August/September 2006
Newsletter Index
Scroll the index below and click a link to easily jump to different
parts of the newsletter, to get back to the top, just click the up
triangle (
) next to each heading. You are receiving this
newsletter as a result of subscribing at our website, follow these
links to subscribe and unsubscribe , how to get
the single column version and to contact the Beetle
|
|
UK/Europe (GBP /Euro e) |
Worldwide Subscriptions (GBP /USD $) |
|
1 year 15.00 (e24.00) |
1 year 18.00 ($29.00) |
|
2 year 28.00 (e45.00) |
2 year 34.00 ($54.00) |
|
3 year 39.00 (e63.00) |
3 year 48.00 ($75.00) |
Join now with our no-risk guarantee. If you find that Globetrotters does not offer the advice and information you need, let us know within 14 days of receiving your first issue of Globe and we will refund your subscription fee in full (there is no need to return the magazine).
As a member, you will be a part of the oldest travel network in existence and have the opportunity to make new friends who share your interest in travel. Once you are a member, you will receive our annual membership that lists all Globetrotters members around the world.
You can contact fellow Globies and even stay with some of them or offer to put fellow Globetrotters from around the world up yourself!
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Rio de Janeiro 
'Cidade
Maravilhosa' or 'Reasons to be cheerful in Rio' by
Tony Annis
Being 'shaked, rattled and rolled' round this exciting city in the 584 bus that seems to cover nearly all the main parts of the south of Rio at a breakneck speed. Laranjeiras to Leblon via Botafogo-Copacabana and Ipanema all for about 20p. A bus that stops to pick you up anywhere on route if it is at all possible and drops you as near to your destination as possible it can. The 584 does this probably to maximise the passenger's numbers for its owners and it is no doubt against 'Heath & Safety' but I liked it! Another one I liked. The fact you can call collect, from the beaches and all round the boroughs by using the 'Big Ear' telephones (Orelho). These telephones are to Rio, like the red tel. box is to London - So a mobile is less necessary than in London.
A magazine sent me to Rio a short
time ago and I also made a private visit of four months last
summer, so I thought I would let the GT Club members know of some
of my favourite haunts.
Fruit Juice bars are around all over the place. Polis Sucos is
one such place, in Rua Maria Quiterial, Ipanema open 6am to
midnight. The bar staff vying with each other in trying to tell
us their favourite fruit cocktails- 
Such as "papaya with
orange" enthuses one. "No, mango and strawberry"
shouts another. Livia, a customer joins in. Breaking away from
her juice, this Carioca charmer says, "passion fruit and
mango is where it's at. Have we tried it? Can she buy us one?
Are we enjoying Rio"? Adam Baines and I finally leave having
bought four fruit cocktails and spent nearly 2-50. The staff of
this bar are always trying to outdo other bars in freshness and
service. Another favourite bar, in Leme - 'Sindicato do
Chopp' (Union of draught beers) Avenida Atlantica 3806, opens
early until very late. Not only great beer but also very good
food at value prices just opposite the beach, a place, for
locals, surfers, footballers and the bikini crowd gather to have
fun, Carioca's love to say, "The father makes the money
in Sao Paulo and the son blows it on good times in Rio" all
of course talking about everything except work that four letter
word, that is like illness - It happens but why mention it? I
have watched the dawn rise in this friendly bar, after many a
night on the town, a good pit stop as I wound my weary way home.
The city built around large rocks by Guanabara Bay and its famous
beaches. Looking down from the Sugar Loaf towards the metropolis,
on the right, at the foot of this massif sheer rock, I once
climbed it, way back when I was nearly young, called in
Portuguese 'Po de Acar': are 
the still waters of the Rio Yacht
Club and the fashionable, safe borough of 'Urca'. Strike
out to the left and after the small Praia Vermelha, then you pass
Leme, one of my favourite beaches in a district that is of mixed
incomes, like Notting Hill Gate (of a few years ago) but by the
sea. Copacabana, where I grew up as a young boy with surfing and
football on the beach has changed for the worst. Prostitutes
everywhere and Large Five Star Hotels that dwarf the beautiful
'Copacabana Palace'. More Police and private security
than anywhere else, to no doubt protect the Tourist Trade!
Arpoador, a big rock sticking out into the sea - Join hundreds of
people and TV Crews from around the world watch the Sun go down
over Ipanema, Leblon - Finally as the cloak of darkness spreads
over you, hear the sound of the watchers on the rock clapping the
gorgeous sunset. Ipanema and Leblon are two very good beaches.
Ipanema, so very expensive because only two Kilometres in depth,
has the great beach in front and a lovely lake with its cycle
track all round it, right behind, then past that, the Statue of
Christ and mountains. Leblon is the Knightsbridge of Rio, even
richer than Ipanema, full of Bankers, business people and yet it
is here - In the heart of rich man's Rio that we find the
altar of the poor man's drink, 'cachaa'.
Distilled from humble sugar cane
syrup, it helps the poor forget the hell of their worst hours.
Cachaa, mixed with ice, lime and sugar, it becomes caipirinha -
A great drink to give you a lift before going out, clearing your
mind or even blowing your mind if you drink too much! Academia de
Cachaa, Rua Conde Bernadotte 26, open midday to 3am, this is
very best place to have the best cachaa with a choice of over
seventy different types and barmen who really know how to mix the
cocktails.
A crowded cycle track, the sun beating down, tanned youths with surf boards attached to their bikes, the sound of waves breaking on the beach, beautiful people, cycling, skating and jogging all around me - In fact on Sundays a three lane highway is closed by the beaches to enable the thousands of Cariocas to have enough room to move about in their various ways. Stop to have a cold beer, coconut or juice or watch some volley, as you cycle along this thirty Kilometre track beside the perfect sandy beaches. To go to beaches further out in the Barra, take the Surf bus that leaves 'Largo do Machado' twice a day and drops you off at the beach of your choice past Leblon and then brings you back later in afternoon.
A lagoa (the Lake) behind Ipanema is
just the place to go at night to have a low cost drink, meal and
sometimes music in the various Kiosks near the water. But for a
very special meal in a very good restaurant with ambiance and a
perfect view over the start of Rio's Jockey Club's flood
lit race track - with live music some days of the week - Three
styles of food, Japanese, Pizza and European/Brazilian. Centro
Gastronmico Victoria, Rua Mrio Ribeiro 410, Jockey Club
Brasileiro, open from 2030 hrs, http://www.complexovictoria.com.br
- Prices vary depending what you eat and drink but about average
without drink 30$ a head. Less for Pizza than Lobster! Well worth
a visit for a special night out. I love it and recommend it.
Finally, tucked into the arches of a viaduct at the bottom of Santa Tereza, that runs the last of Rio's trams, that like the Routemaster in London, it will soon unfortunately disappear. So if you can - Take an exciting ride on this archaic yellow tram in the day time. This is also the bohemian/hippy club centre and a fantastic fun centre of music bars with low prices that goes on until whenever! Soon It's 3am and how many caipirinias? So, do yourself a favour, don't take the bus and be shaken and rolled !! - Pick up a taxi and get safely dropped back to where you are staying. That's if you can still remember where you are staying?
About the author Tony Annis: Have camera will travel. Over the top but not yet over the hill. Past sixty five and still alive, my get up and go has not entirely got up and gone - like good whisky, I'm still going strong. Travelling through these global villages of ours is great adventure but to me it is the people that make this wonderful world, as well as the exotic places that I love to visit. See you over the next horizon, Tony.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
The Pacific Rim by Ron Kirstein
Terrific Tofino: the Esowista Peninsula is
perched in the edge of the North America Continent. Next stop
Japan! At the north end of the Peninsula is the town of Tofino,
located in a protected harbour. Just to the North, you will also
find protected waters, and directly offshore is the Wild West
Coast.
