Category Archives: archive

More Funny Signs

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED.

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR.

In a Tokyo bar:
SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS.

In a Bangkok temple:
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN EVEN A FOREIGNER IF DRESSED AS A MAN.

Hotel room notice, Chiang-Mai, Thailand: PLEASE DO NOT BRING SOLICITORS INTO YOUR ROOM.

Write in and tell us your funny sign! Drop a line to the Beetle!

the Beetle!

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

“We must make people everywhere understand that the AIDS crisis is not over; that this is not about a few foreign countries, far away. This is a threat to an entire generation, that it is a threat to an entire civilization….” United Nations Secretary, General Kofi Annan

On May 19th, 2002, thousands of individuals in over 500 communities in 75 countries will participate in the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots HIV/AIDS event. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is designed to honour the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. There are at least three ways you can become involved in the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. We invite you to consider participating in one or more of the following ways:

  • Organize a Candlelight Memorial
  • Become a Sponsor or Partner
  • Attend a Candlelight Memorial

Visit the Qingzhou Buddhist sculptures, London

At the Royal Academy from 26 April—14 July. This exhibition shows 35 of the best-preserved figures, carved from limestone (around 550—577 AD) out of the 400 or more Buddhist sculptures found in 1996 in a field in the Shandong province in eastern China.

According to early written sources the area in which the sculptures were found once formed part of Longxing Temple, a name that means 'Dragon Spring'. The figures show the sculptural styles that developed as Buddhism spread along the trade routes across central Asia, mixing foreign with Chinese qualities. Among the statues uncovered are beautiful examples of Buddhas, bodhisattvas (attendants of the Buddha) and triads, in which a Buddha, flanked by two bodhisattvas, stands against a leaf-shaped nimbus.

Experts wonder why were so many figures of Buddha were buried during the twelfth century in a carefully constructed pit within the precincts of a monastery. Whatever the reason, the discovery of a Buddhist treasury at the former temple site confirms the important role that Longxing played as a centre of Buddhist culture in the Qingzhou region during the sixth century.

Thanks to Kevin Brackley from London for spotting this!

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

Can anyone help Jane? She is a retired college teacher with extensive international experience looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity in East Africa. (Her website is www.mystudybuddy.org) and she says she has no idea where to look, and would be grateful for your suggestions. If you can help, or have any suggestions, please contact Jane.

Can anyone help Mike, who has not heard from his friend for four months? His friend is sailing from the UK to Australia, and his last letter was from Fatu Hiva. He was looking for crew to sail to Fanning island. Can anyone suggest a web-site to help Mike find his friend? If you have any suggestions, please contact Mike Thorneloe:

Thomas from Munich offers up to date advice for anyone planning on going to Kazakhstan, as he has just returned. To contact Thomas, e-mail him

UK airline news: Easyjet buys Go

There were five low cost airline carriers in the UK: Easyjet, Go, Buzz (owned by KLM), Ryan Air and BMIBaby. Easyjet has just announced that it is paying £374m ($524m) for its rival, Go, (which used to belong to British Airways before they sold it to a Venture Capital fund).

The consolidated airline will still be called Easyjet and all Go planes will be resprayed with the orange Easyjet livery and logo. The Chief Executive says that prices will not rise and they expect to face more intense competition from traditional airlines such as British Airways and Air France.

Both companies are still operating exactly as they did before the deal was announced. They will continue to accept bookings over the phone and via their websites. Go and Easyjet will probably continue with their separate bookings systems until at least the end of October 2002. Between them they fly 78 routes. Easyjet says there is little overlap and they have no intention of dropping any of the destinations. They will also continue to operate from their all their existing UK bases.

Animal Facts

The zebra is a member of the horse family and no two zebras have the same pattern. Stripes help confuse predators chasing the zebra, making them misjudge distances.

Source: STA Travel

Tiny Autonomous Town Discovered on the Swiss – Italian Border By Eric Dondero R.

In early April I took a Eurail/backpacking trip solo through Western Europe. I had the opportunity to travel throughout Switzerland. I gained a great deal of knowledge about Swiss bank accounts and procedures for securing greater financial privacy. I also passed through the tiny independent Principality of Monaco on the French coast near the Italian border.

