Mt Redoubt again (still) in the news

If you are traveling to Alaska or returning from Alaska, you need to know that Mt Redoubt is making life miserable for those near Anchorage. Please check CNN or any news affiliate for news updates.

Mr Redoubt - no longer in doubt....

From the desk of Alaska Airlines, Wall Street Journal and the Seattle Times - keeping y'all up to date on the Volcano!

Alaska Airlines was forced to cancel flights to and from several Alaskan towns, including Fairbanks, Barrow, Nome and Bethel, due to volcanic ash that had erupted from Mount Redoubt. The airline continues to serve cities across Southwest Alaska, and the carrier is "closely monitoring the weather and ash from Mount Redoubt to assess our ability to safely operate flights in and out of Alaska," said Bobbie Egan, a spokeswoman for Alaska Airlines. "We will adjust flights as conditions change.

Eruption of Volcano near Anchorage

Mt. Redoubt (pictured), the active volcano that sits about 100 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, erupted late last night. The eruption sent clouds of ash thousands of feet into the air, causing Alaska Airlines to delay or cancel numerous flights through today. Check with the carrier directly if you are going or know someone who is - you might want to let them know.

Eruption of Volcano near Anchorage

Mt. Redoubt (pictured), the active volcano that sits about 100 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, erupted late last night. The eruption sent clouds of ash thousands of feet into the air, causing Alaska Airlines to delay or cancel numerous flights through today. Check with the carrier directly if you are going or know someone who is - you might want to let them know.

Aruba - Sights and Sounds

Within Arikok National Park, there’s a deserted stretch of rugged terrain that can be reached only on foot, horseback or four-wheel-drive vehicle. Any mode of transportation is worth the effort, as visitors will be dazzled by a dramatic show of water spraying over a rock at regular intervals, while ocean water accumulates in a natural pool within the rocks that’s perfect
for swimming.

Arikok is a desert-like ecological reserve that extends over 20 percent of the island’s surface. There is a network of hiking, walking and biking trails through which visitors can explore tall cactus trees, a rock-sculptured coastline and rolling white-sand dunes, as well as impressive rock formations and caves that spread out inland.

Historic and cultural sites within the park include an example of the white-washed homes of early settlers, with peaked roofs that slant down to catch rainwater and with small windows covered by wood shutters. Among park inhabitants are the shoco, an endangered burrowing owl, tiny blenchi hummingbirds, iguanas and several species of lizards, plus the great quantity of migratory birds that nest in the park, as well as the goats and donkeys that graze around in the brush. Park rangers are on hand to help visitors identify some of the 48 types of Aruba’s native trees, some of which can be seen only in this park.

Caves inside the park include Guadirikiri, where sunlight filters into two inner chambers, providing an eerie ambiance. In the darker sections of the 100-foot cave, many flocks of bats make their presence known by the sound of flapping wings. Young couples should visit the Huliba cave, also called the Tunnel of Love. Its heart-shaped entrance opens to a 300-foot-long tunnel that winds through rocks and narrow passages. (info provided by Going Natural By Luisa Esquiroz Arellano of Travel Pulse).

Luisa's article has many interesting tips for travel and things to do and see in Aruba, it's not just the Beach and Nightlife = but so much more. Email us (pat4travel@gmail.com for full article).

Mexico Travel

Here is more information regarding travel to Mexico -
Columnist Kenneth Shapiro says that although visitors to Mexico should take precautions, they shouldn't forgo a trip south of the border altogether because of some incidents of violence. "I'm not saying there aren't real problems with crime in the country that need to be addressed, but the situation can never get better as long as accurate information is trumped by rumors and hysteria," Shapiro writes. TravelAge West (3/14)

Worldwide Travel-What's New

Keep up with all that's going on in the travel related world...where to go, where not to go, health related and more.

Snail Mail and Email

Well, you just can't win. Current up-to-date (a lot of it releveant to the recipient) email goes into spam folders, half of which people never see because they don't check their spam/junk folders. THEN, on top of that - the latest from the US Postal system: U.S. Postal increases will become effective May 11 for first-class mail. Following are the new rates:

First-class postage will rise to 44 cents for the first ounce
The price for each additional ounce remains unchanged at 17 cents
The first ounce of a large envelope increases to 88 cents
The first ounce of a parcel increases to $1.22

Information you will need --

Due to a new Federal requirement, the traveler's birth date and gender will be required for TSA use. This information will need to be provided for all passengers booked with from March 12, 2009 and beyond. The new Federal law goes into effect May 1, 2009 but we have been asked to start doing this as soon as possible.

We will also need the middle name or initial if it appears on the traveler's ID. This is also a new requirement.

Visiting Japan in the Spring

This is Hanami - or Cherry Blossom time in Japan, or soon will be. Winter is almost over and Spring is coming. If you are visiting Japan this Spring, be sure to try and do so during Hanami, it is absolutely beautiful.

Also, since I am a JNTO Specialist, I receive all kinds of fun and interesting news of Japan. I received a note regarding Soba - we ate Soba all the time for lunch when we were stationed at Iwakuni, which initially began my love of the Country. Now I note that Soba is now sold in a "Dutch Brothers" type of place, standing on corners...(note above photo)...No, you aren't in Kansas, Dorothy and that is not a coffee kiosk. Lunch time! You can easily find those tiny quick soba stores inside or around major stations. Usually they are stand-only and cost from 200yen to 450yen (2-5 dollars) Eki means "a station", tachi means "to stand", gui means "to eat". New Japanese lesson for today.

Mexico and Vacation Travel

A customer contemplating Spring Break travel mentioned that he didn't want to take his family to Mexico at this point in time due to the violence erupting with drug traffic enforcement. The thought made me think of doing some further research and reading as sometimes the Media (not just in terms of travel but other political motivations as well) tends to overdue it. So....A Mexico Travel Alert (revised) issued by the U.S. Department of State (updated on February 20, 2009) is designed to inform travelers of the issues and common sense precautions to “ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable”. We do not take this alert lightly, nor think it’s unwarranted, but it needs to be taken in the proper perspective.

The media has painted the country of Mexico with one brush, when in fact the drug related violence that triggered the update is centered in border towns hundreds of miles from the tourist destinations frequented by most tourists. We agree with the position taken by the Mexico Tourism Board that “Mexico remains a safe tourist destination.”

We will keep an eye on conditions as well as media output nationally and locally and will contact local media if it is discovered any misinterpretations regarding the current situation is floating about.

Yes, there is violence in the world and drug trafficking is horrendous, no matter where it takes place, it affects everyone in one way or the other, but it does need to be taken in perspective and not totally blown out of proportion as it sometimes seems to be by our "friends" in the media.

We’re committed to your overall vacation experience and safety. LadyBug Travel & Destinations Unlimited has always encouraged people to use common sense when traveling anywhere, not just Mexico, and to continue to do so.