit http://www.indianhealthguru.com and contact@indianhealthguru.com



Medical Clinics

Wantanee Khamkongkaew asked:


Singapore is situated between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, just north of the equator. It is located at the convergence of a number of major sea-lines. It is a densely populated country with about 12,000 people per square kilometer. In the 1960’s, a vast urban renewal program was launched which virtually replaced all of the country’s slums with modern dwelling units. There was a property and real estate boom following the renewal program.

Singapore is among the world’s greatest commercial and trade centers. It has a large modern seaport and airport. Trade and commerce has been historically the chief source of revenue. Singapore exports locally produced goods such as telecommunications equipment, computers, petroleum products, plastics, rubber products, oil drilling machinery, and processed food and beverages. Singapore depends on others for most of its food requirements. Singapore’s chief trading partners include Japan, the U.S, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

A number of companies offer residential property guide, renting procedure and property search listings, and information directory for emigrants living or relocating to Singapore. A property search report will assist you in finding the right solutions for the many questions that arise during the home buying and selling process. When you are armed with the right information, an experienced real estate professional can guide you to reaching your goal of selling your home fast for the best price. Dedicated property search specialists assist you in purchases, sales and rentals. They are committed to provide the ideal background for buyers and sellers alike, helping you successfully negotiate through each stage of a property transaction.

It is important to fix the search criteria before you launch the property search in Singapore. There are a number of homes and properties on the market in Singapore and you can search online by entering your own search criteria. It is a good idea to search for property online with the help of professional software. Several professional software exist to assist you to determine accurately the cost of buying a home.

The property search enables you to find the most reputable locations for residential sales in Singapore. Property search experts assist clients in identifying land and developing the land. A successful property search helps you identify specific market positions for the property and after careful study of market trends, suggest the most effective means to sell the property at the best price.

If you are looking to buy a property or apartment in Singapore, ensure that you understand all the pitfalls associated with the process of buying. Selecting a good real estate agent is the first step involved. Find an agent who is familiar with the area and type of land you have in mind. Ensure that the agent belongs to a reputed real estate organization and is also a licensed member of a real estate association. Discuss your property requirements and location preferences with him. This will help him find the best suited property for you.

Property searches also help you ensure that the seller is the real legal owner of the property. It is imperative that you request for proof of ownership when you are making the purchase. Ensure also that the seller is legally eligible to sell the property. If the owner of a private property mortgaged to a bank is incapable of toping up the shortfall on his bank loan, the bank would not allow him to go through with the property transaction. Property searches also assist you in finding a viable bank loan.

A meaningful property search takes into account things such as the distance to work places, hospitals and schools. It also helps you determine transportation and shopping facilities. Also keep in mind the places that you visit regularly and your family’s lifestyle. Property searches also help you determine the size of the property and the number of bedrooms you need. It also takes into account facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts and other recreation facilities. Once you have decided on the location and size of the property, consider how much you will be able to spend. Also keep in mind other expenses that come with buying or renting a home. It is important to provide your agent with accurate information on your financial status.



Massage Therapist

Redford Williams, Md, And Virginia Williams, Phd asked:


The following is an excerpt from the book In Control by Redford Williams, MD, and Virginia Williams, PhD Published by Rodale; February 2006;$24.95US/$33.95CAN; 1-59486-256-7 Copyright © 2006 Redford Williams, MD, and Virginia Williams, PhD Studies Show It’s Possible To Control How You React To Stress

Beginning in the early 1980s, several randomized clinical trials of behavioral strategies targeted certain psychological and social risk factors in people with heart disease or cancer. By chance assignment, some subjects were taught the strategies, while others were put in a control group and didn’t learn the strategies. Randomized clinical trials are considered the gold standard when it comes to proving that new treatments — whether new drugs or behavioral approaches — are effective in treating or preventing disease. These early studies found some amazing results.

People with malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer) who received training in coping sills to handle stress slashed their recurrence rate by 50 percent and their death rate by an astonishing 70 percent. Heart attack patients who received training that reduced both hostility and depression cut their risk of recurring heart attacks or death in half. Other heart patients who were trained to use coping skills to reduce stress cut their risk of having subsequent heart attacks or needing bypass surgery or angioplasty by more than 50 percent. One of our corporate clients found that training decreased bad stuff, such as depression and hostility, and increased good stuff, such as social support and self-esteem, among employees. These results were obtained in what might be described as “open label trials” of our program (in other words, there was no randomized control group). Now there have been two carefully conducted randomized clinical trials of patients with heart disease that document these benefits more rigorously.

