UPDATE: Vacationing like the Kennedy's -- Part Eight -- Land Mines...? hmmm... Just takes a Little Common Sense!

WAR ATROCITIES/NUDITY :WARNING

And Other Vacation Destinations Summer 2008

I don't suppose they are talking about the dog-walking area has land-mines?

Cambodia

No tourists ventured to Cambodia during the madman reign of Pol Pot in the '70s. Even after he was driven from power, Pot's jungle insurgency delayed his country's return to normalcy by at least a decade. But Cambodia has since reclaimed its proper role as a "must" on the Southeast Asian travel circuit. Sure, there are still areas dotted by landmine warning signs, but if you use common sense, there's no reason you shouldn't find Cambodia as safe as Thailand. The countryside is lush, the capital city is colorful and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat are Southeast Asia's finest.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua's reputation for violent civil war outlasted the war itself -- by decades. Traveling across this volcanic country is now safe and cheap, even on the public buses. On the Pacific coast, beach towns like San Juan Del Sur are booming with new hotels and restaurants eager for greenbacks and euros. But the true gem of Nicaragua is Granada -- the quiet colonial town with cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. Nearby, the stunning Ometepe Island was created when two volcanoes merged in the center of Lake Nicaragua.

Tajikistan

This hospitable country of seven million offers opportunities galore for alpine mountaineering (93 percent of the country is surrounded by mountains), rock climbing, hiking, high-level walking tours and horse or camel riding. Don't forget to relax alongside Tajikistan's numerous mountain lakes and lush valleys. After recharging, explore the country's rich store of rare Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian ruins. Even in the capital, Dushanbe, high-end hotels are few. Most travelers arrange homestays with Tajiks when they arrive, or they coordinate their trip through an agency.

Bosnia

These days, Bosnia is best described not as a simmering conflict zone, but as one of the last undiscovered and most beautiful regions of the southern Alps -- a haven for nature-lovers looking for some of Europe's most pristine forests. However, for much of the '90s, Bosnia & Herzegovina evoked images of refugees, snipers, mortar attacks and ethnic cleansing. But the fighting has been over for a long time, and the peace is now firmly secured by the presence of NATO troops and heavy doses of European aid. Here are some more not-so-dangerous travel destinations.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The fighting ended a decade ago, but the words "Bosnia and Herzegovina" still scare away travelers. A tour through the scarred, but charming, Bosnian towns and monasteries prove that Bosnia has plenty to offer -- the Adriatic seaside resort of Neum, the stunningly rebuilt Ottoman bridge in Mostar, and the 16th-century dervish monastery at Tekija. For hikers and nature-lovers, Sutjeska National Park is home to one of Europe's last remaining primeval forests as well as Maglic Mountain, Bosnia's highest peak at more than 7,000 feet.

--Or-- Stay in the USA, say Washington, DC !!!

Old naked guys ride through DC on bikes for the environment
by Jonathon Morgan
Jun 9th 2008 @ 4:15PM
Photo: Tim Sloan/Getty Images

If you need some inspiration, check out these guys! These old nude dudes are taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride -- an event created to raise awareness about oil dependency and the negative environmental impacts of our car dominated existence. This year's excursion took green-leaning nudists and cycling enthusiasts past the Capitol Building and in front of the White House.

Potentially the most interesting aspect of this ride is that, according to organizers, "there are no leaders" -- so people just show up, strip off, and ride away. Sounds like with a few friends, a little elbow grease, and a lot of nerve, you might be able to start a Naked Bike Ride in your area. (If you do, please send pictures, I promise I'll post them on the Internet!)

Of course, DC wasn't the only swinging city this weekend -- the inhabitants of Madrid staged a nudie bike ride of their own. Be warned, however, these photos are even less appropriate for the office.

--And-- a Standard European Tour is still available!!!

Naked Bike Ride Madrid

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UPDATE JUST IN: 06.11.2008
RJP, III, our field reporter in Madrid, interviewed the female rider at left in the photo sidebar, reportedly said the following:

Excuse me Senora, why is your face painted?
"...old, naked guys on bikes-We have now come to the end of the road, I'm afraid. People have [been] predicting the downfall of civilization since before civilization but, it's not a case of crying wolf anymore and it isn't a cry for help."

"No, I'm afraid that history will judge us harshly and, in the end, our collective downfall will be attributed to 'raising awareness.'"

"Any abhorrent act can now be justified and even revered under the guise of raising awareness."

"Put some clothes on and get off that bike old man! I am aware you ignorant bastard."

Thank you RJP, III and senora with face paint -- see: also comments
MOINJK Madrid; update; 06.11.2008
(Retrieved at http://www.forbestraveler.com/ and Vacation Destinations for the High Flyers)