Category Archives: archive

So You Think You’re Well Travelled?

Here’s a little Beetle quiz based on capital cities. See how many you get right! Go on, have a guess!

What is the capital city of the following countries:

  1. Andorra
  2. Gabon
  3. Malta
  4. Philippines
  5. Thailand

For the answers, see at the end of the e-newsletter.

Sicily – Agrigento by David Cross

On arrival at Agrigento I thought I had dropped a bad clanger. I had not booked thinking February should not present too much by way of problems. However the very first thing I noticed in Agrigento were signs of an international carnival. It was indeed the end of a two-week international festival, ‘Mandolo in fiore’ [almond blossom] but I obtained a ground floor en-suite room at the very first place I tried – at a very reasonable price! This was Concordia in the Piazza San Francesco. Another plus mark for the Concordia is that its guests get a reduction at the good restaurant next door, La Forchetta.

I headed straight for the Valley of the Temples. This is about two and a half kilometres below the town and about half way is the purpose built archaeological museum. I headed for the eastern temples. I don’t know why the Greek settlers found it necessary or desirable to build so many Doric temples so close together – perhaps to avoid spite from jealous Gods? – but I am heartily glad they did.. On the eastern side there are three wonderful buildings, the Tempio de Ércole, the Tempio de Concordia and, furthest away, the Tempio de Giunone. The one in by far the best state of repair – or reconstruction in parts – is the middle one which apparently enjoyed a spell as a Christian church from about the sixth century. However I found the slightly wooded site of the nearest to the road, the Tempio di Ércole contributed to making this a pretty alluring place. All the way along the main path, there are empty tombs and other minor remains on the left side [opposite the temples] and there is much to make it apparent that the festival of almond blossom is perfectly timed.

The following morning the final procession of the festival took place. I took the chance of a quick wander around the town itself. A set of steps led from almost opposite my hotel up to the Via Atenea but the roads up on the other side were mainly unstepped, though very steep. Although Agrigento is statistically one of the poorest cities in Italy, Via Atenea itself gives no sign of this and some of the shops are quite elegant. Eventually the procession set out and very spectacular it was. Some of the costumes were glorious and many of the little children watching were most attractively arrayed. I followed behind to get a bus back down to the temples; no such luck – that’s where the procession was heading and the buses had accordingly stopped. I walked down, stopping at the museum en route.

This is a really excellent place. The British Museum in London is the only place where I have seen a collection of Greek vase to equal the ones there. There is a sort of indoor courtyard and towering up above the height of the first floor is a ‘telemone’ reassembled from pieces, a sort of column with a sculpture of a man holding something up. It is HUGE! Anyway I headed on down for the temple area and there, where the bus had stopped, immediately under the Tempio di Ércole, they were setting up a structure for each national delegation to perform in an outdoor concert. I went to see the western temples first. These are not anywhere near the same as the others, more ruined like a vast ancient historic demolition site but it was interesting after seeing the models in the museum, to imagine just how vast the Tempio di Giove would have been, had it ever been completed. There is another telamone here, lying unattended and possibly seeming even more majestic for this reason.

Later, tired and hungry I started the walk back up the hill. I was far from beating any speed records but I made it and settled down for a rest in my hotel before eating. I woke to the most fearsome bangs and realised that they were from the festival’s final firework display. I simply had to watch and there was a space just along from the hotel which gave the best view I have ever experienced of such a display which was lighting up the sky from far below near the temples. Wow.

I had noticed an interesting place to eat up a small alley on the other side of the Via Atenea. This was La Corte degli Sfizi in Cortile Contorni and I would recommend it to anybody; I must admit to a definite weakness for antipasti and the plate given here to help yourself to the buffet type spread meant that the first course was like a full meal. However the other courses were equally good. I was sorry to be leaving Agrigento but I knew I had seen its best and I never like to stay for an anti-climax. In the morning I took the bus west for Sciacca.

David was a keen walker, particularly on mountains before he developed serious heart problems in 1995. He has now adapted his holidays to what he is able to do and we are presenting his account of 12 days in Sicily over this and the coming months. Next episode – Sciacca, Caltabellotta and Selinunte

The Ghan Train

The first passenger train linking the Adelaide and Darwin in Australia made its debut at the beginning of February. The journey will stretches 1,420 kilometres (882 miles), and cuts through Australia’s outback. The 43 carriage train is called the “Ghan”. named after Afghan camel drivers who traditionally ran the route after European colonisation. The 400 or so people on board included invited guests, the media and regular passengers. Adult fares start at A$440 (US$334). The Ghan has been travelling between Adelaide and Alice Springs since 1929 and it was always the intention to extend the line to Darwin in the north.

