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- Makeover for Singapore's Merlion
- Hong Kong takes its place amongst world's best bartenders
- Shenzhou-9 spacecraft boosts tourism in China’s space city
- Fast track to the top at Tokyo's success shrine
- iReport: What to do in Taipei?
| Makeover for Singapore's Merlion Posted: 22 Jun 2012 12:59 AM PDT First time visitors to Singapore hoping to get that cliched but essential shot of the iconic Merlion fountain are out of luck for the next few months. In preparation for the half-lion, half-fish's 40th birthday in September, the city has hidden it from public view as it undergoes a makeover. According to Singapore officials, cracks will be filled, stains scrubbed off, and the Merlion's waveform, on which it sits, will be replaced with a new one. More on CNNGo: How has the lame Merlion become a symbol of cool?
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| Hong Kong takes its place amongst world's best bartenders Posted: 21 Jun 2012 09:10 PM PDT
Bartending used to be something you did in between real jobs. Now there are "Oscars" for it. Hong Kong-based barman Tom Wood is going to the bartending Oscars -- the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year global finals.
Originally from Australia, Wood will be the first mixologist to represent Hong Kong at the championship, contending with 50 other top barmen from around the world for the coveted title of "Bartender of the Year." read more    |
| Shenzhou-9 spacecraft boosts tourism in China’s space city Posted: 21 Jun 2012 04:20 PM PDT by CNNGo staff The successful lift-off and docking of spacecraft Shenzhou-9 (神舟九号) is inspiring Chinese tourists to trek deep into the Gobi desert to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (酒泉卫星发射中心), the "Cape Canaveral of China." Located in China's northwest Gansu Province, Jiuquan -- home to around 1 million residents -- is witnessing a tourism boom, reported by Chinese media. Curious aerospace fans swamped the city during the launch last week, and more families are planning an "educational tour" with their children for the upcoming summer school holiday. "I originally planned to take [my son] to Qingdao and Weihai [during the summer vacation,]" a man surnamed Zhu from Lanzhou told Lanzhou Evenning News. "Now he wants to see the space city [in Jiuquan] and we'll grant his wish." Wu, a marketing officer from Jiuquan Tourism Bureau, said that the success of Shenzhou-9 will mean a "substantial increase in tourism" for the city this summer. read more    |
| Fast track to the top at Tokyo's success shrine Posted: 21 Jun 2012 04:20 PM PDT by Gail Nakada At Tokyo's Atago Shrine in central Minato Ward, the steps to career success are just that -- steps. Lots and lots of them, climbing almost vertically from the street to the shrine 26 meters away atop Atago Hill. Though this rise is named Otoko Zaka, literally "Man Hill," the steps themselves are known as the Shussei no Ishiden, or "Stone Steps to Success," and there's a very practical reason for their current significance. Atago was built in 1603 by order of super shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, whose legacy lasted centuries. It was the highest point in the old city and also served as a fire lookout.
Samurai were touchy-feely about things like flowers when they weren't slicing and dicing each other and the odd peasant, you see. read more    |
| iReport: What to do in Taipei? Posted: 21 Jun 2012 03:00 PM PDT Taiwan isn't called the "Ilha Formosa" by the Portuguese for nothing. The phrase means "beautiful island" and Taiwan is a stunner indeed. The following iReporters show us just how gorgeous Taiwan can be and why it deserves its status as an international travel destination. Taipei 101
iReporter Jill Thornton's trip to Taipei in September 2007 was particularly memorable. "I remember it was my first international trip where I was traveling alone, so I was not only nervous to be alone but the language and culture were so different from my own," says Thornton. "It turned out to be a really great place to explore, eat lots of yummy food, and see some amazing sites." read more    |
Illustrations like this are being placed on temporary hoardings surrounding the Merlion statue as it undergoes restoration works. The attraction, in front of the city's famous Fullerton Hotel, will reopen in early September before its birthday on the 15th.
We didn't know we wanted tea fog with our whiskey until now.
Consummate bartender: Tom Wood does puns and pours.
The horse took 45 minutes to skitter back down again. Can't say we blame him.Legend says that a young 17th-century samurai rode his horse straight up that impossible incline to deliver a beautiful plum-blossom branch to the shogun.
Taipei 101 itself (right) is as breathtaking as the view that can be seen from the top of it (left).| You are subscribed to email updates from CNNGo.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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