Tourists considering a summer holiday this year may be put off by the idea of a crowded beach on a Spanish Costa or the over familiarity of holiday resorts packed with British tourists. There are however, areas of Spain that are not over-populated by tourists and offer unspoilt beaches. The Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) on the sandy shores of the Atlantic in the South West corner of Spain offers an alternative to commercialised Mediterranean resorts. Stretching from Tarifa to the border of the Algarve, The Costa de la Luz is a favourite with the Spanish. In fact you may find yourself longing for company as you stroll along the near deserted and tranquil beaches.

With restrictions on development meaning many of the beaches remain unspoilt, Costa de la Luz holidays enjoy a notably Andalucian atmosphere with a strong flamenco tradition and extraordinary carnivals and religious processions. Holidays on the Costa de la Luz feature superb Andalucian cuisine with tapas bars and superior fish and seafood far outweighing more predictable tourist menus. The mix of golden sandy beaches, friendly locals and excellent cuisine ensure holidays in the Costa de la Luz are a wonderful experience and one that is yet to be exposed on a grand scale. However this is not to say it does attract a number of discerning holidaymakers with the insight to appreciate what is on offer, namely the near perfect windsurfing conditions and the world class surfing.

Although the attractive beaches are vast and often seem deserted, they are also within reach of some of Europe’s most fascinating cities meaning you can be in touch with the best of both worlds. This particular area of Andalucia is populated by historic cities rich in culture and tradition such as Cadiz, Seville and Jerez, or beautiful hilltop towns like Vejer and Arcos. One minute you can be strolling along a deserted beach, the next you can be exploring the charismatic Andalucian cities. An excellent example, Tarifa boasts a labyrinth of boutiques, surf shops, terraced cafes and restaurants dotted around the streets which wind up towards the late-Gothic 15th century church of San Mateo and a great castle overlooking the town. Tarifa also boasts an impressive nightlife with its many bars and clubs encouraging a growing reputation as the ‘new Ibiza’ or the ‘Malibu of Europe’.

Other holidaymakers are drawn by the more relaxing pursuits of walking, bird watching and horse riding or simply soaking up the Spanish sun. In fact, the Costa de la Luz is a magnet for birdwatchers. Between Cadiz and Southern Portugal lies the largest wildlife reserve in Europe, the Coto Donanan National Park, home to an unprecedented amount of bird species. This area of Spain is also one of the most historic, with the 2nd century BC Roman site of Baela Claudia, around 9 miles north of Tarifa, which hosts many temples and a restored theatre carved from the side of a hilltop. Another nearby picturesque town, Vejer de la Fontera, sits high upon the hills with a 16 century church and a delightful Spanish plaza incorporating spectacular views.

For tourists tired of commercialised Spanish resorts, the Costa de la Luz shows the real, traditional side of Spain with an array of attractions to match far bolder holiday resorts that lie within neighbouring Costas. The only difference is that for now, it is left relatively untouched, also meaning there are chances to find cheaper deals. Other recommended resorts in the Costa de la Luz include Chipiona which is close to Jerez and popular with discerning locals from Cadiz and Seville.

With European cruises increasing in popularity, more and more Americans passengers are likely to make port in some of the great cities of the Mediterranean. One of the oldest of these harbor towns is still a top port of call for modern cruise lines: Venice.

Venice is not like anywhere else on earth. It’s not the only city that is laced with canals (Amsterdam has canals, too, so does Stockholm), and it’s not the only city with an ancient past (Rome probably beats Venice in the historical department and Florence definitely edges her out in art). But there is something incredibly different and delightful about Venice.

You can’t drive in Venice. Entrance in and out of the city is by boat (you take a water taxi from the airport), so arriving by cruise ship is close to the way the city was meant to be approached.

When you actually reach Venice, you’ll have to get around by walking or boat. By far, the quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to go from point A to point B is to jump on the boat-bus, called a vaporetto. You buy tickets for it just like the bus. If you’re a cruise passenger in town for the day, it may pay for you to buy a pass good for the whole day. Not only could it save you some lire, you don’t have to hassle with buying tickets when you want to get a ride.

Water taxis are another option, but they’re a bit more expensive. Even more expensive, but delightfully romantic and unique, are gondolas. Expect to fork out a lot of money for the experience, but, trust me, it will be an experience.

Most Venetians get around by foot, and you probably will, too. The city has all the twists and turns you’d expect from an ancient town. The city is crisscrossed with twisting and turning canals, leaving you occasionally in the strange predicament of being able to see where you want to go but not being able to find a passable route to get there. Relax, Venice has something interesting practically around every corner, so even if you get lost, you’ll probably still do a lot of great sightseeing.

The biggest tourist spot in town is the Piazza San Marco where St. Mark’s Cathedral is located. You can tour the cathedral and even climb the towers (not hard) to get a panoramic view of the square. Legend holds that the cathedral contains the grave of St. Mark, author of the Gospel according to St. Mark.

The square is full of pigeons (all of the time) and tourists (mostly in warmer months). Depending on when you travel, you may also see scaffolding or wooden walkways around the plaza. These aren’t risers for a concert or show. They are walkways designed so that people could get across the square even when it floods, which it does often enough for the city to have built elevated walkways.

Nearby is the Doge’s Palace. Doge (dough-jay) is the name the Venetians gave to their ruler back in the day when Venice was an independent nation. It’s a sumptuous kind of place, fit for a monarch, but most tourists enjoy the lesser accommodations better. The Doge had so many enemies he annexed a prison to the palace which is reached by crossing the Bridge of Sighs. There is a self-guided tour of the prison but it is very important to stick to the pathways marked. You are perfectly free to wander around as you see fit, but the place is like a honeycomb and you can get lost.

Getting lost is a typical Venetian experience. The city is full of unmarked streets, twisted lanes, and narrow passageways.

One of Venice’s favorite native sons was reputed to have been lost. Marco Polo lived in Venice and set out for China, where he spent 20 years. When he returned, he was vilified by Venetians who called him “The Liar” for making up stories. You can visit his home. It is located on a short cul-de-sac named “The Liar”The Liar.”

Venice was always better known for commerce than art, but there are some artistic treasures. If you like eating what the locals do, you’re going to try seafood and a dry sparkling wine called Prosecco. Of course, most tourists end up enjoying more generic Italian favorites here, too, such as cappuccino or espresso and rich gelato.

If you have time, take a vaporetto out to Lido island. It’s an island that’s just a short boat-bus ride from the main drag (the Grand Canal) and there is more relaxed (and less expensive) shopping and some beaches.

