Magnificient Missouri St. Louis Getaway Arc Photos

On this post, I want to share with you about such magnificient Getaway Arc photos taken by one of my real life friend. His portfolio can be found on his fotopages called ShahStudio. They went to St. Louis, Missouri for 4 days (24 to 28th December) during the winter break. Well, I used to be with during this time to travel around the states. I really miss those valuable time with them. The drive took them about 10 hours from Minneapolis to St. Louis, Missouri. The city was not as hectic as Minneapolis (my college city). Biggest attraction there is the Gateway Arc. Designed by a Finnish architect, Eero Saarinen. It was a magnificent and working statue. Saarinen really did think about everything, Especially the unique design of the elevators. Too bad he didn’t have the chance to see the arc before he died.

Beautiful Photos of 2009 Solar Eclipse “Ring” Seen Over South East Asia

The rare event of solar eclipse had happened at Southeast Asia region, on which the dark disk of the moon creeps across the setting sun. Only people viewing from the southern Indian Ocean were among the few to see the full annular eclipse, so called because at its peak the eclipse is surrounded by an annulus, or ring, of fiery light.

A fantastic sequence of photos above shows the moon passing between Earth and the sun before, during, and after an annular eclipse, as seen on January 26, 2009, from Bandar Lampung in Indonesia. The path of the full annular eclipse crossed mostly open ocean in the southern part of the globe, starting about 560 miles (900 kilometers) south of Africa and not reaching land until it crossed Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean. However, observers in southern Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and Southeast Asia were able to watch a partial eclipse.

Astronomer Jay Pasachoff used a specially equipped camera to capture images of the January 26, 2009, annular eclipse from the Indonesian island of Java. Practicing photography techniques and for getting the public excited about astronomy is significant for him as he added later.

The image of haze blurs the bright ring around an annular eclipse on January 26, 2009 was captured from Anyer Beach on the Indonesian island of Java, one of the few places where the solar eclipse was completely visible. Crowds gathered across Indonesia to witness the event, some cheering and banging drums as the moon seemed to cross the face of the sun.

These two magnificient photos were taken from Malaysia. The clouds seems to fold during the eclipse and the color reacts accordingly. The picture has been taken from one of the busiest highway in the nation.

New Year 2009 Celebrations at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia has celebrated its 2009 new year practically early than any other place in the world. Why? Go open your high school’s geography book and find out yourself. :p These are some pictures of 2009 countdown at variety of places in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysians ushered in the new year by letting their hair down at several countdown parties. Anyway, as reported by local newspaper today, despite concerns over the turbulent state of the economy, many were intent on having fun ushering in 2009 which was greeted by some fearsome fireworks displays. At Dataran Merdeka here, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad and AmBank Group chairman Tan Sri Datuk Azman Hashim joined the crowd for the countdown organised by the bank. They were entertained by artistes such as M. Nasir, Mawi, popular bands Point Blanc, Hujan

, Estranged and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall orchestra as well as performances by various cultural troupes including the orang asli. As the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad clocktower struck twelve, there were shouts of “Happy New Year” and cheers. The crowd was then treated to a spectacular fireworks show. Parties were also held at KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

Meanwhile, In PETALING JAYA, the festivities centered on 1 Utama shopping complex with samba dancers, fire eaters and Brazilian percussionists adding colour before a line-up of artistes took to the stage. Deejays from the 988 radio station played games and gave away prizes to the partygoers. The highlight of the celebration was the special appearance of Hong Kong singer Justin Lo, who got the crowd going with his catchy pop tunes. A stone’s throw away at The Curve, artistes Juwita Suwito, Karen Kong, Faisal Tahir and Rynn Lim entertained the crowd at a street party.

Update from Oberoi/Trident Hotel, Mumbai India

This is another prestigious hotel in Mumbai for travellers to stay. In the middle of among the busiest city in the world, the hotel is indeed stand up its name. However, lately due to terror attack, all travellers are afraid to come, plus 24 deaths are coming from this hotel. The latest news from the hotel management as follows:

The evacuation of guests is complete. Guests have been rejoined with their families and friends or have been escorted to alternate accommodation that had been arranged for them. Guests who had travelled to Mumbai from other cities and from overseas are being offered all support for their return or onward journey.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the horrific act of terrorism. We are greatly saddened by the demise of some guests and members of our staff.

