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France – an epicurean’s delight

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Whenever you are France you will want to make sure you have international medical coverage primarily to provide you peace of mind just in case tragedy strikes. Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.  You may learn more about the Good Neighbor Insurance team here at http://www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.  

France- an epicurean’s delight

A wonderful trip means a pleasant journey, visit to exotic locations, and most importantly discovering the cuisine and drinks of the foreign destination. A tour seems incomplete if you do not taste the local flavors of the land you have visited. There are some great places of the world, which are famous for their food and drinks and France is one of them. You cannot miss the lip-smacking dishes and wonderful vintages once you arrive in France. Let us take a look what is in store for an epicurean in France.

French Cuisine reflects the passion of France

France is known for the diversity in its cuisine. Each region of France is characterized by its own authentic flavor and style of cooking. For instance, cuisine of Provence uses olive oil and different herbs; North West France includes cream and butter in its recipes and dishes of the eastern part of France reflect the German cuisine featuring sausages and sauerkraut.

Sea-food is consumed largely near the Mediterranean while in Loire Valley, fresh water fishes are popular. Whether you choose a simple traditional meal or go for an elaborate food spread, you will experience a unique taste in all the French dishes. French people are extremely passionate about their food and use the best ingredients for preparing the food. Moreover, French cooking involves lot of skill and dedication to prepare the simplest of food items.

Some of the well-known French preparations are Baguette (French bread), Chocolate Mousse (originally a French delicacy), Blanquette de veau (a famous French veal dish), Crepe (pancake) and Ratatouille(vegetable dish). French Cheese is one of the best in the world for its distinctive texture and flavor.

French Restaurants- a memorable experience

French restaurants are not only known for their delicious food but also for the unmatchable ambience, they provide. Certain restaurants of France are known for their superb services and delectable food worldwide. You can never go wrong if you order food at the Maxim’s, La Coupole, Le Chantecler, Les Trois Marches, Chez Julien or at the La Tour d’ Argent. There is a gamut of fine restaurants in France and the listed restaurants are a few of the best ones, which are set against a stunning view and serve outstanding food as well.

“Cheers” to France

French beverage plays an integral part of the cuisine; there is a drink for every meal and every occasion. An aperitif such as Lillet is served at the start of the meal, wine with the food and a digestif such as Cognac rounds up the meal. There are different wine-producing regions in France, which produce different varieties of this drink such as Bourgogne producing the Burgundy wine, Bordeaux famous for the Bordeaux wine, and so on. Champagne is one of the classiest drinks of France and is produced in the Champagne region of France.  Some of the other popular drinks of France are herbal tea, brandies such as Armagnac or Calvados, and Pastis; an aniseed flavored aperitif.

France also offers a wide range of pubs and bars where you can chill out. Some of the interesting Pubs in France are The Green Linnet, Kitty O’ Shea’s, The Coolin and the Fitzpatrick’s Irish Pub. France truly is an epicurean’s delight.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp, information with him at all times when he travels.

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Get ready to savor the flavors of La Cucina Italiana

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Whenever you are Italy you will want to make sure you have international medical coverage primarily to provide you peace of mind just in case tragedy strikes. Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.  You may learn more about the Good Neighbor Insurance team here at http://www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.  

Get Ready to Savor the Flavors of La Cucina Italiana

Pizza, Pasta, Prosciutto, Dolci, Expresso- the very names conjure up the mouthwatering array of Italian delights and beverages displayed on a table, ready to be savored to the last bites and ultimate drop. You might have had these in numerous gastronomic joints in your country, popular as they are the world over and tinged with some of the local tastes. Nevertheless, how about tasting the true tangs and zests of these ambrosial delicacies in all their authenticities amidst the country, which gave birth to them? Italy luxuriates in its culinary skills, the aftertaste of which has spread to the farthest corners of the globe. Look at the gourmet La Cucina Italiana that you cannot simply miss out.

Captivating Café

Can anything be more refreshing than a cup of hot frothy Expresso or a Cappuccino, Caffe Machiato or Corretto? Italians simply go gaga over coffee, which can be blended with hot milk, topped with a dash of cream or liqueur to make myriad lip smacking concoctions of the beverage. The dark roasted coffee beans, with their rich aroma, fill your senses and stimulate your brain.

