man, this is dismal. though i've never been to Mongolia, i've always imagined it to be rolling green plains...so sad that now it's becoming a desert land.

Quoted: Overgrazing has turned big swaths of China's lush grasslands into desert, but recent efforts to rejuvenate the land may help sustain the country as a whole

no way! gonna check this out RIGHT now...still need to find tickets for thanksgiving to Portland!

Quoted: Though the travel companies don’t advertise it, they often charge different prices on the foreign version of their Web sites. Some tips on how to uncover deals across country domains.

man if this is going to be the case, i'm NOT looking forward to flying this holiday season...what with all the missing luggage, flight delays, "mechanical problems", "weather" problems (for which you're responsible for your own accommodations)...uuggghh.

Quoted: Expect absolutely full flights, making it next to impossible to quickly get on another flight if you are bumped, miss your flight or otherwise have to make new arrangements.

NYTimes' feature on Whidbey Island and the Puget Sound

Quoted: On a sea-horse-shaped strip of land on Puget Sound the scenery varies, and so do the inhabitants.

Quoted: NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - An Indian hotel has won the award for the world's best hotel for the first time in a survey by an international travel magazine while Florence, Italy, was named the best city for the second straight year. Travel

yay! about time :)

Quoted: In fact, if everything goes well, all 1,100 will keep on riding for eight days, traversing the entire Alpine mountain range through four European countries, covering roughly 600 kilometers (375 miles) climbing 19,500 meters (65,000 feet) and eating several times their own bodyweight in pasta and interesting regional cheeses.

whoa...you have to be tough to do this! hey at least you'll get to eat your body weight in pasta and cheese, and not feel guilty : P

Quoted: When the world's top celebrities pack up to vacation, luxury, glitz and glamour are important, but so is privacy and security.

this place seems fabulous! yea i'm trying to think of sunny, warm places amidst this rainy Seattle day...