A good (sustainable) life

[Johnny Vodka]

Here's a sad and messed up story about tourism Vs nature in the Med. Seems a no-brainer that the needs of tourists to have a 'perfect' beach should be void here.

Sand groomers v turtles: how wildlife is falling foul of the demand for Insta-perfect beaches

From the turtle-nesting beaches of Italy to Greek island bird havens, across the Mediterranean campaigners are fighting to protect habitats from tourists seeking a picture-perfect holiday

www.theguardian.com

 

[The Sun God]

Here's a sad and messed up story about tourism Vs nature in the Med. Seems a no-brainer that the needs of tourists to have a 'perfect' beach should be void here.

Sand groomers v turtles: how wildlife is falling foul of the demand for Insta-perfect beaches

From the turtle-nesting beaches of Italy to Greek island bird havens, across the Mediterranean campaigners are fighting to protect habitats from tourists seeking a picture-perfect holiday

www.theguardian.com

I seriously despair. There's seemingly no escape from this selfish dogshit world.

Need to see the new Attenborough on the Oceans. Clips I've seen are really poignant. He's turning 99. Amazing

 

[AntonioGeordio]

I seriously despair. There's seemingly no escape from this selfish dogshit world.

Likewise. I share your feeling.

Although I try my best to remain upbeat and rather stoic, I have some days when my faith in humanity really dwindles.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

Read stuff like this and you really start to wonder whether you should be travelling to Spain at all. Is there any way to do it where you don't become part of the problem?

Thinking of a trip to Barcelona this summer? Beware – here’s what you'll find | Stephen Burgen

From locals priced out of homes to visitors shopping at global chains, all of us are cheated in a city hollowed out by tourism, says Spain-based writer Stephen Burgen

www.theguardian.com

 

[The Sun God]

Read stuff like this and you really start to wonder whether you should be travelling to Spain at all. Is there any way to do it where you don't become part of the problem?

Thinking of a trip to Barcelona this summer? Beware – here’s what you'll find | Stephen Burgen

From locals priced out of homes to visitors shopping at global chains, all of us are cheated in a city hollowed out by tourism, says Spain-based writer Stephen Burgen

www.theguardian.com

Barcelona is slowly dying and so much beautiful marshland will be tarmac in a few years, just to accomodate the legions of gammon divs who could be anywhere. Makes my blood boil

 

[tclubber]

Need to see the new Attenborough on the Oceans. Clips I've seen are really poignant. He's turning 99. Amazing

Saw it in cinema - an amazing (and disturbing) movie. I guess being used to Ibiza and its protected marine areas where you cannot even drop an anchor, let alone trawl, one doesn't realize the sea has been trawled dead elsewhere.

Although clearly a propaganda movie with a call for action, it is very well done. I saw only one outright lie - Liberian fishermen complaining about fish disappearing due to trawling and their livelihoods ruined by that, the voice behind the screen says trawling by rich countries is new colonialism, and then a trawler with a Liberian(!) flag appears on screen, fishing in Liberian coastal waters! Sorry, but that's a homemade problem, not one created by evil rich countries. Apart from that moment, I loved the movie.

Not sure why Sir David is calling for some "international" action though - every country is free to establish natural reserves in its territorial waters, no complex international bureaucracy is needed for that.

I think everyone, even those opposed to the movie's idea, would enjoy watching it!

 

[Snowy]

Read stuff like this and you really start to wonder whether you should be travelling to Spain at all. Is there any way to do it where you don't become part of the problem?

Thinking of a trip to Barcelona this summer? Beware – here’s what you'll find | Stephen Burgen

From locals priced out of homes to visitors shopping at global chains, all of us are cheated in a city hollowed out by tourism, says Spain-based writer Stephen Burgen

www.theguardian.com

Come on, Barcelona is the dream destination for Norwegians stuck in the snow.

"I had to find him though, so I called up Vinni on the phone
He like;
"Watcha doing in the snow, bro?"
I said; "Don't know man, but where you at?"
"Barcelona! In the zone like I've finally found a home for this stona"

 

[The Sun God]

Come on, Barcelona is the dream destination for Norwegians stuck in the snow.

