my tour heaven,Boracay

t was about a 20 minute Japan holiday across to the island and we landed at the port. Hundreds of tricycles were lined up to take tourists to the various resorts. We rode for about 10 minutes, and then we had to walk along a laneway for about 200 meters. When we got to the end of the lane, we were on the beach...right beside our hotel...the whitest sand and the bluest water I have ever seen! http://liuli2005.blogspot.com/2009/03/apply-for-passport-for-summer-travel.html
Once everyone got there, we piled into our Minibus, and off we went. Kalibo is about 90 minutes from Catilcan, which is the port to Boracay. It was a very nice drive, and lots of great scenery.
First to the grocery for snacks and liquor...then trying to get through the traffic in Kalibo to where we met our bus. Since Ati Atihan was getting started, traffic was horrendous. Imagine the busiest traffic you can imagine, and then take away stop signs and traffic signals.
then We got to the bus station, but some of the group was not there yet, so we went across the street for a couple of beers at a pool hall - pool halls are pretty much the same wherever you go.
in this trip,We met first for coffee at a pretty nice coffee shop and then over to the venue for an outside lunch. And it was a great lunch, and lots of Allan's old friends from throughout the Philippines, and some others came from overseas too.

Alvinology goes to Japan

We woke up really early at around 6am. Rachel and I were feeling a little down on leaving Hokkaido as we had grown fond of the place. Nonetheless, we are moving on to the second leg of our Japan tour.
At the airport, Rachel was persistent on trying out a caramel soft-serve ice cream she saw, but did not get to try when we first arrived at Hokkaido. As the restaurant serving the caramel soft-serve only opens at the same time as our boarding time, Rachel sneakily made a dash for it while we were not watching and almost made us missed our flight Japan tours. Here’s a picture of the naughty little brat enjoying her victory prize.
The Asai household consists of working dad, Katsuya; housewife mom, Masako; their two sons, Toshiki and Motoki. Masako used to work as an English translator, and speaks very fluent English. She also passed this on to her two sons. Her elder son, Toshiki has also taken Chinese lessons and had went on a exchange trip to Taiwan before.
Once we reached the Asai’s house, Masako, our friendly host whipped up a sumptuous Korean-styled lunch for us. After unpacking, Motoki, Mark and I cycled to the nearby train station to purchase our Shinkansen tickets for the later part of our tour. We also stopped by the local supermarket to pick up some groceries for our dinner which Masako will be cooking for us. Meanwhile, Rachel and Meiyen stayed home to play with the Asai’s pet hamster and their neighbour’s fat cat.
night, we had a chit-chat session with Masako and Katsuya, who arrived home from work quite late. We then tucked in for the night, overwhelmed by our host’s kind care and attention. To be honest, Rachel and I felt bad to be imposing on the Asai for the night. Hopefully, they might pop by for a visit to Singapore some time and we can then have our turn to play host.

Apply for a passport for summer travel

If you plan to vacation out of the country this summer, you'll need a current passport. Since the process can take a few weeks, planning ahead is important. Here's what first-time passport applicants and those renewing their passports need to know:
Where to apply U.S. Post Offices are the best and most convenient place to apply in Utah, though not all process passport applications and some require advance appointments. Log on to usps.whitepages.com/passport and type in your ZIP code for a list of the nearest post offices where you can get a passport.
What to bring You must have evidence of U.S. citizenship, which includes either a previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport; a certified birth certificate
issued by the city, county or state; consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth; a naturalization certificate; or certificate of citizenship. You will also need to present identification, which can be either a previously issued U.S. passport, a naturalization certificate, a valid driver license, current government ID, or current military ID applicants must also bring with them (or have taken at some post office facilities) two identical color photos, 2x2 inches in size and between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Photos must have been taken within the past six months, with a full face frontal view, on a plain or off-white background. Do not wear uniforms, headgear or dark glasses. You will
also be required to fill out a form and sign it in person.
What it costs A passport for those 16 and older will cost $100 -- $160 if you want it expedited. A passport for minors under the age of 16 is $85.
When to apply Ron Hubrich, consumer affairs manager for the U.S. Postal Service in Salt Lake, said it takes about four weeks to get a regular passport from the time a traveler applies, Japan tours and two to three weeks if you pay extra to have it expedited. Some private services can get a passport done in a day or two but expect to pay even more for the service. The U.S. State Department recommends applying for a passport 10 weeks before you might actually need one.
Minor children They must apply in person with both parents or guardians present and must provide a Social Security number. Parents must submit evidence of their relationship to the minor applicant by providing a certified birth certificate with both parents' names on it, an adoption decree, or a court order establishing custody or guardianship.
http://liuli2005.blogspot.com/2009/03/last-minute-cruise-holiday-idea.html

