The former Venezuelan town of Potosi was deliberately flooded in 1985, in order to make way for a reservoir. Now the former town has made a haunting reappearance, thanks to an historic drought brought on by the El Nino weather pattern.

Two and a half decades ago, the Andean town of Potosi was home to approximately 1,200 residents, Reuters reported. Venezuela’s then president, Carlos Andres Perez, landed in the village in a helicopter to tell everyone that Potosi was to be evacuated and flooded, its residents relocated, its colonial church and homes abandoned.

A hydroelectric dam was built, and the Uribante Reservoir rose until its waters had covered all but the steeple to Potosi’s cathedral.

Now, the 25 meter-tall church and the ruins of Potosi have emerged once again, following a devastating drought which has gripped Venezuela. The water levels at Uribante Reservoir have dropped by nearly 90 feet. The church, grave markers, ruins of demolished houses and footprint of the old town square have reappeared.

empty Vanuezala dam

Past residents of the town, are once more able to walk on the area that used to be their home. Green grass is once again flourishing in the area as the lake dame waters disappear.

Scientists say the same weather pattern, El Nino, that has caused devastating snowfalls and rain across the United States and Europe this winter, is responsible for Venezuela’s worst drought in decades.

The 28 million residents of Venezuela rely heavily on hydroelectric power for its electricity requirements, but because of the extended drought reservoirs like the one that had swallowed up Potosi have been running close to dry, resulting in nationwide energy rationing.

Venezuela is on the brink of a devastating power crisis, as posing a serious political threat to President Hugo Chavez. The President has imposed penalty fees for energy overuse, shorter workdays for the many public employees and reduced hours for shopping malls.

Cloud seeding failed to produce the desperately needed rain. Chavez says the rationing plan will hopefully assist the country to reach the month of May, when season rains are predicted to return.

Venezuela’s Guri Dam is the third largest producer of electricity in the world. If the water levels of the dam continue to fall, the nation faces a serious crisis. “We’d be in a situation where we’d have to halt the country, the entire economy,” said Vicot Poleo, an oil economic professor at Venezuela’s Central University and former official in Chevez’s Energy Ministry. The existing gas and oil-fired power plants would be able to cover only around 20% of the nation’s needs. Widespread and sustained outages would be in force.

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2009 was rated as being the worst ever year for airlines and the hotel industry. Airlines were forced to look at the efficiency of how they manage their operations, including providing ways for more passengers to manage their own travel arrangements. Some airlines now offer the traveler the ability to ‘check in’ on line. Airlines have been forced to offer super deals, amidst fierce competition, in order to struggle to capture a dwindled market.

Many people felt economically they were forced to put overseas trips on hold during 2009. Cheap air fare deals, a strong Australian dollar and greater consumer confidence, is leading to a surge in international trips.

In January, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that it is estimated that Australian travelers will flood the overseas market in 2010, driven by a powerful combination of affordable prices and pent-up demand.

“There’s no doubt that many people are getting itchy feet to take off and explore the world after staying home last year,” says a spokesman for Escape Travel, Colin Bowman. The Australian traveler is ready for new experiences.

Due to the natural beauty and diversity of experience, great airline and accommodation deals, tropical island nations such as Vanuatu,  in the South Pacific, will see a last minute rush to book for Easter. The romance of the tropics, friendly people, ancient culture, great cuisine and ‘close to home’ is a great attraction, for an extended visit, or for just a long weekend.

‘March Madness’, found at Seachange Lodge, on Vanuatu-Hotels, combined with great early bird fares from Air Vanuatu, will give some lucky travelers a really top holiday, over the Easter break. Seachange Lodge, in Port Vila, is the best kept secret in town. Make an Easter booking in March and get all the fabulous add-ons from a massage to a bottle of wine.

Studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes over the last several decades indicate that you are much more likely to be killed or hurt by flying objects, such as TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases etc., than to die in a collapsed building.

Earthquakes, which often last only seconds, occur without warning and can be so violent there is no time to run or crawl. More often than not people are simply knocked to the ground.

The recommended method is that immediately when the earthquake begins:

• DROP down onto your knees (before the earthquakes knocks you down). This position makes you a smaller target but allows you to still move if necessary.
• COVER your head and neck (or your entire body) under a strong table or desk. If there is no table to get under, get down near an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands. Outer walls have windows that can break and spew glass everywhere.
• HOLD ON to the furniture or to your head and neck until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

Tthe ‘Triangle of Life’ suggests lying beside furniture, or stopping the car and lying down beside it. Official rescue teams, emergency managers, researchers and school safety advocates all agree that the ‘Triangle of Life’ method is considered dangerous and the credibility of the main advocate has been challenged.

