 Less than one in 10 people are estimated to have been on an international flight
ÂÂ China is expected to unseat France as world’s most visited country by 2020
ÂÂ 16% of foreign trips are in East Asia – up from 1% in 1950
Sources: IATA, Worldwatch Institute
7th September 2002 London meeting Review by Padmassana
We had two excellent speakers who both captured the essence of the countries they talked about with some fantastic photographs.
Our first speaker was Marion Bull who showed us the N’Afjer plateau in the Algerian Sahara. This area is the site of the world’s oldest rock paintings, some dating back 12,000 years. Marion explained that although UNESCO protects the paintings, many have been damaged over the last few years by Arabic graffiti, and as there have been few tourists to this area, the government has not protected them. The slides of the rock paintings Marion showed us depicted prehistoric scenes of long extinct animals, pastoral scenes of grazing cattle, newer pictures of what appeared to be a boat and fishermen and paintings of chariots being pulled by animals.
This area of Algeria is also the site of The Forest of Stones, which look like streets and stretch for 35 miles. These “streets” of rock have spectacular pinnacles, which Marion said were difficult to photograph due to the shadows cast by neighbouring towers of rock. But Marion did these wonderful formations justice with her colourful slides. We were lucky that Marion was able to show us these wonderful images, as when she was leaving the area her plane had a little mishap, and she had to spend another night in her sleeping bag on the runway tarmac.
Our second speaker was Julian Webster who treated us to some glorious images of India. These included pictures of the Ganges high in the Himalayas, right down to India’s southern tip, showing us a lifeguard complete with a pointy “Go Faster” swim hat! We saw colourful images of religious India including temples in Kerala, Buddhists in the north, Christian nuns and Oracles who treat the local people with their magic. Julian moved onto India at work, from the washing Ghats in Bombay (Mumbai), where we saw clothes being beaten clean on stones, Fish markets, Railway station bookshops with English sounding names and even the office of “The World Famous Sex Therapist”! Julian finished with some of the classical images of India such as holy cows and the Taj Mahal.
On Saturday 5th October, Eamonn Gearon will give a talk called “Walking to Siwa – and then staying there!” This features solo camel trekking in the Libyan desert and life in the Egyptian oasis of Siwa, past present and future. This is an extract from just one of Eamonn's expeditions in North Africa – he is already planning his next to Sudan/Liberia.
After the break, Tahir Shah will give a talk entitled “In search of King Solomon’s Mines.” Tahir is the third generation of his family to become obsessed with King Solomon's mines. He travelled to Ethiopia to a remote cliff face monastery where visitors are pulled up by rope, the ruined castles of Gondar, to rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, an illegal gold mine, and the hardest leg to the accursed mountain of Tullu Wallel, where legend says the shafts to the entrance to King Solomon's mines. All class competition for Rider Haggard's classic adventure novel!
London meetings are held at The Church of Scotland, Crown Court, behind the Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden at 2.30pm the first Saturday of each month. There is no London meeting in August, but we will be back on Saturday 1st September. For more information, you can contact the Globetrotter Info line on +44 (0) 20 8674 6229, or visit the website: www.globetrotters.co.uk
The Museum is housed within the Bank of England, at the heart of the City of London. It traces the history of the Bank from its foundation by Royal Charter in 1694, to its role today as the nation's central bank. Displays include: gold, bank notes and a reconstruction of the 18th century office. In addition, inter-active systems allow visitors to look behind the doors of the central bank or to examine the intricacies of bank note design and production, and a computer-driven simulation gives visitors an idea of what it is like to deal on the US Dollar/Sterling spot market.
The museum is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 – 17.00 and admission is free.
Historical Bank of England Trivia
Ø The Bank of England was founded in 1694 by a Scotsman, William Paterson, and the Bank of Scotland in 1695 by an Englishman, John Holland.
Ø The monarch's portrait didnot appear on Bank of England notes until 1960.
Ø The highest value bank note issued by the Bank of England was the £1000 denomination. It was last issued in 1943.
Ø The fiver (£5) is the longest running denomination of Bank of England note: it was first issued in 1793.
Ø Bank of England notes were not wholly printed until 1853. Until that year they were still signed by one of the Bank's cashiers.
Ø Kenneth Grahame, the author of children's book, The wind in the Willows, was the Secretary of the Bank of England 1898 – 1908. The book was published in 1908, the year in which he retired from the Bank. It is possible that some of the characters in the book were based on those people he knew and worked with.
