Atlantis,The Palm,Dubai

This is a photo showing the completion of Atlantis The Palm on the Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 19 January 2008. The villas on the Crown of the Palm Jumeirah are in the foreground. This photo was taken from Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Atlantis is the majestic focal point of Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that has captured the world’s imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity. From the moment of arrival, you’re immersed in a dazzling world of imagination, pleasure and luxury. The resort offers relaxation and thrills for couples and families alike, including a landmark hotel, unique marine habitats, an exhilarating water park, pristine white beaches, world-class cuisine, indulgent spa and cosmopolitan boutiques. To stay or visit is to live out your dreams amidst warm Arabian seas.

The Lost Chambers Suites are exclusive to Atlantis, with both bedroom and bath views directly into the mesmerising underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon. There simply isn’t anything to compare with this breathtaking accommodation.

Shoot and spin through the mysterious dark heart of the Ziggurat before emerging slowly through the lagoon at a shark-viewing pace.

A four-and-a-half hectare lush tropical setting modelled carefully on their natural habitat is home for the dolphins at Atlantis. There are three vast lagoons where you can meet these graceful charismatic creatures through a choice of interactions. Whether you’re a hotel guest or visiting for the day, our dolphins offer an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Some of the World's Tallest Buildings

W hen completed, this building is intended to be the tallest in the world. Originally, it was in the running with the Freedom Tower in New York, however, the Burj Dubai has the advantage of actually having begun construction while the New York project has been bogged down in political and sentimental interests.Just how tall the tower will be remains to be seen. With any skyscraper, there is a certain amount of "fudge room" where the actual height of the construction may not be exactly what was anticipated. With a project as massive as this, more flexibility is called for in the design, planning, and execution. At this time, the tower is expected to be 2,683 feet tall (818 meters). However, those numbers have changed in the past and are likely to change again. There are estimates that it could go as high as 3,116 feet (950 meters) when all is said and done. It is also unclear how many stories will be in this tower. Early estimates were around 200, but those have been lowered to 189 as construction progresses.Dubai is no stranger to monumental skyscrapers, but this one sets a new standard. Aesthetically, the Burj Dubai is a brilliant shard of glass piercing the Arabian sky. It is formed by three main shafts arranged in a Y shape. Their setbacks taper in a spiral pattern until the Burj Dubai is merely a spire in the sky. In any city, this would be a monumental structure. On the flat plain of Dubai, it is a shock to behold, likely to be visible for miles and miles. One can only imagine the views possible from those living and working inside. Floors one through 37 are expected to be a hotel. The 45th through 108th floors are expected to be residential, with the remaining 52 floors being offices, except for floors 123 and 124, which will hold the observation deck.

Taipei 101 is the worlds tallest building. Towering at over 101 floors, it is so tall that it looks like a phallic symbol towering over the tallest buildings in Taipei. This building is so tall, the top has its own atmosphere and you can really give yourself a headache staring up that high.

The 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers was designed by Cesar Pelli and Associates and currently houses Petronas Corporate Headquarters. It is currently the 2nd most tallest building in the world after Taipei 101 in Taiwan. The Twin Towers symbolises strength and grace using geometric principles typified in Islamic architecture. It is located at the former Selangor Turf Club, a 100-acre site in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.Rising to 1,483 ft (451.9 m) like sentinels in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, this building cost a whopping US$1.2 billion. Completed in 1997, the Twin Towers are a striking glass-and-steel combination with floor plans based on an eight-pointed star.The towers are joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175m above street level) by a 192 ft-long (58.4 m) double-decker skybridge - linking the two sky lobbies and facilitating the movement between the two towers.

The Sears Towers is the fourth tallest building in the world. With a height of 442 metres (1,451 feet) and 108 floors, it was completed in 1974.
The tower is designed by architect Bruce Graham.
It was the tallest building in the US for over three decades. It was built at a cost of $150 million. The tower has 104 elevators.
Situated in Chicago, Illinois it was built by Sears, Roebuck and Company. It took three years to build the tower.