For the Meals

Peppy Pizza

Pizza the piquant, zesty baked bread spruced with a cauldron of toppings according to one’s palate, has its roots back during the ancient cultures of the Romans, Egyptians and the Greeks. Since the time the first pizzeria Antica Pizzeria Pot ‘Alba was inaugurated in the 1830s, the awesome bread assortment traveled all over the globe to win hearts of gourmands in every place it landed. So aged has been the origin of the pizza, that the mozzarella cheese that used to make the first pizzas were derived from Indian Water Buffalo back in the 7th century. Today, the delicacy forms the national dish of the country.

Brochette   

Bruschetta forms an Italian style toasted dribbled with healthy olive oil topped with tangy tomatoes. You can also go for other assortments such as chicken or meat pieces to form your special delicious topping.

Bottarga

A dried, canned scrumptious delicacy of fish, either of tuna or swordfish or grey mullet, the Bottarga is first softened and made supple by soaking in olive oil for about half an hour or one. It is then served with omelet that is grated along with some lip smacking mozzarella cheese, rice or bread and mashed potatoes.

Carne or Meat

The Italian steaks made from the meat of the Wild Boar, Rabbit, Horse, Tripe or Veal as well as preserved ones such as Cacciatore sausage are simply epicurean in flavor. The specialty of the steaks lie in the fact that they are cooked over charcoal until the time the meat melts in your mouth. 

Contorni

Contorni presents the Italian choice of vegetable assortments, which comprises broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes as the regular ones, while spruced up with other piquant flavors such as Pepperoni, Aubergines, Artichokes, Zucchini, Funghi and Porcini among some more.

Wines

The Italians are simply crazy about their Vino that come in a number of varieties like Chianti, Nobel di Montepulciano Barbaresco, Soave Asti and the likes and form a major component of every meal.

For the Sweet Tooth

What is Italian gourmet without some dolci and gelato? The ambrosial Tiramisu, the luscious Torta della Nonna, or the delish Zuppa Inglese are simply divine. Try out the tantalizing Zabaglione prepared with sugar, egg yolks and Marsala wine and the crisp Cantucci biscuits accompanied by your succulent Vin Santo wine for an ultimate dessert recipe. Of course, your La Cucina Italiana venture would not be complete without some scoops of the yummy gelato in flavors of your choice or the tempting Cantaloupe mousse and the delicious chocolate pudding Budino do Cioccolato. Every scoop you take is sure to transfer you to the heavenly paradise of succulent puddings, ice creams and pies and make your trip to Bella Italy a memorable one.   

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp, information with him at all times when he travels.

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Italy – the Renaissance and the Ruckus

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.

Italy’s soil has witnessed incidences of great significance, from accomplishments of human caliber and capacity to catastrophes led by innovations by man himself. The country, which saw the birth of such dynamic personalities as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci was also shaken under the brutalities of innumerable massacres and political pestilence. Where on one hand, humans were enlightened and enamored by the classic Greek and Latin philosophy and works of art, the mass killings and mafia menace crippled the economy. Read on to sail through the highs and lows, human achievements and atrocities that the Bella Italia bore with a brave heart.

Italian Renaissance

The advent of the Italian Renaissance began towards the early fourteenth century and continued until the later years of the sixteenth century. The term Renaissance, which had its origin in the French word meaning “rebirth” swept the whole of Europe with its new, revolutionary ideas on humanism, science and art, notions which had hitherto been never enlightened upon. Although Boccaccio in the earlier stages had referred to the period as an emulation of the classic poetic endeavors of the ancient Romans, it was Voltaire who regarded it in a much higher pedestal in the 18th century.

Renaissance got its true significance during this time as the golden age in the history of mankind marking the inimitable accomplishments by human beings in the field of science, art and culture and a revival of the past classics. Intellectual thoughts blossomed and scientific theories opened new avenues in front of human minds. The age was the harbinger of flourishing culture and literature, which was given impetus with the invention of the printing press and redemption of classic books.  Creative genius in the way of great artists and sculptors created much flurry and furor throughout the world.

The Renaissance Artists

The Italian Renaissance was made all the more remarkable an era through the works of marvelous artists like Michelangelo, Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippino Lippi, Giotto, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Raphael and the likes.

