Newsgroup: it.fan.startrek
Titolo: Travel Advisory- Namibia

Namibia - Consular Information Sheet
February 13, 2001 
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Namibia is a southern African country with a 
moderately developed economy. Facilities for tourism are good and 
generally increasing in quality.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are normally required. 
Bearers of U.S. passports who plan to visit Namibia for tourism for 
less than ninety (90) days can obtain visas at the port of entry and 
do not need visas prior to entering the country. Travelers coming for 
work, whether paid or voluntary, must obtain their visas prior to 
entering Namibia. Travelers should obtain the latest information from 
the Embassy of Namibia at 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, 
D.C. 20009, telephone 
(202) 986-0540
, or from the Permanent Mission 
of Namibia to the U.N. at 135 W. 36th St., New York, NY 10016, 
telephone 
(212) 685-2003
, fax 
(212) 685-1561
. Overseas inquiries 
should be made to the nearest Namibian Embassy or Consulate.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The American Embassy in Windhoek strongly urges 
U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Kavango and Caprivi regions 
of northeast Namibia due to the uncertain security situation. U.S. 
Government-affiliated personnel have been relocated, and U.S. 
citizens in the area have been urged to depart. Fighting between the 
armed forces of Angola and the National Union for the Total 
Independence of Angola (UNITA) has spilled over into Namibia. UNITA 
has staged violent cross-border raids and planted land mines. Many 
local Namibian citizens have been injured or killed by land mines 
planted in the Kavango region bordering Angola. Foreign tourists have 
been attacked and killed by men in military uniform on the Trans-
Caprivi Highway between Rundu and Katima Mulilo. 
The American Embassy alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for the 
Angolan civil war to affect regions along the Namibia-Angola border. 
U.S. citizens should exercise caution and maintain their security 
awareness when traveling near the Namibia-Angola border.
The American Embassy also alerts U.S. citizens to the continuing 
tensions in the Caprivi region that could affect their personal 
safety. While the government of Namibia has lifted the state of 
emergency declared following the outbreak of secessionist-related 
violence on August 2, 1999, the potential remains for further 
conflict between Namibian government forces and members of the 
secessionist group. 
U.S. citizens should avoid political rallies and street 
demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. U.S. 
citizens considering travel to northern Namibia are urged to contact 
the Consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek for up-to-date 
security information.
CRIME INFORMATION: Incidents of violent crime directed against 
Americans and other visitors to Namibia are rare, but petty crime is 
on the increase, particularly in urban areas. The most common 
criminal offenses committed in the capital are non-violent crimes of 
opportunity including pickpocketing, purse-snatching, vehicle theft, 
and vehicle break-ins. Common sense measures, such as not leaving 
valuables in plain sight in parked cars, safeguarding purses, keeping 
wallets in front pockets and being alert to one's surroundings are 
the best deterrents against becoming a victim of criminal activity. 
In addition to the uncertain security situation along the Angolan 
border, banditry remains a problem in that region of Namibia.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported 
immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or 
consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's 
pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free 
journey. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of 
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, 
via the Internet at 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs
, or via the 
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at 
http://travel.state.gov
.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are relatively modern, 
especially in the capital city of Windhoek.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside 
the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide 
payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and 
hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. 
Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face 
extreme difficulties. 
Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy 
applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation and for 
adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring 
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can 
cost tens of thousands of dollars. Ascertain whether payment will be 
made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be 
reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also 
include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of 
remains in the event of death. 
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas 
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of 
Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling 
Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or 
autofax: 
(202) 647-3000
.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other 
health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-
877-FYI-TRIP 
(877-394-8747
), fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX 
(1-888-232-3299
), or 
via the CDC Internet site at 
http://www.cdc.gov
. 
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. 
citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from 
those in the United States. The information below concerning Namibia 
is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally 
accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of public transportation: Fair
Urban road conditions/maintenance: Excellent 
Rural road conditions/maintenance: Fair
Availability of roadside assistance: Fair
One drives on the left hand side of the road in Namibia. Many of 
Namibia's rural roads are gravel. Although these roads are generally 
well-maintained and graded, controlling a vehicle on gravel is 
significantly more difficult than on pavement. Drivers should not 
drive in excess of 80km per hour (45 mph) on gravel roads, should 
reduce speed significantly for curves or turns, and should heed all 
warning signs. Speeding on gravel roads can easily lead to a roll-
over or spin-out, even though the roads may appear safe for driving 
at high speeds. 