Last minute cruise holiday idea

Depart from the bustling port of Hong Kong and travel on to Taiwan aboard the comfortable and majestic Costa Classica as part of this last minute cruise. Uncover the beauty of the Japanese ports of Naha and Kobe as you experience ancient customs and come face-to-face with magnificent marine life amid the coral reefs.
Cruise on to the vibrant capital of Tokyo, where the heady mix of sights and sounds will capture the imagination and captivate Japan tours the mind. Following stops in cultural Nagasaki, Japan, and Cheju, South Korea, the breathtaking scenery and sapphire seas provide the perfect opportunity to experience the true mystique of the East.
Before finally heading home, spend some time in dramatic Shanghai, a cosmopolitan city as ancient culture weaves its way through towering skyscrapers, making a visit to China one that should not be missed.
The trip departs Hong Kong on April 10th, with prices starting from £879 based on two adults sharing an inside cabin, cruise-only for 15 nights, including all meals.

Big Bang GDragon for Collaboration with Japanese Group W-inds

G-Dragon of Big Bang collaborated with Japan’s famous group W-inds.
W-inds is a three-member dance group (Chiba Ryohei, Tachibana Keita, Ogata Ryuichi) which won the
best Asian singer award at the fifth Asia Song Festival; they also have many fans in Korea.
The collaboration with W-inds was done by G-Dragon’s rap featuring on their new single ‘Rain is
Fallin’. From March 19th to 21st, G-Dragon filmed the PV for W-inds as a cameo.
The meet between G-Dragon and W-inds succeeded by W-ind’s request, whom have been eying Big Bang for
a while. W-inds’ vocal Keita, has talked about Big Bang on his blog, and also attended Big Bang’s
first Japanese tour ‘2008 Stand Up’.
W-inds’ ‘Rain is Fallin’ will be used as a theme song of NTV’s ‘Egawa x Horio Super Urugus’,
and it will be an awesome opportunity for Big Bang to promote their name further in Japan tour
G-Dragon said, ”I was happy to be invited by W-inds, who are recognized for their talent and also
famous. It was meaningful, just like when I worked with Daishi Dance before”.

Sign the petition for a César Estrada Chávez National Holiday!

an official holiday in eight states and dozens of cities and communities throughout the nation—we want to ask for your support in making César’s March 31st birthday a national holiday.
Senator Robert F. Kennedy called César, “one of the heroic figures of our time.” He led the historic non-violent movement for farm worker rights and dedicated himself to building a movement of poor working people that extended beyond the fields and into cities and towns across the nation. He inspired farmworkers and millions of people who never worked on a farm to commit themselves to social, economic and civil rights activism.
César’s legacy continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all walks of life.
“Chávez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farmworkers and laborers across U.S.-America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what César Chávez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he’s taught us about making U.S.-America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That’s why I support the call to make César Chávez’s birthday a national holiday. It’s time to recognize the contributions of this U.S.-American icon.”—President Barack Obama.
“César Chávez was one of America’s greatest advocates for justice and equality, and a model of service to others. I am honored to be an original co-sponsor of legislation that would award César Chávez a Congressional Gold Medal for his distinguished service to our nation. With this honor, Congress would recognize his special significance in American history and honor his commitment to social justice.”—U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (9th District, Ohio), 2005.
“I have been a farm worker since I was 8 years old. Even now, working in the fields is hard work, but before César it was so much harder. César made such a difference to the farm workers out in the fields. He unified us all, not just Mexicans [or other Latinos], but Filipinos, black, white and all other races. He gave us the courage to fight for our rights. He made many huge changes for the people who work in the fields. He got us breaks, bathrooms, unemployment insurance, the ALRB and so much more. He also got rid of many dangerous pesticides and he not only worried about farmworkers but for all people so that their food would be safe. César deserves a Japan holiday and so much more.”—Josephina Flores.
“He evoked a spirit and a challenge to all of us to do what was right for its own sake...A national holiday honoring César Chávez would secure his profound legacy.”—Martin Sheen.

