The Lowe Road

AFAR is the latest addition to the travel magazine scene, which is clogged with rags that are filled cover to cover with paint by numbers package holiday reviews and the run of the mill top 10 lists. 

Having just looked at the magazine's first issue, AFAR is totally different. 

Articles about environmental activism and global nomads add texture to in depth pieces about Japanese subcultures and getting off the beaten track in Morocco. It's a well needed change of direction, and one that will surely fill a niche. 

Future directions of the publication include television, books and philanthropy. 

Annual subscriptions - six issues - are $19.95 

www.afar.com

Wanna know whats its really like to take off and travel the world?

Tales from 30B is the creation of Megan and Ray who are doing just that - visit www.talesfrom30b.com for their adventures from Vietnam to Argentina, Nepal to India and much more. 

We know the ancient wonders (Pyramids, the Great Wall, etc) but what about the new wonders? Voting is underway for the top 7 natural wonders of the world.

Based on my own travels, here are my 7 picks:

1. Amazon

2. Komodo Island

3. Maldives

4. Uluru (Ayers Rock)

5. Iguazu Falls

6. Galapagos

7. Angel Falls

Want to vote? visit www.7newwonders.com

The French have usually copped the most flack for their unusual personalities that fuse a particularly well executed social abrasiveness, love of food, wine, culture and fashion, not to mention the almost religious shunning of certain hygiene products - but Expedia/co.uk's recent survey of over 4,000 hotels has revealed at least from a hospitality perspective, the French are dead last (along with the Spaniards and Greek) in terms of their behavior and attitude while on the road. 

Another easy target, Americans, came out with low marks in terms of their fashion sense (they dont have any) and conversational noise level (approximately at the same level as a Concorde on take off). Its unclear whether Michelle Obama's fashion moves will raise the bar. 

For the third year running, the Japanese topped the list as the least complaining of the lot - followed by Canadians - most of whom are probably too busy stitching Canadian flags on every article of clothing, luggage and carry on item - to complain about much. 

Having never lost a bag in over 1,000,000 miles of traveling (knock wood) hearing of United Airlines’ latest PR nightmare may make you think twice about your carry on vs. checked bag situation.

Canadian singer Dave Carroll’s trip to Omaha left his guitar in splinters after baggage handlers tossed it onto the tarmac, in full view of passengers. Thinking nothing of it, he arrived to find his equipment in pieces and his complaints unheeded as he made call after call to the airline to resolve the damage.

Finally, the airline relented and paid his claim – but it took up a huge chunk of his time when it was clearly the airlines fault. His video has appeared on Youtube – when will the grainy footage of the baggage handlers tossing his bag appear?

Who knows. 

You can watch the video here.

For the rest of my recent interview at the Titanic Awards, click here. 

Now that the Buenos Aires city government has declared a public health emergency due the increase in H1N1 flu virus cases and deaths (the country has been the 3rd hardest hit, after the USA and Mexico) school vacations are being extended to keep students from potentially spreading the virus (leaving them free, it seems, to infect the public instead).

The traditional Argentine kiss on the cheek - popular with both genders - may be used much less in the coming weeks if the situation persists, as health officials feel it quickens the spread of the H1N1 virus. 

Will kiss-obsessed Portenos listen to such advice and forgo this most Argentine of greetings?

WHO knows - but people wearing facemasks have already been spotted in this Latin American city and taxi drivers are among those queuing up at pharmacias to buy them too. 

Well, not completely naked: Air New Zealand's latest safety video features real crew painted with their uniforms on - and little else - that have accompanied their latest 'Our fares have nothing to hide' campaign. 

Watch the video here. 

Michael Jackson's music ruled the school where I grew up, and for the lucky few in the early 1980's who bought his records - they secured their cool factor for life.

Even today when you travel, images of Michael Jackson can be seen everywhere from Tokyo to Cairo, (even more than Madonna) and even in the smallest villages in Africa.

While crossing the Ethiopian border, a wall in the mud hut held up a faded and tattered copy of Michael Jackson lounging in a white suit almost in defiance of the fierce African heat.

