Winter, go climbing
By Michael Bannerman-Roberts

室内攀岩, 是通过攀登人工设计高度, 难度不等的岩壁(通常6-8米高)来完成攀岩的体验. 相对于室外攀岩, 它不失为一种既能挑战自我, 又安全刺激的普及运动. 冬日的鹭岛, 越来越多的人们正尝试着这一"岩上芭蕾"运动. 钟情厦门, 热爱健康的澳大利亚人班迈克将告诉你其中的乐趣.



Have you ever wanted to get a feeling of excitement and exhilaration without having to face the dangers normally associated with extreme sports? Activities like downhill skiing, hang-gliding and base-jumping also entail a lot of expense and serious organizational difficulties. If you have, then perhaps outdoor climbing on a man-made climbing wall is the ideal answer.

It can fulfill your desire, and it just so happens that Xiamen possesses a suitable facility. The climbing wall itself is 15 meters high and 10 meters wide, and is constructed of moulded sheet-boards which simulate a rock face. In addition to this there are many hand- and foot-holds securely bolted to the face, which the climber uses as he ascends.

To start off, you first strap on a climbing harness which fits around the waist and the top of the legs. On the front of the harness is a rope buckle, called a carabiner, to which the climbing rope is secured. The rope, which is your life-line, hangs from a pulley located at the top of the wall, and the other end is controlled by a member of the ground crew.

This technique is called belaying: it means that, as you climb the wall, the person on the ground continually takes up the slack in the rope. If you slip or are unable to continue, you do not fall but are supported by the rope. This allows you to either regain your position on the wall or be safely lowered to start again from the beginning. Not only does this sport increase your fitness, flexibility and muscular endurance, it also gives you a real feeling of exhilaration and a sense of achievement, especially when you make it to the top. While the wall's 10 meter span makes it fairly compact, it still offers several alternative routes to the top. These range from the relatively easy to the ones which can really test your mettle.



To assist you with your climb there are currently two highly qualified instructors and assistants at the facility. The fee is a modest 15 RMB per person, for which you can climb for as long as you like. The fee also includes the use of the harness, carabiner and a chalk bag. The chalk bag is hung from the waist, and as you climb you can dip your hands in to keep them dry. This helps you to maintain a good grip. You will, however, need to bring along a pair of loose-fitting track pants or shorts and some light sports shoes. For the enthusiast there is a specialist climbing shop, Xin Fa Xian, close to the Exhibition Centre, where appropriately designed climbing gear can be purchased.

The sport of wall climbing was developed in England in the mid-sixties and was initially established mainly on university campuses. It didn't take very long before its popularity increased significantly and by the eighties it had almost reached epidemic proportions worldwide. By the end of that decade several large companies and corporations even built artificial climbing walls on their premises. They wanted to counteract the effect on their employees of sitting desk-bound, glued to a phone and computer screen for extended periods. The theory was that if the employees were fitter then they would perform better - which is, of course, very true.

Throughout China there are a few such centers which have been operating for quite some time. Xiamen has had its climbing wall since 2002, although it has changed its location once. It is now to be found at Fu Shan Nuren Jie, Zhong Ting. While there are competitions from time to time, the main competitor here is yourself. It's great fun, and remember, it's completely safe. It's ideal for teenagers and adults alike, especially if you want to burn off a few calories and keep trim. It's definitely worth checking out for those of you with an itch to be active.

Vocabulary
tetrachloroethylene 四氯乙烯
itchy 痒的
kidney 肾
exhilaration 振奋
belaying 系索
carabiner 竖钩

Health garden

Dry-cleaning agent threat played down
当心内衣干洗剂致癌
Experts are urging people not to get in a lather over reports of dry-cleaners using cancer-causing chemicals. The main solvent accused of being a threat to health is tetrachloroethylene. Experts recommend that people do not send their underwear to be dry-cleaned, because, as well as possibly causing cancer, tetrachloroethylene can make sensitive skin dry and itchy.

World Diabetes Day 2005 focuses on foot care
世界糖尿病日关注足部护理
The theme of 2005 World Diabetes Day is "Diabetes and Foot Care," and the emphasis falls on foot problems caused by diabetes. Many serious complications can affect individuals with diabetes, including kidney failure and blindness; but it is the complications of the foot that are some of the most serious and costly side-effects of diabetes.

Preparing quick healthy meals
速备健康饮食
Eating healthy doesn't have to take a lot of time. Try following these tips for making fast, healthy meals and snacks: Buy packaged, prewashed, ready-to-eat fresh vegetables, such as baby carrots, salad mixes, and chopped or shredded broccoli and cauliflower. Blend low-fat yogurt, fruit juice, and canned or frozen fruit to make a smoothie for breakfast or a snack. Cook potatoes or other vegetables in a microwave.

享受联邦口腔
如何做牙齿美白



单纯的牙齿色黄, 色暗等统称为牙齿着色. 其主要原因或是由于食物色素着色, 烟渍等造成, 或是由于在牙齿发育时期服用了某种药物或饮用水质等原因导致牙齿颜色异常, 如四环素牙和氟斑牙.
目前, 一般通过漂白治疗让牙齿的颜色变白. 如冷光美白技术, 它是通过特殊冷光源照射覆盖在牙面的漂白剂, 使之短时间内渗入牙齿硬组织中来达到改变牙齿颜色的目的, 其优点是不损伤牙齿硬组织, 治疗时间约30-45分钟, 但漂白效果因个人牙齿情况会有所不同.

Discoloration of teeth can be caused by chemicals in food, cigarette smoke, or by contaminants in medicine or drinking water consumed when the teeth are forming.

A standard tooth whitening procedure involves a bleach being coated on the teeth after being exposed to a fluorescent radiation source. This helps the bleach to quickly penetrate into the tooth enamel. This technique has the advantage that it protects the enamel, and lasts only 30-45 minutes. Results vary according to the original state of the teeth.

地址: 厦门禾祥西路8号联邦广场24
电话: 2280345/2281345
Add: Hexiangxi Rd. 8. Lianbang Square 24.
Tel: 2280345/2281345