TLC Reforming For Japan Tour

The two surviving members of defunct R&B group TLC are reforming, for a Japanese tour later this year.
Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins and Rozanda 'Chilli' Thomas will reportedly perform a number of live shows there - their first gigs together since third member Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes died in 2002.
No official confirmation has been made, but in a tweet on Twitter.com, Watkins told followers: "TLC starts practice 4 the Japan tour on Mon [March 23]."
"Chilli and I just met about our Japan dates! We are performing 17 songs."

Japanese Bonds May Fall as Yields at Month-Low Deter Buyers

Japan holiday is a very romantic place, where there is a lot of places of interest.
Japan’s government bonds may decline on speculation 10-year yields at the lowest in a month will deter investors from buying the securities.
Ten-year yields are likely to climb in Japan for the first time in three days after Treasuries declined March 20, paring gains last week after a Federal Reserve plan to buy $300 billion in U.S. debt spurred the biggest rally in four decades. Treasuries and Japanese debt are still headed for the worst first quarter since 2006, according to indexes compiled by Merrill Lynch & Co.
“Current yield levels promote selling,” said Kazuhiko Sano, chief strategist in Tokyo at Nikko Citigoup Ltd., a unit of Citigroup Inc. “Bond prices will weaken today.”
Ten-year bond futures for June delivery lost 0.09 to 139.48 as of 9:02 a.m. at the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Japanese financial markets were closed on March 20 for a public holiday.
The benchmark 10-year bond hasn’t traded yet today at Japan Bond Trading Co., the nation’s largest interdealer debt broker. The yield on the 1.3 percent security due in March 2019 fell 4.5 basis points to 1.255 percent on March 19, the lowest level since Feb. 23. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point.
Ten-year Treasury yields climbed three basis points to 2.63 percent on March 20, widening their advantage over similar-dated Japanese notes to 1.37 percentage points, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point.
Japan tour and U.S. debt advanced last week after the Bank of Japan and the Fed announced plans to buy government debt and signaled they will keep pumping cash into the economy to hold down borrowing costs.
Investors in Japanese debt received a loss of 0.3 percent this quarter, the worst start of the year since a 1.3 percent decline in 2006, Merrill Lynch indexes show. Holders of Treasuries have incurred a loss of 0.8 percent in the same period, also heading for the worst first three months of a year since 2006. Next time we want to go to Japan must go sightseeing, take a look at the scenery there.

Japan's IMARi ToNES coming to US, proceeds to aid needy children and more

Japanese Rock band, IMARi ToNES, will be hitting the US stage for the first time in Austin TX on Monday, April 6th. The all-Japanese rock trio recently signed with Atlanta-based Empty Vessel Music.
The first stop on their upcoming tour, "Rock, Faith, Anime 2009" will be the Headhunters Club near historic 6th street. Among other cities on their tour will be Houston TX, Little Rock AR, Nashville TN, Atlanta GA, New York NY, and Seattle WA.
As a part of Empty Vessel Music's "Music Matters" program, revenue generated from the live performance will go toward building a music studio in Myanmar, and to help provide music education for youth in underprivileged US cities.
IMARi ToNES's latest album "Japan tour", produced by German heavy metal producer Sascha Paeth, is now available at the iTunes Music Store and CD Baby.

Jetstar plans further expansion in Japan

Jetstar has announced (18-Mar-09) its intention to reinstate direct international services between Cairns and western Japan on the Cairns-Osaka route in Dec-09 when it finalises commercial airport arrangements in Japan holiday to enable this new growth in services to occur.
In delivering a major boost for the Far North Queensland tourism industry, Jetstar plans to introduce four times weekly A330 services directly between Cairns-Osaka (Kansai International Airport) to further grow its Queensland to Japan services to 25 weekly return frequencies by the end of 2009.Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan joined the Queensland Premier Hon. Anna Bligh MP and Queensland Airports Limited General Manager Business Marketing & Development Paul Donovan to jointly announce the airline’s latest high level commitment in support of Queensland’s tourism sector.Mr Buchanan said Jetstar welcomed the ongoing partnership with the Queensland Government and Queensland Airports Limited, which underpinned the intended reintroduction of direct air access between Cairns and western Japan.
Mr Buchanan said, “Through Jetstar’s strong partnership with Queensland Airports Limited, where their management now extends to Cairns Airport, we are leveraging increased opportunities to continue to grow international connections for Far North Queensland. These partnerships are allowing Jetstar to deliver more international flights for Cairns.”Mr Buchanan said the future Cairns-Osaka service was dependent upon a satisfactory commercial arrangement being achieved with Kansai International Airport.Mr Buchanan said, “We have a positive relationship with Kansai International Airport, and are continuing our negotiations in relation to this proposed new service. We look forward to concluding this with a positive outcome.”
“However, with our commercial agreement with Queensland Airports Limited, we have alternative international capacity options for Cairns, if we are unable to secure an appropriate arrangement.”
Mr Buchanan said upon the future commencement of sales of its proposed four times weekly Cairns- Osaka service, Jetstar will deliver daily flight access for arriving and departing Japanese visitors from western Japan into Cairns, to better support its existing daily Cairns-Tokyo return service and provide fresh impetus for the region’s tourism industry.
“Our Japan-Australia services are experiencing upwards of one in five first time international travellers and up to 40% of bookings now come direct through our website or telephone bookings to our airline in the Tokyo market.
“Such factors and Jetstar’s marketing investment of up to AUD30 million annually in Japan reflect a heightened ability by us to better convert Japanese consumers and their existing awareness and preference to visit Australia into actual holiday bookings.”

Historical tours bring veterans, historians to Iwo Jima

Cpl. Jim Goodrich was wounded by machine gun fire before he could make to it to the top of Mount Suribachi with the rest of his 5th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
But 64 years later, Goodrich hopes to stand on top of the historic battle site when he travels there this week as part of the annual trip, which is organized by Military Historical Tours.
"I was mostly on my stomach then. I'd like Japan tours to stand up and look around there," Goodrich said while having lunch at Jeff's Pirates Cove yesterday. A group of about a dozen Iwo Jima veterans, as well as their family, friends and some historians, will depart on a day trip to Iwo Jima tomorrow and Thursday. Guam is the gathering place for the annual tour. Yesterday, they visited various sites around the island.
Mount Suribachi is where Marines and a Navy corpsman raised a large U.S. flag on Feb. 23, 1945 -- a few days into the bloody, monthlong battle. The flag-raising was the subject of a prize-winning photo that was the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial in the nation's capital.
Goodrich said he never thought about returning to Iwo Jima or to Guam, where he was transported after being shot in 1945. He stayed on Guam for about 13 days before he was stabilized and sent to Hawaii for further treatment, he said.
But Goodrich made plans after his doctor said he would accompany him if Goodrich decided to go. The Marine veteran also said the trip was a good and rare opportunity for him and his grandson, who is a history teacher, to visit Iwo Jima.

Have card, will travel

Singaporeans are travelling on credit in these belt-tightening times.
Travel now, pay later schemes have been around since 2001 but the number of customers who opt to pay for their travel packages in interest-free instalments has spiked over the past year, said travel agents.
This is how the credit scheme works:Japan touragencies team up with major banks to offer the instalment payment plans. The banks pay the travel agencies the full amount of the tour packages and collect from travellers in monthly instalments.
Convinced that the RM5,800 twin-sharing package was too good to resist, he roped in several friends to join him on the trip.Eighteen friends, including 14 from the Klang Valley, responded to his invitation and paid the fees in full.They were scheduled to leave last Saturday but that was when things started going wrong.They tried to check in at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas but were told that the agency had not booked their tickets."I feel very frustrated and angry as we had been planning this trip for quite sometime," Ong told a press conference at the MCA public complaints bureau in Sungai Rambai here yesterday.

Sony: 2009 is 'Year of PSP'

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND: Last year's holiday season was pretty rough for fans of the PlayStation Portable, with only a handful of games vying for space under the Christmas tree. The dearth of new products left many wonderingJapan tour if Sony's handheld system was on its way out.
Not so fast, says John Koller, Sony's director of hardware marketing. The company sold more PSPs in 2008 than ever before, up about 31 percent from 2007. Turns out, Sony was just gearing up to make 2009 "the year of PSP," Koller says.
About 16 months ago, he says, "We talked with each of our internal developers and looked at all of our franchises and asked: How can you create them for PSP?" The results announced so far include "Resistance: Retribution," ''MotorStorm Arctic Edge" and a portable version of "LittleBigPlanet."
Other publishers are getting in on the act, with PSP editions of MTV Games' "Rock Band" and Activision's "Assassin's Creed" in the pipeline. Koller says PSP owners can expect a "40 to 50 percent increase in software this year, with a lot more announcements" by summer including some "very large franchises."
As for persistent rumors of a disk drive-free PSP2, Koller says he has nothing to report. He says the Universal Media Disc, Sony's mini-disc format, will continue, although "we are encouraging digital distribution" so players can download more games from the online PlayStation Store.

Golfers to cash in

The first official documents of the new OneAsia tour have been distributed to players, formally outlining plans including:
Making it the world's third-largest tour.
Player eligibility criteria for tournaments.
Having a year-round schedule enabling careers to be forged in our time zones.
In the documents, OneAsia officials from the Australasian, Korean and Chinese tours also distanced thmselves from the renegade Asian Japan holiday.
Criteria for the first two events in OneAsia's Super Series, to begin in five weeks, were outlined with the European co-sanctioned China Open worth $4.5 million. At least 16 Australasian PGA Tour players will be eligible as part of a minimum 76-strong Asia-Pacific contingent in a field of 156.
PGA of Australia tour commissioner Ben Sellenger, who has moved to Singapore to co-ordinate the new program, said he hoped to add to the six tournaments previously announced this year.
As reported in the Herald Sun last week, the Japanese tour also reaffirmed its intention to join from next year, bolstering the number of events to at least 13.
Sellenger was confident the 2011 OneAsia schedule would take in at least 20 tournaments, allowing players from each country the chance to remain active on their respective home tours.
"This year is just the first step in creating an elite platform of golf that runs from Delhi through to Auckland," he said. "It's a platform that will sit above and complement the regional tours . . . and give the players from all the bodies involved the chance to compete on a tour that's a genuine alternative to the (US) PGA and European tours."
Sellenger said Japan's involvement was vital to OneAsia's vision, with the size and reach of the new entity important in attracting new sponsors.
"With the global financial difficulties, it's even more important now because we can co-operate fully and create efficiencies that benefit us all, rather than everyone competing," Sellenger said.
The players' documents committed the new body to take up the region's battle to ensure its events were afforded sufficient points towards world rankings.

Kamikochi Travel Guide

Kamikochi is a popular resort in the Japanese Alps of Nagano Prefecture, offering some of Japan's most spectacular mountain scenery. It is open from mid/late April until November 15, and shuts down during winter. In 2009, Kamikochi will be open from April 23 to November 15.
Kamikochi is a roughly 15 kilometer long plateau in the Azusa River Valley, about 1500 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by tall mountains, including Nishihotakadake (2909 m), Okuhotakadake (3190 m), Maehotakadake (3090 m) and the active volcano Yakedake (2455 m).
Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Japan holidayKamikochi has only been moderately developed with half a dozen hotels, a few souvenir shops, mountain huts and hiking trails. Private cars are banned from Kamikochi, and access is only possible by bus or taxi.
In the center of Kamikochi, a short walk from the bus terminal, stands the Kappabashi (Kappa Bridge). From the Kappabashi, hiking trails lead up and down the valley and towards the summits of the surrounding mountains.
The simplest way to enjoy a day in Kamikochi is by hiking the trails along Azusa River from Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge. It is a mostly flat terrain and requires no hiking experience and only a few hours of time. The climbs to the surrounding peaks, however, are more challenging and only recommended between mid June and mid September.
Kamikochi is particularly beautiful during the autumn foliage season, which usually peaks in mid October. A wide range of alpine flora can be viewed from May through October, with the best time being mid May through July. Among the wildlife to be observed are monkeys and various birds. Bears are rarely encountered.