In Japan, I was once asked if I knew him personally; even into the 2000's teenagers held moon walking competitions in local parks.

And in Germany in the mid 1980's, teenage girls would scream every time his music came up on the radio. In Korea, well into the late 1990's many guys styled their hair with gel to shape it like Michael's.

In Cairo, Michael Jackson's photo was hung on the wall next to one commemorating the Hajj pilgrimage, a clash of cultures indeed.

In Buenos Aires, where tango rules the night, Michael Jackson songs are commonly heard when taking a taxi after dark, as cab drivers love to tune into 80's radio stations.

In Bangkok the beat to 'Billie Jean' spills out of a clothing shop.

And in Ladakh, a Buddhist kingdom high in the Himalayas, kids hummed the tune to 'Bad' as they walked to school.

Even years after his rise to stardom, images of the star prove the globalization of culture and music, leaving room for debate as to whether teenagers around the globe appreciating the same music is a good thing, or Bad.

Brooklyn Bridge - Susan Gearan

Merlion in Singapore - Sebastien Schmidt

Sweden’s Ice Hotel has redefined the ‘cool’ hotel into not only a work of art (each room is decorated with different ice sculptures) but the ‘it’ place to be (the Absolut Ice Bar is packed with celebrities and hangers on after Europe’s fashion week). Located north of the Arctic circle in Kiruna, the hotel has consistently been featured in travel magazines for its innovative approach to guest services and ever changing feel through the different ice decorations in the hotels public areas.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Wile the Ice Hotel only lasts between October and March each year, you can in fact visit year round. Many don’t know that there is a permanent ‘ice hotel’ that is adjacent to the property, perfect for those guests who want to experience the hotel without sleeping in rooms with temperatures dipping to -5 C.

Open all year long, rooms in this Ice Hotel are decorated in Scandinavian style with blonde woods and crisp white bed linens.

Visit Lap villages to see reindeer, fly fish in the Torne river, the source of the ice used to build the Ice Hotel. And all under the 24 hour sun: while the winter nights afford views of the spectacular northern lights, summer is a time of months long sun with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the long, warm evenings.

Guided visits are provided to view the blocks harvested from the Torne river for next year’s Ice Hotel. Housed in the ‘Ice Hotel Productions’ building kept at a steady -5 C, half a million ice glasses are created here for the various Ice Bars around the world, along with 3,000 ice blocks used to create the hotel itself for the coming year.

So if you’ve missed the peak winter season, it’s never too late to visit the Ice Hotel. 

Australia On Sale

It’s now winter in the southern Hemisphere and airfares to Australia have never been cheaper –first due to the global credit crisis and second due to the fare wars erupting on the Sydney – Los Angeles route in particular.

With the introduction of V Australia, Virgin’s latest long haul airline between the USA and Australia, Qantas and United Airlines’ virtual monopoly on the route has ended: fares have been slashed by as much as 50% and gone are the days of $2,000 USD return tickets in economy class.

Recent searches found deals on V Australia for $750 USD including taxes, and with V’s tie up with USA based Virgin America and Australia’s Virgin Blue, through fares from the American East Coast to the West Coast of Australia re now cheaper than they have ever been. Qantas’ has been offering airfare passes combined with hotel offers to attract travelers as well.

Combine the cheap airfare with a weaker Aussie Dollar (which until recently was almost at parity with the USD) and low season rates, Australia is on sale. Much of northern Australia is basking in the warm tropical sun, and destinations like Brisbane, Cairns, and Port Douglas are perfect this time of year to avoid the summer’s heavy humidity.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Australia, now is the time, these prices will not last. 

V Australia: www.vaustralia.com

Visit Australia: www.australia.com

The Indian monsoon has a serious image problem. Mention the ‘M’ word to adventure travelers and their eyes widen in fear, as though the entire country is submerged in a deluge of water for several months of the year, reducing the roads to rivers and skies to a deep leaden gray.

While the monsoon is a weather phenomenon to be reckoned with, providing millions with drinking water and abundant harvests, writing off travel to a country as large as Argentina because of images seen on CNN is not recommended – the monsoon season can in fact be a wonderful time to visit the country.

