Asia Travel

AsiaRooms.com - Worldwide Hotels, Online Reservation, Travel Guide, Reviews, Cars, Flights www.asiarooms.com Please activate scripting Javascript must be enabled before you continue. To enable scripting, you need to make a simple adjustment to your browser setting. After you have enabled javascript refresh this page . AsiaRooms.com offers the lowest rates Previously these extra low rates were available only to travel agents and corporations. AsiaRooms makes them available to everyone !!! Experience AsiaRooms.com Asiarooms provides Hotel Reservation, Reviews, Travel Guides, Flights & Cars Worldwide hotels reservation online Currency : United States Dollars Euro United Kingdom Pounds Japan Yen Australia Dollars Singapore Dollars Hong Kong Dollars Thailand Baht Reviews | Hotel Groups | Site Map | About Us AsiaRooms.com provides a wide range of 60,000 hotels over the world, 45,000 reviews from our customers, hotel pictures, travel guides... Our rates are up to 75% Discounted and include All Taxes !!! Previously these special rates were available exclusively to travel agents and corporations. AsiaRooms makes them available to everyone. Major Cities - Extra Low Hotel Rates more cities >> Hanoi hotels Paris hotels Rome hotels San Jose hotels Major Countries - Asiarooms Great Deals more countries >> Australia India Maldives Spain Cook Islands Iran Myanmar Sri Lanka Egypt Italy Nepal Syria France Japan N. Caledonia Taiwan F. Polynesia Jordan New Zealand UAE Greece Kuwait Oman UK Guam Laos Palau Vietnam Hong Kong Lebanon Qatar Yemen BEST DEALS inSydney, Australia Sydney hotels >> Carlton Crest from 98 US$ !! in Sydney , Australia The Carlton Crest Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Sydney's theatre and entertainment district. It is just a short stroll to Darling Harbour, the Central Business District and major shopping centr [...read more] Ibis Sydney Airport from 77 US$ !! in Sydney , Australia The Ibis Sydney Airport Hotel is ideally located close to Sydney's International and Domestic Airports and is the only international 3-star accommodation in the area servicing both airport related service [...read more] Metro from 96 US$ !! in Sydney , Australia Metro Hotel former Pentura Hotel On Pitt Sydney provides ultimate in comfort and convenience. 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The place is well taken care of and you should enjoy your stay there. It's also near to the central rail station wh..." [read this review] [more reviews] Ibis Sydney Airport hotel in Sydney , Australia by Marian, Canada from 77 US$ "The hotel was very clean, efficiently run and very convenient to Sydney Airport. I would definitely recommend it to a friend." [read this review] [more reviews] Metro hotel in Sydney , Australia by MEAH, sofik, United Kingdom from 96 US$ "Metro was a nice hotel but very small rooms" [read this review] [more reviews] -- © 2005 AsiaRooms.com - All Rights Reserved About us | FAQ | Privacy Last update : Thursday 29 December 2005 E-commerce registration no. : 0207314712004, TAT Travel Agent License : 11/3891

Russia Travel - Need

Russia Travel - Need to Know  You are here: About > Travel > Eastern Europe for Visitors Travel Go Eastern Europe Essentials Best of Eastern Europe Map of Central/Eastern Europe Photo Gallery Country Profiles Discount Travel Websites Articles & Resources Planning Your Trip Ways to Travel What to Do in East Europe Maps for Eastern Europe Czech-SlovakTravel Hungary Travel Poland Travel Russia-Belarus-Ukraine Romania-Moldova Travel Baltic Travel Balkan Travel Culture and Holidays Photo Galleries East Europe Travel and Language Books Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Eastern Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Eastern Europe for Visitors Russia Travel - Need to Know Eastern Europe for Visitors Blog « Tipping Practices for Eastern Europe | Main | Russia - Money Matters » From Apply Now , Your Guide to Eastern Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! January 26, 2004 Russia Travel - Need to Know Before you go on your trip to Russia, read this article about items you need to know, such as time zones, electricity, measurements, weather, and public holidays. Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular First Christmas Tree Europe map Best of Eastern Europe Croatia Naturism and Nudism Discount Travel Websites What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Related Topics Hotels / Resorts / Inns European History Architecture Air Travel Europe for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Krakow Photo Gallery Profiles of Eastern Europe Moscow City Profile Czech Republic Photo Gallery - Charles Bridge and castle Sofia's Religous Buildings Headlines Spas of Budapest Whether you want to simply swim or soak in... Warsaw for Travelers In Warsaw, modern glass office buildings have emerged all over... Castle Hotels in Europe If you're seeking unique accommodations for your travels in Eastern... Romantic Destinations in Eastern Europe Looking for something beyond Paris or Tuscany for a romantic...

