Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Somali National Theatre reopens in Mogadishu]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/20/somali-national-theatre-reopens-in-mogadishu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/20/somali-national-theatre-reopens-in-mogadishu/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/20/somali-national-theatre-reopens-in-mogadishu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Who ever thought going to a play could count as adventure travel? Now it can, because the Somali National Theatre has reopened in Mogadishu, Somalia.

This is the latest sign of growing normalcy in the battered capital. Traffic cops have returned to the streets, the markets are thriving and there are now regular commercial flights to Somalia from Turkey.

The theatre closed in the early '90s when Somalia spiraled into civil war. With rival clans fighting over every block, going to the theatre wasn't a big priority. Al-Shabab certainly didn't try to reopen it during their brief control of Mogadishu. The Islamist terrorist group banned all public entertainment as well as Western music, foreign food aid and bras.

Now Al-Shabab is on the defensive, being attacked on several fronts by the Transitional Federal Government, the African Union, Kenya and Ethiopia. This has allowed a period of relative peace in Mogadishu, although bombings do still occur. Somalis have been quick to rebuild and the theatre is the latest sign of renewed life.

The Somali National Theatre celebrated its reopening by entertaining an audience of about 1,000 with a night of music, drama and comedy. That's right, comedy. The fact that Somalis are laughing is a good sign. Who knows, perhaps tourism will be next!

As further proof that absolutely everything ends up on YouTube, here's a clip of a concert at the Somali National Theatre in the 1980s. It's obviously transferred from an old VHS tape, so the quality isn't the best, but how often do you get to see something like this?

Somali National Theatre reopens in Mogadishu originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure destinationsadventure travelsadventure vacationAdventure Vacationsadventure-travelAdventureDestinationsadventuresAdventureTravelsAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsAl-Shababartart newsArtNewscomedyMogadishumusicSomaliSomali artSomali artsSOmali comedySomali cultureSomali musicSomali National TheatreSomaliaSomalia tourismSomalia travelSomaliArtSomaliArtsSomaliaTourismSomaliaTravelSomaliComedySomaliCultureSomaliMusicSomaliNationalTheatreterrorterrorismterroriststheatertheater newsTheaterNewstheatretheatre newsTheatreNewsworld musicWorldMusicTue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Adventure travel in Somalia?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/adventure-travel-in-somalia/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/adventure-travel-in-somalia/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/adventure-travel-in-somalia/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Adventure travel in Somalia

Will Somalia become the next big adventure travel destination?

Short answer: Not anytime soon.

Long answer: For the first time in two decades, there's a ray of hope shining across that chaotic land. The Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabab is on the defensive as it gets pummeled by Kenyan, Ethiopian, African Union, and Somali "government" forces. They've fled Mogadishu and several other key areas. The battered capital is beginning to enjoy something resembling normal life, as a BBC report shows. They even have traffic police!

Earlier this week, amid much fanfare from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, a Turkish Airlines flight landed at Mogadishu airport. This was the first flight from a major international carrier to land at the airport in years. On board was Turkey's deputy prime minister on a goodwill mission. The airline has scheduled twice-weekly flights from Istanbul to Mogadishu via Khartoum. In a statement, it said that it hoped Somalia would soon be "a very normal country."

A "very normal country," or even just a "normal country" has a tourism industry. Is this possible in Somalia? Is it even desirable?

Continue reading Adventure travel in Somalia?

Adventure travel in Somalia? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure travel in Somaliaadventure travelersadventure vacationadventure-traveladventuresAdventureTravelersAdventureTravelInSomaliaAdventureVacational-shababethanolethicsEthiopiaflight to Mogadishuflights to MogadishuFlightsToMogadishuFlightToMogadishuHorn of AfricaHornOfAfricamogadishusomaliaSomalilandSomaliland tourismSomaliland travelSomalilandTourismSomalilandTraveltravel safetyTravelSafetyTurkish AirlinesTurkishAirlinesFri, 09 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Opinion: Dutch khat ban smacks of racism]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/16/opinion-dutch-khat-ban-smacks-of-racism/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/16/opinion-dutch-khat-ban-smacks-of-racism/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/16/opinion-dutch-khat-ban-smacks-of-racism/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

khat, qat
The Dutch government recently announced that it will ban the use of khat, a narcotic leaf widely chewed in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

I've written about khat before. I've spent four months in Ethiopia, especially Harar, a city in the eastern part of the country where chewing khat (pronounced "chat" in the local languages) is part of many people's daily lives. It's a mild drug that makes most people more relaxed, mildly euphoric, and talkative. It also helps concentration and is popular among university students.

