Beethoven Hall in Bonn

A central priority in Zaha Hadid Architect’s urban design concept for a new Beethoven Festival Hall is linking the city of Bonn to the Rhine River promenade and leveraging that idea’s potential to enrich public life on the river’s edge.

Learning from the missed opportunities during the planning of the existing building in the 1950’s, Zaha Hadid Architect’ proposal not only incorporates a high degree of porosity in its site plan, but intensifies the connection by introducing a transparent “Rhine Foyer” into the building mass; a dramatic atrium that stretches from the City to the Rhine. With two main façades, the building presents itself in an open and inviting manner to the River and the City, allowing for deep visual links through its crystalline mass. The light Rhine Foyer will make audiences and performers feel comfortable and relaxed but simultaneously excited by the anticipation of a unique experience.

Site circulation can take place uninterrupted through various levels inside and around the building. Artificial landscape formations lead from inside the building to terraced outdoor areas, interweaving the elevated foyer levels with surrounding exterior plateaus. The stepped topography on the Rhine invites Bonn residents and visitors to informally enjoy outdoor performances. The main public route is a large diagonal passage, an ‘erosion’, running from the city through the Rhine Foyer and down a large exterior staircase to the river promenade. The promenade is sliced into curvilinear seating that gently step down to the Rhine, facing a seasonal floating performance area on the water’s edge. Illumination from within the foyer, embedded in the ground, and floating in the water will change the character of the site and building during evening performances.

Ecofriendly Residences in Corniche Bay, Mauritius

 Foster and Partners in collaboration with d’Unienville and Associates Architects have designed a discreet and environmentally friendly masterplan for a series of residences in Corniche Bay, Mauritius. The main concept was to create a contemporary architecture that blends harmoniously with the lush landscape. Fingers of tropical vegetation are inserted into the buildings that respond to the contours of the landscape and recedes into the green totality.

The buildings are equipped with green technologies such as water collectors and solar panels. All the building materials are indigenous and mostly 100% recyclable.

An interesting feature of the project is the undulating roof that allows for cross ventilation and few vertical supports.

Shell-like Café in Littlehampton / Heatherwick Studio

 Heatherwick Studio was commissioned to design a café building to replace a seafront kiosk in Littlehampton on England’s south coast. With the post-war rise in cheap package holidays having deprived the English seaside town of investment and downgraded many of them to cheap clichés, the studio’s client saw an opportunity to change this. Mother and daughter team Jane Wood and Sophie Murray, both residents of Littlehampton, were keen to do something different that might begin to re-establish the importance of the English seaside town.

The studio saw the challenge as responding to the constraints of the narrow site by producing a long, thin building without flat, two-dimensional façades. The envelope is sliced diagonally into strips which wrap up and over the building, creating a layered protective shell, open to the seafront. The elevation looking onto the sea is fully glazed, protected at night by roller shutters concealed within the building’s geometry, the 30 centimetre width of the ribbons being the dimension of a shutter mechanism.

In contrast to the conventional white-washed seaside aesthetic, the building is raw and weathered, with the structural steel shell protected by a coating that permits rust-like patination to develop without affecting structural performance. A kiosk and cafeteria by day and a restaurant in the evening, the East Beach Cafe seats sixty.

East Beach Café won numerous awards including a prestigious RIBA National Award.

Chicago Solar Tower / Zoka Zola Architecture

The proposed Solar Tower for Chicago by Zoka Zola Architects features an active solar array mounted to the façade which maximizes solar gain throughout the day. The spherically based design takes advantage of the large surface of a building by mounting the panels on the vertical plane. By incorporating tracking arms that the solar units mount to, summer electrical production can be improved by as much as 40% compared to a static mounted solar array, and even more compared to traditional vertically mounted solar facades. The array’s full potential is then realized, creating the greatest kWhrs production per square foot of any design. Mini-wind generators can also be incorporated into the tracking arms.

The spherical panels are mounted in such a way as to maintain views for the interior but to reduce heat gain. This results in a minimized dependency on a cooling plant. Occupants can override the panels to manipulate natural lighting conditions or the view of the Chicago skyline. The panels are evident from the interiors of the tower to emulate the technology. The siting of the tower will have a dramatic effect on its power production-being isolated or adjacent to a southerly body of water or park is preferable.  The entire building will have a kinetic profile raising onlooker’s awareness of renewable onsite energy production and sustainable urban design.