Hope in Japanese Films Tôkyô Sonata and Megane

An afternoon breeze blows through an open doorway under the opening titles of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Tôkyô Sonata, portending a coming storm and the more violent winds of change about to uproot the lives of the movie's characters.
A bottled message cast from the shores of an economy whose implosion anticipated our own, Kurosawa's film centers on Ryûhei (Teruyuki Kagawa), a 46-year-old middle manager for a Tokyo health care equipment company who learns that his entire department is being outsourced to China (where labor costs are two-thirds less). Like the similarly downsized businessman of Laurent Cantet's Time Out, Ryûhei guards the news from his wife, Megumi (the excellent Kyôko Koizumi), and their two sons, continuing to don his suit and tie for a daily triathlon of dead-end job interviews, soup-kitchen lunches, and afternoons whiled away at a public library where similarly displaced corporate zombies sit reading the day's papers as if waiting for the commuter train. One of them, Ryûhei's high school friend, Kurosu (Kanji Tsuda), has even programmed his cell phone to issue phantom rings five times per hour, thereby giving him an illusory leg up on the competition.
Just about everyone in Tôkyô Sonata proves equally adept at deception. Whether Megumi believes that her increasingly despondent, violent-tempered husband is still gainfully employed, she continues to play the part of the obliging helpmeet (at least for the time being). Meanwhile, youngest son Kenji (Inowaki Kai), a bright-eyed sixth-grader, pockets his lunch money to pay for the piano lessons to which his dad has firmly said no. And, in a further affront to Ryûhei's already fragile masculine authority, eldest son Takashi (Yû Koyanagi) calmly announces that he's joining the U.S. military no matter what anyone says.
When's that giant earthquake coming? The one that'll turn everything upside down," asks one of Kurosawa's characters, speaking to a collective yearning for renewal. Then Kurosawa himself nudges things along, pushing Tôkyô Sonata and everyone in it to the brink in a third act that contains no actual earthquakes, but which seems to turn the world on its side nevertheless. Policemen chase innocent children through the streets. A pile of cash mysteriously appears in a public lavatory. And a bedraggled home invader (played by Kurosawa regular Kôji Yakusho) proves more receptive to Megumi's wifely attentions than her own husband does.
The last act's upheaval is, in the opinion of some—including the film's Australian co-screenwriter Max Mannix, who has complained publicly about the liberties Kurosawa took with his original draft—the point at which Tôkyô Sonata irrevocably jumps the shark, devolving from a contemplative family tragedy into some unclassifiable hybrid of hostage drama and apocalyptic dark comedy. Japan tours Yet it is precisely here that the already considerable beauty of this unlikely recession-era tonic grows deeper and more personal, as something oddly like hope arrives in the guise of chaos, and we, like the characters on screen, perk up our heads to glimpse it.

