Be careful driving in Uganda's capital, Kampala. The pot holes in Kampala's roads are said to be so bad that protesters have started to plant banana trees in the middle of the potholes. One campaigner says he saw a fish caught in one of the bigger potholes that had filled with water.

Volunteer in Africa is an organization dedicated to disseminating information on voluntary work programs in Africa. We also organize volunteer programs and other programs including group tours in Ghana.

We place volunteers from worldwide on our own projects and on the projects of other organizations in Ghana for a period of 1 to 12 weeks. The volunteers stay with carefully selected, respectable, well screened, dedicated host families.

Our work is aimed at promoting environmental preservation, sustainable social and economic development, literacy, health care, international friendship and cultural exchange. For more information, see: http://www.volunteeringinafrica.org

Spotted by Webmaster Paul, here's a satellite photo from Google of Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

A celebration of musical excellence from London's diaspora communities!

The weekend will feature a selection of world-class performers, all now based in the capital of the UK from all around the world. For more information, see: www.culturalco-operation.org

Admission is free by downloadable voucher from the internet site. The music weekend will take place at KewGardens, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June.

Reunion Kingston London Sunday 11th Sept 2005 for any member of Globetrotters who travelled overland to India or on the rail tours organised by Butterfields. Please e-mail butterfieldashley@yahoo.co.uk

The Peruvian government is to sue a unit of the Chilean airliner LAN over an in-flight video it showed allegedly depicting Lima as not a very nice place to go. The in-flight video is said to include old images of a man urinating in the street and gutters filled with litter. Peruvian officials say that the material misrepresents the capital Lima. The airline has apologised and withdrawn the film and three of its senior executives have resigned.

Disney's theme parks were launched 50 years ago this year. It is believed that 4% of all amateur photographs in the US are taken in a Disney park. Walt Disney was not impressed by American amusement parks, finding them “awful, smelly, dirty, and not particularly safe” so he decided to open his own. The Disneyworld resort in Florida opened in 1971, five years after Walt Disney died. The first Japanese park opened in 1983 and Hong Kong's park opens in September 205 and there are rumours, though denied by the company, that India could be next.

Flying into Iran? Iran opened its new international airport, the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran at the end of April 2005, despite warnings from Britain and Canada who fear that the runway may be unsafe. Neither Britain nor Canada said exactly why they were concerned about the safety of the runway. “We are aware of reports that the runway at the new Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran may not yet be suitable for use,” the British Foreign Office said in a travel advisory. We are in contact with the Iranian authorities about this. Until the situation has been clarified, we advise British travellers to travel by flights using the existing airport.”

South Island Guides, www.southislandguides.com is a collective of professionally trained NZ guides, specializing in creating exceptional guided experiences. Based in Queenstown New Zealand, our guides have extensive experience and qualifications in all areas of the hospitality and adventure tourism industries. All our activities are tried and true, ensuring a high level of professionalism and client satisfaction. A unique and safe adventure is assured for you, your partner, friends and family.

If you would like more information on our 2005 winter products/services or our summer products/services 2005/06 please get in contact with us at info@southislandguides.com

If you are planning to go to Bhutan, mentioning the Globetrotters Club when booking with www.golays.com will earn you a discount of $35 per person per night in the high season and $15 per person per night in the low season.