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Going Organic

The government of the United Arab Emirates is working together with local businesses to bring more organic food to the area. Despite the economic slowdown, indicators suggest that the regional market for organic goods is growing. While there are still major hurdles, the outlook is good.

The higher costs associated with organic foods is a problem in the current global econony. An additional problem is Dubai’s location in a large desert. Most organic foods must be flown in and the air miles required to transport the food are a distinct ecological downside.

The government of Dubai has been working to encourage more local farms to begin producing organic crops. The committment to pesticide-free produce is important in a country with the second highest rate of diabetes in the world. To date, over 1400 hectares of farmland have been devoted to organic crops.

Some of the restaurants Dubai are taking advantage of the increased availability of organic foods. With the large hospitality industry in the area, hotels, restaurants, and other food businesses can distinguish themselves from the competition by offering organic and local foods.

There are twenty-four farms across the UAE currently producing organic foods and additional lands are converted every month. The government’s program provides incentives such as discounted machinery to farmers who go organic. They also provide education on the process for converting farmland and the real costs of organic farming.

Salah Abdullah, head of organics at the UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Water explained that organic farming can actually be cheaper. Farmers no long have to purchase artificial fertilizers and those with farm animals have their own ready-made natural fertilizer.

Globally, the organic food market is predicted to reach $70.2 billion (USD) by the end of next year.

Tags: Dubai restaurants, organic farming, organic food, UAE, United Arab Emirates

Rule of Thumb

It is said, that in the United States, according to an out-dated, but never up-dated book of laws, that it is still legal for a husband to use a whip on his wife provided the welts left by the whip do not exceed the width of his own thumb. Hence the saying, “Rule of Thumb”. No doubt this is an urban myth, but in the city-state of Singapore whipping with a cane is legal, in the judiciary system as well as domestically. It is outlawed by the United Nations Convention Against Torture, however, Singapore has never signed to the Convention. And although much press has been given to cases in the past, and Amnesty International has condemned the legalized practice cruel and inhuman, it is still a widely used form of corporeal punishment.

Caning is legal in the home, in schools-private, reform, public and military. However the most severe forms, and one of the sad things that Singapore is widely known for around the world, is the practice of caning in the judicial and prison systems. Caning is a punishment reserved for the male population. Domestic and scholastic canings are carried out on younger children of either sex, but for the corporeal punishment sentenced by the courts, the requirement is that the subject be a male between the ages of 18 and 50, and must be proven to be in good physical health. Far from the Singapore luxury hotels, in a court room a judge will sentence caning, concurrent with a jail term, as no caning is sentenced to those that in the end to not go to jail. Sentences of caning are handed out to those who are convicted of robbery, rape, assault and prostitution. The famous case of the American student, Michael Fay, created outrage as he was struck with the cane four times, for spray painting cars. Vandalism yes, but he received the same kind of punishment as one who is convicted of rape.

There are precautions taken, padding to protect vital organs and specified areas on the body where one is allowed to cane another. Most often times the punished are caned across the buttocks. Medical attention is provided afterward, but this practice often mutilates the area and leaves permanent and sometimes horrific scars. All canings take place in one session, unless the one receiving the blows is deemed medically unfit to continue. In that case, the remaining strokes are delivered at a later date.

Tags: hotels, luxury, singapore

Green Destruction

When New York restaurants, hotels and apartment buildings are torn down in the city today, the materials are being reused and recycled. This is a huge step for the city, huge in ideology and potentially grand in scale. Many buildings across the United States are being revamped with energy saving solar panels and water saving devices. And new construction is regulated by the same, if not more stringent standards. These green buildings have gained press and attention. This is an important aspect of construction, but is what is starting to gain importance and notice is the way in which buildings are torn down and the ways in which the materials are being disposed of. This addresses not only the concerns of energy management, but of waste management as well. Leading the way in the city of Manhattan, is of course the New York Botanical Garden. Long known as a staunch defender and protector of the environment, the Garden is in the process of renovation. Structures are being removed in order to improve the Garden on various levels. Waste from the demolition of buildings in the past has contributed to approximately sixty percent of the city’s solid waste. Concrete, metal, stone and glass account for over 35,000 tons being deposited in landfills each day. To cart the load, there are small dump-trucks taking the debris to transfer stations around the city. The debris is then put onto larger trucks and transported out of town.

By reusing materials on site, the pollution, from the trucks alone, is reduced. Not to mention what is not deposited into the already over-flowing landfills. Workers on construction sites all over the city, now organize and separate the debris into ‘piles’. Systematically categorizing materials for use in reconstruction, taking buildings down in way they were built, well…exactly opposite to the way they were built to be correct. This saves not only the environment, but money as well. Current calculations and observations estimate that over ninety percent of the materials are re-usable. This saves money, pollution related costs of local deconstruction, energy, materials and serves in minimizing trips to the transfer stations and land fills. Companies must pay to dump. Pay, to dump material that can be used to rebuild. The re-use of items saves more money and energy than the act of re-cycling. And in the city of Manhattan, it pays to rebuild, in many more ways than one.

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Tags: new york, restaurants

Cheong Soo Pieng

Cheong Soo Pieng was born in China in 1917. He began studying art at the Xiamen Academy when he was just sixteen years old. He was the last of seven children and was not discouraged in his pursuit to become an artist by he family or more specifically his parents, but they did not encourage him either. His self motivation is obvious as he graduated from the fine art academy in just three years. He went on to further his studies in Shanghai, however his time there was cut short as the academy he was attending was destroyed during the Sino-Japenese war. So he decided to return to home and to the school of his youth to become a teacher there and to work on his own pieces. For he was known to be an incredible and an inspirational teacher, his own work and his own art making is what drove him. His first one man show was there at the school in 1942 and at the time, he worked in watercolor. Tubes of oil paint where extremely difficult to get a hold of in China at the time.

