Passenger leaves a plane by emergency exit

One of the first class passengers on Delta flight from New York to Guyana got so angry that the economy passengers were leaving the aircraft before him, that he… opened emergency doors and slid down the slide.

Delta Airlines plans to file charges against the man.

For once, I am speechless.

British Airways plane turned around back to Belgrade

Panic set on a British Airways flight Belgrade and London when passengers smelled foul odour. Fearing a terrorist attack, the captain turned plane around back to Belgrade, where aircraft was evacuated.

After last of the screaming passengers left the plane, the investigators started their examination expecting a leakage of some sort of acidic chemicals. Thankfully, upon further investigation, the source of suspicious odour was narrowed down to a package of curry.

What a curry on!

European Commission

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan that would become known as 'Euro-English'.

In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard 'c' will be dropped in favour of k'. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced with 'f'. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent 'e' in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' with z' and 'w' with 'v'.

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

OK, who managed to the fifth year? ;)

Lesbos in court over 'lesbians'

When hearing the word ‘lesbian’, do you think of the geographical destination or sexual orientation?

Well, that’s the point three people from Lesbos are trying to make by taking a gay rights group to court for using the word ‘lesbian’ in its name. According to one of the plaintiffs, the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians.

My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said.

So here you go, not all Lesbians like lesbians. I am trying hard to feel sorry of either of the groups, but I just cannot stop laughing at the idea of the court case :D Very un-pc of me.

$1m palm tree

Scientists in Ivory Coast are trying to sell a coconut tree for 1 million dollars.
The tree is botanical curiosity as most of coconut palms have single trunk and head, but this one has three.

Even though the tree is for sale to fund the further research, the idea is just bananas, isn’t it?

Source and photo: BBC

Ryanair's is rising extra charges yet again.

From May 5th, the fee for checking in baggage is rising by 80 pence and so are the airport check-in charges.

Ryanair continuous tactics of not including extra charges in its advertised fares, resulted in the Office of Fair Trading investigation after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) accused Ryanair of repeatedly breaching advertising guidelines.

Did I hear someone yelling "Liar, liar pants on fire?"... Nah, I must be mistaken ...

Online multi language keyboard

So you sit in the internet café in Beijing and look with despair at a keyboard… what do you do?

• I carry on without any problems; I am Chinese and speak Mandarin fluently after all…
• I carry on with slight panic in my eyes, hoping someone will understand…
• I give up and go for Chow Mein instead; after all there is no hurry…
• Chinese keyboard? No problems at all… There is multi-language Virtual Keyboard and I am not afraid to use it!

It does not matter what language you speak, there is Online Keyboard that enables you to write in your language wherever you are in the world, with an online on screen keyboard emulator. After you finish writing, just copy and paste it to your email browser. Easy peasy lemon squeeze!

"Sex and the City" perfect days

"Sex and the City" fans now have a chance to live life of their favourite character for four days.

For a cool $24,000, a New York based travel agency offers "Sex and the City" tours, filled with chauffeured trips to chic department store Saks Inc and Barneys New York, dinning experience in famed restaurants including Balthazar and Pastis, and clubbing at Bungalow 8 and other exclusive nightclubs.

The experience varies depending on a character; Charlotte’s fans will take a trip to jeweler Tiffany & Co and a tour of art galleries, while Samantha’s devotees will shop on Madison Avenue and visit a high-end sex shop.

The same travel company plans future trips based on films including the Lord of The Rings including a trip to New Zealand, where it was filmed.

Kanye West - travel agent

So probably you have already heart about Kanye West opening online travel agency. Putting aside divagations ‘is it an April’s Fool joke or not’ where the sense of such a decision? Whatever next? Posh Spice with a helpline "How to gain few pounds?"...

I have no idea about plumbing… maybe I should open the plumbing services, sounds great! www.nocluewhatiamdoing.com and here I come!

Gordon Ramsay to open hotel in London

The celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is opening a boutique hotel and restaurant in Camden, North London, in May.

It will be located in York and Albany pub in Parkway, Camden Town, which opened in 1827 and was designed and built by Regent’s Park architect John Nash and named after his friend the Duke of York and Albany.

