Yummy Wakame Weblog

Ryk Neetling interviewed (with photos)
Thanks Eon

Virgin Galactic will be the world's first 'spaceline' and will provide the world's first affordable space tourist flights in 2 to 3 years time.

recyclenow.com
Enter your UK postcode for info on recycling banks and collections in your area. Its so easy!

To be or not to be: the question for world’s elephant populations
Bangkok, Thailand

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) announced today that African elephant range states are meeting during the next three days in Bangkok to debate competing proposals over ivory trade. One proposal calls for a 20 year moratorium, the other would lift the 14 year ban on ivory trade.

IFAW believes that since both Asian and African elephants remain endangered the ivory trade should remain banned. “Poachers continue to kill elephants illegally and elephant populations are on the decline worldwide despite the current ban on ivory trade.” According to Grace Gabriel, Deputy Director of Wildlife Habitat Protection at IFAW, “If poaching trends increase due to reopening ivory trade, in less than 18 months elephants will cease to exist in Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to name just one site critically endangered by the risks posed by resumption of ivory trade.”

THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDNT KNOW ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA!

1. THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF LIFE ON EARTH: In eastern South Africa, scientists have found traces of blue-green algae dating back 3 500 million years. This is some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth.

2. IF ALIENS LANDED, THEY WOULD BE THE PROPERTY OF THE STATE: According to the National Heritage Resources Act, all meteorites are considered protected property of the nation and there are rules regarding what can be done with them. Interestingly, because a meteorite is defined as “any naturally-occurring object of extraterrestrial origin”, this means that if an alien landed in SA, he/she/it would become the property of the state. Should an alien arrive and find that SA did not suit its disposition, it would not need a passport to leave, but it would have to acquire an export permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).

3. SA HAS THE WORLD’S OLDEST REMAINS: The oldest remains of modern humans were found in the Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100 000 years old.

4. SOUTH AFRICA HAS OVER 2000 SHIPWRECKS: There are more than 2 000 shipwrecks, dating back at least 500 years, off the SA coast and more than one, including the Waratah, simply vanished without a trace.

5. ARTISTS IN A TRANCE - TRANCE WAS HERE OVER 25 000 YEARS AGO: Trance is nothing new to South Africa. In fact, Bushman cave paintings in the Drakensberg are thought to be the work of Shamans operating in a ‘trance’ state. Some of these are up to 25 000 years old.

6. ‘WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST’ COMES FROM SA: The practice of ‘women and children first’ originated off the coast of Hermanus when the British ship, the Birkenhead, sank in 1852. Of the approximately 600 people on board, all 200 women and children survived. Unfortunately, almost 400 men went down with the ship.

7. KAROO BOASTS THE BEST DINASOUR FOSSILS: The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.

SOURCE: South African Heritage Resource Agency

Well we're back from France and it was brilliant! I'll be posting gorgeous photos soon, but my lappy is in for repairs and I wont get it back till the end of the week. This means I have almost no online access till then which is driving me balmy.

Many many thanks to Miko and Bsti for looking after my little site!! Ive got a few more posts in drafts for the next few days. I owe you guys big time! xxx

ScarySquirrel.org
its a crazy hillbilly skwerl world

Thanks Ken

Rustboy is so cute!

Definition of: Culture of South Africa
"There is no single Culture of South Africa. As South Africa is so ethnically diverse, it is not surprising that there are vast cultural differences as well."
(WordIQ Dictionary & Encyclopedia)

Its quite weird to see it all on one page like that...
WordIQ is really nifty and well written.

JapanGuide.com
Planning on visiting Japan soon? Be sure to read this essential guide before you unwittingly offend many!

Cait found this superb guide, probably the best insight and guide to Japan of any format, which covers everything from Living in Japan to how to bath to superstitions. Make sure you at learn least proper table manners!

This fantastic link was originally found by Cait.