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Cheap travel insurance UK holiday insurance cover - annual and single trip Home We Play Fair Read & Download Policies FAQ's Contact Stay Happy Claims PLEASE NOTE: OinC won't work without a Javascript enabled web browser. Please enable Javascript in your Brower settings and then click here to start this page again. Q. How do I enable Javascript in Internet Explorer? A. In Internet Explorer select 'ToolsInternet Options...' from the top of screen menu line. Then click the 'Security' tab, then click 'Default Level' and then 'OK'. Sorry we can't provide instructions for all browsers. Save money with our superb online travel insurance. When you compare like-for-like policies, you'll discover our cheap travel insurance includes all the baggage and medical cover you need to travel safe. Adult Standard Cover 7 Night Single Trip 14 Night Single Trip Annual Multi- Trip(europe) 3 Month Backpacker £9.99 £12.98 £36.94 N/A £14.29 £16.07 £75.46 £50.47 £13.92 £16.53 £52.84 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A FREE FREE FREE Click for trip durations ranging from 2 to 365 nights > Everybody shops around but when comparing cheap travel insurance make sureyou are getting the cover you need. Even the cheapest holiday insurance fromOinC satisfies the minimum requirements of all the major UK Tour Operators. This website is part of Online Insurance Consultants Ltd which is a firmauthorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. For full details click here . © 2005 Online Insurance Co . For more on travel insurance please see our 'Frequently Asked Questions' along with our News and Travel Insurance InformationCentre and Travel Insurance Site map . General links can be found within Resources , or you can look at our favourite 'Outstanding travel links' . The travel insurance featured by the Online Insurance Company UK, a completely independent online travel insurance broker, is provided by American International Group, Elvia Travel Insurance International N.V. ( Netherlands), Professional Travel Insurance and Rock Insurance who compete to give you the best prices and cover for your holiday insurance, with policies delivered instantly by email. By offering cheap travel insurance from four leading travel insurers we are able to save you time and money, so whether you are searching for cheap holiday insurance, business travel insurance, annual travel insurance or backpacker insurance you can compare and securely purchase with the Online Insurance Company.

