Leica M8.2 Digital Rangefinder 
Even for most people who grew up using film cameras, the term 'rangefinder' would probably still not ring a bell.
The camera preferred by photojournalists, rangefinders were seen as the best cameras during the 1930s to the 1970s, before the invention of the current photography darling - the SLR.
Photography hobbyists still using rangefinders today will probably tell you that their camera of choice is an expensive affair, and new cameras typically cost at least the price of a professional DSLR.
The Leica M8.2 is one of two digital rangefinders available in the market today, and we took it on a travel review of Japan to see how this camera, said to be the holy grail of cameras, performed.
My first impression of the M8.2 is that the design really lives up to the legacy that is the Leica brand. Staying true to the traditional rangefinder design, the M8.2 still sports the classic 'Leica look'. Sitting side by side with my Leica IIIa from 1936, you can tell the cameras are relatives, albeit made a millennia apart.
With a very neat, sleek finish, the M8.2 would have looked perfect if not for the glossy leatherette texture that makes up the camera's body. While using real leatherette is probably a thing of the past, the glossy texture of the body seems to give the M8.2 a slightly plasticky feeling that didn't go well with the chrome finish on the rest of the camera.
The traditional swing-lock and plate base of the Leica rangefinders is one more element of design that remained unchanged in the M8.2. While those using the older models will have to remove the plate base to access the film, the SD card slot and battery is what users have to disembowel the M8.2 to access.
One might find this aspect of design slightly nostalgic, but I've learned that it can be a pain after a while, especially if you are in a rush or need to change an SD card quickly while on the move or in the most unlikely of places - such as dangling off an abandoned railroad bridge.
While the M8.2 might look as bulky as your regular DSLR on a tech specs sheet, the camera is actually much more compact than it looks. Summarit-M 50mm/f2.5 lens is half the size of a regular DSLR's and the M8.2's body is only slightly larger than a prosumer compact digital camera, meaning that it is very easy to carry around.
Rangefinder users prefer their cameras largely for the fully manual settings that they can use in opposition to the full-auto cameras of today. If you're an experienced hand at taking good snaps on manual settings then the M8.2 has a lot to offer and explore.
The M8.2 has five different ISO settings - 160/320/640/1250/2500, which are a strange choice compared to the standard rounded off numbers 100/200/400/800/1600 etc. The low to mid-ISO settings look very good, but I thought pictures looks less appealing on the higher settings of 1250 and 2500 as compared to other professional cameras.
White balance settings on the camera come with six presents, manual, custom temp and an auto-mode. They are adequate, but not particularly outstanding. Also, the simple aperture priority mode is not as fancy as what you would find in some of the newer DSLRs, but it does have its charm when you get the hang of it.
As a digital camera, the M8.2's user interface is simple and easy to use. I found the location of the buttons not exactly in optimal position, but it doesn't really seem that much of a problem once you have familiarized yourself with them.
The Verdict
For those new to photography the Leica M8.2 might intimidate, which is why I would recommend this to those who have at least some experience using a camera with manual settings.
The M8.2 is an ideal camera for existing rangefinder users interested to take the digital leap. While this is a very expensive investment to make, the M8.2 is a camera you can rely on to take stunning pictures once you understand how it works.
by Jasmine Osada Mariko, Plush|05 May 2009
Asiaone
HK tycoon names blue diamond "Star of Josephine" 
by Reuters|22 May 2009
Geneva - A Hong Kong property tycoon and collector who bought a flawless blue diamond for a record $9.5 million, has named it the "Star of Josephine," auction house Sotheby's said on Wednesday.
Joseph Lau Luen-Hung made the winning bid last week by telephone for the diamond, which fetched the highest price per carat for any gemstone at the auction and a world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond at auction.
"Mr. Lau has already exercised his right to name the diamond, which is now known as 'Star of Josephine'," it said.
The rectangular-shaped blue stone weighs 7.03 carats, about the size of a small coin, and was the rarest to enter the international market this year.
David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's jewelry department in Europe and the Middle East, told reporters after conducting the May 12 sale in Geneva: "I hope it will be worn, it is such a beautiful stone."
Lau is chairman of Chinese Estates, a major Hong Kong property developer.
Source: Asiaone
Vintage Ferrari sets auction record 
by Reuters|22 May 2009
Milan - A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa has set a new world record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction, costing the buyer 9.02 million euros (S$17.8million), according to RM Auctions, which organized the event.
The price, which includes a 10 percent buyer's premium on top of the "hammer price," is nearly 2 million euros more than the previous record set at a similar auction at Ferrari's headquarters a year ago, it said in a statement.
"The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world -- both in the room and on the telephone -- competed to secure one of the most alluring ... Ferrari racing cars," RM Europe Managing Director Max Girardo said in the statement.
RM declined to identify the buyer or the seller.
The auction took place on Sunday at Ferrari's factory and test circuit at Maranello, a small town near Modena in the north of Italy. Between 1957 and 1958, only 22 examples of the open-topped "pontoon fender" model were made, according to the statement.
Examples of the open-topped two-seater model entered 19 international championship races from 1958 to 1961, claiming 10 victories, it said.
The example sold on Sunday has a black body and a red nose. Inside, the leather seats are red.
Ferrari is part of Italy's Fiat industrial group, best known for small, economical cars.
Source: Asiaone
More luxury hotels to wow in Dubai 
by Reuters|22 May 2009
Dubai - U.S.-casino operator MGM Mirage will manage three luxury hotels at the Dubai Pearl, a $4 billion project close to man-made island Palm Jumeirah, including the Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Skylofts hotels.
The three hotels are valued at $1 billion, Santosh Joseph, chief executive of Dubai-based developer Pearl Dubai told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Construction has begun on four out of six hotels planned for the Dubai Pearl, he said.
MGM Mirage is planning to move into the hotel industry throughout the Middle East and Asia and has already signed eight hotel management deals with developers, a company executive told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The company told the paper it was in talks with 10 more developers about opening luxury hotels, mostly without casinos, under the banners of its Las Vegas properties. By 2014, the No 2 casino operator expects to generate revenue of about $100 million a year from its hotel operations.
Global hoteliers have been pinning their hopes on the east's underserved leisure markets to offset falling revenue as holidaymakers and business travellers cut back to save money in the global economic downturn.
The Dubai Pearl development will also feature a Baccarat Hotel and Residences that will be branded by the French crystal company Baccarat and managed by U.S.-based Starwood Capital Group.
The remaining two properties will be managed by international luxury brands from the U.S. and Italy and will be announced before the end of the year, said Joseph.
Pearl Dubai is a "well capitalised company" and will fund the development through "capital debt and pre-sales", he said.
The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion by 2012, and the second in 2013.
