Tuesday, November 1, 2011

CNNGo.com

CNNGo.com


Eye in the sky: Climbing the new Tokyo Sky Tree

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 01:24 AM PDT

Tokyo Sky Tree

I don't often feel short in Tokyo -- I'm practically a giant here at 190 centimeters. But standing under the new Tokyo Sky Tree makes me feel positively miniscule.

At 634 meters, the Sky Tree is now the tallest tower in the world. It's as imposing as Godzilla but multiple monsters in height. So, when owner Tobu Railway invited press to this steel colossus in Sumida Ward near Asakusa, I jumped at the chance.

I'd seen it from afar many times, but was still hit by an ant-versus-mountain awe I got at the bottom. Donning a hard hat, I walked through a forest of giant steel tubes -- the Sky Tree's exterior steel mesh -- into the unfinished lobby.

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Wanted: Full-time travelers for the 'best job in China'

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 12:55 AM PDT

paid full-time traveler

Similar to the highly successful 'best job in the world' campaign run by Australia's Queensland Tourism in 2009, a Chinese online travel agency is offering "the best job in China."

According to People's Daily, the enviable position of "travel experiencer" was concocted by Kuxun, which is affiliated with TripAdvisor.

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Hong Kong protests become a tourist attraction

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 10:04 PM PDT

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong is number eight on Lonely Planet's list of top 10 cities to visit in 2012.

The popular travel guide recommends Hong Kong for its exotic attractions, such as the Star Ferry, Chinese fortune-telling and walled villages.

But mostly, they like Hong Kong protest rallies.

Lonely Planet calls Hong Kong "China's most liberated city" and predicts that 2012 will be an exciting year for the city as it continues the push for more democracy.

The guide describes Hong Kong rallies as a reflection of "vibrant indie music and literary scenes," with a host of creative performances by protestors catching the eye.

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Crisis Chic: Bangkok blog takes a humorous look at the city's floods

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 09:37 PM PDT

Thailand floods

A new blog is using a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to lighten the heavy atmosphere hanging over Bangkok as the city continues to battle rising waters in some areas. 

Dubbed Crisis Chic, the Tumblr blog says "style shouldn't go out the window, just 'cause water's coming in." 

Started by two British (Gaby Doman, Becky Wicks) and two U.S. expatriates (Brock Kuhlman, Joshua Johnson), Crisis Chic features humorous photos and captions of them in stylish outfits hanging around flood-hit areas -- often wearing snorkel gear.

The captions offer readers some "valuable" fashion tips.  

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50 natural wonders: The ultimate list of scenic splendor

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 08:10 PM PDT

spectacular natural wonders

Water, fire and ice have combined to make some of the most spectacular scenery in the world -- from giant crystal caves to mud volcanoes and rock formations that look like works of art.

If your office and daily commute aren't a fitting reminder of the extraordinary natural diversity of planet earth, get some inspiration from these incredible scenes.

 

1. Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway


With a 604-meter drop from a flat plateau down to Lysefjord with no safety railings, this is not a place for vertigo sufferers.

Keep well back from the edge and you can still enjoy the fantastic scenery over Kjerag peak, which itself drops 984 meters.

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What does the United States think of Girls' Generation?

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 03:33 PM PDT

Girls Generation

So will Girls' Generation's next target audience know what hit 'em?

Will they understand the lyrics?

Will Girls' Generation be hotter be Selena Gomez?

With the Korean pop sensations poised to "take over America" (or at least try to) we asked fans in the world's great consumer music market to preview the band's latest video, "The Boys."


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