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Red Resort Ski Vacation Resort - Rossland, BC, Canada Ski Vacations at a Premier Ski Resort - Red Resort - Red Mountain in Rossland, BC, Canada Wednesday, December 28th, 2005 -3.4°C / 25.9°F Cloudy at Times Snow Report | Forecast Mountain Snowfall Overnight 24 Hours 72 Hours 3cm 7cm 24cm Alpine Depth: 126cm/50in Updated:Dec 28, 2005 3:56 Red Ski Vacations $203* Thriftlodge Rossland 2 Nights/2 Days $463* Ram's Head Inn 5 Nights/3 Day Pass $499* Prestige Resort 7 Nights/6 Days $850* Red Mountain Village 7 Nights/5 Day Pass Ski & Snowmobiling * Packages are per person, most based on quad occupancy. All packages include lift tickets at Red Resort. Taxes and fees not included.All prices in $CDN Additional Packages Airfare Car Rental On-Mountain Condos Rental Equipment Lift Tickets Season Passes To Book your Ski Vacation, Call: 1-877-969-7669 Rails on Silver Sheep | enlarge Wednesday, December 28th, 2005 Powder Days at Red -- There are four new features on Silver Sheep in Paradise for everyone to ride on! The Terrain Park will be open soon! Don't forget about Tim Bourchier and Movie Night in Rafters tonight. WEATHER UPDATE It's snowing! The count is at 6cm so far, and the forecast calls for between 5-10 cm tonight! -- More Website Updates at Red There is now a new feature in the Red Resort Reel Room - Opening Day on Granite! Watch this section for more changes in the coming weeks. Don't forget our Online Store - Skiers may now prepurchase Lift Tickets and pick them up at the base lodge! Season Passes are for sale online as always, but credit cards are authorized in real-time , and your pass will be ready to pick up the same day. Stay tuned for Red Resort merchandise! If you have any suggestions or feature requests, please e-mail webfeedback@redresort.com January 8 - 15th, 2006 - Molson Canadian Freeskiing Championship The 5th Annual Molson Canadian Freeskiing Championship promises to continue the wonderful tradition of competition at Red. Come join the open-to-all competition and see if you can prove your mettle on the steeps of Mt. Roberts! » Molson Freeskiing Championship Website Red Central Reservations Red Central Reservations has luxury accomodations available for families and nomads alike. Most, if not all of Central Reservation’s accomodations are located on-mountain, and offer every amenity possible. » Book your Red Ski Vacation today! Ski Vacations at Red Red's Ski Vacations are the memory of a lifetime Take advantage of early season deals at Red Resort in Rossland, B.C., and book a Canadian ski or snowboard vacation for your family or friends.Red Resort's is Canada's best known secret for powder stashes and family fun. Red also caters to the hardcore skier, as it has the best gladed skiing in the Pacific Northwest. Steep glades with unlimited fall lines await you.» Red's Ski Vacation Packages QUICKLINKS snow report | media room | online store Today at RED | Play at RED | Get to RED | Stay at RED | About RED rossland, b.c., canada ph. 1-800-663-0105 reservations. 1-877-969-7669 © 2006 red resort, inc. Classic Town, Ultimate Destination.

Russia Travel Guide, climate:

Russia Travel Guide - Information and Advice Russia Travel Guide Information and Advice 'A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' Churchill St Petersburg Travel Guide | Moscow Travel Guide Russia Map | Russia Pictures Russia Travel Guide, climate: Best: May, June, Sept, Oct. July/August can be wet . Worst: Nov-March [winter is long, dark and extremely cold with short days, but the snow scenes will be stunning. Early Spring is muddy, slushy and falling icicles kill! ] Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: Moscow or St Petersburg are excellent for a wild and wooly underwear weekend. Recommended: 2 weeks to take in Moscow, St Petersburg and some of the surrounding towns - such as the Golden Ring - and countryside. The Trans-Siberian Railway to Irkutsk [Lake Baikal] will require at least 5 days. Main Russia Festivals Guide : 25 Dec- 5 Jan, Russian Winter is celebrated with traditional activities such as music, dance, sleigh rides, folk shows. New Year's Eve tends to be a family/friends occasion, so not wildly exciting. late Feb-early March, Goodbye Russian Winter, as above. Easter Sunday, Moscow, procession and service in stunning Kolomenskoe [Orthodox] church. April/May, Moscow Music Spring Festival , classical music. May 9, Victory Day Parade, Moscow. A stirring military procession. June, the White Nights arts festival is St Petersburg's liveliest event. April/May, St Petersburg Music Spring Festival , classical music. For some precise dates, more suggestions and information see: Colourful Festivals or European Festivals Activities Guide: The country is