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<channel>
	<title>Asia Travel News Commentary, Reviews, and Insights</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.ambrosebittner.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com</link>
	<description>-- by Ambrose Bittner</description>
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			<item>
		<title>Three Cups of Tea Tour to Northern Pakistan</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/socially-responsible-tourism/three-cups-of-tea-tour-to-northern-pakistan/282?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/socially-responsible-tourism/three-cups-of-tea-tour-to-northern-pakistan/282?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:35:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fundraisers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Socially Responsible Tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ambrose Bittner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beb C. Reynol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Central Asia Institute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fundraiser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greg Mortensen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pakistan Tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stones into Schools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Three Cups of Tea]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=282</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Please join me this September for my inaugural Red Lantern Journeys&#8217; President&#8217;s Tour. This year, I&#8217;m going to Northern Pakistan to raise money for the Central Asia Institute. This tour is a unique opportunity to visit the cultures and landscapes made famous in the book Three Cups of Tea and to raise money for the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/socially-responsible-tourism/three-cups-of-tea-tour-to-northern-pakistan/282?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Maoist Strike is Crippling Kathmandu</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/maoists-strike-is-crippling-kathmandu/271?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/maoists-strike-is-crippling-kathmandu/271?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 21:18:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business and Trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nepal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trekking and Climbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kathmandu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[maoist strike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mitrata]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=271</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m seeing a frustrating trend of political parties and other organizations to use demonstrations and organized civil unrest to unseat goverments and get their way. For the last several days the Maoists in Kathmandu have been striking and demonstrating. They&#8217;ve been forcing all shops and business owners to close and nearly all vehicles off the road.
Evidently, clearly [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/maoists-strike-is-crippling-kathmandu/271?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Flight between Hanoi and Yangon</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/new-flight-between-hanoi-and-yangon/267?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/new-flight-between-hanoi-and-yangon/267?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 20:12:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business and Trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Myanmar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vietnam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hanoi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hanoi to yangon flight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vietnam airlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[yangon]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=267</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For tourists, Myanamar has mostly been accessible only by flying through Bangkok. However, Vietnam Airlines has started a new non-stop flight between Hanoi and Yangon. It will operate four days a week using Fokker 70 aircraft on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. An Airbus A320 is expected to replace the Fokker 70 in winter 2010-2011 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/new-flight-between-hanoi-and-yangon/267?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Visas on Arrival Now Possible in Myanmar</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/visas-on-arrival-now-possible-in-myanmar/259?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/visas-on-arrival-now-possible-in-myanmar/259?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 19:49:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Myanmar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visa on arrival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=259</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In a very significant move to promote tourism, Myanmar (Burma) is now allowing visas-on-arrival at Yangon International Airport without requiring an advance application. Tourist visas granted on arrival will be valid for 28 days.
The fee for the visa on arrival will be US$30, payable in cash.  Your name will be checked against a government list of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/visas-on-arrival-now-possible-in-myanmar/259?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Podcast Interview for Home-based Travel Agents</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/business-and-trade/podcast-interview-for-home-based-travel-agents/251?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/business-and-trade/podcast-interview-for-home-based-travel-agents/251?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:04:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business and Trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barry kantz]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home based travel agent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lorene romero]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharp tongued consulting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tour operator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel agents]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=251</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was fortunate to be the featured guest last week by Barry Kantz and Lorene Romero of the Home Based Travel Agent Show for their weekly podcast. They interviewed me about the services that Red Lantern Journeys can provide to travel agents and our tours to Asia with a particular focus on Southeast Asia.
The Home [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/business-and-trade/podcast-interview-for-home-based-travel-agents/251?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bhutan Daily Rates for Tourists to Increase in 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/trekking-and-climbing/bhutan-daily-rates-for-tourists-to-increase-in-2011/249?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/trekking-and-climbing/bhutan-daily-rates-for-tourists-to-increase-in-2011/249?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:29:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bhutan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business and Trade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trekking and Climbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhutan news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhutan rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhutan Tariffs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhutan trekking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tariff]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ve received word from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) that the government is going to increase rates starting next year. They were planning to do this in 2010, but the recession caused them to delay the implementation. The new base rate will be $250 per person for groups of 3 or more. That&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/trekking-and-climbing/bhutan-daily-rates-for-tourists-to-increase-in-2011/249?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>India Backtracks on Visa Restrictions</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/243/243?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/243/243?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:54:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[India]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[India tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multiple entry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restrictions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In typical fashion, the Indian government is backtracking on their visa restrictions for multiple entries that I reported on in an earlier post.  I&#8217;ll keep you posted on when the new guidelines actually come out. Here&#8217;s the article that appeared in the Hindustan Times of 17th March 2010.