Of course there are side effects. Short-term effects include sleeplessness, constipation, and for some people a listlessness that keeps them from achieving their potential. Long-term use can lead to mental instability and heart trouble. I met one western researcher in Harar who had been there two years. He'd stopped using khat after the first few months because he was afraid of the long-term effects. If I lived in Harar that long I'd stop chewing khat for that very reason.

So the Dutch government seems to have a good reason to ban khat. Or does it? This is a country where marijuana, hash, herbal ecstasy, and psychedelic truffles are all legal. And if we're talking about long-term health effects, we need to throw in alcohol and tobacco too.

So what's different about khat? It's almost exclusively used by the Dutch Somali community, numbering about 25,000 people. According to the BBC, "a Dutch government report cited noise, litter and the perceived public threat posed by men who chew khat as some of the reasons for outlawing the drug."

Drunks aren't noisy? Cigarette smokers never litter? The last reason is the most telling: "the perceived public threat posed by men who chew khat." In other words, black men. In Europe, khat is a black drug, little understood and rarely used by the white population. This ignorance and the fear it generates are the real reasons khat is being banned.

While there are some valid health and social reasons for banning this narcotic plant, they also apply to the narcotic plants white people like to use. But we can't expect white people in The Netherlands to give up those, can we?

Gallery: The Khat culture

Chat field in EthiopiaEdge of a harvested chat fieldA chat dealer on the streets of HargeisaChat leaves up closeEating chat in a roadside chat house

Opinion: Dutch khat ban smacks of racism originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AfricaAfrican immigrantsAfricanImmigrantsAfricans in EuropeAfricanSafariAfricansInEuropeblackblack menblack peopleBlackMenBlackPeopleblackscrimecrimesdrugdrug newsDrugNewsdrugsDutchDutch khat banDutch qat banDutchKhatBanDutchQatBanEthiopiaHararHollandimmigrantsimmigrationimmigration issuesImmigrationIssueskhatkhat banKhatBanlegal highlegal highsLegalHighLegalHighsnarcoticnarcoticsNetherlandsopinionopinion-pieceqatqat banQatBanracismracistracistsSomaliSomali cultureSomaliCultureSomalisThe NetherlandsTheNetherlandsMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/06/worlds-worst-places-top-10-places-you-do-not-want-to-visit-in/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/06/worlds-worst-places-top-10-places-you-do-not-want-to-visit-in/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/06/worlds-worst-places-top-10-places-you-do-not-want-to-visit-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

world's worst places

What comes to mind when you think of the world's worst place? While it is easy to complain about rural Wal-marts, La Guardia, Applebee's, and any government office with motor vehicle in its title, none of those places escalate the game from nuisance to immediate danger. All of them can be horrible, yes, but a threatened existence they do not pose.

The places on this list are the bad places. Some have run out of hope. Others have fought war for so long it is the new normal. Most are exceptionally dangerous and heartbreaking. And while none of them are fighting for write-ups by travel bloggers or inspiring travel with the NetJet set, some of these locations may someday be on the travel map. After all, it was not long ago that current hot-spots like Cambodia and Croatia would have made such a list.

Gallery: World's worst cities

10. Harare, Zimbabwe9. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea9. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea9. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea9. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (ship)

Continue reading World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012

World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afghanistanbrasilBrazilCite SoleilCiteSoleilciudad juarezCiudadJuarezDemocratic Republic of the CongoDemocraticRepublicOfTheCongodrcfaminehaitiharareJustin DelaneyJustinDelaneykandaharKinshasaLiberiaMexicoMOGmogadishumonroviapapua new guineaPapuaNewGuineaport au princeport moresbyPortAuPrincePortMoresbyrio de janeiroRioDeJaneirorocinhasanaaSocotrasomaliatop 10Top10warworlds worst placesWorldsWorstPlacesYemenzimbabweFri, 06 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Somali murals: funky advertising in the Horn of Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/21/somali-murals-funky-advertising-in-the-horn-of-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/21/somali-murals-funky-advertising-in-the-horn-of-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/21/somali-murals-funky-advertising-in-the-horn-of-africa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SomaliOne of the fun parts of travel is discovering the street art of a new place. Whether it's the elaborate graffiti of New York or Madrid, the political murals of Mexico, or the current craze of Yarn Bombing, there's always something cool happening on the street.