spacious - to say the least - and outdoor activities are popular but facilities and safety measures can be primitive so get specialist advice before undertaking anything halfway dangerous. Hiking: There is no shortage of excellent trekking terrain, just a shortage of marked trails or maps, so extracting information from locals regularly is essential, and as a consequence a few words of the language are vital. Either that or get a good guide. Lake Baikal [see Russia travel favourites, right], the Elbrus area of the Caucasus, west Ural Mountains and Altay Mountains are prime targets. Check the travel safety situation . White Water rafting: The Katun River in the Altay Republic, Vladisvostok and Kamchatka. Climbing: The Elbrus area of the Caucasus are superb but get specialist advice before arriving in Russia, safety aspects included . Cycling: roads are often in bad shape, cars and drivers even worse shape, but bike travel can still be rewarding, with care, a tough bike and essential spares. Local hospitality is tremendous. Canoeing: rivers can be heavily polluted so inland water travel is difficult to recommend, though the Volga River delta is supposed to be alive and delightful, while the coasts up north offer prospects of isolated adventure. Boat cruises: either on posh tourist boats or cheap, dilapidated Russian craft. The main highway is the Volga River and boats go to/from Moscow, Novgorod, Volgograd and many other attractive cities. Volgograd to Rostov-Don is supposed to be the most interesting section. June-September only. Fishing: mostly salmon out east e.g. from Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Skiing: Cross country skiing is traditionally more popular than down-hill skiing; snowboarding is becoming increasingly popular and heli-skiing is available and remarkably good value. There are more than a hundred ski areas, many of which need modernisation, though some resorts in the Caucasus Mountains offer good facilities and comfortable accommodation. For instance, Cheget in the Baksan Valley offers challenging runs, including the longest of 2.5 km; or Mount Elbus - Europe's highest peak at 5,642m [1,8513 ft] - hosts one of Russia's largest resorts, Prielbrusye. There are at least 20 ski slopes within 50 miles of Moscow and some can even be reached by metro! Ice Skating: Possibly the country's most popular pastime with frozen lakes and outdoor rinks all over during the long winter and even indoor rinks open in the summer. Inexpensive and very cheerful. Banya bathing: this Russian style sauna is a good way to experience authentic Russian social life, particularly if you are a graduate of an old British public school where extreme heat, cold and beatings were a way of life. There are banyas everywhere, ranging from appallingly dilapidated to highly polished. The Trans-Siberian Railway This week long, non-stop 10,000km [6,000mls] or so ride travels from Moscow to either: - Vladivostok on Russia's Pacific coast. - via Mongolia to Beijing. - via Manchuria and Harbin to Beijing. This is reputedly one of the world's great train journeys but does not necessarily deliver a comfortable or fascinating experience for everyone. Downside: - there are no showers, except for a few lucky 1st class travelers. - conditions will be cramped. - dining car food will be abysmal. - the scenery is mainly dull, tending towards endless forests and grassy plains, interspersed with the occasional log cabin, log village or vast lake. The train stops for 10 minutes a few times a day, leaving no time to explore, just time to aquire emergency supplies from the platform. - As a consequence, life on the train is paramount, and this depends on various factors coming together. Is your car attendant cordial? Are your fellow passengers interesting? Does anyone snore? Do you mind living off fairly basic food for six days? Can you happily stare out of a dirty window looking at birch trees for hours on end? Is TV an integral part of your life? Do you have a good selection of books with you? Do you like vodka? And so on... Upside: - you can arrange to take a stop over at key points en route, for example attractive Irkutsk [see Russia travel favourites, right] and nearby huge, mountain-hemmed Lake Baikal. Siberian timber buildings are often charming, colourfully decorated and carved. - due to the fame of the train and the number of serious travellers on it there will almost always be someone interesting you can find to chat to for days , though a good companion and a monster picnic hamper [loaded with - you've guessed - vodka] would be a useful starting point. - if you are actually going east/west for a purpose - such as for work in Japan or China - you will be saving the air fare. Train Survival hints: - don't drink the tap