This issue marks the start of our ninth year publishing Global Traveler, so I was delighted to learn recently that, in Chinese, the word for “nine” is a homophone for the word for “long-lasting.” How appropriate! Long-lasting applies to Global Traveler in so many ways. We’re still going strong, even in an environment of economic uncertainty. While our staff has grown by leaps and bounds since our February 2004 debut, our original team is still intact (and ever-grateful for the talented professionals who have joined our ranks through the years).

And we have established a dedicated group of contributors, some of whom were listed on that very first masthead in Vol. 1, Issue 1; among them: Fran Golden, who, in this issue, takes us on a family getaway to the Cayman Islands, and Mary Gallagher, our expert health columnist.

Also in this issue, Ron Bernthal writes about airport art, and Richard Newton explores Casablanca. Stephen Jermanok shares a plan for exploring Sydney in a day, and J.D. Brown offers tips on doing business in Nanjing. Mike DeFreitas chases adventure in Peru, Debra Bokur explores Berlin’s nightlife, and Allison Voigts kicks back on Jeju Island.

It’s up, up and away as we launch year No. 9.