Human Inventions that Led to Massacres

No economy is devoid of violence and malfeasance and Italy was no exception. With technological advancements and burgeoning economic development came the additional atrocities, which pointed at the subtle mistakes of man. The Superga Air Disaste was one such incident, which took toll of 31 lives, among whom were 18 players of the Torino A.C. Football Squad called the II Grand Torino. Fiat G212CP crashed close to Turin at the Basilica Complex nestled atop the Superga hill. The accident shook the morale of the Italian sports buffs and connoisseurs as they were devastated by the large-scale demise of a team that had won great accolades in their last victory. The cause of the disaster was attributed to navigational errors with regard to adverse weather conditions and consequent shrouded visibility.

Viale Lazio Massacre  

The gory bloodshed and brutal encounter of the Viale Lazio Massacre shattered the whole of Italy while, at the same time bringing about a much-awaited end to the reign of the mafia gang who had been plaguing the country with their torturous dictatorship. The encounter witnessed the death of the long time powerful mafia head honcho Michele Cavataio, an active participant of the First Mafia War during the early 1960s and the Ciaculli massacre. The encounter was struck between Cavataio and a rival mafia squad who was determined to get rid of the former in all possible means. The shoot-out ended with the killing of 5 men including Cavataio.

Other massacres too occurred on Italy’s grounds from time to time such as the Acca Larentia killings, the Biscari massacre, the Foibe killings and the Train 904 killings among many more which ravaged the economy to the core, even though for a temporary phase.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp , information with him at all times when he travels   Keep our blog close by you, www.gntravelinsurance.com, for continual updates on international and U.S. health coverage.

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Human events that sculpted the modern-day China

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.

China has a long history of human survival, from the pre-historic age to the modern times. Ruled by a number of dynasties, the country witnessed long eras as Ancient China and Imperial China. The modern era in China began with the start of the 20th century and a number of important human events contributed in this direction. You may take interest in learning about the following important human events that are credited for bringing China to its present-day status:

Formation of Republic of China, 1912

Dissatisfaction against the government officials of Qing dynasty led to the popular Wuchang Uprising of 1911 that ultimately instigated the Xinhai Revolution. The revolution took no time in overthrowing the rule of the last imperial dynasty in the country. It was in March 1912 that the first government of the Republic of China was formed with revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen chosen as the president.

Warlord Era, 1916-1928

Sun Yat-sen failed to survive in front of the powerful Beiyang Army with Yuan Shikai as its leader. As a result, Yuan was made the president of the Republic of China to end the ongoing struggle. However, after the death of Yuan in 1916, the republic began dividing into military cliques. This resulted in the emergence of warlords who would occupy various cliques. The warlord era came to an end in 1928 with the Chinese reunification.

Chinese Civil War, 1927-1949

The civil war was fought as a struggle for power between the Chinese Nationalist Party and the Communist Party of China. The war was temporarily interrupted by another important human event, the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1937 to 1945. However, after the defeat of Japanese troops in 1945 led to the resumption of the civil war. As the ultimate result, the country was divided into the Republic of China, which later became Taiwan, and the People’ Republic of China, which is also referred to as Mainland China.  

Great Leap Forward, 1958

The campaign consisted of strategies implemented by the Communist Party of China to transform the existing agriculture-based economy into an industry-led economy. Unfortunately, the campaign proved to be disastrous, leading to the deaths of millions of people. The campaign not only led to a damaging famine situation, but also caused the economic regression.

Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976

The revolution was launched to impose socialism in the society by replacing capitalist and cultural traditions. Mao Zedong, after failing in Great Leap Forward campaign, tried to restore its position with this revolution. However, the revolution led to the letdown of the country at social, political, as well as economical fronts.

Chinese Economic Reforms, Since 1978

The Chinese Economic Reform program began in 1978; and has helped in shaping up the economy of the country until date. Agriculture related de-collectivization, development of entrepreneurship and foreign investment opportunities were implemented during the first stage. In the second phase, privatization led to the exceptional economic growth, putting China’s economy at the number 2 spot in the world.

