Stories about Travel from January, 2008
Armenia: Tourism Ads
Unzipped says that for many people, new tourism ads promoting Armenia are the first glimpse they have had of the country. However, the blogger concludes, while the adverts are promising, there is the need for Yerevan, the capital, to become more “tourist-friendly.”
Slovenia: Airport Smoking (Or Not)
Piran Cafe writes about Ljubljana airport's ambiguous – or just sloppy – approach to smoking inside the terminal.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: A Hostel Review
Bosnia Blog posts a review of one hostel in Sarajevo.
Tanzania: Slave Chamber
Ore visits a slave chamber in Zanzibar: “Slaves were hidden in here after trade in slaves was abolished. The cave is a dank pit, which appeared to spiral into the ground. After taking about 20 steps down, the daylight was already being subsumed by the underground darkness.”
Belarus, Russia: Minsk-Murmansk Train
The post translated below features a photo of a note pasted on the Minsk-Murmansk train - a note that's supposed to assist passengers in locating cars they've got tickets for, but is instead a great illustration of how easily something mundane may turn into the frustratingly surreal in this part of the world.
Philippines: Riding The Jeepney
ASEAN – Asia's Perfect 10 has a tutorial on riding the Jeepney, the ubiquitous public transport in Philippines.
Azerbaijan: Urban Renewal
Baku Fragments reports that the Bakı Soveti metro station has been demolished and that a more modern looking structure will take its place. However, the blog says that it isn't much in favor of destroying what it admits represents the “nightmarish, bureaucratic mess” of the Soviet era.
Ukraine: Kyiv Pictures
Ukrainiana takes a walk around Kyiv and posts pictures of garbage, gloom, holiday decorations and political ads disguised as holiday greetings.
Ukraine: Trip to Chernobyl
Skippy dot net writes about a trip to Chernobyl and posts pictures.
Albania: Pjeter Marubi's Photos
Living in Shkoder writes about a bank that “was burnt down during the riots in March 1997″ – and about a photo exhibition likely to move into that building, of the work of Pjeter Marubi, an Italian who photographed Albanians in the mid-19th century.
Indoneisa: Travelling with Toddler
Rani shares her recent travel experience where they traveled with their young toddler to Central America.
India: To the suburbs
As the city of Mumbai continues to grow skywards, the suburbs beyond the city provide some respite from the crowded and expensive city. More at Metroblogging Mumbai.
Argentina: Stranded Italian Tourists
A strike by the baggage handlers from the airline Aerolineas Argentinas caused a ripple effect and stranded hundreds of tourists, who received very little explanations and assistance from staff. Julián Gallo of Mirá! [es] recounts the plight of a group of Italian tourists.
Iran:Mismanagement in Airport
Poshtebam has published several photos of Iranians who are waiting for several hours/days to take flight in Imam Khomeyni International Air port. The blogger writes that airport was really mismanaged.
The Balkans: Jokes
A few Balkan jokes, at Beyond Bosnia Blog.
Ukraine: Donetsk Photos
Photos of Donetsk, by LJ user k_s_u_s_h_a (RUS).
Latvia, Russia: Citizenship Scandal
Marginalia reports: “Latvia is embroiled in a stunning scandal once again – the sale of perhaps a hundred passports to wealthy individuals, mostly Russian citizens seeking to take advantage of Latvia's EU and Schengen membership.”
Brazil: Yellow fever alert
“The Brazilian authorities have re-issued a health alert for visitors coming to Brazil and intending to visit certain regions of the country where yellow fever is endemic”. See a list of places where vaccination prior to travel is needed, plus basic facts about yellow fever in Brazil and general recommendations...
Morocco: Late Flights
Adilski, from Morocco, rants about security delays, long lines, incompetent staff and delayed flights in this post.
Egypt: Chinese Goods
Chinese goods are swamping markets worldwide. Egyptians now have to deal with roving Chinese salesmen and women knocking on their doors. Tarek Amr brings us the story.
Anguilla: Dolphin Pros & Cons
“We would all have heard by now that the Ministers have agreed to give the ‘swim with the dolphins’ company a licence…for their new facility”: Corruption-free Anguilla raises some questions.
