Saturday, March 23, 2013

Do you know which countries are considered the most democratic?

The Most Democratic Countries In The World

 
 
 
The Economist Intelligence Unit conducts an annual analysis  reflecting the state of global democracy of 165 nations and two territories. The Democracy index includes 5 criteria : electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture. Also, each nation is categorized across gradient levels of regimes: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most democratic countries are found in Scandinavia, with Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Denmark occupying the first four spots on the list, and New Zealand rounding out the top five.

Overall, half of the world lives under a democracy of some form. However, only 15 percent of countries enjoy full democracy and nearly a third of the world's nations are ruled by authoritarian regimes. The reasons for such disappointing numbers vary between regions. The report writes that some countries in the West are struggling to maintain long-established democratic systems due to political infighting, declining participation, and the sacrifice of civil liberties in the name of national security.

So, where does the US place?  It ranks 21st on the list, behind such democratic bastions as Uruguay, Mauritius, and South Korea. The lowest scores Washington received were in the categories of  political participation and functioning of government.

For more information, see The Economist:  http://www.eiu.com/
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Vibrant Buenos Aires







3 Days in Vibrant Buenos Aires, Argentina

I spent 3 Days in Buenos Aires after a wonderful 13-day, round- the-horn cruise from Valparaiso, Chile to Buenos Aires.
After waiting for an hour for a taxi from the port, we checked into our Buenos Aires hotel, located in heart of the bustling microcenter.
Day 1 (March 5, 2013)

Our first stop (2:00) was lunch in the nearby modern mall, Galerias Pacifico.

After studying all the maps, I chose a stroll from Plaza San Martin, along Calle Floridato the historical sites around Plaza de Mayo, then a stroll along Diagonal Norte to Plaza de la Republica, and back to our hotel.

First, we strolled along the famous Florida Avenue lined wall-to-wall with shops and restaurants. We were startled to hear (repeatedly) men announcing in a half-whisper: “Cambio”. We learned they were black market currency exchangers. The local newspaper actually posts both the official and unofficial rates of 5.2 and 7.8 pesos to the U$, respectively. It wasn’t until the following day that we decided to conduct business with them upon the advice of our tour guide. Plaza San Martin is a grand park patterned after such parks in Paris, beautifully lined with trees, statues of military heroes, and comfortable esplanades.

After a nice 1 mile walk, we arrived at Plaza de Mayo, lined with palm trees, monuments, fountains, and benches; it is the political heart of the city. Here you find Casa Rosada (A real pink mansion) where the President works, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and other prominent structures pertinent to Argentina’s colonial and 19-20th century’s history. At night, La Casa Rosada is illuminated in raging neon pink!


Next we headed to the grand Avenue of July 9 (9 de Julio Avenue) to see the Obelisk up close and personal. This is considered to be the widest street in the world measuring eighteen lanes wide, (9 in each direction) with gardened medians between the opposing flow of traffic. Only those with a quick pace and long legs will be lucky to get to the other side before the traffic lights at the intersection changes.
The imposing Obelisk, built in 1936 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city’s founding, is a focal point for large sports and political celebrations. On December 1, 2005, the obelisk was covered by a giant pink condom to commemorate World AIDS day. It was so well received that it wore the pink condom for the rest of the week! You can see the towering monument from both ends of 9 de Julio Avenue.
While there, we had the good fortune to observe a military ritual of soldiers lowering and removing the flag.
After the feat of crossing this massive street, we relaxed and had coffee in a café.
We strolled along the bustling Avenue Corrientes and small side streets to return to our hotel.
Day 2 (March 6, 2013)
We met our tour guide, Martin, of BA Walking Tours, near our hotel for our 2-hour walking tour of Retiro to Recoleta. Martin is a Buenos Aires native, raised in Canada, who recently returned home to co-manage his family’s tour business. He conducts walking tours daily, rain or shine.






We learned a lot as we visited Plaza San Martin, Alvear Palace Hotel, Arroyo St., the site of the former (bombed in 1992) Israeli Embassy*, the Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento (Holy Sacrament Basilica), Palacio San Martin, Santa Fe St. in Barrio Norte, and ended up in the city’s most exclusive neighborhood, La Recoleta.


Martin held our interest with intriguing stories of Buenos Aires’ past and present. He provides an interesting cross-cultural perspective. I recommend his tours: http://www.ba-walking-tours.com.
We had lunch across from the famous Recoleta Cemetery at the delightful Café Victoria.

