And politicians in India, often cursed by their constituents for flocking to disasters to show their concern, compare rather well with a US president whose first big gesture after Katrina's damage became evident is to cut a five-week vacation short by two days to give the matter his full attention.

BBC: NEWS | Programmes | From Our Own Correspondent | Lessons in dealing with disaster

Then, on a three-week vacation to Argentina, I realised day trading while away from home was easier than I anticipated.

BBC: How I quit my job to travel: The banker

The only reason the bank became alerted was that our bank officer was on a two-week vacation, so someone else took the call.

FORBES: A Snitch In Time Can Save Employers a Lot of Money

Even the President Obama, incessantly occupied since he announced his candidacy in early 2007, was finally able to take a crisis-free vacation during the last week of the year.

FORBES: Memo From Washington: Turning A Corner

One summer I took a vacation from my law job to attend an intensive one-week magazine writing course at Columbia Journalism School.

FORBES: The Case Against Law School

Last week, an Italian magazine provoked uproar in the UK media when it published pictures of a bikini-clad Catherine on vacation, with her "baby bump" visible.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS