Ever wondered who were the most corrupt countries in the world?
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) lists those countries which are perceived by suppliers as requiring the most bribes of businesses. The countries that currently do worst on this score are Russia, China, Taiwan and South Korea, with Sweden and Australia faring the best.
Janice from L.A. suggests the Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena for that great English cup of tea. The owners, Mary and Edmund Fry, (her husband Edmund dressed like Jeeves) run a delightful teashop in Pasadena and also organise tours. Including a trip to Kenya for tea and safari. Members of royalty and visiting dignities have all visited (and been photographed with the owners). The Rose Tree Cottage has also been named by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best teashops in Southern California and was again featured in USA Today.
At the end of May, beginning of June, the UK was in party mode to celebrate 50 years of the Queen on the throne. Two public holidays added to the weekend lead to four days of celebrations. Street parties were held across the UK and thousands went to Buckingham Palace in the evenings for massive rock and classical concerts.
The English Tourist Council predicted that around one third of Britons took part in a Golden Jubilee event of some kind over the long bank holiday weekend. Also to celebrate the event there was almost 2,000 beacons lit across the UK and many more in all of the Commonwealth countries. The fact that the jubilee coincided with the start of the World Cup gave an extra boost to the festivities and resulted in far fewer (about 1.5 million people) people going abroad to take advantage of the 4 day holiday.
India and Pakistan. Due to the risk of conflict between India and Pakistan, the FCO's advice is that they still recommend against all but essential travel to India. British nationals already in India should consider their need to remain in the country, but we no longer advise they should leave. Our advice for Pakistan also no longer recommends against all travel. But we continue to advise against all but essential travel. Because of the continuing high level of security threat internally in Pakistan, those who decide they must still travel should have confidence in the security arrangements made for the entire visit. We further advise all British nationals in Pakistan to leave unless they have a compelling reason to stay, and similarly have confidence in their security arrangements. The situation is likely to remain uncertain for some time. We will keep our travel advice under constant review and will not hesitate to change it if necessary.
Not a lot of people know that John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar, or that Prince Charles started his honeymoon there with Princess Diana. Gibraltar is, at the moment, a 3 square mile piece of independent territory in southern Spain overlooking Morocco with some 30,000 inhabitants.
The original settlers came from around the Mediterranean: from Malta and Italy. Both Spanish and English is spoken in Gibraltar and most of the population are, unlike Britain, Catholics. Back in the 18th century, Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain. Spain now wants Gibraltar back! In 1969, the people of Gibraltar included a proviso in its constitution that Gibraltar will only be returned to Spain if is population vote for this in a national referendum.
The Gibraltarians feel very passionate about not becoming part of Spain and Spain has been practicing all manner of restrictive practices towards Gibraltar, including causing a 3 hour wait to make a 100m drive across the border, even bribing ferry companies to move a few miles across into Spain to provide services to Tunis.
One has to consider the irony of this latest Anglo-Spanish diplomatic scuffle; true, Gibraltar with its geographical position almost at the mouth of the Med is well strategically placed, but equally, let's not forget that Spain maintains two separate territories in Morocco, which, strangely, Morocco wants back.
The Science Museum is vast and is a great place for both children and adults and there are many interactive displays that capture the imagination as well as being educational. However, it is so big, plan your day by identifying specific areas of interest so as not to spend too long – museum fatigue can set in fast! It is free, and the nearest tube is South Kensington. You could combine the museum with some therapeutic shopping at nearby Harrods or Harvey Nichols. Visit the website or tel: 0870 870 4771. Weekends are the busiest time since the admission fee has been scrapped, so try and visit during the week, if you can.
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
Source: scubatravel.co.uk According to the Divers Alert Network, the FBI is “interested in any information concerning suspicious individuals who started dive training but did not complete it”. They presumably mean that you were suspicious of them rather than vice versa, but fail to elucidate upon what your suspicions should be based. Visit: divers alert network website.
Tina is a segment producer for a TV show called “Radical Sabbaticals” which airs on the Fine Living Network in the United States. The show features passionate, inspirational stories about successful, professional people who have walked away from their careers to pursue a dream…i.e. the CEO of a multi-million dollar company who left to become a wine maker. They could also be on an open-ended sabbatical We are also looking for people who have also given up their career to move to Europe to pursue their dreams. If you could refer any people or stories to us, it would be greatly appreciated. Your response would be greatly appreciated. Tina can be reached at (818) 755-4800 ext. 207 or click here to email Tina.
The Magic of Cambodia – a celebration of Cambodia, its people and its culture Saturday 17 August 2002 10 am – 6 pm Venue: The George Pickering Postgraduate Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford.
A fascinating day's events for those interested in Cambodia, or planning to travel there. Guest speakers on a wide range of topics to include Angkor & ancient temples, travel, health issues, culture, Buddhism, charities and volunteer work. 'Ask the experts' forum, Khmer classical dance display, video and photography presentations. Refreshments available, including Cambodian buffet lunch. The event proceeds will go to The Cambodia Trust and The Cambodia Arts & Scholarship Foundation
For further information, please contact the event convenors Tel. 01452 721833 or e-mail Andy Brouwer or Caroline Nixon