The trail, which starts near the small town of Nong Khiaw not far from the tourism hub of Luang Prabang, was really only discovered by tourists in 2009, though it has been used by locals for years as a direct route between the scattered settlements of the Nam Ou valley.

BBC: Northern Laos�� 100 Waterfalls Trek

But one business school is taking a more direct route by actually studying one of the globe's true pleasures -- Champagne.

CNN: Learning to lead in Champagne

"When I decided to open a direct air route, my proposal was opposed by the military, " he told the visitors.

CNN: Kim Jong Il's New Direction

The 20-mile-long drive, which is double the distance of the most direct route, passed by broken down homes, downed power lines, a smouldering mall which had been on fire for hours, nearly empty streets, and once in Algiers, a half-hour later, this strange sight.

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