In Dubai, one of seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates, the tourism industry slowed in the first quarter with hotel revenues dropping 15 percent.
But Joseph said Pearl Dubai is not worried about market conditions.
"We are building for the future. It will take some time but we are sure the Dubai market will recover," he said.
Source: Asiaone
Sweet 16: the new must-have laptops 
By Oo Gin Lee
(asiaone)
SIXTEEN inches is the new sweet spot for consumers looking for a larger-sized multimedia laptop that will not yank out their limbs when they lug their machines around.
You can get the same high-definition crisp images (1,920 x 1,080) on today's multimedia laptops as on the full HD TV in the living room.
Most of them come with Blu-ray drive and powerful speakers, often with a built-in mini-subwoofer as well, to pump up the volume while you enjoy your high-definition movies.
The Blu-ray drive also typically doubles up as a DVD writer so you can store your home videos and photos and burn them onto discs to share with friends and family.
In some machines, there are decent graphics cards which turn these sleek laptops into gaming centres.
All of them have dedicated multimedia buttons, which are soft touch-sensitive keys and, sometimes, back-lit as well to add a touch of style.
The evolution of laptops to the 16-inch models is a chain reaction to netbooks encroaching into the laptop space.
It used to be that netbooks, when they were first out at the end of 2007, were just 7-inch models. However, consumers did not like the too-small screens, yet wanted their machines to be lightweight.
So, laptop makers brought out 8.9-inch, then 10-inch and 12-inch models in the space of a year.
To differentiate the pricier mainstream laptops from the sub-$500 to $1,000 netbooks, manufacturers started to bump up the screen sizes - from 12-inch to 13.3-inch models for the ultra-portables, and from 17-inch to 18.4-inch versions for the desktop replacements.
For the multimedia laptops, the upsizing went from 14 and 15 inches to 16 inches from the end of the last year.
Digital Life takes a look at six such models.
1. Gateway ID-5805G
Coming in at under $2,000, this is the most affordable of all the laptops tested and it comes with some pretty decent features, including a huge hard disk drive, plenty of RAM, fast processor and a discrete graphics card.
One cool thing is the manual slider that covers the webcam lens when you want privacy.
Compared to the competition, there are a few missing parts like the lack of a Blu-ray drive, no Firewire port and no Express Card slot.
The lid design is again the typical glossy piano black and fingerprint-smudging type.
However, the body is matt inside.
There is a generous-sized keyboard and a huge sound bar at the top, which slopes upwards.
Audio can go loud but lacks clarity and the bass is muted.
The graphics card scored 2,255 in 3DMark06, which is low where gaming is concerned.
There are some touch-sensitive keys under the sound bar but unlike most of the other laptops, the keys lacks sophistication in its looks.
Verdict: The cheapest of the lot, it has the basic features but lacks a Blu-ray drive.
Specs: Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core2Duo P8700 processor (2.53 GHz), 1336 x 768 15.6-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk drive, 512MB Nvidia GeForce G105M graphics, DVD writer, 3kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, VGA, SD-size card reader, eSATA, 3x USB, LAN, headphone port, mic port
Price: $1,988
2. Sony Vaio FW37
The best thing I liked about this Sony offering is its screen.
It is big at 16.4-inch, has high resolution but most important of all, it has the right level of reflectiveness for bright images and yet is not glaring.
Design is top-notch with a metallic greycoating on the lid that gleams like the paint of a new car.
Inside, the body and bezel around the screen are decked out in a sturdy silver finish with robust hinges.
Lots of nice curves accentuate the stylish design of the machine with contrasting black keys on the "floating" keyboard.
The power button is built neatly into the right hinge while the power port is on the left hinge.
Instead of going with the softer look of the other laptops here, Sony has stuck to a tough stance: There are no soft touch-sensitive keys but hard ones that go clickety-clack.
Sound quality is super: The crystal clear audio is great when you are listening to the sound of glass shattering in an gunfight scene in the 24 TV series.
Specs-wise, there is nothing to write home about.
The use of the less efficient T processor (instead of the newer P processors) and a run-of-the-mill graphics card, which only hit 3,848 on the 3DMark06 scale, make the stiff price hard to justify.
Verdict: Fabulous screen, good audio, beautiful tough-looking design but priced at a premium.
Specs: Windows Vista Ultimate, Intel Core2Duo T9550 processor (2.66 GHz), 1920 x 1080 16.4-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk, 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 graphics, Blu-ray reader/DVD writer, 3.2kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, VGA, SD-size card reader, memory stick reader, Express Card slot, Firewire, 3x USB, LAN, headphone port, mic port
Price not available yet, expected to be over $4,000
3. Lenovo Ideapad Y65
The Y650 is a refreshing change from the typical all-black look of most multimedia laptops.
While the lid is brownish-black, the keyboard and palm rest are ceramic white.
Both the edges of the lid and the body are finished with a metallic orange tinge that contrasts sharply between the black and the white.
What I really liked about this laptop is that Lenovo has taken away the keypad and squeezed the keyboard together.
So instead of the typical space-hogging soundbar above the keyboard, there are two small but powerful JBL speaker squares on the sides of the keyboard.
The result: More than half of the body space is freed up.
Although there is a gigantic trackpad smack in the middle of it, there is still enough space for both my palms to rest.
The trackpad is excellent and by far, the most responsive of all the trackpads here.
Ideapad is also the lightest of the lot and the thinnest too.
The battery is built into the laptop, which saves space but it is not swoppable.
So you cannot have a stand-by ready.
In terms of clean and smart design, this machine wins hands down.
The screen has a resolution of only 1,336 x 768, but I did not find it as reflective as the others, giving it a good balance of brightness in the dark and just enough glare under ambient lighting.
Unfortunately, it does not come with a Blu-ray drive which, to me, is an absolute necessity for a multimedia machine.
The graphics card is also rather weak for games, registering only 2463 on the 3DMark06 scale.
Verdict: The slimmest and cleanest cut of them all, but pity about the missing Blu-ray drive.
Specs: Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core2Duo P8700 processor (2.53 GHz), 1336 x 768 16-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 320GB hard disk drive, 256MB GeForce GT105M graphics, DVD writer, 2.55kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, VGA, SD-size card reader, Express Card slot, eSATA, 2x USB, LAN, headphone port, mic port
Price: $2,299
4. Dell Studio XPS 16
The Studio XPS 16 is one of the best designs that traditionally staid Dell has come up with.
The overall glossy piano black finish across the lid, body and bezel is broken with attractive dashes of aluminium accents on the sides and the hinges.
The black leather strip near the hinge gives it not only a handsome look but also allows for a firm grip.
The screen delivers sharp, crisp pictures but it is also a tad reflective.
