Middle East

 

 

Arabian knights come to the rescue

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If camels could laugh, these big lumpy giants of the desert would be in hysterics. Long necks craned over their pen; eyes following the action. We could sense the disdain. What should have been a quiet, early afternoon in the middle of almost nowhere, is anything but quiet. A black beast with engine gunning

 
 
 

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Kathie Angelo, wife of the author, in Nefertari's tomb. The tomb dates back more than 3000 years. While the plaster in parts of the tomb have fallen off, the paintings that remain are the most vibrant, colourful and detailed of any tomb in Egypt.

Gift of the Nile

As our plane approached the town of Aswan in southern Egypt, I could see the meandering Nile below. Beyond the line of the river and the green ribbon of lush irrigated lands that paralleled it, there was nothing but the vast sands of the Sahara.


 
Israel's Dead Sea

Israel is more than religious pilgrimages

When you think of visiting Israel, you think more of pilgrimages to the Wailing Wall and Mount Sinai than boutique hotels and off-road motorcycle racing. But with the country, now 60 years old, breaking tourism records and shattering the stained-glass ceiling of religious pilgrimage, it is attracting pleasu


 

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Cruising the royal route of the pharaohs

As our plane approached the town of Aswan in southern Egypt, I could see the meandering Nile below. Beyond the line of the river and the green ribbon of lush irrigated lands that paralleled it, there was nothing but the vast sands of the Sahara.


 
 
 
 

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Dragon's Blood trees

Yemen's natural wonders

Evolution has run riot on Yemen's windy isles of Socotra, whose dizzying cliffs, jagged peaks and exotic plants entice the imagination to do the same.


 
St. Anthony's Monastery

Modernity meets monasticism in Egypt's desert

A speck of green in a sea of sand, St. Anthony's Monastery in Egypt welcomes those seeking God in silence broken only by the whisper of the wind.


 
Oman golf

Oman sees tourism future in golf as well as sunshine

It may have year-round sunshine, sandy beaches, cliff-top forts and desert dunes, but Oman is hoping golf will help it lure more tourists as it tries to wean its economy off oil exports.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Head to Montana for a Vacation Adventure

Explore a land of mystic peaks, enchanted forests and crystal fields of ice. Not so far, far away in a place called Montana. Glacier National Park is a sublime wonder where mythical creatures roam and you can still sprinkle glacial water on your toes. But you'll want to spend plenty of time outside the park soaking up Montana's small towns, big sky and interesting characters.

For day trip options and more information, visit visitmt.com/crownofthecontinent.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Canada has two-thirds of the world's polar bears and they are at risk in the face of rapidly melting Arctic sea ice

Canada has two-thirds of the world's polar bears and they are at risk in the face of rapidly melting Arctic sea ice

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Vancouver-born pop star Edison Chen shocked over lurid photos

The Hong Kong-Canadian pop star who took photos while having sex with a string of female celebrities told a court Monday he was shocked when the images were plastered across the Internet.


 
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Paris Hilton searches for a new BFF in the U.K.

It's more difficult than you'd think to catch Paris Hilton saying something stupid. This isn't to say that the infamous heiress is smarter or more shrewd than she appears, only that her handlers go to great lengths to ensure that any potentially damaging remarks are kept to a minimum.


 
David Ahenakew

'I'm too damn old to change': Ahenakew

Former aboriginal leader David Ahenakew has been found not guilty of inciting hatred for remarks he made seven years ago that praised Hitler and blamed the Jews for the Second World War.


 
Road rally

World's best rally roads offer scenery

Rallying is one of the most accessible forms of sport in the world. Not only do fans get closer to the action than in just about any other event -- too close in some cases -- they can drive cars that are as close to real rally cars as possible and can literally follow in their heroes' tire tracks, driving the same roads used as rally stages all over the world. And, now, five of the greatest names in World Rally Championship (WRC) history have come together to make a DVD that will feature some of the world's best roads that double as rally stages.


 
Sales at Canadian retail outlets plunged 5.4% in December — the biggest monthly decline in 15 years

December retail sales lowest in near 20 years

Canadian retail sales plunged the most in nearly two decades in December as the deepening economic downturn forced consumers to tighten their belts even further.


 
Obese men under age 35 are almost four times more likely to miss work than those of normal weight, the agency found. However, reduced productivity on the job may be the bigger problem for overweight workers and their employers, it says.

Obesity linked to work absence: StatsCan

Overweight Canadians are more likely to miss work or be unproductive at the office, according to Statistics Canada.


 
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What recession? Stars put on the red-carpet glitz

From the first star sighting on the red carpet Sunday night, it was clear we don't call it the silver screen for nothing.


 
International Buddhist Temple

Buddhist temple a delight

When in Rome, do as the Romans do and visit the Vatican. But you don't have to travel the world to seek out great architecture in a spiritual setting. Check out the International Buddhist Temple on Steveston Highway in Richmond (before you get to the famous fishing piers and restaurants at the touristy wharf) and you'll feel that you've gone on a trip to a faraway land.