Photo, left, the beaches go on forever - Tofino BC, courtesy of Ron Kirstein.
The constant ocean surge in this area keeps the surf breaking on expansive white sandy beaches. In winter, waves can reach up to 50 feet in height! North of Tofino, you'll find the Ahousaht First Nations Community, Cougar Annie's Gardens and Hot Springs Cove, and just across the harbour you'll find Optisat First Nations Village on Meares Island.
Before you enjoy all the exciting tourist activities Tofino has to offer, you must first find a place to stay. Since nearly one million visitors flock to this paradise each summer, it is best to book in advance.
Activities in Tofino: whale watching is the first of the
must do's while in Long Beach. Our guide was John Forde of
the Whale Centre.
A seasoned veteran in the whale watching business, he offers a
number of other services as well, such as Hot Springs Cove tours,
bear watching, bird watching, and fishing. Experience the thrill
of seeing whales, otters, bears, and birds in their natural
habitat of beautiful Clayoquot Sound. 
Cruise through the spectacular waters
on John's 24' Boston Whaler, searching for Orcas,
Humpback Whales, Sea Lions and Dahl's Porpoises.
Approximately 18,000 Grey whales pass by Esowista Peninsula on
their way to food sources along the North American coast to
Alaska. John's a master skipper who knows the area like the
back of his hand. For a 2-1/2 hour cruise, he manoeuvres his
sturdy boat through the powerful water with the skill of an
artisan, all the while providing a running commentary of what
you're seeing. Prior to our trip we were treated to a slide
show of some of John's best photos, elaborating on what was
in store for our Eco-tour of the area. Don't forget your
camera, binoculars and warm clothes!
Other Must Do Activities in Tofino:
Picture, right, the Boston Whaler -
Tour Boat, (photo courtesy of John Forde.)
Surf: Try Surf Sister -- Tofino's surfing school for women, and Live to Surf on the highway just before Tofino, where you can rent boards and get good info on the best waves in the area.
Hike: Lots of spectacular hiking trails in the Pacific Rim National Park. Go to the Park Interpretive Centre at Wichaninnish Beach to pick up trail maps and ask for suggestions.
Big Trees: Take a water taxi to Meares Island and take the boardwalk trail to some 'monster' trees.
Hot Springs Cove: Visit by boat or float plane. The naturally steaming hot springs are 2.4 km on a boardwalk from the docks. A great experience! There are two accommodations at Hot Springs Cove - The Inchanter (http://www.innchanter.com/mainpage.htm) and Hot Springs Lodge 1-866-670-1106
Beach Walks: Beachcombing, long walks, sunset watching, relaxing in the sun, listening to the waves - take your pick. There are miles and miles of white sand beaches.
Sea Kayaking: Try Tofino Sea Kayaking and paddle through the protected waters of Clayoquot Sound. Camp on sandy beaches and take in the wildlife.
Photo, left, a sea otter near Tofino,
(photo courtesy of John Forde)
Fishing: Try deep-sea fishing or fish protected inlets. Bring your own boat or try one of the local charter companies such as Ospray Charters. Bear Watching: You have opportunities to see bears driving on the highway into Tofino, on backroad excursions, while kayaking (go at low tides), and on boat tours. Check out the Whale Centre for more info.
Native Canoe Experience: Check out Tla-ook Cultural Adventures.
Scuba Diving: Bring your own gear and charter a local boat.
Bird Watching: Check out "Just Birding", a local bird watching company, or charter John Forde's Whale Centre. John has excellent knowledge of local birds.
Golf: Go to Long Beach Golf Course.
Ahousaht: Take the water taxi to this Native Village and walk the boardwalk trail.
Cougar Annie's Garden: Fly in to these exciting and unique horticultural gardens and learn about the history of this unique lady. Ocean Outfitters (250-725-2866) also provides day visits to Cougar Annie's garden on Wednesday and Sundays. Their boat departs Tofino at 10:00 am, returning at 4:00 PM. Tofino Air can fly you there (1-866-486-3247) Roy Vickers: Visit Roy's Eagle Aerie Gallery and check out the Native Art of world famous artist Roy Henry Vickers in the traditional cedar longhouse gallery in Tofino.
Ron Kirstein is the owner of a Canadian Travel & Tourism Web site (since 1995). Ron has travelled the length and breadth of Vancouver Island BC Canada in search of adventures - see - http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Survey Corner: Conde Nast's
Favourite Destination List
Conde Nast Traveler ran its 18th annual Readers' Choice Awards. Nearly 28,000 travellers voted and many familiar favourites still top the list. Singapore Airlines is again the 2005 #1 International Route Airline, and has led this category for 17 of the past 18 years (in 1994 Swissair took the top spot). San Francisco, the #1 US City, has also been #1 for 17 of the past 18 years (in 1992 Santa Fe won the honour). But there are some surprises too: New Orleans made the top ten cities list, which it has done consistently since Conde Nast Traveler's first reader poll.
Below is a selection of the results for the top three winners in various categories.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Careful Fun with Foreign
Languages by Ron McCluskey
Early on in our Mexico experience, we still had not learned much Spanish. In fact, when we arrived, our huge Spanish vocabulary consisted of about two words: si and no. We were in Villahermosa for about a month before we felt comfortable in most situations and that was only because we were experiencing full immersion learning of the language.
One big encouragement to learning the language is that we ate in the hospital cafeteria three meals a day. Unfortunately, they did not eat at the times that we expected meals. So, for the first couple of days we made it to about one meal a day. I can tell you that an empty stomach is a strong reason to learn the language. During that early time, one lady asked my wife if she could use the bano. My wife, knowing that bano means the bath, told her that she could not use the bano until the next day. However, the lady was asking to go to the bathroom. She was not really interested in waiting until the next day!
While the local Mexicans were laughing at that, they told us about a minister that had come over from Florida and had the church service while he was there. He showed up late and told the people that he was muy embarasado for showing up late. Unfortunately the words for embarrassed and pregnant are very close. He had used the wrong one. We asked a lot of people and nobody could tell us what his sermon was about.
My father in law was driving down in Mexico as a tourist one time when he suddenly was stopped by soldiers at a check point. The soldier came up and forcefully asked him something in Spanish. My father in law was all flustered and blurted out, "No speaka de English!" The soldier laughed and waved him on. The problems work the other way too. I had a teacher in high school who was from Germany. He had been taught English from the time he was in grade school. However, some of the subtleties still escaped him. When he first came to the United States he was asked to introduce a speaker for some meeting. He told us that this lady was quite large. In fact she was very large. She was also fairly important. Her reputation was of being simply tremendous. So, he proceeded to introduce here like this: "I want to present to you a lady who is simply enormous."
You might think that I am trying to tell you not to bother trying to learn or speak a foreign language. However, nothing could be further from the truth. I am trying to tell you that along the way you may give other people a good laugh. But it is a rare individual who will take offence at you slaughtering their mother tongue. And, you can take comfort in the fact that when you screw up, you are certainly not alone.