"I had to find him though, so I called up Vinni on the phone
He like;
"Watcha doing in the snow, bro?"
I said; "Don't know man, but where you at?"
"Barcelona! In the zone like I've finally found a home for this stona"

And the purpose of this post is...?

Saw it in cinema - an amazing (and disturbing) movie. I guess being used to Ibiza and its protected marine areas where you cannot even drop an anchor, let alone trawl, one doesn't realize the sea has been trawled dead elsewhere.

Although clearly a propaganda movie with a call for action, it is very well done. I saw only one outright lie - Liberian fishermen complaining about fish disappearing due to trawling and their livelihoods ruined by that, the voice behind the screen says trawling by rich countries is new colonialism, and then a trawler with a Liberian(!) flag appears on screen, fishing in Liberian coastal waters! Sorry, but that's a homemade problem, not one created by evil rich countries. Apart from that moment, I loved the movie.

Not sure why Sir David is calling for some "international" action though - every country is free to establish natural reserves in its territorial waters, no complex international bureaucracy is needed for that.

I think everyone, even those opposed to the movie's idea, would enjoy watching it!

Actually, Barcelona is packed with West Africans on the streets who would’ve previously fished but were driven north out of desperation. Read and learn…

‘Barcelona or death’: mothers watch and wait as Senegal’s men risk all to reach Europe

For many the perilous journey to Spain seems the only future. Can the country’s new government create enough jobs and prospects to make them stay?

www.theguardian.com

 

[tclubber]

Actually, Barcelona is packed with West Africans on the streets who would’ve previously fished but were driven north out of desperation. Read and learn…

‘Barcelona or death’: mothers watch and wait as Senegal’s men risk all to reach Europe

For many the perilous journey to Spain seems the only future. Can the country’s new government create enough jobs and prospects to make them stay?

www.theguardian.com

No doubt. Driven north by their own inability to properly self govern in Africa. If the movie "Ocean" is to be believed, even a small nature reserve well within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone will help recover the fish population and thus increase the catch. And that's where African countries (and only them) have a say.

The problem does exist, I do not deny it. Just don't blame evil rich countries for that - African countries created the problem themselves, by fishing their waters to extinction.

 

[AntonioGeordio]

Read stuff like this and you really start to wonder whether you should be travelling to Spain at all. Is there any way to do it where you don't become part of the problem?

Thinking of a trip to Barcelona this summer? Beware – here’s what you'll find | Stephen Burgen

From locals priced out of homes to visitors shopping at global chains, all of us are cheated in a city hollowed out by tourism, says Spain-based writer Stephen Burgen

www.theguardian.com

Yeah I’m in the same boat here

Not sure what we are meant to do, or what the end game is?

Imagine grafting all year. The bad weather, the time away from family, the dark nights on night shift when you don’t see daylight for ages, the long hours, the economic uncertainty of your job and families future, the risk to your health and safety etc.

Then finally making it to your holiday and sitting with the missus enjoying a meal at a little table in the sunshine and a pissed off local blasts your sandwich out of your hand with his super soaker!

Cheers Pablo I wasn’t going to eat that anyway

For what it’s worth I’ve body swerved mainland Spain for many years now and have no real intention of visiting in the future.

Ibiza always seemed different to the mainland for me. I don’t know if that a common perception or just my own.

Maybe this anti tourist terrorism will filter through to Ibiza soon.

 

[AntonioGeordio]

Barcelona is slowly dying and so much beautiful marshland will be tarmac in a few years, just to accomodate the legions of gammon divs who could be anywhere. Makes my blood boil

It seems to be a common theme across a lot of destinations around the world that are tourist magnets. I see similar complaints about Bali, Thailand etc

I suppose you are getting into bed with the devil when you pin a major part of your economy on tourism. It’s a double edged sword. Scream to attract tourists one year and then complain there are too many the next.

I even see it in my hometown Newcastle (not as glamours as Barcelona like). Every weekend hordes of stags, hens, football supporters, party animals etc descend onto the city. It’s mayhem. The central station is a throng of activity and the boozers are banging. The place gets hammered but the businesses make a fortune.