The venue will be most likely run by one of Gordon Ramsay protégés, Angela Hartnett, formerly head chef at Mayfair hotel’s The Connaught.

“It’s Angela Hartnett’s project,” said a spokeswoman for the project. “It’s owned by Gordon Ramsay’s group but it’s very much Angela who’s taking it under her wing.”

Why you should learn the foreign languages...

Description: Orange Stall
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Credit: Dan Harris
Source

There is a skeleton in you luggage!

The Munich baggage control handlers had a quite a surprise when during a routine luggage scan, one of the bags showed human skeleton sealed in plastic bag.

After some investigation, the airport police stopped for questioning the 62 year old woman and her friend. As it turned out, travelling from Brazil to Italy woman was fulfilling the last wish of her brother, who died 11 years ago in Sao Paulo, Brazil - to be buried in Italy.

After producing appropriate documentation from Brazilian authorities, the travelers were sent on their way to Naples.

Police spokesman Christian Maier said: "Airport security spotted the skull and bones when the suitcase was put through the x-ray machine.

"We questioned the women and they produced a valid death certificate showing he had died 11 years ago of natural causes.

"As they were not violating any German laws they were allowed to continue their journey to Italy."

Creepy or what?!

What is a small favour between the friends?

Jackie Chan may be soon promoting Australia to Chinese tourist as a favour to his long time buddy Kevin Rudd – Australia Prime Minister.

"I've known Kevin for a few years," Chan said yesterday. "Last night before he left, I said whenever he calls, I'll be there." According to Chan they discussed the environment, Chinese-Australian relations and "some secret I cannot say yet".

Perfect customer service

Description: Irani cafe in Hyderabad, India
Location: Hyderabad, India
Credit: Rajat Gupta
Source

Superb 360° view of a A380 flight deck

Probably everyone interested in air travel already heard about A380, but how many people acutely saw its cockpit? Here is your chance to admire true masterpiece of technology, the magnificent 360° view of a A380 flight deck. Truly worth a look.

Know your Cairngorms from your Argyll

The VisitScotland website visitors were puzzled when trying to figure out the mountain showed on the photograph in the Perfect Day promotional competition. The photograph was labelled Aviemore and the Cairngorms and showed trees outlined by a mist with snowy peaks towering above them. As it turned out, the snap was taken at Loch Tulla, just outside Bridge of Orchy, not in the Cairngorms.

Dr Watson, Cairngorm ecology expert, said: "It just obviously wasn't in the Cairngorms. I know these hills very well, I've been going there since I was a boy and I wrote the Scottish Mountaineering Club's district guide to the Cairngorms. It definitely wasn't the Cairngorms.

"Anyone can make a mistake but it's surprising that a body like that would not find it easy to find good photographs of the Cairngorms."

VisitScotland described the gaffe as an "honest mistake", caused by agency provided the image and is now looking to improve their process of image selection.

Resource: BBC News

Dogs in fight with bedbugs

Dogs are the latest secret weapon in fight with bedbugs. Radar the beagle and Taz the Australian kelpie are part of a crack team of sniffer dogs sweeping apartments and hotel rooms across New York to combat bedbugs.

"We are inundated with requests from hotels and apartment owners," said Carl Massicott, the mastermind behind Advanced K9 Detectives. "A dog's nose is cutting-edge technology."

Both dogs were rescued from shelters and went through police dogs’ style training. They are thorough and efficient and able to check the room in less than two minutes.

As the old saying goes – dog is a man’s best friend.

Resource: NY Daily News

1 Good night in Paris?

Paris Hilton supposedly would like to open her own hotel chain. Her empire already consists of clothing, shoes, canned champagne and perfume lines.

I cannot help but to wonder if video cameras are going to be standard equipment and if next to The Bible hotel guests will find 'The Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries'?

resource: Metro

Fiji me, Fiji you. AHA!, Mr Brown

Fiji, gorgeous golden sand beaches, bluest sea, relaxing atmosphere, stunning sunsets, unspoilt nature, exotic heaven, in other words – one of the coolest places on Earth. So who do you think should endorse this little paradise? Well, Gordon Brown of course (?!)

