| FIJI |
| Island
Fever - Moving To Fiji |
| by
Susan Rungo-de Geus - We had this crazy dream. It’s a common one … a captivating
one even. But one that was, for most people, but a dream. The dream was
to pack up and take off and live on a beautiful South Pacific island. Islands
that seem to float, adrift, on impossibly blue seas. Places of paradise
untouched by the ravages of industrial man. For us, this is a dream we
dream while we are awake. Jan/06 |
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| Living
A Dream In The South Pacific - In Fiji |
| Stumbling
out of the plane after a ten-hour flight, I juggled the excitement of pending
adventure with the discomfort of a sweat-soaked t-shirt. The humidity
of Fiji at 5:30 am shocked my pores into releasing torrents of body moisture.
When a gentle breeze passed through the open-air terminal, it brought both
welcome respite from the heat and the aroma of fresh-baked bread. |
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| Living
and Working in Fiji - The way the world should be |
| When
I was reseaching an island to move to, Fiji kept popping up in the top
five for cost of living, quality of life and friendliness of the people.
But living in L.A. at the time, I knew I wanted a slower pace. To
be on island time. |
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| Living
in Fiji - Island Fever |
| We had this
crazy dream. It’s a common one … a captivating one even. But one that was,
for most people, but a dream. Pack up and take to live on a the South
Pacific island. Splendid islands that seem to float, adrift, on impossibly
blue seas. Places of paradise untouched by the ravages of industrial man.
For us, this is a dream we dream while we are awake. April/06 |
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| Paddling
Fiji's Kadavu Island - Paddling in Fiji |
| "Paddling
to the edge of the lagoon's reef, I looked over the side of the kayak.
I had the uncanny feeling that I was scuba diving. Acres of staghorn coral
reached for the surface like millions of deer antlers; countless tiny,
florescent blue and green fish darted among the antlers. Scores of purple-blue
starfish lay like a handful of jewels strewn across the sandy bottom. A
large school of flying fish whisked past. We lazily passed a few tiny,
deserted islands ringed with powdery white sand beaches and coconut-laden
palms. I would given anything to set up house on one of them." Join Melissa
McCoy on a Fiji Kayak expedition. |
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| Paradise
Found on Fiji - There are No Rules |
| Collin McKenny
first had dreams of getting out of corporate America in 1988. The idea
of a gold watch to send her off into an unwelcomed retirement, someday,
didn't appeal to her. She and her husband wandered the South Pacific, then
the Caribbean, then decided Fiji would be their paradise found. That
was 1997 and the year they said good by to the rat race and set about to
achieve their dreams. Now, they have a tropical retreat on that beautiful
island. Their retreat is called Lomalagi, which means "Heaven" in the Fijian
language. Lomalagi has six bungalows, swimming pools with waterfalls, a
"playhouse" with pool table & games, a dining pavilion with bar, and
a coconut plantation where locals harvest the coconuts. They're living
the good life. |
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| FINLAND |
| Finnish
Lapland - In The Artic Circle |
| by
Richard Robinson - They say that the Finns, equally comfortable in both
Finnish and Swedish idioms, tend to employ neither if they can help it.
“Silent in two languages” is how the playwright, Bertold Brecht,
described them. He should know, having spent some time here, but my brief
sortie into the Arctic Circle of Finnish Lapland revealed a rather more
garrulous side to the Finnish nature. Take Hannun Ajokhaat, for example. |
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| My
Secrets to a Lifetime of Making Money in Overseas Real Estate - Investing
in Finland |
| by Gary Scott
- If we can now buy a ranch in Argentina (or Uruguay, or New Zealand, or
name your spot,) for ten cents on the dollar of what a similar property
inside the United States would cost us, and if we can carry on commerce
from anywhere we are, how long do you imagine it's going to take your neighbor
to realize the very same thing? As one writer put it, "those folks who
buy that ranch in Argentina today are going to have grandchildren who will
think they were a genius." Gary Scott tells us more, in an article from
the best of International Living. |
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| FRENCH
GUYANA |
| Devil's
Island -Sailing From Brazil to French Guyana |
| By James Baldwin
- Devil's Island conjurs up all kinds of hellish thoughts. The French prison
camp was opened at the end of the 19th century and closed by the middle
of the 20th. During the years that it operated it was source of some of
the most grusome survival stories ever. Wonder what it looks like today?
