David Leveille
Remembering Zhuang Zedong, Hero of Ping Pong Diplomacy
Chinese table tennis player Zhuang Zedong has died at the age of 73. Zhuang was the Chinese player who helped start the famous “ping-pong diplomacy” episode in the 1970s. It is what led to Richard Nixon’s famous opening to China, and his historic trip there.
Lost and Found at India’s Kumbh Mela
It is estimated that as many as 20,000 people will get lost or be separated from their families and friends on the biggest day of the festival and will seek out assistance at the lost and found desk.
US Post Office’s Southernmost Branch at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
For our Geo Quiz, try to come up with the zip code for the southernmost post office in the world at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
Surfer Garrett McNamara Catches Monster Portuguese Wave
Can you name the town where Garrett McNamara may have broken a record for surfing a 100 foot monster wave just off the northern coast of Portugal? We speak with Ruy Enes, who runs The Surfing Camp in Oporto, Portugal.
Exploring Cuba on a Motorcycle
For Tuesday’s Geo Quiz, were catching up with Cuba expert Christopher Baker, who is leading one of the first ever group motorcycle tours across Cuba. The trek is from Havana to Guantanamo.
Expedition Across Frozen Siberian Frontier
Monday’s Geo Quiz takes us to the capital of the Russian republic of Sakha, the starting point for an expedition led by Swede Mikael Strandberg. He’s trekking across Siberia to document the traditional ways of life of the reindeer people of Siberia.
Brazil’s Favelas Becoming ‘Cool’ Tourist Destinations
It can be tricky navigating your way around Brazil’s poorest neighborhoods called favelas. But recent efforts to assign street names and addresses are putting favelas on the maps. Some favelas, despite their notorious reputation for being crowded and crime ridden, are becoming cool and trendy destinations says Brazilian favela tour guide Marcelo Armstrong.
Crocodiles On The Loose in South African River
Flooding along a river in South Africa forced a crocodile breeding farm owner to release its crocodiles into the river. All 15,000 deadly crocodiles!
The Sound of Birds, Whales, Elephants, Frogs, Published Online
Thousands of wildlife recordings at Cornell’s Macaulay Library in Itaca, NY, are now online. Audio curator Greg Budney samples the vast collection of field recordings collected worldwide of birds, whales, elephants, frogs, primates and more that’s just been digitized and put online.
Stargazers Discovering the UK’s ‘Dark Sky’ Locations
Stargazers in the UK are compiling a list of “dark sky ” locations around England, Scotland, and Wales where its dark enough for anyone to enjoy a good view of the night sky.
Swiss Town Hopes To Keep Lamp Burning
A recent Swiss court ruling has released a farmer from an obligation dating back 655 years to pay for an “eternal flame” in a town in the Swiss canton of Glarus. The debt stemmed from a 14th century murder case. The ruling surprised town residents who now have to figure out whether to keep the lamp burning and who will pay for the all the oil and candles in the years to come.
The Travelodge 2012 Lost and Found List
Our Geo Quiz takes us to a south west Welsh city where a collector left behind a valuable album of stamps worth a lot of money when he checked out of his hotel. James Pieslak with the UK’s budget hotel chain Travelodge helped compile a lost and found list that includes everything from a magic wand to a bucket of crabs, all left behind in its 527 UK hotels during 2012.
Fiscal Cliff Bill’s Hidden Subsidy For Caribbean Rum
Which of the Caribbean region rum producing countries has the oldest continuously producing rum distillery ? This country has been making rum in wooden stills along the banks of the Demerara River ever since the 17th century. Rum expert Edward Hamilton has the answer.
The Reindeer Peoples of the World
Jonathan Mazower, advocacy director for Survival International talks about the important role that reindeer and caribou play in many Arctic cultures. Some indigenous tribes are struggling to maintain caribou herds in the face of development and climate change.
End of the World Celebrants Gather at Mayan Pyramid
Friday is the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere. Thousands of people have flocked to a pre-Colombian Mayan pyramid in the Mexican state of Yucatán to celebrate. Many believe an ancient Mayan calendar predicts this solstice marks end of an era or possibly even an apocalypse.
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