Last week, Fiji Visitors Bureau launched the new face for their ‘Fiji me’ campaign - UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown shown with red flower behind his ear. The picture is supposed to represent a “get me out of here” theme portraying the pressure Mr Brown has been under lately.

Jane West, the director of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, said: "Gordon Brown has taken his fair share of criticism lately and has been under a lot of pressure in his job. The advert is saying that if you've had a tough time lately, where would you rather be in the middle of February, Britain or Fiji? It's an exotic island and is a great place to come to get away from your troubles."

The campaign was designed by the London agency DK Advertising and was supposed to feature other “stressed” public figures; the Duke of Edinburgh, London's Mayor Ken Livingstone, and Jérôme Kerviel – fraudster who cost the French bank Société Générale £3.6bn. However, only Gordon Brown gave permission for his image to be used … hardly a surprise.

A380 flying casino

'High-roller' can quite acquire yet another meaning soon, as the Airbus is in talks to create the A380 casino.

Businesses from Asia and U.S. are interested in turning Airbus A380 into a flying casino. "Certain clients of ours have shown their interest," said David Velupillai, marketing director at Airbus executive aviation. "The principle draw of the A380 is that it offers 50% more floor space than a Boeing 747, and if you plan to create something like [a casino], you have enough space."

François Chazelle, Airbus head of the executive and private aviation division stated that should the agreement be reached soon, superjumbo casino could be operational as soon 2012.

Place your hand luggage in overhead storage and your bets on roulette!

A prayer for love.

It is not easy to find true love and sometimes divine intervention is needed. So if you are for a single female looking for some heavenly help, Kuzuryu Shrine (Nine-headed dragon shrine) in Japan maybe your answer.

On 13th of each month women from all over Japan cruise across Ashi Lake to reach the shrine and pray for soul mate. Yesterday, more than 500 Japanese women sailed and then trekked through a snow-covered forest to plead for love.

It's Same Difference time!

‘Potentially the most annoying people you've ever met’ aka Same Difference will entertain Butlins’ visitors in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis. Same Difference will be performing between 24th March and 13th April and overall give five shows.

Fellow X Factor contestant Chico will also be performing at Butlins between February and June, when he will host 28 shows with Ben Mills, Eton Road, Robert and Ashley as guest stars.
source: Butlins

Battle for the moustache

In 2001 an air steward Victor Joynath De was grounded by Indian Airlines for refusing to shave off his handlebar moustache he has grown for 25 years.

Indian Airlines assessed Mr. De’s moustache to be a health risk due to food handling and ordered him to trim in accordance to the company’s rule book, i.e. not extending beyond the upper lip.

After Mr. De, who has worked for the Indian Airlines for over 20 years, refused to comply he was sacked. The spokesman for Indian Airline said that some passengers could be unnerved by such a striking although unhygienic facial feature.

Mr. De’s case eventually ended in India's Supreme Court, which has issued a notice to a Indian Airline asking for justification of the decision to make an air steward redundant for wearing a big moustache.

To shave or not to shave, this is the question!

View from the rooftops... train rooftops

No more free ride for Indonesian commuters riding on the roofs of trains. From next week they will be sprayed with dyed liquid, so they can be recognised when getting off the train and then issued a ticket.

Although roof riding is illegal, the trains are so packed with passengers during rush hours that many are forced to do so due to lack of space inside the carriage or to avoid paying.

"We will send a copy of the ticket to their family, their local neighborhood unit head, their employer, or, if they're students, their headmasters" said a spokesperson for the rail company.

That is how you put colour into colourful journey!

It's got to be Austria, has it?

Austria tries to revamp its image in the newest branding campaign 'It's got to be Austria', which rolls out this February. The campaign is aimed at highlighting Austria’s distinctive characteristics and combining them with unexpected perspectives.

Dr. Petra Stolba, CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office, said: "We aim to produce so called ‘decision triggers’, which tip the balance in Austria’s favour and provides potential visitors with reasons to travel and opportunities to experience. Overall the campaign is designed to inspire and convey Austria as an enriching holiday destination."