About the author: Ron McCluskey and his wife Larose are both physicians. Between the two of them they have done volunteer medical work on all continents except Antarctica. Because caring for people's physical needs opens up singular opportunities, they have been able to travel where most others could not. You may find more of their travel experiences at http://ilovetravelvacations.com
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Yoga in Bali by Padmasana
Three years or so ago I tried to visit Bali to do practice, but then the first bombings happened and it became impossible to get travel insurance, putting the kybosh on my trip.
This year I was luckier. Despite last
years' bombing and some countries still having a travel
warning against visiting Indonesia, I was able to go and do the
two week workshop in Ubud with Dena. We stayed at Ananda Cottages
a little way out of town. Our Shala was at the bottom of the
grounds looking out onto beautiful green rice paddies, with ducks
quacking away each morning as we did our practice. Twenty five of
us from all over the world including UK, South Africa, Australia,
New Zealand, Chile and Sweden all here to 
learn from one of the worlds best
teachers. For 3 hours each morning and also a few afternoons we
learned. Dena is very observant and makes small but highly
significant changes to our postures, my Urdva Dhanurasana
(Backbend) came on wonderfully.
I came mainly for yoga, but it would be a shame to travel the 7,755 miles from home (my ever handy GPS told me how far I had come) and not see something of this lovely island. One day a group of us set out to go Buddha hunting. Kiwi Julie has a new house and wanted a stone Buddha for her back garden, so we drove to a road full of stone carving places, where the choice of available Buddha's was overwhelming. The ironic thing was that it cost her more to ship him back to New Zealand than her Buddha cost. She is now waiting for the knock at the door, though think she will need some assistance to move the one metre high carving when he arrives.
Another day I went up to Danau Bratan
in the north of the island to see the very picturesque temples,
which are set on little islands in the lake. This is picture
postcard Bali, and despite its popularity there were not that
many people there. We also stopped at the Botanical Gardens for a
wander round, but it was the wrong time of year for the orchids
and the cactus house was locked up.
Ubud has lots to offer as well, the Monkey Forest has to be seen, if only for the silly tourists waving around bunches of bananas, being chased by the Macaque monkeys who know a free lunch when they see one. I saw an Aussie tourist try to hide a bunch in her rucksack only for an eagle eyed monkey to spot them and liberate them!
The town has lots of shops to wander round, including a few that
sell very cheap cd's and dvd's. And when you get hungry
Tutmak or the Bali Buddha are excellent, the Bali Buddha doubles
as a health food shop that sells cakes and other goodies, the
granola is to die for to the extent
that I even carted two bags back home with me. A couple of
afternoons we went on guided walks with Dena's husband Jack,
out into the rice paddies that surround Ubud. Beautiful scenery
with the palm trees being reflected in the water of the paddies
in the late afternoon sunshine. Locals would shin up trees to
pick coconuts for us and local artists would sell their works.
Bali is extremely cheap, to travel around, to eat and for souvenirs. The only downsides were the amount of mangy dogs and the constant harassment when wandering around town of people wanting to be your taxi drive, guide etc which gets very tiring.
Back at Ananda I enjoyed my practice, my back opened, my shoulders dropped and my mind was rested. Massage after practice each day, had un-knotted my shoulders. Calm, balance and contentment had returned.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
The World's Ten Most Corrupt
Leaders
| Name | Position | Funds embezzled |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mohamed Suharto | President of Indonesia (1967-1998) | $15-35 billion |
| 2. Ferdinand Marcos | President of the Philippines (1972-1986) | 5-10 billion |
| 3. Mobutu Sese Seko | President of Zaire (1965-1997) | 5 billion |
| 4. Sani Abacha | President of Nigeria (1993-1998) | 2-5 billion |
| 5. Slobodan Milosevic | President of Serbia/Yugoslavia (1989-2000) | 1 billion |
| 6. Jean-Claude Duvalier | President of Haiti (1971-1986) | 300-800 million |
| 7. Alberto Fujimori | President of Peru (1990-2000) | 600 million |
| 8. Pavlo Lazarenko | Prime Minister of Ukraine (1996-1997) | 114-200 million |
| 9. Arnoldo Alemn | President of Nicaragua (1997-2002) | 100 million |
| 10. Joseph Estrada | President of the Philippines (1998-2001) | 78-80 million |
Source: Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2004.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
How to Find Good, but Inexpensive
Lodging by Carmen Alias
If you are going to go on budget holidays, but you're well past using Greyhound as a single mean of travelling, finding good, but inexpensive lodging on the course of your travels may become a problem.
Those who found themselves sleeping in creepy dark closets that were advertised as "sunny inexpensive apartments" know that problem very well.
Fortunately finding good, but inexpensive lodging is still possible and in most cases it's not even difficult. There are three main ways in which you can get it: Internet search, tourist boards and gossip.
Internet searches are the easiest and the most common method is just to go online and search for the hotels or hostels in the area. The best way is, however, not to use any search engine, but go for some dedicated lodging directory (in every even remotely popular holiday destinations there is at least one such website) and browse it carefully, looking for the cheapest offers. The strong point of this method is the fact that in most cases you will be able to see some reliable customers' reviews. They will tell you more about general ambiance and quality of the place than anything else. What's more, all the information you need are at the same website, saving you a lot of time and nerves.
"Rumor has it" - if for any reason you can't find the information you need on the Internet, you can turn to your friends and workmates. Maybe someone has heard about a good lodging in the area or has even been there. While such information is usually somewhat outdated, they may be found helpful.
Tourist boards - when you are out of ideas, the last thing you can do is to contact the local tourist board. They will surely have the list of lodgings in their area and probably will be able to give you the contact information. In most cases being a member of a local tourist board gives a hotel some level or reliability - they will need to keep some standards or they risk being kicked off the board.
The author can be contacted by e-mail: carmen@victoriasmountaininn.com
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Mac's Travel Reminiscences:
Guam
Mac has not been very well but is still e-mailing strong. Here
are some of Mac's post war reminiscences about Guam. But
first, here are some pictures paying homage to Mac, recognising
all the e-mails he has sent the Beetle and how much he has
contributed to the Globetrotter e-newsletter. From top left,
going clock wise: Mac meeting Prince Charles when the Prince came
to Washington earlier in 2006, next Mac's usual photo, then a
more relaxed picture of Mac on an outing, and finally, Mac during
WW2.
Guam: hafa adai - translation - it is raining again on Guam. Actually this is Guam's equivalent to Hawaii's greeting: aloha. Guam is 5,200 miles from San Francisco, 3,300 miles from Honolulu, 1,500 miles from Manila and 1,300 miles from Yokohama and eight hundred miles from the equator. It is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Now when you consider that Guam is only thirty miles long and eight miles wide at the widest, I am amazed our navigator found this little speck in this big ocean especially as there was a rumour that the navigator navigated by wetting his finder and holding it to the wind. Guam was the first and only US territory to be occupied by Japanese during World War II. The island was liberated in Aug 1944.
When I saw a sign in the Quonset hut terminal at Agana that read: "Those desiring transportation to Saipan report to the information desk," I knew I was the South Pacific. We sped thorough Tote Village, Mong Mong, then Agana (pronounced (uh=gan-yuh) then past Tamuning, Dedeedo Village, Marbo there is an Armed Services PX, Magsaysay Village, Yigo and through the gates of Andersen AFB. (The Air Force Base is at one end of the island and the Navy Base is at other end of the island. There is a steady stream of traffic between the two as the Air Force thinks the Navy has better PX (Post Exchange - the place on a military base where you can buy everything from boots to baseballs) and the Navy thinks the Air Force has a better PX.
