The News Review:

- Under the Bridge ver the Top Cavallo Point a sublime ecotourist…
- Rescued divers say they’d do it again
- Record Attendance Big Deals Mark Food Show
- Donors pledging Myanmar cyclone aid
- Army gunner blindsided by ID theft while on duty
- Ease the dollar woes in traveling

Under the Bridge ver the Top Cavallo Point a sublime ecotourist…
San Francisco Chronicle – May 25, 2008
He bought it remodeled it brought in Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jacques) as a partner and after 12 years sold it to a Marin hotel group. Now Passport just operates this popular Fijian resort. But it owns some of the world’s most boho-chic hotels including the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur Sea Ranch Lodge in Sonoma and Hotel Hana-Maui. Not that Freed mentioned any of that to me. He studiously avoided any shoptalk. But once it dawned on me who he was I asked if Passport had any new hotels in the hopper. And of course it does right under the Golden Gate Bridge… There are also “learning vacations” to be had at this ex-Army compound. Apparently there are a growing number of people looking to acquire new skills on vacation. For a price travelers can indulge their whims – from waltz lessons in Vienna to an elephant-handling course in Thailand. Freed and his partners who are among those people decided to install a cooking school a creative art studio and adventure and well-being programs at Cavallo Point. Both guests and locals can take the classes probably finding themselves out running the Marin Headlands with Dean Karnazes (the ultramarathoner) or meditating on the history of Tibet with Robert Thurman (a leading authority on Tibetan Buddhism and yes the father of Uma). The lodge is in the Golden Gate National Park Service. Sixty-eight of the rooms are “historic” housed within the early-1900s Fort Baker buildings – barracks officer quarters a gym and a hospital.

Rescued divers say they’d do it again
NEWS.com.au – May 25, 2008
"We hope we’ll be partners for life after this. " Mr Neely’s escape was the third time he has cheated death in four years his father Stuart said in the United Kingdom. He had been caught up in the tsunami that hit Asia on Boxing Day 2004 while working as a diving instructor in Phuket Thailand but managed to get out of his hotel and reach higher ground. Later his dive boat sank off Thailand and he was forced to tread water for eight hours through the night until he was picked up by another boat. "I am quite used to him being in hairy situations. It seems he is a born survivor" Stuart Neely said. "He is a very cool and calm character who knows exactly what to do in emergencies.

Record Attendance Big Deals Mark Food Show
Arab News – May 25, 2008
The five-day event was held with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture. Its other supporters included the rganization of the Islamic Conference’s Islamic Center for Development of Trade which signed a cooperation deal with Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd the organizer of the event. China Egypt Iran Malaysia Pakistan Taiwan Thailand and Turkey had their country pavilions alongside individual participants from countries including Germany India Italy Japan Jordan Korea Lebanon Netherlands and many exhibitors from Saudi Arabia. Among the attractions was the TopChef feature that took place in the custom-built auditorium. This was the 5th edition and showcased culinary skills within a TV cooking show format. Chefs from various hotels and restaurants who took part daily were awarded certificates. This was complemented by the ‘ART DE TABLE’ contest showing the latest in table setting design… Among the attractions was the TopChef feature that took place in the custom-built auditorium. This was the 5th edition and showcased culinary skills within a TV cooking show format. Chefs from various hotels and restaurants who took part daily were awarded certificates. This was complemented by the ‘ART DE TABLE’ contest showing the latest in table setting design. Radisson Jeddah Hotel won the best display prize. Most of the exhibitors more than 250 from over 26 countries interviewed said that their purpose of participation had been served. They succeeded in finding new agents or distributors and some of them even received orders worth several million riyals.

Donors pledging Myanmar cyclone aid
FXNews – May 25, 2008
British and French warships loaded with humanitarian supplies to join in the relief operation. The ships have been off Myanmar’s coast for more than a week. France said Sunday it would unload the 1000 tons of aid on its ship the Mistral in Phuket Thailand. The aid which amounts to 30 planeloads of supplies would then be taken to Myanmar by the World Food Program and distributed by non-governmental organizations. The French government said it is “particularly shocked” by the refusal to accept the aid directly but believes in the “responsibility to protect” the needy. Myanmar’s leaders have virtually barred foreign aid workers and international agencies from the delta because they fear a large influx of foreigners could lead to political interference in their internal affairs. The junta is also hesitant to have its people see aid arriving directly from countries like the United States which it has long treated as a hostile power seeking to invade or colonize the country… envoys then breaking them when the international spotlight on their country fades. The world body has repeatedly failed to convince the military to make democratic reforms and to release opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi whose five-year period of house arrest expires this week. Suu Kyi’s house is just across a lake and visible from the hotel where the conference was held Nyan Win spokesman for Suu Kyi’s National League of Democracy said Sunday there has been “no sign at all” that she would be released. He said a decision on whether to free her or continue her detention would probably come Monday. Ban did not push the matter but said he regretted not being able to argue her case. “I feel also very much concerned and troubled by not being able to address completely this issue” Ban said. An estimate released Saturday by the U.

Army gunner blindsided by ID theft while on duty
Dose.ca – May 25, 2008
“But back here (in Canada) the world keeps spinning. ” Internet access on the base is limited to 30 minutes daily but Patnode cared more about writing to his friends and family on Facebook than checking his bank account he said. A three-week vacation trip to Thailand Patnode took ct. 12 did not cue him to possible problems with his account either he says. Bank records provided to the Montreal Gazette show Patnode made 22 withdrawals between those dates totalling $4528. 03 to pay for his hotel meals and other expenses… 12 did not cue him to possible problems with his account either he says. Bank records provided to the Montreal Gazette show Patnode made 22 withdrawals between those dates totalling $4528. 03 to pay for his hotel meals and other expenses. Patnode withdrew money from Thai bank machines but there was never any updated account balance he said. Louise Bedard Patnode’s mother said she asked her son to give her control of his bank account before he left for Afghanistan. “He’s 22″ Bedard said.

Ease the dollar woes in traveling
Daily Breeze – May 25, 2008
In this Internet age some consumers think that they can find all they need to know about a destination with a few mouse clicks. But in tricky times tapping a seasoned travel agent’s knowledge can be a dollar-wise move. ne reason is that experienced agents – many develop niche expertise in say Europe Asia or South America – stay up to date on good values in their specialty regions and often have first-hand working relationships with hotel owners and tour operators. A travel agency also can save travelers a multitude of planning headaches and often can nail down a price for a trip that’s several months off with potentially substantial savings when currency-exchange rates sour. Finally bargain-priced all-frills packages are typically made available first to travel agents who can pass on the savings to customers who’ve indicated they’re in the market for a certain destination. And the veteran agent will take the time to read all of the fine print. Stephanie Enright owns Enright Premier Wealth Advisors of Torrance.

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