Barclays Center in New York City / SHoP Architects

SHoP Architects unveiled their design for the new Barclays Center in New York City.

The center achieves a balance between iconic form and per formative engagement with the street. The main public concourse is predominately glazed at the sidewalk level while the civic gesture of the arena is heightened by a spectacular 30 feet high canopy. Views and physical access both into and out of the arena will be plentiful to ensure a strong connection to the surrounding urban environment.

5 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Your honeymoon is going to be romantic no matter where you go. You and your brand new husband could probably manage it even if you just stay at home. Romance is in the company, not in the place, but for most of us a particular destination can really help give a honeymoon that romantic feel from start to finish. A truly romantic place will lead to memories for a lifetime. Here are my top five suggestions for the perfect romantic honeymoon destination.

1. Tahiti

Tahiti is easily the most romantic honeymoon destination that I at least can imagine. Its scenery alone, with towering mountains, lush green rainforests, and smooth white sandy beaches, make it a destination to remember. Overwater bungalows with stunning views of the ocean, butler service, and easy access to the beach will ensure your days are full of relaxation and romance.

Tahiti can cater to those who want a more rustic honeymoon as well as couples seeking the most luxurious two weeks of their lives.

2. Thailand

If you're after a luxury honeymoon in Asia, look no further than Thailand. Bangkok is a surprisingly romantic city with sumptuous dining and accommodation options. There are a wealth of shops, museums, and monuments to keep you busy and you might even head out on a romantic boat trip along the canals.

Thailand also has a number of romantic beaches with equally luxurious resorts; you might enjoy relaxing in your own private pool or lounging on one of Thailand's unspoilt beaches.

3. The Maldives

Perhaps the most stereotypical of honeymoon destinations, the Maldives have that reputation for a very good reason. Quite simply, the islands are gorgeous, making this one of the perfect places for a beach honeymoon. The islands' accommodation is designed for this express purpose; almost every resort boasts a spa for relaxing massages; some of them are even overwater, so you can watch the fish and coral as you luxuriate in comfort.

When you're sick of diving and snorkelling, you can lie back on the beach and take advantage of your island butler for cocktails and gourmet snacks.

4. Barbados

It seems like beach destinations go hand-in-hand with romance. Barbados is another picture-perfect romantic honeymoon destination with a touch of extra glamour to spice up your weeks. The island is stunning, with white sandy beaches alongside rugged rocky coasts. Barbados is also a popular "destination wedding" island since it's very easy to get married there; there are none of the typical costly issues surrounding getting married in another country. Weeks spent on Barbados will truly feel like paradise due to the romantic atmosphere and true leisure potential of the island.

5. Australia

While you wouldn't expect Australia on this list, it fully deserves its place. Renowned as a holiday spot for backpackers and hitchhikers, Australia's growth in tourism and surround of picturesque beaches fully warrant its place on my honeymoon list. Australia truly has it all, with climate ranging from dense rainforest to red desert to soft beaches.

The entire country is edged by gorgeous blue ocean, making this the perfect spot for surfers, divers, and swimmers. It's easy to switch up your honeymoon in the same country; spend a week in glamorous, busy Sydney, two days in a homey desert outpost, and the rest of your holiday on a luxurious and romantic beach resort.

Ocean Pavilion for the 2012 Yeosu World Expo / SOMA

Architectural studio SOMA has finished the design of the thematic pavilion for the 2012 Yeosu World Expo. The project was selected in late 2009 and is expected to begin construction during the next couple of months.
As a major and permanent facility the thematic pavilion embodies the expo’s theme ‘the living ocean and coast’ in manifold ways. The ocean is experienced in two ways, as an endless surface and in an immersed perspective as depth. The plain duality of the ocean motivates the building’s spatial and organisational concept. Continuous surfaces twist from vertical to horizontal orientation and define all significant interior spaces. The vertical cones induce the visitor to immerse into the thematic exhibition.

They evolve into horizontal levels that cover the foyer and become a flexible stage for the best practice area. Continuous transitions between contrasting experiences also form the outer appearance of the pavilion. Towards the sea the conglomeration of solid vertical cones define a new meandering coast line, a soft edge that is in constant negotiation between water and land. Opposite side the pavilion develops out of the ground into an artificial roof landscape with gardens and scenic paths. The topographic lines of the roof turn into lamellas of the kinetic media facade that faces the expo’s entrance and the ‘digital gallery’.