One of the attractions for a Guamanian to be in the service and stationed in Guam is that they can buy food in the commissary. The Guamanians in the service bought not only for themselves but for their relatives. It was only after I had been here a while that I understood the reason for the sign in commissary that read "Only eight chickens per person" I used to collect signs. Not the signs themselves but what was written on signs around the world as I am easily amused.
One of the Guamanians I worked with told me that when he got mad at his wife that instead of hitting her he goes out and hits his car. I noticed his car was kind of beat up but they all were there. They called a jeep a Guamanian Cadillac. We had an open air theatre we called the "Rain In" and some called the "Swim In". Actually its name was "Sky View". We even had a soft freeze ice cream stand where milk was brought over in powdered form and then recombined there. This stand opened at six thirty in the morning and at that time there was already a line waiting in the heat to get ice cream.
After a three week visit as a civilian at home I left McCool Junction, Nebraska once more in kind of a hurry. It was 27th Oct 1959. This was not by request of the sheriff but due to the urgencies of the service so packed in a hurry for Guam I packed overcoat, winter underwear and arrived in Guam sweating in my winter uniform.
My house was a three storied cement typhoon proof building with a balcony on both sides of the room. There were two doors on each side of room leading to balcony with three louvres instead of windows (wooden slats that can be opened and shut) so there is a lot of ventilation. When I checked in the commander told me to get some sleep after the long trip. Instead I decided to hitch hike around the island and see what it looked like. The guys in barracks told me to be sure and close the louvres before I took off. I was so anxious to see island that I forgot and it rained in on all the beds. It has only been recently that some of them have been speaking to me. Ha!
Each village had a religious festival that lasted two days on their villages feast day. Every house in town is open house then. Most of the cooking is done outside in a shed A Guamanian who had been in American military before he lost his leg picked me up hitch hiking and took me to his house where there was a christening. The host and hostess had been up since one o'clock preparing the pig and food. The baby was named Melchoir as he was born on the 6th of Jan and that is the Feast of The Three Men one of them named Melchoir. The other two were named Wilfred and Ivan. Tired from trip and without much sleep the drinks put me out. My host and friends put me in their car to take be back to the base. I woke up on way back and saw all these dark faces and forgetting I was in Guam wondered where in the hell I was and what I was doing there.
My new friends saw my puzzled look and told me what had happened and they invited me to visit them anytime I had time off. I would not have invited myself back but the Guamanians were very hospitable and liked the military.
A Guamanian lad with white shining teeth came up to me and took me around the different stand under the roofed market shed. He would say "this is winged beans" like our stringed beans but with four fins on each side, grown only on Guam. This is betel nut (a mild narcotic used in Indo China and that part of the world. I had seen it used in Thailand. It stains their teeth and lips. Women as well as men chewed it in the floating markets in Thailand)
We then came to a little girl about the same age as the lad and he said "this is Palau". Palau is an island in the Carolinas and the little girl was from there. Everyone laughed including the little girl at the little boys joke. At one of the festivals I had coconut crabs. They are very like big lobsters in appearance but are difficult to find and are considered a delicacy. They are sometimes found in caves (along with Japanese soldiers that were still hiding there and did not know the war was over.)
They had a beer made from sprouts of coconut. It is called Tuba. I said the ex Guamanian GI that had picked me up the first day hitch hiking had a wooden leg. Rereading my diary notes, I see he was actually from Saipan. He had been in the Korean war and had a disability pension. He was hit in the groin and had an artificial sack for a bladder. He got $400 a month pension and had commissary privileges plus what he made from his boat fishing. They lived in the village of Toto. He had a doll of a little Guamanian wife. They lived in a Quonset hut but were building a new home.
For one meal when I visited and I did often, they had pork chops from the commissary, winged beans and rice. She was so glad I liked rice (and I do as it tasted better than our rice in the States or maybe it is my imagination.) They had two of his brother's children living with them island of Rota as Rota has no school. Students there went to a Catholic school and wore uniforms. Franciscan Capuchin Fathers were stationed in Guam.
The Diaz (another Guamanian family) had a different version of how Guam got its name. They said it was the Queen of England that gave them her name as she knew how embarrassing it was to be called the Island of Thieves. When Magellan landed, the natives swam out to the ship and took everything they could get their hands on so Magellan referred to the island as The Island of Thieves. Some Guamanians told me that the Guamanians had wanted to trade food for what they took but Magellan did not understand. We got Guam in kind of a sneaky way; during the Spanish American War one of our battleships came into the harbour and fired a shot at the Spanish fort. The shot missed the Fort (that is the Navy for you) and the Spanish thought we were firing a salute. They had no gun powder to return the salute so they sent a messenger to try to find some powder. Embarrassing moments followed as the US troops landed and declared the island captured. I followed some years later.
If you would like to get in touch with Mac, he is happy to correspond by e-mail when he is well. His e-mail address is: macsan400@yahoo.com
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
What's New
We've added some new features to the Globetrotter eNewsletter over the last month or so:
For those of you who are interested the archive is powered by Wordpress 2.0 the state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. ? Permalink
From the
archive: Dengue Who? By Ingrid Styles
Read over 2500 past stories in our eNewsletter archive [link]
You know when you've been Dengued. Or do you???
After spending two weeks in the south of Thailand, I caught an over night bus from Sarat Thani back to Bangkok. That morning, to my surprise I managed to reschedule my flight due out the following day to Australia. Delighted that I had extended my stay in Thailand I went out that night and celebrated.
After sleeping for four hours, I woke with a rumbling stomach. I tried to ignore it. Dozing in and out of consciousness, my bowels decided that I needed to perch on the toilet. In Thailand, this seemed hardly unusual and I was not alarmed until daylight appeared: I realized I had been decorating the toilet at least ten times in three hours. Was I glad not to be on that fourteen-hour flight to Australia!
I had a persistent headache throughout the day and I noticed a pain in my lower back had become worse. That afternoon I went to the cinema. While seated the pain in my back spread down into my legs. Constantly fidgeting, I struggled to concentrate on the movie. The walk back to the house was exhausting so I went straight to bed.
OK so every one has been ill or felt pain at some point in life. Independent self-diagnosis of symptoms overrides concern about our well being and we often think nothing of it. Let's look at the symptoms:
Diarrhoea - Is that not compulsory when travelling abroad?
Back pain - My backpack, one week sleeping in a wooden hut and then the overnight bus …..
Fever - What fever? It was the beginning of May - 40 degrees centigrade plus - Thailand's hottest time of year. The rainy season was building up and the air was extremely close.
Headache - Not much sleep recently, possible dehydration from the heat and, … erm …. hangover.
Leg ache - Did I drink any cheap Thai whiskey last night?
The next morning, I was no better. Noi, my host, took me to the doctor. Once inside the hospital, the nurse routinely took my blood pressure before seeing the doctor. I recounted my symptoms and he suggested I have a blood test. OK, so I hate needles! It's not so much that I hate injections - they just jab into you and then that is it over and done. No, it's the searching for a suitable vein first (can understand that, Beetle!).
The nurse hunted up and down my arms and around my hands for ages. Hurry up, I thought. I started to hyperventilate. Failing on the first vein, the nurse got some blood on the second. Then another needle appeared with a clear bag of liquid attached to it. I became nervous again. "What's it for?" I asked Noi. 'It is to make you strong" she said. "OK but what is it?" I asked. "Water. Don't worry. It is OK" Noi tried to reassure me. "I will come back in six hours when it is finished."
Six hours! Now lets slow down a minute. If I go to the doctor back home, I do not get put on a drip of water for six hours. Promising to drink plenty of mineral water, and with a recommendation to return in three days, I left the hospital.