Another great thing to check out is Murano, an island famous for colorful hand-blown glass. You can buy Murano glassware all over Venice, including a special design known as mille-fiori (thousand-flowers). In Murano, you can watch artisans at work and get a much broader sampling of their products. You’ll find Murano glass products in lots of stores.

Glass purchases from large stores can be shipped to you at home; most shopkeepers will be able to make such arrangements, at least for larger purchases.

Venice is a well-known city for tourists. It always has been, and cruise ships and package tours to Europe continue to feature it prominently. But Venice is also a very personal kind of city. Two tourists visiting the city on any given day can walk away with distinctly different impressions and experiences.

November 4, 2009

Copyright © 2009 Jim Sizemore.

The views expressed on this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Oracle.

Africa’s consumer market exceeds 900 Million people, the fastest growing market in the world.
For the purpose of this article  I will join those who often talk about Africa as if it was one country. Africa is not just a fast growing market it is also the 10th largest world market. According to the world bank the 2006 Africa Gross National Income was 978.3 B $, just after Canada at 9th position and before India, Brazil, Korea, Russian Federation, and Mexico who had the 11th until 15th position.

This being said I consider the 54 countries to be very diverse.  I recommend you have a look at http://www.gapminder.org/ where Professor Hans Rosling  provides the statistical facts in an exiting way that will make you understand the importance to look at African countries rather then to look at it as one Country.

The informal economy on average in Africa according to Friedrich Schneider accounts for 42 % of GNP in a survey of 1999/2000 where the US accounted for 9%, the UK 13%, Canada 15%, Sweden 20% and Greece 29% by comparison.
If we look at Africa  using the typical statistical data that is available to be factual, or if we want to go by the average notion on Africa based on the media, even in a worse case scenario the opportunities in reality are much better than what one expects.

The limited amount of suppliers that this growing amount of consumers can chose from however allow the vendors to provide very poor service, to dump dangerous products on the market, to overcharge customers for services and products and not to respect warranties or guarantees.The consumers have no proper legal framework that protect them from these practices to claim their rights. Governments do not proactively protect their citizens either from dangerous or poor quality products and services
France and the UK know this all too well and continue to protect their old vested interests stemming from the old colonial days and this translates into situations where the average African consumers have to take it or leave it with hardly any functional or affordable system in place to protect them.
Deutsche Telecom wanted to buy Sonatel in Burkina Faso, The French Minister of ICT told his German colleague to stay out of his territory and the deal was called off.  Vivendi took over with Maroc Telecom as the fronting company. Today the service has badly deteriorated and one can complain about the service but to no avail. New subscribers are accepted daily while insufficient investments are made in the total infrastructure causing very unstable networks.

New players like China have discovered the African market as well and do not meet many obstacles selling low cost and poor quality products including pharmaceuticals with Chinese descriptions leaving consumers at the mercy of the retailers guidance instead of being protected by health care regulations as is the cast in most places in the world.

A few more examples across industries:

If you buy an airline return ticket with British Airways in Africa to the UK it will on average be more expensive than buying the same return ticket in the UK in countries where BA face little competition. The same is true for Air France or KLM.  While the flights to some of the destinations to Africa are shorter in miles and travel time the rates are higher than flights to the USA for instance that are longer in distance and time.  All the mentioned airline carriers in this example use the best airline configurations to the destinations where they face stiff competition and they continue to use their oldest configurations to places like Accra, Ouagadougou, Bamako where they almost still maintain a monopoly.
Each of these airline companies do face competition on destinations like Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg and therefore you will get a flat bed configuration flying BA to Lagos in business class, but not to Accra while the rates are almost the same. On flights to Lagos the mentioned carriers have US inbound passengers that work in the energy sector who have lots of alternatives to chose from once arriving at London, Paris or Amsterdam before continuing their destination to Lagos.
But what if you fly to Paris starting your journey in Ouagadougou, you have been a loyal frequent flyer of Air France and you want to use your air miles to upgrade your ticket or you want to sit in a business class lounge at the airport of Dakar using your club 2000 card ?
Well you can’t. Sorry sir on this route these perks are not available.  I was recently rejected even in transit at the airport in Paris to sit in the airport lounge coming from Ouagadougou. If you read the terms and conditions Air France clearly state that your club 2000 card gives you world wide club access regardless of the class you travel in and you have the right to invite a fellow passenger. Air France does not mention “except for the following African destinations”.
When you complain, you get letters explaining how terribly sorry the company is and they hope to soon welcome you on board of their flights again because they know that you have few or no alternative.
Emirates Airlines are expanding their network of destinations across the continent but frequent flyers of Emirates will notice that the cash and miles service does not include destinations like Ghana even if they have a daily direct flight between Dubai and Accra. How come ?

What about ordering through Amazon.com if you live in Africa where bookstores are not a commodity and the population is young and eager for knowledge ?
Well you can order books, but in todays technology driven world where youngsters increasingly look for multi media alternatives, unfortunately you cannot order any multi media nor software, nor any electronics that are on offer at Amazon.com.  The excuse in this case is the fear for piracy, but this is taking a short cut in my opinion. Today’s technology offer enough solutions to counter piracy if only one is willing to invest. Apparently 450 million youngsters is not a big enough market opportunity for Amazon to at least explore some alternatives.

What if you want to transfer money to relatives ?
Up until some years ago Western Union was the only viable solution for the large diaspora community to transfer money to and from Africa. The costs associated to the transfers exceeded even the highest fees one would pay using bank transfers anywhere around the world.  When Moneygram started to operate in Africa fees came down overall, but with only two service providers the fees are still disproportional if you consider the purchasing power of the majority of the beneficiaries and the main reason for these money transfers. Most of the transfers are made to support families in their most basic needs. The banking sector in Africa is still mainly focusing on corporate banking and the continent has the lowest bank account penetration rates in the world. Western Union and Moneygram can therefore charge any fees they like without too much risk of losing customers.  While central banks do control foreign exchange and limit currency outflows from some of the African countries, they don’t seem to feel a need to protect their population from being overcharged.
A few banks do have retail branches and for a handful of their client base they offer premium services, meaning that these clients have access to air conditioned areas to do their banking transactions, while the majority of the clients have to queue in long lines in the heat often moving from one counter to the next to queue again to conclude very outdated manual procedures to make a money draft.

