Let’s Go! with Jiang Zemin

by Erik Olsen on

Move over Bill Bryson, here comes Jiang Zemin. Yes, the near-octogenarian former leader of China is publishing his memoirs, which will include a hefty dose of travel writing, says this piece over at Yahoo news. Sure, it was tough running the most populous nation in the world, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a downright hoot at times. And when you’re number one, you get to do a fair amount of globe-trotting.

Now, chances are he’s not going to be writing about the condition of various hotels he stayed at and his recommendations for places to eat will more likely to include Buckingham Palace, but you have to admit a dose of curiosity at what the old Communist leader has to say about seeing the world. His travel book, “For a Better World: Jiang Zemin’s Overseas Visits,” will include 167 pictures of Jiang with leaders ranging from Bill Clinton to Nelson Mandela. No word, however, if there will be video of him dancing at various popular tourist locales around the globe.

Silk Road Slideshow

by Erik Olsen on

Y’all might remember the series of audio slide shows I did for my recent trip to Newfoundland. They were fun to do. it’s great to have a digital camera these days and to be able to take a gazillion photos and then select the two or three that really popped. Well, as happy as I am with these slide show, I could have done better, and how much better is a question that is answered in part here, over at the AP (the specialize in photos, after all) where a wonderful audio slide show on following the Silk Route puts my measly effort to shame. But seriously, the photos are luscious and the music and VO all come together very nicely. The VO (voiceover) could have been better produced, but that’s nit picking. Anyway, really nicely done.

Amnesty International Ceasefire Photo Gallery

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s something to spend just a few moments checking out. On August 7th, Amnesty International held a global vigil for ceasefire in the Lebanon/Israel conflict. The gallery showcases how members and supporters from over 30 countries came together to show their solidarity for victims and survivors of both sides. Quite moving in a way – it includes shots of people covered in banners, sprawled out in streets, and candles spelling out “ceasefire” in Arabic from Beirut. Take a look at how folks in Paris, Pakistan and Santiago demonstrated their cry for peace and ceasefire.

Pamir Panoramas

by Adrienne Wilson on


One word for this shot: breath-taking. Same guy I mentioned a couple of days back who has kindly been schooling me to Tajikistan travel forwarded this Pamirs photo gallery my way as well. According to his notes it is where the Afghan, China and Tajikistan borders meet and I won’t be able forgive myself if I don’t make it down. Sounds pretty intense. I’m still making my last week itinerary as we speak so perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to make into the region. In the meantime check the Pamirs out for yourself.

China. Far.

by Neil Woodburn on

We’re a bit late in reporting this, but I simply couldn’t resist once I got my hands on the entire transcript of President Bush’s private conversation accidentally caught on tape at the recent G-8 Summit. Since we’re a travel website, let’s stick to the pertinent topic at hand: Geography and travel. I’ll let the record, which comes to us from The Washington Post, speak for itself.

Bush (to Chinese President Hu Jintao): Gotta go home. Got something to do tonight. Go to the airport, get on the airplane and go home. How about you? Where are you going? Home?

Bush : This is your neighborhood. It doesn’t take you long to get home. How long does it take you to get home?

Reply is inaudible.

Bush : “Eight hours? Me too. Russia’s a big country and you’re a big country.”

At this point, the president seems to bring someone else into the conversation.

Bush : It takes him eight hours to fly home.

He turns his attention to a server.

Bush : No, Diet Coke, Diet Coke.

He turns back to whomever he was talking with.

Bush : It takes him eight hours to fly home. Eight hours. Russia’s big and so is China.