Femtalks Blog

Remember The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? It is said to be one among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. When I took an art history class in my college years, I used to be amazed at these pictures of Hanging Garden and it’s been my dream to be able see this fable garden render in reality.

Well not too long ago I discover a boutique resort rests in Bali by the name of UBUD HANGING GARDEN. Well since the name has a special attachment to me personally, I decided to hit this place for a pre honeymoon get-away. To my suprised, it is such an amazing spot to be, I have a high recomendation for this boutique hotel.

At that time it is just 6 months after opening, so it’s fairly new and other than the access road to reach this hidden treasure I have no other complain. The access road was still a dirt road at that time, but now it’s a fully paved/asphalt road.

Here’re some of the resort’s pictures:

Yes you need that heated pool to enjoy the stary clear night and the view of the green foresty valley with the beautifully crafted Hindu temple accross (note: you can only see the temple clearly if you get the panoramic deluxe pool villa)

That’s the temple, at night it will be wash with soft yellow glow, it’s very pretty.

This is the view of the suite from the outside.

And this is what it looks like from the inside.

I really do enjoy their open air bathroom, btw the temperature is about 29 degree celcius all year round, so it wouldn’t be a problem to take an open shower.

Oh their infinity pool, it is the pool with that right view of the lush tropical forest you’ve always want to see and experience.

And yes, I love to play this funicular, cuz it’s just romantic, especially to ride this during the night to the library room, where everything is lit in a soft candelight ambiance lighting.

For those curious this is their floor plan for a typical bungalow:

The rate for Ubud Hanging Gardens is between $270.00 - $537.00/night.

Enjoy this view of manicured gardens that are prepare solely to celebrate the 2008 summer Olympic event in Beijing, China. What an amazing landscape greetings, aren’t they really promote the Olympic spirit?

This is the one that depicts athletes and spirit of competition.

What an idea? Amazing cut-out with lots of people, a globe and a map image.

Look at the incorporation of waterfall into the landscape, how pretty.

Ofcourse you have to have the symbol where Olympic originates after all!

Is this Zeus as in the famous Greek mythology? WOW they’re really into the origin.

Such a peaceful and serene view =)

This is amazing, don’t you think? Those vegetation really floats up there.

Oh my my, how long will it take to crave that whole mountain?

I would want to have this romantic bridge for myself too, would be a cool photography spot!

This is so cute, reminds me of the art of KUNG-FU

So, Welcome to the Summer 2008 Olympic in Beijing, China. Let’s get it started!

Thanks to this site who provide all above pictures. Please visit the site for more pictures.

Well incase you have nothing better to do to kill time, then you probally should visit addictinggames.com. It’s quite fun, especially if you have some waiting to do, like in a long plane ride =)

The good this about this is, it’s for free! Here’s a quote of that from addictinggames.com:

Fun Free Online Games from AddictingGames
AddictingGames, the largest source of the best free onlinegames including funny games, flash games, arcade games, dress-up games,internet games, shooting games, word games, RPG games, racing games, and more.We have thousands of fun free games for girls and guys from addictivedevelopers like Armor Games, Games2Win, and, of course, AddictingGames! Andwith game reviews & ratings, you can find hot new cool games every day.AddictingGames - the best place on the web to play games for free!

with that many games for free, how can you be bored? well hope this help to keep your spare time a little bit engaging. Try to share it with kids, especially the good and the educative kind of game! Here’re screenshots of the miniput game I did. play miniput game here.

caption read: The Olympic Green in Beijing in seen in this satelite image collected by DigitalGlobe on May 25, 2008 and released to Reuters July 18, 2008. The National Stadium (center), also known as the Bird’s Nest, the National Aquatics Center (lower center), also known as the Water Cube, and the Olympic Sports Center Stadium (top right) are seen. (REUTERS/DigitalGlobe/Handcut)

caption read: The moon rises over the new National Theater in Beijing Wednesday July 16, 2008. The glass and titanium dome, nickname “The Egg” is one of a series of landmarks, notable for their futuristic design, that will greet visitors to the Olympics. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)

caption read: This picture taken on July 18, 2008 shows the Shatin Olympic Equestrian Venue in Hong Kong. The southern Chinese city has built state-of-the-art facilities for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games after the equestrian events were switched from Beijing because of fears of disease. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

The Olympic is set to start on August 8th, 2008 in Beijing, China. Now a little bit about what most said about China’s preparation:

With a price tag of $43 billion, the Summer Games that will open Aug. 8 in Beijing are the most expensive in Olympic history. The transformation, however, goes far beyond the eye-popping architecture. The Chinese government also has been trying to create a new, improved population to go along with its spiffed-up capital city.

source: LA times.com “Beijing goes to extremes for its Olympic face-lift”

caption read: Workers transport flowers to plant in the lake in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, in Beijing July 19, 2008. The International Olympic Commitee recently praised Beijing for setting a “gold standard for the future” in its preparations for the Games, which begins in less than a month. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause)

caption read: A view of cooling towers at the Shougang Group steel plant on the outskirts of Beijing July 17, 2008. The head of Shougang Grop on Thursday smiled with satisfaction over this week’s four days of blue skies, even as smoke and steam still wreathed his steel plant less than a month before the Olympics. Beijing has ordered polluting plants in the capital city and surrounding provinces to either shut or meet emission standards, to reduce air pollution during the Olympic Games that begin on August 8. (REUTERS/Darren Whiteside)

And what about that air pollution issue that everyone make a bigg fuss about it, do they really worry of having to deliver a good air quality. Well here’s what their plan - I think they kinda take it very seriously!

