This photo makes me laugh inside trying to imagine what type of conversation (if any) took place when snapping away at the little 2008 Olympic mascot, Ying Ying, in Beijing. Ying Ying is only one of five of the official mascots and is a Tibetan antelope which symbolizes health and strength according to our photographer, Bernard Siao. This shot doesn’t really scream China or Chinese travel, but it was too darn cute to pass up.
Asia
Travel through Asia by country:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Travel through Asia by popular city:
Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Moscow, New Delhi, Tokyo
Travel through Asia by popular things to do:
Travel through Asia with our writers:
Infiltrating North Korea, Keyhole Into Burma, Band on the Run ... in China, Chinese Buffet, A Canadian in Beijing, Volunteer Vacation: Tajikistan
The World’s Worst Bathrooms: A Photo Gallery
When I saw this link I’m about to show you, I got really excited because I have a strange obsession with toilets. I love the good ones and loath the bad ones, but it’s always something that’s on my mind as I travel. Even the bad ones give me a sort of masochistic delight knowing that yes, I can handle anything you can throw at me, world. Give me your best or worst. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, right?
But Las Vegas — the mecca of beautiful toilets — is like my own personal bathroom heaven. Nowhere can you go on the Strip and find a less-than-decent toilet, and chances are it will be staffed by a gentleman who does fancy things you typically only see in the movies, like hand you a towel when you’re done. With so many extraordinary casino-hotels in the Las Vegas vicinity — all open to everyone, even the non-staying public — I walk in a bubble of shear delight just knowing that somewhere, tucked in the maze of the nearest casino, is a pristine toilet. Anyway, where was I?
The link! Yes, the link. This is the complete opposite of the aforementioned Las Vegas toilets — this photo gallery, in fact, claims to have pictures of the worst. It’s just like that scene in Trainspotting when Ewan Mcgregor goes to the bathroom to…well, if you haven’t seen it, I’m not going to explain it. Too gross. Go rent the movie if you’re curious.
This gallery reminds of a few public toilets I had the displeasure of using in India. Beautiful country, for sure, but horrible, horrible public toilets. I hesitate to even call them toilets. One run-in with the bathroom in the New Delhi airport still gives me nightmares.
Before you click the link, I want to remind you: these are pictures of disgusting toilets. If you don’t like that sort of thing — or you’re eating breakfast or something — don’t click it!
But for those of you who are ready, here you go!
And I know many of you have some good stories about bad bathrooms, so let’s hear them!
[via the lovely growabrain]
Seat Belts Not Necessary: Five Videos of Terrifying Traffic
I’m in a video mood today. I spent the last hour or so going through YouTube and rounding up some of the best videos of bizarre traffic situations from around the world. And YouTube has a ton, let me tell you. Many of the clips brought back teeth-rattling memories from my recent trip to India, and I found myself flashing back to those times I traveled by rickshaw, unsure of whether or not I would arrive to my destination in one piece. I did, luckily, but not without some mental scarring.
With that, I give you the five fabulous videos, in no particular order:
Here’s a good night shot of Cairo traffic. No sort of rules — just use the horn as much as possible. I like it.
For the rest, please …
Top 5 Human Gatherings Around the World
Every time I slowly make my way through the mob on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I look around and see what seems like millions of drunken people surrounding me. This is nothing, I’ve learned, compared to other gargantuan human gatherings around the world, of which I’ve tallied the 5 largest and presented them below:
- 70 million: Allahabad, India – The number one spot (along with 2, 3, and 4) go to none other than India. The most recent Hindu festival of Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (pictured) saw an estimated 70 million people gather in one spot in January 2007.
- 70 million: Allahabad, India – Hindu festival Ardh Kumbh Mela strikes again! This time in 2001, another 70 million showed up to kick off this famous pilgrimage.
- 30 million: Ujjain, India – OK, this is getting ridiculous: same festival — Ardh Kumbh Mela — but in a different town this time. In April of 2004, some 30 million people attended what is, without a doubt, the most popular festival in the world. Give someone else a chance, India!
- 15 million: Tamil Nadu, India – In 1969, the former Chief Miniester of Indian state Tamil Nadu, C.N. Annadurai, died and 15 million people attended his funeral. Dying sucks, but you might as well go out with a bang!
- 11 million: Beijing, China – Finally, we’re out of India! In 1966, about 11 million Red Guards joined together in Tiananmen Square, making it the 5th largest gathering of humans in the world.
Sorry, New Orleans — you’ve got nothing on India in terms of people gatherings. You throw a mean party though.
This list was put together with the help of Wikipedia. Thanks, Wiki!
Word for the Travel Wise (01/28/07)
Just a couple of weeks back Neil discussed touring Moscow in winter and how his travels at such a frigid, freezing time came off strange to most and how strange it was that he actually found himself enjoying not-so-much the cold weather, but the difference in attitude and face among Russian natives. According to his travel notes he found the people were quite festive. Strange, because Russinas aren’t normally considered festive.
Today’s word is a Russian word used in Russia:
stranno – strange (it’s)
Ready to learn Russian? Check out Master Russian first. They have numerous excellent sound files and the text is clear and easy to read. Learning also goes beyond your Russian A, B, C’s at their site as they have crosswords, literature, proverbs, folk music, and homework help. Other good sites include Learning Russian and this Ectaco Translation Dictionary. Click here for two language book rec’s on Amazon. BBC has the basics to download and hear audio, while Wiki provides the in depth Russian lang back history.
Past Russian words: , shakzochniy, paka, spasiba, tuhmohzhmyah, tantsihvat, durak