Carmen get it: Red-hot Canadian export set to deliver

Carmen, the fiery Gypsy temptress who pushes the men in her life to the explosive limits, has always fascinated artists of many generations. She inspired Georges Bizet's most popular opera and triggered Roland Petit's 1949 production, which was specially choreographed for his beloved wife and favorite ballerina Zizi Jeanmarie.

Good vibrations

Imagine a chorus singing in the mountains, accompanied by the sounds of the wind, river and the chirping of birds and insects. Imagine a people who have lived with such music for more than 1,000 years.

Life Culture

Life Expat

The road less traveled

The first taxi ride from the airport to your new Chinese home is exciting, fascinating and charged with hope. A shiny white BMW passes a horse and cart symbolizing China's changing lifestyles. Opportunity permeates everywhere.

The devil's in the details for your ticket to ride

A 100-question knowledge test is the foreigner's gateway to a Chinese driver's license, but the all-important paperwork needs to be in order. The checklist includes: passport; residency permit, original driver's license, license translated into Chinese, medical certificate, and five photographs.

Global village

Expats carry the torch

Great Dane's spreading the tour bug

SHANGHAI: Peter Lisbygd came to China in 2004 with significantly larger holes in his safety net than most traditional expats. All the Dane had on him was wanderlust and his expertise in the travel industry.

Denmark

CAPITAL: Copenhagen

Life Travel

Getting there

Penang is a busy international hub, so there are a lot of ways to get there. Both Malaysia Airlines and China International Airline have regular services between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. The flight takes about five hours.

Oasis of serenity in Lake Malawi

LIKOMA, Malawi: The sky is blue, the water crystal clear and the pristine, white sandy beach is deserted. Palm and deciduous trees line the coastline of Lake Malawi's Likoma Island.