Chile Earthquake, Google Person Finder, and Twitter

In response to the devastating 8.8 earthquake that hit Chile on Saturday, Google has activated a new app to help friends and relatives find each other.  Here is the link:  chilepersonfinder.
The format is simple, with the options:  ‘I’m looking for someone’ or ‘I have information about someone’ which is available in both Spanish and English.  The service has already [...]

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This Sunday, 14 February 2010, is St. Valentine’s Day (just in case you had forgotten). 
Not all cultures recognise the occasion of course, but if you live in one that does we’d hate for you to be in the dog house for neglecting your significant other…
If you don’t have a s.o. then why not treat yourself or - better yet - do something [...]

Rio Carnival - 13-16 Feb 2010

February is Carnival month in many parts of the world – including Nice and Venice.  The famous New Orleans Mardi Gras takes place on February 16 (Fat Tuesday). 
Perhaps the best known and most famous, however, is the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro – also known as the Carnival Capital of the world.  (Portuguese: Carnaval)
The fun in Rio begins [...]

Banged Up Abroad for Drugs - Not Worth It!

The Foreign Office (FCO) has issued a renewed warning about the hazards of getting involved with drugs overseas. 
They report that a large number of Britons being held in prisons abroad are there for drug-related offences.
Of the numbers reported, the largest groups detained were in Spain, the U.S., Thailand, Australia and France.  They are mostly males.  
The TV series ‘Banged [...]

Chinese New Year - 14 Feb 2010 - Year of the Tiger

Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival and Lunar New Year) occurs this year on February 14 in the lunar calendar (coinciding with St. Valentine’s Day). 
The date varies each year, depending on the phases of the moon, but always falls between late January and mid-February. 
This year signifies the Year of the Tiger in Chinese [...]

Chinese Lantern Festival - Release with Care!

Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally end with the Lantern Festival - where colourful lanterns are lit and released into the air.  This year the event lands on Sunday, 28 February 2010, to correspond with the next full moon.
This delightful spectacle has also become popular around the world in celebration of many other events, including weddings.
 
The laws of yin [...]

Venice Carnival 2010 - Events from 6-16 February

The annual Carnivale di Venezia takes place this year from 6-16 February, kicking off with an opening concert (classical) on the evening of 5 February at Ca’Rezzonico.
Get into the Venice Carnival spirit, and the spirit of Vivaldi, with these fine examples of masks while listening to a beautiful rendition of Vivaldi’s ‘Rain’:
 
The main theme of [...]

Nice Carnival - South of France - 12-28 Feb 2010

The Carnaval de Nice is a major event, on a similar scale to Venice Carnival, Mardi Gras, and Rio de Janeiro.  
Forget the winter blues for a few minutes as this video transports you to the colour and excitement of last year’s festivities: 
 
The mild climate of the South of France might just provide the tonic you need to [...]

Haiti Donations - Confused? DEC Appeal Launches Today

It is heartbreaking watching the horrific events in Haiti following the devastating earthquake.  We all have our favourite charities, but at times like this it can be confusing trying to decide which charity is the best to donate to.
The answer to the dilemma may be the UK Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).  The DEC has been [...]

Kenya - Visa and Passport Advice for Visitors

According to the latest Foreign Office (FCO) advice, we are reminded that Kenya has strict rules regarding entry requirements.  For example:

British passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Kenya - except those under 16 years of age
Passports must have blank space for a visa – two blank pages recommended
If passport pages are full and there is [...]