Two days passed and I still felt unwell. I decided to have a flick through my travel health book. OK, what am I looking for here? I started with back pain. Sprains. Slipped discs… other types of back pain: Dengue Fever. What is that, I had never heard of it before. I read the symptoms. Hang on a minute - back pain yep, fever yep, diarrhoea yep, banging headaches yep. Oh no! Please don't tell me, I have this …… wait for it … tropical disease!
I realised it was quite possible. The white-backed mosquito carries Dengue Fever and outbreaks are particularly common in South East Asia - where I had been. They generally bite in the daytime. On reflection, I had fallen asleep in my hut one afternoon and woke up to find a circle of mosquito bites on my left leg.
I read on: although the symptoms are similar to that of Malaria, I discovered there is nothing you can do to prevent catching it, except slap on lots of insect repellent. A vaccine is still in the process of being developed. The good news is that you cannot catch it from another person. The bad news is that it is serious. There are four different strains of Dengue fever. Catching one kind only gives immunity to that strain. There is also the far more serious Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, which causes the sufferer to bleed to death without immediate medical attention. This usually only occurs in children under fifteen.
Gulp…what if I am infected, am I going to die or be permanently affected by it?
It was now day three and I was feeling worse than ever. For the first time in my life, when a doctor has told me to return, I had to obey.
In part 2, Ingrid tells us of her stay in a Thai hospital, visits from ants and priests and how she recovered!
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
From the
archive: Sounds of Mikindani by Tim Crouch
Read over 2500 past stories in our eNewsletter archive [link]
Trade Aid is a UK based charity aimed at poverty alleviation in Southern Tanzania by creating educational and employment opportunities for the local community and assisting in the development of a sustainable tourist industry in Mikindani. As part of this, Trade Aid take on volunteers to work with the local community. Tim Crouch is one of these volunteers and her he writes about his experiences in the beautiful coastal town of Mikindani. For more information on the work that Trade carries out, see: http://www.tradeaiduk.org/
As the sun sets over Mikindani, the smoke sits in the valley and the sounds rise; after another day in paradise I can't help thinking about the overload heaped upon my senses whilst in Tanzania. The sights can always be captured by camera and many of the most delicious smells can be recreated in the kitchen buts it's the sounds that make Mikindani so special and it's the noises that will stick most in the mind. Words can only scratch the surface of the overload Mikindani places upon the sense of hearing.
The day always starts early in Mikindani and with it so do the sounds. At first light you hear the scraping, scratching noise of women sweeping, invariably just out side your door, a sound that rarely stops before it has accomplished its two aims of cleaning the street and waking Mikindani's inhabitants. Only after this sweeping has woken them up, do the cockerels start to crow. Being in Mikindani, you are never far away from some livestock, be it cows, goats or chicken and so you never feel far away from the farmyard. There is a theory circulating Trade Aid in Tanzania that animals in Tanzania are bred not for their meat (there can be none more gristly on earth) but for their capacity to break eardrums.
The first real human voices come following the early morning school bell, a rock hit against the redundant rim of an old car wheel signifies the children's long and noisy walk up the hill to school. During the day office work is accompanied by the dulcet tones of the women next door calling their various kids for various reasons from various corners of Mikindani. When the children finish school in the afternoon, again accompanied by a ring of the school "bell", the noise starts off as a distant cheer and culminates in a crescendo of young voices shouting their delight at returning home after a hard day in the classroom. This shouting just puts them in the mood for some more shouting when the games start during the afternoon, a din that doesn't stop until early evening when again the various mamas call their various offspring this time purely for the reason of feeding time.
As you walk out to the road you are hit by the same diesel fumes encountered the world over but the amount of noise produced by such a tiny volume of traffic is a phenomenon unique to East Africa. The combination of decrepit engines and wildly elaborate horns produces a sound that will eclipse anything produced in a New York traffic jam.
As we sit down to dinner the call to prayer from the mosque chimes in for the fourth and therefore penultimate time that day. After dinner we walk down the hill with the food for the dog, the fourth resident of the Trade Aid house to the sound of his whimpering at the smell of the leftovers we are carrying. Just as we lay in bed trying to get to sleep the women of Mikindani have one last blast this time to round up the men of the town before allowing all of us to slip off until the next day when the sensory overload will start all over again. I for one will miss it like crazy.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Our Friends Ryanair
You've heard it before, whether on a bus or a train, you'll soon be able to hear "hi, I'm on the plane" as people shout into their mobile phones; our friends Ryanair have announced a deal with communications joint venture OnAir to fit its aircraft with technology to allow passengers to use their mobile phones on planes. Another money spinning venture, Ryanair's entire fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft will allow passengers to call, text and email using their mobile phones, BlackBerrys and Treos by the beginning mid-2007. Rates are said to " mirror international roaming charges." Ryanair are still looking to introduce in-flight internet games and gambling.
As if Ryanair aren't proving 'no frills' to the extreme, they are now charging passengers for checking in baggage before flights. The charge for each item of luggage going in the hold is now 5 - 2.50 if notified before the day of travel. Ryanair justified this by saying that it was introducing the charge in an effort to reduce queues and airport handling costs. It said passengers carrying only hand luggage would avoid the extra fee and be able to check in online - reducing their overall ticket price by 9%. Earlier this year Ryanair said it hoped to encourage more people to travel on its flights with just hand luggage. "We have to be more creative as to how we tackle costs," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said in January. Reducing airport and handling costs would also save Ryanair more than 20m over the current financial year, the company said.
Ever tried to buy one of the dirt cheap Ryanair tickets, only to find that your inside leg measurement isn't 31 inches, you weren't born on 23rd April and your name doesn't begin with M?
Back in May, Ryanair was reprimanded by the UK's Advertising
Standard Authority (ASA) over a "free tickets" offer.
Ryanair advertised three million free tickets, as long as
passengers paid taxes and other charges. The ASA said the advert
misled, because the free ticket offer did not apply on Fridays
and at some peak travel times. Ryanair argued back saying the
advert was not misleading, as it stated the offer excluded major
sporting events and holiday periods. Nevertheless, the ASA
concluded the advert was "misleading" and told the firm
to make clear "all significant exclusions to offers in the
small print of future advertising".
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Join the Globetrotters Club
If you have enjoyed reading this e-newsletter, why not visit the Globetrotter website, http://www.globetrotters.co.uk/ and have a look at a copy of Globe, the bi-monthly printed newsletter sent to members only.
We also send members only a listing of all members, their contact details and countries visited and any help they can offer. Globetrotter members network by using this listing to contact each other in over 27 countries around the world to ask for travel advice, and possibly even meeting. As a member, you will receive a reduction on any Globetrotter meetings in your area, and will entitle you to have free Globetrotter calling cards to give your details to other travellers you meet while travelling.
Just US $29 or €24 buys you membership for one year. Contact membership@globetrotters.co.uk for more information.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Search Past Newsletters
To search this and past issues of our eNewsletter, just enter a word or phrase below and click the search button.
You don't like this format!
Did you know, you can change the format of this e-newsletter? This e-newsletter is available in 4 formats:
1. This format with 2 columns.
2. A single column print friendly version available online, see the link in every e-newsletter (or click here).
3. The text only version, if you'd like your e-newsletter in plain text format, just send a blank email to text-enews@globetrotters.co.uk Globetrotters Webmaster with "Text+Enews" as the subject
4. Have a link emailed to you pointing to the online version, just send a blank email to text-enews@globetrotters.co.uk Globetrotters Webmaster with "Link+Enews" as the subject
5. Subscribe to our full text RSS feed RSS
Join the Globetrotters Club
On-Line!
Yes, you can now renew your membership or join the Globetrotters Club on-line.
It is secure and you can pay by all major credit, debit or charge cards. Transactions will be in Pounds Sterling and your bank will convert this to your local currency for you.
So, just click here to join and become a Globetrotter! Costs are left in the main body of this e-newsletter.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Being Careful: The Sudan
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel warning for Sudan, citing a "continued threat of terrorism" as the main reasons Americans should steer clear of the country.
According to the warning, Americans should cancel all travel to Sudan "particularly in the Darfur area where there is a continuing buildup of Government and rebel military forces and where violence has increased significantly."
"The U.S. Government has received indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Sudan. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings."
The State Department explains, "sporadic fighting instigated by militias is often reported in the southern parts of the country. Travel outside of the capital city of Khartoum is potentially dangerous. Threats have been made against foreigners working in the oil industry in Upper Nile state."
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Start a Branch of Globetrotters
If any Globetrotters member would like to start a branch, whether it is in Aberdeen or Zanzibar, please see our FAQ or contact our the Branch Liaison Officer via our Website at Meeting FAQ.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Globetrotters Travel Award
A member of Globetrotters Club? Interested in a 1,000 travel award?
Know someone who is? We have 1,000 to award each year for five years for the best submitted independent travel plan. Interested?
Then see our legacy page on our Website, where you can apply with your plans for a totally independent travel trip and we'll take a look at it. Get those plans in!!
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Making the DRC Safer
A scheme under which gunmen in the Democratic Republic of Congo are given bicycles in exchange for their weapons is being extended due to its success. Ngoy Mulunda, a pastor in the south-eastern Katanga region, says he has been given some 6,500 weapons in the past year, which he has destroyed. A BBC correspondent says it has proved more successful than the UN disarmament exercise, following a five-year war. The BBC's Jonathan Kacelewa in Bukavu says a bicycle, worth about $50, makes a big difference to the lives of local people.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Do Not Wear Shorts in Iraq
Recent news comes from Iraqi Olympic officials that the coach of Iraq's tennis team, Ahmed Rashid and two players Ali Hatem and Wissam Adel Auda were shot dead in Baghdad.
Witnesses said the three were dressed in shorts and were killed days after militants issued a warning forbidding the wearing of shorts. Other Iraqi athletes have been targeted in recent incidents.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Bangkok's New Airport
After years of allegations of corruption, political interference and cost overruns, a new international airport is due to finally open in Bangkok in September 2006. The new Suvarnabhumi Airport is 30km to the east of Bangkok, whereas the old and dark Don Muang is 25km north of the city. Confused? You will be, especially when Don Mang is planned to be designated for domestic flights, so you will have to make the journey across to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you are flying into Bangkok, either internationally or domestically, it is wise to check and double check your place of arrival and departure.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Desert Storm in Beijing
Going to Beijing? Poor farming practices and drought in the expanding desert, which now covers a third of China are believed to be the causes for Beijing's eight sand storm this year. Millions of residents woke to find their city covered in a thin film of yellow dust after the storm blew in from the border of China and Mongolia. Some locals are wearing face masks and hospitals reported increased numbers of patients with breathing problems.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Crocs in NT, Oz
An eight-year-old girl is feared dead in the Northern Territory, in northern Australia after being attacked by a saltwater crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles are the world's largest reptiles, and can be aggressive and dangerous. Police said the aboriginal girl was fishing with her parents when she was snatched from a remote riverbank of the Blyth River, east of Darwin. Saltwater crocodiles are a protected species in Australia, and since hunting was outlawed in the 1970s their numbers have grown: it is estimated there are 70,000 saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory. Fatal attacks are rare, though - only six people are believed to have been killed by saltwater crocodiles in the region since 2002.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Somali Pirates
Going on a cruise around Africa? Maybe just check you are not going too close to Somalia. The Somali coast is considered to be the world's most dangerous waters. The International Maritime Bureau has recorded 41 attacks since mid-March last year. Luxury cruise liners and ships carrying food aid are among those targeted off Somalia in the past year. Hijackings and piracy off have increased in the past year as armed groups take advantage of a lack of law and order in Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991. US Navy vessels have been granted permission to patrol Somali waters to fight piracy. Under the agreement, the US Navy would also develop Somalia's rudimentary coastguard service.
Whilst any help in this troubled region has to be good news for all concerned, the ever cynical Beetle wants to know why the US are doing this - out of the kindness of their heart, or does their presence fit with some other greater plan?
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Space Tourism
Virgin Galactic has announced that it has signed up more than 150 prospective space tourists, including Dallas star Victoria Principal and Alien actress Sigourney Weaver who have already signed up plus William Shatner who is said to be keen. Five minutes of weightlessness will set you back 114,000.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Suu Kyi to Remain under House
Arrest
Burma's military rulers have extended the detention under house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms Suu Kyi has spent 10 of the last 16 years under house arrest. Despite appeals from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Ms Suu Kyi is to remain in detention. Burmese officials would not say how long her house arrest has been extended for.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Beer Battles
If you've been to Tanzania or Kenya, the chances are you might have drunk or at least seen two famous beer brands that sell millions: Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. Serengeti is synonymous with conservation and like Kilimanjaro, is an internationally recognisable symbol. A dispute is brewing (sorry!) iver companies that use these faouns names but do not contribute towards the places themselves.
"We feel that, since they are using these names to make money, they should also contribute to the upkeep of these places because if they deteriorate for whatever reason, it means that this will impact on their products as well," says Gerald Bigrube, director-general of Tanzania's National Parks Authority. The national parks have asked lawyers to investigate whether they can trademark the names of natural resources.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Bird Flu Update
Globally, more than 130 people have died of bird flu since late 2003. Most of the deaths have been in East Asia, but the virus has also spread to Europe, Africa and South and Central Asia. Indonesia has recorded its 42nd human bird flu death, bringing the country level with Vietnam as the worst affected by the disease. Indonesia has registered more bird flu deaths this year than any other nation. In contrast the outbreak in Vietnam now seems to be under control, due to a large culling and vaccination drive and no Vietnamese deaths have been recorded in 2006. Indonesia has been criticised for its reluctance to cull fowl in infected areas - a measure that experts say is the best way to stem the spread of the disease, but the government says it does not have enough money to compensate farmers.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Don't Blow Your House Up
A New York doctor suspected of blowing up his own $6.4m Upper East Side house to prevent his ex-wife benefiting from its sale after their divorce has died from his injuries. If that wasn't tragic enough, neighbours are now suing the doctor's estate for damages they say were caused to their property by the explosion.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Coca Growing Increases in Columbia
The government of the United States is reported to have spent $4bn fighting Colombia's cocaine trade since 2000. It has been doing this by spraying fields of coca with chemicals, destroying the crop. The US government justifies this by saying it is helping to stabilise Colombia, where a civil war, funded by cocaine profits, has raged for decades.
The Head of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy said: "The terrorist groups are weaker... they are receiving less money, murders are down, kidnappings are down". But now, a recent US govt. survey has found that an extra 26% of land under cultivation and that production is more dispersed.
In 2004, 114,100 hectares (440 sq miles) were found growing coca; in 2005, in the same area, cultivation had fallen to 105,400 hectares, however, the survey area was expanded in 2005 by 81%. In this new area, a further 39,000 hectares were found growing coca, making 144,100 hectares in total, an increase of 26% overall.