Asian markets down, Japan at 26-year-low

Most Asian share markets dipped on the latest glum news from Japan, where stocks hit a 26-year low on the announcement of the country’s first current account deficit in more than a decade.
The country logged a deficit of 172.8 billion yen ($1.8 billion) in January in its current account as exports almost halved from a year earlier. Sydney and Seoul bucked the trend but elsewhere sentiment was down. Singapore saw its lowest close since July 2003. Hong Kong shed 4.8 percent as shares in banking giant HSBC plunged 24.1 percent.
TOKYO: Down 1.2 percent. The Nikkei-225 slipped 87.07 points to 7,086.03. Real estate firms were among the main victims.
HONG KONG: Down 4.8 percent. The Hang Seng lost 576.94 points to 11,344.58. It was the lowest close in more than four months, with much of the downward pressure coming from HSBC, which accounts for the index’s largest weighting.
SYDNEY: Up 0.3 percent. The S&P/ASX 200 rose nine points to 3,154.5. Strength in commodities helped the mining sector outweigh losses in bank shares, but gains were capped as the market saw the day’s performance by other bourses in the region.
SHANGHAI: Down 3.4 percent. The Composite lost 74.26 points to 2,118.75. With worries over figures coming this week on the consumer price index, trade and industrial output, dealers said, the market was skittish.
TAIPEI: Down 0.55 percent. The weighted index lost 25.39 points to 4,628.24. After opening down on profit-taking, losses were extended on continuing concerns about the extent of the global economic crisis and a weak performance by most of the region’s markets.
SEOUL: Up 1.58 percent. The KOSPI gained 16.7 points to 1,071.73. The market got a boost from a stronger won but dealers reported jitters over a possible North Korea missile launch.
SINGAPORE: Down 3.7 percent. The STI dropped 56.17 points to 1,456.95. It was the index’s lowest clos since July 2003, with market sentiment negative about the outlook ahead.
KUALA LUMPUR: Closed for holiday.
BANGKOK: Down two percent. The SET Composite lost 8.24 points to 411.27. Banking shares led the way down, with the market nervous about the US bailout plan for troubled insurer AIG.
JAKARTA: Closed for holiday.
MANILA: Down 1.5 percent. The composite index lost 29.54 points to 1,890.62. The main push down came from power retailer Meralco, which plummeted 25.4 percent to 94 pesos amid rumours of a proxy fight over the company.
MUMBAI: Down 2.0 percent. The Sensex fell 165.42 points to 8,160.4. Ahead of a two-day holiday, the market dropped on worries about a sell-off by overseas funds and the weak performance on bourses across the region.
http://www.dragonflytours-japan.com

Three French Teens Arrested for Stealing Games in Japan

moving to Japan from France to continue their educational studies, a trio of sixteen year-olds traveled to the Akihabara district of Tokyo to do some post-holiday shoplifting. On 18 different days since November, the three teenagers stole 92 games and seven consoles from retailer Sofmap. They then turned around and resold the products for over one million yen ($100,000).
They could've perhaps gotten away with the thefts if they hadn't tried to resell the stolen goods using fake college IDs on their last trip to a different store - also owned by Sofmap.
After being caught by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the kids revealed they were stealing to have as much spending money as their wealthy classmates.
"Stealing is simple in Japan," commented one student. "Japanese people shouldn't be so easily trusting of people."

Travel Channel to air 15 episodes about Oregon

Nearly 48 million Europeans in 15 countries will discover Oregon via their televisions when
the European Travel Channel airs the 15-part series, “Oregon Uncovered.”
The show premieres March 9.
“This new show captures the compelling essence of Oregon ­— the diversity of our land, people
and culture. More importantly, it introduces our state as a preferred destination to potential
international visitors,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon.
The program will air twice daily for three years in Oregon’s major tourism markets of
Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Italy. The program is scheduled to appear at 7:30 p.m. on the Travel Channel Europe and at 8:30 p.m. on Travel Channel
1.Episodes showcase the state’s seven distinct tourism regions. Mount Bachelor, Powell’s Book
Store, Multnomah Falls, landmarks on the coast, historic Jacksonville, Kam Wah Chung museum and wineries are just a few of the Oregon destinations and attractions featured.
Primefilmsites produced the series, “Oregon Uncovered,” in cooperation with Black Diamond
Productions of the United Kingdom。

Japan holiday with Kakunodate

Kakunodate is a former castle town and samurai stronghold in today's Akita Prefecture. While Kakunodate Castle no longer remains, the town is famous for its samurai tradition and its hundreds of weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura).
part from the loss of its castle, Kakunodate remains remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1620. The town was built with two distinct areas, the samurai district and the merchant district. Once home to 80 families, the samurai district still has some of the best examples of samurai architecture in all of Japan.
Kakunodate is also well known as the location of one of the Tohoku Region's most popular cherry blossom spots. Around late April and early May, large crowds of people come to see Kakunodate's special combination of pink blossoms and historic homes.

