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Here’s a video news report of the relief operations following the massive earthquake that hit China last Monday:
As of writing, the death toll is now reported to have reached 15,000. Troops are still attempting to find survivors amidst the rubble and devastation.
Tags: Asia, asia news, asia-travel, China, china earthquake, china earthquake videoTwo weeks ago, a giant wave hit a coastal town in Korea and left 7 dead, 14 injured.
Last week, Myanmar was hit by a cyclone, claiming more than 22,000 lives and affecting up to 2.5 million people, according to the UN. That these people are some of the most impoverished in the world and that the military government refuses foreign aid make the situation all the more desperate.
And then, just a few days ago, an 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook China, the tremors reaching as far as Thailand and Vietnam. The death toll is now at 15,000, and still increasing as more dead are found. In Mianyang, the city worst hit, about 19,000 people are believed to have been buried under debris.
Thousands, dead. And as I write this, another storm appears to be headed to Myanmar. All these natural disasters, happening within just a span of two weeks make me scared. What in the world is happening???
Tags: Asia, asia-travel, China, china earthquake, Korea, Myanmar, myanmar cyclone, natural disasters
Has it ever happened to you– after a long flight, you head to the baggage claim, only to find the belt churning out dozens and dozens of suitcases that from afar looks exactly like yours? So you haul one of them off the belt, check the luggage tag, only to find out that, sorry, it’s not yours.
One technique I’ve used to identify my luggage from afar? I tie a relatively unique piece of ribbon on the handle of my suitcase. Sure, I have a black suitcase like half of the passengers of the airplane, but how many would have thought of tying a neon pink green-polka dotted ribbon around the handle? Cheap and easy.
Now, if you want something more classy, hip and chic, there’s UBrand luggage stickers:
Its 3-D polymer-based construction is water, temperature and UV resistant. The unique adhesive system is designed specifically to stick well to woven nylon fabrics and vinyl without damaging them. UBrand offers an instant do-it yourself application (no sewing or ironing required) and is a semi-permanent means of personalization - easy to remove and replace but won’t come off until you take them off. UBrand labels work on luggage, backpacks, computer bags, gym bags, outdoor gear, jackets and snow gear, musical instrument cases, diaper bags, camera cases and so much more. Just stick one on any type of gear and it instantly becomes one of a kind.
The stickers cost less than 5 bucks, but because I’m a cheapskate, I think I’ll stick with my ribbons. ;-)
Although it is a largely western celebration, let me take the chance to shout out to all the mothers out there: Happy Mothers’ Day!
Tags: Asia, asia diving, asia-travel, Mothers-DayOnce, again, I’m opening up this blog for guest bloggers! Have you been to Asia? Or perhaps planning or wanting to explore an Asian destination? Tell us all about it. Share your experiences, your photos, your adventures… even your misadventures and mishaps, if any!
I can’t offer any monetary compensation, but you will get full author credits, of course, with a link back to your blog, if you have one. Just email me your post at ruth @ b5media.com!
Hope to hear from you!
Tags: Asia, asia travel blog, asia travelogue, asia-holidays, asia-hotels, asia-travel, travelogue
If you’ve ever been to Asia, surely, you have made some spectacular photos. Whether you’ve been to the beach, to the temples, to the jungles, or in the heart of the metropoles, you’d have had ample opportunity to make fantastic, truly remarkable images. Why not enter your favorite at Perceptive Travel’s Remarkable Photo Contest and stand to win a Lowepro CompuDaypack Camera Bag.
You may enter two of your best shots to the contest, and they must be in jpeg format, no more than 200 d.p.i. and a maximum of 600 pixels wide or tall. See further contest details and give them your best shot!
Tags: Asia, asia-holidays, asia-hotels, asia-travel, online-contests, photography, photography contest, travel, travel-photographyThere are a number of promotional videos made for the Beijing Olympics. Here’s one of my favorites, featuring the song One World, One Dream:
The Olympic torch has arrived in China and will do its three-month long relay across major cities in China. In Sanya, Hainan, Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan and other celebrities added glitz and glamour to the parade. It seems that despite its protest-ridden run in Europe due to the Tibet crisis, the parade has been well-received in China.
Before the crisis over Tibet and the bitterness over protests abroad, China’s 1.3 billion people seemed unusually united in joy at the idea of seeing the Olympics in Beijing. The shouting and cheering Sunday suggested that, for many people at least, that joy remains, despite continuing official rancor and protesters’ plans to pursue their disruptions.
Here’s hoping for a peaceful and succesful Olympic Games 2008.
Tags: , Asia, asia-holidays, asia-hotels, asia-travel, Beijing, China, jackie-chan, olympic games, olympics, sportsJust as I mentioned in a previous entry, I’ve just become a mom of two! My daughter was born a few days ago, hence the short hiatus from updating Let’s Visit Asia. My apologies.
You should see more updates soon, though, and I promise not lean too heavily on child-friendly destinations! ;-)
Tags: , Asia, asia diving, asia-holidays, asia-hotels, asia-travelHere’s an important note for members of Korean Air’s Skypass Mileage Program: Mileage earned from July 1, 2008 onwards will now have a validity of just five years (previously, earned miles never expired).
Come to think of it, 5 years is still a long time to accumulate miles. In majority of other frequent flyer programs, accumulated miles are only valid up to 3 years.
The Korean Air management says that they will increase the number of seats allocated for bonus awards, so as soon as you accumulate enough mileage, try and claim your rewards before your accumulated miles expire!
Tags: , Asia, asia-holidays, frequent flier, frequent-flyer, Korea, korean-airThe best of Asia Travel from b5media
Written by Ruth Schaffer [email] for b5media.
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