By Manuel Roig-Franzia
The Washington Post
Close my eyes.
That’s what I’m going to do, I decide, as I fold into a low-slung metal chair under the colonial-era arches of the Plaza de Armas in drowsy, under-appreciated Veracruz, Mexico.
I’ve blocked my sense of sight for a moment to heighten my other senses in this sensual place. And it’s [...]

BANGKOK ~ Sitting outside his Thai kickboxing equipment shop in Bangkok, Soombut Yinglap says he has a plan for coping with the global financial downturn - eat less and hope the tourists eventually arrive.
“Now there are not many tourists. Before in the high season it would be full,” he said, gesturing to the nearly empty [...]

KUALA LUMPUR ~ An oceanarium resort planned near the world-famous Sipadan diving spot off Malaysian Borneo could spell disaster for the region’s delicate coral reefs, environmentalists say.
The plan for the huge resort, complete with an artificial reef and research facilities, has also come under attack from indigenous Bajau or “sea gypsies” who say it infringes [...]

Qantas Probe Focuses on Glitch
SYDNEY ~ Australian aviation officials said a computer glitch made a Qantas jet dive in mid-air and they were investigating if it was due to a military transmitter or passengers’ electronic devices.
The Airbus A330 from Singapore to Perth was cruising at 37,000 feet west of the Australian town of Learmonth [...]

Woman ‘Finds Frog in Spinach’
VIENNA ~ Even Popeye’s stomach would probably have churned at the grisly find made by a 32-year-old mother from Vienna who decided to cook frozen spinach for her family’s evening meal, the daily Oesterreich reported on Tuesday.
Martina R. told the newspaper she thought the spinach was a bit “lumpy” as it [...]

By Bill Brubaker
Special to The Washington Post
We knew Bali wasn’t only about dreamy beaches, late-night bars and cheesy T-shirt shops. So on our first visit here, in 1991, my wife and I left our beachfront hotel to explore a culture-rich region in the countryside, known for its galleries and artisan workshops.
“First, I’ll take you to [...]

SOUTHAMPTON ~ One of the world’s most famous cruise ships, the Queen Elizabeth 2, left its home port for the last time on Tuesday as it headed for a new life as a floating hotel in Dubai.
Thousands of spectators gathered on the shore here to send the 70,000-ton vessel on its way against a backdrop [...]