The building will be erected in a former industrial harbour along a new promenade. Bridges will connect the pavilion to the expo site. after the expo and the aspired improvement of water quality the promenade will be transformed into an ‘urban beach’ offering leisure activities to the public. The main entrance is situated on ocean plaza, which is partly covered by the pavilion to achieve a shaded outdoor waiting area. The space boundaries of the open foyer are defined by the twisting surfaces of the cones.Tthe interstitial spaces between them frame the view onto the ocean and create niches for the visitors to take a pause from the exhibition.

The Ocean Imagination pavilion

The Ocean Imagination pavilion shows off the true beauty of nature !

Is it a wheel? Maybe a giant-wheel! Hell no! It’s the Ocean Imagination, the Thematic Pavilion of Yeosu 2012 by Unsangdong Architects, a pavilion beautiful enough to be a wonder of the world. Looking great isn’t everything this one boasts. It’s green too! A viewer gets a closer look at the ocean’s ecosystems with this pavilion with various exhibits that relate to man-made nature.

The pavilion also features the Ocean Gate, a type of vertical sea-shore. Also, the Sustainable Ocean void space combines flowing water with the ecological environment, while the structure’s outer space is used for exhibiting the Water-Valley, Media-Valley, Play-Valley, Green-Valley and loads more.

With a total area of 6200m2 and a theme and exhibition area of 2,000m2 and 1,600m2 respectively, the 100m Ocean Imagination is sure to make your imagination run wild and bring you a lot closer to nature.

Up In The Air: Flying Is Back

After years of almost nothing but bad news coming from the international aviation industry, there’s finally something upbeat to report. In the month of May, both international passenger and freight traffic moved ahead of pre-recession levels. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported an 11.7% increase in passenger traffic and a 34.3% jump in freight demand compared to May 2009.



With airlines closely watching capacity growth, they are filling close to 80% of available seats, a near record level. Now if they could only get corporations to once again start paying 10 times the price of an economy seat for the big seats up front, everything would

Cruising Canucks: Sea-Based Vacations Are Fastest-Growing Segment

More Canadians are walking the gangplank – and paying for the privilege. A new study reveals that cruises make up the fastest growing segment of Canada’s travel market.

Industry researcher PhoCusWright Inc. says cruises fit well with the Canadian appetite for all-inclusive package vacations – even though most cruises don’t include things like alcohol in the price. Over the past couple of years cruises have certainly appealed to Canadians’ appetite for bargains.

When many Americans stayed home during the worst of the recession, prices plummeted and less-impacted Canadians happily took their place – Canadian cruisers grew by 5% in 2008 and “a stunning 9% in 2009″ during the recession. Another interesting result from the study: 27% of Canadian travellers surveyed said they usually book through traditional travel agencies, compared to just 13%of American travellers.



Meanwhile, the cruise industry continues to generate reams of press with product enhancements. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has struggled in recent years, is back in the spotlight with the launch of its largest ship ever, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Epic.

Taking the ‘floating resort’ concept to new levels, the ship puts the focus on onboard activities rather than port calls, with a dazzling entertainment line-up and an array of dining opportunities. With behemoths like Epic and Royal Caribbean’s 5,600-passenger Oasis of the Seas, it’s easy to forget you’re on a ship. But that seems to be what a sizable segment of cruisers want.

Rather than an opportunity to explore new destinations, many cruisers appear more interested in eating, drinking, tanning by the pool and checking out high-profile entertainment at night. And when it comes to port calls, some of the most popular are the private islands owned by Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America and NCL.

These small Caribbean islands are uninhabited until a few thousands cruisers arrive, unmolested by the hawkers and vendors typical of cruise ports. The cruise lines continue to add private island amenities, from private cabanas to water play areas, exhilarating rides to expanded beaches.

Hotel Industry Recovery: As Rooms Fill, Rates Will Rise

Industry analysts and hoteliers agree that 2009 was the worst year in the history of the hotel business. Not surprisingly, they’re only admitting that now as fortunes appear to be on the rise again — it doesn’t do to preach doom when you’re still trying to sell franchises or attract investors.