Mexican airports are returning to normal operations after Hurricane Isidore battered the country on the weekend. The airport authorities estimated that 89 flights at Cancun, were cancelled because of the hurricane, but no damage has been reported and the airport is now operating normally. One man died at Cancun Airport.
A change of date….on October 19th, we have yet, another interesting guest speaker!! Liz Ferber will be doing a picture show and presentation about some of her favorite exotic locations, with an in-depth look at some of their most special features. Highlights will include: India, Peru, Africa, and Thailand, specifically: Northern India, the Andes mountains and Cusco area, Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa, and the Andaman Sea, food in Chiang Mai, and the best chicken in Thailand!
Elizabeth Ferber is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and several other publications. She is the author of ten books, is a graduate of Barnard College and received her Master's Degree in Education from New York University. She is the President of Design Alternatives, a firm specializing in environmentally-sustainable interior design. She currently lives in Katonah, New York with her husband and two children. Together, they travel to the ends of the earth as often as possible.
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 from 4pm -5:30pm. $8.00 for members, $10.00 for non-members.
For true 007 fans this exhibition at the Science Museum in London will display a vast collection of objects, costume designs, storyboards and images. See Oddjob's killer bowler hat and Rose Klebb's flick-knife shoe. Visitors will have a real behind the scenes look at the work of the creative and technical teams of these world famous films. Special themed areas will allow fans of Bond to gain a sense of what its like to be the special agent. Visitors must embark on a 'death-defying stunt' and negotiate 'the mirrored maze in the villains lair' before they are granted secret agent status! The exhibition runs from 16 October 2002 – March 2003. For more info, visit:
London Events: Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival
If you’ve never seen them, this is your chance: if you are in London 6th October, you will be able to see the Pearly Kings and Queens. They are traditional Cockney costermongers. The altar and the pulpit of St Martins in the Fields, Trafalgar Square are arrayed with the fruits of the earth, and a Pearly King or Queen reads one of the Lessons, while the congregation sings the hymns of the harvest season.
Date: 6 Oct 2002
Location: St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JJ Tel: (020) 7766 1100
Website: St Martins in the Fields
The Dead Sea is falling by about one metre (3ft) a year due to declining rainfall, and an increase in the amount of irrigation water being taken from the River Jordan. Water flows in from the River Jordan and other sources, but there is no outflow – it simply evaporates, concentrating the salts in the water into brine. Environmentalists warn the salt lake could vanish by 2050 if nothing is done.
Israel and Jordan announced at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg that they have agreed on a plan to build an $800 million pipeline to pipe water north from the Gulf of Aqaba in Red Sea to the Dead Sea.
On September 20, Bruce Weber & Hoang Nguyen will talk about: “Impressions of Vietnam” (with slides). Bruce, the first-time visitor and Hong returned after 15 years. We will also have some Visiting medical students talking about: “Secrets of Bavaria”
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.
It’s Real Beer Week in British pubs this autumn. 33 family run breweries that have each been in the business from 100 to 300 years want to encourage more people to try real ale. The 33 brewers, are staging the first ever Real Beer Week in British pubs this autumn (September 30 – October 6). If you are not sure you would like the beer on offer, many pubs will provide a no-obligation free taste on request. For more info, visit: Family Brewers
The AUC (Air Transport Users Council– the UK airline watchdog) recently issued a list of the 20 most complained about airlines. They said there was “little evidence” that airlines were showing “any real concern about the impact on passengers of damaged, delayed or lost luggage”. Lost luggage, flight cancellations and problems with tickets – particularly for those booked over the internet and by telephone – were among the most common complaints.
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Top five written complaints |
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Delay: 19% Mishandled baggage: 15% Flight cancellations: 9% Reservations: 8% Overbooking: 7% |
The AUC said it was especially worried about budget airline Ryanair which, it claimed, often displayed a poor attitude towards its customers. Overall, Ryanair was the third most complained about airline – receiving 77 written complaints, compared with 117 for the biggest carrier, British Airways, and 110 for Air France.
The top 10 are as follows:
1) British Airways + subsidiaries: 117 2) Air France: 110 3) Ryanair: 77 4) KLM + subsidiaries: 53 5) Easyjet: 42 6) MyTravel (formerly Airtours):39 7) Britannia: 33 8=) Air 2000: 32 8=)Go: 32 10) BMI British Midland: 29
The Beetle says she is pleased to see Ryan air in the list, and is not surprised to see most of the other low cost carriers all represented.