water. A samovar [hot water pot] in each carriage supplies sterile water. - clean your window to improve views and photos. - stand well clear when flushing the toilet , it can backfire if the train travels at speed. - learn a few key Russian phrases to charm your surly attendants. - take lots of vodka with you . You can buy some snacks, fruit, cigarettes etc during 15 minute stops at stations, but no alcohol, and you will be doing a lot of socialising! Russia Travel Star Guide: Monuments **** Shopping and souvenirs *** Walkability *** Food Quality and Variety *** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value *** Beaches black sea Wildlife * Landscape *** Local People **** Architecture **** Safety ** Nightlife and Clubbing ***** Health Problems ** Museums ***** Why Travel to Russia? This vast and diverse country, occupying the top chunk of a continent all the way from Poland to Japan - and a big chunk of world history too - demands travel attention. The architecture is both glorious and hideous, the history is monstrous, the art is sensational and the people can be touchingly friendly . Absurd Fabergé eggs? Extraordinary onion domes? Caviar crepe? Yes, please. A hard day's White Night in St Petersburg? Slamming vodka with your taxi driver? Da! Big , brutal, beautiful and intriguing, Russia is an enigma that's got to be sampled by any serious traveller. Downside: - Accommodation is hardly cheap if comfort is an issue, though plenty of budget options are available. - Hygiene can be a problem. - Officials are often unpleasantly boorish . - Crime and corruption in the cities requires an ever-open eye . - Despite the size of the country, internal flights are unreliable and Russian airlines have the world's worst safety record. Some Russia tra vel favourites: 1] ***Moscow, a diverse and interesting city with masses of history, action and must-see spectacles, though not on the same planet as St Petersburg for elegance. See Moscow Travel Guide . 2] ***St Petersburg , one of the world's most beautiful cities, with many splendid buildings and museums, including the spectacular Hermitage, with a sophisticated service industry. See St Petersburg Travel Guide . 3] ***Novgorod, 190 km [118mls] south of St Petersburg , an important political and artistic centre from the 9th century and still holds a wide and varied collection of magnificent structures including Russia's oldest cathedral, frescoes galore, and plenty of glorious oddities. 4]***The Golden Ring,a few hours travel northeast of Moscow, are a collection of attractive historic towns dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. These can be visited on day trips, but better, hire a car or join a boat with a guide and take your time to enjoy: ***Suzdal , the most important town in the Golden Ring, Suzdal used be a political and religious centre and has more than fifty quaint and well-preserved old structures. About 210km [131 mls] from Moscow. It is a major tourist attraction, yet still retains an enchanting, pre-Soviet atmosphere. **Vladimir is famed for its Golden Gate and two splendid cathedrals. About 180km [112 mls] from Moscow. **Rostov. This quiet, rustic town offers the usual churches but also a lovely lake and spectacular kremlin. **Yaroslavl is much bigger than other towns in the Ring but totally crammed with gorgeous churches, if you haven't seen enough. 250kms [156mls] from Moscow. 5] **Irkutsk , the 'Paris of Siberia', is a long way from anywhere except Mongolia, but is on the Trans-Siberian train route [see more info left] and well worth a stop-off. The city is mostly charming, with considerable Chinese influence and some magnificent architecture, including typically elaborate Siberian 'gingerbread' houses. Another of Irkutsk's attractions is the proximity to lovely, 636km [398mls] long Lake Baikal where hiking, biking, horse trekking, fishing and boating are big time. The north end is the most beautiful and isolated. Listvyanka village is a popular place to stay for tourists. 6] ***Cruising the Volga River via some superb old towns like Kazan [ancient Tatar city], Shiryaeva and Ulyanovsk [Lenin's birthplace]. See Boat cruises, left. 7]**Black Sea, Sochi. This is a Russian beach resort town with a warm climate and sophisticated health spas [sanatoria], with beaches and tennis courts, scenically situated at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. 8] ** Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains is a pretty, pleasant city except perhaps for Tsar Nick II and his family who met their end here and the USA's U2 spy pilot who was shot down in the area. The place offers excellent architecture, museums, entertainment and access to the Urals for varied activities. Cuisine Guide: You can eat well and inexpensively nowadays, especially in cafés and fast food places in the cities. Do choose places that look clean and are busy , poor hygiene could result in intestinal blowout. Moscow and St Petersburg in particular have seen an astronomical growth in cafés, bars and restaurants, including classic Chinese, Japanese and Italian offerings, western fast food chains and traditional Russian cuisine . Russian food tends to be rich and on the heavy side in winter , such as meaty dumplings, meaty cabbage rolls, cabbage soup with sour cream, and the national icons - borscht [beetroot soup], blinis [pancakes] and caviar, while lighter foods like superb soups and salads are around in the summer . Avoid eating shellfish except in St Petersburg and street ice cream anywhere. Drinks: We all know the varied pleasures of vodka, particularly drunk chilled and in one gulp, but Russia also does a fine line in local beers with lively flavours, good champagne, not such good wine , passable tea and effective coffee. Russians love to press drinks on foreigners so prepare your excuses now. Or practice chugging. Accommodation guide: You are supposed to have a place booked in order to get a tourist visa . There's a wide range of accommodation from luxury hotels at silly prices to cheapish hostels at around $20 pn, but it's important to book well ahead for the June-September season. Private home stays are widespread , giving the tourist relatively good value rooms and a close look at real Russian life. The downside is that the place may be out of the way, the bed lumpy and the morning-after breakfast provider in-your-face during your recovery time. Camping is fine in many places though - as usual - check with locals before bedding down. Organised camping sites are rare and usually open mid-June to mid-September. Russia Tours Tour operators offering travel to Russia can be found in our listings here: Russia Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Map of Europe Travel Safety: Travel to Chechenya and the north Caucasus is not recommended; check the Foreign Office site or tour operators for up-to-date warnings. Otherwise stay on the regular tourist routes. Don't flash your cash! Pickpocketing and bag filching may occur on crowded public transport while hotel rooms are by no means thief-proof. Lock everything into your bags before leaving the room and use a safe deposit if there is one. Take care with taxis. Don't get in if there is anyone other than the driver inside, and don't necessarily trust the driver. See Safety page. Travel Health: Do not drink Russian tap water , not even for cleaning your teeth. Check you are up to date with all jabs, and consider including vaccinations for diptheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B. A flu jab is also useful if you plan to travel to Russia in spring or autumn when the bugs are rampant. Foreigners usually prefer to be treated at private clinics, which are very costly. Get Insurance! Costs: Russia can be good value if you don't mind slightly crude accommodation and eat/drink at local establishments rather than typical tourist places. Change money for roubles only at official exchanges or banks. Cash is easier to change than travellers cheques. Tipping: About 10% to taxi drivers and 10-15% to waiters in restaurants. Electricity : Electric sockets are 230v and take 2 round pin plugs. Internet: There are masses of reasonably priced web cafés in bigger cities. Local travel: The big cities have good metro and bus services at low prices . Locals enjoy life as illegal taxi drivers for extra cash. Beware though, some are pure evil, others wonderful, hospitable guides. Hitch-hiking is common for Russians but not advisable for tourists . Intercity travel: Trains connecting Moscow to St Petersburg are common, efficient and inexpensive . The Aurora day train takes 6 hours, the evening train 4 hours. Passenger boats are common between cities - tho' slow - including Moscow to St Pete. For exploring the countryside around big cities consider car hire, with or without a driver/guide. It's not expensive and very convenient. International travel: Moscow and St Petersburg are both easy to reach from many European cities by fast, efficient trains and buses ; other Russia cities are more difficult to access directly. Language: Some locals speak English, French, or German but ability to recognise the Cyrillic alphabet and a few words of Russian would really help your experience along. Visas: All visitors need a visa which needs a hotel/hostel booking . If you plan to travel in Russia you may want to see our: China Travel Guide Japan Travel Guide Austria Travel Guide Czech Republic Travel Guide Finland Travel Guide Hungary Travel Guide Turkey Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog