Mistakes to Avoid when Confronting Bears or Tarantulas

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This week in travel news, discover the exciting new airport openings and upgrades happening in Asia. Additionally, find out about the crowned champion of the greatest cheese in 2024. Lastly, get valuable tips on how to handle encounters with roadside spiders and hungry bears during your travels.

Bears and bugs

A car accident occurred in California's Death Valley National Park this week due to a spider encounter. A Swiss tourist abruptly applied the brakes upon seeing a tarantula, resulting in a motorcycle colliding with their vehicle. To alleviate concerns, the park emphasizes that tarantulas are slow-moving and nonaggressive creatures. Their bite is reportedly similar to a bee sting and does not pose a lethal threat to humans. Therefore, it is crucial not to endanger other road users by swerving or abruptly stopping.

The closure of a section of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Parkway was prompted by numerous reports of visitors attempting to feed and even interact with a young bear. It is during the autumn season when bears are particularly insatiable as they consume food to prepare for hibernation. Here is why it is important to never obstruct a hungry bear or attempt to cuddle with them.

Shiny new airports and planes

Singapore Changi's Terminal 2, known as one of the most luxurious airports worldwide, has recently completed a comprehensive upgrade that lasted three and a half years. The terminal has now been enhanced to provide a more spacious environment, increased capacity, and features an engaging garden and a captivating digital waterfall.

In other parts of Asia, visiting the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, recognized by UNESCO, has become more convenient with the recent inauguration of a modern and impressive $1.1 billion airport in Siem Reap.

Japan Airlines has revealed the advanced features of its upcoming fleet of 13 A350-1000 aircraft, set to commence operations by the completion of this year. These aircraft boast remarkable amenities such as double beds, ample storage space, and headrest speakers integrated into the seats themselves.

Americans starting over in Europe

Here is an update on the American family who decided to reside in their ancestral cave dwelling on the charming Italian island of Ponza, nestled between Rome and Naples. Let's find out how their unique living arrangement is faring.

After facing health challenges and setbacks, this couple from California embarked on a quest to seize every moment: They relocated to Andalusia, Spain, with the intention of living a captivating life.

It was in Frances Lot Valley, back in 2001, that Robin Johnson and Jim Thaman stumbled upon a dilapidated and vacant property which they determined would become their ideal abode. According to Johnson, "It presented us with an opportunity to begin our journey together on a clean slate."

What a friend we have in cheeses

The annual World Cheese Awards, held this year in Trondheim, Norway, have crowned a rich and luscious Norwegian blue cheese as the best in the world. This exquisite cheese boasts a dense and creamy texture, accompanied by delightful fruity notes. The awards themselves acknowledge outstanding dairy creations spanning from flawless traditional varieties to inspired and inventive adaptations.

The market for Asian cheeses is expanding rapidly. In 2017, an Australian couple established the first dairy and buffalo farm in Laos, located in the UNESCO-listed heritage town of Luang Prabang. During an interview with CNN Travel, they revealed that their venture was actually born out of a midlife crisis.

Located on the Channel Island of Guernsey, the Seaweed Food Company utilizes the abundant local seaweed to produce cheese and butter. Naomi Tustin, the company's founder, explains that seaweed acts as a flavor enhancer, resulting in a cheesier taste.

Transatlantic flights reach speed of sound

Flight times from the United States to Europe were significantly reduced this week due to the powerful jet stream over the Atlantic. The speed of these flights reached the equivalent of the speed of sound, resulting in a decrease of several hours in travel time. Additionally, this strong jet stream played a role in the intensification of Storm Ciarán, which impacted Europe during the middle of the week.

Why we shouldnt turn our back on the flying butt

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How a design that resembles the past could change the way we fly in the future

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The Airlander 10 airship, manufactured in Britain, gained attention due to its uncanny resemblance, from certain angles, to a generously rounded posterior. However, this whimsically nicknamed "flying bum" holds the potential to address the environmentally conscious demands of air travel, and could potentially claim the title of the largest aircraft in the world.

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