In the Horn of Africa, street art takes the form of murals. I believe this is a Somali development, because I've seen it much more in Somaliland and the Somali region of Ethiopia than I have anywhere else. There's a fair number of murals in Harar, Ethiopia, but that has always had close trade connections with the Somali region.

Some are simple, like this ad for a dentist in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. I don't know why this guy jumped into the frame and bared his teeth but hey, it made for a better picture so I'm not complaining.

Then there's this mural inside a bakery in Harar. It shows the founder, an Greek expat who opened the most modern bakery in town. One day I met his aged widow, who still presides over the family business. She treated me to tea and regaled me with tales of the old days. She was very proud of the mural and in fact that's what drew me inside in the first place. Another example of art bringing people together.

Check out the gallery below for more images from Ethiopia and Somaliland.

What kind of street art did you discover in your last trip? Tell us about it in the comments section!



Gallery: Somali paintings

Mecca and Coca-ColaA Harari woman in tradtional costume, selling breadOh so fashionable!Painting a notice on the Harar police stationPainted tombstone near Harar

Somali murals: funky advertising in the Horn of Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure activitiesAdventure traveladventure vacationadventure-outdoorsAdventureActivitiesadventuresAdventureTravelAdventureVacationAfrican artAfricanArtartart historyArtHistoryEthiopiaHararHargeisaHorn of AfricaHornOfAfricamuralmural paintingMuralPaintingmuralsSomaliSomali artSomali muralsSomali region of EthiopiaSomaliaSomaliArtSomalilandSomaliMuralsSomaliRegionOfEthiopiaSomalistravelFri, 21 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eating in the Horn of Africa: camel, goat and. . .spaghetti?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/13/eating-in-the-horn-of-africa-camel-goat-and-spaghetti/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/13/eating-in-the-horn-of-africa-camel-goat-and-spaghetti/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/13/eating-in-the-horn-of-africa-camel-goat-and-spaghetti/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Horn of Africa, Somaliland
When my wife and I went to the Horn of Africa last year for our Ethiopia road trip, we were eagerly looking forward to a culinary journey. We weren't disappointed. Ethiopian food is one of our favorites and of course they make it better there than anywhere else!

While it came as no surprise that the food and coffee were wonderful, the cuisine in the Horn of Africa turned out to be more varied and nuanced that we expected. The two countries I've been to in the region, Ethiopia and Somaliland, have been connected to the global trade routes for millennia. Their national cuisines have absorbed influences from India, the Arab world, and most recently Italy.

Ethiopians love meat, especially beef and chicken. One popular dish is kitfo--raw, freshly slaughtered beef served up with various fiery sauces. I have to admit I was worried about eating this but I came through OK. Chicken is considered a luxury meat and is more expensive than beef. One Ethiopian friend was surprised to hear that in the West chicken is generally cheaper than beef.

Ethiopian booze is pretty good too. Tej is a delicious honey wine and tella is a barley beer. They also make several brands of lager and one of stout.

I've also spent time in the Somali region of Ethiopia and Somaliland. Living in arid lowlands rather than green and mountainous highlands, the Somalis have a very different cuisine than the Ethiopians. A surprising staple of Somali cooking is pasta. Actually on second thought it isn't so surprising. The former Somalia was an Italian colony for a few decades. Italian food is popular in Eritrea and Ethiopia as well and makes for a refreshing change from local cuisine. Some Somalis are still pastoral nomads, moving through the arid countryside with their herds of camels and goats much like their ancestors did centuries ago. Pasta is a perfect food for nomads--compact, lightweight, nutritious, and easy to prepare.

The only downside to eating pasta in the Somali region is that Somalis, like most Africans, eat with their hand. I made quite a fool of myself trying to eat spaghetti with my hand!

Gallery: Food in the Horn of Africa

In Harar, Ethiopia, they decorate their homes with kitchenwareFruit for sale in an Oromo market in Harar, EthiopiaOromo vendors at a market in Harar, EthiopiaKitfo, raw beef and spices. An Ethiopian delicacyArgobba country store, Ethiopia

Continue reading Eating in the Horn of Africa: camel, goat and. . .spaghetti?

Eating in the Horn of Africa: camel, goat and. . .spaghetti? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camelcamel meatCamelMeatcookingeating cameleating goatEatingCamelEatingGoatEthiopiaEthiopia tourismEthiopia travelEthiopian cuisineEthiopian cultureEthiopian foodEthiopianCuisineEthiopianCultureEthiopianFoodEthiopiaTourismEthiopiaTravelfoodfoodweekfoodweek featureFoodweekFeaturegoatgoat meatGoatMeatHorn of AfricaHornOfAfricaItalian cookingItalian cuisineItalian foodItalianCookingItalianCuisineItalianFoodpastaSomaliSomali cookingSomali cuisineSomali cultureSomali region of EthiopiaSomaliaSomaliCookingSomaliCuisineSomaliCultureSomalilandSomaliland tourismSomaliland travelSomalilandTourismSomalilandTravelSomaliRegionOfEthiopiaThu, 13 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Somaliland: the country without mail]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/09/somaliland-the-country-without-mail/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/09/somaliland-the-country-without-mail/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/09/somaliland-the-country-without-mail/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Somaliland
Today is World Post Day, celebrated every October 9 to mark the anniversary of the foundation of the Universal Postal Union in 1874. More than 150 countries celebrate this day honoring something that's so vital to our lives but is generally taken for granted.

In Somaliland they aren't celebrating, because they don't have a postal system. No other country recognizes Somaliland as a nation and therefore it can't get membership in the Universal Postal Union. Somaliland is the northern third of former Somalia and declared independence in 1991. After a bloody war of independence it developed a government, law enforcement, a viable economy, and infrastructure while neighboring Puntland became a haven for pirates and southern Somalia was torn apart by warlords and terrorists.

When I was traveling in Somaliland last year I was based in Hargeisa, the capital. Unlike much of the region, the lights stayed on around the clock, the streets were safe, and businesses were thriving. When I visited the central post office, however, I found an empty ruin.

SomalilandSo what does a country without mail do to get, um, mail? Courier services are widely used, and there's broadband Internet in the capital. In fact, they had the fastest Internet connection I've ever seen in Africa! Some Somalis told me the lack of a postal system actually encouraged the development of Internet Service Providers.

Still, it would have been nice to have been able to send postcards to my friends from this nation that doesn't officially exist. Of course I didn't actually see any postcards for sale, because there was no way to send them. With the rest of the world recognizing the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu, which doesn't even control all of Mogadishu, it doesn't look like we're going to be seeing any postcards from Somaliland anytime soon.

Somaliland: the country without mail originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure vacationAdventure Vacationsadventure-traveladventuresAdventureTravelAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsHargeisamailpostal systemPostalSystempostcardpostcardsPuntlandsnail mailSnailMailSomaliaSomalilandUniversal Postal UnionUniversalPostalUnionWorld Post DayWorldPostDaySun, 09 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancient port discovered in Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Egypt
Archaeologists working in Egypt have discovered a harbor on the Red Sea that was used for international trade.

The excavation at Mersa Gawasis has revealed traces of an ancient harbor. It's long been known that the Egyptians traded down the coast of Africa, but the location of their embarkation was unknown. A famous carving at Deir el-Bahari, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, shows an ocean-going vessel like the one pictured above and scenes a land with thatched huts and exotic items for sale such as ivory and giraffes. Inscriptions identify the land as Punt but don't mention where it is. Archaeologists have speculated that it was in the Horn of Africa, either in Eritrea or Djibouti, or where the modern unrecognized states of Somaliland or Puntland are today.

The first recorded voyages to Punt started in the reign of the Pharaoh Sahure, who ruled from 2487-2475 BC. Regular trading missions were sent out for centuries to buy exotic items for Egypt's elite. Queen Hatshepsut's famous engravings of Punt date to around 1490-1460 BC.

Scholars have traditionally been doubtful of the Egyptians' ability to make long sea voyages. Further excavation at Mersa Gawasis may change this view and open up new possibilities for Egyptian influence on other ancient cultures. While the excavations at Mersa Gawasis are not yet open to public view, Deir el-Bahari is a popular attraction and you can wonder at the scenes depicting the mysterious land of Punt for yourself.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Ancient port discovered in Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient egyptancient historyancient tradeancient trade routesAncientEgyptAncientHistoryAncientTradeAncientTradeRoutesarchaeologyarchaeology newsArchaeologyNewsarcheologyarcheology newsArcheologyNewsDjiboutiEgyptEgyptologyEgyptologyNewsEritreahistoryportportsPuntPuntlandRed SeaRedSeasailingSomaliaSomalilandSat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sea Shepherd boat "Steve Irwin" heads to Somalian pirate waters]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/19/sea-shepherd-boat-steve-irwin-heads-to-somalian-pirate-waters/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/19/sea-shepherd-boat-steve-irwin-heads-to-somalian-pirate-waters/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/19/sea-shepherd-boat-steve-irwin-heads-to-somalian-pirate-waters/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

whale warsIn a not-too-surprising move last week the Sea Shepherd took its ship the "Steve Irwin" - proudly waving its skull-and-crossbones pirate flag - straight into the heart of real pirate country.

