Valentine’s day baby born on plane gets free air travel and an airline name

by Scott Carmichael on

Really good airline news is pretty rare, so when I read about a baby being born on a plane, and being named after the airline that carried her, I just had to share it.

During the final moments of her Valentine’s day flight, Lourdes Mamani cried out in pain. Even though she was not due for another two weeks, it was obvious that she was in labor. The flight crew were able to track down a doctor and nurse on her flight and her baby was delivered before the plane touched down.

The girl has been named Tami Fabiola, named after TAM, the Bolivian airline she was born on, and FAB, the Bolivian air force (the owners of TAM).

Tami will receive free air travel anywhere in the country till her 21st birthday, and a scholarship at the educational unit of the FAB. To make a good story even better, she’ll be baptized on the plane where she was born, and the chief of the air force will be her godfather.

Crazy roads from around the world

by Kraig Becker on

Lets face it! We all love a good road trip now and again. Who hasn’t enjoyed hopping in the car with some friends to hit the open road? And when that road is unique and interesting, it makes the journey all the more fun. To helps us find more of those roads Popular Mechanics has put together a list of their selections for the 18 strangest roadways from around the world.

As you can imagine, the list, which includes photographs of each of the routes, has some crazy roads, often located in exotic locations. Take for example, the Hana Highway on Maui, Hawaii. This road made the list thanks to the stunningly beautiful views of rocky cliffs on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. But what really sets it apart is the 600 curves and 54 bridges, spread out over just 52 miles of pavement.

If you prefer the mountains to the ocean and you’re looking for something more remote for your next road trip, then consider the Karakoram Highway, which runs for 800 miles between Pakistan and China. This road winds through the Karakoram and Himalaya mountain ranges, and reaches altitudes in excess of 15,390 feet. Altitude sickness can be a legitimate concern for drivers making this drive.

A number of countries are represented on this list, including Italy, Iceland, China, Argentina, Norway, and more. Some of these streets are marvels of modern engineering, while others are primitive and basic. But they all have one thing in common, they are unique and interesting in their own way, and each of them will give you a road trip to remember.

Gadlinks for Wednesday 11.18.09

by Brenda Yun on

We’re halfway through November. For those of you living in the northern hemisphere, if you haven’t felt winter yet, you will soon! Here in Hawaii, winter is rainier but the waves are bigger and better. I guess that goes for most parts of the world: the weather may stink, but there’s always a bright side. Here are some semi-bright travel reads for today’s installment of Gadlinks. Enjoy!

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks HERE.

25 great adventures for 2010

by Kraig Becker on

The latest issue of National Geographic Adventure has just hit the newsstand with a special treat inside for adventure travelers looking for their next big trip. The magazine has listed its selection for the 25 best new trips for 2010, offering up suggestions of places to visit in nearly every corner of the globe.

The list is organized in alphabetical order by destination, starting with Bhutan and running through several U.S. locations as well. Each of the locations also has a tour operator associated with it, and clicking on the text will give you a more detailed description of what you can expect on your adventure.

No matter what draws you to adventure travel, you’re sure to find something on the list that appeals to you. For instance, if you’re up for a challenging kayaking adventure, head to Bhutan with Bio Bio Expeditions, where you get the opportunity to make the first descent on a previously unpaddled section of the Drangme Chhu River. Does an island adventure sound more enticing? Then plan a trip to Sri Lanka with Access Trips, where you can go surfing and mountain biking through that amazing setting. And for those who would prefer a little more rest and relaxation with their adventure, there is always the Muang La Resort in Laos which offers jungle escapes that includes luxury rooms and a deluxe spa. That trip is available through Asia Transpacific Journeys.

No one knows adventure like National Geographic, and you can bet that each of these trips will deliver in that category. With 2009 quickly coming to an end, it is never too early to start planning your own adventures for 2010, and this list is a great place to start.

Gadlinks for Friday 10.9.09

by Brenda Yun on

What a week! I don’t know about you guys, but I barely survived that one. This weekend will be a relaxing one for sure: cuddle up with some good travel reads and relax.

‘Til Monday, have a great weekend!

More Gadlinks HERE.