THE day is here! Today we would get the chance to watch the long awaited 2008 (Beijing) Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony. Albeit the opening practice being leaked, the opening ceremony at the already famous Bird’s Next Olympic Stadium, Beijing is sure something to look forward to. One thing to be sure of is that the event would be full of special effects and fanfare. I’m wondering whether there will actually be a portrayal of a flaming phoenix soaring above the stadium. Well, knowing the Chinese, it might even be one of the most spectacular Olympic openings we have ever seen to date. Much grandeur will be involved.

- taken from http://nra402.wordpress.com/ -

As expected, the opening ceremony is going to be launched on 08/08/2008 (which is today) at 08:08:08 pm. 8 being a special significant number to the Chinese which means wealth and prosperity, it is only natural to mark the beginning of the grand event with number 8. Talk about feng shui!

I’m definitely going to camp in front of my tv for the live telecast. To the supermarket for a truckload of chips!

Most famous for it’s panoramic landscape, especially the Rice Terrace (Terraced Paddy), Friday Escape brings to you the city of Guilin, China a lands of picturesque limestone mountains and formations.

- Guilin - taken from http://www.chinahighlights.com/tour/ -

Located in Guangxai, Guilin is one of the many sites in China a that had made it into UNESCO World Heritage sites, preserving it’s unique natural scenery. There are many spectacular scenic places within Guilin itself that is worth a visit. Just to name a few, Shanjiang - Longshang with it’s Longji rice teracces, Li Jiang river, small city of Yangshuo, the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites of Red Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill with it’s arch resembling an elephant dipping into water, Yaoshan Hillpark for a hike and many more.

- Longshang Rice Terrace - taken from http://www.cnadventure.com/docc/ -

Of all the places, airport is the vital vein in a country’s tourism sector. It is the first destination in a country that tourist and travelers alike step foot upon. It’s common sense to provide the best service and comfort to visiting travelers for a lasting impression. Airport could be the main factor for some people, determining whether the country is worth a second visit.

You’d be surprised that some airports are… well, not as impressive. Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam is one of them. I had the worst experience there whereby, flights were delay due to cabin not ready (inexcusable), visitors wondered here and there not knowing where to go (staff didn’t bother to help too) and encountered a bunch of airport staffs peeling and eating mangos idly blocking the airport toilet’s entrance. Maybe i was just having a bad day. Maybe i was hallucinating.

However, it is comforting to know that most airlines are performing their best. For a period 10 months (2007-2008), Skytrax, London had collected 8.2 million questionnaires completed by passengers in order to find out which airport deserves the top 10 ranking for the World’s Best Airports. This survey is done annually and each airport had been judged on their convenience, punctuality and comfort; from shopping, dining, customer service, baggage handling and delivery to waiting time.

The results for 2008 are finally out. The proud 10 are (taken from http://www.forbes.com/:-

1) Hong Kong International Airport, China

It’s no wonder that this airport has taken the top honors for seven years. It’s easy to navigate and equipped with passenger-friendly amenities like free wireless Internet and a pay-to-use arrival lounge. Business and leisure travelers can also get to downtown Hong Kong quickly on an express train service. Other perks include plenty of shopping, a mix of regional and international eateries and a program that allows frequent visitors to clear immigration quickly.

2) Singapore Changi, Singapore

Since Skytrax began ranking airports in 1999, Singapore Changi has placed first twice. The airport was built in 1981, and it has since added more terminals that cater to both budget and luxury passengers. The up-to-date services and amenities include an indoor orchid garden, a rooftop swimming pool, themed television lounges and a free sight-seeing tour for those who have at least five hours prior to their connecting flight.

3) Seoul Incheon, South Korea

If the 72-hole golf course at this seven-year-old South Korean airport is any indication, your experience at Seoul Incheon will be both relaxing and enjoyable. Passengers can also take advantage of the on-site hair salon, a children’s play room and a business center with overseas shipping. The airport’s Web site even maintains a list of activities by the number of hours a passenger must wait. If you’re within eight hours of a flight, try using the shower and massage services.

4) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This airport has won several accolades since opening in 1998. In addition to ranking forth in Skytrax’s World Airport Awards, it also ranked first on the company’s list of airports with the best immigration service. While passengers are almost guaranteed a seamless arrival and departure experience, they can also enjoy free wi-fi, luxury shopping and reflexology and massage services.

6) Munich, Germany

Staff here want you to be “carefree and relaxed,” according to the airport’s Web site. To this end, they offer miniature golf, a 60-seat cinema, and cosmetic and physiotherapy services, among other cutting-edge amenities. The airport also promotes aviation technology and history with educational experiences like behind-the-scenes tours and “kinderterminals,” a touchscreen that allows children to learn more about how an airport works.

6) Kansai, Japan

The Japanese are known for design, and this Osaka airport is no exception. Built on a man-made island, this sleek structure opened in 1994 and served 16.7 million passengers last year. They may keep returning for perks like on-site dentist and doctor’s offices, a DVD and movie rental service, VIP meeting rooms and a pet hotel.

7) Copenhagen, Denmark

Passing through the Copenhagen airport is an aesthetic experience; the terminals feature works of art and place a visual emphasis on architecture. Passengers even walk on brightly polished wooden floors. It’s a cozy environment for an airport that receives 60,000 passengers daily. When not admiring the surroundings, passengers are shopping at Burberry and Gucci boutiques and swigging Danish microbrews.

Zürich, Switzerland

This airport aims to serve all passengers well but makes a point of catering to VIPs by coordinating on-the-ground limousine service, event planning and access to a VIP lounge. Passengers can also rent day rooms with a kitchen and wake-up call service. The pampering even goes as far as childcare. The airport staffs nurseries and playrooms with trained childcare providers. They are proficient in various languages and will keep an eye on children who are accompanied by an adult.