Anyway, don’t the locals see you as a gammon? Or have you fully got your feet under the table with them now?

 

[The Sun God]

After nearly 10 years, am pretty much local now. Half of my family are Spanish anyway so it’s only the Hammersmith accent that’s a giveaway

Re: anti-tourism thing, i don’t think most local people are anti-foreigner at all. It’s one of the most tolerant places on earth. The issue is with the excess and the impact on housing, transport, resources. You can only live in a glorified theme park for so long without going mad.

Worth remembering only a tiny % get rich either. Most of the bar, hotel staff are on peanuts

 

[Namaste]

... I saw only one outright lie - Liberian fishermen complaining about fish disappearing due to trawling and their livelihoods ruined by that, the voice behind the screen says trawling by rich countries is new colonialism, and then a trawler with a Liberian(!) flag appears on screen, fishing in Liberian coastal waters! Sorry, but that's a homemade problem, not one created by evil rich countries

Flying a Liberian flag does not mean, that this vessel is Liberian owned or operated. The Liberian flag is a flag of convenience, much like Panama, Malta or the Philippines, which is basically an open register for everyone.

There are a number of reasons why shipowners might prefer to register their vessel in another country. These reasons include:

• Avoiding strict regulations that may exist in a shipowner’s home country
• Getting around strict safety standards that are required by a shipowner’s home country
• Reducing operating costs
• Avoiding high tax rates
• Bypassing laws that protect ship workers’ wages and working conditions

In the matter of the Liberian Registry, this is the international ship registry of Liberia, which is operated on behalf of the Liberia Maritime Authority. The registry is managed by the US company Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, abbreviated as LISCR. LISCR is based in Dulles, Virginia. The Liberian Registry was founded in 1948. The Liberian Registry has offices worldwide. The registry was established with significant support from former Secretary of State Edward Stettinius. Today, the Liberian Registry has registered more than 4,400 ships.

 

[AntonioGeordio]

No doubt. Driven north by their own inability to properly self govern in Africa. If the movie "Ocean" is to be believed, even a small nature reserve well within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone will help recover the fish population and thus increase the catch. And that's where African countries (and only them) have a say.

The problem does exist, I do not deny it. Just don't blame evil rich countries for that - African countries created the problem themselves, by fishing their waters to extinction.

The tragedy of Africa

It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.

An interesting book that is titled ‘The Martyrdom Of Man’ and is about the philosophy of human development, covers some good ground on the development and struggles of Africa. Worth a read if you’re keen on the history of human development.

Interestingly, it was written mid 1800’s in a very humanist and secular way. Probably going well against the grain at the time.

Modern day Africa still seems hamstrung by the same old problems. Corruption, civil wars, genocide and poverty. Cities urbanising but not globalising.

 

[AntonioGeordio]

After nearly 10 years, am pretty much local now. Half of my family are Spanish anyway so it’s only the Hammersmith accent that’s a giveaway

Re: anti-tourism thing, i don’t think most local people are anti-foreigner at all. It’s one of the most tolerant places on earth. The issue is with the excess and the impact on housing, transport, resources. You can only live in a glorified theme park for so long without going mad.

Worth remembering only a tiny % get rich either. Most of the bar, hotel staff are on peanuts

Yeah the bigger picture is probably where the worst effects are seen or felt. Stretching already strained resources.

It will be an increasingly tough headache trying to find some sort of balance.

On your last point - Indeed, the hospitality industry isn’t known for its rich employees.

Can you pass off as a local when you speak Spanish? Or does your Hammersmith twang give you away

 

[AntonioGeordio]

Flying a Liberian flag does not mean, that this vessel is Liberian owned or operated. The Liberian flag is a flag of convenience, much like Panama, Malta or the Philippines, which is basically an open register for everyone.