Maybe it is slightly too witty for me. Although the sarcasm of calling the Vienna Boys Choir the world’s oldest boy band does not escape me, I have trouble with understanding how that could affect my decision in any case.

Leave that monument alone!

A New Zealand tourist was charged with minor hooliganism as he paraded in his underpants and made rude gestures while posing for pictures in front of the Freedom Monument - Latvia’s sacred landmark as it is regarded to be a symbol of their nationhood.

It is not the first time, the foreign tourists made headlines for desecration of this seventy two year old landmark of Riga. In November 2006, a British tourist was fined the largest penalty of 810 lats (1,676 dollars) for urinating on the monument while his mates took pictures. In July 2007, another Brit was fined 50 lats for urinating at the monument while intoxicated.

Those incidents forced the British embassy to launch a public awareness campaign for Britons planning to visit Latvia, advising them on accepted code of behavior in the region.

$1 million for cruises domain

The web domain name cruises.co.uk has been sold for record $1 million (£560,000). The owner claims the price has smashed British record previously set by recycle.co.uk purchased for £150,000 in last October.

When one looks at the prices of the world’s most expensive domains;
- sex.com sold for $12 million,
- porn.com - $9,5 million,
- business.com – $7,5 million
- diamond.com - $7,5 million
- beer.com - $7 million

the true nature of mankind appears.

2008 - Year Zero in time travel?

Wormholes, bending space and time travel might not be science fiction any more.

The Large Hadron Collider, the most powerful particle accelerator in the world is to be operational in May 2008. According to two Russian mathematicians, Irena Aref’eva and Igor Volovich, the Large Hadron Collider will be powerful enough to tear space and time allowing for creation of a wormhole through which time travel would be possible.

Unfortunately, the time travel would be possible only to the time when first wormhole was established.

And here go my hopes of letting myself from a week ago know what will be the winning numbers in the European Lotto this week with a £95 million rollover. Although there is still hope that the future me will visit me before the draw

The ugliest hotel 3 - Ottensheim, Austria

dasparkhotel in Ottensheim in Austria is my next candidate for The Ugliest Hotel.

The hotel offers three rooms (yes three, not three dozens nor three hundred), all detached (that’s not a phrase used often when talking about hotel rooms), weights 9.5 tons and is constructed from reclaimed drain pipes.

The dasparkhotel boasts an unexpectedly comfortable interior - full headroom, double bed, storage, light, power, woolly blanket and light cotton sleeping bag. All other facilities: toilets, showers, minibar, cafe, etc are supplied by the surrounding public space.

At a "pay as you wish" pricing system customers leave a Euro amount that they can afford and with which they wish to support dasparkhotel. It is probably the best value for money hotel in the world.

You know what I am going to say – the idea is down the drain - literally.

Nonos or non-itch pyjamas

Travelodge is testing full body-hugging non-itch pyjamas in five of its hotels including Heathrow Terminal 5 Travelodge.

This high-tech pyjamas are made from DermaSilk fabric and boast to help the skin to breathe, regulate body temperature and reduce itching and scratching.

The company's sleep director, Leigh McCarron, said: "As a retailer of sleep, we are constantly investigating innovative ways on how we can help our customers attain a good night's sleep.

"Something as simple as changing your bed attire can dramatically affect your quality of sleep."

To itch or not to itch, this is a question!... of practicality over the style. For me… maybe if they would come in pink… or maybe not.

Dame Helen Mirren to name a new P & O cruise ship

Dame Helen Mirren, the Oscar winning Hollywood actress, will name new P&O Cruises' ship Ventura. The naming ceremony will take place in Southampton on April 16 prior to the 3,076-passenger ship's maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.

Partnering up with some of Britain’s favourite names, Ventura’s holidays will offer something quite special for all ages. Tate Modern, will be bringing their expertise on board selected cruises, presenting ‘Tate Talks’. Noddy will be livening up playtime through themed activities. A giant 14.5 metre Scalextric track will provide fast pace fun for all ages. And Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White, is creating, Ventura’s unique fine dining venue, The White Room, plus a number of her other menus.

