The “Other Galapagos” Island

by Iva Skoch on

Two-hundred-and-fifty miles off the coast of Yemen, in the Indian Ocean, in an area pointed at by the Horn of Africa, is a rugged island called Socotra.

The number 250 has special significance in another respect: the island has been geologically separated from the mainland for 250 million years. This isolation means that there are over 600 species of plants and animals there that exist nowhere else on earth (a feat beaten only by the Galapagos and Hawaii).

It also means that human development has been slow: roughly the size of Long Island, and with a population of only 40,000, the first paved roads were built there only within the last few years. And don’t expect a ton of new development: 70% of the island has been designated as national parkland. Be sure to plan your trip well in advance, and plan to stay awhile: there are only two flights in and out per week.

Pictures from the island blew me away: dragon’s blood trees (like the one pictured from Harf Zimmermann), frankincense trees on lonely vistas, desert roses, rocky shorelines. (BTW, be sure to check out his other awesome pics on his Web site and the NYT’s piece, and, of course, on Flickr.)

Who owns Antarctica?

by Catherine Bodry on

According to a report from Reuters, Britain plans to submit a claim to the United Nations to extend its Antarctic territory by a million square kilometers. However, the claim could cause tension between Britain and a few South American countries — Argentina is working on a proposal to the U.N. which covers the same territory. The British claim also conflicts with the spirit of 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which prevents all exploitation of oil, gas, and minerals, other than for scientific research.

May 13, 2009 is the deadline for claims that will divide up 7 million square kilometers (the size of Australia). Russia, Australia, France, and Brazil are among the few that have made claims thus far.

India Also Celebrates Nobel Peace Prize Victory

by Abha Malpani on

India doesn’t have it’s international public relations committee on fire like Al Gore’s, but as the world focuses on congratulating Gore for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, India is celebrating with environmentalist Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri who chairs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and shares the award with the former US Vice President.

Diverging a little: for all those wondering what climate change has to do with world peace, the official Nobel Peace Prize website explains: “Extensive climate changes may alter and threaten the living conditions of much of mankind. They may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth’s resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world’s most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states.”

Right, a bit twisted, but it all makes sense now.

Anyway, other than Mother Teresa, Dr. Pachauri is the only other Indian to be associated with receiving the peace laureate, (even Mahatma Gandhi didn’t get it!) I therefore feel that it’s my moral duty to shed a bit of light on my fellow countryman.

NDTV reports the teleconversation between Pachauri and Gore: “This is Pachy. I am so delighted and so privileged to have the IPCC share with you. I will be your follower and you will be my leader.”

All this is great, but leaves me with the pondering thought: now India has strong ties with the US and is following its lead for both climate change as well as nuclear power. What should be made of that!?

Budget Travel’s ‘Cheapest Place in the World’ Not So Cheap

by Catherine Bodry on

When my news feeder gave me the headline “Cheapest Places in the World,” I clicked excitedly on the link, anticipating a new traveler’s hot spot, a place where I might travel on $30 a day at the most.

I was wrong. Budget Travel’s “cheapest place,” Mancorá, Peru, may be inexpensive for someone who can afford a vacation, but it’s far beyond my backpacker’s budget. Usually when I buy a plane ticket to somewhere far, far away, it means I’m going to be gone a good long while. And if that’s the case, there are no $40/night hotel rooms — my budget ranges from $60-100 a day (Europe) to $20 a day (India). If I’m headed to Peru, I’m going to be shopping for the cheapest possible accommodation, and I have a feeling it can get a lot cheaper than $40 for a bed. Ditto for eating — Budget Traveler suggests that a $6 meal is a bargain, but the writers obviously haven’t looked to street food for their culinary delights. As we’ve written about the merits of eating street food many times here at Gadling, I won’t say more than this: Street food is generally less risky, much tastier, and a lot cheaper than restaurant food, especially if said restaurants are anywhere near tourist hot spots.


Get more tips for enjoying budget travel!

So, who is Budget Travel catering to? I’m guessing it’s the demographic I’m increasingly less a part of: the unattached, DINKs (Double Income No Kids), 20- 30-somethings who have the same travel bug in their veins from studying or volunteering abroad when they were younger, but who can afford to class up their travels just a notch. But for now, Budget Travel’s recommendations are a bit out of my budget.

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Denali Wildlife

by Catherine Bodry on


Some friends of mine were camping in Denali National Park and Preserve in August, and woke up to a herd of Dall sheep right outside their tent. They spent a good hour photographing and filming the animals, and even captured two rams butting heads. But I love this photo best — as Lane and Jeanie focus on what’s happening in front of them, they miss the little guy in the background. Not only does he appear to be posing for the photo, he also looks pretty friendly, like you might want to invite him in to the tent to play cards.

Thanks to Steve Rafuse for the photo.