What if you buy a computer or a cell phone while traveling overseas from world renowned vendors like HP or Nokia, just to name a few, and you use it in Africa?
Although the vendors when selling you the items claim that they offer world wide guarantees and warranties the reality check comes once your equipment fails on you back home in Africa.
Even when the vendor has a local distributor, the world wide agreements are not always respected and consumers either have to travel back with their equipment and have it repaired where the items were purchased or pay for the repair. Either way they lose.
Africans use places like Dubai and  China extensively to buy items that they cannot find in their home countries. On arrival the consumers often are charged high duties.
Guarantees and warranties very often are not respected in Africa and if you read the small letters you will see that some vendors exclude Subsaharan Africa all together.
The price does not reflect this exclusion and again considering purchasing power of average African consumers, they end up paying a premium for non-warranted items.

If you buy a Toyota in Ghana and export the car to say neighboring Burkina Faso, warranties will no longer apply and spare parts have to be imported at surcharges from the country where you bought the car because the local Toyota dealer will not keep parts in stock for different care types. Most car makers sell different versions of types of vehicles in different countries.

Pharmaceutical scams of trials using African human beings to test new drugs have been headline news items in many newspapers and cable new stations over the years.
Today anybody can buy drugs over the counter that would normally require a prescription. Drugs that are imported from China with only Chinese descriptions that nobody in Africa can read and that no health care institution has approved since  controls are either not in place or not enforced are sold even through small Chinese retail outlets exposing vast amounts of people to medical side effects in a place where medical care is unaffordable for the majority of the population in any event.

In Africa consumers have not yet found ways to organize themselves. Most governments are happy to see investors come and apart from tax and duties there are not too many regulations that have to be respected. But in the end the consumers who pay for the government services indirectly via their taxes have rights that need to be protected.
Hopefully we will see a private initiative take off soon somewhere that will set the example for others to follow protecting consumers interests…

© Desi Lopez Fafié

Why do we think how we do? What shapes our lives?  What can we learn? The following is a series of anecdotes, which in part, explain how I have reached certain opinions. I have received a lot of personal criticism over the last few days. This is my response.

Thanks for reading!

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It’s a typical Wednesday night and I’m at my Dad’s house in New York, Northwest of NYC. Maybe I’m 7 years old, maybe 10.

As my younger brother and I sit at the kitchen table watching, our Dad grates potatoes and a bit of onion into a bowl, then adds eggs and spices.  Olive oil crackles in the pan as he drops in the potato mixture, forming them into flat patties with a spatula.

These are good ones, he promises, as we fetch ketchup, sour cream and applesauce from the fridge. He divvies the oily-hot dinner on our plates.

Though latkes are a traditionally Jewish food, usually eaten on Chanukah, in my family we didn’t always celebrate Chanukah but ate latkes any time.

Growing up, latkes were not representative of religion, but rather culture and heritage.

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I’m around 13 years old, driving with my Dad as he runs some errands.

Have you ever been inside Kiryis Joel, he asks me?

I don’t think so, I reply.

We pull off the familiar roads I know and head into a new reality, seconds away from ours.

There are schools and grocery stores, synagogues and tons of tightly packed apartment buildings.  Women and girls wear long skirts and modest long sleeves. Men, down to the youngest boys, have long side curls, many topped with tall black hats. All the signs are written in Yiddish.

My Dad stops the car near a synagogue to exchange a couple words with a client or friend. They begin to enter the synagogue and I follow. The man stops me.

You can’t come in here, my Dad explains. Only men can.

I stand by the car, wondering about religion, lifestyles and gender roles.

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My mom’s younger sister, moves with her Israeli husband and two children to Tel Aviv. I remember my Granny’s constant anxiety on their behalf.

I remember headlines about bus bombings. I think Israel is a terrifying place and wish my family would leave.

All I know about the Palestinians is they are a danger to my family. I only hear about them when they do something wrong.

When my aunt and her family move to California, we all sighs in relief.

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Sometime in my mid teens I enter my Dad’s living room to find a discussion about how to resolve the conflict in Israel/Palestine.

I listen as the eclectic group debates the virtues and probability of a two state solution and alternatives.

I have never studied the conflict in-depth in school or discussed it with my parents.

I have only heard about violence, terror and senseless death.

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He’s running over 42 miles, weak and starved as Nazis shoot straggling companions and the cold freezes souls and limbs.

I’m in 10^th grade and think Elie Wiesel’s Night is one of the saddest true stories I’ve ever read.

In my high school there are often anti-Semitic slurs. Part of it is ignorance, part likely frustration at Kiryas Joel encroaching into our neighborhoods.

I’m aware of my Jewish heritage. I want the descendents of these people to be safe and have a home. I don’t want the Jews to be outcasts, scapegoats or viewed as greedy and manipulating intellectuals.

At the same time, I do not feel Jewish. I have never attended Hebrew school, gone to synagogue or prayed in a religious way.

Some night during high school, I don’t remember when, I spend many hours on my computer. I read about being atheist and agnostic and think about what I believe. I decide I’m agnostic.

I’m curious about religion from an intellectual perspective.

I want to understand what so many billions of all faiths believe, I want to understand my heritage, and I respect how religious organizations bring people together in positive ways.

I am discouraged by how religion separates and classifies people. It seems it always has and I have no evidence it will ever cease.

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We’re on a family vacation in Colorado when my Mom gets a call from our good friend and neighbor. Her son—a couple years my senior—has been hit by a train near our house. He is dead.

In the days that follow I watch her and others find solace in the church and their belief of God.

I am grateful for their faith.

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I check the Egypt box on the application.

I’ve written an essay about my interest in the region, stemming from my desire to understand what I do not know and journalistic ambitions.

I am critical of American foreign policy. I believe learning Arabic is a way to overcome cultural and communication differences, mitigate ignorance and make better future decisions. I think the importance is in the details and I want to understand every word.

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I’m sitting at a favorite outdoor shisha café with American and Egyptian peers. It’s June 2008, a couple weeks into our dialogue in Egypt.

We sip Ennab (cold hibiscus tea) and fresh juices. I ask questions about Islam.

Is religion a part of their everyday lives? Do they all pray five times a day? What is Allah’s role in their lives? What do they think of us?

I discover my new friends are more like me than I imagined.

They ask about my religion so I explain what it means to be atheist and agnostic.

They want to know how I was raised so I describe celebrating both Jewish and Christian holidays.

It was about the family being together. It was about lighting Chanukah candles, cooking latkes and savory soup, and enjoying each other’s presence. Christmas was about how the dazzlingly decorated tree enveloping the whole house in its woody aroma, snowflakes and hot chocolate.

Prior to take-off, a professor, had warned us Egyptians would likely view practicing no religion more negatively than practicing Judaism or Christianity.

Though skeptical, my new friends were accepting and endlessly curious.

The conversation moves to Obama’s pending election and U.S. foreign policy, to relationships, marriage and sex, to our expectation about Egypt and their view of Americans.