Turning on a red traffic light is not permitted in Namibia. Seat 
belts are required for all vehicle occupants. Motorcyclists are 
required by law to wear protective helmets. While child car seats are 
not required, they are recommended. To prevent carjacking and theft 
it is advisable to keep car doors locked and windows up.
A valid U.S. driver's license is required for short-term visitors. 
Visitors intending to stay in Namibia for more than a few weeks 
should approach the American Automobile Association or the American 
Automobile Touring Alliance before their departure from the United 
States, in order to be issued an international driving permit. 
International driving permits cannot be issued to Americans once they 
arrive in Namibia.
Roads in Namibia are generally well maintained; however, few have 
shoulders or breakdown lanes. Wildlife wandering on roads poses a 
special driving hazard in Namibia, especially at night. An encounter 
at high speeds with antelope or cattle can be fatal. Many accidents 
on gravel roads occur when tourists exceed safe speeds on corners or 
in areas recently damaged by rains. Hitting a sand patch or taking a 
curve too fast can easily result in a roll-over or spin-out. The salt 
surfaced roads at the coast can also be deceptively dangerous, 
especially when they have been made slick by morning or evening mist. 
Most major roads are undivided with one lane in each direction. 
Drivers should remain alert for passing vehicles and exercise caution 
when passing slow moving vehicles. Drivers should always maintain a 
safe following distance. Accidents involving drunk drivers are an 
increasing problem on major roads where there are high speed limits. 
Driving under the influence is illegal in Namibia. A charge of 
culpable homicide can be made against a driver involved in an 
accident resulting in death.
Roadside assistance and emergency medical services outside of 
Windhoek may be unreliable or non-existent. Cell phone coverage is 
limited outside of major towns. Assistance on main roads, however, is 
generally good due to the wide use of cell phones and the willingness 
of passing motorists to help. Public transportation is not widely 
available outside of the capital. Public transportation within the 
capital is limited to taxis and municipal buses, though schedules and 
routes are limited. Vehicle rentals or radio taxis are generally the 
best means of transport, but may be relatively expensive.
Flashing of high beams and similar signals could mean anything from a 
friendly greeting to a warning. When encountering a motorcade, 
motorists are encouraged to make way immediately and follow promptly 
any instructions given by the officials present.
Emergency services contact numbers vary from town to town. The 
Namibian telephone directory has a list of emergency contact numbers 
at the beginning of each town listing. It is recommended that 
Americans maintain a list of contact numbers for the area in which 
they plan to drive. Telephone numbers may change, and 24-hour 
availability of these numbers is not guaranteed.
Because of the possibility of intoxicated and/or reckless drivers, 
the poor mechanical condition of some motor vehicles, and the high 
incidence of single-vehicle roll-over accidents, Americans are urged 
to avoid hitchhiking in Namibia.
For specific information concerning Namibian driver's permits, 
vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the 
Embassy of Namibia. For more information on driving in Namibia please 
see the U.S. Embassy Windhoek website at 
http://www.usembassy.namib.com
, or visit the Department of State, 
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at 
http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html
. 
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air 
service at present, or economic authority to operate such service 
between the U.S. and Namibia, the U.S. Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) has not assessed Namibia's Civil Aviation 
Authority for compliance with international aviation safety 
standards.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of 
Transportation within the U.S. at 
1-800-322-7873
, or visit the FAA's 
Internet website at 
http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa
. The U.S. Department 
of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for 
suitability as official providers of air services. For information 
regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact 
the DOD at 
1-618-229-4801
.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is 
subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes 
differ significantly from those in the United States and may not 
afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. 
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United 
States for similar offenses. Persons violating Namibia's laws, even 
unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for 
possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Namibia are 
strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy 
fines.
Americans should avoid purchasing diamonds and other protected 
resources outside of licensed retail establishments. The sentence for 
illegal dealing in diamonds in Namibia is stiff -- up to U.S. $20,000 
in fines or five years in prison -- and the courts generally impose 
the maximum sentence. The purchase and exportation of other protected 
resources, such as elephant ivory, may also be prohibited by 
Namibian, international, and/or U.S. law.
