Since everyone in the United States will be bankrupt by next week, and since it costs as much as a your house to treat a cold these days, Pyrodes would like to usher you into the brave new world of medical tourism in our Beyond Borders series. No matter what you ailment may be, there is doctor somewhere in the world who will do it for cheaper than Dr. Charge-Alot down the road. The general assumption has always been that flying to Mexico for medical treatment is like lighting a match to cool off, but as US News and World Report suggests in their most excellent report, you may not only get a better price these days by outsourcing your health, but better service as well. From India to Brazil to South Africa, the world is now your hospital. Enjoy, and Healthy Travels! (US News)
Feeling Romantic? Tired of the same old Caribbean resorts and mountain cabins? Well, Pyrodes is proud to point you to a place where your love can explode in ways never thought possible: Baghdad. Yes, Baghdad. The Iraqi Tourism Board, which apparently exists, has a grand scheme to set up a private island in the middle of the city for couples to do their coupling in heart of the most romantic war zone this side of the Tigris River. And, the island will be called… Wedding Island. It will feature golf courses, villas, and, in case you do get swept into the war, handicap accessible amenities. Wow, this officially wins the Pyrodes Great Idea of the Year Award. (LA Times).
Make Sure to Look for Our Iraqi Antiques at the Pyrodes Store.
Pyrodes would like to introduce you to St. Maarten Airport, a stretch of runway that hugs the beach and the beach goers so closely that this could be you vacation picture. St. Maarteen is just one in a long line of airports that were found fit to be built amidst mountains, skyscrapers, and a host of other obstacles that make getting to your destination just that much more exciting. This airport is a thing to behold, but Pyrodes has listed some of our other favorites with video after the jump, so please enjoy…
Pyrodes has already told you how to sneak into North Korea (look here). So, it seems fitting to continue our series on lovable misfit nations with a short guide on how you can travel to Cuba, that beach resort of the future that sits just 90 miles south of Miami. Now, for our non-US readers, you can just hop a plane to Cuba and have a good old time in the fun and sun, so this post is not for you. Skip ahead, or have a coke and a cupcake. For the rest, we have to tangle with the fun that is the Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the US Treasury, which enforces the fine points of an embargo older than time itself. But, thankfully, there are ways around, and thousands of Americans find them each year. Let’s explore our favorites, from religious excursions to rafts after the jump….
We are all after the secret to immortality, or at least longevity. There are a vast array of wild goose chases to fountains of youth, elusive elixirs, and covert spells to tempt you. Well, Pyrodes knows there are no such easy fixes in this world, except, of course, the ones we advocate here. And so, let us introduce you to an easy fix by the name of Taishan, or Mount Tai for the less Chinese inclined among us. Taishan is the holiest of holy Taoist mountains (so holy, a panda bear in DC’s zoo sports its name), nestled in the middle of China’s Shandong Province, just a short overnight train ride from Beijing or Shanghai. We promise you, as has been the lore for centuries, that if you walk to the top of this very mountainous mountain, you will live at least 100 years. Pyrodes set out to do it, so let’s read the fine print on this offer after the jump…
Pyrodes has already taken you to the northernmost link of the Pan American Highway (look here). Yet, in our quest to trace the highway down to Antarctica, we have run into a problem in the form of the Darien Gap, the Pan-American Highway’s only missing link. The Darien Gap is a 100 mile stretch of land between Panama and Colombia, featuring mountains, jungles, marshlands, and multiple local indian tribes and rebel militants. For many, if not most, this highly inconsiderate gap of road ends all dreams of driving the full Pan American Highway from polar bears to penguins. But, where there’s Pyrodes, there’s a way. Let’s find it after the jump…
Micronations are hilarious. Now, before Pyrodes gets an influx of angry letters from our ever-growing San Marino or Vatican City fan base, let’s clarify that a micronation is not a microstate. To confuse you a bit at the start, a microstate is a small nation, while a micronation is just a hilarious grouping of individuals with too much time on their hands. So, with that cleared up, let us all, Russians and the Vatican clergy alike, join hands and look down on Pyrodes’ 5 favorite micronations.
Number 5: The Bjorn Socialist Republic: Officially the smallest state in the world, the self proclaimed Marxist republic in located in the south of Sweden. The state itself describes its location as next to the “rock that looks like a tractor.” This 6 meters of land rocks its own laws, president, and national hym, which you can listen to here. Bjorn is recognized by no one, except Ladonia and, now, Pyrodes.
Number 4: The Dominion of British West Florida, located along the panhandle of Florida, Southern Alabama and Mississippi (aka: the “redneck riviera”), claims to still be a part of the old British Commonwealth. And, these people are for real. There is a whole structure of barons and ladies, defined boundaries of each barony (check this guy out) and Christmas e-cards for the queen. You too can be a citizen of the Commonwealth for only $10, sent through the USPS (irony, anyone?).
For our top three,which are not to be missed, follow us past the jump.
Travel to Siberia, Russia from Anchorage, Alaska is the cry of an increasing amount of airlines these days. It is no secret: Alaska is all the rave these days. Sarah Palin is on her way in, and polar bears are on their way out. Oil is flowing and Ted Stevens is tax-evading. So, Pyrodes thinks it’s high time to get on board this dog sled parade. Whether you want to go to Alaska or get the hell out, this is the perfect post for you. Welcome to one of Alaska’s most overlooked delights: Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport. Now, the delight doesn’t lay in the terminal furniture (consisting mostly of dead animals on walls) or the Auntie Annie’s Pretzels. No, it’s in the one of a kind Departing Flights Board. What one sees when they look up is that Anchorage is fast becoming an international hub for cheap jaunts to Eastern Russia’s hidden jewels. Let’s explore some of them after the jump…
Transnistria travel guides are hard things to come by on the web because many, even those in Europe, don’t know what or where this place is located. It’s understandable. Moldova is not the most popular of Eastern European destinations these days. While in Hong Kong, Pyrodes took note of their United Buddy Bear (oh man, that’s a whole other post for another day), and well, this photo of the bear’s belly about sums it up. But, don’t despair, there is fun to be had here, mainly in the form of finagling your way into a breakaway region called Transnistria, or the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for short. The US State Department advises you not to go, and Pyrodes was recently informed by the embassy that you would be “on your own” if you ventured into the area. But, hey, what do they know? As usual, Pyrodes is on the ground and quite curious. So, let’s get our Soviet jail cell faces on after the jump…
Ever since researchers took notice of a new uncontacted tribe in the Brazilian rainforest, Pyrodes has been fascinated by the subject, and so, we would like to introduce you to the Andaman Islands, just off the coast of India. Now, the Andaman Islands in general are great for snorkeling, fishing, and general tropical island travel. Take your grandmother, and have fun. Check out the wikitavel site for some general information. Pyrodes is more specifically interested in North Sentinel Island, the location of one of the only remaining tribes on earth that refuse contact from the outside world and puts anyone who happens by in a world of hurt. So, let’s go there. Videos and Info after the jump…
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