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It’s Fall 2008 and I’m spending 6 months working in Washington D.C.

As part of my job, I followed the news closely.

As I watch bills pass through the house and the senate, I think of what our political system is capable and its limitations. As I spend my weekends campaigning for Obama in Virginia, I’m inspired, optimistic and terrified of what will happen if he loses.

More than ever, I think America’s policies are not in line with our interests. I want to believe we can change that.

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It’s January 2009, the start of a new semester at NU.

With hopes to return to the Middle East on my mind, I enroll in a course, “Human Rights in the Middle East.”

As we sit in our comfy classroom discussing freedom of press (aka lack-of), women’s rights, extrajudicial killings and international rules of war, Israel continues its bombing and blockade of Gaza.

We talk about human shields and Gaza’s dense population crammed in a 25 mile long 4-7.5 miles wide, strip. We talk about the rockets killing Israeli civilians, who is launching them, and why.

I read how around 40 children are killed when Israeli mortar hits a United Nations school building. I read how IDF forces move 100 Palestinians into a house near Gaza, which is bombed the next day, killing at least 30.

I read 33 percent of the Gazans killed are women and children. I read a truck, marked with United Nations flags, which movements were coordinated with the IDF, was shot at, leaving one aid worker dead and two companions injured. I read a Human Rights Watch Report about Israelis using white phosphorous, a war crime.

I do not believe Israel is taking “all feasible precautions,” to avoid civilian casualties.

I am outraged just as thoroughly by Israel’s denial of services, pointedly targeting citizens. Vital materials, such as those required for plumbing repairs and emergency medical care are blockaded. Food and masses of donated goods sit idly at the border as those inside—about 1.4 million, suffer.

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I move the headphones and blanket and sink into my seat.

The plane launches and there is no going back.

I, along with 24 other Northeastern University students, two professors and one assistant, will land in Cairo, Egypt in around 20 hours. From there we will travel to Syria and Qatar.

Carlene Hempel, our journalism professor, describes our mission as follows on our group website:

“We have embarked on a five-week reporting adventure during which we are traveling to three different countries in the Middle East – Egypt, Syria and Qatar. From May 2 through June 5, we will be reporting, via the blog below, what we are witnessing. Politics, culture, arts, economics, religion and international relations are just some of our interests. To the right, you will also find a list of our names. These are our personal blogs….. the students’ personal blogs are their own responsibility. What’s written there reflects their thoughts, opinions and even fears and hopes as they engage in what will undoubtedly be an once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

My own story is slightly varied. As my peers conclude the trip buying souvenirs at the Khan-el-Khalili and punching out final reflections to their blogs, I tour apartments in downtown Cairo and apply for internships.

I cannot imagine leaving after such a short stint–There is so much I want to see and learn. I want to be more than a tourist; I will live and work in a society different than my own.

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­­­­­The man looks at me, speaking in the challenging Iraqi Arabic. The woman to my left translates his words into English and I type notes while forming questions in my mind. He’s my first client, an Iraqi refugee who was persecuted in Iraq because he worked with Americans.

As I ask him personal questions, I wonder what he thinks of me: a young female, not fluent in Arabic or familiar with all the places in Iraq he is recounting in his personal history.

After the interview I sit in one of the other rooms in our beloved office. The wall is colorfully painted by children and other interns and translators are busy sitting with clients, researching or writing.

I’ve undergone an intense week of training, but it’s so little….. I look at maps of Iraq, read histories, the Geneva Convention, human rights reports and UNHCR guidelines. I talk with my Iraqi coworkers and research voluntary agencies (VOLAGS), which support refugees approved for resettlement in the United States.

I’ve never had so much responsibility.

Often my coworkers and I dash out for food and then return to work as the sun sets and Cairenes fill the street, as they always do at night.

After a while it seems to stop mattering who I am, where I come from or what I look like. My clients say they trust me and I do all I can for them.

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We’re driving past the “Lion Bridge’ overlooking the shimmering Nile. A highly decorated car stops across the street and a glittering bride, dressed in a white dress emerges. Men beat drums in celebration, feluccas pass below us, and children hassle tourists and Egyptians alike with pleas to buy tissues and sweet-smelling flower necklaces.

My Egyptian friend is asking why I chose my work when I do not get paid.

I tell him how much I’m learning. How I believe it’s important, if we have the opportunity, to do something we’re passionate about.

I’m going to spend more time working than doing anything else in my life. I can’t put all those hours of my life toward something I don’t believe in.

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I’m sitting in the back of a cab with two co-workers, discussing my pending trip to Israel and Palestine.

When I say, “Israel” my Iraqi coworker warns me the cab driver is giving me looks and I shouldn’t use the word.

I am not going to adjust to hatred or ignorance. I continue talking about my trip to, “Israel and Palestine.”

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It is slightly after 6 a.m., November 30^th, 2009. I hop off the bus at Taba bus station and walk about 10 minutes until I reach the Egyptian side of the Taba boarder.

Another 10 minutes I’m standing in front of an Israeli woman my age. She wears a tan military uniform, makeup and her sleek dark hair is held in a tight, low pony-tail.

She wants to know what I think about Judaism, why I live in Egypt, what I know about the “conflict” with Palestinians, what I think about it, if I speak Arabic, why I study Arabic, (doesn’t your school have a program to Israel?) and why I want to visit Israel now.

Does she want to know if I’m a terrorist, an Anne Marie Murphy, or if I’m a Jew gone awry?

I wonder if she has left Israel, what she has learned about the outside world and what she has seen.

Maybe I think too much as I answer her questions.

I could not tell you exactly when that treacherous smirk crept on my face…..

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It’s December 11^th and I’m sitting in a bouncy microbus, heading back to Cairo.

I strike up a conversation with the other two women aboard. Both Egyptian, one trained as a lawyer the other as a teacher.

They want to know what I was doing in Israel, why I would go and what I thought.

They tell me they think America is controlled by Jews and Zionists and the Israelis have our nation in their pocket. They tell me September 11^th was caused by Jews, who conveniently run the media too.

The other passengers chime in.

Of course I disagree. I am horrified they harbor such ideas and theories, though not surprised. Living and traveling in Arab countries, I’ve had similar discussions many times before.  I believe minds can change with accurate information and analysis.

I spend the rest of the bus ride sharing views, disagreeing and discussing.

From where do we get these beliefs? Why do we think they’re true? What do we gain by holding on to them?

There is so much I too do not know, but I share what I do.