What that means for travellers is that rate increases are just around the corner. As Business Travel News reported this week, a recent investment conference in New York gave lodging leaders a forum to express their recession experiences. “What happened last year was really the perfect storm,” said Best Western CEO David Kong. “Demand went down substantially, almost 6 percent, and at the same time supply grew by 3.2 percent.” “Corporate business just fell off a cliff,” said Monty Bennett, CEO of upscale hotel owner Ashford Hospitality.

“When all these companies cut back all corporate travel, they made their profits by cutting expenses. Now that they’re looking to grow profits, they can’t cut expenses anymore.” The turnaround is underway, with hotels reporting higher occupancy through the first few months of 2010.

 Rates, which plummeted to very consumer-friendly levels during the recession, have yet to bounce back, but hoteliers believe that’s just a matter of time.

There’s Gold In Them Islands: Caribbean Tourism Worth $12 Billion

There are few places that equal the Caribbean when it comes to sun, sand and sea pleasures. There’s no place that equals the region for dependence on tourism.

A recent impact study found that the Caribbean travel and tourism industry will earn $12 billion this year and account for 1.9 million direct and indirect jobs – or one in every nine jobs in the region. Tourism’s contribution to regional GDP is over 4% directly, but tops 12% on a broader impact measure.

For some destinations, the impact is even more profound: tourism is responsible for one in four jobs on the island of Jamaica and 27.7% of the island’s GDP.




In a statement delivering the study results, UK-based Oxford Economics said “Our research indicates that travel and tourism play a proportionately stronger role in both GDP and employment creation [in the Caribbean] than in any other comparable region,” As history has shown, such a disproportionately high dependence on tourism can be as precarious as it is profitable, as natural disasters and civil unrest can quickly slow the flow of visitors.

Miami, Florida - Top Travel Attractions

Take a visual tour of the top attractions of Miami, Florida - South Beach, Ocean Driver, Everglades, and Art Deco Architecture.

Definition the term sustainable transport

The term sustainable transport came into use as a logical follow-on from sustainable development, and is used to describe modes of transport, and systems of transport planning, which are consistent with wider concerns of sustainability. There are many definitions of the sustainable transport, and of the related terms sustainable transportation and sustainable mobility.

One such definition, from the European Union Council of Ministers of Transport, defines a sustainable transportation system as one that:

    * Allows the basic access and development needs of individuals, companies and society to be met safely and in a manner consistent with human and ecosystem health, and promotes equity within and between successive generations.

    * Is Affordable, operates fairly and efficiently, offers a choice of transport mode, and supports a competitive economy, as well as balanced regional development.

    * Limits emissions and waste within the planet’s ability to absorb them, uses renewable resources at or below their rates of generation, and uses non-renewable resources at or below the rates of development of renewable substitutes, while minimizing the impact on the use of land and the generation of noise.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sustainable transport

Sustainable transport (or green transport) is a concept, an ideology and, in some countries, a governmental policy that consists of strengthening or replacing the current transport systems of an urban/suburban area with more fuel-efficient, space-saving and healthy lifestyle-promoting alternatives. The term refers to any means of transport with low impact on the environment, and includes human or animal muscle-powered vehicles, low-carbon fueled vehicles, any kind of vehicle using a renewable source of energy for its propulsion. The most common usage of green transport is walking.

 

A common form of green transport vehicles are hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles use an internal combustion engine combined with an electric engine. Biofuel powered vehicles use fuels derived from plant sources, such as vegetable oil, biodiesel, or bioalcohol for their propultion.

Top 10 spring break destinations - Miami

The long, skinny island of Miami Beach — and specifically image-conscious South Miami Beach (that’s South Beach or SoBe in shorthand), with its charming Art Deco District and sizzling dining and club scenes, has for the past decade reigned as one of America’s capitals of cool.






It’s the kind of place where you might spot Cuban boat people washed up on Ocean Drive or a guy walking a leashed mountain lion on Lincoln Road. Sure, there’s some pretty interesting and even cultural stuff to do out here, but it’s really all about “the scene” — by day, sun and sand amid scantily-clad, hard-bodied rollerbladers and volleyballers, by night, dining and partying amid a mix of the rich, famous, and fabulous.





This sprawling, sexy, sun-splashed resort playground's posh combination of sun, sand, and hedonism makes it the quintessential glamorama party capital and a perfect spring break destination.

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Top 10 spring break destinations - Lake Havasu, Arizona

While Las Vegas is an all-time favorite spring break destination, Lake Havasu, some 3 hours southeast of Sin City in the Arizona desert, is also gaining major partygoer appeal, thanks to its array of after-dark action, stunning scenery, and its main attraction, the eponymous lake itself.