While the Shepherd's are regarded among conservation groups as being rebels and outsiders, willing to go to nearly any lengths to protect whales, dolphins, baby seals, tuna and more, happy to obstruct and lob stink bombs onto opposing vessels ... to-date they've not actually engaged in what we would consider today to be real piracy, i.e. boat-seizing, hostage-taking and gun-rattling.

But last week they painted the usually all-black "Steve Irwin" in green camo, with a giant "77" on its bow ("so we looked like a Navy ship," spokeswoman Tiffany Humphrey told me, the number representing the year - 1977 - the organization was founded), crossed the northern Indian Ocean, transited the Gulf of Aden and sailed into the Red Sea, through the waters still regarded "the most dangerous" on the planet thanks to Somali pirates.

"A few (real) pirates came and looked," said Humphrey, but apparently the "official" look of the environmentalist's boat gave them pause. Three separate skiffs with a half-dozen men in each approached the ship, tailed for a few miles, but kept their distance. As well as the new paint job, the ship was ringed with barbed wire, 4-foot-long steel spikes and the on-watch crew manned water cannons and "imitation" weapons.

The ship's new look apparently confused some local navies as well. A U.S. Blackhawk helicopter buzzed the ship, thinking it to be a Dutch warship.

Continue reading Sea Shepherd boat "Steve Irwin" heads to Somalian pirate waters

Sea Shepherd boat "Steve Irwin" heads to Somalian pirate waters originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowermastersadventuresjon bowermasterJonBowermasteroceansea shepherdSea Shepherd Conservation SocietySeaShepherdSeaShepherdConservationSocietysomaliasteve irwinSteveIrwinwaterThu, 19 May 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The spread of Somalian pirates]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/20/bowermaseter-terrorists/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/20/bowermaseter-terrorists/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/20/bowermaseter-terrorists/#commentsFiled under: , ,

indian ocean piratesShould we be concerned by suggestions that terrorists are taking clues from the Somali pirates and considering hijacking ships across the Indian Ocean for reasons other than ransom?

Absolutely.

There is increasing evidence of links in Somalia between the mafia-like organizations that run most of the pirating and the Somali-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which controls most of southern and central Somalia and both the U.S. and U.N. accuse of having links to al- Qaeda.

The obvious concern is that the rag-tag pirates are grabbing small private yachts and cargo boats loaded with lawn tractors may be providing a working model for the terrorists more interested in hijacking tankers loaded with chemicals and cargo boats carrying weapons.

The fact that the pirates seem to be getting more brazen, and successful, is not helping to deter others hoping to follow in their footsteps.

In 2010 pirates hijacked a record 53 ships and took 1,181 crewmembers from 30 countries hostage. Ninety two percent of the attacks took place off the coast of Somalia. According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau losses topped $7 billion in shipping revenue, higher insurance premiums and the expense of deploying naval warships to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Last year alone NATO spent $2 billion on efforts to safeguard the international sea-lanes off the Horn of Africa.

Continue reading The spread of Somalian pirates

The spread of Somalian pirates originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>africabowermastersadventuresindian oceanIndianOceanjon bowermasterJonBowermasteroceanpiratepiratessomaliaWed, 20 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to pirate-proof a ship]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/19/how-to-pirate-proof-a-ship/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/19/how-to-pirate-proof-a-ship/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/19/how-to-pirate-proof-a-ship/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

how to pirate-proof shipsRazor wire, Gurkhas and sonic weapons are being routinely deployed on ships sailing in the pirate-infested waters off the Horn of Africa in an attempt to pirate-proof ships of all kinds. While ships try to go through the Suez Canal, pirate attacks on pretty much anything sailing off East Africa are rising and extra measures are being taken to protect the ships and their passengers.

A 25-nation naval presence is helping but earlier this year the Saga cruise ship Spirit Of Adventure was chased by and eventually outpaced pirates in the Indian Ocean.

