East Timor - by Kurt Sherwood

I was just a junior in college when I first decided I wanted to go to the tiny nation of East Timor (or its official name, Timor Leste). For some reason I had decided to study Portuguese at the University of Washington and my professor had just spent the summer of 2000 volunteering in East Timor shortly after their referendum for independence. This was a horrific time when bands of Indonesian troops raped and pillaged their way out of the country. Despite these tragic events, the videos we watched of my professor’s interaction with the East Timorese showed a warm and inviting people who were full of hope for a better tomorrow. Upon my visit eight years later, I had high expectations, and the East Timorese did not disappoint.

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I recently took the time to travel to North Korea while I was in Seoul. The trip was truly once in a lifetime stuff. It’s going to be hard for me to explain just exactly what North Korea is all about, but I’ll try.

My trip started early at four-thirty in the morning in central Seoul. There I boarded the bus for my pre-arranged guided tour to the North Korean city of Kaesong. The bus ride from Seoul to the DMZ took about an hour. Once at the DMZ we had to register with Hyundai, the main overseer of all trips from the ROK to the DPRK. There we were given ID cards which were to be around our necks at all times & serve as our visas to North Korea.

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Destination of the month: Seoul. Now is the best time to visit Seoul, the hot summer months have passed & the cold winter months are yet to arrive. Seoul is a beautiful city located along the banks of the Han River. Technically the largest city in the world, it’s truly a vibrant metropolis composed of various districts each one unique. I was recently in Seoul & I had an excellent time.

Please click on the following link for more information about Seoul: http://www.travelersdigest.com/seoul.htm

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Name: Jackson

Question: I am headed to Vietnam with my girlfriend in December. Any recommendations?

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Name: Shahnaz

Question: My son will be going to the xian jiaotong university and we are interested to come and see the campus and his accommodation- we are interested in a 3 star hotel for 7 days.

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Hey everyone, this is our mailing list for the month of September. Not a whole lot going on with us here at Travelers Digest this month so we’ll just move right along. Below we have our ‘destination of the month’ & also a travel editorial about a recent journey into North Korea.

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Name: Jackson

Question: I have a good friend going to HK this weekend for his brother’s wedding. Can you recommend some bars, & clubs for him to go? - Thanks.

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I was in Seoul recently and I found the district of Hongdae very appealing. While it was a little far from where I was staying (Gangnam), it definitely more than made up for the journey. Hongdae had an eclectic mix of locals & expats, the bars were packed, & the prices were reasonable. I will definitely go back.

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Name: Alan

Question: How much is approx return air fare to the city of Iloilo in the Philippines in 2009. I intend to stay for a week only and will need to return anytime during that week. If there is no airport in Iloilo, what are the transport arrangements to get me there ? Thank you

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Name: Pamela Guiney

Question: I am trying to locate a catholic church near the Taipei Grand Hyatt hotel and the mass times. I have been unsuccessful finding any information on the internet. Please help. Thank you

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