While in Spain I visited the Andorra Tourist Office in Barcelona. It is located in the mall area of a prominent office complex at the Port of Barcelona. Andorra is located at the very top of the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. It recently won its independence from France and Spain and has since become a tax haven for many Spaniards and other Europeans. Tourists often make a trek to Andorra, 2 hours by train from Barcelona, to purchase duty free goods.

But it was the discovery of yet another tiny tax haven on the Swiss/Italian border that really caught my attention.

Anyone who has ever flown into the Airport at Omaha, Nebraska has had the experience of having to pass through a tiny strip of Iowa after they leave the airport, to get to the city of Omaha. Carter Lakes, Iowa is a geographic anomaly. The town is completely isolated from the rest of the State of Iowa, surrounded by a lake on one side and Nebraska on the other.

Like Iowa, Italy has its own Carter Lakes anomaly in the Alps. Campione D'Italia is completely surrounded by the Lake of Lugano on one side, and the Italian-speaking Swiss Canton of Ticino on the other. The closest point on the Italian border is 11 kilometres away. But the Village has been a part of the Italian State of Lombardy (also home to nearby Milan), for over 7 Centuries.

It is relatively easy to get to Campione. Just take one of the wonderful Swiss trains from Geneva, Basel, or Zurich to Lugano. From Lugano it's just a ten minute ride in a taxi or a rent-a-car to Campione. Or, it's a 45 minute ride – all highway – from Milan.

Its isolation from Italy has given it a very unique status. It is almost like being in another country. It is similar to Monaco in that the town sits on a very narrow strip of coastline surrounded by cliffs. It even looks like Monaco with a Casino, boat docks, and a small palm-lined beach. The population of the town is just over 3,000. The total area is 1.7 square kilometres. Italy administers local governmental functions. However, Campione uses the Swiss banking system, currency, and post office.

It is their system of taxation that outsiders, particularly for those who are interested in financial privacy, may find of greatest interest. Basically, there are no taxes. Campione's only Casino makes enough revenue to support the town. Residents do not pay local municipal taxes, Italian income or VAT (Value Added) taxes, nor are they subject to the onerous taxation from Switzerland.

What's the catch?

Establishing residency in Campione is a little difficult. I speak fluent Italian. So, I was able to converse with some of the locals. They are a little suspicious of outsiders, with the exception of visitors to the Casino. They even seem to be a bit secretive about Campione and it's unique status. They have a good deal and they want to keep it that way. For example, it is not easy to purchase land in Campione or even an apartment, which is the only way to gain residency. Real estate is quite expensive. Though, if you are able to purchase a little land you will receive automatic residency. They say that about 1,000 foreigners now live in Campione taking advantage of its unique opportunities for avoiding taxes and corporate protections.

Libertarians and other financial privacy seekers have searched the world for attractive havens such as Campione. Purchasing a plot of land in the town could prove quite pricey. But this could be a very attractive option for a joint venture?

Note – Eric Dondero R. is the author of the “Worldwide Multilingual Phrase Book” – www.portsidelanguages.com. He is an interpreter in Houston and speaks over 20 languages. He is also active in libertarian politics and is an avid proponent of global freedom.

Free Concerts in London

Cultural Co-operation are putting on free concerts featuring 300 musicians from 25 countries. The concerts are scheduled as follows:

  • Kew Gdns on 29/30 June.
  • Regents Park on 6/7 July
  • Greenwich Park on 13/14 July.

For full details and a voucher to enter Kew Gdns for free on those days, you can either:

New York:

On May 4th Mike Luongo will be giving a slide show and lecture about Lake Titicaca and the Border Regions of Peru and Bolivia. As well as touching on Venezuela. It's a story of lots of water, Incan heritage and South American politics. Learn about mysterious islands made only of woven grass that ancient people made to escape war. You'll see images of the highest navigable lake in the world, of colourful Carnival in Puno, Peru and of deadly natural disaster in La Paz, Bolivia, a city that thrives on laundered money. Michael is a New York based freelance writer and has travelled to more than 45 countries, and written on more than 30 of them. Latin America, with its mix of native and conquering cultures is among his favourite regions of the world. Best known for his work on gay travel destinations, he has been in Our World, Out & About and numerous regional publications and websites. He is also a co-editor of Continuum Press's Gay Tourism: Culture, Identity and Sex, the first academic book on the gay travel industry.