Nestled amid craggy mountain peaks alongside the Colorado River, and dubbed the "personal watercraft capital of the world," Lake Havasu boasts over 400 miles of coastline and water sports galore — think fishing, skiing, kayaking, and boating (lots of boat and Jet Ski rentals are also available for those of you without your own vessels). Havasu's on-land activities span from beach-bumming, off-roading desert treks, and golfing, to horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, rock climbing, and biking.

There’s plenty of nighttime action to keep spring breakers playing long after dark, too: Several clubs and bars boast killer views of the Colorado River and some even offer outdoor parties on the river itself.

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Top 10 spring break destinations - Koh Phangan, Thailand

Originally developed as an alternative to popular Koh Samui and Phuket, the lush, beach-trimmed island of Koh Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand, has since gained its own spring break destination notoriety thanks to its monthly all-night beach parties, held on the Haad Rin peninsula in honor of the full moon.




Indeed, the Full Moon Parties have become legendary, attracting as many as 10,000 moon-worshippers and party-goers to the two sandy stretches that frame the cape, to dance to trance and techno barefoot on the sand, glow-sticks in hand.




Even if your travel dates don't coincide with the party, you can still create your own bit of hippie nirvana on this bit of sand by spending your days at New Age cafés, drinking cheap beer, and having inexpensive massages. Come nightfall, crash on the beach or in a $5 bungalow – that is, if you come down at all.

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Top 10 spring break destinations - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Top 10 spring break destinations - Jackson Hole, Wyoming

While some of us are eagerly awaiting the return of spring flowers, others may be longing for one last hurrah on snow-powdered peaks — and we’re particularly keen on the last-minute spring break destination of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming.

Visitors in 2010 can partake in the Jackson Hole Mountain Festival March 26 through March 28 - a weekend of free-style skiing and snowboarding events, accompanied by live music acts.



When you’re not on the slopes, you can saddle up and test your rodeo skills on the mechanical bull located just outside the ever-popular Mangy Moose Saloon.



Don’t forget to allow yourself a couple days of pampering at one of several Jackson Hole spas — it’s the perfect remedy for tired ski legs.

.....to be continued ......

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Top 10 spring break destinations - Gulf Coast, Mississippi

Gulf Coast, Mississippi

While spring breakers this year may find the tragic devastation in Haiti too fresh, with the infrastructure too diminished at present for any effective hands-on efforts within the country, there are plenty of opportunities to translate thoughts of a do-good spring break vacation into action. Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005, and though thousands gave their money and time to the rebuilding efforts, the work is far from over.



It will take years, and maybe decades, to rebuild and repair businesses, homes, and most importantly, lives in the Gulf. Thousands of students spent last year’s spring break doing hands-on volunteer work in the region and beyond – the United Way is a great place to start your research, as they send students between the ages of 18 to 24 from all over the country on ABS (Alternative Spring Break) each year to lend a hand.
.....to be continued ......

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Top 10 spring break destinations - Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

A growing favorite amongst travelers in search of good-value package deals, the Dominican Republic has become a hugely popular spring break destination that vies with Cancun in affordability and atmosphere.






The second-largest country in the Caribbean (after Cuba), the Dominican has something for everyone seeking a little fun under the sun, from Vegas-style casinos, nightclubs, and all-inclusive resorts, to horseback riding, golf, surfing, diving, and hundreds of miles of white-sand beaches.

Top 10 spring break destinations - Amsterdam

Head out for some no-holds-barred vacationing at these popular spring break hot spots.

Lake Havasu City CVB

Introduction

Spring break time is almost here, sounding the signal for some no-holds-barred vacationing — as such, we've concocted a list of the best destinations to party during this raucous time off. For some of us, this short break is an excuse to visit the world’s most salacious spots, where illicit activities, like underage drinking and access to red-light districts, are more popular than sightseeing.

You'll find plenty of forbidden fruit on offer in a liberal European capital, a Thai island, and, closer to home, a Canadian city — a trio which, notwithstanding, is known to offer a good dose of culture, too. For those content with the spring break destination staples of beaches, bikinis, and beer, we’ve counted two homegrown beach cities that make the grade and, of course, a Caribbean and Mexico option.