There are a number of reasons why shipowners might prefer to register their vessel in another country. These reasons include:

• Avoiding strict regulations that may exist in a shipowner’s home country
• Getting around strict safety standards that are required by a shipowner’s home country
• Reducing operating costs
• Avoiding high tax rates
• Bypassing laws that protect ship workers’ wages and working conditions

In the matter of the Liberian Registry, this is the international ship registry of Liberia, which is operated on behalf of the Liberia Maritime Authority. The registry is managed by the US company Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, abbreviated as LISCR. LISCR is based in Dulles, Virginia. The Liberian Registry was founded in 1948. The Liberian Registry has offices worldwide. The registry was established with significant support from former Secretary of State Edward Stettinius. Today, the Liberian Registry has registered more than 4,400 ships.

This is true. I used to work on a Liberian flagged rig years ago and we all had to apply for Liberian seamen’s licences. It always raised a few eyebrows whenever I was checking in for flights.

I work on a Danish flagged vessel now, which is really handy if you don’t like paying tax. There are hardly any Danes working onboard.

 

[Snowy]

Funnily enough I'm both a migrant from Africa, and live in a town (Ålesund) that is swamped by tourists. There are around 5 000 people living in the center of town. Each day during the 6 month season, upto 12 000 cruiseship tourists swamp the streets. In addition there are 7 large hotels in the the center of town catering mainly to bus tour and/or airplane tourists. Two of these hotels are within half a minute of where I live. Another hotel, this time for Chinese tourists, is being built around the corner. The number of AirBnB flats where I live increases each year.

The authorities decided several years ago to go big on cruise ships. They prioritize the largest ships with highest number of passengers. Therefore more than 750 000 cruise ship tourists are expected this year, the highest number anywhere in Norway.

Sooner or later people like me might be forced to leave the center of town. It will then be even more desolate in winter. Most shops and restaurants will close for 6 months a year. This can be easily solved by banning short term rental of flats. Only hotel rooms should be rented on a short term basis. The tourist industry would on the whole probably agree.

Interestingly enough you only need to walk a few minutes outside the center of town to find everything free of tourists, and also quiet, traquil and slightly dull. A lot of people, myself included, don't mind the hordes of tourists.

 

[tclubber]

Funnily enough I'm both a migrant from Africa, and live in a town (Ålesund) that is swamped by tourists. There are around 5 000 people living in the center of town. Each day during the 6 month season, upto 12 000 cruiseship tourists swamp the streets.

But cruise ship tourists aren't supposed to cause increased rents - they are supposed to live on the cruise ship! From the rent POV, they must be the best tourists out there - they spend money in town but don't displace locals...

 

[AntonioGeordio]

Funnily enough I'm both a migrant from Africa, and live in a town (Ålesund) that is swamped by tourists. There are around 5 000 people living in the center of town. Each day during the 6 month season, upto 12 000 cruiseship tourists swamp the streets. In addition there are 7 large hotels in the the center of town catering mainly to bus tour and/or airplane tourists. Two of these hotels are within half a minute of where I live. Another hotel, this time for Chinese tourists, is being built around the corner. The number of AirBnB flats where I live increases each year.

The authorities decided several years ago to go big on cruise ships. They prioritize the largest ships with highest number of passengers. Therefore more than 750 000 cruise ship tourists are expected this year, the highest number anywhere in Norway.

Sooner or later people like me might be forced to leave the center of town. It will then be even more desolate in winter. Most shops and restaurants will close for 6 months a year. This can be easily solved by banning short term rental of flats. Only hotel rooms should be rented on a short term basis. The tourist industry would on the whole probably agree.

Interestingly enough you only need to walk a few minutes outside the center of town to find everything free of tourists, and also quiet, traquil and slightly dull. A lot of people, myself included, don't mind the hordes of tourists.

To be fair, I think cruising around the Fjords is a great way to see Norway. Very efficient.

I can only speak of the areas around the north of Bergen and Kirkenes, but the road networks are a bit of a challenge. Unless of course you enjoy winding around the twisty roads that hug the landscape so well. A relatively short distance, as the crow flies, can take many hours of driving.

What made you leave Africa?

 

[AntonioGeordio]

But cruise ship tourists aren't supposed to cause increased rents - they are supposed to live on the cruise ship! From the rent POV, they must be the best tourists out there - they spend money in town but don't displace locals...

A very good point.

Although I definitely sense a growing movement of restrictions against cruise ships in various places around Europe at the minute.

I suppose they are a very easy target.