Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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CNNGo.com


The library where you can borrow a person

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 02:09 AM PDT

Human Library Singapore

This Sunday Singapore will host a Human Library event  -- it will make you think of libraries as more than quiet spaces filled with dusty books.

Think of it as a library with a human touch, where 'books' come in the form of human beings whom you can borrow for a one-to-one conversation.

Inspired by a quirky idea that started out in 2000 in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival, a group of young people have organized Singapore's first Human Library.

The 'books' include an alternative healing practitioner, members of the Singapore Contemporary Young Artists, a member of the Singapore Association for the Deaf, a poet, parkour enthusiasts, as well as a rural development social worker.

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Animal voluntourism, annoying HK commuters, Singapore human library

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 02:05 AM PDT

Japanese beer popsicle, Singapore human library, Bangkok Viagra scandal

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 01:35 AM PDT

Win tickets to the 2011 Shanghai Sevens

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 12:36 AM PDT

Win tickets to the 2011 Shanghai Sevens

CNNGo has 15 pairs of tickets to give away for the Shanghai Sevens rugby event at the Yuanshen Sports Center (源深体育中心) on August 27-28.

Use this opportunity to get familiar with this Olympic sport and cheer on the Chinese team.  The event will also include live music, face painting for kids, great games with prizes and a beer garden.

To enter, submit your answer to the question mentioned in the form below. Five contestants with the best answers will be selected every week until August 24, and awarded two tickets each.

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Beer popsicle alert as ice beer hits Japan

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 09:30 PM PDT

We have some good news and some weird news for beer purists.

The good news is, Kirin has announced a new addition to its suds lineup, and for once it's actual beer, not that "happoshu" blend of liquor and goodness-knows-what that Japanese breweries cook up to benefit from tax breaks.

The weird news is, Kirin's Ice Plus Beer is designed to be consumed on ice. Yes -- in a glass, over a stack of fresh cubes of frozen water.

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Wang Fangqing: Why Xintiandi isn't Shanghainese

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 09:27 PM PDT

During Shanghai's massive Shikumen demolitions in the 1990s, a few blocks of traditional residential buildings near Taiping Bridge (太平桥) dodged the destruction, due to a US$150 million investment by the Hong Kong-based real estate behemoth Shui On.

A decade later, these buildings are known as Xintiandi (新天地), which translates as "New Heaven and Earth". It's Shanghai's signature entertainment and tourist destination, and it doesn't hesitate to brag about its Shikumen theme.

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Jeepneys fading out, Angry Bird moon cakes, Bondi wintry swims

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 08:31 PM PDT

曼谷最佳泰式按摩

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 04:32 PM PDT

曼谷的傳統泰式按摩,由米路的 180 泰銖一小時擦背,到高級酒店裡收費令人咋舌的奢華 SPA 都有。 

然而,在首都有許多中價的獨立 SPA,提供物有所值的服務,舒緩疲勞後還有閒錢坐的士回去。  

更多在 CNNGo: 泰式按摩:懶人的瑜珈

按摩常讓人聯想到放縱的個人享受,可是大部份好的按摩店亦設私人情侶房,讓夫妻情侶一齊體驗按摩或分別嘗試兩種不同療法加以比較。 

以下在曼谷享受傳統泰式按摩的六大好去處。 

Divana Divine SPA 

服務:  泰式鬆弛按摩

收費:   950 泰銖 90 分鐘 

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30시간안에 재벌남과 결혼하는 법

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT

중국의 결혼

재벌남을 만났다. 그의 마음을 훔칠 수 있는 방법은? 

한국의 드라마나 만화 같았다면 뺨을 때리거나 "난 네가 싫어!"라고 외치는 방법이 쓰였겠지만 현실에서는 조금 더 현실적인 방법이 필요하지 않을까? 

베이징의 한 여성 도덕 교육원은 수강료 2만 위안($3,090)을 받고 30시간짜리 강의 코스를 진행하는데 강의의 제목은 "돈 많은 싱글남 유혹하기"이다. 상하의의 공식 홈페이지에 소개된 내용이라고 하니 눈길을 끌만하다. 

이 강의에서는 돈 많은 남자를 유혹하기 위한 대화 기술, 성격 개발, 화장 팁, 전통 다도 등을 가르친다.  

안정적인 삶을 위해

이 곳 강사로도 일하는 이 교육원 설립자 샤오 통 (Shao Tong)은 남자의 특징과 인품을 이해하고 특히 거짓말을 판별하는 방법을 학생들을 가르치고 있다고 한다.

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Philippine jeepneys nearing end of a colorful road

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT

In a dusty workshop in the town of Angono, just outside Manila, an artist glances up at a poster from the Disney animation "Tangled."

He compares it with the image of the film's strong-jawed hero, which he is airbrushing onto the side of an old jeepney.