In 1945, after spending some time in Hong Kong, he decided to move to Singapore. He began teaching at the Nanyang Fine Art Academy. He was a well respected and admired teacher there for more than twenty years. And while he loved teaching, as stated earlier his true passion was in creating his own work. And just before he turned 50 he was able to retire and become a committed full time artist. His innovative and modern way in the school of NanYang Style, has him recognized even today, as one of Singapore’s most revered and influential painters. He continued to paint in watercolor, but became well versed in the use of oil painting and sculpture as well. In galleries, in businesses including the best hotels in Singapore, his works hang on the walls and continue to inspire those who view them, and to influence those who study painting and art. He was recognized for his life time of achievements by the National Museum and was scheduled to hang a retrospective show in 1983. His show was hung, however he passed away four months prior to the opening. His work lives on and he will continue to influence the world of modern art for all of time to come.

Tags: best, hotels, singapore

Sustainable Living in Singapore

The government of Singapore has stepped in again. However, in ways that will benefit the rest of the world as well as the country, in terms of the environment. The belief is that it is now the responsibility of everyone to come together and fix the sick environment. There are government mandates as well as government reimbursement programs available. This is a long term program, with the realization that these problems of the pollution and energy usage cannot be fixed overnight. The people involved will need to endure and persevere in the continued care of the environment. The technology has become so advanced that to turn away from the possibilities now is not only a ridiculous notion, but quite a dangerous one as well. And some of the technology has become so advanced that at this point it is becoming less expensive for consumers to take advantage of and utilize the means of alternative energy. One of the government mandates requires big business such as resorts, restaurants and five star hotels Singapore to install water conservation devices in the toilets, urinals and taps. Not only has this cut down on the water usage in the city, but the continued incentive has been a noticeable reduction on the water bills for these establishments. Research and development has been underway for many years, on creating a viable means of desalination plants, thus furthering conservation and making the most of natural resources. Also a mandate for these big businesses as well as large apartment buildings and condominiums is a mandatory recycling program, which will be in effect by the end of 2009. Many of the landfills on the island have already been converted into eco-parks, wherein scientists and researchers are discovering new ways of recycling and new forms of renewable energy sources.

The government reimbursement programs include funding for the installation of the water saving devices as well as the installation of solar panels. Companies using air conditioning for big buildings will need to insure that they are using the most current and ecologically friendly models of air conditioners, and the government will provide rebates for this as well, sometimes picking up at least 80 percent of the cost to the consumer. Hybrid cars, the rebate program for those choosing to purchase alternative means of transportation has been extended to run throughout 2011. Giving people time to save up to buy these energy efficient vehicles, and then giving them a little bit back for their effort and continued dedication to the protection and care of the earth and her environment.

Tags: five, hotels, singapore, star

Boating Accident in Phuket

Last weekend a boat of foreign divers from Phuket sank of the island’s shore. During bad weather on Sunday night, the boat overturned near the Similan Islands.

Authorities reported on Wednesday that they had located four additional victims from the accident. The bodies were trapped in the boat when it sank. The boat is currently fifty meters below water, making extraction of the bodies difficult. An additional body was found at sea the day before.

Twenty-three individuals survived the accident, however there are still two people missing. Those still missing or unidentified come from Germany, Japan, Austria and Switzerland as well as a boat employee, a cook from Thailand.

Phuket is a popular tourist destination in Thailand comprised of a number of individual islands. It is famed for its beaches and water sports such as scuba diving. During the busy season every five star hotel Phuket is bursting with the rich and famous from around the globe.

Tags: five star hotel, Phuket, Phuket islands, Similan Islands

Colorful Dubai

From scuba diving in its world-famous coral reefs to dune bashing in the desert outside the city, Dubai has a wealth of activities and attractions that make it one of the most exciting and hospitable cities in the Middle East. With man-made islands, world class restaurants, and more entertainment and sports venues opening all the time, the city has made tourism into an art. Whether in town for business or pleasure or both, visitors will find more to do and see than they ever imagined.

With all the development over the last decade, it’s very easy to find a five star hotel Dubai, especially if you like beach resorts. The city also boasts golf resorts, theme hotels, and even apartments and beach cottages for rent. While the city leans towards the wealthier tourist, there are budget hostels and options for those with smaller budgets.

The historic sights of Dubai illustrate the city’s rich and colorful history. From the Al Fahidi Fort to the Jumeirah Mosque, from the Bastakiya District to the Dubai Museum, there are plenty of opportunities to explore Dubai’s history first-hand. There are still souks throughout the city, offering the experience of a traditional Dubai market.

Recreational activities in Dubai include deep sea fishing, sailing, dune bashing, and scuba diving. There is a water park and a zoo for family fun. Professional sports are on the rise in Dubai where international competitions are held in rugby, cricket, horse racing, and tennis, to name just a few. The city is also home to arts and cultural festivals celebrating jazz, film, literature, and even poetry.

The food in Dubai is first-class. Many of the top chefs from around the world are opening restaurants in the city and just about any cuisine is now available. Where once the city was known for its Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisine, it’s now common to see Asian, European, African, and American foods.

This ancient-yet-modern city is enjoying its glowing (and growing) reputation and looks forward to future development and expansion.

Tags: al fahidi fort, dubai, five star hotel, hotel dubai, old dubai