Worst luck ever: couple vacation in New York, London and Mumbai just as terrorists attack

by Karen Walrond on

The Sydney Times Herald is reporting the uncanny story of Mr. and Mrs. James and Jenny Cairns-Lawrence, a young couple from Dudley, United Kingdom, who seem to have a knack for choosing vacation spots where terrorists are about to strike: they have found themselves in New York, London and Mumbai during the exact times that each of the three cities were viciously attacked by terrorists.

Says Mrs. Cairns-Lawrence, “It’s a strange coincidence. The terror attacks just happened when we were in the cities. I shouldn’t be laughing about it, but it is a strange coincidence.”

Dude, remind me to check where these two are the next time I plan an international trip. And as one of my Gadling colleagues said, aren’t people like these usually called “persons of interest”?

Photo of the Day (12.23.08)

by Grant Martin on

Having nice weather this Christmas? Yeah, me neither. If you’ve ventured even close to an airport or a newscast in the last week you probably know that 3/4 of the country is buried under snow right now and that flights and passengers are in chaos.

In case you happen to be one of those poor souls stuck at the airport this Tuesday afternoon, I thought I would give you something to take your mind off the weather. This shot, taken by StrudelMonkey in Boracay, Philippines, depicts the exact polar opposite of where I am right now, and where I’m sure many of us want to be. Close your eyes, don’t think about that screaming child in the row across from you and pretend its 80 degrees outside. Isn’t that nice?

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day.

Big in Japan: We’re on vacation…

by Matthew Firestone on

If you’re stopping by to check on the latest installment of Big in Japan, we’re sorry to say that we’re on vacation…

What do travel writers do when they’re on vacation?

Simple.

They travel – just travel – and take a break from writing.

In January, we’ll be heading to India for a little R&R, and we hope to take a much-needed break from all forms electronic communication.

Call it technological fasting if you will!

However, we’ll be back and hopefully feeling refreshed in February, and we will definitely be continuing our weekly updates from the Land of the Rising Sun.

In the meantime, be sure to check out all of the wonderful news stories going on at Gadling.

And of course, have a very happy and healthy 2009 (^_^)

** Image courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons Project **

Five things to do when things go bad

by Brenda Yun on

I opened the front door to my apartment yesterday evening to find an early, unwelcome, and unpleasant Christmas present waiting for me inside: my power had been turned off. Apparently, the Hawaiian Electric Company finds it completely acceptable to turn off your service when you are a new tenant in the building — and gives you NO warning, by email or otherwise, as to when or why it is happening.

What made this matter worse is that my friend came over to cook steak on my electric stove. We were hoping to drink a bottle of Merlot, and watch “Superbad” on DVD. Instead, we both showered by candlelight, ate out at a mediocre Vietnamese pho restaurant, went to Walmart to stock up on more candles, and are calling it a night.

There are, however, some awfully good lessons to be learned from such an experience as this. If you’re one of the many travelers stuck at an airport in the northern U.S., an unhappy backpacker in the middle of nowhere, or a peeved resident living in a city serviced by an incompetent and unresponsive electricity company, then please resist the urge to cry about it. Here are a few things you could try to get your life back on track when things go bad.

  1. Be creative: If you’re not having fun in your current situation, find a way to make it fun. As long as there’s gas in it, your car can be one of the most enjoyable tools for happiness. Turn up the heat in your Chevy, take a road never traveled, and slowly find your way back home. If you don’t have a car, use your feet. You’ll be surprised how much you never noticed about even the most familiar of surroundings.
  2. Reach out to a loved one: So, you’re all alone in some backward country that you thought you’d love, but it turns out you hate it. Think positively: things will not be this bad forever. Take out a piece of paper and write a letter to a loved one, using your pen as an outlet for frustration, anger, sadness, and expression. Or, if you can get to a phone, give that person a call and tell him/her how much s/he’s missed.
  3. Strike up a conversation with a stranger: I love making new friends in the most random places. The conversation starter here would be your current, shared, miserable experience/existence. My best friend met her husband while waiting for flight in Albequerque. It’s amazing how much a light conversation can ease your inner tension. If nothing else, your little debate can pass the time.
  4. Indulge in your favorite food: Forget that Weight Watchers diet. Take out that stash of Baskin-Robinns Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate ice cream (sorry for the food plug here, it’s my one weakness) and go to town. At least your belly will thank you.
  5. Get some zzz’s: Sleep is one of the best cures for whatever crisis you might be in. Shrug off your problem for a few hours with a little shuteye.

I hate the sight of frustrated tears, and I particularly detest angry protests by customers upon innocent flight attendants (though, I must confess, I too have instigated such arguments). The best thing you can do in rough times is grin in bear it. Things always get better in time.

Big in Japan: Why your next ski holiday should be at Niseko

by Matthew Firestone on

All this month, Big in Japan is on the road in Hokkaid?, Japan’s northernmost island. Join us as we take a look at the rugged wilderness, world-class skiing and remote hot springs that make this winter wonderland so justifiably famous…

The island of Hokkaid? (??????, literally North Sea Circuit) gets some serious snow in the winters, though the reigning prince of powder is a small village by the name of Niseko (?????????).

While few North Americans have heard of Niseko, Japanese skiers and snowboarders alongside Australians and New Zealanders pack the slopes of this winter wonderland.

Because of its blessed location, Niseko experiences northwest to southeast Siberian fronts every winter. Translation: a whole lot of snow!

In fact, Niseko was recently named the world’s second snowiest ski resort, boasting an annual average snow fall of 595 inches.

As you might imagine, that is some serious, serious powder!

Despite its village status, Niseko boasts four interconnected resorts, namely Hirafu, Higashiyama, Annupuri and Hanazono, which together form 2000+ skiable acres.

Still think there isn’t any good skiing in Japan?

The massive frozen wilderness encompassing Niseko, collectively known as Niseko United, recently came in at number six on a poll of the world’s top ski resorts.

Niseko United was also the highest ranked new entry in the poll, which is not too much of a surprise given that the resort is booming due to rapidly increasing foreign investment.

Still need more convincing that Niseko has what it takes to become the next big international ski destination?

From Sapporo airport, which is well served by most major carriers, direct buses head to the slopes in just over two hours.

While the yen is currently experiencing historic highs, on average, a ski vacation in Japan will cost you much less than destinations in Europe.

Niseko’s weather is cold but dry, which is the perfect condition to create the soft and light powder base that skiers and snowboards love to carve.

Like the rest of Japan, Niseko is home to natural and rustic hot springs, which provide the most heavenly après-ski setting you could possibly imagine.

And, while hot water bubbles up from the ground, icy spring water runs down from the mountains.

Famous for its clarity and purity, Niseko spring water produces some amazing sake, which is best served up hot in a ceramic tumbler.

Finally, thanks to its strong international following, Niseko also boasts a cosmopolitan nightlife that is fueled by copious amounts of drinking and dancing.

Seriously…do you really need any more convincing?

The snow has already started to fall, and the ski season runs through to March, so get your plane tickets soon and pick up some new thermals!

Well, that concludes our mini-series on Hokkaidō – we certainly hope you learned a thing or two about Japan’s northernmost island.

With that said, if you missed any of our recent postings, be sure to check out the archives of Big in Japan.

Domo Arigatou (^_^)

** All images courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons Project **