The artwork has been commissioned by the owner of the jeepney, and will be a brash, ostentatious statement that he no doubt hopes will mark his vehicle out from every other.

"This will be finished later today," says Damaso Reyes, owner of Dasoy Motors, the small auto workshop charged with completing the design.

Reyes will make a small profit for his work. For some, however, the scene here is a sign of the decay that is affecting Filipino jeepney art.

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Asia travel news

Asia travel news


Centara offers free room nights during Chiang Mai green season

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 01:01 AM PDT

Vietnam: Cat Ba island

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 09:49 PM PDT

Hanoi - a mixture of discreet charm and excitement

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 09:06 PM PDT

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VIETNAM-A tour in Hanoi is to steep yourself in history, tradition, and legend in a capital that has been inhabited continuously for almost a millenium. Visitors often note that the city is quieter, greener, and "cooler" than other big cities of Vietnam. Indeed, Hanoi itself, and the Northern Vietnam, have quite clear four seasons, and October to March are lovely pretty cool months whilst other towns southward just have dry and rainy times. It probably influences in the mentality of the inhabitants and the city seems attract more intellectuals and artists, while Saigon is great for entrepreneurs and hustlers.

Hanoi's present architecture is mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, and the French-built section of the town is largely intact. Yet, the city preserves many old religious temples and shrines dedicated to the nation's heroes or deities, who supported the farmers to cultivate and protect the fertile land on the Red River right bank and gather the first commercial guilds to form what later became an exciting urban town. Hanoi street life now is fascinating. In the early morning, you can see people both young and old practicing "tai chi quan" or martial arts in the parks and joggers along pretty lakes. Outdoor barbers with mirrors simply hung on the street walls and women selling great French baguettes and flowers are also at every street corner. If you go for a walk, the motorbikes and cyclos may make you wonder a bit which directions they move on, but as soon as you get a chance to try one of them, you could say they are not so risky like they seem to be, as the local drivers have extremely special skills to avoid one another (!). Thus a deliberate Cyclo tour for one or two hours is so far the best way to visit the Old Quarter, 90% of which are narrow and short streets.

During the two Indochinese Wars in 20th century, Hanoi had been heavily damaged, but there is virtually no evidence that now and the particularly thin, tall, often awkward-looking buildings that you see on streets are not a result of bombing, but are created by landowners who own only a thin slice of land so build up rather than out. Hanoi has a number of lovely parks and big Lakes which inspire the ancient architects to build graceful temples nearby, and Museums with precious exhibits of Vietnam's Fine Arts, Ethnology, History and Recent Wars that attract not only historians but foreign visitors and local people.

Finally, the Hanoians are reckoned the warmest and most approachable in the country. Though English is not as commonly spoken as in Saigon, most of the shopkeepers have learnt English quite enough to discussion on the commodities and price, and many of the older generation have a working vocabulary of French. Regardless of language, people will attempt to chat with you irrespective of whether you can understand them. Many of the cyclo drivers speak some English and often have very interesting pasts that they are now willing to discuss with foreigners. At times in Hanoi, you could be sitting in a cafe sipping excellent coffee that Vietnam plant in the Central Highlands for domestic use and export, eating great pastries that is a pleasant trace of the French time, chatting in French to an old beret clad gentleman, whilst as you look out the window you can see posh French-style villas in the shadows of fig trees or malabar-almon trees. Then you can really wonder just what country you really are in. In a single word, Hanoi is a city to be savoured.


The 7 most beautiful temples in Asia

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 01:35 AM PDT

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Unless you’re born and raised in Asia, you probably haven’t even heard of some of these places. But just like the much more famous European cathedrals and churches, Asia’s temples are amazing works of art just waiting to be discovered. Here’s a look at the seven most beautiful holy places in Asia.

7. Kinkaku-ji, Japan
Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji was built in 1397 as a retirement villa for one of Japan’s famous shoguns. It was his son who turned it into a Zen temple. This three-story building is where many important relics of Buddha are being kept.

It was burned down twice during the Onin War and once in 1950 accidentally, by a monk who then tried to kill himself. Kinkaku-ji was completely rebuilt in 1955 and the decaying gold leaf covering the top two stories was replaced by a thicker new one. The setting of the Golden Pavilion is also, as you can see, breathtaking.

6. Prambanan, Indonesia
Built sometime around 850 CE, the Prambanan temple complex in Indonesia is one of the world’s largest remaining Hindu legacies. The foundation rises 47 meters above the ground and it symbolizes the triumph of the Hindu religion in Indonesia. It has been added on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list in 1991.

There are over 200 temples in the Prambanan temple complex, but the most impressive ones are the three set in the primary yard and dedicated to the gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The highest and largest one is dedicated to the goddess Shiva and it is beautifully decorated with statues and paintings depicting Hindu legends.