We talk about American politics, about how when Obama makes a promise there is still congressional process to contend with before ideas become policy. We talk about the minority of Jews in the United States and how they are still discriminated against and not often in national offices.  We talk about the Arab governments and their lack of actions to help Palestinians. We talk about media, our own misconceptions and biases.

When we near Cairo the women offer me a ride downtown and invite me out for coffee.

We do not agree, but we’ve started a discussion.

Multiple day trips are available to the avid traveler and are, more often than not, offered to residents of resorts by agents coming into the restaurants with photos and brochures in hand. This may seem a little absurd but the agents face strong competition and need to reach tourists before others to get a chance at booking their tours.

One of the most interesting tours available is a day trip which takes you to Hell’s Pass, the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai. On this excursion you will see, travel on and through and experience firsthand the history of the bridge and the workers who built it. The original bridge was said to be unstable and dangerous to the tourists and locals wanting to walk on it so the government had it torn down and rebuilt. Though not exactly the same as the previous bridge, it is still a sight not to be missed. Travelers are able to walk across the bridge and have the ability to stop at many different sections in order to take pictures.

Hell’s Pass offers a memorial museum to the tourists who are interested in learning more about the facts and figures of the people who were contracted to build the railroad. There is a short video, about 20 minutes, for visitors to watch which documents how a prisoner lived and worked and what the pay and conditions were like. Around the museum is an impressive collection of original artwork sketched, painted or drawn by workers at the time to depict what life was like for them. It was also a way of communicating to the future in the hopes that the true horrors of the time would not be forgotten.

The Death Railway is a truly interesting part of history. Tourists are taken along the railway by a train the runs next to the mountain range and over the River Kwai. The train, like famous bridge, is not the original train that was used. Tourists are taken on this tour also to demonstrate just how dangerous building the railroad actually was and succeed in making passengers nervous at the speed the train travels.

There is a cave that passers by can go into which served as a meeting point and shelter. At the front of the cave is a huge space that houses a major statue of Buddha and tourists are allowed to pray there and provide offerings to Buddha. At the back of the cave is a series of stones, of all sizes, not connected but safe enough to lead you through to a much smaller space. There is nothing to see and is a little spooky. Watch your step!

Look at these slippery critters. Stealing the drinks of the unsuspecting tourists. Did they tell the guests to look out for the drink stealing monkeys? I guess not!

Dear MTA,

Your assistance is needed to combat the biggest problems in New York City public transportation besides lack of funds, inefficient systems and inadequate employees: tourists.

Obviously, tourists are fascinated with the entire New York City experience. Manhattan’s probably pretty overwhelming with the lights, the honking, the street vendors, the impressive comedy scene, the unforgiving eroded sidewalks, the tall shiny buildings, the sales tax, and the non-chain restaurants.

Unfortunately, this causes lingering standing derived from confusion, distraction and lack of understanding.

I try to help when I can, especially on the subway. I often provide clarification that uptown is where the street numbers are higher and downtown is where the street numbers are lower. I also assist in explaining the difference between local and express services. All to help the public transportation impaired get on their way and out of mine.

Now I ask you, MTA, to contribute to the flow of traffic on your buses, subways and trains. Please ensure that all escalators have signs which indicate proper escalator etiquette. “Walk on left, stand on right”, should cover it. Sadly, lots of lazy people and tourists do not understand that escalators were not created to carry us up and down stairs, but were designed to double the speed of such task.

Even though it is likely that the half of escalator standers that are not carrying heavy bags, elderly or suffering from a bad hangover have gym memberships, they do not walk. I have yet to figure out a half-decent way to request they move their asses. I truly feel a sign would help, so I could simply draw attention to the official MTA direction.

In return, I will continue to inform groups of tourists standing at the top of subway stairs that it’s “maybe not the best place to stand” as I wiggle through their unnecessary obstacle.

Together we can train tourists with signs and passing verbal reminders.

Sincerely,
Rachel L. Arbeit

bus terminal in Retiro, Buenos Aires

us arriving in Rosario

At the moment we have no fixed travel agenda.  We aren’t planning to far in advance which means most things are happening on the spur of the moment – quite unlike my scheduled and organised life back in South Africa.  So far we haven’t been sure of where we will be sleeping for the night, but this all adds to the adventure, doesn’t it? 

On Monday 14^th December 2009, we said goodbye to our new friends, Alejandro and Mariana and made our way by underground to the bus terminus in Buenos Aires.  With our current situation being impaired by our lack of language skills it made for a very overwhelming task of finding out where the bus left for Rosario.

 Argentina has just about the most unbelievable network of buses, connecting one to almost every corner of the 8^th largest country in the world.

 Our trip from Buenos Aires to Rosario was about 350km, this took about 4 hours.

Genoa is not exactly the tourist attraction capital. In fact, when I first told my sister that I was dating an Italian from Genoa she asked me if that was the same place the salami in the supermarket was from. I don’t eat salami so I truly had no idea! Well, fast forward several years and not only does my family know Genoa on the Italian map they also know that in fact this is where they also make that mysterious salami too.

I am hoping that in the near future my family will come to this side of the pond and visit us. I know that if you are travelling across the Atlantic to Italy there are many sights to be seen, but in fact Genoa is not exactly up there on the scale of cities to visit.

I still remember my first glance of this seaport city. I was in a taxi high above the sea jetting at an unmentionable speed through tunnel after tunnel. I usually like to read in the car but it is impossible here for all the tunnels! I can honestly say that I was not overwhelmed with Genoa’s beauty. I had been to Rome, Palermo, Capri, Florence, Naples, and oh so many other Italian cities that Genoa, I’m afraid left me a bit disappointed.

At one point in history the city was one of the largest sea ports in all of Europe. It still is a major port but mostly you see container ships and ferries. We do get some cruise ships and I often wonder what they are highlighting as the “not to miss attraction” here.

This is a place that you need to dig deep to discover. The “Porto Antico” is worth a stroll as well as the “Historical Centre” and Via XX Settembre ending at the Piazza de Ferrari. Then there is also the house of Christopher Columbus FACT: (According to Wikipedia and the Genovese) Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa. There is also the world-famous Staglieno Cemetery but it’s a bit of a way out of the city centre. Today I strolled along the shops on Via XX Settembre and took a few photos. This Italian city has it’s own unique personality and like its people, it takes a while to unravel its mysteries and charms. But once you do, it is truly worth the effort!

Hello! Tuesday night I went skating again at Bryant Park. Since it’s peak season and it was after work, you can probably imagine how packed it was.

The ice was so bad and there was so much snow, I felt like I was walking through a cloud instead of skating on ice. I probably dulled my blades something good. I tried to do a few things but there were just SO many people! I did a couple axels and a few spins but that was pretty much it.