As with all Dell machines, you can make plenty of tweaks but I would strongly recommend going for a machine with higher specs: Consider one with a Blu-ray drive and a full HD 1,920 x 1,080 screen.
Twin candy-bar sized stereo speakers are found to the sides of the keyboard, which belts out decent tunes with deep bass.
A minimalistic look goes with the soft, tactile, well-spaced and back-lit keys on the keyboard.
Above the keyboard sits a bar of touch-sensitive multimedia keys.
The Blu-ray/DVD writer combo drive is a slot load one.
Though it looks good, I do not like it for the dust bunnies that it will gather after some time.
Verdict: Slightly pricier than the rest but has a clean minimalistic look and great features.
From $1,999, price of unit selected: $2,799
Specs: Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core2Duo T9550 processor (2.66 GHz), 1920 x 1080 16-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk drive, 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3670 graphics, Blu-ray reader/DVD writer, 2.95kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, Display Port, VGA, SD-size card reader, Express Card slot, eSATA, 2x USB, Firewire, LAN, two headphone ports, mic port
From $1,999, price of unit selected: $2,799
5. Acer Aspire 5935G
Launched this month, the 5935G is a refresh of the older 5930, with pretty good features at an attractive price.
Compared to the HP HDX-16, this Acer number has a faster processor, larger hard disk drive, more RAM and a better graphics card, which scored 5517 on 3DMark06 - the highest among all the laptops tested here.
At this score, all games should run smoothly although you may have to set to the lower graphics settings for resource-hungry titles like Far Cry 2 and Crysis.
This machine does not have the digital TV tuner and its screen resolution is only 1,336 x 768 - expect HD-Ready rather than full HD quality.
That said, you will see little difference in quality on a screen of this size.
For instance, the BBC's Planet Earth looked just as good on this screen as it does on the full HD HP and Sony machines.
In finish, while the piano black lid looks sharp, the gloss also shows up fingerprint smudges too easily.
Under the lid, the raised "floating" keyboard keys gives a good tactile feel and works quietly.
A huge sound bar at the top of the keyboard booms out loud audio with good bass.
At maximum volume, though, audio was a little muffled.
What is really nice is the back-lit, touch-sensitive media keys with a huge volume knob, which looks really neat.
There is also a dedicated touch-key below the screen, which lets you turn the screen on and off instantly without shutting down or going into stand-by mode.
Verdict: Good specs and a Blu-ray drive translate into the best value for money among the laptops here.
Specs: Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core2Duo P8700 processor (2.53 GHz), 1336 x 768 15.6-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk drive, 1GB GeForce GT130M graphics, Blu-ray reader/DVD writer, fingerprint reader, 3kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, VGA, SD-size card reader, Express Card slot, eSATA, Firewire, 3x USB, LAN, headphone port, mic port, SPDIF port
Price: $2,298
6. HP HDX 16
It may cost a little more but the HDX 16 has all the bells and whistles you need in a multimedia laptop.
These include an ultra-sharp full HD 1080p display, Blu-ray and a decent graphics card for games, which hit 4,103 on the 3DMark06 benchmark.
This unit also qualifies for HP's premium round-the-clock Total Care service.
It also comes with a digital DVB-T TV tuner, which means you simply plug-in the supplied digital antenna and get digital channels like TV Mobile broadcast over-the-air.
There are two remote control units, with the smaller one designed to fit snugly into the Express Card slot.
Its design, what HP calls the Fluid imprint, has dashes of silvery thread-like designs running across the greyish-black lid.
The Altec-Lansing sound bar runs across the space on top of the keyboard and, combined with a mini-subwoofer embedded at the bottom of the laptop, produces clean audio with a punchy bass.
The maximum volume could have been a little louder though.
There are two headphone ports, so you and your beau can share your favourite song together.
The screen displays sharp and beautiful images in the dark although I felt it was a tad too reflective under room lighting.
Just below the sound bar is a row of back-lit, touch-sensitive media buttons including volume, treble and bass control and the MediaSmart launch button, which launches the multimedia functions - movies, music, photos, TV and files.
The keyboard has a soft tactile feel and includes the number keypad.
Verdict: If you are the type who wants everything in your laptop plus a full HD screen, this is the one for you.
Specs: Windows Vista Home Premium, Intel Core2Duo P8400 processor (2.26 GHz), 1920 x 1080 16-inch screen, 3GB RAM, 320GB hard disk, 512MB GeForce 9600M GT graphics, Blu-ray reader/DVD writer, fingerprint reader, 3.2 kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in mic, HDMI, VGA, SD-size card reader, Express Card slot, eSATA, Firewire, 3x USB, LAN, TV tuner, two headphone ports, one mic port
Price: $2,699
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
Sensual seclusion on the Great Barrier Reef 
Aerial of Resort and Island, Hayman
HALCYON waters, pristine white sand, balmy sea breeze and nobody in close sight.
Add a trail of footprints ' yours and your partner's, that is.
Strolling down a vast expanse of beach in ultimate seclusion can be consummated reality rather than wishing thinking on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
After all, the world's greatest coral reef spans a whopping 348,700 square kilometres in area, with over 600 islands, 25 of which have resorts on them.
Though all are located along the same stretch of the Queensland coastline, each island offers trippers a varied experience - Magnetic Island, for example, is often recommended by the budget conscious, and for family fun many quote Daydream Island for its comprehensive kids' programme.
For those seeking romantic exclusivity, however, Hayman Island and Hamilton Island more than fit the bill.
Part of a group of 74 islands collectively known as the Whitsundays, both not only offer azure waters, spectacular beaches, and diverse flora and fauna, but plentiful opportunities to find seclusion and scenery in these settings - through self-hikes, picnics, or private dining options.
The entire Great Barrier Reef boasts a 25 to 30 degrees Celsius all-year-round climate, giving you flexibility to plan your trip throughout the year.
Visit according to your "season" of love - for a honeymoon, wedding anniversary, or just to get away from the drudgery of urban life.
Hamilton Island
As the interview location for the "Best Job in the World" contest, and the future home of six months for the chosen candidate, Hamilton Island has been receiving considerable attention of late. The place's nestled location amongst the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, its famed Whitehaven Beach, and tropical weather likened to the Mauritius makes it an obvious showcase for Tourism Queensland in their campaign.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
But you shouldn't have to worry about thousands flocking to Hamilton Island - there is plenty of island for everyone to enjoy their private getaway.
Some 70 per cent of the place is designated as a National Park, which is easily traversed on walking trails that lead to peaks and lookouts, remote beaches, and natural bushland.
Trails open daily from 6.30am to 5.30pm, so pack a picnic, grab a map and set out with your other half to find a place to call your own, for a few hours.
