Category Archives: Sidebar

Be on TV! Be a Contestant on Geo Quiz on the National Geographic Channel

For the second year running, National Geo-Genius is a quiz show looking for a genius that loves travel and adventure, and knows their geography too. Juliet Morris asks the questions as contestants take part in a fast paced quiz answering questions about the world in which we live. Using the earth as a racetrack, contestants are challenged on their knowledge of the countries they pass through on a virtual expedition around the world. The ultimate winner will win the trip of a lifetime to the destination of their dreams. The series will be filmed in Southampton's Meridian Television studios between 14th and 24th June 2002. Anyone who is interested in finding out more information should contact Simon Paintin on 023 8071 2527 or Beth Miller on 023 8071 2634 or alternatively click here to e-mail.

Last year, our very own Globetrotter, Stuart, made it to the finals!



Not to be Seen Dead In?

Zimbabwe: although the presidential election (held on 9-10 March) is now over, there is still considerable political tension in both urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. There have continued to be incidents of political violence, which have resulted in serious injury and deaths. We advise all British Nationals in Zimbabwe at this time to keep a low political profile, and to avoid unnecessary travel. Because of current uncertainty in the security situation, we advise against independent travel (particularly backpacking), and strongly recommend that visitors should travel with organised tour operators.

Following the decision by EU Ministers on 18 February to impose targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe; we also cannot exclude the possibility that visitors from EU countries may become political targets. The leaders of the ruling party regularly single out Britain for fierce criticism, alleging British interference in Zimbabwe's internal affairs. British travellers may therefore be exposed to particular risk.

We strongly advise all British visitors to take up-to-date advice from local contacts about any places that you plan to visit. It is possible that you could inadvertently be caught up in disturbances. It is difficult to predict when and where these may occur, and visitors should be alert to signs of trouble and avoid political rallies or similar events. In the event that visitors become aware of a demonstration or disturbance they should try to leave the area as quickly as possible.

Source: www.fco.gov.uk/



Mercosur Pass

If you are planning a trip to South America, it is definitely worth considering buying a Mercosur pass. This covers travel in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, excluding Easter Island. It has to be bought as a part of your international ticket and must include travel in at least 2 Mercosur countries. It can be used for a minimum of 7 days and a max of 30 days. It is calculated on the number of miles travelled. The more you travel, the cheaper the fare. You have to travel on certain carriers, but there is a wide range. Ask your travel agent about it.



Book Review

Review of Lonely Planet book:

Buddhist Stupas in Asia – the shape of perfection by Padmassana

This hardback pictorial book explains the origins of Stupas, the living embodiment of Buddhist teachings.

Its 170 pages contain beautiful colour photographs of the many types of Stupa found in Asia. From the bell shaped ones in India and Sri Lanka, to the Chortens of Nepal and Tibet to the Pagoda styles of China and Japan.

At £24.99 ( $34.99) it is not cheap, but to anyone with an interest in these wonderful structures it is a must have on the bookshelf.



Not to be Seen Dead In?

Madagascar travel advice by the FCO: we advise against all holiday and other non-essential travel to Madagascar for the time being. The demonstrations and strike, which followed the presidential elections on 16 December 2001, have stopped.

However, there are still outbreaks of violence around the country. Martial law was declared in Antananarivo on 28 February, and a curfew was imposed from 2100-0500.

Curfews have also been imposed in other cities around the country. Barricades are still in place at points around the capital and those situated on the main roads linking Antananarivo to the provinces have been strengthened. This has made road travel around the country dangerous and difficult.

Air Madagascar is not offering flights to Europe and Asia at the moment. Air France is providing one flight per week. Flights to and from South Africa are severely disrupted. Flights around the country are also subject to disruption. There is no aviation fuel for commercial use at Ivato, the main airport in the capital.

There have been cases of armed robbery in some National Parks. All independent travellers intending to visit National Parks should seek advice from a tour operator, or from the park administration.

There has been an increase in the number of travellers being pick-pocketed at the airport. Visitors should exercise caution on arrival and departure and should not leave bags unattended. Keep money and passports separate.

There is a danger of mugging in urban areas. Do not carry excessive money or wear prominent jewellery. Take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as markets. It is wise to avoid walking at night in city centres. Visitors are advised to carry a copy of their passport and to keep the original safe (e.g. a hotel deposit box).

Avoid travelling outside urban areas at night, if at all possible.

Visitors are advised not to wear military style clothing. It is disapproved of locally and could lead to detention.

Medical supplies are becoming increasingly scarce in Antananarivo and around the country. The shortage of medical supplies together with lack of fuel is limiting the medical evacuation services available.

www.fco.gov.uk/



Tibetan Women's Uprising

If you were in London on March 12th, you may have joined the Tibet Vigil for prayers and speeches from 5pm to 7pm opposite the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place.

This special vigil was in memory of 3,000 women who met in Lhasa in 1959 and the many thousands of women including nuns who are still suffering or in prison for declaring that Tibet should be free and refusing to denounce the Dalai Lama.

There are regular weekly meetings in London to protest on behalf of Tibetans. For details, call +44 (0) 208 771 1822 ore-mail or see the web site:www.tibet-vigil.org.uk



Kenyan Proverb

“The Earth was not give to us by our parents, it was lent to us by our children.”



Five Things You Didn't Know About Tourism

(From Tourism Concern)

1. According to the UN, 13-19 million children are working in the tourism sector all over the world. More than 1 million are forced into tourism’s sex industry.

2. 5,200 people were given 12 days’ notice and then forcibly removed from their homes in Pagan, Burma to make way for a tourism development. The military junta said they were an eyesore to tourists.

3. Spain’s 12 million visitors a year leave behind 100,000 tonnes of rubbish.

4. In destinations with beautiful beaches, especially the Caribbean, local people are often barred from beaches by hotel security and prevented from carrying on their livelihoods, such as fishing.

5. The UN calculates that a tourist uses as much water in 24 hours as a Third World villager would use to produce rice in 100 days.

Tourism Concern is a charity that works to ensure that local communities get a fair deal. Seetourismconcern.org.uk



Iceberg in Antartica

Did you know that icebergs are given names, and that these names relate to the section of Antartica where they are first sited?

US scientists recently reported that an iceberg more over nine times the size of Singapore had broken off Antarctica. It is over 64 kilometers (40 miles) wide and 85 kilometers (53 miles) long, and covers an area of about 5,500 square kilometers.

The National Ice Center said the berg, named B-22, broke free from an ice tongue in the Amundson Sea, an area of Antarctica south of the Pacific Ocean.

The B designation covers the Amundson and eastern Ross seas and the 22 indicates it is the 22nd iceberg sighted there by the US National Ice Center.

The iceberg broke off as a result of climate warming. One UK glaciologist at the Bas in Cambridge said “[It is hard] to believe that 500 million billion tons of ice sheet has disintegrated in less than a month.”