Yes, there are four cylinders inside.

Where's my bag? Where's my bag? Wheeerrreeeesss mmmmyyyyy baaaagggggg. Credit: Photo: Augapfel on Flickr (creative commons)

What Chinese boy doesn't love a giant goat? And what goat wouldn't love a Chinese boy? Credit: Photo: Augapfel on Flickr (creative commons)

Especially helpful after the beef and basil. Credit: sproing on Flickr (creative commons)

What? No waiting? Please, can I have a seat near the window, no, on second thought, maybe one toward the back might work? Credit: xiaming on Flickr (creative commons)

It's the rice that makes it sticky enough to "paste onto your tummy area." Credit: jj look on Flickr (creative commons)

Even Japan has a North Florida. Credit: jgalvan on Flickr(creative commons)

It's so obvious, and yet, so true. Credit: jgalvan on Flickr (creative commons)

Learn English and knot tying -- the two skills you need to get a European man. Credit: Augapfel on Flickr(creative commons)

Where else did you think you were? Credit: jgalvan on Flickr (creative commons)

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That appears to be the motto for some tour guides in Hong Kong, according to the China’s National Tourism Adminstration.

An undated video of Chinese tourists being forced to buy things in Hong Kong shops has ignited outrage on the mainland, according to media reports. Now the NTA in China has issued a very stern letter of disapproval to Hong Kong, warning it to stop such bad behavior or, or, or it might issue another letter.

Actually, the NTA issued a travel advisory after hearing of the video and following up on the rumor that a 65 year old Chinese man died of a heart attack in Hong Kong after being forced to shop, according to Xinhu News.

Shopping could be the price some tourists pay for such good deals to Hong Kong, Xinhu points out. The trips are subsidized by the travel agency, which then collects a percentage of sales dollars from shops that it takes the tourists to. It’s an ancient scam first done by Egyptians when Phoenician tourists would sale in to Alexandria for papyrus.

Since then, it’s been modernized.

We’re unsure if some Chinese tourists are asking: How much for that freedom in the window? Which, since Hong Kong now belongs to China again, has gotten quite expensive.

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Travel, that’s what.

Anna Kramer, a Masters student at the University of Washington, was awarded the Bonderman Travel Fellowship. What does this mean for Anna? Well, she was awarded $20K to travel alone to at least six different countries in two regions of the world over a minimum of eight months. A few requirements, but hey, they’re giving her money and momentum to get going.

While traveling, fellowship recipients can work or loaf, they just need to immerse themselves in the local culture. Apparently, most tend to work and use resources available for inexpensive travel as the airline budget eats a lot of the $20k. But really, being away in a foreign land and working your way through it only enlightens your experience.

Anna is focusing her travels along the Pacific Ocean, with stops along various Asian islands, New Zealand and then up the Central American coast. Kind of a ’round the Pacific tour. Her only hesitation is traveling alone, but a young woman as resourceful as Anna should be fine. Now, we just need her to submit stories to Hipster Travel Guide.

Fellowships and scholarships for travel abroad are out there. It’s up to you to find out how you can apply to pack your bags. If you’re currently in college, check out what is available through your college and any of the organizations of which you’re a member. For those of you not currently enrolled, this is another reason for continuing that education. There’s plenty of on line resources that will tell you what is out there and how to apply.

It’s up to you – either buy the crystal world globe pictured above and let it collect dust or use it to plan your next trip.

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"Tickle me, I'm full of lead."

It only took one month for 1 million people to visit the USA Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

Of course, in China, that’s really not that difficult of a goal to reach — as a million people randomly looking for the restroom walk into a single gas station every month as well.

But US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton doesn’t just walk into any loo, and USA Pavilion isn’t just any stage at the the world expo. The pavilion is expected to have more than six million people visit it during the six month expo — roughly 35,000 people

Yeah, we're not sure who this is either but he's singing up a storm at the USA Pavilion.

every day — none of who are allowed to search the Internet on Google.

“I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the past month,” said Ambassador Jose H. Villarreal, U.S. Commissioner General in a news release sent to HTG. “In the span of just 30 days, we have greeted visitors and dignitaries from across China and around the world, including President Hu Jintao and Secretary Clinton. And today we mark our one millionth visitor, an exciting and momentous occasion for myself, the USA Pavilion staff and the United States of America. We will continue to work hard to ensure visitors feel welcomed and at home at the USA Pavilion.”