Continue reading How to pirate-proof a ship

How to pirate-proof a ship originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cruisecruise safetycruise vacationsCruiseSafetyCruiseVacationscunard lineCunardLineHow to pirate-proof a shipHowToPirate-proofAShippiratessomali piratessomaliaSomaliPiratesTue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dubai tour company offers pirate hunting cruises off horn of Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/01/dubai-tour-company-offers-pirate-hunting-cruises-off-horn-of-afr/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/01/dubai-tour-company-offers-pirate-hunting-cruises-off-horn-of-afr/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/01/dubai-tour-company-offers-pirate-hunting-cruises-off-horn-of-afr/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

pirate

After years of murders, kidnappings, and heists, the lawless sea near the horn of Africa seems to be getting worse. A Dubai firm is capitalizing on these pirate infested waters with a strange new form of pirate tourism. The tour company, Dubai based Seahunters LLC, sells both 7 and 14 day cruises embarking from Salalah, Oman and Abu Dhabi, UAE. Unlike the quintessential cruise, the cruisers do not board in hopes of devouring mid-morning nacho buffets or snorkeling with dolphins. These cruisers board in hopes of embarking on a hunting trip with the most taboo of target - humans.

Like any proper cruise, you can choose a type of stateroom with offers ranging from the humble sounding "standard inside" to the opulent "Hemingway suite." The similarities to any other cruise end abruptly when you begin assembling your personal armory. With offerings such as the predictably yielding "bazooka package" and a "mercenary madness" kit, you can personalize your weapons cache almost endlessly. The "mercenary madness" package includes rental of a M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle, an AR 15 assault rifle, and an 18kt gold plated Desert Eagle pistol. Bow and arrows are also available for purists. Flamethrowers can be rented as well, though require a 3 day licensing course prior to departure.

Continue reading Dubai tour company offers pirate hunting cruises off horn of Africa

Dubai tour company offers pirate hunting cruises off horn of Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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adventure travel, Adventure Travel, Ethiopia, camels, Somali Region
As I mentioned yesterday, I've been exploring Ethiopia's Somali region. While my quest for Ahmed Guray's castle was a failure, I did see potential for adventure travel in the region.
Adventure travelers generally are looking for three things: historical sights, interesting cultures, and natural wonders. The Somali region is a bit short of historical sights, although there are a few of interest, but it's strong on culture and nature.

First, the historical sights. The main one is Alibilal Cave in the Erer District, about 10 km (6 miles) from Erer town. This cave is covered with prehistoric paintings of cows, giraffes, gazelle, and other figures. Last year I was amazed by the prehistoric cave art of Laas Geel in Somaliland, and I'm really curious to see this cave. I've seen some video footage and it looks impressive. Other historical sights include the mosque I wrote about yesterday, and some colonial buildings scattered about the region.

The Somali Region is much stronger on cultural attractions. There aren't many places left in the world where you can see camel herders living much as they did centuries ago. You can drink fresh camel milk in traditional domed huts made of mats. Try shay Somali, Somali tea that's mixed with sugar and camel's milk and tastes a lot like Indian chai. The culture here preserves itself by oral traditions. Sitting with a clan elder and listening to his stories can be a one-of-a-kind experience. The Somali region is the easiest place to experience Somali culture, being cheaper than Somaliland and far safer than Somalia.

Continue reading Ethiopia's Somali region: a potential adventure travel destination?

Ethiopia's Somali region: a potential adventure travel destination? originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harla, harla, Ethiopia, archaeology, Harar
Eastern Ethiopia's history is shrouded in mystery. Most archaeologists investigate early hominids like Lucy, the famous Australopithecus afarensis, or study the great civilizations of the north like Gondar and Axum. The east, though, is virtually unknown, and only enigmatic ruins and strange legends remain.

Scattered around eastern Ethiopia all the way to Somaliland and the Red Sea are the ruins of towns with large stone buildings unlike anything made by the modern Oromo and Somali peoples. These are the remnants of the little-known Harla civilization. Wanting to learn more, I contacted archaeologist, author, and Harar tour guide Muhammed Jami Guleid (guleidhr @yahoo.com). "Dake", as everybody here calls him, helped me travel to Somaliland last year and is an invaluable resource for local culture and history. He knows everybody and he's excavated Harla graves in Ethiopia's Somali region and in Somaliland.

