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Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines on Sept. 27, and rains of more than 16 inches in 12 hours plus winds of over 50 miles per hour caused flooding and extensive damage. Over 80% of the capital was under water. In Manila and Luzon, more than 288 people died and over half a million were evacuated.
Ketsana moved on, its winds strengthening to 100 mph before tearing through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, killing nearly 200.
On Sept. 2 a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Java, Indonesia, killing at least 35 people and injuring hundreds around Cianjur, Tasikmalaya, Garut and Sukabumi.
On Sept. 30 a 7.6-magnitude quake hit the island of Sumatra. Over a thousand were reported killed, with thousands more feared dead. 200,000 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.
On Oct. 1 another quake, measuring 6.6, struck off the coast of Sumatra, escalating damage.
• Gelato in hand, you’re strolling down a street in Italy when suddenly an attractive woman starts arguing with a street vendor. A crowd gathers as he accuses her of shoplifting. To prove her innocence, she starts to strip. Once she’s down to her underwear, the vendor apologizes, the woman leaves and the onlookers disappear… and so have their wallets, thanks to a team of pickpockets working the show.
This is just one of the new, inventive ways that European scam artists operate. The good news is that if you’re wise to their tricks, you can just marvel at their ingenuity.
On All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, 1755, an earthquake estimated at 9 on the Richter scale struck Lisbon, Portugal; it was felt from Ireland to Morocco.
First, I wish to express our deep gratitude to those who take a copy of ITN on their trips, show it to other travelers, then gather up the names and addresses of those who would like sample copies sent to them. Thank you.
Next, there’ s an issue that seems to come up about every three years. Some of our cherished readers query about the suitability of ITN staffers and Contributing Editors going on reduced-rate or free trips and the credibility of the resultant articles.
The crane on the Main: it could lift tons of grain.
The Alter Kranen (old crane) in Würzburg, Germany, was completed in 1773. Located conveniently next to the customs house in Würzburg, the crane was used until 1846 to unload cargo from ships on the Main River.
by Randy Keck (part 3 of 3 on Turkey)
by Deanna Palic
by Sandra Scott
I found the following article with the above title, by Milan Korcok, editor of Travelinsurancefile.com, a Canadian website, of sufficient interest to get permission to reprint it in ITN, as follows.
“Travel insurance can’t protect you everywhere in this dangerous world. You need to check out your destination — and don’t take anything for granted — to verify if Travel Warnings have been issued against it by your government. If they have, your insurance may be invalid or severely restricted.