Experts say that the ‘Triangle of Life’ theory is based on several wrong assumptions:

• Buildings always collapse and crush all the furniture
• Residents can always anticipate how their building might collapse
• Residents can anticipate the location of survivable void spaces
• Residents can move to a desired location
• The car you get out of and lie down beside is going to remain stationary.

All agree, the old method of racing for a door frame was alright if you are in an adobe house with a heavy ceiling, where the frames were the strongest part. Today with stricter building codes, the doorframes are no stronger than any other part of the building.

Experts firmly believe that the tried and trusted method of ‘Drop Cover and Hold On’ is still the safest method of surviving an earthquake.

The 90 second, 8.8 earthquake set off warnings right across the Pacific, as governments prepared for a possible tsunami. Several quakes registering 5 on the Momentum Magnitude, (a more accurate measure of an earthquake’s energy) hit Chile prior to the 21.7 mile deep major quake. Approximately 30 aftershocks followed, some measuring greater than 6.0.

Tsunami surges of 10 feet hit the Chilean islands of Juan Fernandez, leaving 3 people dead and 13 missing. Many had put out to sea in small boats, in order to avoid the effects of the earthquakes.

A series of small 3-foot tsunamis hit the big island of Haiwaii but caused no damage. The alerts were called off after smaller-than-expected waves washed ashore on Hawaii, Japan and South California. Thousands of people had been evacuated and numerous South Pacific islanders fled to higher ground. Some people watched as waves of up to 1.5 metres high rammed into New Zealand’s east coast.

In some of the most heavily effected areas of Chile, where residents were without water or electricity, crowds overran supermarkets, making off with food, water and diapers, as well as television sets. Several banks were hit in the port city of Concepcion, the country’s second largest city. Police in armoured vehicles sprayed looters with water cannons and arrested several people, mainly young men.

Concepción resident Patricio Martinez told reporters. “We have money to buy it, but the big stores are closed, so what are we supposed to do?” Army troops are being sent to the area.

After the biggest earthquake ever recorded, the 9.5, 20.5 miles deep, quake in 1960, the Chilean government forced builders to adhere to strict building codes. In spite of this Bachelet’s government estimates that a million buildings have been damaged.

Haiti

The recent 7 earthquake in Haiti killed more than 215,000 people and left a million homeless. Haiti’s earthquake was 700 times less powerful than the one that hit Chile, but it was closer to the earth’s surface.

While Chilean President was on the streets almost immediately, reassuring citizens, Haiti’s President Rene Preval has been almost AWOL for weeks.

Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest country and Chile, Latin America’s highest per capita GDP, are both set on top of large, volatile fault lines. Haiti let its buildings go up with little or no input from engineers, amid widespread corruption. 13 of the 14 federal ministry building pancaked in the Jan 12 earthquakes.

Haiwaii Tsunami in 1960

An extremely destructive 25 foot tsunami followed the 1960 Chilean quake, causing more of the 5,700 deaths. Most from the tsunami.

61 people were killed by the tsunami in Hawaii and Japan, with tremendous destruction to property.

Robinson argues that the Chilean 8.8 earthquake should serve as a warning that “God is even angrier with them than He is with the people of Haiti.” He publicly stated that Haiti had made a pact with the devil.

The popular host of ‘The 700 Club’ is “praying that the people of Chile will heed this warning, and never again blaspheme against God and international free-market commerce by nationalizing their most precious natural resources.”

Robinson sites the cause of God’s anger as the persecution of a great hero who rid their land of godless communists, as a possible cause. “If I had to guess, I’d say it must have to do with Chile’s persecution and attempted prosecution of their great former leader and a personal hero of mine, Augusto Pinochet – who, it should be noted, had never been convicted of a crime when the Lord called him home three years ago.”

After Hurricane Katrina, Pat Robinson blamed United States support for abortion rights as the cause of the problem. Robinson later issued an apology for his statement.

On the January 1, 2009, broadcast of The 700 Club, Robertson said, “If I’m hearing right, gold will go to about $1900 dollars an ounce and oil to $300 a barrel.” He also suggested that Americans would broadly accept socialism. Despite these predictions, he said that economically, “things are getting ready to turn around.”

Robinson is the founder of numerous organizations and corporations, including the American Centre for Law and Justice, the Christian Broadcasting Network, Flying Hospital Inc., International Family Entertainment Inc., and many more.

His business interests include media holdings in Asia, the United Kingdom and Africa. He produced and marketed a weight-loss shake, which he advertised profusely on The 700 Club. He is also a breeder of thoroughbred horses, having paid $520,000 for a colt named Mr. Pat.