5. Borobudur, Indonesia
One of the oldest holy places in Indonesia, Borobudur is a Buddhist monument built sometime in the ninth century, where those of strong faith still come to pray. The three levels of Borobudur, that the pilgrims have to ascend, symbolize the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu and Arupadhatu.

Borobudur was deserted for centuries until 1814 when the English ruler of Java Island at that time learned about it from the locals. Restoration started immediately and now this Buddhist place of pilgrimage is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. Unlike other temples, Borobudur was built atop a bedrock hill, 265m above sea-level.

4. Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Measuring 98 meters in height, this giant stupa is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in all of Myanmar, hosting relics of the last four Buddhas enshrined inside it. There are no records of when the Shwedagon Pagoda was built, legends say it was 2500 years ago but archeological reports say the stupa dates back to somewhere between the 6th and 10th centuries.

Shwedagon Pagoda is also known as the Golden Pagoda and unlike other structures that are painted golden, this Buddhist place of worship is actually covered with real gold. In the 15th century the queen ordered that it be leafed in gold and to this day, visitors sometimes buy small gold leafs and decorate the pagoda.

3. Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
The most sacred place in Bhutan, Tiger’s Nest Monastery is also one of the most beautiful and impressive holy structures in the world. It sits atop a cliff, at a height of 3,120 meters, watching over the Paro valley below. Legend says Guru Rinpoche (an important figure in Buddhism) flew to this place on the back of a tiger and meditated in a cave for three months. The cave is said to be part of Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery we see today was built in 1962, but it was seriously damaged in a fire that broke out in 1998. Reconstruction was done using old photographs and writings but there was hardly any documentation on the inside of the monastery and the objects it housed. People can journey to this incredible place by foot or on mules.

2. The Golden Temple, India
Sri Harmadir Sahib, as it is known in India, is one of the most sacred places for Sikhs everywhere. It started out as a quiet lake in the middle of a forest, a place where Buddha himself is said to have stopped for meditation. Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion also stopped there and after his death, his followers continued to come here for meditation. Over the centuries this Sri Harmadir Sahib became more and more beautiful under the rule of each guru of the Sikhs.

Today, the Golden Temple is regarded as a symbol of original Sikh architectural style where the Moslem and Hindu ways of construction come together in harmony. The Golden Temple is built out of marble and gold and decorated with countless valuable gems. It is as peaceful as it is beautiful.

1. Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
The White Temple built in the Chiang Rai province is unlike any of the other temples of Thailand. It is a modern masterpiece built by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a popular artist who dedicated 10 years of his life to this grand project, in the name of Buddha. It is a modern project built almost entirely out of white materials and decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass that make it glitter, especially during the night.

Asked about his project, Chalermchai Kositpipat said he intended to build a replica of the magnificent and resplendent heaven. He managed to blend traditional Buddhist elements with modern, contemporary themes and that’s what makes Wat Rong Khun unique. If you‘re ever in Thailand be sure to stop by the White Temple, it is more than worth the time.


Jeju - An Official finalist of the "New7Wonders of Nature"

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 01:07 AM PDT

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KOREA-Located just south of the Korean peninsula, Jeju is a volcanic island that was formed by five millions of years ago. It is beloved by scientists and tourists alike for its stunning natural features.

Over the past decade, Jeju Island has received three different UNESCO certifications; it was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, and a Global Geopark in 2010. The island is also one of the official finalists of the worldwide ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ campaign.

The Official ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ is the second global campaign run by the New7Wonders Foundation in Switzerland, following its first campaign to elect the ‘New Man-made Wonders of the World’ (a campaign which drew over 100 million votes). After two rounds of voting and input from a Panel of Experts, the list of 28 Official Finalists has been announced and Jeju Island is proud and privileged to find itself among the chosen few.


Vietnam Travel Advice

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 12:50 AM PDT

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Latest Travel News Daily Email from ASIA Travel Tips.com

Tuesday, 2 August 2011. News from last night Asia time and today.

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3/8/2011 Ascott to Buy Hai Phong Property.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-SomersetHaiPhong.shtml


3/8/2011 Two Manchester Milestones for Etihad Airways.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-EtihadManchester.shtml


3/8/2011 Jumeirah Opens Hotel in Germany.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-JumeirahFrankfurt.shtml


3/8/2011 InterContinental Singapore Opens Renovated Rooms.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-InterContinentalSingapore.shtml


3/8/2011 AAPA Questions EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-EmissionsTrading.shtml


3/8/2011 Mai-BS (Thailand) Signs Project in Bangladesh.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-Bangladesh.shtml


3/8/2011 Finnair and Belavia to Codeshare.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/38-Finnair.shtml


2/8/2011 Singapore Retains Position as Asia's Top Convention City.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/28-Singapore.shtml


2/8/2011 Outrigger Laguna Phuket Opens New Suites.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news11/28-OutriggerPhuket.shtml

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