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An independent view of the world seen from Tokelau

The Independent New York Times

Tokelau, Saturday, June 7, 2008 Weekend Edition, editor Sumpinein

 TRAVEL & DISCOVERY MAGAZINE     contact sumpinein@gmail.com

Some of the countries selected here are not so accessible Burma and Libya for example, but it is worth the effort. Others are becoming popular as in the case of India and its 'Saint Tropez' like resort: Kovalam, as the brochures describe it. Don't believe the brochures, but try the experience as described in Death in Kovalam written by John Francis Kinsella.

LIBYA a country of adventure, prehistory and desert exploration
For the visitor Libya is three different world's. The modern world of Tripoli, the ancient world of Leptis Magna and Cyrenaica and the prehistoric world of early man in the Akkakus Mountains in the deep south in the Sahara. Modern Tripoli is of little interest a simply point of departure for greater things of greater past glory. The posters of the aging dictator are of little interest reminiscent of Castro and Saddam. For the more adventurous the Akkakus is without doubt the most fabulous and for those with an eye on prehistory the kill sites are extraordinary and few Libyan guides are even aware of their existence. These sites are the vestiges of Stone Age prehistoric man daily life
BURMA LAKE INLE
In Burma there are not only temples but also extraordinary landscapes such as on Lake Inle. Burma is difficult to visit today and in spite of the country's authoritarian regime the people are warm and welcoming. Contrary to what is popularly believed Burma is a rich country, rich in its simplicity and nature. In normal times it is overflowing with the produce of its fertile land. The recent cyclone was a work of nature, even though the tragedy that followed was the making of its military junta.
Niokola Koba National Park Senegal
Our travel editor really checks out the places to go and not always in a five star hotel. Here he is spotting game in the Niokola Koba National Park in Senegal on the Gambia River at the border with Guinea, a far cry from the coastal beaches frequented by most tourists

One of the most respected trees in Africa.

This page is designed for travellers who seek something a little different from those dreary five star hotels that hardly vary from New York to Dubai to Singapore to San Francisco

DUBAI and the Emirates
A small oil rich country worth a visit with its incredible skyline and the charm of its Creek and Old Town, a two day stop over on the way to the east is sufficient for the casual visitor to take in its sights.
 

INDIA and its southern coast

Kerala on the coast of the Arabian Sea in the south of India has become a popular destination for tourists. It is still unspoilt in the sense that it has not been transformed into blocks of concrete even if numerous small hotels and guest houses have sprung up in places like Kovalam and the intrinsic character of its many small fishing villages has not changed. Visitors should not expect the comforts of Europe and South-East Asia but the pleasure of discovering India is great.  Scenes as those shown above of fishermen hauling in their nets are common and cities such as Kochi (Cochin) are full of surprises.

CAMBODIA and the mysteries of ANGKOR

The ancient city of Angkor is the focal point of any visit to Cambodia though many visitors do not spend sufficient time to explore its great many temples. The city of Siem Reap, the starting point for a visit to Angkor has become a tourist magnet, which does not mean it is not an experience in itself with its many small restaurants, guest houses and markets. For the individual traveller these small guest houses are infinitely more interesting than the large hotels catering for package tours.

The pleasure of a private lodge in the Kruger Park in South Africa with a friendly lion to boot!

A dog's life in Santa Monica...
Santa Monica, California - Always an interesting place for foreign tourists, a veritable court of miracles.
Burgos, Spain. Those interested in prehistory should visit the magnificent city of Burgos in north-west Spain where not only will they find its splendid cathedral but also the Atapuerca the site of Europe's most ancient inhabitants going back one million years. This photo shows the entrance in one of the caves where the greatest number of pre-human specimens were ever found on one site.
Burgos cathedral is one of the finest in all spain with an exhibition of beautifully restored Medieval paintings.
2008 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Herbert von Karajan Peace talks make little progress between Israel and the Palestinians.