An eagle eyed Globetrotter wrote in to say: I just found out that starting March 1st, US citizens will be required to have a passport to enter Barbados. Perhaps this will set a precedence for other Caribbean islands.

A man who shipped himself across America in an air cargo crate to avoid paying a passenger fare was fined USD$1,500 and sentenced to 120 days of house arrest. Last September the man, aged 25, filled out an air freight order that charged his New York computer company for the shipping costs, stuffed himself in a crate and sent his 5-foot-8-inch (173 cm) body in a box that was 42 inches (107 cm) high, 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 15 inches deep (38 cm). It was sent, without insurance, on a two-day journey from the New York area to his parents’ home in a Dallas suburb. He was discovered by a delivery man who thought there was a corpse in the crate when he saw eyes staring at him through slats in the box when he dropped it off at McKinley’s parents’ home.

When the crate started to rattle and the apparent corpse came to life, the delivery man called police, according to a police report.

The USD$1,500 fine is more expensive than some airlines charge a first class ticket from New York to Dallas.

The International Maritime Bureau says that more than 20 sailors were killed by pirates in 2003 – twice as many as the previous year. Seventy are missing, presumed dead. The Malaysian based organisation says piracy is increasingly becoming an Asian problem, with Indonesia the most dangerous area.

South and East Asia recorded twice as many as the rest of the world put together. More than a quarter of the world’s piracy took place in Indonesian waters, and without action from the Indonesian Government, the figures will not drop, the board said. Bangladesh is also a piracy hot spot where incidents almost doubled last year over 2002. Nigeria, Vietnam and India all have serious problems.

Other trends are also emerging: ships are now less likely to be hijacked for their cargo; attackers, possibly from militant groups, are seizing ships and ransoming their crew. Another concern is that oil tankers have become a common target and security experts fear a tanker could be used as a floating bomb to attack a city.

This is a new company recommended by Padmassana specialising in Ashtanga yoga for all levels for busy people who want to get away for long weekends in beautiful surroundings to recharge their batteries.

Our first retreat is Spring Rites: Awakening on the spring full moon: Friday 5th – Sun 7th March 2004. The theme of this retreat is to get your body moving after the winter blues.

The centre has heated wooden floors so that the yoga takes place in a warm inviting atmosphere. Mysore self practice as well as a beginner’s Ashtanga class held each day for different levels of experience. Hot tubs will be on throughout the weekend for your relaxation.

Sacred Journeys: Sally Griffyn & Gail Sixsmith.

Venue: Earth Spirit 17th century farm conversion, Glastonbury with heated wooden floors, hot tubs, beautiful countryside and a large banquet hall. Massage will be on offer.

Cost: £265 includes 3 sumptuous vegetarian meals a day, accommodation based on shared twin, yoga classes, intention workshop, hot tubs and open fires. For more information, contact:

www.sacredjourneys.co.uk
sally@sacredjourneys.co.uk
Sally Griffyn 07866385366

The United States recently disclosed that it may soon allow US citizens to visit Libya using American passports and to spend money there, reflecting Libya’s decision to give up weapons of mass destruction.