July 22, 2006, 11:55 AM CT

Cairo The Capital Of Egypt

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and, with a total population in excess of 16 million people, one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East (which regions it conveniently straddles) - it is also the 13th largest city in the world. Situated on the River Nile,.

Cairo is famous for its own history - preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and in Old Cairo - and for the ancient, Pharaonic history of the country it represents. No trip to Cairo would be complete, for example, without a visit to the Giza Pyramids, to nearby Saqqara, or to the Egyptian Museum in the center of town. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 22, 2006, 10:56 AM CT

Netherlands The Old Holland

The Netherlands (also popularly, though inaccurately, called Holland in English, in Dutch Nederland) is a small monarchy in the Northwest of Europe, between the North Sea, Belgium and Gera number of, known for much more than cheese, windmills, tulips.

Because of its size and flatness The Netherlands is a great country to travel by bicycle. Public transport is another good option because parking is problematic in most town centers. Trains and buses provide excellent transport in the entire country, though in the northern part it sometimes pays off to rent a car.

The young mainly visit The Netherlands for two characteristics: the permissive attitude towards erotics (prostitution is legal) and drugs (possession of small quantities of softdrugs for personal use is legal, and marihuana - in small quantities for personal use - is for sale legally in 'coffee shops' throughout the country). This, however, does not mean harddrugs are tolerated - nor is illegal prostitution. Both examples of leniency were instituted to better control these problems. The result is less crime and better working conditions for legal prositutes - a recipe slowly being picked up by the rest of the world. The Dutch always try to stay one step ahead though, and for several years now gay couples have been allowed to marry legally and properly, like any couple.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 16, 2006, 3:01 PM CT

Mayflowers in Bangkok

Summer is here and we have the flame trees blooming.

Beautiful.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 16, 2006, 11:42 AM CT

Alexandria The City Of Legends

Alexandria, the city of legend, is the world's gateway to the land of the Nile. Home to the great philosophers, thinkers and professers of ancient times, this great city has impacted the world more than any other city, not by force like its counterparts, Rome and Carthage, but by the ingenious power of the human mind. Founded by a young king who had conquered the known world by the time he was 30, on a breezy strip of land on the fringes of the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, this amazing city, eventhough lacking its dominance it once attained over the world, is still the most amazing city in the world's oldest tourist destination, the country of Egypt.

Alexandria is a wonderful city to just get lost. Throw away your map and walk into a back alley and witness the extreme kindness and generosity of the Egyptian people. Listen to the stories and immerse yourself into the cultures. When the day is coming to a close, follow the smell of the sea and fish back to the Corniche, Alexandria's waterfront avenue, and watch the sun glide under the sea while the waters of the harbor crash into the rocks below. Alexandria is still a city of legend, even though the city of the past is now only in the collective memory of writing and art. Don't skip Alex as so a number of tend to do. Experience it! Visit the museums, stand in the soft Egyptian sands, taste the culture and and the foods, and thank yourself for an adventure you will cherish.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 16, 2006, 11:08 AM CT

Karman Vortices

Each of these swirling clouds is a result of a meteorological phenomenon known as a Karman vortex. These vortices appeared over Alexander Selkirk Island in the southern Pacific Ocean.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink

July 22, 2006, 10:44 AM CT

Going To Malayasia

What's wrong with "First Aid?" It's got only twenty percent of the syllables and thirty four percent of the letters. Sat in the hot tropical air of a humid Malaysian wet season watching yet another tedious and overly-simplistic training video concentration was hard to come by.

The only saving interest were the extremely bad actors, who approached their victims with the same wild staring intensity that Wayne Rooney would an errant linesman - "May I help you?" being bawled out at the same time as slipping on a pair of rubber gloves to avoid 'contact with fluids'. The only sane response to such an 'Emergency Firster' would be to yell 'Keep your hands off me you raving lunatic.'.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 11, 2006, 8:36 PM CT

Draw a forest bird and win a trip to Mombasa!

Draw a painting of your preferred forest bird in your Maasai neighbourhood, write a song or poem and win the first train trip in your lifetime to Mombasa! A competition for 22 primary schools in the Masaai area in Kenya was held to involve and raise awareness amongst school children of the Loita-Purko Naimina Enkiyio Integrated Forest Conservation and Development Project.

Since the availability and frequency of birds are an indicator of ecosystem health and socio-cultural norms and practices, it was hoped to raise awareness of the overall state of the forest. The project is managed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and funded by the European Union.

In April 2006, the winner and the support team from Kuntai Primary School were taken to Mombasa to visit a greening programme undertaken by schools in Kwale District along the south coast of Kenya. For most of the participants, this was their first trip to Nairobi, the coast of Kenya, and to travel by train. Shortly after, the success of the project was demonstrated: based on the experience of the competition, the Kuntai Primary School has started a greening project amongst students.

The aim of the Loita-Purko Naimina Enkiyio Integrated Forest Conservation and Development Project amongst the Maasai in Kenya was to work with the local communities to help them own and manage their sacred forest. By doing so, they contribute to maintaining biodiversity and environmental values that provide for their cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic needs.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

July 11, 2006, 7:08 PM CT

Boeing 747-8 Family

The Boeing Company has recently launched the new Boeing 747-8 program, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter airplane.

Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, has ordered 10 747-8 Freighters and will take delivery of the first 747-8F in third-quarter 2009. It also holds purchase rights for 10 additional airplanes. Cargolux currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 13 747-400 freighters.

Nippon Cargo Airlines, based in Japan, has ordered eight 747-8 Freighters and will receive its first airplane in fourth-quarter 2009. The airline also acquired options for six additional airplanes. Nippon Cargo currently operates 13 747 freighters and has six more 747-400Fs on order.

Firm orders from the two launch customers are valued at approximately $5 billion at list prices.

"We are thrilled to have Cargolux and Nippon Cargo choose the new 747-8 and become the launch customers for this next generation of the proud and valuable 747 airplane family," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 747-8 will use the technologies of the 787 Dreamliner to significantly increase the passenger and freighter capabilities of the 747 and offer greater fuel efficiency, improved operating economics, and be more friendly to the environment with reduced noise and emissions".........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink         Source

June 27, 2006, 9:47 PM CT

Wildlife Management

In July of 1935, the game preserve became part of Wind Cave National Park. During the early years of the preserve, the animals were kept in small enclosures. Eventually, it was realized that they needed more space. The bison and elk needed additional forage and the pronghorn needed room to escape from predators. With the help of the CCC, fences within the park were removed. And in 1946, 16,341 additional acres were added, enlarging the park to 28,059 acres.

During the 1950's and 60's, park wildlife was the focus of much attention. Because of the lack of large predators, like wolves and grizzly bears, the bison and elk herds had grown to the point that they were literally "eating themselves out of house and home." Park rangers began to evaluate the carrying capacity of the park. Carrying capacity is the number of animals that can exist in a habitat without damaging it. To solve the problem of overgrazing, the bison and elk herd sizes were reduced. Park rangers began an active program to manage the herd size. They began rounding up the animals and shipping the excess live from the park to other parks and reserves. Rangers also worked to improve the grassland by reseeding overgrazed areas with native grasses and controlling exotic plant species.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink

June 27, 2006, 9:37 PM CT

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.........

Posted by: JoAnn      Permalink

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