Paediatrics and Child Health in South India pot

Mysore Palace “I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip – it was very well organised and the standard of hotels, food and places visited was exceptional Charles is without a doubt the best national guide I’ve ever had, truly exceptional.” Felicity McCormack, Optometry in Southern India 2011 Paediatrics and Child Health in South India 27 October – 10 November 2013 From the shores temples at Mahabalipuram to the Chinese fishing nets at Cochin, travel through the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Experience ancient Tamil history, the beautiful Coromandel coast, gracious Mysore and gentle, eclectic Kerala. Between the wide-ranging professional visits there is ample time to enjoy the cultural treasures and stunning natural beauty of South India. Transfer from Chennai to start your tour on the shores of the Coromandel coast at Mahabalipuram. Relax by the sea and enjoy a welcome drinks reception later in the afternoon, followed by a welcome dinner. The following day drive to the former French colony of Pondicherry and explore the French and Tamil quarters. This charming city is unlike anywhere else in South India with a distinctly Gallic flavour that can be seen in the architecture, police uniforms and of course the food. Visit the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences and hear a lecture by Professor Choonara on drug safety and children. There is a partner programme to the influential Aurobindo Ashram and the ‘universal city’ of Auroville. Return to Mahabalipuram with time at your leisure. The following morning explore rural India on auto rickshaws past typical Tamil houses, visiting a local temple and a rural clinic, and enjoy a traditional thali lunch in a village house. Return to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon to visit the World Heritage shore temples - an extraordinary open air showcase for Tamil art and the world’s largest bas-relief, featuring a stunning composition carved in stone. Drive to Kanchipuram the next morning and visit the local silk sari shops, before continuing to the impressive Christian Medical College in Vellore (CMC Vellore). Established as a one bed hospital in 1900 to care for the women and children of Vellore, the College is now a highly professional 2,200 bed multi-speciality teaching hospital with a number of community projects. Visit the Paediatric Surgery and Child Health Commuting in Kerala Pondicherry departments and hear a lecture by Professor Choonara. Afterwards, drive to Hosur and check into your hotel. Next morning visit the Belaku Trust and learn about their work in the villages supporting women’s and children’s health (see Project on the inside back page). Meet with paediatrician Dr Saras Ganapathy, village health workers and ‘dais’ (traditional birth attendants). After a thali lunch at the Trust, continue to Mysore and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Sumptuous Mysore is famed for its palaces and its silk, sandalwood and spices. Visit St Mathew’s Children’s Nutrition Centre in the morning and after lunch visit one of the most astonishingly ornate palaces in India, Mysore Palace. Afterwards, wander through the colourful throngs of the Devaraj Market. As the sun goes down, relax over a sunset high tea with magnificent views overlooking Mysore from the grand Lalitha Mahal Palace. Next morning visit Chamundi Hill to witness the procession of the Goddess at the Temple, which towers over the city, before visiting the Bull. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. The next day travel into the Blue Mountains via the beautiful Mudamadali Wildlife Sanctuary, which protects a wealth of wildlife including deer, wild boar, monkeys, birdlife and elephants. Stop here for lunch en route to Ooty, where you will check into Sullivan Court for the night. Known as the Queen of the Hill Stations, ‘Snooty Ooty’ is a cool, tranquil town surrounded by hills and tea slopes. Spend the day sightseeing in Ooty, including a visit to the indigenous Toda community and the beautiful botanical gardens, which were laid out by gardeners from Kew. Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening. Next day take the toy train to Coonoor, an exhilarating switchback ride through the Blue Mountains, to visit a tea plantation and tea factory. Explore the town of Coonoor, including Take tea at the Lalitha Mahal Palace (top); On the road to Mysore (above) Tea pickers in Coonoor (top); Mother and baby in Kerala (above) Chinese fishing nets in Cochin (top); Turmeric sorting in Cochin; The serene backwaters of Kerala (above) 1 3 4 5 Mahabalipuram Chennai Mysore Ooty Pondicherry Cochin South India Coimbatore Hosur alongside vivid green rice paddies and coconut farms. Enjoy a delicious Keralan lunch on board before returning to Allepy and transferring back to Cochin. Spend the next day at leisure and enjoy Cochin at your own pace. In the evening see a demonstration of traditional Keralan martial art form, Kalaripayatt, before a farewell dinner. The next morning transfer to the airport for your return flight, or extend your stay in Kerala at the Marari Beach Resort. the old railway station, and have lunch at the Raj era Taj Garden Retreat. Return to Ooty in the afternoon via the beautiful Ketti Valley. Drive to Coimbatore for brunch, before boarding the train for a wonderful journey across lush Kerala via the Cardomom Hills and into the coastal city of Cochin - ‘The Gateway to Kerala.’ Upon your arrival check into the Abad Grande Residencia Hotel in the heart of the old Portuguese district of Cochin. Visit the Ayurvedic Hospital in the morning and learn about traditional approaches to massage, yoga and diet, followed by an afternoon exploring the multi-faceted city of Cochin. You will visit the oldest church in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, the spice houses and areas that could be lifted from an English country village. Finish the day with a sunset cruise along Cochin harbour, which takes you past the ethereal Chinese fishing nets. Make an early start next morning to visit the baby elephants at the elephant orphanage. Continue on to the Keralan Rural Health Mission to look at an example of Kerala’s excellent primary care. Afterwards drive the short distance to Aleppy to board a private converted rice barge for a cruise along the tranquil Keralan backwaters. See Keralan life unfold as you sail past families swimming, fishing, and washing in the canals, past vegetable laden canoes 2 Itinerary 27 Oct – 10 Nov 2013 27 Oct (Sun) Mahabalipuram BD Pm Meet with the tour leader and group for welcome drinks reception Eve Welcome dinner 28 Oct (Mon) Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry B D Am Drive to Pondicherry and explore the French and Tamil quarters Pm Visit the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences. Talk: ‘Drug Safety in Children’ Prof. Choonara. Partner programme to visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville. Return to Mahabalipuram and at leisure 29 Oct (Tues) Mahabalipuram B L Am Explore the countryside by bike or auto rickshaws visiting Kadumbadi Village, its temple and primary health centre Pm Thali lunch in the village. Visit the World Heritage shore temples 30 Oct (Wed) Mahabalipuram / Vellore / Hosur B, D Am Drive to Kanchipuram and see the silk sari shops. Continue to CMC Vellore. Pm Visit the Paediatric Surgery and Child Health Departments. Talk: ‘Child Health and Access to Medicine’ Prof. Choonara. Drive to Hosur Eve Arrive and transfer to the hotel 31 Oct (Thur) Hosur / Mysore B, L Am Visit the Belaku Trust, learn of their work in the villages and meet with paediatrician Dr Saras Ganapathy, village health workers and ‘dais’ Pm Thali lunch at the Trust. Continue to Mysore and at leisure 1 Nov (Fri) Mysore B, D Am Visit St Mathew’s Children’s Nutrition Centre Pm Visit Mysore Palace and the Devaraj market Eve Sunset high tea at the Lalitha Mahal Palace 2 Nov (Sat) Mysore B, L Am Visit Chamundi Hill for the procession of the Goddess at the Temple, then visit the Bull Pm At leisure 3 Nov (Sun) Mysore / Ooty B, D Am Drive to Mudamadali Wildlife Sanctuary Pm Drive to the hill station at Ooty Eve Dinner at the hotel 4 Nov (Mon) Ooty B, D Am Sightseeing in Ooty. Visit the Toda community and the botanical gardens Pm Nature walk in the beautiful Ketti Valley 5 Nov (Tues) Ooty B L Am Take the toy train through the mountains to Coonoor. Explore Coonoor including the old railway station Pm Lunch at the Raj era Taj Garden Retreat. Visit the tea plantation and tea factory. Return to Ooty 6 Nov (Wed) Ooty / Cochin B, D Am Drive to Coimbatore Pm Take the train across the Cardamom Hills to Cochin 7 Nov (Thur) Cochin B, L Am Visit Nagajuna Ayurvedic Hospital Pm Sightseeing including the Dutch Palace, synagogue, St Francis Church and the spice houses of Cochin Eve Sunset cruise past the Chinese fishing nets and return to the hotel by boat 8 Nov (Fri) Cochin / Backwaters BLD Am Early departure to visit the baby elephants at the elephant orphanage. Visit the Keralan Rural Health Mission Pm Cruise along the backwaters of Kerala 9 Nov (Sat) Cochin / Backwaters B Am Full day at leisure Eve Kalaripayatt demonstration and farewell dinner 10 Nov (Sun) Cochin / Backwaters Am Depart India or take beach extension Please note all itineraries in South India are subject to change according to local conditions. LB D = Breakfast = Lunch = Dinner “The Mysore Palace evening, the elephants and the Kerala backwaters were amazing highlights of the trip. Loved the whole trip, would do it all again, thank you.” Alison Birrell, Midwifery and Child Care Tour in South India Feb 2010 3 nights Mahabalipuram - 1 night Hosur - 3 nights Mysore - 3 nights Ooty - 4 nights Cochin Hotels Grande Bay Resort and Spa (Mahabalipuram) The Grande Bay Resort is an elegant modern resort overlooking the water with excellent facilities including a spa. Renaissance Grand (Hosur) This is a well appointed business hotel that enjoys a peaceful location and provides excellent and friendly service. Sandesh the Prince (Mysore) A 5-star hotel with an excellent location and good facilities in the heart of Mysore. Sullivan Court (Ooty) Located in the Blue Mountains on the cool slopes of Ooty, the Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court has some wonderful views. It is a modern hotel built in Ooty’s traditional Victorian style. Abad Grande Residencia (Cochin) Situated in an historic building reflecting both colonial Portuguese and Keralan architectural styles, this attractive new hotel provides a pool, an Ayurvedic spa, a reading room and a good restaurant. NB: this is a dry hotel, but alcohol may be brought in. Marari Beach Resort (Kerala extension) A relaxed, low key resort offering superb service and traditional Keralan style cottages set amongst lush grounds with palm trees going down to the beach, plus a lovely swimming pool. Ayurvedic spa treatments are available. “I really enjoyed every moment. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime. Thank you!” Eduardo Massad, Medicine in South India 2012 The Sullivan Court Hotel lobby (top); Relax by the pool at the Abad Grande Residencia; A girl and a baby in the market; Cruise along the backwaters in a converted rice barge (above) Tour Leader Imti Choonara is Professor in Child Health (University of Nottingham) and is based at Derbyshire Children’s Hospital in Derby. He is a practising paediatrician but also a paediatric clinical pharmacologist. He is one of the Deputy Editors of the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. Alongside his interest in drug therapy in children he has visited Cuba on many occasions, where he runs a child health workshop, and has wide ranging international experience. He has written numerous scientific articles and lectures internationally. He is also currently the Chair of the NIHR HTA Pharmaceutical Panel, which is responsible for commissioning research of clinical trials of medicines in adults and children in the UK. Professor Choonara led a highly successful Paediatrics study tour to Cuba in 2012. “Overall excellent exposure to the life of South India - wonderful Indian guide, ‘Prince’ Charles, couldn’t do enough for us.” Mr and Mrs Watson, Medicine in South India 2012 CPD It is possible to gain CPD/PDP points on this tour through the professional visits and talks. There are eleven hours available on this tour. If you wish to apply please contact us. The cost of the tour is £1,985 / AUD $3,375 The cost includes: • Pre-trip briefing meeting and comprehensive briefing notes • The services of a tour leader (Professor Imti Choonara) • 13 nights’ accommodation in twin or double- bedded rooms with private facilities in medium grade and boutique hotels The single room supplement is £470 / AUD $799 • Half board throughout the tour (breakfast and lunch or dinner) • A full programme of professional and cultural visits as per the itinerary • Admission fees where applicable • Full-time national guide in India (Charles) • All transport and taxes in India • All tips in India The cost excludes: • All personal extras such as porterage, laundry, inoculation fees and drinks • All optional excursions, tours and visits • Travel insurance • Flights • Indian visa NB Please note all itineraries in South India are subject to change according to local conditions. Due to the nature of the tour places are strictly limited. Flights Flights are not included on this tour. For flights we recommend using Emirates if flying from the UK. In Australia we recommend Singapore airlines. In both cases we can assist with booking and arranging airport transfers and additional accommodation if required. Due to the nature of the tour places are strictly limited. Please note - all tips on the tour are included in the price Project Details The Belaku Trust works in villages in rural Karnataka serving poor and marginalised households, with an emphasis on women and children. The Trust, established by Dr Saras Ganapathy, a New York trained paediatrician, works with communities to promote heath and development via research, community based interventions and collaboration with existing service providers and organisations. The Trust aims to help people help themsleves by fostering initiatives that promote individual and community involvement. The shore temples at Mahabalipuram (top); The Coromandel Coast; A spice seller in Mysore; Boys in school uniform (above) About Jon Baines Tours To travel with us is to dig below the surface, revealing the deeper destination. Of course, you will visit the great historical sites; marvel at the wonders of architecture and engineering; be moved by the riches of culture and art; and experience the most spectacular landscapes in the world. What we also do is make sure that you see the country as it is today, giving you privileged access that independent travel and other tour companies rarely get close to. We give you a variety of experiences, from the sublime to the humble, in the company of intelligent, curious, like-minded people. And while we can be worthy, we also make sure that you have a lot of fun. “This great adventure exceeded my wildest dreams – and we feel so privileged to have been part of it.” Dorothy Anderson, Palliative Care in South India, Jan 2010 Jon Baines Tours (London) 1A Salcott Road, London, SW11 6DQ Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485/ 5618 Fax: +44 (0) 207 228 7290 Email: info@jonbainestours.co.uk www.jonbainestours.co.uk Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne) PO Box 68, South Brunswick, Victoria 3055 Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367 Email: info@jonbainestours.com.au www.jonbainestours.com . Optometry in Southern India 2011 Paediatrics and Child Health in South India 27 October – 10 November 2013 From the shores temples at Mahabalipuram to the Chinese. guide in India (Charles) • All transport and taxes in India • All tips in India The cost excludes: • All personal extras such as porterage, laundry, inoculation