It is less expensive

The high season of December to February is packed with travelers from Europe and prices skyrocket, hotels are full, and flights are overbooked. During the summer, flight costs fall, hotels are empty and the Taj Mahal won’t be over run with thousands of package travelers from Delhi.

Ladakh (Photo courtesy of Brandon Roy)

It is green

The entire country is green and verdant during the monsoon season. There are numerous festivals at this time, and locals are very welcoming to visitors eager to learn more about the life giving rains that are an integral part of Indian culture and tradition.

There is always somewhere dry

Ladakh, a Buddhist kingdom high in the Himalayas is dry with clear polished blue skies during the summer monsoons, and offer trekking and hiking opportunities along with a unique culture similar to Tibet’s. The southeast of India is often shielded from the rains by the western Deccan mountains, and have sunny, clear days for weeks on end.

Next time you plan to visit India, don’t mark out the summer months. I traveled there in the monsoon, and while it was hot I had a wonderful time and was able to see the country at its best.

End of The Line (from the website www.endoftheline.com)

A documentary that examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.

Filmed over two years, The End of the Line follows the investigative reporter Charles Clover as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who exhibit little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans.

One of his allies is the former tuna farmer turned whistleblower Roberto Mielgo – on the trail of those destroying the world's magnificent bluefin tuna population.

Filmed across the world – from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market – featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials, The End of the Line is a wake-up call to the world.

The end of seafood by 2048

Scientists predict that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048.

The End of the Line chronicles how demand for cod off the coast of Newfoundland in the early 1990s led to the decimation of the most abundant cod population in the world, how hi-tech fishing vessels leave no escape routes for fish populations and how farmed fish as a solution is a myth.

The film lays the responsibility squarely on consumers who innocently buy endangered fish, politicians who ignore the advice and pleas of scientists, fishermen who break quotas and fish illegally, and the global fishing industry that is slow to react to an impending disaster.

The End of the Line points to solutions that are simple and doable, but political will and activism are crucial to solve this international problem.

We need to control fishing by reducing the number of fishing boats across the world, protect large areas of the ocean through a network of marine reserves off limits to fishing, and educate consumers that they have a choice by purchasing fish from independently certified sustainable fisheries.

 Global campaign

The End of the Line premiere at Sundance will also kick-off a global campaign for citizens to demand better marine policies. Leading international environmental organizations are lending their full support to the film.

The End of the Line will be released worldwide in 2009 using multiple formats and venues including theaters, broadcast and cable television networks, film festivals, online video campaigns, aquariums, museums and special screenings for environmental and educational organizations.

"There is no better place than Sundance for The End of the Line to have its world premiere," said the film's director, Rupert Murray.

"Sundance has a long history of making cutting edge, issue-based documentaries matter." Murray's first film, "Unknown White Male" premiered at the festival in 2005.

Charles Clover, the book's author, said: "We must stop thinking of our oceans as a food factory and realize that they thrive as a huge and complex marine environment.

"We must act now to protect the sea from rampant overfishing so that there will be fish in the sea for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

"Overfishing is the great environmental disaster that people haven't heard about," said producer George Duffield.

"A recent global conference about bluefin tuna stocks saw almost no media coverage in the U.S. We hope this film really sounds the alarm. We can fix this problem starting right now."

"Reading the book The End of the Line changed my life and what I eat. I hope the film will do the same for others," said producer Claire Lewis.

Visit www.endoftheline.com for more information and to sign for the campaign. 

Medical Tourism may be a growing trend (hello, Bumungrad) but Adoption Tourism may now get a rather unfortunate boost now that the 51 year old Material Mom has had her appeal approved to adopt three year old Mercy James, adding to her growing Mia Farrow Angelina Joliesque family. 

Numerous agencies involved in child welfare in Africa decried the decision, saying a 'Hollywood lifestyle' for Mercy was not the solution, and finding a way to keep families together was a much better option. 

Does anyone else feel sorry for this baby? 