14th September 2002 Texas branch meeting Review by Christina Smith
Two wonderful presentations were enjoyed by the 18 in attendance. Emily Naberhaus, a regular attendee, discussed and demonstrated packing techniques for a week or a month.
Sue Howell, a soon to be regular attendee, introduced the group to her new business Vacations Unlimited Travel, Inc. Everyone had time to share their travel stories and dreams, and do some networking before the meeting ended. Two door prizes were given.. More than half of the group continuedtravel conversation over a few beverages and a bunch of peanuts at the Hoity Toit.
On October 12th at 2 p.m, resident photographer Chris Schorre will present a slide show and provide travel facts about Croatia. As always, everyone is invited to the New Braunfels Public Library in New Braunfels, Texas to meet with fellow travelers.
Organizer of the Texas branch meetings Christina Smith says: “The monthly meetings are the exact support I need in dealing with the travel bug that bit me early in life. My desire and obsession for travel takes center stage. Fortunately the fellowship of other travelers on a monthly basis continues toenhance my addiction. I love this wonderful support group”. The Beetle says a big thank you to you, Christina for making the Texas branch what it is today – down to your enthusiasm and dedication!
The Texas branch members have decided to take a trip together! Plans are being developed for a group excursion to the Copper Canyon in Mexico for Spring 2003.
Future meetings: October 12and November 9th
A reminder that Texas meetings will start one hour earlier, at 2pm and not 3pm.
Meetings are held at 2pm 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
Under 30?
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!!
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.
Whilst over eighty thousand British nationals visited Kenya last year, the vast majority enjoyed a trouble-free stay. Nevertheless, all visitors should be aware of potential risks and should exercise sensible precautions.
Muggings and armed attacks can occur at any time, particularly in Nairobi and Mombassa: be alert at all times. Do not accept food or drink from strangers, as there have been instances of it being drugged. Avoid travelling after dark in isolated places, particularly empty beaches. Do not carry valuables or wear jewellery in public places. Do not carry credit cards or cash cards unless you must, people have been forced by thieves to withdraw cash. Beware of thieves posing as police officers; always ask to see identification. Outbreaks of political violence are normally localised and rarely affect visitors. It is best to avoid political rallies or meetings, which are usually well publicised. These are likely to become more numerous in the run-up to general elections, widely expected to take place in December 2002, though the timing of the polls may be delayed into 2003. Incidents of armed car-hijackings are more prevalent in Nairobi and Mombassa but can occur in any area of the country. Do not attempt to escape from hijackers or resist their demands.
Game reserves and other tourist areas are generally trouble-free, but tourists wishing to visit reserves should use reputable tour operators and arrive at their destination in daylight hours. Visitors are strongly advised not to buy safari tours from touts but only through reputable agencies or from their hotel. There have been some fatalities when people have gone on foot in game parks and visitors should conform closely to park regulations and wardens' advice. Bathing in rivers and lakes is forbidden in National Parks and is best avoided elsewhere due to the dangers from both wildlife and water-borne disease.
For security reasons, and also because of the condition of the roads, visitors to Lamu Island are strongly advised to travel by air. Buses and other vehicles on the road to Lamu have been attacked by armed robbers and must travel in convoy on the Malindi/Garsen/Lamu section. Avoid the North-Eastern Province, in particular areas near the Somali border, the Tana River District of Coast Province and the Isiolo and Marsabit Districts of Eastern Province where cattle raids are frequent. Cattle raids have also occurred in Trans Nzoia district and armed robbery has affected the Kapenguria to Lokichokio road in Rift Valley Province.
Take care if driving, especially at night, as road conditions and driving standards are often poor. There have been a number of serious accidents involving Kenyan long-distance bus services. Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and driven at excessive speed even on poorly maintained roads. Visitors are advised to check with any bus operator on the standards they observe before using this form of transport. Another common form of public transport is the matatu, usually a minibus plying a specific route. Though very cheap to use, matatus are notorious for being poorly maintained, badly driven and in some instances do not have proper insurance cover. There are frequent reports of matatus being hijacked, or of passengers being robbed. Visitors are advised to think carefully before using matatus.
Source: www.fco.co.uk
You may want to reschedule your visit to Madagascar: according to news sources, an outbreak of flu has killed at least 374 people with another 5,000 and more infected. Health experts from the WHO are due to arrive to investigate the cause. The outbreaks are mostly blamed on poverty and have occurred in the southern highlands, Fianarantsoa and in the western port of Tulear, a place used by travellers to visit the national parks close by.