An article in The Virginia-Pilot claimed that Robertson had extensive business dealings with Liberian president Charles Taylor. The article stated that Taylor gave Robertson the right to mine diamonds in Liberia’s southeast mineral-rich region. It is believed Operation Blessing planes were used to haul diamond-mining equipment to Robertson’s mines in Liberia, for Robertson’s Freedom Gold, Ltd.

In 2010, a spokesman for Robertson said that the company’s arrangement was that the Liberian government has a 10% equity interest in the company and Liberians could purchase at least 15% of the shares, after the exploration period.

It is also believed that Robertson has financial ties to former president Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire.

In 1999 Robinson tried unsuccessfully to enter a joint venture with the Bank of Scotland to provide financial services in the United States.

Robinson unsuccessfully campaigned to become the Republican Party’s nominee for the 1988 presidential election. He no longer serves in an official role for any church.

It is estimated that Robinson is worth well over $200million. Some sources claim he is in fact a billionaire.

Other park employees at SeaWorld, Orlando, had to coax the animal onto a platform and pry its mouth open, in order to release Branchaeu’s body, which too two hours to recover the body. Brancheau was the most experienced trainer at the Shamu Stadium.

Accounts of the incident are varied and wildly different. A video taken only minutes prior to the incident, show Branchaeu playing with the giant mammal.

Tilly The Killer Whale

There are a total of eight killer whales currently housed at the theme park. Tillikum, (‘friend’ in Chinook) has lived at the Orlando theme park for the past 18 years.

It is reported that Tillikum (Tilly) has been involved in other deaths in the past and was among the three whales that accidentally killed a female trainer at Sealand of the Pacific, in Canada in 1991.It appeared the trainer had fallen into the tank and the whales treated her as a new toy.

Tilly was then purchased and shipped to SeaWorld Orlando, to be used in a breeding program.

In 1999 a man eluded security and stayed in the theme park after it closed. Next morning he was found dead, draped across Tilly’s back, in the breeding tank behind Shamu Stadium.

Orca Whales In The Wild

Tilly was captured in Iceland in 1983, and is said to be one of the largest orcas currently in captivity. He was kept in a separate holding tank. Trainers were not permitted to swim with him, because of his past history.

SeaWorld has cancelled the highly ambitious ‘Believe’ shows in both Orlando and San Diego, pending further investigation. During the show trainers swam with the animals, r0de on their backs, were balanced, or tossed from the whale’s nose. A member of the audience was chosen to ‘become personal’ with the giant mammals.

Peter Hamilton of Vancouver-based Lifeforce, an animal rights group dedicated to saving whales, said they had warned SeaWorld that Tilly should not be kept in an aquarium. Hamilton believes keeping Tilly segregated from other whales, in order to breed from time to time, only exacerbated the problem.

SeaWorld is undecided as to Tilly’s fate.

Creating jobs, providing social and economical stability to an area that sadly lacks even the basics of schools and providing medical care shops, is highly commendable.

Kiri Forest

The fast growing Kiri trees are being quoted as ‘the new timber tree of the 21^st century’. China being the origin of these ‘fantastic’ trees, has 1,300,000 hectares of Kiri forest planted.

In just five months the kiri tree can grow to 20 feet high, or two feet a week, if fertilized. They can be harvested for pulp in one year, or timber in 3 to 5 years, growing to a height of 60-80 feet.

The growing area needs to be well drained, weed free, have lots of sunlight and free from strong winds. Round Up is used to kill weeds around young plants.

Kiri trees are subject to caterpillars, which can severely damage the plants, if it eats the growing tips of the young trees. Planters mix Carbaryl Liquid, a highly toxic insecticide with a small amount of dish washing liquid, so it will adhere to the leaves.

Kiri trees belong to the begonia family. The large broad leaves are subject to damage. Strip the tree of its leaves and the tree becomes dead wood. Depending on the stage the tree is at, determine if the timber is able to be harvested or not.

Pruning Time

To acquire tall straight timber it is essential for all lateral growth to be pinched out, usually to a height of 25 feet. Great care must be taken not to destroy the large leaves of the tree.

Kiri trees are deciduous, becoming totally dormant during the winter months. Of course Vanuatu doesn’t have too much of winter, but the leaves are going to be shed once a year, forming a mulch that enriches the ground. The leaves are rich in nitrogen and serve as good fertilizer and fodder.

The wood is light in weight and colour, strong, dries easily, has a beautiful grain, stains well, does not warp, crack, or deform easily, being resistant to rot. It is easy to work with and suitable for furniture, plywood, moldings and doors, boats and harps. The wood is said to be resistant to fire.

Kiri Flowers

In the springtime the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of the large petalled flowers. For one month each year, a sweet, light and very unique honey can be harvested.

When Kiri trees are cut, a new tree grows up in its place, from the root of the old tree. Once planted in an area, there will be kiri trees there forever, unless the deep root system can be fully removed.

