Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Stockport anymore....

Usually you hear of tornadoes whirling around the US and the Caribbean, ripping up trees and houses and hurling cows around.

But yesterday a tornado apparently 'tore' through Stockport (down the road from us here in Buxton).

A chimney and a few trees were knocked over, and one woman was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises (and not surprisingly shock), but nothing like the kinds of damage and stories you hear from around the world.

We're now just waiting for a hurricane to tear up Buxton.

Paul is boarding up the windows as I type.....

Just a couple of things from NASA I found interesting....

First, a video of the spewing smoke and ash cloud emitted from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano over a 2 week period at the start of it's ongoing eruption that began in June this year, as taken by a NASA satellite.

Secondly, another NASA satellite image: phytoplankton off Argentina's eastern coast.


Technology, isn't it great!  But what else are they watching.....................?

It's true, if you're a birdwatcher and interested in a neo-tropical rainforest adventure, Guyana is the place to go!

The Botanical Gardens in Guyana's capital, Georgetown, was declared a 'Bird Sanctuary' this week.

It's great to see the country's Tourism Ministry continuing to help generate awareness and publicity about just how brilliant a destination Guyana is for bird lovers, be that as a well-seasoned twitcher or as someone that who simply appreciates the aesthetic beauty of all things avian.

It's great also to see that word is spreading about Guyana's avian diversity throughout the birdwatching world, even though it seems it's taking a little longer for the message to penetrate across the Atlantic than it is in North America.

The local bird and wildlife guides in Guyana are fantastic too - incredibly skilled spotters, knowledgeable, respectful of the environment, extremely patient and not without a wry sense of humour.  They'll take you to places and try to find you species you couldn't imagine you'd ever get access to.

 For a tropical rainforest experience in South America, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Guianan cock-of-the-rock - despite it's colour, surprisingly difficult to spot

Continuing today's theme.....

Over in Argentina, a pilot managed to escape unharmed when one of the wings broke off mid-flight.

Obviously, if your going to have an air crash, this is the week to do it. Everyone is getting away with it!

The perils of putting up your Christmas tree..

Putting up a Christmas tree is something you wouldn't think of when naming a few dangerous activities, but maybe it is when your in a helicopter hovering over Auckland waterfront with cables dangling left, right and centre.

How this bloke isn't mincemeat is amazing.......

A further article from the Falkland Islands about the ongoing political aggravations they face

The second of a planned series of extended political articles written exclusively for the Penguin News web site by Deputy Editor John Fowler

Chile pioneer the underwater driving test..

Maybe not on purpose though........

A Chilean woman has had a nightmare of a driving test, ending up with her and her instructor a couple of metres underwater.

She somehow hit the accelerator instead of the brake, bad timing when driving past a fishing harbour.

Although the instructors said she can have another go, something tells me they'll be drawing straws to choose who her next victim will be.....

Whales, bones and lots of digging.....

While excavating a desert fossil bed in Chile, scientists have stumbled on whole skeletons of ancient whales dating back around seven million years. Fifteen whales were said to have been found in just fifteen days...

That's a lot of bones......

From Theatre of Dreams to ..... The Toast Rack

A very strange thing popped up on the NZID facebook newsfeed today...

Most nicknames for sports stadiums have historic or inspiring names and nicknames, something the fans of those teams say with affection and pride. (Maybe not if your a Newcastle fan at the moment)

However, the stadium in Dunedin, officially called the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and which recently hosted a few RWC matches (England vs Romania, Scotland vs Georgia and Ireland vs Italy) has some very strange nicknames....

The Toast Rack, The Playstation, The Lunchbox and The Chilly Bin are just a few...

Hardly striking fear into the hearts of the opponents are they....

New 7 Wonders vote is in!

You may have seen our post on the 3rd of October about the vote for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Well the votes have been counted (but not yet verified) and the preliminary list has been announced.

In no particular order:

Jeju Island, South Korea

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Phillipines

Table Mountain, South Africa

And TID country based wonders:

The Amazon, South America (Including Guyana)

Iguazu Falls, Argentina (& Brazil)

Have a look and see if you agree!

Perito Moreno's advances

It doesn't happen every year (last time was back in 2008) but this year Perito Moreno glacier near El Calafate, part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, has advanced far enough to join up with the shore on the Magallanes peninsula in Los Glaciares National Park.

When this happens a natural dam forms between the 'Brazo Rico' and 'Canal de los Tempanos' sections of the lake, the water level on the Brazo Rico side builds up, as does the pressure of the water on the ice, which eventually gives way in a spectacular 'dam bursting' rupture.

Exciting to be there when it happens - with the fabulous accessibility to Perito Moreno via the network of walkways on the peninsula opposite the glacier, there'll be at least one great photo of the blow-out when it goes I'm sure!

This was Perito Moreno when I was there back in March 2011 

This is Perito Moreno now, having reached land opposite
- thanks to Eolo Lodge (via their Facebook page) for the photo

A sound article about ongoing political aggravations for the Falkland Islands

...by John Fowler,  Falklander and Deputy Editor of the Penguin News

Political aggravations yes, but the wider and economic consequences are no joke either...

The Falkland Islands in search of a voice.....

Successful Condé Nast Luxury Travel show

Thanks to everyone who dropped by to see Paul at the New Zealand In Depth stand at the Condé Nast Luxury Travel Show last week.  The four days were very productive, with barely a moment passing where Paul wasn't chatting to visitors interested in their own unique trip to New Zealand.

Thanks to everyone who helped the event run smoothly and result in an enjoyable time at Olympia.

P.S.  The National Hall at Olympia is a great venue and the 'Spirit of Christmas' Fair being on at the same time next door in the Great Hall was an added bonus, no doubt in increasing visitor awareness but also the tasters on offer in the food and drink hall were delicious!

Free Willy eat your heart out

In Oamaru (just up the coast from Dunedin) a jet ski has been set free to roam the ocean.

Usually something people do with endangered whales, dolphins etc, a woman 'accidentally' forgot to tie her wrist strap to the jet ski she was riding (apparently this triggers a kill switch when you get/fall off) and it sailed off towards the horizon to live happily ever after.....

at least until it runs out of petrol......

Conde Nast Luxury Travel Fair

Paul and Von are currently down in London at the Olympia National Hall, setting up for the Conde Naste Luxury Travel Fair, which starts tomorrow, and runs until Sunday.

Pop along and have a chat with Paul about any New Zealand holiday plans you might have or be contemplating. There's even a free competition to win some New Zealand fine wines, all you need to do is leave your details!

You'll find Paul at stand A6.....

Extreme Recycling..

Just found this odd story about an Argentinian man who has built a house from recycled bottles.

This chap once earned his living sorting through rubbish to find things he could sell, so a stroke of inspiration has meant he is now teaching others to do the same.

(It may just be me, but all the bottles look see through. He must use darker ones in his bathroom surely?)

One man's rubbish is another man's......... house..