In the first, psychologist Karina Davidson, PhD, and her student Yori Gidron at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, randomly assigned heart attack patients to groups that received either the usual care or training to reduce hostility, which was based on an earlier version of our 8-week program. At the end of eight training sessions, those in the hostility-reduction group showed significant decreases in both hostility and blood pressure compared with those who received the usual care. More important, when the researchers followed up with the patients after 2 months, they found that both hostility and blood pressure levels had decreased even further in those receiving hostility-reduction training, while levels had drifted up slightly in those receiving the usual care. After 6 months, those who had received hostility-reduction training had been hospitalized again for an average of only about 1/2 day, compared with 2.5 days for the usual-care group.

A more recent randomized clinical trial was conducted by psychologist George Bishop, PhD, at the National University of Singapore and the National Heart Centre there. In that study, people who had undergone coronary bypass surgery were randomly assigned to either the usual care or to our coping skills workshop. Because we trained Dr. Bishop and his colleagues to deliver the workshop, the training was provided to the patients in Singapore just as it is in the United States, with some adaptations for Far Eastern culture. (For example, instead of practicing assertion toward someone who has distressed you, you would have a friend or relative act as an intermediary, thereby ensuring that no one would lose face.)

As first presented at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago in November 2002, Dr. Bishop’s study both confirmed and extended the results obtained by Dr. Davidson and Gidron. When tested 3 months after the workshops were completed, the patients who received training were better off on several fronts than those who received the usual care. For example:

They experienced less psychosocial bad stuff: lower scores on depression (a 60 percent decrease), anger (18 percent), and perceived stress (18 percent). They experienced less biological bad stuff: lower resting heart rate (a 9 percent decrease) and reduced reactivity of blood pressure (56 percent) and heart rate (65 percent) when angered. They experienced more psychosocial good stuff: higher scores for satisfaction with social support (a 14 percent increase) and satisfaction with life (13 percent). These results provide direct evidence that training in coping skills can really change not only people’s ability to improve their emotional lives but also their physical prognoses and prospects for future health.

Copyright © 2006 Redford Williams, MD, and Virginia Williams, PhD

Redford Williams, MD, is director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center, professor of psychology, professor of psychiatry, and professor of medicine at the Duke University Medical Center. He has served as president of the American Psychosomatic Society, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, and he is president-elect of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine.

Virginia Williams, PhD, is the president of William Lifeskills, Inc., in Durham, North Carolina, and has organized and led workshops teaching the In Control process to thousands of individuals, corporations, and government agencies around the world. The Williamses also coauthored Anger Kills, a bestseller, and Lifeskills. They live outside of Durham, North Carolina. For more informaiton, visit: www.williamslifeskills.com/



Visit Singapore!

Alfred Anderson asked:


Medical tourism, as an industry is popular due to the degree of convenience and affordability offered by the countries offering such services. In the United States the waiting period for a hip replacement surgery can be more than a year or so whereas the same procedure can be conducted in India, a day after arrival. The healthcare delivery costs at destinations like India, Thailand, Singapore etc are far economical than the United States. Most medical procedures are conducted at one-tenth of the cost in the United States. For instance a heart-valve replacement costing more that $200000 in the U.S can be done for $10000 in India.

The standard of medical care provided in these countries is truly world class. The hospitals are accredited by international accreditation bodies, like Joint Commission International (JCI) and employ best practices that match up to the international standards. The doctors are well qualified and a vast majority of the doctors have clinical experience of working in the West. Apart from these, the patients enjoy five-star comforts in their hospital rooms, with facilities like a personal dietitian and interpreter; the hospitals offer an array of choices from an international menu of food and beverages.

With all these facilities on offer, the medical tourism industry is all set to become the next big thing in the healthcare sector. The recent trend predicts the size of this industry to touch $2 billion by the year 2012 in India alone. Other destinations like Singapore, Thailand and Cuba are also expected to attract a large number of medical tourists in the years to come. Quality treatment at affordable rates, comfortable stay and convenience has made medical tourism a sought after option by the patients.



Massage Therapist

Savant Consultants asked:


For a very long time, Western medicine and its practitioners have always been on a collision course with traditional versions of medication, from the Gaelic forms of Medicine still surviving in parts of Ireland to the Chinese herbal and traditional forms of medication. Contentious and uneasy would be the words to describe the relationship these two forms of healing have had in the past but of late, they have seen the counsellor – because Western medicine and the world that follows this field have been looking at the effect of Chinese traditional medicine and how some of its areas are beginning to show more effectiveness than the prosthetic pill.