The way China flourished from an imperial state to a fast-growing economy sets inspiration for other nations as well. The country with the world’s highest population has an exceptional history worth feeling proud of.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp, information with him at all times when he travels   Keep our blog close by you, www.gntravelinsurance.com, for continual updates on international and U.S. health coverage.

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Unearthing China through its Cities

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Whenever you are China you will want to make sure you have international medical coverage primarily to provide you peace of mind just in case tragedy strikes. Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.  You may learn more about the Good Neighbor Insurance team here at http://www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.  

Unearthing China through its Cities

Very clearly, to most people in the world, the power factor of the world is shifting to the east. China is fast becoming a super power on its own right and of the many industries that contribute to this growth; tourism is one of the main contributors. It is the fifth largest tourist country presently and will become the largest by 2020.

Unearthing China is like experiencing a melting pot of culture, history, and natural beauty. It has something to offer to everybody, from the mountain climbing adrenaline junkie to the lighthearted foodie on an epicurean expedition.

Shanghai- One of the most popular tourist hotspots in the world; the city is one that must be visited to experience the economic growth of China first-hand. This iconic city is filled with towering skyscrapers, shopping centers filled with international brands, intercontinental restaurants, business centers and every kind of modernity known to the developed world. Shanghai has come a long way from what it was in the erstwhile years. With time, it has flourished as a business centre of international repute in the world.

Chengdu- The ancient historical city of Chengdu, on the other hand, the capital of the Sichuan province, is the cultural hub of the country. When you are here, remember the Italian phrase, “L’arte di non fare niente” (The art of doing nothing). This is because the people in this city are very laid back.

The capital city- Unearthing China cannot be complete without a visit to Beijing, the capital of China. It is a throbbing modern city of today that has artfully preserved all of its rich history together with its modernity. From the maze like courtyards of the Forbidden City to the Temple Of Heaven, to the energetic multi-lane highways basking in post-Olympic delights; Beijing has it all. The real attraction is however, removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Great Wall of China lies in all its grandeur, to the north of the city, snaking its way on the hills.

The rarer delights

The historical city of Xi’an boasts of the famous archaeological marvel, the terracotta soldiers of Qin Shi Huang. In Xi’an, one can also see The Shaanxi Museum, The Bampa Museum, the Big Goose Pagoda, and so on.

Away from the bustling cities, one has the serene scenic beauty of China. The most important river of China is the Yangtze-kiang or the Yellow River. A section of this river, a 192 Km stretch is called The Three Gorges of Yangtze River. Each of these Qutang, Wu and Xiling gorges has their own unique appeal. This is a site of unparalleled beauty – a geographical spectacle that seems to glorify its own existence.

These cities, among more, will assuredly leave you feeling enthusiastic for another visit to the wonderful country of China. In case you are planning a trip to China, then these cities must be on your list of must visit places in the country that is one of the most famous in contemporary times.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp, information with him at all times when he travels.  Keep our blog close by you, www.gntravelinsurance.com, for continual updates on international and U.S. health coverage.

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Human events that made Australia

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips. 

Australia, known to many, as the small island nation down under is one of the world’s most prosperous, not to mention, beautiful countries today. The nation that once used to be a British prison exile has now emerged to be one global power and a premier tourist spot. However, not many know about the country’s history or what caused its transition from an overgrown island to a booming nation. Here are a few significant events in Australian history:

The Franchise Act of 1902

This act is one that has redefined Australia and its value system. Before this Act, the Australian Nation had no uniform voting system. According to the Australian Constitution, anybody who was eligible to vote in a state was allowed to vote in the federal election. However, different states had different eligibility criteria and this is where the problem arose. States such as Southern and Western Australia allowed women to vote whereas in most other states they were not. Indigenous people or aborigines were restricted from voting in all states. The passing of this Act after a long struggle allowed women equal rights to vote and also made it lawfully possible for them to stand in elections. This was a significant step in ensuring gender equality in the country.

The Sandakan Death March of 1944

The Sandakan Death March is a series of forced marches that were carried out by the Japanese on the Australian and British war soldiers in 1944 during the Pacific Campaign of the Second World War. The Japanese soldiers forced Australian war prisoners to march a massive stretch from Sandakan to Ranau in Borneo. More than two thousand Australian soldiers died during the ordeal while only six lived to tell the tale. This is considered to be the single most gruesome war crime perpetrated against Australia.

