The Globetrotters eNewsletter
eNewsletter Archive

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

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

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.

The Peruvian judiciary’s web page has been targeted by a suspected Chilean hacker. There have historically been disputes between Chile and Peru. Now they are embroiled in a diplomatic dispute over fishing waters in the Pacific Ocean. Peru is claiming a 37,900 sq km (14,600 sq miles) area that is currently under Chile’s control.�

In the past, Chileans and Peruvians have also argued over the rights to Pisco, an alcoholic drink which Peru claims as its own but is trademarked, produced and marketed in greater volume by Chile. They have even argued over whose seafood is better.�

The Peruvian authorities said the suspected Chilean hacker posted several anti-Peru messages on the country’s judiciary website. One read: “We fight for what is ours. The ocean and pisco are Chilean!” There were also insults directed at Peruvians in general.�

Media reports say that a cyber attacker has posted missives proclaiming: “We do as we like with our policy and our ocean” and “Nobody can match ceviche (citrus-cured fish) and pisco, or equal their quality”.

My reason for belonging to Globetrotters is to share ideas and information about travel. Because of this I wanted to share the following info with all it’s members before it is too late.

My friend in Jakarta sent me the following link because he knew I was going to be travelling in Asia this summer. I bought 5 regional flights and only paid $65 for tax/airport fees.

I believe that any other member going there before Oct. 2006 would appreciate knowing about it. However, booking is required before Dec. 28, 2005. So, please view the sight ASAP and determine if this is something you can share with all the members so they have the chance to take advantage of this. Air Aisa’s page opens with a banner stating there are still 1,500,000 free seats. Booking Period: 7 - 28 December 2005 Travel Period: 7 February - 10 October 2006 Available for online & mobile booking only.

Spotted by Mac: this is a useful source of information to plan your travel. See: RTW Travel Planner

Spotted by Webmaster Paul, here’s a satellite photo from Google of Hampton Court

Travel Facts

• Brazil takes up 47.8% of South America.
• Australians have a huge 380,000 sq m of land per person - and yet 91% live in urban areas.
• Nearly a quarter of people in Monaco are over 65.
• Canada lays claim to more water than any other nation.
• Almost the entire Cook Islands are covered by forest. Contrary to the popular rhyme, rain falls mainly on Guinea.
• 72% of people in Mali earn less than $1 per day.
• There are 22 countries where more than half the population is illiterate. Fifteen of them are in Africa.
• Mexico has the most Jehovah’s Witnesses per capita in the OECD.
• At least 9 out 10 Nigerians attend church regularly. Only 4 out of 10 Americans claim to do so

Source: www.nationmaster.com

The head of civil rights for the US Department of Homeland Security is urging Muslim air travellers to register with the federal government before flying to reduce the chances they might be stopped at an airport because their name is on or similar to names on an anti-terrorism watch list. Registering by completing a two-page “Passenger Identity Verification Form” which can be done on-line.�

The Homeland Security department shares the information with airlines, who compare it against security lists that might otherwise red-flag a passenger. The aim is to distinguish a traveller from people whose names - or close variations thereof - appear on US no-fly lists compiled by intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The department says they want to improve their relations with Muslims and Arab-Americans.�

The two-page “Passenger Identity Verification Form” asks for personal information including name, address, birth date, height, weight, eye and hair colour, and requires copies of three of the following documents: passport, visa, birth certificate, naturalisation certificate, voter registration card, government identity card or military identity card.

The Chiang Mai Night Safari Park, part of a huge project aimed at turning the area into “Chiang Mai World”, has received a boost with Kenya agreeing to provide Thailand with 135 African wild animals. Thailand in turn has pledged to provide financial assistance worth 20 million baht to Kenya so it can set up an elephant fund to help Kenya tackle the problem of rogue elephants. Wildlife activists have expressed concern over the welfare of the wild animals. Several major NGOs have expressed strong opposition to the use of wildlife for entertainment. They also questioned the deal’s transparency. One key concern is opposition to the export and exchange of wildlife, particularly species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species list, such as white rhinos, lions and Sita tigers.