They were a race of giants, people say, and immensely strong. They'd perform amazing feats of strength like playing with balls made from the entire hide of a goat. A schoolkid we gave a lift to told us the Harla were three meters tall! This rumor probably came about because of their unusual graves. They're long and thin, sometimes three or four meters long, although the skeletons in them aren't unusually tall. The graves are usually covered with a layer of ash (probably from burnt offerings), the skeleton of a sacrificed cow, and below that a stone slab sealing the tomb.

Gallery: Harla: The lost civilization of Ethiopia

Muhammed Jani Guleid examines the ancient plster used by the Harla, still strong after all these centuriesTadition says this a an Harla painting of a foot, but it looks natural to meA strange tree that has grown out of the ruins, carrying some of the stones with itPeeking through a crack in the tree past an ancient stoneThe tree is a popular playground

Continue reading Harla: Ethiopia's lost civilization

Harla: Ethiopia's lost civilization originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now it's a Danish family of five, including three children, that has been taken hostage by Somali pirates who vow to kill them should a rescue attempt be made. The pirated yacht, taken last week, was anchored off the shore of Somalia today.

The 43-foot sailboat was being piloted by Jan Quist Johansen along with his wife, their three children, ages 12 to 16 and two Danish crew members.

A Somali pirate going by the name of Muse Abdi said the family was transferred to another, larger pirated ship.

Continue reading Somali pirates anchor Danish family yacht, threaten death

Somali pirates anchor Danish family yacht, threaten death originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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somali pirate ordeal endsThey were on year seven of a ten-year around-the-world voyage, passing out bibles from New Zealand to Alaska to Fiji and all points in-between. Their voyage came to a tragic end today as Somaili pirates shot and killed captives Jean and Scott Adam of Southern California and Phyllis Mackay and Bob Riggle of Seattle.

US forces had been trailing the captured m/v Quest when shots were heard on board this morning. A special forces team engaged in a brief firefight with the armed pirates then confirmed: all four hostages had been shot.

The incident is raising questions and demanding answers from governments around the world.

Continue reading Somali pirate ordeal ends with death of religious Americans

Somali pirate ordeal ends with death of religious Americans originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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pirate
A yacht carrying a quartet of Americans was recently seized by Somali pirates, the latest in a string of hijackings that reaches back millenia. According to MSNBC, the seized yacht, the "S/V Quest," is owned by Jean and Scott Adam - a couple on a worldwide quest distributing bibles. While they no doubt expected to spread the word far and wide, they were certainly not expecting to be boarded by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman in the Arab sea. The waters along the horn of Africa are a hotbed of piracy, and travelling by boat in this region is about as reckless as booking a 2 week holiday in Mogadishu.

The Somali pirates are the modern day face of an enterprise that has existed for centuries. Piracy has been part of seafaring culture since man first took to the open water. As early as 1400 BC, Lukka sea raiders from Asia Minor began committing acts of piracy throughout the Mediterranean. These early pirates were known simply as the "Sea Peoples." Aside from these early innovators of seaward sabotage, many groups and clans have sailed under the banner of terror on the high seas. The Vikings innovated the craft, the Barbary corsairs elevated it to an art, and the pirates of the Caribbean made it famous. Many other groups, operating in the shadows of history, took to piracy on the high seas. From dark age plundering to modern day terrorism, some of these groups of pirates include:

Continue reading 10 breeds of pirate - Somalis to Vikings to Japanese Pirate Ninjas

10 breeds of pirate - Somalis to Vikings to Japanese Pirate Ninjas originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Somali pirates capture american couplePutting an abrupt stop to the voyage of a lifetime, a US-flagged yacht with four American citizens on board was hijacked 240 miles off the coast of Oman by Somali pirates Friday.

The s/v Quest, a Davidson 58 Pilot House Sloop, was in year seven of a ten-year around-the-world voyage with American owners Jean and Scott Adam and two crew members.

"S/V Quest was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean and the four Americans on board are being held hostage," Omar Jamal of the United Nations said. "The sailing yacht was reportedly ... en route from India to Mina Raysut, the industrial port of Salalah, Oman," Ecoterra added.

The couple has chronicled the voyage on the their website since 2002. An entry from last December listed their stops in 2011 as "Galle, Sri Lanka; Cochin, India; Salalah, Oman; Djibouti, Djibouti; The Suez Canal; and Crete. That gets us to April."