Jinmao Tower is the fifth tallest tower in the world at a height of 421 metres (1,381 feet) and 88 floors. Built in 1999, it is now the tallest building in China. The Jinmao Tower soon will be surpassed by the 492-metre-high Shanghai World Financial Center, which will open this year.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the Jinmao Tower has 61 elevators and is a typhoon resistant building.
It houses offices and the Shanghai Grand Hyatt hotel. Jin Mao Building is owned by the China Jin Mao Group.
It has a daily maintenance cost of $121,000. The tower’s design specifications are based on the number ‘8′, a lucky number in Chinese culture.
The 88 floors are divided into 16 segments, each of which is 1/8th shorter than the 16-story base

The tallest building in Hong Kong, at 415 metres (1,362 feet) and 88 floors, is the world’s sixth tallest tower.
Two International Finance Centre was designed by Cesar Pelli, the Argentinean architect who designed the Petronas Towers in Malaysia.
Built in 2003, the International Finance Centre is commercial establishment on the waterfront of Hong Kong.
It consists of two towers, the ITF mall, and the 55-storey Four Seasons Hotel. Tower 2 is the tallest building in Hong Kong.
The complex was built entirely on reclaimed land. Both the 1st International Finance Centre (1IFC) and 2IFC were designed by Cesar Pelli. 1IFC resembles the Goldman Sachs Tower in Jersey City, a tower also designed by Pelli.
The 2IFC was built at a cost of HK$ 19.5 billion.

The famous Empire State building in New York was built in less than one year. It stands at a height of 381 metres (1,250 feet) with 102 floors.
It was built in 1931 and completed during the Great Depression, it was once called the ‘Empty State Building’ due to the high vacancy rate. The Empire State Building was built at a whopping cost of $40,948,900.
The building was designed by Gregory Johnson and his architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, which made the building drawings in just two weeks. It was the world’s tallest building for a record 41 years, from 1931 to 1972.
It was surpassed by the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1972. After the September 11, 2001 attacks on World Trade Center, the Empire State Building again became the tallest building in New York City.
The building has 6,500 windows, 73 elevators and 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor. It has a total floor area of approximately 2,768,591 square feet.
About 20,000 employees work in the building each day, making the Empire State Building the second largest single office complex in America.
An observatory located on the 86th floor, 1,050 feet (320 metres ) offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion. The building is one of New York City’s main tourist attractions

World of Big Bikes

The 2008 BMW F800GS Adventure Bike

BMW G650 Xmoto

The Kawasaki 1400GTR, the Consumate Fast Tourer

The Ducati 1098, Ducati's Flagship Model

The Ducati 1098 sets new standards when it comes to road bikes. It has, quite certainly, the most useless mirrors I have ever encountered on a bike. Imagine trying to view the road behind through a shard of broken glass gaffered to a very short stick attached to the side of a vibrating fairing and you have an idea. But who cares? I love this bike.Riding the Ducati 1098 on the road just highlights its track ability. The riding position is much more in the style of a Japanese sports bike with the seat high and bars low, but it isn't uncomfortable, just focused. Well, not uncomfortable next to other sporty machines anyway. If you're used to riding Japanese bikes the Ducati 1098's seating position will feel pretty natural, and if you ride a Ducati 916 it well feel identical!On the move the Ducati 1098 feels sharp and focused, like a well set-up track bike.

The Suzuki GSX-R600

Suzuki Hayabusa

World of Sports Car

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
The Lamborghini Gallardo (pronounced Ga-yar-doh) is the first baby Lambo since the Jalpa bowed out in 1988. However, 'baby' is hardly a way to describe this car, especially once you look at the specs. It has a 5-liter V10 engine, that pumps out 500 hp, that is a mere 80 hp less that its big brother, the Murcielago.

Ferrari 559

FERRARI F430 SPIDER
The Ferrari F430 Spider's main characteristics are its light, compact 4,300 cc 90° V8 engine, which punches out 490 hp to achieve a specific output of 114 hp/litre, also providing the new Ferrari berlinetta with a weight-to-power ratio of 2.8 kg/hp (dry weight); a braking system with carbon-ceramic discs for optimal efficiency under extreme use (optional); a Formula 1-derived gearbox that cuts gear shifting times down to 150 milliseconds allowing the driver to make the very most of this truly high performance car (0-62 mph acceleration in 4 seconds flat, a top speed in excess of 196 mph) and an aerodynamic design that embodies the very latest competition technologies, specifically the flat underbody and large rear diffuser to increase downforce.

Ferrari 2006

PORSCHE 996 TURBO
The Porsche 996 Turbo is the successor to the 993. This is the first 911 powered by a watercooled engine, instead of the air cooled engines that were used in all previous 911's, the engine is still located behind the rear wheels. This watercooled 3.4 litre 6 cylinder boxer engine produces 296 bhp. Porsche improved the balance and the 996 is now one of the best Porsche's available today.

ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH S
The Aston Martin Vanquish S 6.0 litre V12 engine has been developed from that already available in the DB7 Vantage with new design inlet manifolds, camshafts, valve gear, crankshaft and exhaust system. Power is up to 460bhp giving a top speed of 190mph and acceleration to 60mph in 4.7 seconds. The "S" now can achieve + 200 mph, bhp over 500.

MERCEDES-BENZ SLR MCLAREN
Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have successfully imbued the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (which made its debut in Autumn 2003) with the same charismatic qualities. Just like its legendary predecessor of 1955, this SLR incorporates new technological developments which are ahead of their time. For evidence, simply take a glance under the bonnet at the Mercedes-AMG V8 powerplant.
With its 5.5-litre displacement and screw-type compressor, the engine develops a peak output of 460 kW/626 hp and delivers its maximum torque of 780 Nm from 3250 rpm – a figure which remains constant across a broad engine speed range of up to 5000 rpm. With this kind of power under the bonnet, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren delivers performance figures which are among the best in its class: this high-performance sports car takes just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62.5 mph, it passes the 124 mph mark after 10.6 seconds, and from a standing start it takes just 28.8 seconds to reach 186 mph. The two-seater has a top speed of 208 mph.

ASTON MARTIN DB9 VOLANTE
The Aston Martin DB9 Volante made a huge impact at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). Every UK motor magazine made the DB9 their front page feature - be in no doubt, the unveiling of the DB9 heralds the start of a whole new era for Aston Martin.
The DB9 is the first of what will be a long line of production Aston Martins to use the VH platform. It's intended to be the 'GT' offering' in the fast growing AML range as it has occasional rear seats but it's also been engineered to behave like a sportscar. The car is powered by a third generation 450 bhp version of the 6.0 litre V12, initially produced by Cosworth in the UK, the production of which will be moving to a special AML facility in Cologne, Germany during 2004.

World of Entertainment...

Documenting Pinoys in the entertainment capital of the world
By Cora Lucas

Philippine Daily InquirerFirst

Posted 00:30:00 07/21/2008

MANILA, Philippines - More Filipinos are getting noticed in Hollywood, and they are listed in a book by Carina Monica Montoya. Launched last March 8 at The Filipino American Library in Los Angeles, the book is also a pictorial account of Pinoys who cast a moist eye on Tinsel Town as early as the 1920s, as well as those who are just beginning to make inroads in global show biz.

“Filipinos in Hollywood” was born of Montoya’s personal interest in her compatriots’ evolution in the entertainment capital, her father being one of the first Filipinos to settle in LA and work in Hollywood as a film extra. It starts at the time MGM started casting “short native types” as extras for black-and-white movies and notes the continued influx of Pinoy workers, despite immigration restrictions and racial discrimination.

Pinoy movie-stage-TV actors, directors, writers, singers, musicians, broadcasters, models—they’re all immortalized in Montoya’s book.

Famous ones

The famous ones are: actor-comedian Rob Schneider, best known for his “Saturday Night Live” and “Deuce Bigelow” stints; Lou Diamond Phillips, whose big break came in the 1987 Ritchie Valens biographical film “La Bamba”; and actress-singer Tia Carrere, best remembered for her role as Cassandra in “Wayne’s World” and “Wayne’s World 2.”

Also among the most recognizable is Allan Pineda Lindo or apl.de.ap, Fil-Am superstar from the Grammy-winning, internationally-renowned hip-hop group Black-Eyed Peas. He is photographed with BEP’s other members, as well as with “Bebot” music video director Patricio Ginelsa and folk singer Lolita Carbon.

There’s Jasmine Trias, third-placer in the third season of “American Idol”; actor-comedian-writer Alec Mapa and singer-actor Dante Basco, who have penetrated the US film-theater-concert scene.

Alec has been cast in TV shows such as “Dharma & Greg,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Ugly Betty.” Dante has appeared in the theatrical movie “The Debut” and in the Antonio Banderas starrer, “Take the Lead.” “The Debut,” incidentally, was written by two Filipinos, John Manal Castro and Gene Cajayon, who also directed the movie.

Likewise mentioned is model-actress G Toengi, who expects to work in TV and movie productions soon, after studying at the Lee Strasberg School of Acting in New York.
Little known is Neal “Xingu” Rodil, a Pinoy “martial arts trainer to the stars” who has appeared on episodes of the series “Absolutely True” and “Fashion House.”
The book also includes a snapshot of Inquirer’s Hollywood entertainment columnist Ruben Nepales, with his correspondent wife Janet and their daughters.

