Entering Closed Countries

Yesterday American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were released and brought home after being detained in a North Korean prison for the past month.  The two prisoners had “wandered” across the Chinese border and been arrested by North Korean military.  Former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a surprise visit to the isolated country by way of a private jet in order to bring the Current TV employees back to the States.  The negotiations went accordingly and the journalists were released in a diplomatic fashion.

Former President Clinton Landing in North Korea

It is key to note that the former president did not enter North Korea through the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone); the border between North and South Korea.  The zone is heavily locked down in order to keep out any outside visitors.  Very isolated, North Korea is infamous for being the most difficult country to enter under any circumstance.  This lead us to thinking, what other countries in the world make it very difficult for tourists or even journalists to enter?

Burma (Myanmar) -

Burma is an isolated nation located on the Indochina peninsula.  Oppose to Thailand Vietnam and Laos, Burma has chosen to stay secluded from the western world during the second half of the 20th century.  The country has been under heavy military rule since a coup-d’etat in 1962.  Although not a violent or pro-war country, it is very hard to obtain a visa or sneak into the country undetected.

Shwedagon Temple in Yangoon ("Ran-goon") Burma

Kuwait -

Remember that country the U.S. defended in the Persian Gulf?  Kuwait does not grant tourist visas, even to Americans.  Although if traveling for business, a hotel can grant visas to your company and allow you in.  Like many middle eastern countries, business visas are encouraged but tourism is not high on the list of goals.

Cuba -

Although there is an embargo the U.S. has sanctioned upon the socialist nation, it actually is not difficult to enter this unique island of the Caribbean.  However, if you are a U.S. citizen, getting back into the states after you have visited Cuba is a different story.  Many American citizens have been taken to court with infractions due to vacationing in Havana.

Because we have had to enter certain countries to rate all the hotels made available by hotelreservations.com, we have found ways around these barriers.  But remember these regulations are against tourist visas, in most cases journalists and government/business officials can easily obtain a visa.  Furthermore, many of these countries just make travelers jump through hoops in the hopes that the tourist will get discouraged and pick another country to visit.  So if you do have a yearning to see the temples of Burma or visit a war-torn country that can’t protect you from being kidnapped, you can make it happen.  Just remember once you’re there, you’re playing by their rules.

Megabus Offers $1 Bus Fare

The stimulus strategy is once again rewarding domestic travelers.  Megabus is offering 50,000 $1 seats in efforts to boost sales.  Megabus is the first no-frills bussing company.  Started in 2003 by the Stagecoach group, the budget bus line was opened in the UK first, followed by a North American line in 2006.  This is not the first instance of low-cost carriers in the travel world.  Low-cost airline carriers boomed in the nineties with airlines such as RyanAir, SouthWest Airlines and EasyJet.  These airlines started the no frills travel trend offering flights for under $50 dollars. 

Although Megabus is pitched as a “no frills” carrier, there are basic amenities that are quite generous.  The buses only allow one large carry on to be stowed underneath, but the double decker busses are roomy, and provide free wi-fi on all routes.  The only downside of Megabus and their offer is ironically the recession.  The recession that has led to this unbelievable offer has also wiped out all of the Megabus lines that ran through Los Angeles, Pheonix and any remaining west coast hubs that were being scheduled in the previous years. 

To find more on all the routes availiable, visit Megabus.com

Free Weekends at over 100 National Parks

The tough times keep getting better.  According to the latest report by the International Air Traffic Association international air traffic is down 9.3% from last year.  The recession has scared travelers away from the airports and their passports and encouraged weekend trips and staycations.  While U.S. cities may not be particularly exiting to most Americans, the National Park scene is hitting its stride.  This upcoming weekend on August 15-16, over 100 U.S. National Parks will be offering free admission.  Although industrialization has taken over the land, there is still vast amounts of country and our National Parks are still hailed as some of the most beautiful places on earth.

Zion Canyon, Utah

This stimulus plan will actually put money back into the country by way of federal land revenue.  The government offered three free weekends this summer; the one closing upon us being the last of the three.  There are also free tours and discounts for lodging and hotels within park land.  Because of this, vacationing to National Parks has risen %6 percent in 2009.  With over 300 monuments, parks and recreational areas in the country, we’ve compiled a list of the best National Parks to visit based on the experience, crowds, and accessibility.

• Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Denali National Park, Alaska
• Zion National Park, Utah
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tenn-N.C.
• The National Mall, Washington D.C.

For more specific information on the national parks, visit the parks and services website.  Also for a direct link to the list of 100 parks that are offering free admission click here.

Today’s Top Deals: Las Vegas

Although the recession is rumored to be over, the suffering is still in effect.  Which makes us wonder, why are they claiming the recession is over?  However, due to this continued fall in revenue, many sectors of the economy are still offering heavy deals.  Today’s top deal comes from Southwest Airlines; AOL Travel reports on the latest lowest deals to Las Vegas.

The exclusive Southwest Vacation special is the lowest in years.  Get round-trip flight and 3-night hotel starting at $55 per person per night [price based on double occupancy].  This offer is good on travel from late summer through early January 2010.  Below are some of the many participating hotels.  For more information go to Southwest Airlines’ website.

The World’s 18 Most Unique Buildings

Today more land is harder to find, cheap domestic labor is sparse, and art has been depreciated due to the cost-efficient world we live in.  Because of this, tourists and people who travel often visit preserved historical sites to find exquisite architecture.  Even as architechts press to have their most unique projects come to life, the labor of love seems to be lost and new buildings very rarely find time for taste. 

Habitat 67 in Montreal Holds 354 Cubical Apartments for Rent

Although this is the trend the modern world follows, there are still people of dissent.  The long rows of cookie cutter homes and pragmatic thinking still give a unique idea the chance to blossom.  There were many to choose from, including the famous hotel in Dubai and stunning buildings in Las Vegas, but this list comprises something more unique.  Unlike billion dollar real estate investments, popular mechanics has made a list of the 18 most interesting buildings in the world.  These are not huge 9 digit projects, but instead small pieces of art.  They are able to make money by charging a little more than the usual property value as their architecture lures tenants from around the world.

For more read the full story at Popularmechanics

329 Hot Air Balloons! Mondial Air Balloons Chambley France

The largest mass ascent of hot air balloons took place recently at the biennial Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons rally in Chambley, France. Pilots from around the world lifted off in 329 balloons on 26 July. Were you there? Then join the Biennale Mondiale de l’Aérostation group and add something to the pool!

Photos and video from gbatistini, mortimer?, daniel guffanti and normandie2005.

*Fun Fact: Hot air balloons don’t fly in the rain because balloon heat can cause water to boil atop the balloon, and boiling water destroys the fabric.

*Fun Fact: Hot air balloons were discovered in France in 1783.

A Hot Air Balloon Joke!

An American man, a Russian man, and an African man were all up in a hot-air balloon together. After a few minutes, the Russian man put his hand down through the clouds. “Aaah!” he said. “We’re right over my homeland.” “How can you tell?” asked the American. “I can feel the cold air,” he replied. A few hours later the African man put his hand through the clouds. “Aah we’re right over my homeland,” he said. “How do you know that?” asked the Russian. “I can feel the heat of the desert.” Several more hours later the American put his hand through the clouds. “Aah, we’re right over New York.” The Russian and the African were amazed. “How do you know all of that?!” they exclaimed. The American pulled his hand up and said, “My watch is missing.

Get more Hot Air Info @www.hotairballoons.com

Bruce Lee’s Home to Become a Museum

From Gadling.com

by Katie Hammel

The former home of actor and martial arts master Bruce Lee may eventually become a museum dedicated to the deceased star. Officials in Hong Kong have launched a competition to design the museum, and the owner of the home has offered to donate it and the HK$100,000 ($13,000) in prize money for the winner.

Bruce Lee

The home is currently a Hong Kong “love hotel” that rents rooms by the hour, but would be transformed into a memorial hall, kung fu studio, library and film archive that showcases the life and work of Lee. According to Hong Kong officials, Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, will be on the panel of judges that also includes architects and town planners. In preparation for the museum, the government has begun collecting Lee’s personal items and has commissioned documentaries about the creation of the museum and the life of Lee, who died in 1972 at age 32 from swelling in his brain.

The winner of the contest will be announced by the end of the year, but there’s no word on when construction of the museum would begin.

Read more great stuff @ Gadling.com

Obamas Lease $20 Million Getaway

The new Commander in Cheif and his family have settled on the vacation home they will be using for the next 4 years.  Although it has not been signed, it it believed that the president and the white house are going to joint-lease a 28 acre estate on Martha’s Vineyard.

The President and His Two Daughters

Amelia Earhart’s Plane Found?

DNA from the Island where Earhart Crashed May Lead to Answers

(July 28th) — Members of the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery or TIGHAR are scheduled to arrive on Nikamaroro Island in the spring of 2010.  Next May or June the team is going to re-excavate the former crash site in efforts to collect DNA.  If recovered, these artifacts may finally be able to prove where Earhart’s plane went down in the summer of 1937, ABC News reported.

Amelia Earhart and One of Her Many Planes

“We think we will be able to come back with DNA,” TIGHAR Executive Director Ric Gillespie told ABC.  The group has been doing archeological diggs on the island since 2001.  Last summer the group un-earthed 20th centrury makeup and two pieces of broken glass, but the findings were contaminated during the collection process.  Gillespie says only 5 percent of the island has been excavated.  This added with new collection protocol has created a new wave of enthusiasm and confidence in hopes of unmasking this 72 year old mystery.

The DNA evidence if found, would be compared to a sample taken from a direct living relative of Earhart, who has chosen to remain anonymous.  They have taken mitochondrial DNA in order to prove that Amelia Earhart did in fact live on the island after her plane went down.  By using mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA, the chances of finding a link is more likely.  Archeologists are using such samples because the mtDNA holds together over time better than chromosome DNA which is most commonly used in forensic research.

This of course is all relevant only if this theory is the correct one; many theories on what actually happened to Earhart are still on the table.  The TIGHAR team believes that her plane went down near what is now Nikamuroro Island located 1,800 miles south of Hawaii.  There were no inhabitants of the 3 mile island until 1938, a year after Earharts disappearance.  Being a British colony, a team of 8 men were sent to clear the land for village and coconut plantation.  In 1940, during this process the island’s overseer came across a campsite and human bones.  This is the main reason TIGHAR believes this is the site of Earharts last days.

There are other theories that challenge TIGHAR.  Some think Earhart did survive on this island due to her ability to concour all things women were not encouraged to part take in at the time.  Earhart was famous for writing in Cosmopolitan and supporting all women of the early 1900′s who challenged the sexists quo.  Because of this and her hunting hobbies, many believe she could easily have built a campsite and found food.  Many though believe she survived until the second world war, where she was then taken captive by the Japanese.  Others believe she went down near Samoa or the Marshall islands due to radio data.  Then there are those who believe it was all a hoax and that Earhart’s crash was purposefullly left without answers in order to get out of the stardom she had become.

For more read the full story at ABC News.

Aqua Hotels and Resorts “99 Days of Summer”

Aqua hotels and resorts just kicked off the “99 Days of summer” promotion event.  These deals will last, you guessed it, 99 days.  With summer on its way, the crunch to get good deals on hot resort destinations won’t last long.  If you’re traveling to Hawaii this is these are the best deals on the market.  There are 12 Aqua hotels in Waikiki, all of which are under $100 dollars a night.  Since Hawaii is a tourist destination I advice booking in advance for the opportunity to save the most cash.  This promotion only lasts until September 7^th of this year, so act quick.

Aqua hotels have created two lines of service to accommodate all types of peoples.  There is a boutique line and a “LITE” line.  The LITE line provides free Wi-Fi high speed Internet and complimentary daily paper.  Aqua Waikiki beachside and Park Shore Waikiki locations have great views right on the beach, which is very unusual for budget resorts.  There are many little quarks and benefits of the LITE hotel at each location; for example, the Aqua Continental location is dog friendly.  Here are some of the starting rates for the LITE line.

Aqua Continental -$59

Aqua Island Colony – $69

Aqua Waikiki Beachside – $79

Park Shore Waikiki – $89

The Boutique Line of hotels from Aqua also has availabilities under $100 dollars.  These locations although cheap, have many more services than the LITE line.  There are flat screens, free access to fitness facilities and all the lavish room service need that the more expensive hotel lines pride themselves on.  For more information on Waikiki Aqua Boutiques go to HotelReservations.com.  Safe Travels.