Both Scott and Jean Adam are certified by the US Coast Guard with a 100 ton master captains license. Designed by America's Cup designer Laurie Davidson the S/V Quest is a sailing ship with a backup engine range of 3,300 miles

Gallery: s/v Quest

Continue reading Somali pirates capture American couple and crew on round-the-world adventure voyage

Somali pirates capture American couple and crew on round-the-world adventure voyage originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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somali piratesFor all the "extremes" of the natural world in 2010 - record-setting rainfalls, droughts, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions - man managed to rack up some big numbers too.

Particularly those persistent Somali pirates who picked up the pace on the Indian Ocean, ramping up attacks on cargo boats, cruise ships and private yachts. According to an end of the year report by the Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau, there were more pirate attacks than ever, despite an ever-bigger presence of international navies.

Many thought that when snipers aboard the "USS Bainbridge" shot and killed three Somali kidnappers holding an American cargo boat captain hostage in 2009 that piracy would slow. Quite the opposite.

Turns out that in 2010 those khat-stoked, RPG-armed pirates in their wooden skiffs managed to outrun and out-maneuver some of the world's most powerful navies in record numbers, attacking 445 ships and taking nearly 1,200 people hostage.

Already in this New Year, rather than shrink in the face of increased threats from authorities, the pirates have grown even bolder and are traveling even further from home. A week ago they went so far as to attempt to chase down a British cruise ship - the 348-passenger "Spirit of Adventure" - traveling from Madagascar to Zanzibar.

Continue reading 2010 -- a record year for Somali pirates

2010 -- a record year for Somali pirates originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowermastersadventuresjon bowermasterjonbowermasteroceanoceanspiratesSOMALIAwaterTue, 08 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[It's time travel writers stopped stereotyping Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/its-time-travel-writers-stopped-stereotyping-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/its-time-travel-writers-stopped-stereotyping-africa/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/21/its-time-travel-writers-stopped-stereotyping-africa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Africa, africaPop quiz: where was this photo taken?

OK, the title of this post kind of gives it away, but if I hadn't written Africa, would you have guessed? It was taken in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. This isn't the view of Africa you generally get from the news or travel publications--a modern city with high rises and new cars. A city that could be pretty much anywhere. That image doesn't sell.

And that's the problem.

An editorial by Munir Daya for the Tanzanian newspaper The Citizen recently criticized Western media coverage of Africa, saying it only concentrated on wars, AIDS, corruption, and poverty. Daya forgot to mention white people getting their land stolen. If black people get their land stolen, you won't hear a peep from the New York Times or the Guardian. If rich white ranchers get their land stolen, well, that's international news. And look how many more articles there are about the war in Somalia than the peace in Somaliland.

Daya was objecting to an in-flight magazine article about Dar es Salaam that gave only superficial coverage of what the city has to offer and was peppered with statements such as, "Dar es Salaam's busy streets are bustling with goats, chickens, dust-shrouded safari cars, suit-clad office workers and traders in colourful traditional dress."

Daya actually lives in the city and says you won't find many goats and chickens on the streets. But that wouldn't make good copy, would it?

Travel writing has an inherent bias in favor of the unfamiliar, the dangerous. Some travel writers emphasize the hazards of their journey in order to make themselves look cool, or focus on the traditional and leave out the modern. Lonely Planet Magazine last year did a feature on Mali and talked about the city of Bamako, saying, "Though it is the fastest-growing city in Africa, Bamako seems a sleepy sort of place, lost in a time warp." On the opposite page was a photo of a street clogged with motorcycle traffic. If Bamako is in a sleepy time warp, where did the motorcycles come from?

I'm not just picking on Lonely Planet; this is a persistant and widespread problem in travel writing and journalism. Writers, and readers, are more interested in guns than concerts, slums rather than classrooms, and huts rather than skyscrapers. In most travel writing, the coverage is simply incomplete. In its worst extremes, it's a form of racism. Africa's problems need to be covered, but not to the exclusion of its successes.

As Daya says, "there is more to Africa than famine and genocide." There are universities, scientific institutes, music, fine cuisine, economic development, and, yes, skyscrapers.

And if you think Dar es Salaam is the exception rather than the rule, check out Skyscrapercity.com's gallery of African skyscrapers.


Gallery: The Third World?

A bicycle race in the Ethiopian countrysideAn artist's studio in Addis AbabaA double-decker cafe made from a converted RoutemasterA relaxing cafe in Addis AbabaSweets for sale in the Oslo Cafe, Addis Ababa

It's time travel writers stopped stereotyping Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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