Hakodate tour

Hakodate is Hokkaido's third largest city, located at the island's southern tip. Hakodate is best known for the spectacular views to be enjoyed from Mount Hakodate (see picture above) and its delicious, fresh seafood.
As one of the first Japanese harbor cities to be opened to international trade after the country's era of isolation, Hakodate has experienced notable influence from overseas, and the foreign population's former residential district and a Western style fort are among its main tourist attractions.
Onuma Park, a quasi national park with beautiful, island dotted lakes, is located only half an hour north of Hakodate and is a worthwhile side trip from the city or a nice stop on the journey between Hakodate and Sapporo.

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine with Japan holiday

Ever since it was featured in Kyoka Izumi's novel "Onna Keizu" (The Genealogy of Women), this shrine has been widely known for its white ume blossoms. The enshrined deity is Sugawara no Michizane, a deity of success in learning. The shrine is very popular during the entrance-examination period and when the plum trees are in bloom.

The goddess Kishimojin has become widely believed to help with having and raising children since the Edo Period. Many people visit this shrine today, particularly in the autumn when the popular "Oeshiki" festival is held. The huge ginkgo and zelkova trees on the grounds are over 600 years old and form a lovely backdrop for a quiet stroll. The grounds are so lovely that the shrine has been designated as one of the "New Tokyo Landmarks" by the Metropolis of Tokyo. You can buy the sole traditional toy of the ward, "Susuki-mimizuku". (horned awl of pampas grass) at the small store near the grounds.

Sanya sets sights on well-heeled tourists

With long stretches of pristine sandy beaches and year-round sunshine, Sanya, the tropical beach resort in China's Hainan Island, is now striving to become a luxury travel destination of international appeal to rival Bali and Phuket.
Although dubbed the "Oriental Hawaii", Sanya was until recently known in China as a place for cheap-and-cheerful package holidays, and little known abroad except in Russia, South Korea and Japan.
But now the city is determined to move its travel market upscale to attract more elite overseas holidaymakers.
This year, China's southernmost city is set to step up building its luxury tourism sector, which includes the construction of an international cruise terminal, yachting marinas and five-star hotels.
And the global economic downturn does not seem to have slowed the development of the city's high-end travel market.
Last year, three top international resort brands, Ritz-Carlton, Singapore-listed Banyan Tree and Mandarin Oriental, all opened for business in the city.
More international hotel giants are still looking to Sanya to grow their business in the years to come, Li Boqing, deputy mayor of Sanya, told China Business Weekly in an exclusive interview.
He said that the 3.7 billion yuan investment in 26 tourism infrastructure projects on the isand this year would overshadows its international counterparts.
Li added that the city's luxury travel industry would experience rapid growth this year.
"We will re-identify the city's travel market and make a change in the city's tourism industry development pattern from the low-end toward the upper-end," said Li.
This year, Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal will start construction of a cruise terminal of a 250,000-ton level berth, enabling it to become a permanent port for international cruise lines, Zuo Zhenghe, director of the office of Sanya Port Administration Bureau, told China Business Weekly.
He said the city was stepping up its efforts to attract more international cruise lines to the prt, in a bid to turn Sanya into an "Asian Miami".
Construction of China's first seven-star hotel, a 200 m skyscraper, is scheduled to start at the end of this year on Phoenix Port Island.
Frank Lin, general manager of Sanya Visun International Yacht Club, said the company is building a marina with 72 berths, scheduled for completion this April. At the marina, a super-five star yacht hotel will open this August, with yachts able to berth at the hotel's lobby.
"We want to turn our marina into a 'paradise for the rich'," Lin says.
Last year, the global financial crisis led to a reduction in the number of foreign tourists that visited Sanya, especially those from South Korea and Japan, said Du Liyin, director-general of Sanya Tourism Bureau.
But investors are looking to the long-term and remain optimistic, said Du.
Still, the investors behind the luxury projects believe there's great potential in China when it comes to the yacht and cruise markets. They hope to profit from the millions of Chinese people who have benefited from the country's economic boom.