A (small) Silver Lining in a Turbulent Economy
After years of slumping in value against the world’s major currencies, the U.S. dollar is making a comeback in today’s stormy economic environment as investors around the world seek dollars as a safe haven. The British pound, Euro, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso have all dropped significantly in value since global economies began to contract precipitously in September.
The slumping economy has prompted individuals and businesses alike to slash spending plans on travel, persuading airlines, hotels, and restaurants to offer significant discounts and special holiday packages. The bargains are just beginning to appear as the U.S. and other major economies fall into recession and potential travelers can expect to see increasing number of promotions. Holiday periods are expected to remain tight for most bookings but as the financial crisis spreads, travelers will see steeper discounts and more aggressive promotions beginning in January. Airlines have largely kept fall and winter international fares high but that is likely to change after the holidays.
St. Helena Island (continued):
St. Helena is governed by the UK as an Overseas Territory with a local population of 4,000 friendly inhabitants known as “Saints” who take great pride in welcoming visitors to their island. Jamestown, the island’s largest town, looks like a provincial English village with many untouched historic buildings dating from Georgian times. St. Helena is perhaps most famous as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was sent into exile after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Longwood House, his home on St. Helena, is now a museum, owned and operated by the French government.
In addition to numerous historic sites, this tiny 122 sq. km (47 square miles) island has an amazing number of different landscapes and microclimates, ranging from stark, thousand foot cliffs to lush green valleys filled with fat, contented cattle. There is much to do on the island, including walking and hiking, sports fishing, swimming, golf, and visiting the island’s Napoleonic sites. The island’s unique and endangered flora and fauna is a great attraction, and much progress has been made towards restoring endangered forests to their natural state.
The island’s tourist infrastructure is very small, but adequate for the small number of tourists currently visiting the island (fewer than 1,000 annually). Accommodation consists of three small hotels, several guest houses, and self-catering flats and cottages. The Consulate Hotel is the island’s largest, with just18 rooms. There are fewer than ten restaurants or eating places on St. Helena and booking advance reservations for dinner is essential for most. Transportation options on the island include taxis, a local bus system, rental cars, and a charming 1929 Chevrolet open-top charabanc available for guided tours.
Whatever St. Helena lacks in modern conveniences and five-star hotels, it more than makes up for with its warm and friendly people, spectacular scenery, historic sites, and perhaps the cachet of visiting such an unusual and rewarding out of the way destination.
The Saints are warm and welcoming group, representing a very diverse ethnic and racial blend of settlers that came to the island from all over the world. St. Helena still has the charm and character of a remote British colonial outpost from long ago. Island life resembles that of an English village that time forgot, with virtually no crime, and where everyone knows everyone else. With few natural resources, the island is dependent on British government aid to maintain its standard of living. The airport is the key to long-range plans to reverse years of economic decline, halt outward migration, and provide local jobs for the “Saints”.
Improved access to the outside world brings both benefits and drawbacks. Once the airport opens, life on St. Helena will change forever. The Royal Mail Ship will be retired and with it, a passenger ship service reminiscent of old British liners to faraway destinations from long ago. The island’s infrastructure will have to grow to accommodate a large number of airport visitors and the St. Helena’s isolated charms will become a bit less isolated. (But still charming!) A visit to St. Helena before the airport is built is well worth the effort to experience this undiscovered jewel and to take a voyage on the last working Royal Mail Ship which is an adventure to be enjoyed by itself.
Resources:
RMS St. Helena
St Helena Government Website
Udaipur (continued):
Despite the international attention and accompanying growing pains as a “Venice of India”, Udaipur is still a great place to visit. The imposing City Palace has a commanding view of Lake Pichola and the city below. 
Udaipur is the former capital of the princely state of Mewar and the current Maharana (a variation of the title maharajah) is the 76th in an unbroken line of rulers dating from AD 566. The City Palace complex is part of a series of a dozen palaces around Udaipur built by the Maharana’s ancestors. Part of the City Palace is a museum that offers guided tours.
Floating on the lake across from the City Palace is the Lake Palace Hotel. Originally built on a 4 acre island in 1746 for the Maharana’s mistresses, today it is home to the luxury Taj Palace Hotel. Udaipur is home to a growing number of very high end hotels, including the Oberoi Udaivilas on the banks of Lake Pichola. With architecture that emulates classic Rajasthani designs, this palatial modern hotel is a super high-end luxury resort.
Udaipur has many other and less gilded accommodation options, including the Udai Kothi hotel, which features charming rooms, a rooftop pool and restaurant that offers spectacular views of Lake Pichola and the City Palace.
Resources:
Incredible India
Udaipur Tourism
Rajasthan Tourism
Udai Kothi Hotel
Photos
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