We trust the environmental study is being done by an independent group of people and not EC02.

Last October Dr Margaret McAdam from Brisbane, Australia, along with Weddings-Parties-Evrisamting Ltd, organized a Duck Race in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Participants were asked to purchase children’s plastic yellow ducks, which were then dropped from a helicopter. The first duck over the finish line, won the prize of two airfares from Air Vanuatu.

Second prize was a seven night stay at Seachange Lodge, Port Vila, valued at AU$2000. Irene Kasten was stunned when her name was announced, as she had never won a major prize in her life.

Mrs Kasten would have loved to have spent 7 nights in the luxurious Waterside Chalet, at Seachange Lodge, with her own private spa, overlooking Erakor Lagoon. However, she had a much greater need. She would rather have a washing machine, valued at around $700. All her adult life she has washed the family’s clothes by hand. A gleaming white washing machine was something beyond her wildest dreams.

Helen Politis, manager of Weddings-Parties-Evrisamting Ltd and Seachange Lodge agreed to place the holiday on eBay on behalf of Mrs Kasten.

“We needed to wait until after Christmas holidays and kids back at school, before placing the holiday out on ebay. We wanted to get the best possible price for Irene, so she can finally go and buy her washing machine,” said Helen.

Over the next couple of weeks it is hoped that enough money will be raised, so that Mrs Kasten can see her dreams come true. Some lucky person will be able to purchase seven night’s accommodation on eBay for just over a third of the normal price and a brand new washing machine will be sitting in Mrs Kasten’s simple home in the village, on Erakor Island.

The children are seen to target ATM machines, where one will distract the user, while the other one steals the money. They also go for tourists who carelessly place their wallets in back packs on their back, or in their back pockets.

The children live in appalling conditions in camps, on the outskirts of Milan. Every day they can be seen going into the city to steal and beg. Many are beaten by their minders if they do not return with money.

One girl admitted openly that she is able to make around 300 Euros from one successful robbery, without any risk of being punished.

Francesco Messina, who led a police operation to try to close the gypsy camps in 2008, said, “In a one month period, a child can earn 12,000 euros (around $20,000). Times that by 50 kids and you reach an astronomical amount of money.”

After the police operation, which jailed several members of the gang for up to 14 years for exploiting and enslaving the children, film maker Liviu Tipurita discovered that some of the boys rescued simply returned to a life of crime. Camps that were closed, just opened up again and went on as before.

It is believed the power behind the child crime, that has reached international levels as far away as Australia and Canada, is organized by crime bosses who live in fabulous villas in Romania. Homes built from the proceeds of the thieving operation.

Liviu Tipurita, who has made films about Romania and child trafficking for many years, says “My fear is that without immediate help the Gypsy child thieves I’ve encountered in my journey will grow up into hardened criminals,” he said, “And the cycle of abuse and exploitation will spiral out of control.”

Coleman was aboard United Airlines Flight 223 from Washington Dulles International Airport to Las Vegas when a passenger attempted to open a front exit hatch on the airplane during the flight, after having unsuccessfully tried to gain access to the cockpit.

According to the New York Daily News a number of other passengers forced the man into a seat. The plane made an emergency landing in Denver, where authorities were waiting to take him into custody.

surfboard

In the South Pacific, an international consultant is calling on Solomon Airlines to investigate an incident on a domestic flight, which he described could have had fatal results.

The consultant was on board flight IE 372 from Buala via Suavanau to Honiara. Onboard was a very sick patent, attached to a drip.

When the aircraft reached Suavanau some tourists were booked to join the flight, but demanded that their large surfboards be carried into the cabin.

“I observed the pilot make contact with someone, before finally giving permission for the surfboards to be loaded in the cabin,” said the consultant.

The pilot asked everyone to make room for the surf boards and suggested some passengers wait for the next day’s flight.

“We had nowhere to stay and we had paid our airfares so we decided to squeeze in with the surf boards,” the consultant reported.

The sick patient on the drip was moved to the rear of the aircraft. The aircrew then lowered all the seats on the left of the aircraft, in order to stack the six large surfboards. This not only shut off all the windows from the left side of the aircraft, it also closed off the emergency exit, as well as the aisle.

“We had to support the boards with our arms during the long flight to avoid the boards from moving or falling onto us.” The consultant firmly believes passengers lives were put at risk by the ill-formed decision of the two pilots.

“We were all trapped inside the aircraft, which didn’t seem to concern the pilots. Plus the flight was delayed by 30 minutes, giving no care of concern towards the sick patient, who obviously required urgent medical attention.”

“When we landed at Honiara the surf boards were removed before the sick patient, who should have been given priority disembarkation.”

Solomon Airlines refused to be interviewed over the matter.