Rounding out our list are some unexpected spots, however, including something for do-gooders, a final ski getaway, and a desert-fringed lake in America’s Southwest. Party on!

What's new in Great Britain and Ireland

(Tribune Media Services) -- A key to experiencing Great Britain and Ireland smartly in 2010 is to embrace them not as "ye olde" destinations but as modern ones.
London is busily preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games, developing its Olympic Park site in the eastern part of the city. The con artists are getting warmed up for the big event, too -- fake one-pound coins have been seen around town. They're easy to spot. Real coins have an inscription on their outside rims while the rims on the fakes resemble tree bark.
As is the case all over Europe, access to London's public transit system has been automated. If you don't buy and use the local transit pass -- the Oyster Card -- the underground Tube will cost you far more than it should, particularly since the system's Three-Day Travelpass has been dropped.
Above ground, one of London's many free attractions -- the Victoria and Albert Museum -- just opened its new Medieval and Renaissance collection, filling 10 rooms with fancy slice-of-English-life artifacts. The Tower of London will host historical re-enactments throughout the year, including scenes of prisoners trying to escape and monarchs preparing for war.

Sri Lanka Songs

Hitha Newathuna Thena - Rookantha Goonatillake - Ori - DVD

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What the World Eats, Path 3

What the World Eats, Path 3

United States: The Caven family of California

Food expenditure for one week: $159.18
Favorite foods: beef stew, berry yogurt sundae, clam chowder, ice cream

What the World Eats, Part 2

What the World Eats

Japan:  The Ukita family of Kodaira City

Food expenditure for one week:  37,699 Yen or $317.25
Favorite foods:  sashimi, fruit, cake, potato chips

What the World Eats, Part I

What the World Eats

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca

Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09
Favorite foods:  pizza, crab, pasta, chicken

France sprucing up cultural treasures

 

(Tribune Media Services) -- Mixing an abundance of cultural treasures and national pride, France is spiffing up its sights and museums from the Rhine to the Pyrenees. Of course, the biggest news is in Paris, where 2010 brings important changes that smart travelers will want to know about.

The Eiffel Tower's new online reservation system should help on-the-ball travelers minimize time spent in the tower's notorious lines. Facing the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars Park used to be the scene of families lounging on picnic blankets and kids chasing Frisbees. No longer, as keep-off-the-grass signs have returned. Thankfully, zones on the periphery still let you enjoy a sprawl on the lawn.

Earthquake that rocked Chile

Santiago, Chile (CNN) -- More than 2 million people were affected by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile early Saturday, President Michelle Bachelet said in a televised news conference.

At least least 214 people were killed in the quake and the resulting tsunami, which ravaged parts of the Chilean coast and fanned out across the Pacific Ocean.

A large wave killed three people and 10 were missing on the island of Juan Fernandez, 400 miles (643 km) off the coast of Chile, said Provincial Governor Ivan De La Maza.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber - One Time Lyrics

Aye aye aye aye aye aye aye aye

Me plus you (I'ma tell you one time) [x3]

When I met you girl my heart went knock knock
Now them butterflies in my stomach wont stop stop
And even though its a struggle love is all we got
Ao we gon' keep keep climbin' till the mountain top

Folk Music - Maldives

The Maldives, being a sea-faring island nation, has since time immemorial been open to different cultural influences. Such influences especially from maritime cultures of countries bordering the Indian Ocean, such as east Africa, southern India, the Arab world, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia are clearly found in the Maldivian music. But centuries of environmental and social effects have created a mix which expresses the life style of Maldivians, their hopes and their aspirations. This type of music is regarded by everyone as a very indigenous element of the true Maldivian culture.




The folk dance and music which we see and hear today are only art of the wider range of music played by the old Maldivians.

Throwback Lyrics

Throwback Lyrics

[Just Blaze]

Real talk. Usher, Just Blaze.

[Usher]

Oh!
Oh ho!
(Mmm you gonna want me back)
(The last words she said to me now I'm wishing she was still here wit me)
(You know your gonna need me)
And now that day's here, ya man gotta shed tears.
(Mmm you gonna want me back)

You never miss a good thing till it leaves ya
Finally I realized that I need ya
I want ya back
Baby girl I need ya back
Gotta have ya back, babe
Heartbroken when you left my world
Man I wish I woulda kept my girl
I love you
I don't know what I'm gon do without my baby

It's driving me crazy (It's driving me crazy)
'Cause I'm missing my baby (Missing my baby)
I'm goin' out of my mind and I'm runnin' out of time
Oh I just wish I could find you, girl
Said I'm about to go crazy (About to go crazy)
'Cause I been needin' you lately (Needing you lately)
I'm goin' outta my head and all the things that I said
I wish that I never said them now

Happy Birthday Rihanna!

