Monthly Archives: October 2014

Nearly three in 10 adults (28%) across 123 countries in 2013 say their city or area is a “good place” for gay or lesbian people to live, but hospitable attitudes range widely from as high as 83% in the Netherlands … Continue reading →

After another shooting in Darby, Pa where a psychiatrist with a concealed weapon permit shot and killed a patient who had already shot one colleague, Wayne Lapierre, the head of the NRA, said the incident served as a call for … Continue reading →

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES Started in 1972, this is the foremost international treaty for the protection of major natural and cultural heritage around the world. Today, 936 sites are on the list. Located in 153 countries, they include 725 cultural, … Continue reading →

HISTORY. Although China’s size and shape has continuously changed over time, there has been an uninterrupted thread of history connecting those from 6000 years ago to the China of today, making it the longest-lasting complex civilization on earth. Shang dynasty. … Continue reading →

CHINA Oct 11-13, Oct 19-Dec 15 2014 Visa. This must be applied for outside the country and in Canada, a visa service had to be used as I was applying by mail. Itineraries must be given but these are easily … Continue reading →

North Korea – Oct 14-19 Most people don’t even know that it is possible to travel here, but with compromises, it is relatively easy. About 6000 tourists visit the country every year. You will be accompanied by two minders at … Continue reading →

HISTORY For history prior to division of the peninsula, refer to my South Korea post – Travel Facts. Division of the Peninsula. The Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945 was one of the darkest periods in Korean history. … Continue reading →

China Oct 11-13, 19- Visa. This must be applied for outside the country and in Canada, a visa service had to be used as I was applying by mail. Itineraries must be given but these are easily made up and … Continue reading →

Mongolia – Sept 27-Oct 11, 2014 Visa. No visa is required since January 1, 2014, for Canada and most of Western Europe if it is a tourist visa for less than 30 days. Prior to that, only the US and … Continue reading →

AN UNEASY EDEN A rare, pristine reef turns out to be a landscape of fear, where predatory fishes reign and their prey is in hiding. Tropic breezes rustle the palms, a turquoise sea laps white sand, and below the surface … Continue reading →