Resorts can pack you a picnic with a 24-hour notice, and an ample selection of takeaway outlets specialising in gourmet sandwiches, fish and chips, and pastries offers cost-friendly alternatives.
Hamilton is the closest resort island to the renowned Whitehaven beach, which features six kilometres of pristine silica sand and aqua blue waters - one of BBC's "places to see before you die".
Whitehaven is easily accessible via cruise or yacht, and an incomparable backdrop for some stunning photographs.
For couples who want to experience romance out at sea, a sunset kayak trip to the Whitsunday Islands - with a one-hour leisurely paddle and bottle of champagne - is a perfect way to close the day.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
Sightings of turtles, dolpins, and other colourful marine creatures are not uncommon during these kayak outings.
Wish to spend the night on the reef itself? Fantasea's Reefworld - just a stone's throw away from Hamilton Island - offers a "Room for two" on its specially designed infrastructure situated out at sea.
When night falls, stargaze in absolute tranquillity on the top or marvel at the vibrant marine life in the viewing gallery below.
It's just you, your other half, and a million other reef fishes and creatures.
Getting there:
Daily direct flights to Hamilton Island are available from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.
Accommodation:
Hamilton Island offers a wide range of options, from 3-star island-style garden bungalows, 4-star hotel rooms, to luxurious 5-star waterfront rooms. A wide range of 3- to 5-star self-catering properties are also spread throughout the island.
Hayman Island
Luxury and nature blend in seamlessly at the Whitsundays Group most northerly island, amalgamating into an island getaway unlike any other.
A 212-room resort is located on the southerly shore, fronted by a sweeping sandy beach and surrounded by some 14 hectares of tropical gardens.
Villas, penthouses, suites, and appointed rooms are ingeniously designed to be integrated into the natural surroundings, through sandstone walkways that surreptitiously weave in and out of manicured gardens and shady ponds.
Just a stone's throw away from the resort is a rugged bushland which can be explored on foot, with rich rewards of seeing the island's colony of Proserpine Rock Wallabies, native Australian birds, and fascinating fauna.
Unlike luxury resorts where scenic views come at an added expense, nobody misses out in this aspect on Hayman Island. Every form of accommodation features private terraces or balconies that offer breathtaking views of pools, lagoons, beach, gardens or the stunning Coral Sea.
The resort takes a "nothing is built higher than four stories" approach to ensure your outlook is unspoilt.
The balcony or terrace is, inevitably, also the perfect tranquil setting for a sunset candlelit dinner, which the resort can easily set up.
Wine and dine in absolute privacy, with spectacular views matched only by the contemporary Australian cuisine conjured up by renowned executive chef Glenn Bacon and his team.
Pool and beach, Hayman
Hayman Island's all-year round warm weather - with just a light jacket or sweater required during the evenings of winter days - ensures that the outdoors is always there to bask in, after you leave the hideaway of your room.
For ultimate seclusion, guests can choose to reside in the resort's aptly-titled Retreat Wing, which is set back from the beach in tropical gardens, amongst magnificent native tree and plant varieties.
For those seeking to wake up to the sounds of the sea, the beach villas are built up-close to the pristine sands, and employ woven rattan and natural finishings for a complete islander back-to-nature experience.
Each villa comes with a plunge infinity pool, letting you enjoy the view of the sapphire blue sea without the saltiness of seawater.
Like Hamilton Island, Hayman is close by to the beauty of the Whitsundays and the activities surrounding it.
Fishing, diving, snorkeling, sea-kayaking and trips to Reefworld and the acclaimed Whitehaven beach can be easily arranged.
But with the seclusion and beauty offered at the resort, you'll be hard-pressed to find a good reason to leave.
Getting there:
Regular flights are available from most Australian capital cities to Hayman Island via the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island. Flights connect with Hayman's luxury launches, seaplanes or helicopters.
Photos courtesy of Tourism Queensland.
For more information visit www.australia.com.
-asiaone-
Google to reshoot Japan Street views 
Fri, May 15, 2009
AFP
TOKYO, Japan - US Internet giant Google has decided to reshoot Street View photos in Japan following complaints from people who said public images of their homes violated their privacy.
The company's Japanese unit announced the decision Wednesday, saying it would take new photographs with the cameras set lower so the images accessible via net-based maps would not show photos looking into people's houses.
The company has also blurred vehicle license plates in the service.
Google said on its Japanese website that the company wished to provide the new service in a way that is socially acceptable in Japan.
Launched two years ago in the United States, Street View gives Google users a 360-degree view of streets. The service in Japan is now available to show images from major cities.
The move in Japan came after various municipalities and citizens groups accused the company of violating people's privacy by publishing the photos of private houses and community streets without owners' consent.
Japan is not unique in worrying about the Internet feature.
Earlier this week, Greece's data protection agency barred Google from taking any more images for its Street View feature until the company explains the service and its privacy safeguards.
An American court earlier this year rejected a privacy suit by a couple whose house was shown on Street View. --AFP
-asiaone-
Night Safari's leggy blonde finally goes on exhibition
15 May 2009
[top photo: Kayin suckling from her mother, Dobeni.]
Night Safari's baby giraffe, Kayin, whose name means "long-awaited one" in Swahili, is the first giraffe to have been born in six years. Her proud parents are first-time mother, Dobeni and fourth-time father, Pongola.
Kayin is a healthy baby and recently saw a growth spurt of 1.1 metres in 10 months. She now stands at 2.9m tall.
Despite having been born on 27 July last year, she has only just been exhibited due to extra precautions taken by keepers. Conditioning was undertaken before letting her graze in the mixed habitat that is shared with the zebras and scimitar-horned oryx.
Although the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) status of giraffes is at low risk, baby giraffes nonetheless face a myriad of threats to their lives.
"In the wild, young giraffes often fall prey to lions, leopards and wild dogs. It is estimated that only a small percentage of baby giraffes reach adulthood," said Mr Kumar Pillai, assistant director, zoology, Night Safari.
"Like our own offspring, we will continue to nurture the calf until it reaches adulthood and then find a suitable partner for her."
Night Safari boasts Over 1,000 animals from 115 species (of which almost 30 per cent are threatened) inhabiting its 40-hectares.
As part of conservation efforts, the park focuses on the captive breeding of threatened species. Over the years, it has bred Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, fishing cats, red dholes, anoas, markhors, bantengs and Malayan tapirs, among other endangered species.
Night Safari is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and is a designated wildlife rescue centre by the governing authority.
-AsiaOne
Nokia Comes With Music service on
the 5800 XpressMusic handset
By Irene Tham
WITH four million tunes, the collection at Nokia's Comes With Music store is as good as - if not more exhaustive than - that of PlayNow Plus.