“GOVT TO EASE TOURIST VISA RESTRICTIONS
The mandatory two-month [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/243/243?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Myanmar&#8217;s Current Political Situation</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/192/192?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/192/192?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Myanmar]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=192</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a good article in the New York Times that describes the current political situation in Myanmar.
Change Comes to Myanmar, but  Only on the Junta’s Terms
By THE NEW YORK TIMES, Published: March 17, 2010
Many people have the perception that travel to Myanmar is still very restricted, but that&#8217;s not the case at all. Tourist [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/myanmar/192/192?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Low Water in the Mekong Affecting River Cruises</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/low-water-in-the-mekong-affecting-river-cruises/185?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/low-water-in-the-mekong-affecting-river-cruises/185?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cambodia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Laos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vietnam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Luang Say]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mekong River]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mekong River Cruises]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Red Lantern Journeys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Tour]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=185</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many river cruises on the Mekong River in SE Asia have suspended operations due to historically low water levels.  According to the Maekhong Cruise Services of Thailand, they have suspended the Luang Say 2-day boat cruise between Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai Province of Northern Thailand to Luang Prabang in Laos.
In addition, Mekong River Cruises, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/low-water-in-the-mekong-affecting-river-cruises/185?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>China Closes Tibet Again &#8211; Until April 10th</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/tibet/china-closes-tibet-again-until-april-10th/175?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/tibet/china-closes-tibet-again-until-april-10th/175?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:39:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tibet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tibet closure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tibet Tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tibet travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=175</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For the third year in a row, China has quit issuing permits to enter Tibet as of March 8th and supposedly until April 10th, 2010. Once again, no reason was given. Once again, the decision was made without prior notice. Once again, nameless, faceless Chinese officials have shown no regard for the businesses and individuals [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/tibet/china-closes-tibet-again-until-april-10th/175?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Thailand Protesters Have Little Affect on Tourism</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/thailand-protesters-having-little-affect-on-tourism/171?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/thailand-protesters-having-little-affect-on-tourism/171?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:02:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bangkok]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Red Shirts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=171</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our operators on the ground in Bangkok have been monitoring the current protests against the government. The number of the Red Shirt protesters seems to be lower than forecast, and they have made a concerted effort to protest peacefully&#8211;a very good sign. Organizers of the protest had predicted one million protesters would besiege the city, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/thailand-protesters-having-little-affect-on-tourism/171?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Possible Military Coup in Thailand?</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/possible-military-coup-in-thailand/159?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/possible-military-coup-in-thailand/159?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:25:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thailand]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=159</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m currently in Bangkok en route to Nepal. The newspapers here are abuzz with speculation that a military coup will be staged soon against the current government.  One paper is speculating that something might happen between February 4th and 14th:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Observers-Coup-t334953.html

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]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/thailand/possible-military-coup-in-thailand/159?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>India is Getting Tough with Visas</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/india-is-getting-tough-with-visas/154?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/india-is-getting-tough-with-visas/154?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:32:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[India]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=154</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In what seems like a knee-jerk reaction to terrorism, India has just come out with two new visa requirements that affect all travelers to India:
New Requirement #1: Additional Documentation Now Required for All Visa types
As of January 15, 2010, travelers of all nationalities who are applying for any type of Indian visa will be required [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/india/india-is-getting-tough-with-visas/154?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Chitwan Park Lodges Allowed to Reopen</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/chitwan-park-lodges-allowed-to-reopen/150?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/chitwan-park-lodges-allowed-to-reopen/150?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:21:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nepal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Socially Responsible Tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chitwan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chitwan National Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chitwan National Park Closure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Machan Lodge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tiger Tops Lodge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=150</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last month, the Cabinet of the Government of Nepal approved the re-opening of the seven jungle lodges located within Chitwan National Park. The lodges had been ordered closed by the government after their lease expired. The lodges were forced to cancel all bookings and move guests to lodges outside the Park. After five months of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/chitwan-park-lodges-allowed-to-reopen/150?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>2010 Climb for Himalaya Children</title>
		<link>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/2010-climb-for-himalaya-children/140?</link>
		<comments>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/2010-climb-for-himalaya-children/140?#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ambrose Bittner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Climb for Himalaya Children]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nepal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Socially Responsible Tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trekking and Climbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mitrata]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mt. Rainier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mt. Rainier Charity Climb]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ambrosebittner.com/?p=140</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re ready  to go with next year&#8217;&#8217;s Climb for Himalaya Children of Mt. Rainier. The climb will take place from July 15th to 17 in 2010. Please visit the Red Lantern Journeys web site for complete details about participating and how to register for the climb. As of January 1st, we have 10 people registered. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ambrosebittner.com/nepal/2010-climb-for-himalaya-children/140?/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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