The ugliest hotel - 2

Thanks to Paul from AardvarkTravel , I have a great new contender for ‘The ugliest hotel’ ranking.

Ladies and gentlemen I present you Hotel Marqués de Riscal, created by Frank O. Gehry, the renowned architect famed for the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao.

Hotel Marqués de Riscal belongs to Starwood Hotels & Resort’s The Luxury Collection - a group of unique hotels and resorts offering exceptional service to an elite clientele. The Luxury Collection hotels and resorts are distinguished by magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest in modern conveniences and amenities.

Hotel Marqués de Riscal is located in the heart of the Rioja wine region of Spain and is supposedly ideal for a relaxed holiday. According to brochure it offers “43 guest rooms, including 11 suites, feature a modern, comfortable atmosphere and unique design”.

Unique design… you can say that again.

The ugliest hotel - project

I am trying to compile the ugliest hotel list. While searching the net I came across this… building.

It supposed to be Son of Heaven Hotel in The Son of Heaven Hotel in Yanjiao Economic-Technological Development Zone, Langfang, in Hebei Province in China, only 20 minutes from World Trade Centre in Beijing. The hotel allegedly is in a shape of Chinese Gods; Fu, Lu and Shou.

I would love to hear more about it!

Naked flight

Happy news for you, if you are free on 5th July, fancy visiting Usedom, have spare $735 and are… a nudist!

German travel agency Makotel GmbH starts today taking bookings for a trial nudist flight from the eastern German town of Erfurt to the popular Baltic Sea resort of Usedom.

The 50 nudist passengers will pass through the airport clothed and then undress before embarking. The cabin crew will remain clothed "for safety reasons".

The mind boggles when thinking of the “safety reasons” involved :D

Travelling on a shoestring, Monolo's shoe that is.

Ever wonder if luxury hotels offer bargains? It seems they do, well kind of. The Business Week has compiled a list of the cheapest rooms in the priciest hotels.

1. Four Seasons, New York
Most expensive: $30,000 *
Cheapest: $755

The architects designed the Tower to set back as it gently cascades down to the 90 foot street wall of East 57th Street. The 367-room hotel has a variety of guestrooms from the one-bedroom suites to the most luxurious accommodations, which is the 4,000-square-foot, two bedroom presidential suite, which occupies the entire top floor of the hotel. This Presidential Suite has 14 foot coffered ceilings, a formal dining room for entertaining, and bathrooms that have saunas and steam rooms.

2. Ritz-Carlton , Tokyo
Most expensive: $18,773
Cheapest: $625

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the top nine floors of the 53-story Midtown Tower, the tallest building in Tokyo, and provides stunning views of the city. Opened in March, 2007, the high point of Frank Nicholson's dramatic classic design is the magnificent 81-meter-high sky lobby on the 45th floor.

3. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Moscow
Most expensive: $17,555
Cheapest: $1,370

The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow lies at the edge of the famed Red Square - site of countless coronations, conflicts and celebrations Featuring the most spacious guest room in Moscow, it is also home to three-star Michelin chef Heinz Winkler's new venture, Jeroboam.

4. Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai
Most expensive: $14,974
Cheapest: $2,314

This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer. A chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers will make sure you will have luxurious and unforgettable stay.


5. Le Bristol, Paris
Most expensive: $12,055
Cheapest: $951

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is situated in the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Considered by many to be the most elegant, refined, and quietly dignified hotel in the world. Filled with soft hues, refined woodwork and sumptuous fabrics, they all feature a separate entrance hall and generous marble bathrooms. Raphael Courant, two Michelin stars Restaurant Manager, welcomes guests every day for lunch and dinner.

6. Claridge's Hotel, London
Most expensive: $10,642
Cheapest: $939

The art deco jewel of Mayfair, the home to visiting royalties oozing of style and grandeur. Allegedly, in 1947, just before the wedding of then Princess Elizabeth, a harassed diplomat telephoned Claridge's and asked to speak to the King. "Certainly, sir," was the response. "Which one?"