I did a flying camel in the middle of the rink and then the lady teaching lessons came over and told me that she was teaching a lesson and she couldn’t really tell me not to skate in the middle but, um, could I not skate in the middle? Huh? And I was with my professional photog who also got yelled at, but for taking a picture of me (no electronics on the ice!). So many rules in figure skating!

At least the lady was nice enough to let me know when her lesson was over so I could use the middle again and I did a few more spins. I did two sit spins which I definitely have not done in years. Legs = sore.

Here’s me trying to do a layback:

As packed as it was, it was actually pretty fun. And I only knocked over one person (seriously). Also, now there’s a huge Christmas tree in Bryant Park which makes it even more lovely.

Skating at Bryant Park makes me want to skate every single day. And it makes me even more excited to finally try skating at Prospect Park, the rink that’s super close to my apartment. It’s ridiculous how close it is to me actually (I can see it from my bedroom window) so I need to get me and my skates over there ASAP.

In terms of service, Christmas shopping this year has been a roller coaster ride from the highs of the interactions in the luxury stores of Pavillion to the lows of the interactions in the wannabe Malaysian fashion store in Mid Valley.

And even though approximately 85% of the interactions have left me frustrated, I want to be positive during the festive season and so am offering free advice to those retailers in Malaysia who want to build a profitable brand.

1) Teach your staff to smile when a customer walks into your shop. It costs nothing and instantly makes the customer feel welcome.

2) If you are a clothes store, get your staff to wear your clothes. If you are not a clothes store, develop a company policy on dress and stick to it. It may also help if you are responsible for laundry, that way the clothes will get washed.

3) Make it a company policy that all customer facing staff must have a shower and brush their teeth EVERY day, before coming to work. This is especially important in restaurants.

4) Teach your staff to approach the customer and say ‘good morning/afternoon’ etc with a smile on their face.

5) Teach your staff to understand how to respond if another customer interrupts a transaction. Essentially, teach them how to say no.

6) If you are a luxury or high end store, make it a company policy not to allow staff to drink from plastic bags when customers are in the store. Actually, make it a company policy not to allow staff to drink from plastic anything, ever.

7) The same goes with food. I walked into one store as a member of the staff was eating at the counter. He was on his own so came to serve me. I walked out 9 seconds later with half his samosa on my lapel.

The opening line, “Can I help you?” Begs a negative response. Teach your staff to try something open ended, such as “Are you looking for shirts or trousers?”

9) Sales staff are not order takers. If a customer, despite all the attempts by your staff to prevent him from making a purchase, insists on buying something, teach your staff to show something that goes well with the purchase. You never know, you might actually sell something else.

10) Listen carefully, the statement, “NO STOCK LAH!” is being used by many staff to get the prospect out of the store so the staff member can go back to sending sms messages to his friends. Teach your staff to apologise profusely for the fact that they just sold the last piece 15 minutes ago. Teach them to then explain that they will be happy to call other branches to see if they have the relevant product/size/colour. If you don’t have other branches, then teach them to ask nicely for the prospect’s number and explain that your customer service representative will call the prospect as soon as the correct product/size/colour comes in.

11) If someone buys something they have gone from being a prospect to a customer. Remember all that money you spent on launch party/PR/mailshots/leaflets/brochures/billboards/print ads etc? Well, you did all that for this moment. It wasn’t to create awareness, it was to drive this person to your store. And now he’s bought something, what are you going to do? Well, most of you let him walk out the door! Are you nuts? You have a 5% – 15% chance of selling to a prospect and a 50% chance of selling to an existing customer. So what is the point of letting a new customer walk out the door? It’s criminal! I’m serious! Be nice to this person, flatter him, spoil him, kiss him, do whatever it takes to get his contact information because he is now a customer. He is familiar with your product, your store, your staff, despite their best efforts. Your job now is to get him back into the store, preferably tomorrow!

12) Not every white person is a tourist. And not every tourist is a white person, but that’s another story. Just because a customer looks like a tourist, doesn’t mean he is one. Moreover, if he is wearing a suit, he probably has a white collar job which means, in Asia that he is probably paid well. Even if he is visiting, he may be back or he may be lonely so ensure your staff engage him.

13) The needs of a Saudi are different to those of an Englishman. And the needs of an Englishman are different to those of a Korean. You get the point. Invest in some training that teaches your staff to be able to develop rapport with different nationalities.

14) Pay your staff a commission on sales. If you don’t where is the incentive to sell your products? Without a commission, all the staff are doing is increasing your energy bill and destroying your brand.

15) While we are on the subject of remuneration, I suggest you pay your staff more. Every sales person I spoke to complained about their salary. One was earning RM550 per month, with no commission. That is slavery. Sales staff are an investment, not a cost. They represent your brand and, with the correct training, can multiply your profits enormously. And good ones are worth paying for. And before you tell me about the lack of loyalty, please don’t bother. If you create a nice environment with good pay, your staff will stick with you.

If you implement the above into your corporate strategy (if you have one, and many of the stores I visited over the last week can’t even spell it) then I guarantee you will increase your sales and move toward a more profitable brand.

I’ve got about 100 more of these but I’ve got a plane to catch. Happy Christmas!

After some confusions as to which hotel we were staying at, Super 8 vs. Days Hotel (thank God it was the latter), we decided to do some sight-seeing. The bus system in San Diego is actually really easy to use and we were able to get to Old Town, San Diego quickly.

We walked around some of the local shops… mostly full of Mexican and Central American textiles and these:

There was quite an interesting mix of people in the area. I assume most of them were tourists because I can’t imagine locals would dress like this:

Unfortunately the school museum was closed but I was able to get a shot of this bad boy through the window. Take a minute to imagine the physical and emotional scars that could be caused by one of these:

I love the sign. “Hello, my name is Paco. I am 37 years old. I like to bite.” When I am thirty-seven years old, I hope that I am looked upon just as fondly:

Paz.

Aguacate

as long as i’m waiting for my laundry is in the dryer, i might as well post this post … here we go:

As I had to leave North Korea prematurely a year ago, i had some time to enjoy awesome Beijing, in deep dry Mongolian winter. Sandy and smoggy dry cold air, blown in from the north and biting -20°C (-4°F), but it was all worth it. Go early enough and every main site is swept clear and you can really take great photos, as if you’ve catapulted back 20 years, where not that many cared or rather were let to the site I would be visiting know. Let’s take the Forbidden City for example. Today, it’s crowded with tourists. Back then, I played as a two year old on vast deserted grounds in the Forbidden City. Today, you get that in winter and only, if you come early and shoot photos from just the right angles…

Well actually this picture was taken in summer, as you can see. I couldn’t find the folder with the pictures. It’s burried somewhere in the NK pictures. But here are some more pictures i found worth taking… for example of people taking pictures of each other in front of monuments… It was much more interesting and uplifting than any monument. It was just funny to watch

…more to come. directly from Beijing… i’ll be posting into the dark, so bear with me, if I don’t approve comments right away.

