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The Beetle
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More Funny Signs
Hotel brochure, Italy: THIS HOTEL IS RENOWNED FOR ITS PEACE AND SOLITUDE. IN FACT, CROWDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD FLOCK HERE TO ENJOY ITS SOLITUDE. Hotel lobby, Bucharest: THE LIFT IS BEING FIXED FOR THE NEXT DAY. DURING THAT TIME WE REGRET THAT YOU WILL BE UNBEARABLE. Hotel elevator, Paris: PLEASE LEAVE YOUR VALUES…
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The Beetle
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Use Euros in Cuba!
Over half of Cuba's 2 million visitors come from Europe, so it perhaps makes sense that tourists visiting Cuba's biggest tourist beach resort, Varadero, some 3 hours east of Havana can now use the European currency, the euro. Of course, you are still welcome to pay for good and services in US $ or Cuban…
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The Beetle
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Baksheesh!
Ever wondered who were the most corrupt countries in the world? The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) lists those countries which are perceived by suppliers as requiring the most bribes of businesses. The countries that currently do worst on this score are Russia, China, Taiwan and South Korea, with Sweden and Australia faring the best.
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The Beetle
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China Internet Cafes
According to press sources, the authorities in China’s second largest city, Shanghai, have closed down nearly 200 internet cafes. The move is reported to coincide with the launch by the central government of a drive against “harmful” content on the web, to prevent young people from being corrupted. One official said the premises were in…
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The Beetle
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Visit the Qingzhou Buddhist sculptures, London
At the Royal Academy from 26 April—14 July. This exhibition shows 35 of the best-preserved figures, carved from limestone (around 550—577 AD) out of the 400 or more Buddhist sculptures found in 1996 in a field in the Shandong province in eastern China. According to early written sources the area in which the sculptures were…
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The Beetle
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Animal Facts
The zebra is a member of the horse family and no two zebras have the same pattern. Stripes help confuse predators chasing the zebra, making them misjudge distances. Source: STA Travel
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The Beetle
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Free Concerts in London
Cultural Co-operation are putting on free concerts featuring 300 musicians from 25 countries. The concerts are scheduled as follows: Kew Gdns on 29/30 June. Regents Park on 6/7 July Greenwich Park on 13/14 July. For full details and a voucher to enter Kew Gdns for free on those days, you can either: Ring the hotline…
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The Beetle
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Dakar and Dhaka!
Thomas from Munich wrote in to say that he read the Beetle’s story about the confusion between Oman and Amman. The same thing happened to an African friend of his who went back to his home country with his family of 4 people. He booked a flight to Dakar in Senegal or so he thought,…
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The Beetle
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North Korea Encourages Tourism
Funded by the United Nations Development Programme, The Secretary General of the World Tourist Organisation, Francesco Frangialli, has signed agreements in North Korea, to help develop North Korea's tourism potential. The World Tourist Organisation has been involved in projects with North Korea since 1989 – including giving the Communist state assistance in developing the Mount…
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The Beetle
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Sierra Leone
Voting has finished in Sierra Leone and political pundits believe that for the first time in 10 years, peace will ensue. Perhaps now, tourism will return to a country with a beautiful unspoilt coastline, mountains and national parks. Watch this space!
The Globetrotters Club
The travel club for independent travellers.