No visit to Buenos Aires is complete without a visit to the Recoleta Cemetery, the most famous cemetery in the world (behind Paris’ Pere Lachaise) a place that pays tribute to Argentina’s historical and elite figures. Ironically, although she was shunned by the elite, Eva Duarte’s (Evita’s) family mausoleum holding her tomb, is by far the most popular site—with long lines of visitors and heaped with flowers and letters from adoring fans. The entire cemetery is laid out in sections like city blocks, with wide tree-lined main walkways branching into sidewalks filled with mausoleums. Most of the 6400+ tombs and mausoleums (small marble and granite houses) are jaw-dropping, no-expense spared, spectacles designed by renowned local and international sculptures. Most materials used between 1880 and 1930 in the construction of tombs were imported from Paris and Milan The architectural variety of the tombs is extensive and includes art nouveau, gothic, neoclassical, Greek temples, pyramids, larger than life sculptures, and more. It is truly a marvel!
Evita's Mausoleum


Next stop was La Boca (via taxi), the brightly colored, pedestrian only area that is a virtual outdoor museum as well as a marketplace. Surrounding the cobblestone streets are shabby metal houses painted in bold shades of red, yellow, blue, and green where artists live and own galleries. Along the Caminito, art and souvenir vendors work side by side with tango performers. Many restaurants hire a tango dancing couple who perform for all passers-by to enjoy. I certainly enjoyed watching. The murals, sculptures, and engravings, some with political and social themes are an amateur photographer’s delight. The energy was fun and electric, (despite the number of tourists who flock here). I almost returned the next day to soak in the bountiful energy!





Our evening plan consisted of dinner and a traditional live performance of Tango music and dance in an intimate setting at El Viejo Almacen (a landmark built in 1798) in San Telmo. The dancing was excellent, the orchestra superb, and the folk musicians were entertaining. The outing included pick up and drop off from our hotel. Although we were given seats where a post blocked much of our view, we stood in the back where we saw the entire performance without obstruction. They served champagne and all other “complimentary” beverages throughout the show.






After checking out of our hotel room and storing our luggage, we headed to Calle Florida for one more “non-traditional money exchange”transaction. We saved more than $60 off our hotel bill.
Then, we headed to San Telmo via the Buenos Aires subway. We were required to take trains on lines B and C to Indepencia. From there we took a robust walk to the heart of San Telmo. Our first stop was lunch at La Brigada, recommended in my guidebook. The grilled chicken breast we ordered was so difficult to navigate and eat that I am convinced it was not chicken. I joke today that man is one of penguins’ worst threats! ARGH!
Next we headed along Defensa to Plaza Dorrego, the oldest square in the city, alive with musicians, tango dancers, antique dealers, and cafes. We strolled around this Bohemian, newly gentrified area for a bit but needed to taxi back to the hotel to meet our 5PM hired car for the hour-long airport journey.
Some Observations:
Fast paced microcenter
They accept (prefer) U$ although it is illegal for many businesses to accept them
Beef is everywhere—big, red, and tough to chew
Theft against tourists is so common that residents approached us several times to warn us to be on guard.
I learned about Great Britain’s role in shaping Argentina: The British empire is responsible for building most of Argentina’s infrastructure, including railroads, textiles, imported cattle, and utilities, making Buenos Aires a world class city in the 1800s.
Parisian civil engineers and architects designed the city which is why it resembles Paris and is called "the Paris of South America".
Most Argentinians are of Italian ethnicity.
Our tour guide says Porteῆos (BA residents) are Italians, who speak Spanish, who think they are British, who live in Paris!
There is a variety of neighborhoods from posh tree-lined sections to run-down, blighted areas.
On my next trip, I will take a longer tour of San Telmo and visit the Museo Evita.













Monday, March 18, 2013

Meeting Penguins


Penguins
 
 

         

 


In early 2013, I took a cruise around the horn from Santiago to Buenos Aires and had the opportunity to visit penguin rookeries in 3 different locations as follows:
Punta Arenas, Chile - Penguin Colony at Seno Otway—a disappointing first penguin visit. We saw 22 penguins lined up from behind wooden barrier, from 15-feet away. It seems that most had left the colony for the season.
Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost city in the world)- Martillo Island on Haberton Ranch Today the ranch is managed by the founder’s great-grandson, Thomas Goodall, and his American wife, Natalie, a scientist and author who has cooperated with the National Geographic Society on conservation projects and operates the impressive marine mammal museum, Museo Acatushun (www.acatushun.com).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With Pira Tours, this was a fantastic excursion! We saw at least 2000 penguins on an island with spectacular mountain scenery and turquoise water from several beaches. There was one lonely King among Magellanics and Gentoos. I witnessed a penguin fight, heard many mating calls, and saw penguins fortifying their nests.


We also visited the owner’s Marine Mammal museum.
Puerto Madryn, Argentina-Punta Tumbo Penguin Rookery. This is the world’s largest penguin rookery on vast land with penguins and other exotic llamas, ostriches, rats, and more. We saw many nests, chics shedding their fur, and penguins crossing the road.

So, what are penguins???