BTW, when does Madonna's adoption of Jesus Luz  become official? 

Carrie Prejean, the Miss California who 'lost' her crown due to her off the wall answer to gay marriage, has also lost her other crown, having been fired by Donald Trump for not completing all of her duties required (whatever that means).

Were there other reasons for her firing? Her recent comments in favor of 'opposite' travel writing might have been a factor. 

Repeated calls placed to Miss Prejean's home went unanswered before press time. 

Rumor has it www.theloweroad.com has been banned by China, blocked by the Great Firewall that has been set up to 'protect' the citizens of this world's largest communist country that ranks in the bottom 5 of the world's most repressive regimes for journalists (according to Reporters Sans Frontieres, www.rsf.org) joining Vietnam, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea and Laos at the bottom of the pile. 

Ah well, what's 1.1 billion fewer viewers?

Passengers on a Chinese Shandong airlines flight were asked to get out and push after their plane broke down shortly after landing.

The CRJ7 airplane with 69 passengers and 7 aircrew members flying from Guilin to Zhengzhou broke down before it could taxi to the passenger terminal.

Airport staff were called out to help push, but they needed to get the passengers to help because the plane would not budge.

It took the group nearly two hours to push the airplane half a mile to a side lane.

"Thank God it was only a 20 ton medium-sized airplane. If it were a big plane, it would have knocked us out," said one of the airport workers.



The airplane is still parked in the side lane, waiting for technicians arriving on the next flight to fix the problem.

KUALA LUMPUR - THE International Air Transport Association called for more liberalisation to bolster the global airline industry, which is expected to lose more than US$4.7 billion (S$6.8 billion) this year because of falling cargo and passenger traffic.

IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani said airlines are facing an 'emergency situation' and should be given greater commercial freedom to serve global markets and consolidate. He said 50 major airlines reported $3.3 billion in net losses in the first quarter of 2009 alone.

IATA, which represents 230 airline companies worldwide, expects full-year losses to be 'substantially worse' than the $4.7 billion it forecast in March, he said. It will unveil its new forecast at its annual meeting here on Monday.

'We face a demand shock... you will see more dark red. We have probably touched the bottom but we have not yet seen an improvement,' he told reporters.

Mr Bisignani said the United States and Europe should revise their open skies treaty to make it more liberal, removing restrictions such as foreign ownership caps on domestic carriers.

 'It's time for the governments to wake up. We do not ask for bailouts but all we ask is give us the same opportunity that other businesses have,' he said.

Mr Bisiginani said he supported a bid by American Airlines and British Airways to cooperate on trans-Atlantic flights - currently under review for fear of breaking antitrust laws.

American Airlines is seeking immunity from US anti-trust laws so it can cooperate with BA, Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Royal Jordanian on trans-Atlantic flights. American and BA say this will let them compete fairly against two other groups of airlines that are already allowed working together on prices, schedules and other details.

But critics, led by Virgin Atlantic Airways head Richard Branson, say American and BA are already too dominant and immunity will lead to higher fares on US-UK routes. American's own pilots' union also feared it will shift flying assignments to lower-cost foreign carriers with more open-skies agreements.

Mr Bisignani said Asian carriers, which account for 44 per cent of the world cargo market, will be the worst hit in the economic crisis. -- AP

MEXICO CITY - MEXICO has temporarily grounded Aviacsa airline after officials reported irregularities in the maintenance of 25 planes.

The Transportation and Communications Department said the low-cost airline has 60 days to fix the problems.

The action on Tuesday effectively shut operations at the airline, which says it has a fleet of 26 planes serving 17 Mexican cities and Las Vegas.

The department said the problems put passengers at risk, but Aviacsa issued a statement denying any safety problems.

Haydee Cordova, Aviacsa's assistant director for legal affairs, said on Wednesday the problems were cosmetic - opaque logos, dull lights and scratches on the wings - and that they had already been corrected on five of the planes.

Mr Cordova said Aviacsa officials have asked the Mexican government for another inspection.

In the meantime, the airline will validate passengers' tickets for future flights, she said. -- AP