In her introduction, Montoya explains how Pinoys made it past the door: “The new generation of Filipinos today is the product of the hard work and sacrifice of the Filipinos of yesteryears. Beginning as one of the least recognized and least documented Asian ethnic groups in Hollywood, Filipinos today shine in Hollywood’s limelight as a big part of the business community, industry and glamour. The earlier generations of Filipinos laid the groundwork, mostly behind the scenes, for today’s Filipino-American success.”

The World - Dubai

Brad and Angelina Buy their own private island

The World Dubai

“The World” takes the meaning of offshore development to a whole new level, being, as it were - offshore. The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands in the shape of a world map currently being built 4 km (2.5 miles) off the coast of Dubai.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have bought their own Island in “The World,” Dubai’s ultra-exclusive offshore development. Dubai-based celebrity and society web site Ahlanlive reported that the film stars have bought an island with a view to turning it into a showpiece for environmental issues with the hope that it will encourage people to live a “greener life,” – no comment.

The World is actually one of a series of artificial island projects in Dubai, along with the Palm Islands, and is being built primarily using sand dredged from the sea. The only access to the islands is by boat, helicopter, or seaplane. The World is being constructed by Nakheel Properties and is the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Prices for individual islands range from 15 to 45 million US dollars.

The latest confirmed sale of an island was Shanghai Island to Mr. Bin Hu, a prominent Chinese businessman and director of real estate developer, Zhongzhou International Holding Group, for a price of $28 million.

Dubai Jumeirah Islands

Jumeirah Islands is a five star housing estate developed by Nakheel Properties, one of Dubai's largest corporations. Jumeirah Islands are small islands, comprising of 15-20 houses per isle, and are situated in the artificial Jumeirah Lake.

The complex includes 50 islands, and a restaurant, a supermarket, a gym, and a leisure facility are all being planned. Each house has its own swimming pool and maids room, and vary in size from 5,101 to 7200 square feet. Nearby properties include the Jumeirah Lake Towers and Palm Jumeirah, both of which are also being built by Al Nakheel.

Jumeirah Islands is an urban development covering 300 hectars of land just off Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchange 5 and 6, below the Jumeirah Lake Towers. Its a total of 50 island clusters, 46 of which are residential units that each contains 16 luxury villas with their own private swimming pool and garden area. 2 clusters each contains two 3-floor apartment buildings and another 2 contains uniquely stylish townhouses. The luxury villas either contain 4 or 5 bedrooms and come in sizes between 5,101 and 7,200 square feet. There are a total of 736 villas, 184 apartments and 104 townhouses surrounded by waterfalls, lagoons, and calm currents.

Each 16-villa cluster has one of four main architectural themes (Islamic, European, Mediterranean or Oasis) and each of the themes have different styles.

Oasis - Desert Modern, Mexican, Egyptian and Dubai

Islamic - Ottoman, Mumluki, Moroccan and Abbasi

European - Italian, Venetian, Venice Medici and Spanish

Mediterranean - Costa Del Sol, French Riviera and Spanish

Villas

Owing to its unique architecture, exceptional choice and inspiring surroundings, the Villas at Jumeirah Islands offer public parks, flower gardens, a community club, walkway bridges and cycling paths to suit your individual lifestyle. Each well-appointed Villa features a private swimming pool and garden, water views, and close proximity to Jumeirah Islands Village.

Oasis clusters

The oasis offers a lush refuge in the hostile desert world. Echoing the idea of a natural sanctuary, the central garden is replete with bountiful groves and plentiful selection of bird and plant species that a nourishing body of water supports.

European clusters

Inspired by the great geometric gardens of 17th century France, the parterre gardens of the European enclave create a tranquil atmosphere of order and pattern brought to life through rhythmic, conical forms of large clipped plants and colorful perennial beds laid out in geometric and scrolled patterns .

Contemporary clusters

Skewed angies,intersecting and slipped planes patters, grids and changes in material and color create and environment suggesting contemporary design and modern ideas.

Islamic clusters

Islamic tile is perhaps the most accessible manifestation of a complex culture, and the design of a historic 18th century tile provided the inspiration for the central garden, reflecting a modern interpretation of the tile's whimsical floral pattern.

Jumeirah Islands was built to cater to individuals who prefer not to live in high-rise towers and its premises also contains public parks, flower gardens, a community club, walkway bridges and cycling paths.