The Six-o-clock Swill

The six-o-clock swill was probably one of Australia’s funniest and most infamous phenomena. From the 1915 onwards, there was a law in Australia that ordered all bars to close down at 6pm so that husbands return home to their wives on time and less drunk. However, this law had quite the opposite effect and it was seen that there was a huge rush in bars during the 5 to 6pm time period to get as many glasses of drinks as possible. This was known as the six-o-clock-swill. This led to more drunkenness amongst the men and caused turmoil all across the country. There was widespread protest and the law was finally repealed from all states as late as 1966.

Stolen Generations

Stolen generation is the term that is widely used to refer to the children of those aborigines who were displaced or removed by the Australian government and ancillary agencies. It is estimated that about 30,000 children were separated from their parents during the time period of 1900-1972. In a Parliament session of 2008, the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, along with leader of opposition, Brendan Nelson, apologized for the atrocities committed against these children and their forefathers.

The history of Australia is one treacherous, heart- rending and inspirational all at the same time. These were a few mere examples. Australian history deserves to be read more.

Doug Gulleson is one of the two principles of Good Neighbor Insurance, Inc and does enjoy traveling the world to scuba dive.  He travels overseas throughout the year with his underwater camera in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other but Doug never forgets to have his travel medical insurance with him at all times.  Good Neighbor Insurance provides many different types of international insurance including medical and evacuation coverage outside the U.S.  Visit Good Neighbor Insurance’s corporate site at www.gninsurance.com  and www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp for different travel medical insurance options that may fit your needs.

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India- the land of infinite recreational opportunities

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Whenever you are India you will want to make sure you have international medical coverage primarily to provide you peace of mind just in case tragedy strikes. Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.  You may learn more about the Good Neighbor Insurance team here at http://www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.  

India- the land of infinite recreational opportunities

You have planned to visit India for a vacation and you are wondering if there are enough recreational facilities in this place. Relax! You can be rest assured of not just a fun-filled holiday, but a lot more. India is one place, which will mesmerize you with the diversity in its landscape, culture, and adventurous sports. You can never get enough of this vast country, which has so much to offer; picturesque locations, cultural events and definitely a host of fun activities. Take a deep breath and come along, to discover some of the activities, which will refresh your body and the soul within.

Trek the new heights

Think of trekking in India, and the ideal place would be in North India. Himalayan foothills provide many opportunities for this adventurous sport. You can get a spectacular view of the various Buddhist monasteries, villages, temples and the enthralling sight of the lofty mountains with waterfalls flowing down to add to the shimmering effect. Uttaranchal offers some of the popular trekking trails for tourists with the Garhwal and Kumaon regions being the most favorite destinations for tourists. Some few of the many interesting trekking places are Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir; Chamba, Manali, Lahaul, Kullu and Kangra valleys in Himachal Pradesh; Kumbhalgarh in Aravallis, Rajasthan; Darjeeling in West Bengal; and Yuksam in Sikkim. Apart from trekking, another thrilling sport in the Himalayan ranges, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim is mountain biking.

Go crazy with water games

If you are thirsty for some fun in water then all you need to do is to reach Goa. Located in the west coast of the Indian peninsula, Goa attracts thousands of visitors for its adventurous sports. Jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing are ideal on the beaches of Baga, Colva, Candolim and Calangute. If you are interested in diving, the diving centers at Baga, Miramar and Bogmalo will prove as paradise for you. You can try out the famous ‘Dinghy Sailing’, enjoy a ride in a Dolphin cruise to get a close-up of the marine life or kayak in the cool waters of Goa. You can also visit Kerala and Mumbai for sailing and surfing or Srinagar for water skiing. Andaman and Lakshadweep offers some of the other popular diving spots; River Rafting is famous in the rivers of the Himalayas, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.  Srinagar, Karnataka, and Kerala also offer opportunities for Kayaking and Canoeing

Camping opportunities to cater to your wild side

Camping is one of the ideal ways to discover the rustic beauty of India and comprehend the cultural aspect of this mystical land. Some of the popular camping sites in India are at Garhwal and Kumaon in Uttaranchal, hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, beaches of Goa and Pushkar in Rajasthan. Besides enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty, you can also indulge in sports such as cycling, fishing, river rafting, hiking and safaris to name a few.