Critics of the spraying policy say that coca production was not going to be reduced just because fumigation flights spray some fields, as long as these farmers don't have any other economic options, except to cut down forests to grow coca somewhere else. There's also the matter of demand for cocaine remaining steady. The US has also found that production is also increasing in Peru and Bolivia. Similar spraying is taking place in Afghanistan, justified on similar grounds.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Fave Website
Spotted by Mac: Here is a web site www.economist.com/cities to get travel information, local time, weather, insider tips, useful words & phrases, currency conversion etc etc about such world cities as Dubai, Johannesburg, Berlin, Tokyo, Mumbai, London, McCool Junction, Nebraska etc. Useful resource to plan trips.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
World Airport News
A Japanese man last week recovered about $42,000 in cash that his wife had mistakenly thrown out with the rubbish/trash.
He had been hiding the money in a trash container, explaining that he routinely hid cash in various places so it would not be stolen by robbers, the Associated Press reported. But his wife was unaware of the scheme and threw the money away, according to the Reuters news agency.
A sanitation worker who found the cash reported it to police. After seeing news reports about the incident, the man contacted police, who verified that he was the owner from details on the envelope and returned the cash.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Know Your Riyals from Your Kwatcha
Need to convert currency?
Take a look at The Globetrotters Currency Converter - get the exchange rates for 164 currencies The Globetrotters Currency Cheat Sheet - create and print a currency converter table for your next trip.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Thailand most dangerous holiday
destination for the British
British insurer, Norwich Union have just compiled a study based on more than 60,000 claims made with the insurance company, during 2005. The research indicates that visitors heading to the south-east Asian kingdom of Thailand face the highest risk of suffering theft, food poisoning or being caught in a traffic accident. Ireland was deemed the safest place to travel to, closely followed by Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany and France were also considered to be low-risk holiday destinations for British tourists. The Caribbean was revealed as the worst place for insect bites and stings and South Africa came out worst for violent robberies and bags going missing in transit.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Mutual Aid
Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country - want to share something with us - why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid
I am thinking of driving around the world and wondered if anyone else has done this trip in the club. I'll be taking my own car and I can see a few problems arising but will do it anyway. Getting started is always the hardest. Trying to get information on how best to get out of Australia is my main issue at present. Any advice most welcome, best wishes to all, dutchkiwy@hotmail.com
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Web Browsers
Which web browser do you use? Amnesty International is urging UK users of Yahoo, Microsoft and Google to e-mail the companies asking them to change the way they operate in China. Amnesty says the Yahoo, Microsoft and Google are colluding with internet censorship in the still Communist state of China. Amnesty is asking them to reveal which words they have banned from blogs or web searches in China. The three internet companies on the other hand say they are helping the people of China by making information more freely available, but Amnesty says they are helping to reinforce censorship by the Chinese government. Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen said: "Yahoo, Microsoft and Google claim they are obeying local laws when in fact they are succumbing to political pressure. "We want them to hear from customers here in the UK. If enough people tell them they are not happy with their actions in China, we hope it will make them think again."
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Mao Zedong Statue in Tibet
In 1950 Mao Zedong ordered the Chinese takeover of Tibet resulting in communist troops marching into and occupying Tibet to enforce its claim on the tiny country. Since 1979 there has been economic reform, but no political reform, like the rest of the China.
From Beijing's perspective, the area has been part of China for centuries, but for many, the Chinese government is an occupying power which has shown little regard for human rights or for Tibet's unique culture. Some PRC policies in Tibet have been described as moderate, while others are judged to be more oppressive. Most religious freedoms have been officially restored, provided the lamas do not challenge PRC rule.
Foreigners can visit most parts of Tibet, and it is claimed that more unpleasant aspects of PRC rule are kept hidden from visitors. According to the Beijing authorities, they are erecting a huge 35-ton statue of Chairman Mao Zedong in in Gonggar County, near the Tibetan capital Lhasa, Tibet to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the former leader's death. The statue will rise 7m from a 5m pedestal strengthened to withstand earthquakes and is scheduled for completion in July.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Have you got a tale to tell?
If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the "Travel Sized Bites" section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Ugly Koreans
"Ugly Koreans" is a media-coined term referring to people caught buying sex or committing crimes overseas. Officials in South Korea recently proposed a foreign travel ban for citizens who have committed misdeeds overseas, in an attempt to protect the nation's image. The proposed travel ban on "ugly Koreans" was contained in a recent foreign ministry report to the presidential office, ministry officials said.
"In case their illegal or shameful acts are reported overseas, we are planning to restrict their travel to foreign countries for a certain period of time," a ministry official said. South Korean laws already say that citizens can be denied passports for up to three years if they have been expelled from a foreign state for violating the law. In July 2005 Vietnamese television reported that police detained 28 South Koreans in a single day for buying sex at a Korean-owned salon. Police in Shanghai arrested 17 South Koreans in February for involvement in running a "host bar" where men were hired for sexual services. Authorities are planning to step up a separate campaign to educate people about internationally accepted etiquette.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Pig Olympics
You heard it here. The third annual "Pig Olympics" have been held in Russia. 12 piglets from seven countries took part in the games, which included pig-racing, a short run where their trainers ran behind encouraging them to go faster, pig-swimming and pigball where the pigs chased a ball covered in yummy fish oil. Pig enthusiasts laid bets on the competitors in each event, at an exhibition centre near Moscow. Contestants included Mykola from Ukraine, Nelson from South Africa, and the home favourite Kostik Russisch Schwein.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Russians to Avoid Nepal
The Russian foreign ministry urged Russian citizens on Friday to defer travel to Nepal for personal security reasons. "The internal political situation in the Kingdom of Nepal has recently deteriorated," the ministry said. "Mass demonstrations against the government accompanied by acts of violence have spread over the country."
The Foreign Office has advised "against all but essential travel" to Nepal because of enhanced tension in the Himalayan country.
Three people have been killed and hundreds injured as police opened fire on crowds. There have also been hundreds of arrests.
The Foreign Office (FO) warned there was a risk of visiting Britons getting caught up in violence on the streets.
"Those British nationals already in Nepal should decide whether their presence there is essential," the FO said. "We will keep this advice under close review."
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Kenya's Flamingos
News in July comes form Kenya that hundreds of flamingos have been reported dead in Kenya's Lake Nakuru wildlife sanctuary. Experts believe that the flamingos died due to chemical pollution from surrounding industries. Over 1.2 million flamingos are under threat and fears have been expressed over the extinction of the Lake, which is drying up due to environmental degradation and dwindling flows from
several rivers that drain into the Lake.