Note: some folk have mentioned wanting to get together for drinks etc. after the meeting. I will bring this to everyone's attention, and we'll see how it goes.

New York meetings are held at The Wings Theater, 154 Christopher Street (btw Greenwich St and Washington St), to the right of Crunch Fitness, in the Archive on the first Saturday of each month at 4 pm. $8.00 for members, $10.00 for non-members.

Readers comments: best airport nominations – from Stuart, London

Skagway, Alaska is quite impressive – one shack and a runway!

Pyongyang, North Korea – loads of staff servicing very few flights!

Canaima, Venezuela, says the Beetle, is quite funny, a tiny strip cut out form the surrounding jungle with a wooden café close by with tens of stalls operated by companies all offering trips to the Angel Falls.

Write in and tell us your best airport nominations! the Beetle

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

Ontario:

The last meeting was on March 15: Bruce Weber talked about Yucatan.

For information on Ontario meetings, please contact: Svatka Hermanek:

shermanek@schulich.yorku.ca or Bruce Weber: tel. 416-203-0911 or Paul Webb: tel. 416-694-8259.

Meetings are held on the third Friday of January, March, May, September and November. Usually at the Woodsworth Co-op, Penthouse, 133, Wilton Street in downtown Toronto at 8.00 p.m.

Music and Travel By Padmassana

Music and travel have been synonymous since the hippies took their music along with them in the sixties. Certain pieces of music have the ability to remind of places we have been and the experiences we enjoyed there. Here are my top 5 that evoke cherished memories of my travels.

Istanbul – “Mea Culpa” by Enigma, it was the first time I had heard this piece, as it woke us from our sleep as well pulled into Istanbul in a January snowstorm. It was a wonderful way to arrive in a place I had long wished to visit.

Iran – “Silk Road, God is Good” from Lonely Planet. This haunting piece will remind anyone who has travelled in the Middle East, but for me particularly of Iran, of the early morning call to prayer resonating from the towers of the ornate mosques.

Yangshuo – “Linger” by The Cranberries. One of my abiding memories of this lovely Chinese town is this song wafting out of virtually every Restaurant and backpacker hotel in the place. Whenever I hear this song on the radio at home it always evokes memories of China.

Australia – “Highway” by Gond Wana Land from the album, “Let the dog out”. Our bus driver played this super album as we crossed Australia’s Red Centre, the didgeridoos providing a fitting accompaniment to the landscape that passed outside the window.

France – “Anni Rose” by Tulka from the Buddha bar album by Claude Challe. This piece will always be a reminder of happy days and warm evenings in the south of France, while doing an Astanga course.

Write in and tell us your musical memories and associations! the Beetle

Texas:

The May 11 meeting will meet at the library at 3 p.m., if you were not able to make the April picnic. The picnic went swimmingly – great weather, great company, good food – thanks to Christina for organising it!

Meetings are held at 3pm at the New Braunfels Public Library, 700 E. Common Street in New Braunfels, Texas. The meeting ends at 5 p.m. If you would like to continue travel talk on a more informal basis, we plan to adjourn to the Hoity-Toit, a local New Braunfels establishment.

If anybody would like to enquire about meetings or help Christina, please contact her on: texas@globetrotters.co.uk

Buddha’s Hair

Back in March last year, archaeologists say that they found a miniature gold box believed to contain the hair of the Buddha. The box, thought to have been buried for more than a thousand years, was dug up during the excavations of a famous ruined pagoda in the eastern city of Hangzhou. The case was found in a cellar under the ruins of the famous Leifeng Pagoda, which was built in 976 AD but collapsed after repeated attacks by relic thieves in 1924. Reports said this is thought to be the second piece of the Buddha's hair found in China – a similar relic was discovered in the north of the country in the 1970s. The Beetle is unable to fund anything more about the hair such as where it might be on display.

London Markets: Leadenhall Market

In the 15th Century, Dick Whittington, who was the Lord Mayor of London at the time, designated this site as an official food market and it has been serving the people of London ever since. Archaeologists say that the site is on what was once a Roman Forum.