9) Helsinki, Finland

If flying makes you frazzled, then passing through this capital city airport will soothe your nerves. The airport maintains a meditation room meant to create a “calm ambiance” for all passengers. But fliers who thrive on working non-stop won’t be disappointed either, since there are several working lounges with pay-to-use wireless Internet. If you’d rather shop and nosh, there are plenty of opportunities to do that as well.

10) Cape Town, South Africa

This modern airport in South Africa has simple amenities that go a long way. For a small tip, porters will transport your luggage from one terminal to the next. A medical clinic serves passengers with aches and pains. There are several lounges for airline members, as well as passengers who don’t mind paying a fee for access. And those who want to pray before or after takeoff can be accommodated in a quiet room.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics Games is arriving really soon. It’s in August, meaning there’s just few weeks away. I bet some of you are flying all the way to Beijing to watch the spectacular event and to bring back some souvenirs for friends and family.

- 2008 Beijing Olympic Games mascots -

The Chinese are really going all out in the souvenir department. Besides the cute mascot toys and products, and the popular mascot themed gold and silver bar, they have recently came up with a new collectors Beijing Olympic themed 10 yuan banknotes. The new banknote features the Bird’s Nest set against the backdrop of the Temple of Heaven, replacing the portrait of the late Mao Zedong.

- Collectors banknote (10 yuan) -

- Collectors banknote (10 yuan) -

Talking about souvenirs, this reminds me of the souvenir my boyfriend bought for me from Beijing quite some time ago. It’s a hand drawn map of the city including the Forbidden Palace.

- Beijing souvenir -

- Hand drawn map of Beijing -

Very classy. It sure beats all the typical souvenirs like jewelry trinkets, magnets and key chains right?

Read the Star newspaper this morning. There was an article about 3 places added in the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Interesting as i found out from the official website that there are actually 4 destinations added in the list for the year 2008.

Update (08/07/2008 8:28pm): Another 8 sites had qualified as World Heritage sites; including Malaysia’s very own Malacca (Melaka) and Georgetown (Pulau Pinang).

1) Fujian Tolou, China

- Fujian Tulou taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/kit.law/ -

Fujian Tulou is a property of 46 houses built between the 12th and 20th centuries in south-west of Fujian province, in the mountain areas. Residence to the Hakka people in Fujian, these earth buildings or more known as “tulou” are built in a circular floor plan that could house up to 800 residence. The buildings are wonderfully furnished and could easily house hundreds of family members, each occupying a whole floor. Within the buildings, there are several pillar couplets, carvings examples of ancient calligraphy, and other treasures, which reflect the Hakkas rich culture.

- Within Tulou taken from http://picasaweb.google.com/kit.law/ -

However, the buildings was not built for the purpose of culture and art alone. These tall circular tulou were built for defence purposes. The ingenious structure (tall and circular mud walls with few windows and only one entrance), functions as protection against high winds, undesirable weather and as a guard against enemies.

2) The Armenian Monastic Ensembles, Iran

The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran, located in the north-west of the country, consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. The monastic ensembles are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through the centuries with St. Thaddeus dating back to the 7th century. The architecture nears evidence of regional cultures; Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian.

- St. Thaddeus taken from http://www.allaroundpersia.com/ -

The Armenian Church and Monastery of St. Thaddeus has many other names. St. Thaddeus Church, Kara Kelisa (Qara Kelisa) or the Black Church (for its section built with black stones) is the same. Situated about 18 km south of Maku, it is considered as one of the oldest church in the world. Historians believe that the church is the tomb of Apostle Thadeus (St. Jude). Today the church is known as Qara Kelisa and belongs to the Armenian community of Iran.

The cruciform building, stands on a hill consists of two distinct parts; a domed sanctuary built largely of black stone, and the main body of the church, built of white sandstone, under a second and larger tent dome whose twelve-sided drum is pierced by an equal number of windows.

- St. Stepanos taken from http://www.allaroundpersia.com/ -

St. Stephanos Monastery is located in Julfa on the ex-Soviet frontier is said to have been founded by St. Bartholomew the Apostle. The present sanctuary building is attributed to King Ashot of Armenia.

3) Le Morne Cultural Landscape, Mauritius

- Le Morne taken from http://www.raybaud.eu/ -

The panoramic and breathtaking landscape is enough for Le Morne to reserve a place in the UNESCO list. As it turns out, Le Morne, Mauritius is not only known for it’s beautiful rugged maintain but also for its rich history. Le Morne is a symbol of resistance to slavery as it was used as shelter to maroons and slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The isolated mountain and inaccessible sacred landscapes provided the maroons protection and privacy. They lived in small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. It has since become a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom and their suffering which result in Mauritius’ more popular name the “Maroon Republic”.

4) AL-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih), Saudi Arabia

- Madâin Sâlih taken from http://members.virtualtourist.com/ -

The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madâin Sâlih) about 1,111 km west-northwest of Riyadh and about 402 km northwest of Madinah, is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. It occupies a strategic position on the ancient spice route (Frankincense Route). All caravans crossing the area passed by Al Hijr.

- The Elephant Rock taken from http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/ -

Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It is also one of the best archaeological sites which you can find in Saudi Arabia. This place boasts a 111 monumental Nabatean tombs and water wells which was intricately carved dated back between the period of 1st Century BC and the 1st Century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings and burial chambers. As they say, Madâin Sâlih is considered as the second city of those Nabateans who carved the great city of Petra in Jordan..

Sigh… another 4 in the 800++ place on my wish list.