Have you got a tale to tell?

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

Reykjavik the northernmost capital in the world by Ása

It’s been called Europe’s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city’s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavik held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000, a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of Reykjavik.

Reykjavik has the best of both worlds: the qualities of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by a close connection to the beautiful and unspoilt nature in the city’s vicinity. The world’s northernmost capital is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja, which keeps a watchful eye on the city, and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay. On a sunny day, the mystical Snaefellsjokull glacier appears crystal-like and baby blue on the western horizon, as the mountainous moonscapes spread to the southeast.

Reykjavik is a great place to visit, whether for a restful relaxation, a spot of unbridled fun or generally to recharge one’s batteries: energy, safety, health and wellness – Reykjavik is indeed Europe’s hottest capital.

Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula whit a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.

The population of the city is about 170,000 when you include the outlying areas and smaller boroughs surrounding the capital. One gets a general feeling of cosmopolitan sophistication built on rock solid foundations.

Ása Kolka Haraldsdóttir works for the Reykjavik tourist board and can be contacted on: asakolka@visitreykjavik.is

MEETING NEWS

Meeting news from our branches around the world.

Latin America Bureau: learn more about Latin America!

LAB is running a working and Volunteering in Latin America workshop in London on Saturday 21st February from 10.30am to 5.30pm. From coffee brigades and tree planting to literacy teaching and human rights work, the day will explore the possibilities for being something other than a tourist in Latin America: practical advice and information.

On 13th March 2004, there will be a workshop in London on Tourism in Latin America: what is the social impact of the growth in tourism on Latin America and the Caribbean? A thought provoking day will examine the politics of travel and is aimed at first time travellers to the region as well as veterans.

For more information, see ww.lab.org or contact them on: 020 7430 0542.

Meeting News from London by Padmassana

Find out what happened at previous meetings in London and about future events

Saturday 6th December 2003 London meeting

Our first speaker was Paul Goldstein whose talk was entitled “Africa: An adventurous wilderness”. Paul has led many tours into sub Saharan Africa for adventure tour operators over the last few years. We started with shots of Victoria Falls and White water rafting, followed by bathing in a Kenyan mud spring! Paul’s passion is for the wildlife of Africa and we saw some wonderful pictures of lion, leopard, cheetahs and jackals. But the stars of the show for the globies audience were the mountain gorillas. Paul finished up in India with a great shot of a lion taking it easy in the middle of the road.

After the break John Pilkington gave an intriguing talk on his journey up the Mekong river to its source in Tibet. We started off in the markets of Saigon, not a place for vegetarians! John followed the river’s course but not always by travelling on it, he also used local trucks that served as busses. As he headed north into these Buddhist lands we saw Buddhist architecture and playful orange clad monks who thought nothing of playing with a mountain gun left over from a previous war. John took an unusual route over the border into China, he hitched a ride on a Chinese cargo boat delivering noodles and Red Bull! When the Mekong was no longer navigable John took to jeeps and finally onto horseback to become the first Britain to reach the source of the Mekong. (Find out more about John at http://www.pilk.net/lecture.mekong.html)

Saturday 3rd January 2004 London meeting

Our first meeting of 2004 was a series of 4 mini talks given by Globetrotters members. Many thanks to all those who took part, some at very short notice who made it a very enjoyable afternoon.

Our first speaker was London organiser Dick Curtis whose talk covered part of his “Gap year” from teaching. Dick slides took us through India, beginning as most Indian journeys do in the capital Delhi from where he took a train to Kashmir, all very exotic, especially to someone who had not ventured beyond Europe before. Dick’s wonderful photos showed us houseboats, temples and the very photogenic people. Dick met up with some other travellers and with them trekked to Ladakh taking in some beautiful mountain scenery and travelling from Hindu India to Buddhist Ladakh.