It even gets a mention in Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby, as a place to buy new laid eggs.

The market's name was taken from a fourteenth century mansion with a lead roof. Traders from outside London were first allowed to sell their poultry here, then in 1377 cheese and butter. The City Corporation bought the house and estate in 1411, and in 1445 the newly built granary became a general market for poultry, victuals, grain, eggs, butter, cheese etc. The market and the mansion were both burnt down in the Great Fire of 1666 and the market was rebuilt round three large courtyards. The first yard was mainly a beef market, but it also sold leather, wool and raw hides on certain days. The second yard sold veal, mutton and lamb; but fishmongers, poulterers and cheesemongers had stalls here too. The third yard was a herb market selling fruit and vegetables.

Today, with its iron and glass architecture, an excellent example of Victoriana, Leadenhall has been the location for many a film, much to the bemusement of many a city slicker as this market is in Gracechurch St, close to Lloyds of London, in the heart of the City, London’s financial district. Today's market has high quality butchers and fishmongers, greengrocers, chocolate shops and bars, with high prices perhaps to reflect its location.

The market is open Monday-Friday daytime, some shops and bars remain open into the evening. The nearest tube is probably Bank, but others close by include Liverpool St, Aldgate and Tower Hill.

Next month: Petticoat Lane

Be on TV! Be a Contestant on Geo Quiz on the National Geographic Channel

For the second year running, National Geo-Genius is a quiz show looking for a genius that loves travel and adventure, and knows their geography too. Juliet Morris asks the questions as contestants take part in a fast paced quiz answering questions about the world in which we live. Using the earth as a racetrack, contestants are challenged on their knowledge of the countries they pass through on a virtual expedition around the world. The ultimate winner will win the trip of a lifetime to the destination of their dreams. The series will be filmed in Southampton's Meridian Television studios between 14th and 24th June 2002. Anyone who is interested in finding out more information should contact Simon Paintin on 023 8071 2527 or Beth Miller on 023 8071 2634 or alternatively click here to e-mail.

Last year, our very own Globetrotter, Stuart, made it to the finals!

It’s A Small World!

While I spent last week in the shadow of Kilimanjaro the thought occurred to me, “Is anywhere still truly remote?” Though we were in the middle of Maasailand and a five-mile walk from the nearest town, Britney Spears still wafted through the air as we worked to lay the foundation for a Maasai health clinic. Though we have ants here so big they are used to close wounds (let them bite it, then twist their heads off), we have also brought modern surgical staple guns. Though people in the neighbouring shamba (village) were trampled by elephants last month, I saw one Morani warrior who kept his ear hole open with an Estee Lauder lotion bottle and used a dismantled Bic lighter as part of his headdress. In short, Rombo, in the far south of Kenya, is very remote and yet shockingly global. Likewise are the other Global Citizens Network volunteers with whom I am helping to bend metal for the clinic’s framework.

Source: Building Clinic in Kenya Opened Volunteer's Eyes about 'Remoteness'by Sean Maurer / Global Citizens Network (via GoNomad.com)

Not to be Seen Dead In?

Zimbabwe: although the presidential election (held on 9-10 March) is now over, there is still considerable political tension in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. There have continued to be incidents of political violence, which have resulted in serious injury and deaths. We advise all British Nationals in Zimbabwe at this time to keep a low political profile, and to avoid unnecessary travel. Because of current uncertainty in the security situation, we advise against independent travel (particularly backpacking), and strongly recommend that visitors should travel with organised tour operators.

Following the decision by EU Ministers on 18 February to impose targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe; we also cannot exclude the possibility that visitors from EU countries may become political targets. The leaders of the ruling party regularly single out Britain for fierce criticism, alleging British interference in Zimbabwe's internal affairs. British travellers may therefore be exposed to particular risk.

We strongly advise all British visitors to take up-to-date advice from local contacts about any places that you plan to visit. It is possible that you could inadvertently be caught up in disturbances. It is difficult to predict when and where these may occur, and visitors should be alert to signs of trouble and avoid political rallies or similar events. In the event that visitors become aware of a demonstration or disturbance they should try to leave the area as quickly as possible.

Source: www.fco.gov.uk/