Basically, the Expo is like a giant Epcot Center — but for real. And one happy family, designated as the 1 millionth visitors were steeped in gifts from America including “teddy bears, traditional Texas cowboy hats and other USA Pavilion memorabilia” much of it made by the very Chinese visitors at the USA Pavilion.

Photos by MieGuoGuan on Flickr under Creative Commons License.

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It appears 158 people died when a Boeing 737 spit in half and caught fire, crashing into the ground after over shooting the runway by more than 2000 feet. Reports suggested Sunday that investigators have found the black boxes, but those remain unconfirmed.

The horrific disaster left some bodies so charred that DNA testing will have to be used to identify the bodies — which the rescue crews continue to search for.

Here’s one news report we found.

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According to media reports, violence continued this week, after months of protests and clashes between anti government groups and Thai police. This most recent incident left six people dead and the city in shambles.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning at the end of last week and shut down its embassy in Thailand this week due to the violence. “Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, including gunfire near the U.S. Embassy, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other incidents throughout Thailand, U.S. citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand.”

A few airlines, such as Singapore Airlines and Quantus Airways, have already agreed to allow people to change flights without facing any penalties or even get a refund for a ticket to Thailand, according to the LA Times.

Hopefully, more airlines adopt a similar policy.

Of course, the Thailand Tourism Board only mentions Bangkok has a little curfew going on for the moment and then lists out this summer’s fesitivals and events.

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Today, he will officially kick open the doors of the Encore at Wynn Macau, China.

“The loveliest hotel in the world is not in London, Paris, Tokyo, New York or San Francisco,” Wynn said in a news release. “It is here in Macau.”

The hotel includes 414 boutique suites and villas, as well as high end restaurants and shops, such as Cartier, Chanel and Piaget.

Wynn had originally planned to kick off today’s opening ceremonies with a bang, Macau style with a massive fireworks display, but the recent earthquake in China and the rising death toll there has taken a little party of out the staff, well at least for 24 hours.

Today’s fireworks have been pushed back until tomorrow. Encore suite reservations may be made by calling (853) 8986 9966.

Check out these other photos of the new hotel.

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According to the Associated Press, the group of dignitaries were heading to Russia to recognize the 70th anniversary of massacre of Polish officers by Soviet secret police. Yeah, there’s some irony there, but we don’t need to point it out.

Among the dead, were the army chief of staff, national bank president, deputy foreign minister, army chaplain, head of the National Security Office, deputy parliament speaker, civil rights commissioner and at least two presidential aides and three lawmakers.

Pilot error was blamed for the crash. Ground control officials said they tried to divert the plane to Moscow or Minsk  because of heavy fog at the military air strip. However, the pilot said he land at the fog covered military airfield.

He did land the plane, though not nearly as well as he probably hoped.

Check out this Russia Today news report as well.

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According to reports by the Associated Press, The New York Times and BBC News, the first bombing happened around 8 a.m. local time at Lubyanka station, which is not far from the headquarters for FSB, the successor to the KGB.

The second bombing occurred 40 minutes later at Park Kultury station. Authorities believe the bombings were connected — which is about as smart as saying the attacks on both towers in New York City were likely connected.

All told, 34 people are suspected dead in the pair of bombings.

Russia, which has been fighting in Chechnya for years, officially said the bombers were likely from that area. The last bombing on the subway system in Moscow was 2004.

Our hearts go out to all of those involved in the growing tragedy. If you were traveling in Moscow or planning a trip there, the best thing to do is stay away from the area and show compassion for the victims.

You’re also better off not discussing the matter at all with people you meet in Moscow pubs. Just remember 9/11 and think about what it would be like to listen to some Russian trying to explain to you how America had it coming. There will be time enough to debate those kind of things — now is not one of them.

Some things are left better unsaid no matter what your opinion.

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All four Americans who could point Malaysia out on a map or even knew the U.S. embassy in Malaysia had a website are taking the warning seriously.

“There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners in eastern Sabah,” the warning states.

The bad guys come from the Phillipines are run by the name Abu Sayyaf Group, which sounds more like an investment firm than a group radical Muslims chanting Death to Americans. (Abu Sayyaf in Arabic means “bearer of the sword.)

The embassy says that some of the most dangerous areas are near some of the resorts in Eastern Sabah, including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan. The resorts themselves are likely safer but getting to and from them seems to invite trouble, the warning stated.

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