Emma needs you!!! Only 8 people have replied to Emma so far and she needs 90 contestants!!! If you live in the UK, are knowledgeable about travel and countries, and would like to be a contestant on the Geo Quiz – it goes out on the National Geographic Cable Channel, then contact Emma: thomase@meridiantv.com or call her on 02380 712 118.

During WWII, Frank of Alabama found himself in Samoa and even today, he can still speak some Samoan. He paid a visit back in 1999 to Samoa and surprised a lady who called him something rude by returning the compliment back in her own language! The woman’s 350 lb daughter was not amused, but the mother laughed and said that she would watch her language in future!

This year, the US State department suggests that the following destinations really aren’t such clever places to visit right now: the Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Somalia, Yugoslavia, Haiti, Congo, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

We have a Berghaus Freeflow 23 kindly donated by Mike of the YHA Shop in Ludgate Hill (10m from St Pauls Cathedral), London to give away to the person with the correct answer to:

1. Ruahatu is the Polynesian god of what?

2. Gauguin’s intended patron, King Pomare V, suddenly died, a victim of many years of excessive what?

3. What are known as “spat”?

4. What is the name of the International airport in Papeete?

5. What is the French abbreviation for the currency used in Tahiti?

Your email address:

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

Marilyn from the US was in Ischia 2 years ago and fell in love with the place. It is just a short ride from Naples, Capri and Almalfi. Marilyn asks if anyone has any information on living there? The Beetle will pass all info to Marilyn: Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk

Watch this space! We have a small but highly dedicated team investigating obtaining discounts for members of the Globetrotters Club. We’ll keep you up dated as deals are signed!

We have some people in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento in the US and also in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia who are interested in starting a branch of the Globetrotters Club. But we need some help! Please contact our Branch Liaison Officer via our Website at Meeting FAQ

The Beetle can report back on the Palm House in the Burggaten, the historic heart of Vienna. It is perfect for coffee and cake or brunch ~ whatever ~ good service, good food and you can loiter and gossip with friends or just sit and read the papers.

Want to tell us about your favourite coffee corner or watering hole? Then contact the Beetle: Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk

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!!