Millions of Britons set to go abroad this summer may face financial problems before the implementation of caps on mobile phones costs, a price comparison website has claimed.

According to moneysupermarket, some six million tourists travelling to the United States and Europe over the course of July could have their attempts at debt management squeezed as telecoms providers delay limiting their tariffs. Despite the European Parliament voting that a maximum of 33p per minute should be charged for calls made within the European Union as of June 30th, the website suggests that companies are not legally required to integrate this into their call packages until at July 30th.

However, moneysupermarket went on to claim that this could be “spun out” as late as September 30th. Consequently, tourists could witness call costs at a total of 6 million pounds per minute before the cap is rolled out in full, a figure which could impact upon many consumers’ ability to make repayments on personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts.

Rob Barnes, head of mobiles for the price watchdog, said: “In the meantime, costs for Brits using mobiles abroad are amongst the highest in Europe, so travellers should look at ways to cut costs. Contact your network directly to see what they can offer you.” He added that telecoms providers are looking to “maximise their profits” by not introducing the cap until they are absolutely required to do so. As a result, Mr Barnes claimed that many tourists are “in danger of being stung by extortionate roaming charges during their summer break”.

Overall, those customers on a pay-as-you-go deal with mobile network 3 are reported to face the most expensive charges in Europe with costs of 1 pound per minute. Meanwhile, tourists using O2 pay-as-you-go who are travelling outside of Europe currently have a “staggering” charge of 1 pound 49p a minute. Research from the price comparison website also indicated that T-Mobile holidaymakers are currently on the cheapest rates to either make or receive calls in Europe. However, with a tariff of 55p a minute this was still reported to be 66 per cent higher than the new capped rates.

To help combat financial problems caused by phone charges, Mr Barnes recommended that those who go away once or twice a year on holiday to consider their network’s “roaming bundles”. Meanwhile, “frequent travellers” should look to purchase a global Sim card as the devices allow consumers to make calls from countries across the world and are a “cost-effective option”.

The announcement by the price comparison website could well be indicative of increasing debt management difficulties caused by going on holiday. According to research by financial charity Credit Action, about 12 million Britons claim that they are willing to take on debt through avenues such as credit cards and personal loans to pay to go away. Some six per cent of those surveyed added that while on holiday they frequently go into the red. Meanwhile, consumers were reported to be saving to go abroad (49 per cent) rather than putting money away for their retirement (46 per cent), which consequently may lead to debt management difficulties in later life.

Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and tremendous vitality. It is as if the cultural traditions of a century ago have reawakened with a newfound strength ancient cathedrals are being rebuilt and restored, colourful markets hum with activity once again and literature and the arts are quickly regaining the creative renown they enjoyed decades ago.

A new Russia is now in full bloom. The defeat of the Russian Empire in World War I led to the seizure of power by the communists and the formation of the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives.

The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV introduced glasnost and perestroika in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15 independent republics.

Since then, Russia has struggled in its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the communist period.

The most important cities on the European side are Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk. This is the heartland of Imperial Russia, and these great and ancient cities often become the focus for most tourists.

However there is much more to Russia, a country that spans eleven time zones and two continents, ending less than 50 miles from North America. Within this vast expanse lie the largest freshwater lake in the world, rivers and forests teeming with fish and wildlife, awe inspiring volcanoes, and towering mountains.

Russia is the largest country on earth, with enormous tracts of land that have been opened to travellers only in the last few years.

Russia has a formidable pool of recreational resources, including natural landscapes of endless variety. Inimitable beauty, monuments of history and cultural heritage, unique engineering structures and unmatched cities, towns and smaller communities.

The most popular tourist attractions are the old Russian cities of Vladimir, Suzdal, Sergiev Posad, Pereyaslavl Zalessky, Rostov, Uglitch, Yaroslavl and Kostroma, the biggest gems of Russias Golden Ring.

Also high on every tourists priority list are itineraries by boat from Moscow to St.Petersburg and the Valaam Island. A central point of religious pilgrimage, or to Kizhi, the wonderland of Old Russian wooden architecture. The Northern Caucasus and the Black Sea coast, to Mount Elbrus, the Ural Mountains and the Altai country, in different natural settings, from the Black Sea coast.

So as I may or may not have said, I’m in Chicago a few days to pick up some writing and editing awards.

Though it’s December, I’m seeing the occasional cyclist, though more outside of downtown where real people actually live.

Picked up some T-shirts at Threadless & ate a Polish at Weiner’s Circle, a little dive of a place toward Wrigleyville w/incredible char dogs. (We were there in the tame daytime with our two boys; staff was downright charming.)

Been cabbing around town a lot but finally got out to walk tonight. Was thinking about this while I walked. Like a lot of tourists, I want to look like a local. It’s a funny instinct b/c everyone on Michigan Avenue is a tourist. But I walk a little faster, scowl a little more & anticipate light changes a little more aggressively.

But you know the gig is up when you walk out of Ghirardelli with a precious little gift bag of chocolate.

Who’s not the tourist now? Of course, the gig always was up.

Would love to bike this city at dawn on a spring morning. One day, maybe.

Tomorrow, the drive home past the giant wind farms of Indiana. Still need to get that new back rim for my bike. I want to figure out the commuting-by-bike in winter thing.

McDonald’s. What traditional British meal were you thinking about?

PERTH is to become a vibrant waterfront city, says Premier Colin Barnett, who today unveiled plans for a massive redevelopment featuring an inlet connecting the CBD and the river.

Mr Barnett plans to create a vibrant new area for the city and ‘finally’ connect the waterfront to the CBD.

The centrepiece will be a 2.8ha inlet that will bring the river back to near its original shore line. 

The inlet will be surrounded by landscaped terraces, boardwalks and promenades, and fringed by shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and other activities.

 “The Swan River – our greatest natural asset – is effectively cut ff from the city by Riverside Drive and by an expanse of lawn,” said Mr Barnett at today’s unveiling.

“Other major Australian cities have done far more with much less.  This will assist Perth to mature as a vibrant, sophisticated capital city, providing an attraction for locals and tourists.” By removing a section of Riverside Drive, the development encourages the use of public transport, taking advantage of the nearby Esplanade train station, Busport and commuter ferry services. Some changes to existing roads will be made to create more pedestrian-friendly routes.

