Readers may recall that for the last couple of months, we have had an
appeal by Mike who was looking for his friend Bob, who was sailing around
the South Pacific. Well, the good news is that Bob, Mike's friend
did get in touch, so all is well. But here is a quick but fascinating
piece on how Mike got to know Bob, and Bob's sailing adventures.
I, as a young engineer fresh from university, first met Bob in 1962.
He had done an apprenticeship as a watchmaker and was therefore a “real”
engineer in my eyes. After some initial arguments we became good friends
and have kept in contact, even when I changed to medicine. About fifteen
years ago he decided to sail, and bought an aluminium 40 ft sloop from
a Count in Brittany, who had gone bankrupt. It was a bare hull with sails
and engine, and Bob moved it to the garden of his bungalow near Chichester,
and spent the next twelve years fitting it out.
He did a beautiful job, but did not have the funds to buy electronic
navigational equipment; he uses a sextant. He was going to call his yacht
Rabia, after my wife, but we thought that would be unwise because Rabia
means rabies in Spanish. Two or three years ago, I lose track of time,
he set off for Australia with his son. Their main problem was finding
experienced crew because neither of them knew much about sailing. Bob's
son soon gave up and returned home, and Bob has continued with anyone
that he can pick up on the way. Recently he spent five months in the Marquesas
looking for crew, and eventually found a treasure hunter searching for
fifteen tons of gold in Tuamotu. They found lots of sharks instead. He
has reached Pago Pago in Samoa and is wondering what to do after he has
landed at Australia, sell the boat and retire, or carry on sailing.
Buzz is in the Beetle's opinion the only decent low cost airline.
On board information includes useful hints and tips about your destination,
what to do and where to stay, and what's more, you can keep it! Yes,
you have to pay for your food, but the service is far superior to a carrier
such as Ryan Air. From 27 October 2002, Buzz will be flying up to six
flights a day from London Stansted to Amsterdam, the land of Vermeer and
Amstel beer. Prices start from just £21 one way – so you've got
no excuse not to visit one of the most relaxed, vibrant and cosmopolitan
cities in Europe. Buzz are also launching their new winter schedule: from
27 October 2002 until 29 March 2003, you can fly to some great winter
destinations – and from 14 December, they are reopening their routes to
Chambéry and Geneva – great for planning a cheap skiing holiday.
See www.buzz.co.uk
Did you know?…you are one of around 6,500 subscribers who receive this
e-newsletter each month. 53% of you live in the United States, 22% in
the UK, 4% in Canada, 3% in Australia and 2% in Poland. We have subscribers
in another 145 countries, ranging from Uzbekistan to British Antarctic
Territory. A big thank you to all of you – and don't forget, drop
the Beetle a line about your travels, hints and tips, travel gripes, travel
fun etc! This is an e-newsletter for you, by you! Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk.
Save the Earth Network, founded in 1988, is a Ghana based NGO dedicated
to promoting sustainable development, agro-forestry, environmental conservation,
international solidarity and cultural immersion through voluntary work,
eco-tourism and cultural tourism in Ghana. Our aims are to help reduce
poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, drug abuse, unemployment,
and environmental degradation that are increasingly becoming the order
of the day in most parts of the developing world.
We are a membership-based organization and also a networking tool for
environmental, social and economic development activists. We also offer
travellers from abroad the most socially responsible, exciting and affordable
eco-friendly alternative to mass tourism.
Ghana is an English speaking country on Africa's west coast with
a population of over 18 million and over 92,099 square miles. Along much
of the coast stretches a sandy, grass-and-shrub-covered plain. Behind
it rises a moderately high plateau broken by forested hills and steep
ridges. Ghana has a tropical climate with temperatures from 70 to 90 oF.
Except for small European and Asian minorities, Ghanaians are people of
many tribes. Most Ghanaians are Christians but there are many Moslems
and others who hold animist beliefs.
