Racking up Mullet-Miles

by Brett Atkinson on

Love it or hate it, the erstwhile Mullet is the kind of haircut that’s hard to ignore, and now a mad Scotsman – unfortunately sans le Mullet – is making his way around the world to visit every place on the globe that’s got the word “mullet” as a place name.

He’s currently in New Zealand, visiting such out of the way places as Mullet Point and Mullet Creek. So far he’s racked up 12 Mullet-sites and is on track for a spectacular total of 29.

Truth be told, most of the Mullet-sites in New Zealand are probably named after the fish.

The haircut that time and taste forgot is unfortunately still pretty big down here, although nothing in comparison to the tonsorial tragedies you’re likely to uncover in Eastern Europe or in the southern states of the US.

Click here (if you’re brave enough) for shocking photographic evidence.

And click here to visit the website of Simon Varwell, mullet hunter extraordinaire.

Thanks to Mr Jaded on Flickr for the London Mullet

Parisian Zinc Cafés

by Neil Woodburn on

Now that Parisian cafés are smoke-free, it’s time to turn our attention to discovering the very best ones in which patrons can enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a quick meal without the sting of cigarettes burning the air.

In anticipation of the January 1 French law prohibiting smoking in cafés, Travel & Leisure has thoughtfully put together a handy write-up of the most outstanding “zinc cafés” in Paris.

According to journalist Christopher Petkanas, Zinc cafés are “workingman” cafés typified by a galvanized steel bar around which “scary” looking patrons tend to sit, sip, and partake of “affordable, delicious meals.”

Petkanas delivers eight such gems to our attention, the most famous of which is Café Des Deux Moulins. This particular café, located in the 18th Arrondissement, stared in the French film, Amélie. Naturally, the management now serves crème brûlée d’Amélie Poulain, as fans of the film flock to the café, all but pushing out the original clientele.

Not to fear, however. Petkanas offers up seven other authentic zincs in which to soak up the true atmosphere of a workingman’s café. Enjoy!

Why wait a year for your next New Year’s Eve?

by Brett Atkinson on

How was New Year’s Eve in your neck of the woods?

If you were a little disappointed with how it turned out, don’t wait a full year before your next opportunity for end of year shenanigans. Just hop on a plane/train/taxi or chartered donkey and head overseas to intercept the coming of the new year in a different culture.

Chinese New Year kicks off on February 7 in 2008. Welcome to the Year of the Rat.

Around March 21, the Persian New Year or Nowruz is celebrated in Iran and across Central Asia. The traditional meal is Sabzi Polo Mahi, rice with green herbs and fish.

The indigenous Maori people of New Zealand celebrate Matariki or Maori New Year on June 5 2008. In the 21st century Matariki has been celebrated with renewed interest.

The Ethiopian New Year or Enkutatash falls on September 11. Because the Ethiopian calendar is seven years behind the western calendar, the Millennium was only celebrated in Ethiopia last year.

That’s by no means a definitive list. Let us know about other opportunities for celebrating the New Year in other cultures and countries.

Thanks to kenyaoa on Flickr for the pic of Times Square

GADLING TAKE FIVE week of 1-4-2008

by Catherine Bodry on

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that another holiday season has blurred by, drenched in spiked eggnog, reindeer sweaters, and of course, the ever-sobering debacle that is holiday travel.

Justin gave us the top ten stories of 2007–check those out here. As for this week, when 2007 rolled over into 2008, here’s what stands out:

  • Kelly gave us a preview of ten travel books for 2008, as part of her ongoing feature One for the Road.
  • Jamie offered two travel resolutions every savvy traveler should make this year.
  • Matthew got his very own apartment in Tokyo, and gave Gadling readers the rundown on just how much cash you need to rent an apartment there (hint: it’s a lot more than first, last, and a security deposit).
  • Abha had a heart to heart with Chuck Thompson, author of Smile While You’re Lying. Find out what he had to say about “sun-dappled barf” and how he ended up starving and begging for help on a Thai island. Also, enter to win a copy of his book.
  • Finally, if you suffer from post-holiday letdown (or, more likely, post-holiday hangover), Aaron’s got an idea to help turn that frown upside down.

That’s all! May your 2008 be filled with on-time flights, first-class upgrades, and alternative fuel.

Notes from Portugal: Tiles from the dark side

by Iva Skoch on

On a lark, while on the road to Faro, Portugal, today we stopped in at the church in Almancil, the Church of St. Lawrence (Igreja de São Lourenço). It´s in a strange location: east of town, along a highway.

St. Lawrence had the pretty ghastly martyrdom of having been burned to death on an outdoor stove in 258, during which he supposedly said something to the effect that if he was already well roasted on one side, that they should flip him over.

This lovely little church commemorates these events pictorially using painted white-and-blue ceramic tile, covering the entire inside of the church. The effect is dramatic, and well worth the hefty 2 euro entrance fee.

The general church style is of the Baroque period, and dates to the 17th century, having been finished in 1730.