The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all travel to Haiti, and all British nationals in Haiti are advised to leave the country if they can do so safely. A highly volatile security situation prevails throughout the country, and rebels have taken up positions outside the capital, Port-au-Prince. The threat from terrorism is low.

The FCO website says: Kidnapping of foreign nationals (for ransom money) is increasingly common. Random shootings of civilians have become more common, robbery usually being the motive. Crime is widespread and often violent. Pickpockets and theft of valuables are commonplace. You are advised not to leave property in vehicles; travel with doors locked and windows up. Armed hold-ups of vehicles take place, even in daylight, in busy parts of Port-au-Prince.

Some areas of Port-au-Prince should be avoided at all times. Wherever possible you should avoid going out after dark in the capital and do not travel outside the city during the hours of darkness.

The political situation in Haiti is in turmoil. The government and opposition groups are still at loggerheads since the flawed May 2000 election. The security situation is unpredictable, particularly in Port-au-Prince and in the country’s other major towns. There was significant civil unrest in the latter part of 2003, with several large anti-government demonstrations taking place in Port au Prince and elsewhere in the country. These intensified either side of Haiti’s bicentennial celebrations at the beginning of January 2004, and are continuing. Several attacks on government facilities have been reported. The worsening economic situation is further complicating the security situation.

Wherever possible travel with a reliable guide. Avoid using public transport. You should only use rented cars with a local driver from a reliable agency (Dynamic Car Rentals, Budget, etc). Internal flights between the capital and some major provincial towns are available.

Globetrotter Tracey asked the Beetle to pass on the following information about the change in visa/passport for travel to the USA. She says: “I’m sure most Globies will know this but a lot of folks have been asking me about it and are quite confused by what they’ve heard in the press. So thought this would be a good thing to put in the newsletter with the relevant websites”.

The increased awareness and perception in the US of the terrorist threat has led to new security rules – causing a flurry of recent press coverage. Potential problems for travellers will not arise until 26 October this year. From that date travellers with passports issued on or after the 26th October 2004 who were previously eligible to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) will require a visa.

The exception WOULD be those individuals holding a Machine-Readable Passport (MRP) containing ‘biometric identification data’ but these will not become available until at least June 2005 in the UK.

It is therefore recommended that anyone who is likely to need a new passport in that period of time i.e. between this October and the middle to end of 2005 – should apply for a new passport before October this year. The UK authorities are willing to do this for anyone who has up to nine month’s validity on their existing passport. And, this would be less challenging than having to apply for a US Visa. ABTA is suggesting this course as being easier and cheaper than applying for a US visa. Full details about Visa requirements are contained on the US Embassy web site – US Visa Requirements

Visas are expensive; £65 and individuals have to apply in person, to either the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London or Belfast. You can make an appointment by writing in or phoning a premium phone line. The American Authorities are being particularly selective, as they have always been, about whom they accept. Anyone who has ever been arrested will not be accepted – without a letter from the Police explaining why, and for any reasons to then be considered acceptable.

A man who shipped himself across America in an air cargo crate to avoid paying a passenger fare was fined USD$1,500 and sentenced to 120 days of house arrest. Last September the man, aged 25, filled out an air freight order that charged his New York computer company for the shipping costs, stuffed himself in a crate and sent his 5-foot-8-inch (173 cm) body in a box that was 42 inches (107 cm) high, 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 15 inches deep (38 cm). It was sent, without insurance, on a two-day journey from the New York area to his parents’ home in a Dallas suburb. He was discovered by a delivery man who thought there was a corpse in the crate when he saw eyes staring at him through slats in the box when he dropped it off at McKinley’s parents’ home.

When the crate started to rattle and the apparent corpse came to life, the delivery man called police, according to a police report.

The USD$1,500 fine is more expensive than some airlines charge a first class ticket from New York to Dallas.

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.

This is a new company recommended by Padmassana specialising in Ashtanga yoga for all levels for busy people who want to get away for long weekends in beautiful surroundings to recharge their batteries.

Our first retreat is Spring Rites: Awakening on the spring full moon: Friday 5th – Sun 7th March 2004. The theme of this retreat is to get your body moving after the winter blues.

The centre has heated wooden floors so that the yoga takes place in a warm inviting atmosphere. Mysore self practice as well as a beginner’s Ashtanga class held each day for different levels of experience. Hot tubs will be on throughout the weekend for your relaxation.

Sacred Journeys: Sally Griffyn & Gail Sixsmith.

Venue: Earth Spirit 17th century farm conversion, Glastonbury with heated wooden floors, hot tubs, beautiful countryside and a large banquet hall. Massage will be on offer.

Cost: £265 includes 3 sumptuous vegetarian meals a day, accommodation based on shared twin, yoga classes, intention workshop, hot tubs and open fires. For more information, contact:

www.sacredjourneys.co.uk
sally@sacredjourneys.co.uk
Sally Griffyn 07866385366

Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on capital cities. See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!

What is the capital city of the following countries:

1. Andorra
2. Gabon
3. Malta
4. Philippines
5. Thailand

For the answers, see at the end of the e-newsletter.

UK travel companies have cut the prices of Spanish package holidays, Britain’s most popular package holiday choice by an average £150 as fewer British families book holidays in the country.

The price cuts are being seen as an attempt by travel giants to win back custom from low-cost airlines. There is also evidence that families are getting fed up with what they see as profiteering by Spanish hoteliers where they have increased prices by more than local inflation. In addition, the rise in the value of the euro against the pound means the cost of visiting Spain and mainland Europe will be higher this Summer.

One holiday firm said: “Customers see they will get better value in the Dominican Republic and Turkey. If they don’t take this into account, Spanish hoteliers will get their comeuppance.” John Welsh, editor of the industry newspaper Travel Trade Gazette, said many families were creating their own trips by booking a cheap flight and arranging their own hotels and car hire.

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

The first passenger train linking the Adelaide and Darwin in Australia made its debut at the beginning of February. The journey will stretches 1,420 kilometres (882 miles), and cuts through Australia’s outback. The 43 carriage train is called the “Ghan”. named after Afghan camel drivers who traditionally ran the route after European colonisation. The 400 or so people on board included invited guests, the media and regular passengers. Adult fares start at A$440 (US$334). The Ghan has been travelling between Adelaide and Alice Springs since 1929 and it was always the intention to extend the line to Darwin in the north.

How did you do at our little Beetle quiz based on capital cities. See how many you got right!

1. Andorra: Andorra La Vella
2. Gabon: Libraville
3. Malta: Valletta
4. Philippines: Manila
5. Thailand: Bangkok

0 out of 5 – you need to get out more!

1-3 – not bad

4 – Very good! You are a Globetrotter!

5 – Are you sure you didn’t sneak a look?

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!!

Around 400 air passengers are thought to have been stranded abroad after Irish low-cost airline Jetmagic announced it is to cease trading. Jetmagic launched in April 2003 and flew to destinations throughout Europe including Alicante, Barcelona, Nice, Nantes and Milan. It has reportedly lost £7.5 million and more than 100 workers are facing redundancy. On the company’s website www.jetmagic.com all booking facilities have been replaced with a statement explaining that the company is no longer in operation.

Travellers who have booked tickets with Jetmagic can obtain a refund from:
Jetmagic
Refunds Department
5100 Airport Business Park
Cork Ireland.

icelandexpress.com/ is a low cost airline that flies to Iceland, and goodness knows, Iceland is expensive, so the more you can save by getting there cheaply, the more there is to spend.