7.Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Most expensive: $5,938
Cheapest: $283

With memorable views of the Bund and the Huangpu River, the award-winning Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is the city’s preeminent luxury hotel, offering warm and attentive Shangri-La service and world-class dining. The recently opened Grand Tower contains 375 luxurious rooms and suites, with the Premier rooms, at 54 square meters, being the largest in Shanghai and offering panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the historic Bund.

8.Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Most expensive: $5,209
Cheapest: $830

Declared a National Monument in 1987, the hotel has grown from strength to strength. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Raffles Singapore Hotel offers hotel guests an experience that embodies absolute comfort and old world charm.


9. Island Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong
Most expensive: $4,103
Cheapest: $339

Known locally as "Island Shang"—because there is another Shangri-La on Kowloon—this elliptically shaped building has become a Hong Kong icon. Located in the heart of the city's Central district, its 56 floors offer stunning views of The Peak, Victoria Harbor, and the distant mountains of China.

10. The Setai Hotel, Miami
Most expensive: $3,870
Cheapest: $715

Its design vision artfully combines the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and its cultural diversity with the International Art Deco movement, particularly its influence in Asia. Infused with natural materials, space and light, The Setai bears the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha.


Cheap as chips, don't you think?!

-----------
*Note, all prices are per night

Qantas cutlery - a piece of old news

Four years ago Qantas introduced a range of children's products and services designed to assist families and help make travelling easier and more enjoyable.

Mr McKinnon, Qantas Head of Marketing, said the focus on making flying fun had also extended to children's meals, with plans to incorporate bright colours and a fun factor using activity traymats and coloured cutlery.

So why this is interesting you may ask? All airlines do this! There is nothing strange about it. But then you have not spotted the shape of the cutlery yet… I thought so. A better picture you will find on Guardian Travel Blog

Good luck eating your peas with it kids!

Be good in Estonia or else.

One always has to be good and well behaved, at least that’s what mothers told us all, but one has to be extra careful when Estonia comes to picture, as Russian Ms Mariana B. Skvortsova found out.

Ms Skvortsova planned to spend her winter holidays travelling abroad. Yet, she was refused entry when she travelled from Russia to Finland. As it turned out, Ms Skvortsova was put on an immigration blacklist by Estonia because of her earlier participation in anti-Estonian protests over World War II monuments.

As Estonia is now a full member of European Union, Ms Skvortsova ban prevents her not only from travelling to Estonia but also to most of Europe as well.

So be good when taking holidays or visiting Talin!

Xishuangbanna elephant attack

An American tourist had to be hospitalized after being attacked by a wild elephant in “Wild Elephant Valley” nature reserve in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan province.

Mr. Jeremy Allen McGill, an English teacher, suffered serious internal injuries.

"It wasn't clear why he was attacked," a Chinese official says "The elephant just used its trunk to pick the man up and then let go."

Xishuangbanna region in southern China is famous for its unspoiled woods and tropical rainforest swarming with wildlife. According to the official website, now nearly 300 Asian elephants live in Mengyang Nature Reserve, which Wild Elephant Valley Park is part of. In 2006 the "Wild Elephant Valley" was named one of China's top 50 destinations for foreign tourists.

Russell Crowe new ambassador for Sydney

Actor Russell Crowe will head the U.S. advertising campaign promoting Sydney as the perfect holiday destination. The Hollywood superstar will be joined by two other ambassadors; billionaire businessman Peter Holmes à Court and world surfing champion Layne Beachley

"They are international heavyweights who can influence people from industry, business, entertainment and sport," NSW Premier Morris Iemma said in a statement. "Their public support of Sydney will encourage people to visit and invest in business, tourism, the arts, sport and education”

'The Air Hostess Wars' war

The new and highly popular Thai soap opera the ‘Air Hostess War’ is causing some stir around Thai Airline staff. The TV show portrays the tribulations of charming stewardess who becomes an object of affection of one of the pilots.

Union president Somsak Srinual describes the show as humiliating and offending.

"It's all about sex and air hostesses beating each other up in the cabin because of love and jealousy.” says Somsak "This kind of thing never happens."

Thai Airline cabin crew have petitioned Thailand's Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon to get the drama pulled off the air since it shows them in an immoral light.

Can you imagine similar action towards Casualty, ER, Boston Legal, etc?