Check out the above article. |
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| FRENCH
WEST INDIES |
| Living
On A Boat - One Woman's Transition To Living Onboard A Boat |
| The summers
are filled with activity. The boatyard fills with seasonal boaters, friends
we see only for those glorious months. Spending the weekends on the bay,
or a trip to Fire Island instantly washes away the residue of the week's
stress. Starting the day off with a cup of coffee on the deck, feeding
the ducks and swans that gather noisily at the waterline makes all the
difference in dealing with the upcoming day at work. |
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| GEORGIA |
| Georgia
in the warm heart of the Caucasus - Living in Georgia |
| Duncan Williamson
is living and working in Georgia, a former USSR republic located in the
Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea of Eastern Europe
and Asia. Scenery, people, and traditions abound. Duncan writes, "Tamadas
must have a serious side, too. During any Supra there will be toasts for
everyone for getting together, to Georgia, to parents, to children, to
the dear departed, to peace, to friendship, to any honored guests, and
if someone ends a toast with alaverdi, it means the person being toasted
has to reply." Georgia is the land of wine, churches, and legends. |
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| Wandering
Through Georgia - Journey From Yerevan, Armenia Through The Former Republic
Of Georgia |
| Our Armenian
guide, Gagik, had come to the Erebuni Hotel in Yerevan to see us off.
The card of the gentleman he brought with him announced that he was a Pentecostal
Pastor. The Pastor agreed to get us to Tbilisi, the capital of the
Republic of Georgia for $100. This would include another payment
at the border to another taxi driver who would deliver us to the Hotel
Adjara in Tbilisi. |
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| GERMANY |
| Black
Forest Magic ~ US$1 Equals 0.89 Euro |
| Nice article
on traveling through the Black Forest region of Germany. There are some
great houses and vineyards to see as well as waterfalls and spas. The Black
Forest always brings all kinds of images into people's minds and if that
is something that you've always wanted to explore, then a trip this summer
to the Black Forest region might be the trip to take. |
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| Castles
For Sale In Eastern Germany |
| You may have
read my articles in the past about castles for sale in the eastern states
of Germany which have been run down during the Communist era of East Germany.
Well, it's some time since my last article appeared and since things change
over time, an up-date is in order. Yes, these castles and manor houses
are for the most part still a good buy if you compare them to prices charged
for similar properties in other parts of Europe. Even if prices have gone
up, and the low dollar too contributes further to a price increase, they
still represent a good investment. If you always wanted to own a castle,
then by all means you will be paying less if you buy a castle in this region
of Germany. |
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| Castle
Ruin to a Modern Gem |
| Just 45miles
east of the vivid city of Hamburg and a short hours drive from the German
capital Berlin, you can find this wonderful Castle. Built in 1822 by the
famous Danish architect Joseph Christian Lillie for the wealthy Von Laffert
family, Lehsen Castle was originally surrounded by more than a hundred
hectares (about 250acres) of park like garden complete with orangerie,
mausoleum, forest and farmland. April/06 |
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| Death
Rattle for the 20th Century |
| The hallmark
of the 20th century was the abandonment of private life for empty promises
of mob politics. Hitler began by promising property and national pride.
He then initiated campaigns to make life safer and healthier -- gun control
and anti-smoking efforts were not born in America; they were products of
Nazi Germany. |
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| Dresden,
Germany - The Capital Of Saxony |
| If you are
interested in German history, architecture, and art, you should decide
for a journey to Dresden, Saxony - a gem among the big towns in former
East Germany. The advantage of Dresden’s historic center is that all the
well-known and famous buildings and squares are in walking distance, thus
giving you plenty of time to visit the places of your personal interest. |
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| Drive-Cycle-Hiking
Through The Alps - Summer Tour |
| When
your days at work or on weekends are very scheduled, you may either tend
to plan your vacation, too, or spend these days without any detailed arrangements.