The 5800 XpressMusic touchscreen is easy to use, especially for users with long fingernails.
The handset acknowledges an input with haptic feedback.
Unlike the Sony Ericsson handset (see other story), this touchscreen phone does not come with the TrackID, or an equivalent, feature.
However, the quality of the music at the store more than makes up for it.
(You just have to buy another standard 3.5mm headphone as the supplied Nokia earphones do not do justice to the high quality music.)
Music file sizes are about 4MB to 5MB as they are in the WMA format with a higher 192kbps bit-rate - even for downloads on the phone.
Best of all, all the tracks downloaded are for keeps even after the one-year service expires.
The catch: The music is locked to one phone and one PC and you cannot transfer them to another device.
You also cannot renew the music subscription service; you have to buy another Nokia phone.
However, your music account can be transferred to another phone-PC pair but only one pair can play at any one time.
One thing I like about this service is the freedom to choose the 3G data service of any of the three telcos.
Separate 3G data charges apply.
With Sony Ericsson PlayNow Plus, I am limited to its exclusive partner telco, SingTel.
The biggest complaint I have with the Comes With Music service is the tardiness of the music downloads on the phone. A 5MB track, for instance, took about 11/2 minutes to download via 3G. Downloading on the PC is much faster. Also, it did not make sense to have to click on every track even when I am downloading an entire album and key in my username and password again when I visit the store after the phone has been switched off and on. Yet another snag: You have to click on the "Back" button a few times to return to the main menu to continue with music searches while music downloading is taking place.
Final say
Imagine keeping all four million songs for $798, excluding telco subsidies.
It is still worth your while even if you download only 5,000 tunes.
Based on online prices of $1 a song, that would have come up to $5,000.
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
Source: Asiaone
Tour to eat
By Cheryl Tan
When Mr Nelson Lee went on holiday in Hokkaido earlier this year, he packed more than just a digital camera to snap sights and a handycam to record activities. Just as importantly, he brought along a healthy appetite.
Unlike those who are enticed by the things to see and do on a vacation, the 26-year-old computer engineer was hooked by the mouth-watering line-up of speciality food such as Hokkaido crabs, sashimi and traditional Japanese steamboat. He paid more than $6,000 for himself and his girlfriend to go on CTC Holiday's nine-day tour to the northern-most Japanese island.
Various types of dishes from a Japanese kaiseki meal.
"The Japanese food and seafood in Hokkaido is so different from what we have here," says Mr Lee, who put on nearly 3kg after his trip in February.
Such food-centric holidays have been available for about five years, but tour agents say people have been signing up in droves in the last year.
ASA Holidays has seen a 70 per cent year-on-year increase in the demand for such 'merged itineraries', which include sightseeing and food tasting. Its spokesman Louisa Chin says Singaporeans "have a great passion for food" and are adventurous enough to "try new tastes".
The agency started to include food gourmet segments in its tours nearly three years ago. For example, its nine-day North Eastern China tour takes travellers to feast on locally flavoured and prepared ginseng chicken, roasted duck and seafood buffet.
Chan Brothers' slew of gourmet-themed holidays, including a one-day Peranakan food tour to Malacca and a six-day Taiwan Night Market Explorer tour, has seen a 30 per cent jump in sign-ups annually.
It also conducts tours to Kuala Lumpur and Chiang Mai for travellers to participate in cooking demonstrations.
Such Asian destinations in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vietnam are popular as these countries' "cuisines are palatable for Singaporeans' taste buds", says Chan Brothers' spokesman Jane Chang.
CTC Holidays, which started offering food tours five years ago, adds Japan, South Korea and China to the list of Singaporeans' favourite eating hot spots.
Hot pot dish from South Korea.
Its first gourmet tours had local celebrities, such as comedian and food-lover Moses Lim, leading tour groups to Tohoku and Hokkaido in Japan to sample the local cuisines.
It now incorporates the food components into their normal tour packages, with the agency's local representatives making the recommendations.
Getting a taste of a destination's local cuisine does not come cheap. The food tasted on gourmet tours are usually in popular and more upmarket restaurants well-known for their quality local fare.
CTC representative Alicia Seah notes that those who sign up for food tours are usually "affluent and well-travelled Singaporeans above 40 years old", since "the difference in costs for meals on a gourmet tour could amount to more than double the price of a normal tour package".
She adds: "They are usually adventurous and like to try different types of food and delicacies which may not be available here. Younger travellers are more into free and easy travelling and sightseeing. They do not want to spend so much on food."
Given the current depressed economy, she predicts that the new food tours might "settle for reasonably priced cuisines instead of forking out a substantial sum of money for high-end quality food".
SA Tours, which has seen a 9 per cent annual increase in its gastronomic packages since it started offering them four years ago, has a different game plan.
Instead of omitting the more expensive food places at a destination, it has made "provisions to cut back on the number of days to lower the costs of such tours", says its spokesman Ruth Lim.
But recession or not, retiree Fong Mee Fah is determined to go on her annual holiday to enjoy the eats. The 59-year-old has paid more than $800 for a five-day Chan Brothers Guangdong gourmet tour next month.
Dim Sum from Guangdong, China.
Madam Fong, who has heard of the region's famed cuisine, hopes to try as many of the local dishes and snacks as possible.
She says: "My children have all grown up already, so I tour the world now. I live to eat."
tcheryl@sph.com.sg
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Source: Asiaone
The best email smartphone is...
By Alfred Siew
WHAT gives a mobile warrior the best way to get his personal e-mail on the road? That was what I set out to find out when I tried out the most popular e-mail offerings on today's smartphones.
I tested how well they worked out of the box by checking how easy it was to set up a common e-mail account, say, on Yahoo or Gmail, and how the software allowed users to scroll through a day's worth of e-mail messages.
I also noted how the e-mail software handled complex HTML messages and how easy it was to open an attachment - say, a PDF file or Word document.
What I did not test: the features on individual devices. This was because, with the exception of the iPhone, these e-mail experiences are available on a myriad of devices - say, with a Qwerty keyboard or touchscreen.
Here they are, in alphabetical order:
(Source: Asiaone)
Push email - BlackBerry
Device tested on: Blackberry Curve 8900
Still seen as the king of the hill when it comes to e-mail, BlackBerry is one tough nut to crack.
The e-mail set-up is easy as can be, usually requiring just your e-mail address and password to get started. Once your account is up, you simply wait for messages to be automatically pushed to you when they hit your inbox.
The concept of a push-mail system, made famous by Research in Motion, the company behind BlackBerry, works in the background and never misses a message during my tests.
Its handling of e-mail messages is top-notch. Complex HTML messages with difficult graphics and tables in them are not a problem - they are just reformatted so as to make very readable.
