Travel Blog: News and Briefs

His poem The Selkirk Grace also earned an honored spot on the lids. One of the owners of the hotel, the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright, says he did it in tribute to Rabbie—the poet stayed in the hotel—and to “make customers smile.” Another point, but not one mentioned by the owners: It’s fine bathroom reading material. 

Video: Award-Winning Film Shot in New York and Sydney—on a Cellphone

by Michael Yessis | 10.02.08 | 4:52 PM ET

Jason van Genderen’s “Mankind is no Island” won the top prize at the Tropfest NY short film festival last week with a street-level look at both cities. The film (see below) reminded me of sections of Helvetica—and opened my eyes again to the artistic possibilities of the cellphone, just like this film.

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Travel Headline of the Day: Airlines’ On-Time Rates Up in August

by Jim Benning | 10.02.08 | 2:00 PM ET

Lest you think we only point out the bad air travel news. Baggage handling was better, too.

Re-Branding Colombia: ‘The Only Risk is Wanting to Stay’

by Jim Benning | 10.02.08 | 1:37 PM ET

What? That’s the only risk? What about the drugs? The rebels? The risk of catching Shakira fever? I was watching “Larry King Live” the other night when I was suddenly faced with something far more interesting than the babbling pundits: a commercial promoting tourism to Colombia. It began with footage of feet walking along a beach and a gentle voice intoning, “You are at risk when you go to Colombia…at risk of amazement, of marveling, of falling in love…” Then came images of a snorkeler in turquoise water and smiling tourists. The kicker? “Colombia. The only risk is wanting to stay.”

Heading…

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Rental Companies Join the Car-Sharing Game

by Eva Holland | 10.02.08 | 11:05 AM ET

Interesting development in the car rental biz: Several major car rental companies are experimenting with hourly rental rates and Zipcar-inspired car-sharing programs, USA Today reports.

Photo by Larsz via Flickr (Creative Commons)

When Air Traffic Controllers Oversleep

by Joanna Kakissis | 10.02.08 | 10:45 AM ET

Two planes had to circle the Greek island of Lesvos for more than 30 minutes earlier this week because no one was at the airport control tower. The controller supposed to be on duty reportedly overslept, according to Reuters. The report prompted one Reuters reader to crack that “given how controllers are overworked these days, though, that might be the only time in the past year she’s had eight hours of sleep.” Scared? I am.

Photo by jefield via Flickr (Creative Commons).

‘What Will Happen When America Can’t Afford to Fly?’

by Michael Yessis | 10.01.08 | 5:41 PM ET

Here’s a sobering look at a possible future for air travel in the U.S. The money quote:

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‘Only One Man Can Save Venice: Mickey Mouse’

by Michael Yessis | 10.01.08 | 5:23 PM ET

John Kay proposed turning Venice, Italy into a Disney theme park. The idea didn’t fly, but the British economist did win 5,000 euros from the Istituto Veneto and praise for a “thought-provoking critique.” Kay wrote: “The city is already a theme park and should be handed over to Disney—they would do a better job of running it.”

Related on World Hum:
* ‘Too Many Memories’ in Venice
* Videos: Venice Gondoliers, Mariachis and Bollywood for Barack Obama

Steve Fossett’s Belongings and Plane Found*

by Michael Yessis | 10.01.08 | 2:01 PM ET

A couple says it came upon Fossett’s FAA ID cards during a hike in Mammoth Lakes, California, according to the Post Chronicle. Fox reports they also found cash and a jacket. The adventurer was declared dead in February, five months after his single-engine Bellanca disappeared.

Updated, Thursday, Oct. 2, 7:13 a.m. PT: Perhaps more discoveries are on the way. Reports the New York Times: “California authorities said they have spotted wreckage of a plane in an area where a hiker discovered identification cards belonging to Steve Fossett.”

Headline and Story Updated, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2:37 p.m. PT: The plane has been found, but not Fossett’s body. The AP reports “his remains were probably devoured by wild animals.” The AP also has video of a news conference with the acting NTSB chairman:

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‘Devil-May-Care’ Hooligans Steal Jersey’s ‘666’ Road Signs

by Valerie Conners | 10.01.08 | 11:40 AM ET

As if combating Jersey Turnpike jokes weren’t enough for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to deal with, it can now add one more concern to its list: Someone keeps ripping off mile marker 66.6 signs from the state’s toll roads.

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British Opposition Calls For High-Speed Rail Corridor

by Eva Holland | 10.01.08 | 11:30 AM ET

Britain’s opposition Conservative Party has announced a proposal for a £20 billion, TGV-style high-speed rail system, the Guardian reports. According to the announcement, a planned third runway at Heathrow would be abandoned in favor of a high-speed line connecting London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

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Celebrating 50 Years of Trans-Atlantic Commercial Flight

by Eva Holland | 10.01.08 | 11:00 AM ET

So, what’s changed in 50 years of trans-Atlantic commercial flight? With inflation factored in, today’s prices are 16 times lower, for a start. The Times of London marks the anniversary with a roundup of changes the route has seen since the first London-to-New York flight took off on October 4, 1958.

Related on World Hum:
* A Grim Anniversary: 100 Years Since First Airplane Fatality

Photo by jenlight via Flickr (Creative Commons).