Add this to the last 7 months of civil unrest, this does not make Madagascar a very attractive place to visit – which is a great shame, as the Beetle can attest it is a fabulously interesting country, hard to get around, but worth the effort, to see the different kinds of forests, the lemurs, practice speaking French, the old French style of architecture and boulevards etc. The diving is not bad, either!
Saturday August 10th, we had the fabulously informative Eric Dondero as speaker. His topic was: “How to Learn Any Language Fast”. Eric is a Multilingual Interpreter and Certified Language Instructor from Houston. He speaks over 20 languages and can communicate in another 20 more. His new book is the “Worldwide Multilingual Phrase Book; Survival Skills for Over 40 Languages”
This month (September 14) we will have two guest speakers. Our own traveling girl, Emily Naberhaus, will show us how to pack for long trips with just a backpack. Sue Howell, a new focused market Travel Agent, will discuss her decision to specialize.
Future meetings: October 12th and November 9th
A reminder that Texas meetings will start one hour earlier, at 2pm and not 3pm.
Meetings are held at 2pm 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
Overlooking the River Thames, Tate Britain was originally founded through the philanthropy of the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate. The Tate legacy now encompasses three other galleries around the UK, including Tate Modern in London. Dedicated to showcasing Britain's artistic talent, Tate Britain is home to the greatest collection of British art from 1500 to the present day. Since it opened in 1897, the collection has expanded to include works from Blake, Rossetti, Spencer and Stubbs. Visitors will be treated to a visual feast in the Turner gallery, discover the ever-popular The Kiss by Rodin and be mesmerized by the visionary work of William Blake. The works have recently been re-arranged according to six core themes ranging from Literature and Fantasy to Public and Private. As a result, historic and modern paintings now hang together.
Opening hours: 10:00-17:50, closed 24-26 Dec.
Tube: Pimlico or Vauxhall. Enquiries: 020 7887 8000 Entrance:
FREE except for some special ex
hibitions.
Disruption to circadian rhythms caused by crossing time zones, which can result in broken sleep, with the sufferer waking during the night and then wanting to fall asleep during the day. The number of days this dysrhythmia lasts has been observed to be about equal to the number of time zones crossed. A study by Air New Zealand states that passengers crossing 12 times zones on a 26-hour flight require ten days to re-establish a normal sleep pattern (1).
The length of the flight is not the critical issue. The most important single factor is how many time zones you cross. People can suffer jet lag just crossing the United States (three hours' time change) but would be much less affected by a north-south flight of the same duration. The number of intermediate stops is also a factor, as each stop is accompanied by changes in cabin pressure. Lastly is your pre flight condition. If you are not fit, rested and healthy you will probably suffer more jet lag than others on the same flight.
Most Londoners see Covent Garden as a tourist trap, but they still go there, to eat and drink or pause to watch the latest jugglers once in a while. (There are actually some pretty good bars and restaurants in the area – head for Earlham St, Shorts Gardens, or better still, cross over Shaftsbury Avenue and head for Soho – no shortage of good eateries there!) For the tourists, there are the tarot readers and fortune tellers, the henna tattoo artists and the London teddy bears, but actually, a Londoner might buy some unusual silver earrings or something else you can't find elsewhere in the West End. If you are going to eat in Covent Garden, avoid the places close to the piazza. The only exception is Chez Gerrard (called rather grandly, Chez Gerrard at the Opera Terrace!) a decent enough steak-frites kind of place on the corner, overlooking the piazza with an almost impossible to find entrance.
Covent Garden market used to be a vegetable market but moved from Covent Garden to Nine Elms in Battersea in 1974. The old market halls have been preserved and are now home to stalls selling quintessentially English goods. It is open Monday – Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
The old Apple Market in the North Hall showcases antiques on Mondays and arts and crafts from Tuesday to Sunday, selling everything from jewellery and clothing to silverware and pottery. South of the piazza is the Jubilee Market, which sells downmarket clothes, shoes and household goods. The piazza itself is a great place to catch some of London's best street performers and buskers, although keep an eye on your wallets and bags.
For more info, visit: www.coventgardenmarket.co.uk
A recent UK Sunday newspaper ran a brief report about a five month study the Lithuanian government has just conducted.
As a result of the study, the government has scrapped a law that required women to take a gynaecological examination before they could be issued a driver's licence. Government officials argued that certain diseases in women could cause sufficient pain to hinder driving. “This requirement made our country look more than strange” said a health ministry spokesman.
Strange, indeed, says the Beetle, wondering what if any examination the men have to undergo.