Drive Of A Lifetime

The Atlantic Road - Norway

The 8.3km Atlantic Road in Norway is known around the world as one of the most technologically advanced and beautiful roads in the world. It connects several small island and is spanned by eight bridges. The road follows the shoreline of the Hustadvika, an amazing strech of ocean. Construction workers experienced 12 hurricanes during the building process before the road opened in 1989 and storms are known to be fantastically dramatic along the road.

If the weather is calm you might even be able to spot whales and seals from the roadway. Fishing is a popular attraction along the road and many locals have favorite fishing spots just off the road. There is no toll on the road and there are a number of stopping points to take pictures or throw in your pole.

For more information:

The official Norway tourism site:
http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Where-to-go/Fjord-Norway/Kristiansund-Nordmore/Getting-to-Kristiansund-and-Nordmore-and-around/

A near-by car rental company: Kristiansund Car Rentals:
http://www.europcar.com/car-rental-NORWAY-KRISTIANSUND.html


An information website about the Atlantic Road:
http://www.theatlanticroad.com/

Featured Place: Nauru (Pleasant Island)

A tiny island nation located in the South Pacific, Nauru has a very interesting history but is in danger of loosing its people and culture forever. It was originally settled by Micronesian people, but in 1886, Germany gained control of the island under the Anglo-German Convention. In 1900, phosphate was first discovered. In 1906, the Pacific Phosphate Company exported its first shipment of the mineral, which began the Nauru's claim to fame and eventual destruction.



There are few beautiful places left on the island, only along the coast is the
environment nearly untouched from mining.

 After WW2, Australia gained control of the country due to its close proximity, but in 1968, Nauru gained its Independence.
After experiencing tremendous growth from phosphorus exportation in the 70's and 80's, the environmental repercussions of strip mining began to take its toll.  In 2006, all of the phosphorus was depleted, leaving the island in a state of poverty and desolation.







 With no consistent source of income anymore, Nauru has dwindled in population and the unemployment rate is 90%, of which 95% people who are employed are employed by the government.

This is a sad story of a once prosperous nation and is the life story of many of the local inhabitants. The nation is currently trying to recover by promoting its tourism industry, but without a source of income now, it is unable to clean up its environment to its once beautiful state. There is currently one hotel on the island (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294127-d446967-Reviews-Menen_Hotel-Nauru.html) and more information can be found at Naurus national tourism site (http://www.discovernauru.com/)



Famous for its phosphate, these large conveyors would carry the raw mineral to shipping vessels. They are no
longer in use.



Nauru's single airport.

An informative article by the NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/10/world/a-pacific-island-nation-is-stripped-of-everything.html?src=pm


An interesting link with many original pictures of Nauru.

http://nauruproject.blogspot.com/


An amazing story from CNN on the current state of Nauru.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-17/us/nauru.colt_1_nauru-solomon-islands-tuvalu?_s=PM:IREPORT