They are flightless birds who live underwater most of the year returning annually to mate (on land) many hooking up with the same life partner. There are penguin 18 species ranging from the tiny fairy penguin which is 16 inches tall and weighs 2.2 pounds to the human-child-sized emperor penguin which is 3.7 feet tall and weighs 60 to 90 pounds. They live in the southern (not North Pole) hemisphere in South America, Australia, The Galapagos Islands and Africa.
Facts about Penguins

· Penguins are flightless birds.

· Most babies have fluffy feathers.
· They are able to stay underwater with the help of their bones which are solid and heavy.
  • They have a breastbone and huge paddle muscles which help them move at speeds of 25 miles per hour.
  • While traveling at fast speeds, they leap out of the water every few feet. This action is called "Porpoising." Porpoising helps them breathe. The chances of being spotted by another animal are also greatly reduced because of porpoising.
  • About 75% of a penguin’s life is spent in water, where they do all their hunting.
  • Most of the time they breed in large colonies called rookeries.
  • The ones closer to the Equator feed on fish while those closer to Antarctica eat more squid and krill.
  • They stay warm with the help of a thick layer of blubber and a waterproof body covering.
  • Smaller penguins inhabit warmer climates whereas larger species are found in colder climates.
  • They are found on every continent in the southern hemisphere, from the tropical Galapagos Islands off South America to the Antarctica.
  • They have one partner for life.
  • The male takes care of the egg in the cold, by placing it on his foot and covering it with his brood pouch. They stand like that for almost two months without any food.
  • The female usually goes to hunt for food. After returning, she regurgitates the food for young ones and the male leaves the child in the mother's care to hunt his own food.
  • Penguins communicate with each other by sign language using their flippers and head. They find their soul mates through singing. And it is up to the males to attract females, and the females choose their partners accordingly. Penguins are monogamous creatures as they live with the same partner throughout their life.
  • There exist about 18 different species in the world.
  • Their natural enemies are seals and killer whales.
  • Adult penguins incubate and feed their chicks in turns, once they have hatched.
  • The King and Emperor penguins lay one egg each, while other species lay two.
  • The fairy penguin is the smallest and is 16 inches tall and weighs 2.2 pounds. The largest is the emperor penguin which is 3.7 feet tall and weighs 60 to 90 pounds.
  • They live 20-30 years.
  • Man is their worst predator, followed by sea lions that can eat 30-60 penguins.
  • Penguins create their own “love song” together. When they reunite annually, they can recognize their mate’s call among thousands of singing penguins.



 

Cruise Around Cape Horn Highlights

Cruise Around Cape Horn Highlights 2013

I completed more bucket list items on a 13-day cruise sailing around Cape Horn with a 3-day stay in Buenos Aires.

Here are somehighlights of the magical journey:
  • Walking among penguins in their natural habitat. We even saw a single (lost) King penguin in a rookery of thousands of Magellenanics.





  • Rounding Cape Horn, the treacherous spot where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans collide. (Actually, we had smooth sailing). If you look closely (below), you can see the rock formation in the heavy fog.


  • Spectacular scenery of emerald fjords, turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, colossal glaciers, snow-capped mountains, dazzling sunsets, Beagle Channel, Straights of Magellan, Cape Horn, exotic animals, and more.








watching scenary in penguin pajamas

  • Traditional tango music and dance show in intimate San Telmo dinner club (El Viejo Almacen) in Buenos Aires



  • Visiting colorful La Boca in Buenos Aires





  • Visit to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world

  • Life in a beautiful, spacious, ocean suite (275 sq. ft.) w. abundant living and storage space, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks, separate office/boudoir area, extended balcony (75 sq. ft.)and more

See videos here:










  • Visits to 3 countries: Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay


  • Visiting Patagonia, southermost sections of Chile and Argentina

  • Nice weather (except for rain in 1 port)
  • 7 relaxing sea days
  • Large balcony on the port side where all key viewing took place. (Saw Beagle Channel glaciers at sunrise from comfort of private balcony). Sunsets as we heading south and sunrises as we headed north.


  • Expert lecturer onboard: Mickey Live

  • Volunteered to show our suite in cruise critic cabin crawl

  • Changing $$$ “the non-traditional way” in Buenos Aires

  • Taking the Metro in Buenos Aires
Mausoleum of Evita's Family

  • We never had to change our clock times
  • The chocolate chip cookies, available daily
  • The comedy club on board. They flew in 2 new comedians every 3 days. Saw 6 comedy acts.
  • The staff flearned our names including the Maître D, Mr. V, and his assistant, Alexandra
  • Helpful and friendly staff. When you ask for directions, they take you there.

  • Nice private tours with folks we met on Cruise Critic

  • Being on a ship with a group of 1700 travelers who stayed on for 48 days-LA to New York.
Yes, I would do it a second time!!!