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The Beetle
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A Touch of Night Croc Spotting by Sharyn McCullum
We had just finished a fantastic evening barbecue at our Kakadu hostel. Most of us were settling in for an evening of drinking, talking and fighting off insects around the camp fire. “Come on everyone, let’s go croc spotting” the hostel host said enthusiastically. “Croc spotting?” someone exclaimed “but it’s night time?” “Well, you don’t…
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The Beetle
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New Business Class NY-London
A new airline, Maxjet Airways, will launch an all-business class service between Stansted just north of London and New York’s JFK airport as from 1st November. There will be daily flights except Saturdays. One-way fares are expected to start from £599, excluding taxes. Seats have a 60in pitch and service will be similar to other…
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The Beetle
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London Palaces: Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace stands at the western end of Kensington Gardens. It was originally a private country house called Nottingham House but was acquired in 1689 by William III and Mary II (1689) because the King’s asthma improved there during the winters. Sir Christopher Wren was engaged to design improvements to the house and the Clock…
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The Beetle
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Good News for Nepali Women
In some parts of Nepal, particularly the western parts of the country, there is a tradition of keeping women in cow sheds during their menstrual cycle. Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered the government to declare the practice as evil and have given one month to stop the practice. Women's rights activists have said that this…
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The Beetle
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London Palaces: Clarence House
Clarence House stands next to St James's Palace and was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence. He lived there as King William IV from 1830 until 1837. During the second world war, the War Organisation of the British Red Cross and Order of…
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The Beetle
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Countries with the Most Billionaires
Countries with the Most Billionaires Countries with the Most Billionaires Rank Country Number of billionaires 1 United States 269 2 Japan 29 3 Germany 28 4 Italy 17 5 Canada 16 6 Switzerland 15 7 France 15 8 Hong Kong 14 9 Mexico 13 10 United Kingdom 12 11 Russia 8 11 Saudi Arabia 8…
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The Beetle
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HK Disney Row
The latest in a series of setbacks for the $1.8bn (£1bn) Hong Kong Disneyland occurred after Health Inspectors were called in after three cases of food poisoning. The two health officials were asked to take off their uniforms to avoid scaring clients. Hong Kong officials, angered that food inspectors were asked to remove their uniforms…
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The Beetle
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Strange Facts
Strange Facts Swedes and Norweigans rank top 5 for both providing aid and exporting weapons. On the probability of not reaching 40 graph, the top 34 countries are all African. Former enemies, the Americans and Russians now have a great deal in common – they both lead the world in locking people up . English…
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The Beetle
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Being Careful: Uganda
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to Uganda. This is what they have to say: We advise against all travel to northern and north eastern Uganda because of rebel insurgency and tribal clashes. In July 2005, there was an armed attack on a vehicle in the northern part of the Murchison…
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The Beetle
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The Great Express: Moscow – St Petersburg
The Great Express, a luxury overnight train for rich Russians and foreign tourists is now running between Moscow and St. Petersburg. The cost ranges from 3,150 roubles, or $110, for the nine-hour overnight trip in a first-class seat to 12,500 roubles for a luxury compartment with a bed and bathroom. All compartments are fitted with…
The Globetrotters Club
The travel club for independent travellers.