August 2011

A low-pressure zone that stalled in the western Caribbean during June brought torrential rains to Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Colombian government announced in June plans to help rebuild 6,500 homes damaged by floods in May and June that left 151 people dead and affected more than 2.8 million Colombians. The departments of Antioquia, Choco and Cordoba, in the northern region along the Panama border, suffered the most damage from flooding and landslides.

Throughout China’s central, southern and eastern provinces, unusually heavy rains in June caused widespread floods that destroyed over 7,000 homes and submerged 255,000 hectares of farmland. More than 170 deaths were reported, tens of thousands of people were evacuated and an estimated five million people were affected.

Although the rains ended central China’s long drought, the extensive crop damage from the floods will contribute to food shortages.

• Legislative elections, with multiple new political parties, are planned for Oct. 23, 2011, in Tunisia. Travelers may expect some political gatherings in major urban centers, and these may impede travel.

• At press time, the civil war in Libya continued and Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi retained control of the capital, Tripoli. NATO has supported rebel forces with weapons and air strikes. Rebel forces gained ground in the western mountain region and began to push into the desert areas toward Tripoli.

My nephew, David, and I took a private tour of China, March 17-April 4, 2011, arranged by Karen Yang of China Highlights (No. 11 Binjiang Rd., Guilin, GX541002, P.R. China; phone toll-free, in China, 800/8793-007 or, in the US and Canada, 800/268-2918). It was a fantastic trip. The cost for all land arrangements, except for most dinners, was about $3,800 each.

My partner, John, and I spent the month of March ’11 touring New Zealand. The night before our flight home from the Auckland airport, we stayed at the friendly Parnell Inn (320 Parnell Rd., Auckland 1052, New Zealand; phone 09 358 0642 or, toll-free in NZ, 0800 472 763), located on the very charming Parnell Road.

Strolling along Avenida del Libertador in Buenos Aires on an April-May ’10 trip to Argentina, I passed a building identified as the Automóvil Club Argentino (1850 Avenida del Libertador, Buenos Aires; phone 0800 777 2894), easily identified by the yellow flags out front and the steady stream of locals coming and going to renew their driving permits and tend to other bureaucratic business.

Visitors to the UK can enjoy savings of 50% on meals throughout the country with a new dining card, the Tastecard. Valid at over 5,000 restaurants, the 14-day Tastecard costs £25 ($40) and covers two people.

It is available at the Encore desk of the Britain & London Visitor Centre (1 Regent St., London). A list of participating restaurants is at www.tastecard.co.uk.

by Teresa O’Kane, San Jose, California

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