DANGERS POSED BY WILD ANIMALS: Travelers are advised that even in the 
most serene settings, the animals are wild and can pose a threat to 
life and safety. Travelers are cautioned to observe all local or park 
regulations and heed all instructions given by tour guides. In 
addition, tourists are advised that potentially dangerous areas 
sometimes lack fences and warning signs. Appropriate caution should 
be used in all unfamiliar surroundings.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of 
children and international parental child abduction, please refer to 
our Internet site at 
http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
 
or telephone 
(202) 736-7000
.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in or visiting 
Namibia are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the 
U.S. Embassy in Windhoek and obtain updated information on travel and 
security within Namibia. The U.S. Embassy is located at 14 Lossen 
Street, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek, telephone (264-61) 22-1061, fax 
(264-61) 22-9792. The mailing address is Private Bag 12029, Windhoek, 
Namibia. 
**********
This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 11, 2000, 
to update the section on Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, to add 
the paragraph on Dangers Posed by Wild Animals and to correct the 
FAA's Internet website address (Aviation Safety Oversight).

Wildwood anyone?(except Jeff cause its in NJ)
J

PLONK!
--
His whole delight used to consist in watching a woman swim, but now he casts
her into a pond and fishes her out half-drowned, then hangs her by the feet
to encourage the water to drain out of her. Once she has returned to her
senses, into the pond she goes again, and so on and so forth, till she gives
up the ghost.
Once he was wont to mistreat nipples, but has progressed since then and now
buckles a sort of small iron pot over each breast and lowers her over a
stove; the iron heats, and she is allowed to perish thus in frighful pain.
--Marquis de Sade

J
Statistics & Facts 
The population of Wildwood is approximately 4,484. 
The amount of land area in Wildwood is 3.351 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.244 sq kilometers.
The distance from Wildwood to Washington DC is 124 miles. The
distance to the New Jersey state capital is 85 miles. (as the crow
flies) Wildwood is positioned 38.98 degrees north of the equator
and 74.82 degrees west of the prime meridian. 
Government And Information 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildwood City Hall
4400 New Jersey Ave
Wildwood, NJ 08260-1729
Phone: 
609-522-2444
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildwood Municipal Court
4400 New Jersey Ave
Wildwood, NJ 08260-1729
Phone: 
609-522-4924
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildwood Police Dept
4400 New Jersey Ave
Wildwood, NJ 08260-1729
Phone: 
609-522-0222
 

The Travel Friend wrote:
FEEL THE KNOWLEDGE!!

FEEL THE KNOWLEDGE!!
LOOKING FOR A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL FAMILY VACATION? STEP THIS WAY 
Children bring a fresh perspective to hiking. On our family's first 
trip to southern Colorado, our kids noticed fossil formations and 
bugs that I would have walked right by. They looked under rocks, 
climbed trees, and splashed in streams. For years, I just walked up 
mountains, but they wanted to know where mountains come from. And all 
those 20th-century diversions—play dates, sports practices, 
television, the computer, CD ROM's—that I thought my kids couldn't 
live without? They were never missed. 
Many folks swear by hiking as the ultimate family experience. It's 
cheap, and the family spends real time in one another's company 
because everyday distractions have been left behind. And it's 
incredibly accessible. The United States has 366 national parks and 
wilderness areas—at least one in every state except Delaware—as well 
as numerous state parks. These areas offer a diverse selection of 
landscapes and animal and plant life. Your kids will not only have a 
great time, they'll also learn a lot. 
Here are six great choices to get you started. 
ADIRONDACK STATE PARK 
This New York State park is bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and 
Glacier national parks combined. Its 6.1-million acres of public and 
private land offer a wilderness area that's easily reached by the 
millions of people living on the eastern seaboard. 
To become acquainted with the Adirondacks, begin at the John Brooks 
Lodge, a 3 1/2-mile hike from the Garden Parking Lot, in Keene Valley 
(near Lake Placid), which is one of the park's entrances. You can 
stay at the lodge, and from there you'll have access to enough trails 
to keep you hiking for a fortnight. You can also bunk in lean-tos, or 
pitch a tent at a trailside campsite. 
Several of the park's highest peaks, including the 5,344-foot Mount 
Marcy, are within a day's round-trip hike from the lodge. A hike up 
Mount Marcy can start you and your kids on the road to membership in 
the Forty-Sixers Club. The club comprises 2,000 or so people who have 
climbed the 46 Adirondack peaks that are higher than 4,000 feet. 
Marcy has been conquered by countless children. The views from its 
summit are guaranteed to impress even the most reluctant climber, 
especially in early fall, when much of the park is ablaze with 
yellow, red, and orange foliage. 
The Adirondack Mountain Club is a good source of information about 
the park. Call 
518-668-4447
. 