Mr Barnett was joined by Planning Minister John Day,Tourism Minister Liz Constable and Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi at the unveiling.

The development will cover nearly 10ha, focused between Barrack and William streets.

“The development is designed for pedestrians and cyclists – not cars,” said Mr Barnett:.

“It will be an attractive destination for families, young people, city workers, national and international tourists and seniors to gather and enjoy.

“The State Government will take the lead on this development, along with Perth City Council, and we will be looking – indeed asking – the private sector to join with us.  I am also confident the Federal Government will be supportive.”

Mr Barnett said there was significant work to be done on road realignment, drainage and dredging but preliminary works would begin as soon as possible, with major construction starting in 2012.

The plans signal a new era of city building, as a logical and seamless extension of the city.  Together with The Link, major works to the Cultural Precinct and other CBD projects, the city’s axis will be redefined through the strengthening of the Barrack and William streets links.

In addition, Howard Street and Sherwood Court will provide direct links between St George’s Terrace and the waterfront, enhancing the capacity for these laneways to become vibrant places with shops, cafes and small bars.

The inlet, designed to reflect the historical characteristics of Perth Port, will have room for public boat mooring facilities.

At the heart of the new inlet will be an island, a landscaped parkland offering a unique experience for visitors. This family-focused destination will provide opportunities for relaxation in sheltered open spaces with 360 degree views of the surrounding city.  It may also include a safe, child-friendly beach and swimming areas.

Land at the foot of William Street has been preserved for a significant public building.  The Government’s preference is that this building be a national centre for indigenous art and culture, providing a major focus for the project.

Event spaces will be dotted throughout the waterfront, including a public square next to the Esplanade train station, the promenade, the island and a new road which can be closed to accommodate events.  Larger events will be held at the Supreme Court Gardens, which will be improved under the plan.

 There is also the potential to include a swimming pool, which could be an attractive recreational asset for city workers.

Full details of the Perth Waterfront concept plan can be found on the PlanningWA website at http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/waterfront 

Source  :  www.news.com.au

Forgot to shout out a Happy Hanukah to the other tribe members.
Made my way back from Tampa, weather was very gray and cold until today.  I had a great time though.  I miss Sasha,  and little Bella,
and the kids. We checked the market over there, wow, great home buying opportunities!  Maybe for me???
These are some of the photos I took.

Aaron’s 250 gallon tank only has 3 fish at this time, the big puffer, lion fish and small clown.  The salt water tank is hard to maintain, he might sell the fish and go fresh water, he loves oscar and pacu fish.
The weather as I mentioned was weird, a cold front came through and the winds coming from the northeast off the lake were intense and felt so cold.  The sky was mostly dull the whole time until today.   It was gray and dreary.  When I left this morning, it was sunny and warm again.   I only got off at 4 stops on the way back, traffic was not even that bad.   I stopped at lakeland to get some fries and found a little bookstore called Mary’s. It even had women’s hats.  On the way back, it’s always good to see the outline of downtown.  
I had to stop on Washington St. at RT Art and pick up my photos that were made.
you notice I made them bigger than the others, that’s marketing. As always, Roger and Trish do terrific work, and their dogs are adorable and posed for me too.   They were awesome subjects!
Finally I got home and the sky became totally overcast. I did fish with the heron female on the nest, she flew down and got a few treats. The cranes did a dance, they seemed glad to have me back.  I’m back in the cave, now to get working on my spring crow exhibition and also send a few pics over for the Gateway next month.
Of course I will let you know the dates.
And that’s it — oh wait, the other night, TCM, Turner Classic Movies had a wonderful “short” where dogs starred in all the actor rolls, it was very funny.

And I have no idea what this has to do with anything, just thought I’d let ya go with a smile, (or a growl) …ARF ARF

For anyone that wants to enjoy some fun and sun in Spain, the Costa Blanca region that is close to the Mediterranean Sea would be the best place to visit. Costa Blanca is a part of the Alicante Province that begins with the little town known as Denia and ends up at Torrevieja, which is another popular tourist destination. Costa Blanca or ‘white coast’ has some very splendid beaches that both residents as also the many tourists come to enjoy.

On a visit to Costa Blanca you might want to check out a few important and well liked holiday spots where you can unwind on the beaches including Altea, Javea, Moraira as well as Benidorm, Torrevieja and Guardamar. And, there are many wonderful villas that serve as ideal accommodation and are a favorite among tourists with something of special interest in each one. To reach Javea that lies about ninety kilometers from Alicante on the east coast of Iberia and a hundred kilometers from Valencia, you can take a plane and land at one of the international airports in either of these two cities. Or, if you are planning to drive down, then you can travel the A-7 from any part of Europe.

Javea is particularly exciting and well worth visiting having some of the best mountains including the peak of Montgo along with many wondrous landscapes and of course the excellent beaches. Such is the attraction that Costa Blanca holds for tourists that millions of them converge here to enjoy the beautiful beaches every year, especially the towns of Denia and Javea. You would also find Elche another attractive hot spot and this place is known as the palm capital of the world.

Traveling the entire Costa Blanca is possible using the Carretera National Highway that follows the coast and provide you with the opportunity to also stop and take a break at the many small villages along the way. Among the more tourist oriented places, you would like the entertainment park known as Terra Mitica that is situated at Benidorm and there are also the bays of Altea as well as a place called Calpe. There are also the smaller towns that are very attractive and among them you should check out Villajoyosa that is close to Benidorm and to its south having an old town and plenty of yummy chocolates as well.

Anyone that wants to enjoy a good round of golf in these parts would love the Costa Blanca golf resorts of which there are many and you can locate individual ones by studying the maps that are available at the Airport or in downtown Alicante. Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of the Costa Blanca would no doubt emanate from the sea villages. Costa Blanca is also a place where tourists are tempted by the more than two hundred kilometers of coastline and rather unsurprisingly the tourist industry here is well developed and Costa Blanca is a hot favorite for many British and also German tourists and many other nationalities including the sun-starved Scandinavians that flock here for the ample warmth and plenty of sunshine that is available here.

In 1975 my parents were kind enough to invite me to participate in a safari in Kenya.  I had been living in Egypt at the time and did not have far to travel to meet them in Nairobi.  I wasn’t a photographer then, but I couldn’t resist borrowing their camera to take this shot of tourists surrounding a beleaguered pride of lions.  The question here is a simple one:  Were we contributing in our innocent way to the cats’ continued decline, or does such attention benefit them somehow?  The animals aren’t talking.

But if you’re looking for solitude and place to commune with nature, you won’t find it here.