Singapore, with its large population of Chinese rooted from migrations from mainland China, still have proponents of Chinese medicine and traditional halls that abound upon its modern streets and futuristic skylines. If you happen to want to visit traditional Chinese medicine halls in an effort to look for alternative forms of natural medication, there are some points that you should note first.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM can appear in many forms, from acupuncture, herbal and natural roots and extracts, naturally based medicine, dietary therapy and certain forms of traditional massage. While I wont go into the ying and yang of the matter, I will state that that TCM Singapore is very much based on the practices based in China. Very much like Ayurvedhic forms of medicine in India, TCM believes that illness and disease is due to the unbalance of the human body – where the five elements within the body are in flux and chaos, of one overpowering the other and allowing chaos to reign within the internal universe of the body.

Come in with an open mind because the diagnosis process isn’t like a modern clinic or hospital and while the prognosis and issuance of medicine may seem vague and almost archaic in nature. Hidden within this traditionalism is a process where areas of an affliction are focused and treated with herbs and roots with a traditional and scientific reputation for cooling the body, treating common ailments, natural painkillers and even herbs that give strength and increases the body’s immune system strength.

The methods are either traditionally boiled, distilled into a liquid or even consumed whole at certain times of the day. Most importantly, experts of TCM will ask you to abstain from certain types of food for a certain period of time. This is part of the dietary treatment that TCM’s normally would diagnose as part of the healing process and there is quite a bit to it. Chinese food therapy is one of the main treatments that Western medication is looking at because while pills and potions work with Western Medication, the one problem is that abstaining from food is devoid from certain parts of the diagnosis for problem which are not serious but common.

Oh and have yourself checked if you allergic to any herb or root, it would be quite unpleasant if you were to contract a rash or averse reaction to something that is suppose to heal you



Massage Therapist

preeti singh asked:


The Government is taking serious initiatives in this regards and plans to start overseas marketing of India as a medical tourism

destination. The Medical tourism is a term coined which covers patients travelling across the globe for tourism purposes clubbing their requirements for treatment of acute illness, elective surgeries such as cardiology, hip replacement, knee replacement,etc. government of India is of the opinion that by marketing

India as a global medical tourism destination, it could capitalise on the low-cost, high-quality medical care available in the country. India, touted as one of the favourite destinations for information technology majors, is currently emerging as the chosen destination for medical or health tourism. The Government of India, State tourism boards, travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies and private sector hospitals are exploring the medical tourism industry for tremendous opportunities. They are seeking to capitalise on the opportunities by combining the country’s popular leisure tourism with medical tourism.

Industry projections? Statistics estimate that the medical tourism industry in India is currently worth $333 million (Rs 1,500 crore) while a study by CII-McKinsey estimates that the country could well earn Rs 5,000-10,000 crore by the year 2012. The Indian medical tourism industry, growing at an annualised rate of 30 percent, caters to patients chiefly from the US, Europe and Africa. Although in its nascent stage, the industry is outpacing similar industries of other countries such as Greece, South Africa, Jordan, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. In the year 2004, Approx 1,50,000 medical tourists have visited India.

What makes it so attractive? Primary is the cost factor. The medical costs in India are a fraction of the costs in the US/Europe. For instance, a heart surgery costs $6,000 in India as against $30,000 in the US. Similarly, a bone marrow transplant costs $26,000 in India as compared to $2,50,000 in the US. Foreign patients throng Indian hospitals to pass up the long waiting lists and queues in their native countries. The NHS patients in UK have to wait for months for Hip/Knee replacements surgery. Indian hospitals provide immediate attention to patients rather than asking them to wait for several months like in most western countries.

India’s top notch private hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Max HealthCare have gained international recognition for their state-of-the-art facilities and diagnostic centres besides unsurpassed technical skills. Their technology and procedures are state of the art and on par with hospitals in developed nations. Foreign patients can get attractive package deals including flights, transfers, hotels, treatment and post-operative vacation for their medical visits to India. India has some world class SPAs and Ayurvedic facilities which help recuperation and healing.

Some Top India Hospitals Include Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Escorts, AIIMs, Wockhardt, etc. A few good Medical tourism providers are TaMedical.com, India4health.com, Mediscapes.com and Indiaheals.com.