With Beijing struggling to clear polluted skies before the Olympics in August, the nearby industrial port of Tianjin has ordered 40 factories to suspend some operations for two months as part of a broader effort to improve air quality during the Games, state news media reported.

The planned shutdowns in Tianjin, about 70 miles east of Beijing, are one piece of a regional plan that is expected to result in temporary factory closings or slowdowns across a large swath of northern China during the Games. Few details are known about which factories might close or when, so the announcement in Tianjin offers a window into one piece of the plan.

Beijing’s air quality remains a major concern for the Games as the city continues to struggle with pollution, despite a $20 billion government cleanup campaign. Beijing is also a victim of its neighborhood: pollution blows in from surrounding regions that are dotted with coal mines, coal-fired power plants, steel mills, cement factories and other clusters of heavy industry.

I trully wonder about the economy of it, wouldn’t factor owners have to say a little bit about this decision?
read more of the above quote in: The New York Times article “Cities Near Beijing Close Factories to Improve Air for Olympics.”

Other preparations include transportation, security, welcoming and greeting performances, news/broadcastings and cleanliness.
China has prepare a new bullettrain which is scheduled to start service on August 1. The train has set a speed record in China of 394.3 kilo meter per hour on the 115 kilo meter newly-built railway.

All pictures and pictures’ captions are made possible from boston.com from the article “Beijing 2008 perparations - Three Weeks to Go” by Alan Taylor. I do encourage readers to visit this article because they do have pictures in bigger resolutions, more pictures and more info.

for more info read:
Beijing 2008 Games’ Official Site
NY times.com “Olympic Games (2008)”

When I think of France I think of romance, but not romance in a country much more of a city. The city of Paris, where the Eiffel Tower rest, and a walk under glittering moon light near the Seine river or perhaps a romantic dinner cruise along this river bank. Then the walk on Champs Elysees or Rue Cler, and a time spen in a Luxembourg Castle and Gardens.

Well enough of that Notre Dame, Arc de Triumphe and all things near Paris, with seeing this pictures -Thanks to geniusbeauty.com for taking and sharing this beautiful French country side pictures with all of us (need to see more pictures? click here) - I come to realize how the beautiful romantic country-side romance should feel. Like spending time walking along the mountain, the field, enjoying views of small town in vast landscape - just magnificent.

Anyone interested in France maybe should check out this useful link on hotelscheap.org, it provide information about hotels and stay as well as places to look at.

If you’re not too afraid of height and water, then you might enjoy this idea of floating above the water in a transparent shell. It’s like sitting your self in a bubble canoe / kayak boat. You have the ability to see the water world under you with perfect clarity.

This hard shell transparent canoe provides 100% visability. It weighs only 40 lbs., and is lighter than most aluminum or wood canoes. Price: $1,475 + $175 Shipping

source link here.

Finally, proclaiming your white wedding can be a reality - everything will be in white including your venue setting –> a venue completely crafted from ice! Bellow is showing a wedding in an ice church .

Eternal vows in an ephemeral church
The need to show respect, to focus on one’s own thoughts and reflect on the nature of things is a feeling you get from an encounter with ICEHOTEL. Many pieces of life’s puzzle seem to fall into place here, in the ice chapel on the Torne River.

The ceremony and the unique experience of the place, the ice, the snow and the almost unreal environment leave no-one untouched. And perhaps the shared memories and experiences are stronger for the very reason that the chapel is impermanent. When no architectural memento exists, the memories and the vows exchanged are especially cherished.

More and more couples are doing this out-of-the-ordinary wedding setting. Isn’t it special to have a winter white wedding in reality? Discover more information for venue and more here and here .

For previous link on ice bar visit my posting on “travellers - ice bar around the world” and “ice hotel - everything ice structure.”

Bulgari being the famous brand in jewelry market now branching its hotel properties outside Milan, creating one that is very private and beautiful in Bali, Indonesia.

Blending the traditional Balinese style with contemporary Italian design, the Bulgari Resort in Bali is located near the village of Pecatu and the stunning cliff top site of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, on the island’s far southwestern tip. Uniquely positioned at more than 150 meters above the sea shore, the resort offers unrivalled views across the Indian Ocean. Nestled between the cliff and the ocean, a 1.5 kilometer long beach is accessible only through the resort’s inclined elevator.

Designed by architects Antonio Citterio and Partners, the 59-villa resort reflects a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Balinese design while conveying the distinctive Bulgari Italian style.