Last summer, we preferred the latter method and just took a map of the
Alps and marked some places, valleys and mountains which seemed to be of
interest. Then I joined up the marks and ready was our route through the
German-speaking regions of the Alps. To be independent of any bookings,
places, times - and of course, not to overdraw our vacation budget - we
put our mountain bikes, rucksacks, and some camping equipment into our
van and drove to Füssen at the edge of Allgäu, Bavaria. |
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| How
To Buy A Castle In The Former East German States |
| There
are, however, incentives to restore such castles and manor houses. The
states have funds which pay subsidies toward renovation. This can be as
much as 30% to 40% of the cost of renovation. Grants are allowed and agreed
to before renovation begins, but are paid after renovation is finished.
Thus, an investor will have to invest his own capital before receiving
the subsidies. An investor is also entitled to receive the 16% VAT
tax (value-added tax) back he has paid for building supplies. This too
has to be applied for, and is paid after renovation is finished. |
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| It
Takes a Village Idiot |
| All of the
countries that comprised the former Soviet Union called themselves democracies.
They were not pure democracies, of course. Citizens could vote...but only
for one candidate, usually someone no one really wanted. In America, by
contrast, there are usually two candidates -- neither of whom anyone really
wants. Twice as much of nothing. |
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| Life
In The Wild East - Adventures And Opportunities In The Former East Germany |
| Today,
the former East Germany’s five “new states” are fully integrated into the
West and preparing for European Union expansion to the east. Like the rest
of Germany, these areas offer quaint villages, Renaissance market squares,
great (and inexpensive) beer, enticing bakeries and a healthy lifestyle
full of opportunities for walking, biking and hiking. |
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| One
World, One Love, No Ice - Sprained in Berlin's Love Parade - The Love Parade |
| Keith
O'Brien was backpacking through Europe when he first got the news of the
upcomping Belin Love Parade. After 12 countries in seven weeks, Keith thought
his whirlwind travel would pick up in this 12-hour EU outdoor rave. The
whirlwind subsided to an air cast for a badly sprained ankle, but Keith
didn't let that stop him. Party on.Berlin’s Love Parade can be more dangerous
than the running of the bulls in Pamplona. |
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| Predictions
for 2000 and beyond |
| Voters
have already lost interest in the next presidential election -- and it
is still 10 months away. They are bored with the candidates and tired of
the whole numbskull process of electing them. |
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| Real
Estate in Germany - Not For the Risk Averse |
| There
is much speculation in the property press at the moment about whether or
not Germany property represents an excellent medium to long term investment
commodity for those seeking capital appreciation and/or rental income.
Those who are analyzing the market but have no direct experience of it
seem to think that all the economic and political signals point to profitable
times ahead for those who commit to investing in Germany property. Jun/06 |
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| Some
Thoughts On Capitalism And Investing - In 2004 |
| A
little and more interesting and telling is the mindset of certain politicians
and other public figures in Germany. They all seem to be shell shocked
by the possibility that international banks may purchase one or another
private German bank. When Deutsche Bank bought Bankers Trust, it was just
fine or “good as gold” to use a New Zealand colloquialism. If an international
bank is going to acquire a private German bank, of course it is not just
fine. And it is definitely not “good as gold”. We might be tempted to use
a phrase like economic provincialism here to describe that sort of mindset. |
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| Tax
Savings with Offshore Companies - An Advantage for German Enterprises -
Tax Savings |
| The abolition
of the corporation tax imputation system by the Steuersenkungsgesetz (Tax
Reduction Act) diminishes the degree of discrimination against foreign
dividends. This means that internationalization could also become significant
to small and medium-size enterprises. The author discusses the establishment
and utilization of an offshore company (domiciliary company) in a tax haven. |
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