We offer volunteer placements in areas that includes renovation and construction
of school buildings and libraries for poor rural communities, teaching
English language in foster homes and orphanages, HIV/AIDS prevention education,
re-forestation and agro-forestry through tree planting and organic farming.
No special skills, qualifications or previous experience is required of
volunteers – all that is required is motivation, charisma, initiative,
drive and the compassion to assist the underprivileged overcome their
challenges and their struggle for dignity.
Volunteers can participate in most of the programs from a period of 4
weeks to 52 weeks or more. Volunteers work four days a week, from Monday
to Thursday and can decide upon the amount of hours worked each day. The
cost of participating in the voluntary work program is US$250 for 4 weeks.
This charge covers board and lodging and help towards the running of our
organisation. Volunteers stay with host families in homes with electricity
and water. We can offer a 25% discount on the cost of volunteers who would
like to participate for a period of more than 8 weeks.
We also have a holiday program where people can stay with host families
for a holiday, cultural exchange, relaxation and recreation or to learn
the local language. The charge for this, including board and lodging is
US $250 for three or four weeks. Special discounts are available for longer
stays.
We offer guided three day general tours each Friday, Saturday and Sunday
for volunteers and those who are interested in seeing some of the tourist
attractions in Ghana. The cost of this is US $100 for the tour guide for
the three days plus the costs of bus, food and hotels – all of which can
be advised upon.
We also organise unique eco-tourism programs in Ghana in conjunction
with tour operators in Ghana. Our eco-tourism focuses on local cultures,
wilderness adventures, personal growth and learning new ways to live in
our vulnerable planet. We focus on travelling to destinations where the
floral, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Areas of eco-tourism which we cover includes small group hiking, river
rafting and canoeing, villages and beaches, culture and photo tours, traditional
stories, historic sites, traditional drumming and dances, traditional
houses, trekking, animal sanctuaries, nature tourism, exotic natural habitats,
scenes of spectacular natural beauty etc. the cost of joining is US $200
a week including food (at restaurants) and accommodation (at hotels) and
transportation (bus) and professional tour guide's charge. Participants
experience rich cultural immersion and unique hospitality. It is fun,
worthwhile and rewarding.
People who would like to participate in any of our programs should please
contact us for more information, contact: Edgar Asare or Eben Mensah at
Save the Earth Network, P.O. Box CT 3635, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana. West
Africa. Tel: 233-21-667791, Fax: 233-21-231485.Email:ebensten@yahoo.com
There was no London meeting in August, but we will be back on Saturday
7th September when Marion Bull will be
talking about her recent travels, “Travelling with the Tuareg”
in the Southern Algerian Sahara and rock paintings of the Tassili N'Ajjer.
Julian Webster will be sharing his thoughts and slides: “India
– a Kaleidoscope of Memories, Moments and Surprises.
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 on Saturday
1st September. For more information, you can
contact the Globetrotter Info line on +44 (0) 20 8674 6229, or visit the
website: www.globetrotters.co.uk
As I proceeded through the terminal at Bangkok's International Airport
I felt the warm air greet me and a rush of excitement tickled my stomach.
This was the first destination of my journey around the globe, smiling
I thought to myself 'Welcome to the rest of the world!'
Cruising down the highway into the city the vast mass of buildings as
far as the eye can see in all directions makes Bangkok seem a little overwhelming
at first. For most jet lagged backpackers the Kho San Road is usually
the first port of call, I however was lucky to have a free place to stay
in Thong Lo on the other side of town.
After catching up on a few lost zeds I was taken to a Thai restaurant.
I had never tasted Thai food so good. All the ingredients were so fresh
and beautifully served, I am normally a fussy eater but on this occasion
I wanted to try everything. If you like rice or noodles there is almost
every combination to suit everybody.
Tip: Watch out for the chillies, Thai food can be very spicy!
After dinner we went to meet some of the locals. Apparently Thai people
have very long names so they give nicknames to make things easier. I have
a tendency to forget names at the best of times, that evening I met Jo,
Bo and O. I got terribly mixed up. 'Who was who again?'
