The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to Pakistan until further notice unless there are compelling reasons to do so. They advise all British nationals still in the North-West Frontier Province, Baluchistan and the northern areas to leave those areas immediately.
This is of particular interest to the Beetle as she used to live and work in Karachi and was due to go out to Islamabad during the month of November. Plans are on hold!
If you find yourself in London, at a loose end, fancy something just a little bit different, then give the Mandalay a go.
It can be found at 444 Edgware Rd Tel: 020 7258 3696. The nearest tube is at Edgware Rd.
The London and New York Globetrotter chairs went to dinner there earlier in the year (with their friend Rob of Grand Canyon fame!) and they had a great time saying the food was fantastic and the owners really friendly and interesting about their country.
Want to tell us about your favourite coffee corner, restaurant or watering hole? Then contact the Beetle: the Beetle
This was our first trip to Bali and I have to say that the Balinese are in general the loveliest people, very gentle and welcoming.
Driving out there was a real experience though! It appears that the traffic laws (where there are any) don’t apply to the thousands of motor bikes on the road. It was common to have them coming at you in a one way street!
Prices are fantastic, it cost us about a fiver to tank up a big people carrier, they thought we were mad driving ourselves but once you get used to it and remember to use your horn as much as they do it’s not too bad.
Certainly a destination I’d recommend and will definitely be going back. Kuta is very touristy but get out of town and it’s a whole different world.
Joanne is from Canada and works with the Beetle. She has not been in the UK very long. She had never been to a bonfire night!
We explained to her that on November 5th, 1605, the Catholic Guy Fawkes and some fellow conspirators, crept into the Houses of Parliament and stored lots of barrels of gunpowder in an attempt to blow up the houses of Parliament.
He and his associates were caught and taken away to the Tower of London and beheaded. Since this time, each year, on November 5th, the entire country celebrate the foiling of this event (I know, it seems strange!) by having a bonfire with an effigy of Guy Fawkes and we have huge organized and private firework displays.
The public firework displays are always stunning! One of the best ones in London is at Primrose Hill and starts at 7.30pm on the closest Saturday to 5th November.
Under 24? 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!!
The Beetle likes the UK Foreign and Commonwealth site – it has everything from employment opportunities to individual country reports – really interesting!
Paying by credit card? Check the currency you think you’ve just paid in! Ensure that the currency you have paid in is clearly marked on the credit card slip and don’t forget to match it to your credit card statement when you get home – you may be in for a surprise!
Got any scam experiences you’d like to share with the Beetle? Then e-mail them to: the Beetle
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