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK 
Grand Canyon National Park: "Now there's an offbeat destination," you 
may be thinking. But if you believe the park, located in north 
central Arizona, holds few surprises, you're wrong. Yes, tourists 
flock to the canyon, especially from April to October, but many of 
them stand on the canyon's rim and look down at the bottom rather 
than hike there. And no wonder. The canyon's south rim is 7,000 feet 
above sea level, while the north rim is another 1,000 feet higher. 
Riding a donkey isn't the only way to explore the canyon, although 
hiking there does require some degree of fitness. This is not the 
place for kids under five, but if you avoid the searing summer 
months, there are some terrific day-hikes for active families. 
Check out the well-maintained Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. 
Each offers scenery unlike anything you'll find elsewhere on the 
planet. On springtime hikes, you'll be surprised by a spectacular 
array of blooming flowers and lush vegetation growing on the banks of 
clear creeks and by the sides of pools. 
Both of these trails will take you to the canyon floor and back up. 
Bright Angel is 10 miles long and has water for drinking along the 
way. South Kaibab is three miles shorter, but it has no water. 
Whichever trail you decide to take, you can split the trip by booking 
a room—way ahead of time—at the Phantom Ranch 
(303-297-2757
), which 
is on the canyon floor. As for camping below the rim, a limited 
number of backcountry permits are issued. The same goes for 
campsites, so plan ahead. 
Another choice: Try the Grand Canyon Field Institute. It offers 
organized overnight trips below the rim and lets hikers who may not 
have the skills required for the terrain take part in a supervised 
wilderness experience. Call the institute at 
520-638-2485
. 
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK 
This Michigan park is actually an island in the northwestern corner 
of Lake Superior, 15 miles from the Canadian mainland. Forty-five 
miles long and nine miles wide, it is accessible by pontoon plane or 
by boat—the trip by water can take more than six hours, depending on 
one's starting point and the tides. There are no roads on the densely 
wooded island, and its 165 miles of hiking trails make it a hiker's 
nirvana. The Greenstone Ridge Trail, the island's end-to-end 
thoroughfare, climbs over 1,394-foot Mount Desor and is an easy trek 
for kids. 
Permits are required for the island's 36 campsites. Families looking 
for a few more creature comforts may stay at the Rock Harbor Lodge 
(906-337-4993
). If you want to explore the island's myriad beaches, 
the lodge rents canoes, as well as boats with motors. 
More than 30 lakes dot the interior of Isle Royale. You can fish for 
pike, perch, walleye, and trout. (A Michigan fishing license is 
required for Lake Superior but not for the island's inland waters.) 
Look for beaver, red fox, snowshoe hare, and some of the park's more 
than 200 species of birds. There's an excellent chance that you'll 
spot a moose or a timberwolf as well. Neither species was on the 
island at the turn of the century. The moose, excellent swimmers that 
they are, probably paddled to the island in the early 1900's. The 
wolves are believed to have walked across the frozen lake during the 
bitterly cold winter of 1948. 
Isle Royale gets crowded in late July and August. Try to visit in 
late spring or early fall. For information, call 
906-482-0984
. 
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK 
In 1915, the 10,457-foot Mount Lassen blew its top, sending an ash 
cloud seven miles into the northeastern California sky. Mount Lassen 
is now considered dormant, but the mountain's internal workings are 
still very much awake. These intense geothermal rumblings are the 
park's main attractions. 
A good place to start is Bumpass Hell. The 1.5-mile walk through 
acres of bubbling mud pots can even be handled by a preschooler. The 
spot was named after K.V. Bumpass, a local guide who had to have his 
leg amputated after he accidentally stepped through the thin crust 
that covered a scalding mud pot. This gruesome tale, plus the 
intriguing smell of sulfur fumes coming from the pots, lends the area 
a scary appeal that kids love. 
Bumpass Hell features boiling springs and fumaroles (vents from which 
hot vapors escape), as well as the notorious mud pots. Without 
realizing it, kids become enthralled with the science of volcanoes. 
Most visitors to Lassen visit this popular spot and drive on. But 
since you'll be wandering through the southern end of the Cascades, 
you'll also find 150 miles of backcountry trails. Look for 
crystalline lakes and streams and meadows brimming with wildflowers. 
Park rangers hand out free backcountry permits if you want to camp 
out in one of the park's six sites. You'll find that the view from 
Mount Lassen is worth the five-hour or so round-trip journey to the 
summit, but there are other hikes with excellent camping, lakes 
galore, and gentle 1,000-foot climbs past lava plains and cinder 
cones. For information, call 
916-595-4444
. 
MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK 
Kentucky's Mammoth Cave system is thought to be more than 500 miles 
long, though to date only 350 miles have been mapped. Apart from its 
length, the cave is known for the diversity of its underground fauna, 
which includes 12 species of sightless fish. 
A number of ranger-led trips through the caves are offered daily, but 
older kids rave about the three-hour "Introduction to Caving" tour. 
Participants should expect to shimmy, scramble, and amble along 
passageways packed with stalactites, stalagmites, and gypsum and 
flowstone formations. If they are needed, the park provides helmets 
and headlamps, but amateur spelunkers (cave explorers) need to bring 
their own knee pads and gloves. 
Given the park's underground attractions, it's hardly surprising that 
visitors tend to ignore its 53,830-acre virgin forest and 70 miles of 
little-used hiking trails. The trails are dotted with small 
waterfalls and caves just waiting to be explored. Free backcountry 
permits are required for the park's three designated campsites. For 
information, call 
502-758-2328
. 
BUFFALO RIVER NATIONAL PARK 
The Buffalo River winds for 150 miles through the Ozark Mountains of 
northwest Arkansas. It is one of the few national rivers preserved in 
its natural state along its entire length. The Buffalo features what 
is reputed to be the nation's loveliest canoe run. But the 36.8-mile 
Buffalo River National Trail offers an equally compelling way to 
explore the Ozarks. Located mostly in the Ponca Wilderness Area, the 
trail alternately hugs the river and its tributaries and climbs 
bluffs that provide dazzling overlooks. 
All told, the park offers 135 miles of trails. One can't-miss hike 
for families is the Hemmed-In Hollow Trail, a two-day, 11-mile round-
trip trek to a 175-foot waterfall that spills straight into a narrow 
canyon. Kids can play behind the falls and splash around in the pool 
below. 
Curiously enough, the area was never inhabited by buffalo. But if 
you're looking for interesting animal life, keep an eye peeled for 
armadillos, roadrunners, scorpions, mink, beaver, and elk. Be on the 
lookout, too, for some of the more than 1,500 species of plants that 
can be found within the park. For information, call 
501-741-5443
. 
Lisa Twyman Bessone, a contributing editor at "Outside" magazine, 
lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and hikes often with her husband and 
two children. 
BEFORE YOU HIT THE TRAIL 
Get psyched. Talk up your trip for weeks beforehand. Kids love 
receiving mail, so call the park office and have brochures mailed to 
them. 
Buy wisely. Splurge on trip-savers, such as good boots (break them in 
before you go) and reliable kid-sized day packs. Spend less on water 
bottles or new hats. Smart outfitters now rent gear, and you may find 
good deals on tents and sleeping bags. Or borrow stuff from outdoorsy 
friends until your family is ready to invest. 
Take diversions. The card game Uno works well, as does dominoes. Keep 
a journal with a pen and markers so that your children can draw 
pictures of what they see. Take postcards, and write to friends. 
Disposable cameras are fun, too. 
Set reasonable goals. When planning each day's mileage, figure out 
what your child can handle, then reduce it by a third. 
When all else fails, sing! You'll be in the wilds; no one will hear. 
Tell stories, point out insects and fossils and, best of all, animal 
droppings. Kids love potty talk, especially in the guise of science. 
LOST-AND-FOUND DEPARTMENT 
Hug-A-Tree 
(619-286-7536
) is a national program that teaches kids 
what to do if they get lost in the wilderness. Here are some of its 
suggestions: 
First, tell children to "hug" a tree. A stationary kid is easier to 
find than one who's moving around. Notify park authorities 
immediately if you think your child is lost. Don't waste time by 
searching on your own. 
Equip children with a small pack containing a fleece jacket, high-
carbohydrate snacks, such as pretzels or trail mix, a whistle, and a 
garbage bag with a hole cut out for the head, to use as a poncho. 
Bright clothes make kids easier to spot. 
Teach children how to find a clearing and make a huge S.O.S. sign 
that can be spotted by a search plane. 
Before heading into the woods, have your kid make a boot impression 
on a piece of aluminum foil so that rescuers can track the correct 
trail. 
Prepare your kids for what happens during a rescue. If the child is 
very young, explain that, yes, adults will be yelling his name very 
loudly. But assure him that the adults aren't angry, they just want 
to help, and that it's okay to talk to a stranger if you're lost. 

 LOOKING FOR A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL FAMILY VACATION? STEP THIS WAY
ME SO HORNY!