The city's name itself comes from Bang Makok meaning 'Place of
Olive Plums' taken from Bangkok's original site. The Thais however
call it 'Krung Thep' meaning 'City of Angels', a far more
desirable name and of course why not.
Bangkok became the capital of Thailand only as recently as 1782 after
the Burmese attacked the capital at Ayuthaya in 1767. Now with a population
of about 10 million, spreading across 330 sq km. For such a young city
you get the impression that it has learnt to run before it could walk.
The natural landscape is completely flat of which little is left exposed
in the protruding mass of high rise buildings and temples.
93% of the Thai population are practicing Theraveda Buddhists, so our
sightseeing started at the Grand Palace home to Royalty, government offices
and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Every year there are three grand
ceremonies for the changing of the Emerald Buddha's seasonal costume.
Tip: When entering a temple you must always remember to remove your shoes
and not point your feet towards the Buddha when sitting.
Next was the Vimanek Mansion the biggest golden teak building in the
world that has traditional Thai dancing shows next to the canal. I discovered
that Bangkok used to be known as the Venice of the east. Only the spectacular
Temples and Royal Palaces were built on the original land. During my stay
I saw little evidence left to suggest this was ever so, however during
the rainy season Bangkok often floods and ironically the streets go back
to being rivers once more.
Our Last stop for the day Wat Pho the temple of the largest leaning Buddha
in the world (46 metres in length). Also home to the reputable Thai massage
school and what better way to end the day than leaning back yourself and
receiving a massage. After an hour or two with a few pops, twists and
cracks you feel very refreshed. As you go back out to the bustling streets
the urban metropolis hits you once more and you ask yourself 'Did
that sanctuary really exist in the midst of all of this?' Nearby the
Kho San Road, the backpackers' main drag, there are bars, Internet
cafes, travel agents, shops, stalls and lots of cheap accommodation, all
busy with travellers coming and going.
All over Bangkok there are thousands of market stalls cluttering the
streets. Tables and chairs lay along the pavement under patchy homemade
canopies. Often you have to dodge yourself out into the hectic traffic
in order to get past these obstacle courses. And as for crossing the road
it sometimes it can seem like an eternity waiting for a gap in the traffic.
At the end of the reliable Skytrain on the Sukumvit line is the enormous
Chatuya weekend market. We went with the intention of buying one pair
of sandals but I could not believe the bargains and ended up buying three,
so much for travelling light. The designer imitations or factory seconds
you find all over Bangkok are so well made that no one can tell the difference
and at a fraction of the price you just got to have them.
Tip: Haggle, you will definitely not pay the original asking price.
Thai people are more than happy to help whether it is to practice their
English or to make a quick buck. No matter where you are or where you
are going in Bangkok there is always someone offering a cheap ride. One
evening five of us squashed into the back of a tuk tuk (a small three
wheeled two stroke) and of we raced to Pat Pong. Night markets fill the
side streets, bars and clubs with ladies that do all sorts of things with
their private parts. Out of curiosity we took a look. Ping-pong balls,
razor blades, bananas, etc within five minutes we walked out our drinks
barely touched, that was enough for us thanks! Hum…City of Angels?
The great thing about Bangkok is not only is it very affordable with
plenty to do in the big city but also it is very easy to get out. For
a day trip, there is the beach at Pattaya, the Ancient ruins at Ayuthaya
or the popular boat markets near the famous River Kwai. 1-2hrs by plane
or an overnight bus or train will take you to Thailand's beautiful
southern beaches, northern rainforests or ancient temples. It has been
recognised that Thailand is regarded as one of the safest countries to
visit in Asia if not the world and for the inexperienced traveller starting
out, it is probably the best place to get adjusted to an unfamiliar culture.
If you'd like to get in touch with Ingrid, she's currently toiling
away in a banana factory in Cairns right now, and the Beetle is sure that
she would appreciate an e-mail! Ingrid's e-mail address is: ingrid_styles@hotmail.com