Naturally, regular text-based e-mail does not present a challenge. The messages are displayed clearly, with all the indents and other formatting kept intact for a quick glance.
The powerful features are all there with a single press of a button. You can search for messages according to sender or subject, mark a message as unopened or even forward an e-mail message as an SMS or MMS message.
The only downside - and it is a big one for consumers - is that they have to subscribe to a special BlackBerry plan to get their mail. This costs more than $60 a month from StarHub, for example, for an unlimited usage plan. In contrast, subscribers of its regular data plans, who can pick any of the other devices and e-mail services here, pay a maximum of only $36 a month.
Push email - Apple iPhone
Device tested on: Apple iPhone
Not the best gizmo around if you ask e-mail junkies who check their inbox every second. Still, the iPhone's e-mail software hooks up to Yahoo and Gmail easily.
The two-line screen - more than the usual one-liner or just a few words - gives a clue of what the message is about.
With both regular text messages as well as rich HTML messages, the original formatting - down to the text colour and indents - are well kept. Opening a Word or PDF document is also a one-touch affair, giving you access to attachments quickly.
However, the iPhone lacks some features for power users. To delete a message without opening it - say, if you have several spam messages, you have to click on the 'edit' button and select them for deletion. Edit button? Not exactly the most intuitive interface, if you ask me.
You can view up to 200 messages at one go on the iPhone but, if you have lots of e-mail messages, the iPhone can come up a little short.
For example, you cannot do a quick search, like with Windows Mobile, or mark a message as read, like with a Nokia phone.
On the bright side, I got my Yahoo messages pushed directly to me when I set the iPhone to fetch data updates automatically. Gmail, for now, seems to be only on 'pull' mode, which means I can get the messages at periodic intervals (the shortest is 15 minutes).
How much you pay for e-mail on the go depends on your data plan with the telco and how often you download messages on the move.
Push email - Nokia
Device tested on: Nokia E75
The world's biggest cellphone maker is on a grab-market-share warpath after it launched its push mail service along with its newest phones.
The E75 is one of these devices to offer a recently souped up e-mail interface, which promises some handy features. For one, a contextual menu - accessible via a button on the phone - lets you quickly reply, delete or even move the message. That is nifty and powerful at once.
Set-up is also easy - as easy as on a BlackBerry. I set up my Gmail and Yahoo accounts within minutes.
I would rate the Nokia experience just a short way behind the BlackBerry. The only reason is that it does not do HTML messages as nicely as the king of e-mail now.
Typically, such messages are reformatted for the small screen. Even when you choose to view them in full HTML mode, it is a hassle scrolling up/down or left/right of the message.
The good news is that regular text messages are well-formatted and easily readable. Opening PDFs and other attachments is usually a one-click affair.
What Nokia lacks, it makes up for in its coverage of popular e-mail services and price. There is none of the costs involved with BlackBerry plans.
Instead, expect bundles like the $5-a-month offering from SingTel, unveiled when the telco launched Nokia's E63 messaging phone early last month. On other phones, you will have to pay regular mobile data charges, but even these should be cheaper than a comparable BlackBerry plan.
For its advantages and ease of use, yet at a cost lower than the BlackBerry, Nokia would be my system of choice.
Push email - Windows Mobile
Device tested on: HTC Touch Diamond
The latest Windows Mobile phones come with easy-to-set-up e-mail accounts, which require only an e-mail address and password to get things up and running. So it was on my HTC Touch Diamond, which took just minutes to start connecting to my Gmail and Yahoo accounts.
There is push-mail support for Hotmail but not for popular third-party services like Yahoo or Gmail. For these, you can set the phone to pull the messages every five minutes, which gives you near instant e-mail alerts.
The list of messages come on quickly once I start to send/receive mail. Do note though that, with Gmail, you do not automatically synchronise any folder other than Inbox - understandably to save on data costs. However, you can set this up through the options menu, say, if you need to get a message from your Gmail Sent folder.
HTML messages look reasonably well-formatted and images keep to their original positions.
There is room for improvement. On phones with small screens like the Touch Diamond, a preview of the message can be just four- or five-words short.
Unlike on the Nokia, the preview does not scroll sideways like a ticker tape to present more information.
There are no e-mail data bundles for Windows Mobile phones right now, so you will have to limit your usage by downloading only part of the message (the default setting) or go for an unlimited usage data plan from your telco.
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
All source: Asiaone
Toyota Launch Lexus IS250C
Employees of Toyota Motor Corporation demonstrate features of the Lexus IS250C at Nihon Jidosha Kaikan on May 7, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The new convertible model, equipped with a 215-horsepower 2.5L V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and a three-segment aluminum folding roof, which can be opened or closed in 20 seconds, goes on sale on May 7 in Japan at a price of 4,950,000 yen (approx. US $50,220).
(Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Source: Zimbio
Gadgets that turn girls on
What gadgets turn women on? Find out what are the 10 must-get gizmos for ladies, and why women nowadays prefer their tech both smart and sexy.
Chic flicks
By Irene Tham
Philips GoGear Luxe
MP3 player with Bluetooth headset
$139
Launched last year
Small and stylish, this clip-and-click digital audio player makes a cool accessory. It switches from playing music to receiving calls on your Bluetooth mobile phone - and even displays caller ID - with one touch. It has a long life too - up to 100-hour standby time and four-hour talk time.
Canon Legria FS200 camcorder
$669
Launched this month
This compact camcorder weighs just 230g and comes in alluring red, blue and silver colours. It records movies to flash memory, which is incredibly power efficient. For instance, it takes only 20 minutes to recharge for a further hour's worth of recording. A "pre-record" mode allows you to start recording three seconds before pressing the "record" button. Even if you were slow in pressing that button, the camera would have captured some of the action.
Vivienne Tam HP Mini 1000
$1,099
Launched in January
The must-have digital clutch is the brainchild of Hewlett-Packard and New York-based designer Vivienne Tam, who added "oriental chic" to the special edition mini-laptop. The flaming red netbook, splashed with her peony motifs, has curved edges so it can fit snugly in fashionistas' handbags without damaging the totes.
Sony Ericsson T707
Price not available
Available in June
nifty camera phone, touted as Maria Sharapova's new favourite gadget. Set different pulsating light patterns to identify your favourite callers. Or, silence an alarm or an unwanted call with the wave of a hand. Comes in rose or blue.
Casio Exilim EX-FS 10
$699
Launched in February
High-speed image capture just got more compact. By reducing the size of the circuitry and the image sensor units, this card-sized 9.1-megapixel shooter is only 16.3mm thin. Yet, it offers a 30 shot-per-second burst rate, faster than an SLR camera. Its blazing red finish is a perfect shade mate for that black evening dress.
