WORLD

The expression "It's a small world" used to refer to coincidences in which seemingly unrelated people or events came together in a surprising way.

The expression has now become much more literally true. It is, indeed, a small world, in every way.

In spite of the ending of the Concorde flights and the many problems still facing air travelers, plane travel has become a no-big-deal thing for most people. We still go to the classic travel spots - London, Paris, New York, Rome the Grand Canyon, Bermuda, Hawaii- you know the places - but we are increasingly interested in visiting exotic and adventurous places like the Tortugas, Nepal, Tasmania, the Andes Mountains or the Mosquito Coast. Did anyone ever imagine that Iceland would be a popular tourist destination? Today it is.

A beneficial side effect to the unfortunate fact that many places on the globe are suffering from troubles with their economy has been that they have found ways to increase the safety and comfort of visitors. Many think, and hope, that this increased familiarity with hitherto "foreign" places will also serve to increase care and concern for the culture and people of those places. It is a worthy hope, is it not?

In fact, a major industry has grown up around Ecotourism, which introduces people to experiences in wilderness areas or places, which have local practices or environmental features previously unknown to the world at large. These trips are designed to increase awareness of the variety of life and culture on our planet and to boost interest in ecologically sound practices in all areas of life, including tourism.

How does a trip from Los Angeles and return to there which includes Bangkok, the Fiji Islands and Auckland in its itinerary - all for less than $1,500 a person - sound? Good travel deals like this, which folks can find and arrange for themselves, are making the extra cost of a travel agency obsolete in many cases.

Maps, travel advice, insurance, plane or rail tickets, rental cars, hotel accommodations, all can be done right from home with a little research and planning.

It's a small world, all right, and an exciting one!

Websites

National Geographic maps of the world

All the worlds Maps

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