Monthly Archives: November 2023

NOMAD MANIA Vanuatu – North – Malampa, Penama, Torba, Sanma (Espiritu Santo) Experiences: Sand drawing M@P: Torba province (Banks islands and Torres islands) Tentative WHS Lake Letas (01/10/2004) The Nowon and Votwos of Ureparapara (05/10/2005) The President Coolidge (01/10/2004) Vat … Continue reading →

SOLOMONS – SOUTH (Guadalcanal, Malaita, San Cristobal, Central) RENNELL East Rennell is an important site for the science of island biogeography, being a stepping stone between Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands. It is one of the most remote, and … Continue reading →

TONGA – NIUA’FOU AND VAVA’U  VAVA’U Vava’u is a group of more than 50 islands, about 150 miles north of Tongatapu. They are either raised coral limestone or coral atolls. The beautiful harbour opposite the main town of Neiafu is a … Continue reading →

Understand The main islands are the result of countless volcanic eruptions, leaving easily visible volcanic cones all over both islands. None of the volcanoes are currently active, but small earthquakes often rock the island. In September 2009 the south coast … Continue reading →

RELIGION – Some More Viewpoints From “The Meaning of Human Existence” by Edward O Wilson Rapture, a “joy excessive and sweet,” as Spain’s great mystic Saint Theresa of Avila described it in her 1563-65 diary, can be achieved variously by … Continue reading →

The A to Z of the Arab-Israeli conflict From “Abraham accords” to “Zionism” Nov 20th 2023 THE ECONOMIST  Abraham accords Bilateral agreements on Arab-Israeli normalisation signed in 2020. The first round of deals were between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in … Continue reading →

The last outpost Will Chad be the next Western ally in Africa to fall? Democracy v realpolitik Should they stay or should they go?image: afp Nov 23rd 2023 | ABECHE ECONOMIST Just outside the French army base in Abeche, a dusty city in … Continue reading →

Four Ways to Be Grateful—And Happier Ancient philosophers proposed it, modern researchers have confirmed it: Being thankful is good for you. By Arthur C. Brooks NOVEMBER 23, 2023, 6 AM ET THE ATLANTIC  Gratitude is very similar to exercise. We all know … Continue reading →

Have You Listened Lately to What Trump Is Saying? He is becoming frighteningly clear about what he wants. By Peter Wehner Maddie McGarvey / The New York Times / Redux NOVEMBER 22, 2023, 6 AM ET THE ATLANTIC  In 2019, Kennedy … Continue reading →

Why You Maybe Shouldn’t Write a Memoir Talking about ourselves too much hurts our happiness—and can signal deeper problems. By Arthur C. Brooks Illustration by Jan Buchczik NOVEMBER 16, 2023 ATLANTIC  Have you ever thought of writing an autobiography? Lots of noncelebrity … Continue reading →