Category Archives: enewsletter

New Gun Laws in Florida

Visitors to Florida are being warned that they could be at risk due to a new state law that allows gun owners to shoot anyone they believe threatens their safety. A spokeswoman for The Brady Campaign to Control Gun Violence, said “tourists should be wary of getting into an “aggressive argument” during their stay”. The law which is now in force says that people in their house or vehicle do not have to become victims before shooting an attacker. Previously, they could only use their weapons if they had first attempted to withdraw and avoid a confrontation.

A spokeswoman for Visit Florida in the UK accused the Brady Campaign of employing scare tactics and claimed the new law would not have any impact on tourism to the state. “There are 28 other states that do not require people to retreat if they are being attacked, so it is just bringing Florida into line,” she said. “I don’t think many UK holidaymakers are going to attack someone in their car or their house, so they have nothing to worry about. It is not a real issue. According to the state’s annual crime report, Florida’s crime rate is at a 34-year low.” Florida is the most popular US destination for Britons, attracting 1.5 million people from the UK each year.

Zakynthos Turtle Threat

Environmentalists have announced that the Mediterranean’s largest nesting population of loggerhead turtles is facing extinction due to tourism. Their reports states that one of only two marine turtle species that reproduce in the Mediterranean, would face extinction unless the authorities took more steps to control tourism in the region.

The Greek island of Zakynthos is home to the National Marine Park, where between 800 and 1,100 turtles nest every summer. Officials have been accused of failing to implement sufficient regulations to prevent tourists from disturbing the turtles that hatch at the height of the tourism season in August. The Worldwide Fund for Nature monitored the park this summer and found that thousands of tourists placed their sunbeds and umbrellas beyond authorised limits on the beaches. Illegal bars, tavernas and parking areas also lined the shores, disturbing the turtle settlements, according to the report. Three years ago the Greek government was found guilty under European Union law of failing to protect the animals. But, despite the ruling, tourism has continued to damage the population, according to this week’s WWF report.

Meeting News from London by Padmassana

This months meeting took place at another new venue, The Dragon Hall in Stukeley Street. Despite the change of venue the meeting was well attended, with one member (Padmassana) flying in from Rome just in the nick of time to attend.

Our first speaker of the afternoon was Neil Taylor who talked to us about “Estonia, Tallinn and the Baltic Capitals”. Neil told us how these countries have come a long way in a short time from being part of the old Soviet Union to independent countries now served by low cost airlines. The countries do not have much in the way of natural countryside to attract the visitor, it’s their towns and cities that are worth the look. Tallinn in Estonia is the best known, though often full of Finns seeking cheap alcohol, but also has an old own full of charm. Nowadays there are many bars, restaurants and hotels to cater for tourists in the Baltic States and the days of surly waiters, demanding hefty tips in US $ for even condescending to serve you a drink have been consigned to history. Neil has written the Bradt guide to Estonia – see www.bradtguides.com

After the break Stevie Smith gave us a thoroughly entertaining talk on the Expedition 360 – see www.expedition360.com Steve along with Jason Lewis set out in 1994 to circumnavigate the Globe using manpower only. They built a boat, called Moksha, a Sanskrit word meaning freedom, which is powered by pedal power to cross the seas and oceans. The UK boat show allowed them to promote their trip, but there was a slight hitch with the publicity leaflets; they dictated to the printer that they would be living on “dehydrated rations”, but this was printed as “dehydrated Russians”. They left Greenwich in 1994 expecting the journey to take a couple of years, but it’s now 2005, and they still have a way to go. They initially cycled to Portugal and then spent 111 days crossing the Atlantic to Florida. Jason then roller skated across the US, before being hit by a geriatric, blind car driver and spent 8 months off the road. Their boat took them across to Hawaii, which you can read about in Steve’s book “Pedalling to Hawaii”, www.p2hi.com. They have crossed the Pacific and Jason is now making his way up through S.E. Asia towards Singapore.

Saturday 5th November

This meeting will be at our regular venue, The Church of Scotland, Crown Court, behind the Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden and will start at 2.30pm, Doors open at 2.15 pm.

Tom Fremantle will be talking about “A Journey down the River Niger” by dugout canoe and donkey cart. Tom follows the trail blazing Scottish explorer Mungo Park, taking in mangrove swamps, Tuareg camps and the legendary city of Timbuktu. [Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria] www.mini-mule.co.uk

After the tea and coffee break, Amar Grover will be talking about “The Ethnic Minorities in China.” China has 55 Minorities living in the countries most beautiful and interesting corners. http://www.travelintelligence.com

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 in September. For more information, you can contact the Globetrotters Info line on +44 (0) 20 8674 6229, or visit the website: www.globetrotters.co.uk Admission Members £2.50 Non-members £5

Electric Cars in Cordoba

You can now hire Gems, or Global Electric Motorcars in Cordoba, southern Spain as a safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to see the town. Gems are made in the US by a division of Daimler-Chrysler. A fully charged car can travel around 50 miles, (80km). Each car comes with a touch-screen computer system mounted in the dash. By using GPS technology, the computer keeps track of exactly where you are in the city. When you pass a certain landmark, the computer then knows to display the appropriate text, audio and video information about that landmark on the screen. Through a USB port, you can plug in a flash drive containing information on Cordoba in Spanish, English or French. Hire costs are around US$50 for a two-hour rental period.

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Overseas Meetings

We used to have meetings in New York City and New Braunfels, Texas. Regrettably, after having done a superb job, neither organisers are able to give their time to Globetrotter meetings. If you are based in New York or New Braunfels and have the time to commit to pick up where our previous organisers left off, we’d love to hear from you – please see our FAQ or contact our the Branch Liaison Officer via our Website at Meeting FAQ. If you are based elsewhere and are interested in starting a branch of the Globetrotters, please feel free to contact us.

Being Careful: Indonesia

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise caution on Indonesia.

On 1 October 2005, at least 3 bombs exploded in Central Kuta and Jimbaran beach in Bali. Up to 26 people have been killed and over 90 injured. A British/Australian dual national was killed in the attacks and at least 2 British nationals were injured, 1 seriously.

There remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. We continue to receive reports that terrorists in Indonesia are planning further attacks on Westerners and Western interests. Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and are likely to be directed against locations and buildings frequented by foreigners.

If you intend to travel to Indonesia in the immediate future or you are already in Indonesia, you should exercise caution at all times. You should review thoroughly the latest information on the situation, including media reports; keep in close contact with your tour operator; and follow any advice from local authorities. If you are travelling to, or resident in Indonesia, you should ensure that you are comfortable with, and regularly review, your and your family’s security arrangements.

The Indonesian Police are on a state of high alert and have deployed extra personnel to high profile and sensitive locations including, but not limited to, embassies, consulates outside Jakarta and hotels.

Terrorists have shown in previous attacks, like the attack on the Australian Embassy, the Marriott Hotel, Jakarta and both the Bali bombings, that they have the means and the motivation to carry out successful attacks.

We advise against all travel to Aceh, except for those involved in post-tsunami humanitarian and reconstruction work or in preparations for the Aceh Monitoring Mission. Parts of Aceh remain affected by a long running internal conflict. Two aid workers were shot and injured in separate shooting attacks on 23 June and 7 July respectively. There is a risk that further incidents may occur. You should exercise caution when travelling to remote areas.

We advise against travel to some parts of Maluku, especially Ambon, and some parts of Central Sulawesi, which are experiencing civilian unrest. At least 20 people were killed in a bomb attack in Central Sulawesi on Saturday 28 May.