Yahoo launches travel service
Yahoo! Inc said it has launched a travel service that promised to find the best deals on airfare and hotels. The 'Yahoo Farechase' website differed from a travel service in that it scoured internet websites to compare prices being offered online for flights or lodging, according to the Sunnyvale, California-based firm. 'This is the first time a search engine for travel pricing and a search engine for travel experiences have come together in a single product,' said Jasper Malcolmson, director of Yahoo Travel. Tools on the site allow people to create itineraries, map routes and share insights gleaned from their travels.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Niger Bandits Strike Again
Two Italian tourists remain captured when an off-road touring group of more than 20 Italian and other foreign tourists were been kidnapped in southeast Niger. The group were kidnapped in the desert zone near Lake Chad on the border with Chad. This zone is described by a Niger spokesman "as very porous (Chadian) border". The area near Lake Chad where the party was ambushed is notorious for banditry. Three years ago, more than 30 European tourists were captured by suspected militant Islamists in the border region of Niger and Algeria and had to be rescued in an operation by the Algerian military.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
New Low Cost HK Route
Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is Hong Kong's first low fare, long-haul passenger airline. Starting in October 2006, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines will offer non-stop service to London-Gatwick. It initially plans to offer flights to London, Chicago, Cologne, Berlin, Oakland and Milan but hopes to fly to 15 destinations by 2011. This could mean bargain basement fares between London and Hong Kong, and maybe even apply some pressure to the likes of BA and Virgin Atlantic who are expected to reduce their prices to deal with the competition. The Beetle: please don't let it be a Ryanair type operation - I'm waiting for the day when Ryanair travellers have to put a 1 coin in to use the toilets on board. Now there's an idea, Mr O'Leary…
Japanese Dating
The Japanese government recently disclosed that there is now a greater proportion of elderly people in Japan than anywhere else in the world. Last year's Japanese census show that the number of people aged 65 and over reached 21% (27m), overtaking Italy for the first time. What's more, fewer and fewer people are finding partners; almost three out of five women in their late twenties are unmarried, and a third of those in their early thirties. About half the men in the same age group have not found a wife. The ratio of children under 15 is also lower than anywhere else in the world. Matchmaking services have even been launched by local councils to try to help people to marry.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Algarve Cycle Route
Are you an avid cyclist? Love the Algarve? This should interest you: the President of the Junta Metropolitana do Algarve recently announced that 214 km of the Ecovia do Litoral (Coastal Eco-Road) should be finished by approximately March 2007. Initially the route was devised for cycle tourists, but covers any type of non-motorised transport, the Ecovia do Litoral will connect the Algarve from point to point, starting in Cape St. Vicente, in the Municipality of Vila do Bispo, it passes all the cities of the Algarve coastline and finished in Vila Real de Santo Antnio.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
World's Highest Train
The first Qinghai-Tibet train from China's capital Beijing to Tibet's capital Lhasa has arrived after a two-day 1,140km (710-mile) journey. The journey is said to be the world's highest train journey reaching a massive 5,072m (16,000 feet)- oxygen is pumped into the carriages to help passengers deal with the high altitudes. China says the line will bring major opportunities to a poor region, that will "hugely boost local development and benefit the local people", but critics fear it will be used by China to assert its control over an already contested border region and that the railway line threatens not only the delicate Himalayan environment, but also the ancient Tibetan culture.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Honesty Pays
A Canadian couple visiting the San Francisco Bay area have a lot to thank an honest Good Samaritan who found and returned a bag the Canadians accidentally left in a park. The bag contained about a million dollars' worth of jewellery and thousands in cash. According to local newspaper, the Toronto Star, the bag belonged to the wife of a Toronto dentist. She and her husband were in Northern California to attend their daughter's wedding, and misplaced the purse when they stopped in a park in Sausalito, a popular tourist town with a spectacular view of San Francisco. The Good Samaritan, 56-year-old respiratory therapist John Suhrhoff, told the newspaper that he sees nothing unusual in his actions. "Every person I know or associate with would have done the same thing," he said. "I'm glad to be able to help.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Nigerian Referees
Fanny Amun, the acting secretary-general of the Nigerian Football Association, said bribery happens frequently, but referees "should only pretend to fall for the bait, but make sure the result doesn't favour those offering the bribe Nigerian soccer referees can feel free to take bribes as long as they don't let the bribes influence their calls.
Strangely, Nigeria has been rated as one of the world's more corrupt nations, and football does not appear to be an exception. This prompted The Beetle to Google the world's most corrupt countries. According to Transparency International's 2005 listing, the most corrupt country was Chad, followed by Bangladesh, Turlmensitan, Myanmar, Haiti, and, wait for it…
Kuwaiti Voting
June saw the Kuwaiti women voting for the first time… Women can vote and stand for election in four of the six countries in the largely conservative Gulf Arab region. They are banned in Saudi Arabia, which is an absolute monarchy, governed according to a very conservative interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, under which women's rights still remain limited; they are, for example, not permitted to travel unaccompanied by male relatives or allowed to drive. There are no political elections in the United Arab Emirates.
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
Penguin Suits
Spotted by one of Mac's friends: Mormon women in New South Wales are knitting sweaters for penguins.
Doll size, tight-fitting wool sweaters keep this
breed of "fairy" penguins warm as they recover from
exposure to oil spills off coastal Australia, dramatically
raising their survival rate. (Photograph courtesy of the Church
of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints)
You can leave a response, or a trackback from your own site. § Permalink
The Globetrotters Club Officers
Want to join the London Committee? Already a member of the Globetrotters Club? We don't say no to people who have some time to commit and can offer some help! Please contact the Beetle
Help Your Friends Out
People you care about can benefit from the wealth of information about travel available on the Internet. Help them learn how to do it by forwarding them this issue of the Globetrotters eNewsletter!
Disclaimer
Newsletter articles are mostly written by travel enthusiasts who want to share their experiences and thoughts with others; some do not have English as their first language. The editing of articles tries to permit the essence of the enthusiasm to come through, sometimes at the expense of strict grammatical protocol. We hope that readers will make allowances for occasional errors.
Contact the Beetle
You can contact the Beetle on Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk co. uk or by using our website contact page: http://www. Globetrotters. co. uk/contact. php
Your comments, ideas, travellers tales and tips are always welcome.
The opinions in this eNewsletter are those of the contributors and are not necessarily the official view of the Globetrotters Club.
Our
Postal Address
The Globetrotters Club, BCM/Roving, London, WC1N 3XX, United Kingdom.
You don't like this format?
If you would prefer the single column version click here
If you find the font too small or too large, please feel free to change it. (Go to your view menu and go down to "text size" and change the size. )
This Newsletter conforms to the W3C HTML 4. 0 specification and complies with cast. org accessibility standards (Bobby approved).
Some e-mail readers may have trouble with HTML mail, we recommend that you use IE6+, Netscape 7+ and AOL 7+ to read this eNewsletter at its best. If your e-mail reader cannot read this you can always save it and open it with your web browser. To find out more about web standards and why you should use the latest browsers visit w3. org and webstandards. org for further details.
Administration
You have received this newsletter as a result of registering at the Globetrotters Club Website, this newsletter is sent by permission only. If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please visit unsubscribe where you can manage your subscription.
If you change your e-mail address, you will need to unsubscribe the old address and then subscribe with your new address at register. html. Unfortunately, as this list is run by a computer, we are unable to manually process subscribe, unsubscribe and address changes requests.
Redistribution
Redistribution of this eNewsletter is allowed only with permission. You may circulate copies by MANUALLY forwarding it, providing you forward the issue in its entirety, that no fee is involved and you forward no more than three issues to any one individual. After that, please encourage your correspondents to visit register. html, to get their own FREE subscription. Everyone is welcome!
Copyright 2001-2004
This newsletter is edited by the Beetle, please do not attempt to pass it off as your own or use content from it on any website that is not under the control of the Globetrotters Club without gaining prior permission.
The Globetrotters Club endeavours to ensure that the information on their website and newsletters is correct but does not accept any liability for error or omission.
The Globetrotters Club's eNewsletter is a dynamic, super informative look at independent travel around the world. With hints and tips, travel itineraries, readers travel experiences and why not try your knowledge on our travel quiz and maybe win a prize!
Register for your FREE copy today.
We Value Your Privacy - We will NOT pass your details on to any other organisation.