With time more and more visitors will flock to this part of the globe for their treatment and relaxtion needs.



Visit Singapore!

Healthbase asked:


It’s easy to hop on a plane and catch the next flight to your surgical destination . But before you do so, there are a number of things you should know and do to make your medical tourism trip safe and successful. Here is a list that will assist you in planning…

DO PROPER RESEARCH

Research is the first step to successful medical travel. Make sure that you do your research on the following:

1. The procedure: Find out about the procedure and compare your expectations with what’s achievable by the surgery. Also inquire about follow-up care needed, time required for recovery, physical therapy, etc.

2. The hospital: When selecting the international hospital that’s right for your needs, you should consider the hospital’s accreditation, awards and recognitions, facility and equipments, statistics like success rates, etc.

3. The surgeon: Check the certifications, training and repute of the surgeon who will be treating you.

4. The destination country: You should base your country selection on: quality, distance and cost.

KEEP YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR INFORMED

Always work with your local doctor and inform him about your decision to travel overseas for treatment. You may need his assistance prior to the surgery for furnishing the health records required by the international hospital and post surgery for any follow-up checks that may be required.

HAVE ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN ORDER

Bring the following documents with you. For each document, make copies and leave one set of copies at a safe place at home.

1. Medical records: Medical records like X-Rays, MRI’s, health histories, photographs, immunization records, prescriptions, and any other health records relevant to the surgery. Remember to carry all these medical reports and any medicines in your carry-on luggage.

2. Passport and visa: You will need a passport for yourself and your travel companion (if any). Depending upon the country you are traveling to, you may or may not need a visa. Check with your destination country’s embassy for the same.

3. Credit cards, debit cards and travelers checks: Bring some local currency, travelers checks and one or two major credit cards and debit cards.

4. Driver’s license: Carry your driver’s license and make sure it will remain valid while you’re traveling.

KEEP IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION HANDY

Keep the following contact information handy:

1. Emergency contacts like relatives and friends

2. Destination embassy

3. Hospital

4. Hotel

5. Local surgeon / doctor

6. Employer

BE PREPARED TO STAY LONGER/SHORTER THAN EXPECTED

You should allow ample time for recovery after your surgery before you travel back home. So be prepared to stay longer as advised by your doctor. In some other cases you may not need to stay for as long as was expected.

WORK WITH A MEDICAL TOURISM COMPANY

Last but not the least, work with a medical tourism provider like Healthbase (http://www.healthbase.com). They are specialized facilitators that connect you with the hospital of your choice while providing all or some other valuable services like detailed information about various procedures, detailed hospital profiles and surgeon profiles, medical records transfer, free surgery quote, pre- and post-consultation with the overseas hospital, feedback and testimonials from previous patients, medical and dental loan financing, passport and visa, airport pick-up and drop-off, hospital escort, tickets, travel insurance, hotel booking, tourism services in the destination country, etc.

Due research and planning are vital to happy, safe and successful medical travel. Therefore, you must follow the above medical travel tips and do your homework before boarding the plane.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities facilities and surgeons and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.



Visit Singapore!

Brian Bees asked:


If the time has come for your vacation or a holiday getaway, read this article before making your plans. There are many places of great beauty and interest to be seen in the USA and Europe. But, whether transportation, touring, theme park, or food and lodging, it is expensive. This article is written for every traveler, whether a backpacker on a budget, or a first class – five star traveler.

Travel in Asia is inexpensive and opens the door to different cultural experiences. Planning can be for a short holiday, an extended stay, or choices of laying the groundwork for the ultimate stay, retirement. Nowadays, with so many opportunities to make money using the Internet it is not out of the question to “retire” early.

Medical Tourism in Asia growing in popularity. It is high quality and affordable. Just one of International standard hospitals in Bangkok serves 400,000 international patients annually, In the USA cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000. At a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. It is possible to have quality medical care, and an Asian holiday, for a fraction of the cost of the same procedure in the USA.

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand – Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India – Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world’s most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos – Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia – the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam – is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos – savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal – Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama. .

Indonesia – Jakarta, the capital city of the world’s fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia’s main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of “Gillis” that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines – An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country’s past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces

are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore – Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore’s most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There’s more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan – Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor’s Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article..

Taiwan – Taipei, the country’s booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong – the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you’re in Hong Kong with the little ones, they’ll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you’re in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there’s plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.



Massage Therapist