Soar high to meet the skies

If you wish to take a view from the top in a hot air balloon, you will not be disappointed in India. Whether it is hang gliding, paragliding, or ballooning, there are excellent locations in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil-Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, and Meghalaya to fulfill your desires of floating in the air.

You are sure to experience an unforgettable recreational experience in India. Come and be a part of this revelry.    

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp, information with him at all times when he travels.

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A scintillating overview of the human endeavors, accomplishments, and disasters in India

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, has been involved in providing international health care cover to our clients since 1997.  Not only is the Good Neighbor Insurance team knowledgeable in providing great travel insurance medical coverage benefits to their clients but most of the GNI team have also lived overseas for a good part of their lives and still continue to travel overseas on vacation and short term NGO trips.  You may learn more about the Good Neighbor Insurance team here at http://www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.  

A Scintillating Overview of the Human Endeavors, Accomplishments, and Disasters in India

India, the land which exudes its quintessence of “Unity in Diversity” in all aspects, the land which shines with awe-striking aura for its rich past blended beautifully with the elevated accomplishments of the present, is a fine example of an economy which has survived several shocks intermittently.

While dynamic characters like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda swept the world of its feet with their charismatic persona and unsurpassable contributions, incidents such as the Bhopal Gas tragedy and Hindu-Muslim Riots shook the very foundation of the country to the dregs. And yet, after multitudes of human invasion and atrocities, inflicted on the nation from times immemorial, India has managed to persevere and outlive the past to move on with augmented glory towards the future. Take a glimpse at some of the achievements and atrocities that India witnessed in her history.

Man-made Disasters

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

The Bhopal Disaster has been claimed to be among the most humongous man-made debacles that took place in the world. The devastation occurred on the wee hours of the night of December 2-3 in the year 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited located in the town of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The devastation ensued with a leakage in harmful methyl isocyanate gas as well as other detrimental chemicals which claimed thousands of lives. The instant exposure to the inimical gases took toll of innumerable innocent lives, disabling several thousand victims temporarily as well permanently. The catastrophe crippled the Indian industrial scenario as people began to question the safety and security of the industrial units. The aftermath of the havoc was felt several years after and even to this date as reports on the tragedy depict over 558,125 injuries which crippled mankind to the core. As far as the cause of the incident goes, many speculations have been put forth ranging from maintenance negligence to possibilities of sabotage.

Communal Riots

The year 1993 saw India in the grip of yet another shattering scourge, which was an instance of complete human massacre, an example of inter-religious conflicts. With the Babri Masjid wreckage in Ayodhya, riots ravaged the streets of Mumbai, striking violence everywhere between the Hindus and the Muslims. The extolling processions taken over by the Hindus led by the Shiv Sena activists added fuel to the fire. The incidents that followed encompassed the assassinations of the Hindu Mathadi Kamgar laborers and blazing of Hindus at the Radhabai Chawl by the hysterical Muslim mobs. Many catastrophes and massacres ensued bringing the death toll to 900 through arson, police encounters, killings, actions of irascible mobs and the likes.

Human Accomplishments in India

If India has been writhing under the attacks of terrorists and miscreants, crippled by the various tragedies, it has also witnessed unprecedented successes in myriad genres. This fact is well reflected by the several Nobel Laureates that the country gave birth to or nurtured in her comfortable lap. Here is an account of the achievements of myriad personalities in a number of fields, which won them acclamations of the whole world.

Rabindranath Tagore

The great poet, writer, and composer born in the city of Calcutta, Rabindranath Tagore enthralled and moved the world with his awe-striking compositions and poems, not to speak of his paintings, which became an epitome of modern art post the demise of the poet. His stunning contribution to literature in the form of “Gitanjali” won him the Nobel prize in 1913. He was the founder of the school in Santiniketan, which culminated into the University of Vishwabharati. He was awarded the prestigious Knighthood by King George V, the then British ruler, which he however relinquished later.

Mother Teresa

Although of Turkish origin, Mother Teresa, then known as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu immersed herself in serving the poor and the decrepit in India via her institution Missionaries of Charity. The services of institution spread everywhere to different countries of the world and are still operational looking after relief work in case of catastrophes as well as helping the poor.