I think personally it’s a very intimate and perfect romantic setting for a special couple vacation however each night will cost roughly at about $1,500 for each villa.

view of the villages from top during the day

view of the pool during the day

view of the floating bar area during the day

The private beach accessible by the incline elevator

The view of Il Ristorante Fine dining restaurant in Bvlgari Resort.

This will be a perfect hideaway if you want a secluded vacation for a honeymoon or a romantic get-away with your love one. Island Hideaway is located in the island of Dhonakulhi, Maldives. It is open since August 2005, situated around 1.4 kilometer long, white beach with lush green vegetation around it. Don’t miss the good view of the crystal clear sea lagoon that only a waist-deep to be enjoyed.

It has about 43 guest villas available to rent ranging from $254 - $501 nightly.

Since Joey Chestnut (from San Jose, California) has just won the 2008 World’s Fastest Hot-Dog Eater Title, we will look at some of American’s most prominent Competitive Eater.

1. Joey Chestnut, aka “JAWS”

Takeru Kobayashi won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest six years in a row, until 2007 when Joey Chestnut did what no American had done before. The San José State University student entered the competitive eating scene in 2005 with a break-out performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship, in which he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating 6.3 pounds of asparagus in 11.5 minutes. That same year, during Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut downed hot dogs and buns, placing second behind Takeru Kobayashi.

2. Sonya Thomas, aka “Black Widow”

After seeing Kobayashi (approximately 145 pounds) win the 2002 Nathan’s contest, Thomas realized a smaller stature was not an impediment to being a world-class eater, and entered the competitive eating circuit. In her first contest, the June 2003 Nathan’s qualifier held at the Molly Pitcher rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, her tally of 18 hot dogs took first place and enabled her to compete in the July 4th competition held at Coney Island. Her total of 25 hot dogs there broke the women’s record set three years earlier by Takako Akasaka, the dominant female in Japanese competitive eating.

3. Patrick Bertoletti, aka “Deep Dish”

On January 2, 2007, he became the first person to complete the Sasquatch Burger Contest at Bigfoot Lodge Cafe in Memphis. 679 People had tried to finish the burger and fries that starts with 4 lbs of hamburger meat on a homemade bun, Bertoletti finished the meal in 11 minutes.On July 4, 2007, he finished third in the 92nd annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, having eaten 49 hot dogs and buns in that competition. Only two others have ever eaten more during the contest.

4. Joe “Jammin” LaRue

A culinary arts student, Joe had a notable year of competition in 2004, winning an 84 Lumber baked bean eating bout, winning the Footy’s Y-100 Wing Ding chicken wing eating contest and placing second at the Sweet Corn Fiesta’s Sweet Corn Eating Championship. It was his victory in the 2005 sweet corn eating match (31 ears of sweet corn in 12 minutes) that showed he has the ability to play at the very top tier in the eating game.

5. David O’Karma

A painting contractor from Akron, Ohio, who owns the world doughnut eating title (30 donuts in 5:28), David started competitive eating at age 15 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, at Church’s Chicken on Portage Trail. He ate 13 sweet potato pies in one minute to become the WCUE Sweet Potato Pie-eating Champion. From there he entered the Houlihan and Big Chuck Show’s Pizza Fight of the Century and became the only ‘human” to defeat the legendary Mariano “Mushmouth” Pacetti

6. Bob Shoudt, aka “Humble”

An avid mountain climber and IT manager at work, “Humble” Bob Shoudt is a competitive eater from Royersford, Pennsylvania, and a top-ranked member of the IFOCE - International Federation of Competitive Eating. He is currently ranked 7th in the World by the IFOCE. He is both the highest ranked Competitive Eater in the World that is a parent or is of Native American Indian heritage.

7. Hall Hunt, aka “Hoover”

Hall Hunt, a member of American MENSA, has made his mark as one of the up and coming “Young Guns” of competitive eating. Seen at the championship table of many IFOCE majors, Hunt has earned the respect and admiration of his peers. His personal bests are 29 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, 52 Krystals in 8 min., 23 grilled cheese sandwiches in 10 min. and he also performed well in Spike TV’s MLE Chowdown.

8. Juliet Lee , aka “The Lovely”

A former Chemistry Professor, Juliet Lee has only been competing professionally since December 2006, but is one of the few women ever to earn a chance to compete in The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Originally from the cold northern shores of China, she loves all types of seafood. As a child, she often ate only what she could catch from the beach.

9. Tim Janus , aka “Eater X”

A professional Wallstreet Trader, his given name is Tim Janus, but to the competitive eating community he is a man of mystery, Eater X, whose inner torment is concealed by a mask. Eater X has distinguished himself in the eating community, performing well in pie, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cannoli, brats, and corned beef and cabbage.

10. Juris Shibayama, “Dr Bigtime”

A doctor ( orthopedic surgeon ) who burst onto the scene during the 2006 Krystal Square Off Circuit. He hails originally from Chicago, IL, and is looking to make his gustatory mark in 2007.

Link, Link