Rihanna is stronger than ever in 2010, following her comeback and her hit album Rated R.

Nothing can keep this Barbados native down and today, Rihanna is celebrating her 22nd bday  - happy birthday, Rihanna!

Throw It Back Lyrics

Lil' Wayne : Throw It Back Lyrics

[Lil Wayne]
Go n throw it back n bust it open like you posed to X3

I would fuck with all of ya'll, all of ya'll are beautiful X3

I aint choosin one so you can never say im choosy

Now go n throw it back n bust it open like you posed to X4

Now get back to the money
Now get back to the money
Now get back to the money
Now get back to the - Wait
take a pussy break X4 (Yeahh)

Fruits - Sri Lanka

One of the earliest mentioned fruits in Sri Lanka is the mango. Other fruits growing wild in the dry and wet zone jungles in Sri Lanka include divul (woodapple), palu, weera, mora, kon, nelli, madan, goraka, tamarind, beli, koholle lavulu, timbiri, himbutu. Fruits are by far the most natural and valuable source of nutrition for man because fruits can be eaten uncooked and cooking destroys the nutrients in most foods. The story of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit is symbolic of the importance of fruits. It was very natural for man to pluck sweet-smelling ripe fruits that grew in the wild when man lived in caves. As long as man lived in the jungle in the natural setting, fruits formed the principal diet.


Fruits available in this country can be categorised into endemic, those brought from overseas and grown here and imported fruits. One of the earliest mentioned fruits in this country is the mango. The well-known questions Arahant Mahinda asked King Devanampiyatissa, to test the king's intelligence was about a mango tree.


Other fruits growing wild in the dry and wet zone jungles in Sri Lanka include divul (woodapple), palu, weera, mora, kon, nelli, madan, goraka, tamarind, beli, koholle lavulu, timbiri, himbutu.

Fruits brought from other countries and propagated here include jak, papaw, bananas and plantains, guava, pomegranate, avocado or alligator pear, mangosteen, rimbuttan, cashew apple, jambola, tangerine, orange, pears, peaches, strawberry, gooseberry, mulberry, loquats, lime, star-fruit, anona, passion fruit, pineapple, sapadilla, durian, rata goraka, breadfruit etc. Mulberry fruits when fully ripe make an excellent jam and a single tree in the garden will supply enough fruits to eat as fresh fruit also.

Bandos Island -South Malè Atholl

Bandos Island, South Malè Atholl, promo video.




©2006 Steve Gatto, Bell Andersen

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Maldives - Underwater World

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New Album Sade "Soldier of Love"

Soldier of Love

When Sade first came on the recording scene in the '80s, her record company, Epic, made a point of printing "pronounced shar-day" after her name on the record labels of her releases. Soon enough the world would have no problem in correctly pronouncing her name. Born Helen Folasade Adu in Ibadan, Nigeria, about 50 miles from Lagos, she was the daughter of an African father and an English mother. After her mother returned to England, Sade grew up on the North End of London.

Developing a good singing voice in her teens, Sade worked part-time jobs in and outside of the music business. She listened to Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holliday. Sade studied fashion design at St. Martin's School of Art in London while also doing some modeling on the side.

Around 1980, she started singing harmony with a Latin funk group called Arriva. One of the more popular numbers that the group would perform was a Sade original co-written with bandmember Ray St. John, "Smooth Operator," that would later become Sade's first stateside hit. The following year she joined the eight-piece funk band Pride as a background singer. The band included future Sade band members guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman (a key player in '90s urban soul singer Maxwell's success) and bassist Paul Denman. The concept of the group was that there could shoot-offs. In essence, a few members within the main group Pride formed mini-groups that would be the opening act. Pride did a lot of shows around London, stirring up record company interest. Initially, the labels wanted to only sign Sade, while the group members wanted a deal for the whole band. After a year, the other band members told Sade, Matthewman, and Denman to go ahead and sign a deal. Adding keyboardist Andrew Hale, the group signed to the U.K. division of Epic Records.