C.V. Raman

Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman won the Nobel Prize for his outstanding, paramount contributions in the field of Physics. His arena of research include sound, vibration, ultrasonic, photo electricity, diffraction, musical instrument, magnetron, and finally the “Raman” effect, the last one named after the physicist for his inimitable discovery of light diffraction while exciting  a molecule.

Among other notable Nobel Laureates are Dr. Hargobind Khorana for Physiology and Medicine, Amartya Sen for Economics, Subhramaniam Chandrashekhar for Physics- the list seems endless and still continuing.

Doug Gulleson is one of the two principles of Good Neighbor Insurance, Inc and does enjoy traveling the world to scuba dive.  He travels overseas throughout the year with his underwater camera in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other but Doug never forgets to have his travel medical insurance with him at all times.  Good Neighbor Insurance provides many different types of international insurance including medical and evacuation coverage outside the U.S.  Visit Good Neighbor Insurance’s corporate site at www.gninsurance.com  and www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp for different travel medical insurance options that may fit your needs.

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Posted in Global human events |

Political evacuation travel insurance a must when traveling overseas

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance Inc, www.healthinsuranceinternational.biz, is proud to recognize one of the foremost international travel insurance leaders in the world, International Medical Group (IMG).  IMG not only provides great travel plans for our clients but also stands behind their products like when they had to evacuate clients out of Egypt earlier this February.

Being prepared for the unexpected can have serious bonuses when violence strikes. Many travelers know the benefits of insuring their travel plans. But not all travel insurance plans actually cover political evacuation. Most of our short-term medical insurance plans cover political evacuation, where the person began their trip before a travel advisory was issued. However, trip cancellation plans also do not cover “civil disorder”.

IMG, www.healthinsuranceinternational.biz, was able to assist in making arrangements for several insured who evacuated Egypt because of the political unrest.  In many instances, because it was most beneficial and likely safer to the insured to utilize the U.S. State Department’s chartered transportation, we were able to assist insured by advising they consider using those U.S. State Department flights and IMG would cover the cost that the US State Department requested, which was at fair market value.

•           If the non-chartered flight was cancelled, the insured’s money may have been tied up and not readily available for new purchase

•           Non-chartered flights were at the mercy of the airlines and their protocols

•           State Department chartered flights may have had delays but were likely to still take place and not be canceled altogether

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, is committed to ensuring travelers have the right coverage for any emergency they might encounter. Political upheaval can arrive with all of the forewarning of an earthquake. So be prepared.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.gntravelinsurance.com , information with him at all times when he travels.

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Posted in IMG |

Good Neighbor Insurance proudly introduces our latest full time associate

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Good Neighbor Insurance, www.gninsurance.com, is excited to announce our latest full time associate, Mark Sequeira.  Mark has been working part-time with Good Neighbor Insurance for the past year and a half and has graciously accepted coming on full time status with us. 

Mark was born in Southern California and moved to Phoenix, AZ to become Communications Director for a non-profit agency. His background is in languages and intercultural studies as well as design and marketing. After 6 years in the not-for-profit world, Mark joined the Tribune for 11 years as their Senior Graphic Designer and then started his own studio/consulting business, MJAStudios, marketing and graphic design.

Mark loves to travel and has spent a number of summers overseas studying as well as doing relief work and business development in Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Caucasus, Malaysia, Belgium, Finland and England. He loves his work, art, reading, his wife of 19 years and his four home-schooled kids.

We are very excited to have Mark head up Good Neighbor Insurance’s (GNI’s) marketing division.  You may view all of our agents and associates bio by going to www.gninsurance.com/aboutGNI.asp.   GNI provides our clients with many international medical and travel insurance as well as international property and casualty insurance including kidnap & ransom insurance, directors and officers insurance, and other specialty insurance benefits.  GNI also provides our Arizona clients, www.gnazhealth.com, health care plans, Medicare plans, dental plans, local personal property and casualty coverage, and other specialty benefits.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he has his US health care and overseas health care, www.gnazhealth.com , information with him at all times when he travels   Keep our blog close by you, www.gntravelinsurance.com, for continual updates on US and international health care.

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Posted in Good Neighbor Insurance |

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