Nokia 8800 Gold Arte
$2,088
Launched last year
Designed to be a headturner, this handset, which combines 18-carat gold plating and genuine leather, appeals not just to the tai-tais but successful business women. You can silence incoming calls discretely by turning the phone over with 
Canon Selphy CP770
$249
Launched last year
Designed for easy travel, this cheery bucket holds all the cables of the portable photo printer inside - out of sight. It packs a pretty mean punch too: It prints clear and vivid photos on the spot, be it at birthday parties or family vacations. Plus, it does its job directly from your digital camera; no computer needed.
Sony Walkman W series MP3 player NWZ-W202
$129
Launched this month
Free your hands while at the gym, cycling or rock climbing and yet enjoy your music with the wearable W series MP3 player. It boasts a wireless headphone design with music playback controlled from the headphone itself. Available in five colours - white, black, green, purple and pink - it is super light (35g) and has large storage (2GB).
FujiFilm Finepix Z33WP
$349
Launched last month
This 10-megapixel little camera is perfect for those who love the great outdoors. Designed to withstand the elements, it is waterproof to up to 3m under water for up to two hours. At night and under low light, shutter speed and sensitivity are automatically adjusted, producing blur-free pictures.
LG Prada II (KF900) and Prada Link Bluetooth watch
$1,288 and $688
Launched in February
Sporting not only glamour but also fancy technology, this duo can convince a fashionista to up her tech quotient. The highlight of the phone is the mate it brings in the form of a Bluetooth timepiece, the Prada Link.
All products are available at their authorised dealers
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life
SOURCE: Asiaone
[top photo: 126 Eating House serves dim sum 24 hours daily.]
Geylang's 5 hottest food spots
By Hedy Khoo
LORONG 9 BEEF KWAY TEOW
237 Lorong 9
Geylang Road
4pm-3.30am on Mondays,
11am-3.30am from Tuesdays to Sundays
This is perhaps the most famous eatery in Geylang, and its specialty is rice noodles with slices of beef cooked in black bean sauce (starts from $5 a plate).
When we visited the stall last Thursday evening, the owner was too busy to be interviewed - he was frying up plates of beef kway teow for a long queue of hungry diners, some of whom were seated at tables which lined the back alley.
A diner in his 30s, who did not want to be named, said he has been a patronising the restaurant for the last eight years. "It's cheap and delicious. A meal for three, which includes the beef kway teow and other dishes, costs just $20," he said.
126 EATING HOUSE
126 Sims Ave
24 hours daily
This is a must-visit for dim sum lovers. While the menu is purely in Mandarin, it has plenty of pictures for those who can't read.
The popular dishes are the fried beancurd ($5), king prawn dumplings ($4.50), and king siew mai ($4).
Madam Tay Sen Yen, 36, an account manager who was there with five friends, said she found out about the eatery last year from an Internet forum.
"Considering that we are eating by the roadside, the prices are slightly higher than a hawker centre. But the quality of the food is fresh and good."
PEOPLE'S PRAWN NOODLES
252 Lorong 12 Geylang Road
7.30am-5.30am daily, closed on Wednesdays
The stall's signboard displays various rave reviews that the prawn noodle stall, a family business, has garnered over the years.
Before the family set up shop in Geylang nine years ago, they sold live prawns at the Pasir Panjang wholesale market.
Mr Chris Tan, 22, said he personally boils the soup stock every day. He starts preparing the stock at 3am daily, which is then left to simmer for six hours.
Patron Derek Kwok, 48, an IT manager said that while he likes to try prawn noodles all over Singapore, the Geylang stall is his favourite because of its unique taste.
"The prawns are very fresh, and you can taste their full flavour in the soup. It's unlike those from other stalls that contain a lot of sugar or artificial seasoning in the stock."
LAO JIANG SHANXI COLD DISHES
27 Sims Ave, 11am-2am daily
Those looking for authentic Shanxi cuisine can find it here. Most patrons are mainland Chinese who gravitate here for familiar tastes from home.
The simple fare is reasonably priced. One of the most popular dishes, a bowl of cold noodles in chilli oil with cucumber strips, costs $3.
Mechanic Wang De Jun, 23, a Shanzi native who came here last year, said he chanced upon the eatery as he lived in the area. "It's hard to find eateries that sell dishes from my hometown. The cold noodles here are no different from those back home."
SINMA LIVE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
161 & 163, Lorong 3 Geylang Road, 5pm-4am daily
While this is a seafood restaurant, its star dish is really the claypot frog porridge.
Restaurant manager Chai Chin Hai, 41, said they sell up to 2,000 frogs - kept live and freshly slaughtered to keep the meat tender - every day.
There are permanent offers for the dish too: Buy two frogs and get one free, or buy three and get two free. Each frog costs $8.
Such offers draw customers like manager Cynthia Cha, 33, who patronises the restaurant at least once a month.
"The seafood here is not cheap, but the claypot frog porridge is reasonably priced. I like the thick and tasty gravy."
For customers who drive, parking is also less of a hassle than in other parts of Geylang - there is a public multi-storey carpark nearby.
Source: Asiaone
This article was first published in The New Paper.
BlackBerry Storm
By Sherwin Loh
BLACKBERRY finally goes touchscreen and it is serious about making a thunderous impact.
Dubbed Storm, this is one multimedia phone not for those with frail fingers. Instead of just lightly brushing the icons on the screen with your fingers, you actually have to press down on the screen to make your selection. The screen itself is semi-rigid, which means it is tough yet flexible enough to be depressed when you exert force on it.
Like clicking on a mouse button, this mode of interaction can actually be a boon for users who launch the wrong application by accidentally brushing against the touchscreen.
That said, the experience will not be pleasurable for the fast-fingered typists. The idea here is that users need to click on a letter, press the screen and release it before the next one can be activated. For those used to multi-fingered typing, it is down to one for the Storm.
For Qwerty users, the tactile feel of the buttons are also gone so you cannot make a small shift of the fingers to spell out words, based on your familiarity of the spacing of the buttons.
In portrait mode, the on-screen Qwerty keys are also very small, and I found typing to be easier on landscape mode, as the keys are bigger.
Still, there is a lot to appreciate about the device, including the 3.25-inch screen with four navigation buttons on the bottom plus volume and camera controls on the side. The speakers delivered robust music from music tracks and audiophiles would love the 3.5mm headphone jack.
There is a slight heft to the 155g unit, but it fits snugly into your palm and when rotated for two-handed use, there is enough surface area for a proper grip.
However, just as the recent BlackBerry Curve came without full 3G features, RIM has decided to cripple the Storm by not throwing in Wi-Fi, leaving users at the mercy of telcos and their data charges for Internet access.