Our second speaker was club Membership Secretary Kevin Brackley, who took us to a now virtually impossible to reach destination, Saudi Arabia. His journey started in conservative Riyadh, with its fortress and modern Faisal Tower, then north to Sakaka where he showed us the 6000 year old standing stones in the desert. His trip then followed the old Hejaz Railway through the desert to Medina. We saw beautiful red desert colours, including slides of rocks carved by wind and sand and the spectacular Nabatean city of Maidan Saleh. At Al-Ula we saw old locomotives from the railway abandoned in the desert, before arriving via Medina at Globe Square in cosmopolitan Jeddah on the Red sea.

After the break Martin Wright showed us a glimpse of his marathon cycle ride to Australia. Martin illustrated his trip with great photos and narrative, particularly of some of his ailments along the way! He showed us eastern Turkey, before crossing into Iran, the photos of the tiled mosques at Esfahan were superb. Martin couldn’t get a visa for Pakistan so had to back track before ending up in Nepal and then via some hard uphill cycling into Tibet and Lhasa. He continued down through Indochina before crossing to Australia, where the “Pommie on a bike” was made very welcome, especially in places where according to road signs the population was outnumbered by sheep or flies.

Our last speaker was Globetrotters Legacy Coordinator Jeannie Copeland, who showed us a trip she led in Iceland for Ramblers. Starting in Reykjavik with its colourful houses and lake she travelled up the west coast to Akureyri, where some of her group made the boat trip to the Arctic circle island of Grimsey. Husavik on Iceland’s north coast was the chance for the group to try whale watching. Jeannie’s photos showed the group climbing mountains in a tropical for Iceland, twenty degrees, before travelling through rain to Myvatn, with its rock formations such as Dimmuborgir and natural hot spring pools, great after a long days walking.

After the talks, thanks to Nadia and all those who brought food and drink, we enjoyed the annual Globetrotters New Year party.

Future meetings

Saturday 7th February

Chris Bradley — Walking Wadi Hadramaut [Yemen] – a 550 mile solo unsupported trek and first westerner and Rupert Attlee — The Trail to Titicaca – a 7000 mile cycle adventure through S.America

Saturday 6th March

Anthony Lambert — Railways on the Wlldside – travel on a selection of the World’s railways and Jacqui Trotter — Travelling South America – 8 months of overland and independent travel Part II

London meetings are held at The Church of Scotland, Crown Court, behind the Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden at 2.30pm the first Saturday of each month. There is no London meeting in August, but we will be back in September. For more information, you can contact the Globetrotters Info line on +44 (0) 20 8674 6229, or visit the website: www.globetrotters.co.uk

12 Questions To Ask Inca Trail Operators Before The Big Trek

This is an extract from a great website that gives visitors to Peru lots of invaluable information about Peru, how to get around, visas, museums etc. It is a not for profit organisation that is aimed at encouraging people to visit Peru.

  1. Do you carry a first aid kit?
  1. Are your guides trained in first aid and C.P.R?
  1. Do you feed your porters and what do you give them?
  1. Are your porters given proper tents and equipment?
  1. What is the difficult level of the Inca Trail?
  1. What is the meal plan for each day?
  1. Do you supply us with 3 season tents?
  1. Are your guides specialist in birds, plants, and culture?
  1. What is the maximum weight your porters Carry? ( 20 – 25 Kilos )
  1. How much do you pay your porters?
  1. Do you follow the regulations? Do you have a printed copy?
  1. What do you do with waste from the trip and do you use plastic bottles?

For more information, see:http://www.perutouristinformation.com/

Meeting News from New York JANUARY 10th, 2004 Rebuilding the Ruins of Afghanistan — Michael Luongo

From women who work at re-opened museums to hunky gym rats who worship Arnold Schwarzenegger, Afghanistan has changed in the 2 years since the ouster of the Taliban. A lot more work needs to be done, but new buildings rise from the rubble to punctuate the Kabul skyline, archeological initiatives are helping tourism, and wheelchair programs are giving mine victims a new chance in life. See the Afghanistan you never read about in the papers.

We looked at what there is to see as a tourist in Kabul and also touch on travel to other Islamic hotspots like Jordan, Turkey and Morocco.

For details of forthcoming meetings e-mail newyork@globetrotters.co.uk or register for e-mail updates, click here at our website.

New York meetings are held at The Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher Street (btw Greenwich St and Washington St), to the right of Crunch Fitness, in the Archive on the first Saturday of each month at 4 pm.