We are distressed that our guests had to undergo an extremely harrowing experience and some of our guests and staff suffered injuries – Our thoughts are with them.

We are very grateful to our guests for their complete cooperation and understanding.

The bravery of the police, security forces and firefighters has inspired us – We thank them immensely for their cooperation.

We salute our staff for their courageousness, tirelessness and dedication.

Highlight on Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai India

Recently world has been shocked with terrorist attack at Mumbai, India which killed almost 130 persons and injured many of others. Where the heck is actually Taj Mahal Hotel? Is it near the greatest Taj Mahal Wonder of the World? Nope. Actually, the Taj Mahal Palace is a prestigious hotel located in the Colaba region of Mumbai, India, next to the Gateway of India. Part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, this 105-year old heritage building retains its stature as the flagship property of the group.

What’s more? It boasts a distinguished list of guests including Mick Jagger, Jacques Chirac, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent & Katharine, Duchess of Kent, Harald V of Norway & Queen Sonja of Norway, Marianne Faithfull, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Prince of Wales, The Beatles, Bill Clinton and Jacqueline Onassis. The hotel indeed is very popular among famous people in the world.

From an historical and architectural point of view, The Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower are two distinct buildings, built at different times and in different architectural designs. The “Tower” refers to the Taj Intercontinental.

On November 26, 2008 the hotel was damaged in a series of attacks in the southern part of Mumbai. The roof of the hotel was destroyed by fire in the hours after the attack. What will happen next to this historical hotel? We just wait and see.

Blending with Culture of Rome, Italy on Your Trip

I know most of people have been travelling to Rome, Italy. It is kind of weird if you said you love travelling but you didn’t go to Rome yet. It’s just sound little awkward. Anyway, if you have been to Rome before, I suggest for your second trip that you become a part of the culture and lose yourself in the alleys of Rome. This is what most people miss during the trip to Rome, Italy.

For this second trip or travel, we decided to blend ourselves with the Rome itself. Guess what we found or at least experience? We’ve discovered famous artists, digs, scluptures, paintings, and world famous choirs in small churches. Sit and sip and engage the people. We now have lifetime friends in Rome. In today’s world travel and tight space on airplanes, I started about 15 years ago to use saline spray before boarding an airplane followed by generour portions of neosporin swabbed in my nostrils. I also wipe down all surfaces with antiseptic towels. Since then, I have never “caught” anything on a plane trip. Recommended by my oncologist. Best cappuccino in Rome….Cafe Farnese on the Piazza Farnese. Great people watching, lots of locals.

Places of Interest in Sydney

Have you ever visiting Australia ? Well i guess you should go and see for yourself. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, action, relaxation or want to discover Australia’s hidden treasures, Sydney has it all… Today I will tell you a bit on a few places of interest, attractions and event that happened around Sydney.

Sydney is a city of full of unique festivals and events, great scenery and yet one of the most fast-moving, becoming one of a great cities on the planet. So, what’s there in Sydney? First we are going to take a look at the Sydney Opera House, It’s an Australia’s most famous building. That’s why it has been listed as a “must-see” travel attraction. In other words, your travel is not perfect until you go and see this place. Among other attractions are Sydney Skywalk, Sydney Showboats and Sydney Harbour Cruises.

For Skywalk, it is a unique high-altitude adventure on top of Sydney Tower. At 268meters (879 feet) above Sydney, Skywalk takes you on an exhilarating outdoor walk at the roof of the city, double the height of Sydney Harbor Bridge.Dressed in protective clothing and safety-harnessed to external walkways, Skywalk guests experience a buzz unmatched by any other Sydney attraction. Step out onto the clouds as you venture across the glass-floored viewing platform for 360-degree views over glittering Sydney and beyond.

And for exclusive part, you might want to board Sydney Harbor Cruises. Join an evening of quality dining and entertainment featuring a program of the world’s most popular arias, performed by principal Australian opera singers. A unique dining and entertainment experience that will make your evening an event. You can choose either Comedy Dinner Cruises, Salsa Latin Floor Show Cruises, or Rock n Roll Lunch Cruises. Other beautiful places that you can visit is like King Cross, Sydney Markets, Watsons bay and for historic building you can go visit Elizabeth Bay House, Susannah Place and Vaucluse House.