Posts with category: ivory-coast

Take a little piece of the Ivory Coast home with you... for $1 million.

Selling souvenirs is a big industry; everyone wants to take a little bit of their travels home with them. For most people that means a beer stein from Munich, a triangular hat from Vietnam or a maple leaf flag from Canada. But for others -- with lots of money to spend -- it can mean a botanical curiosity like a rare tree.

According to the BBC, in the Ivory Coast, scientists are attempting to sell a rare coconut tree for $1 million. The palm tree has a hefty price tag because it has three heads; usually coconut trees only have one. Whoever ends up buying the tree will be free to move it to the location of their choice, and although the tree might end up somewhere fancy and pretentious, the money will be going to a good cause: to continue research at the Marc Delorne research station.

I can't stop wondering how exactly one transports a coconut tree? Probably not by airline, you'd probably get charged for checking a second bag.

The World's Most Dangerous Destinations for 2007

BurundiHere at Gadling, we usually profile places people WANT to go. However, sometimes it's useful to mention places to avoid. Consequently, here's an interesting (and not altogether surprising) list of the 2007's 12 Most Dangerous Destinations:

  • Somalia
  • Iraq
  • Afghanistan
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Pakistan
  • Burundi
  • Sri Lanka
  • Haiti
  • Chad
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia

Of course, you probably don't think of these places as vacation destinations, unless you're a whacked-out Robert Young Pelton. However, employees of governments, oil and mining industries, and telecom industries are increasingly being dispatched to these locations. If you work for one of those groups, be certain to ask about insurance, hazard pay -- and a bodyguard.

Interestingly, the piece argues that the world is NOT getting more dangerous right now. Rather, globalization and the attendant "shrinking" of the planet is largely responsible for making the world APPEAR more dangerous now than before. Whether or not you agree with that assertion, the article is interesting, and the gallery is frightening.

Taste of the Ivory Coast in the NYC

TreichvilleTreichville may be a neighborhood in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but it is also a restaurant in New York City, both of which I have never explored personally. However, for a sampling of the Ivory Coast and for less than half the cost one may consider swinging in for some fare. This Village Voice piece does a fine job taking us to the real Treichville by describing its bustling open-air markets, transportation terminals and nightclubs complete with French influence, yet the most African part of town. And just as quickly as the writer takes us across the Atlantic he ships us back across to the Treichville located at 339 East 118th Street, NYC where crab legs, mussels, clams, and shrimp can all be found on the menu.

From the sound of the piece it looks worth filling your tummy with a plate full. Again, I've never been, but if I were near by, without a question I'd be fueling up too.

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