While there is the 3.2MP camera, low-light images are grainy and there is a delay during focusing and taking the picture itself.
Interface wise, it runs similar to the Curve. Setting up the e-mail access with my Gmail account took less than a minute and pretty soon, I was activating various built-in messaging services installed on the phone, like MSN and Google Talk.
For newly minted BlackBerry users, there is also the BlackBerry Messenger. Using a unique pin number or e-mail, it is possible to send messages directly to other BlackBerry devices. This chalks up data charges instead of the more expensive SMS fees for the frequent flyers.
There are also a mixture of applications like Facebook and maps that can be downloaded for free or purchased and while they are not as numerous as that of the iPhone, the current ones cover a gamut of topics, from entertainment to finance and news.
Given the number of features, the device is very user friendly. The tiled menu can be configured to suit your preference and a simple flashing red light on the receiver indicates that attention is needed, be it a new e-mail, SMS, missed call or instant message.
Final say
It is not the perfect storm but as RIM's first touchscreen, it has enough oomph to zap some of the competition.
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
SOURCE: ASIAONE
Have it all in Taipei
By Frankie Chee
SINGAPOREAN ABROAD
IN TAIPEI WITH...
Jane Lim
Age: 26
Occupation: Assistant accounts manager
Length of stay: Five years
Admire nature, enjoy good food, shop till you drop or party all night in Taiwan's happening capital city Taiwan's capital city is one that truly never sleeps. With seemingly endless food choices and numerous all-night porridge places, coffee joints and karaoke lounges beckoning, it is no wonder Ms Jane Lim, 26, still has not exhausted her options, even after living there for almost five years.
On weekends, the singleton keeps busy visiting museums in Taichung, plucking strawberries in Miaoli and taking a dip in the hot springs of Ilan.
GETTING AROUND
The best way to explore the city is...
On a bicycle. To reduce the city's carbon footprint, the Taipei City Government recently launched the YouBike Program, which lets people rent bicycles for as little as NT$40 (S$2) a day.
You can rent a bicycle from any of the many stations located throughout the city and return it at another station which is convenient.
There are also bicycle paths everywhere in the city, ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
The best time to visit is...
From March to May, when it is spring. The average temperature during this season is 20 deg C - not too warm and not too humid. Flowers are in full bloom and people are generally in a better mood.
Participants of a dragon boat race in Taipei, Taiwan.
FOOD
Your favourite eating place is...
Any of the night markets. You can find all sorts of affordable local Taiwanese delicacies just along a street, usually in front of a Chinese temple. That's how night markets started, they served hungry devotees after they prayed.
I frequent Raohe Street Tourist Night Market, which stretches from the intersection of Bade Road, Section 4, and Fuyuan Street to the Ciyou Temple on Bade Road. It has a huge variety of foods, including bubble milk tea, smelly tofu, Doraemon pancakes, grilled squid and fried mushrooms. Trust me, you will not stop eating.
The coolest place to chill out is...
Any of the tea places along Zhong Xiao East Road, which I call the 'Orchard Road of Taipei'. The Taiwanese love to drink tea, hang out and people-watch. Most tea shops have board games or poker cards for customers.
Apparently, a lot of models or artistes are discovered in such places.
SHOPPING
Where is the best place to go shopping?
Wu Fen Pu (between Zhong Po Bei Road and Yong Ji Road) is a place that sells men's, women's and children's clothes, handbags, shoes and accessories at wholesale prices. These things are imported from China, South Korea and Thailand.
They are cheap but you get what you pay for. I once bought a skirt for NT$200 and it shrank quite a bit after just one wash. Now it's my dog's favourite winter coat.
For those with cash to spare, go to Taipei 101 shopping mall (45, Shihfu Road, Xinyi District) and the Xinyi Planning District Area (Xinyi Road, Sectors 4 and 5). With eight shopping centres and more coming up in one area, you can shop till you drop. There, you will find upscale brands and impeccable service.
Where's one place you'll always take your friends when they visit?
The night markets. Many Singaporeans know about them from Taiwanese talk and variety shows. So visitors frequently ask to be taken to these places.
The night markets are also where you can experience Taiwanese hospitality at its best. If store owners know you're a foreigner, they will encourage you to try their food and give you bigger discounts or free gifts when you buy from them. They won't pressure you to buy or give you a black face if you decide not to buy from them after trying.
CULTURE
Which places in the city excite you?
The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (21 Chung Shan South Road, Taipei) boasts the best concert halls in Taipei. I spent one of my most memorable times at this place watching a free outdoor performance of Dream Of The Red Chamber by a famous Taiwanese dance troupe, Cloud Gate.
The hall is also near the presidential palace, where a lot of political activities such as strikes are held, so this area is never dull, and there's always something to see.
What is the one thing you must do in your city?
Skinny-dip in the natural hot springs of Wulai, Beitou and Yang Ming Shan. For as little as NT$500, you can enjoy private or public hot baths amid lush greenery.
Taroko Gorge, a natural wonder in Hualien, a 25-minute flight from Taipei, Taiwan.
What do you think Singaporeans will like most about your city?
Without a doubt, it will be the food and nightlife. I truly believe that Taipei has the most number and greatest variety of shops that are open 24 hours, seven days a week, all year around.
Feel like having porridge or some spicy mala hotpot in the middle of the night? Want a cup of coffee after a night of heavy partying? Or maybe you want to sing overnight at a KTV lounge? Taipei has it all, nobody stays home on a Friday or Saturday night.
FURTHER OUT
What do you do on weekends?
I take my dog to the many dog-friendly parks in the city such as the National Dr Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall or the Da-An Park. It is great to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
I also go on short trips to nearby areas such as Taichung, Miaoli, Ilan or Hualien. These places are only a two-hour bus ride away from Taipei, yet they are completely different in terms of atmosphere and architecture.
You can pluck strawberries in Miaoli, soak in a hot spring in Ilan and enjoy nature in Hualien.
What is there to do or see outside of the city?
Plenty. Taiwan has many forests and mountains, more than 250 of which are 3,000m or higher. Alishan (Mount Ali) is the most famous. It will take you about half a day to get to Alishan from Taipei via a bus or train ride to Chiayi.
For an old-town experience, visit Jiu-Fen, a well-known tourist destination. It was an old mining town which became popular because of the 1989 movie A City Of Sadness, which won director Hou Hsiao-hsien the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.
Taichung, the third largest city of Taiwan, is affectionately called the artistic capital of the country. It boasts the most beautiful museums and uniquely themed restaurants. Just two hours away from Taipei by bus, it is also home to one of the most famous night markets - Feng-Jia Night Market, located just beside Feng-Jia University.
frankiec@sph.com.sg
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Source: Asiaone
