Editor's note: Amy Gahran writes about mobile tech for CNN.com. She is a San Francisco Bay Area writer and media consultant whose blog, Contentious.com, explores how people communicate in the online age.
(CNN) -- By the end of 2011, Android will be the most popular smartphone platform worldwide. At least that's what the International Data Corporation predicts in its latest worldwide quarterly mobile report.
Even though mobile technology forecasts are dicey business, Android is, by all measures, gaining ground fast in the United States and abroad.
Android already has taken a slight lead in the U.S. smartphone market, according to recent Nielsen data.
This makes me wonder: Is Android filling the same role in the mobile world that Windows does in the computer world?
There are similarities. Like Windows, the Android operating system, or OS, is available for use on multiple devices by multiple manufacturers. This means that Android users have broad choices in device form factors, capabilities, quality, manufacturers and wireless carriers.
Except for the carrier part, this mirrors the PC world. You can buy a Windows computer from almost any manufacturer except Apple, and there's an immense selection of devices, features and prices.
The two next-most-popular smartphone platforms in the United States -- Apple's iOS and RIM's BlackBerry OS -- offer users a far smaller range of choices, from just two manufacturers.
Consumers can purchase Android phones that range from about $50 to $500 or more; choose from almost any wireless carrier; and choose from a wide array of contract, no-contract, and prepaid plans.
The BlackBerry is very competitive in terms of price, carriers, and plans -- but not in terms of manufacturers and features. And, while you can buy an iPhone 3GS for as little as $50 from some retailers, the choice of carriers and plans is starkly limited when compared to Android or BlackBerry.
I've heard some people complain that too much diversity in mobile device types and operating system versions is bad for consumers, because it leaves too much room for poor quality control and for lagging software updates. But, in my experience, the Android users -- and Windows computer users, for that matter -- who care most about device speed, quality, and capabilities don't seem to have any trouble finding devices that meet their needs.
Meanwhile, the people who only need or who can only afford a basic device also have a broad range of choices.
All in all, I think the choices provided by Android are good for consumers. I don't begrudge Apple its walled garden of mobile device and carrier choices -- there is much to be said for their design sensibility and quality-control, and you'd have to pry my MacBook Pro from my cold dead fingers.
But, in general, it's best if all consumers are able to choose devices that suit their needs, preferences, and budgets. Putting lots of inexpensive and mid-range consumer options on the retail market is a key way to bridge the digital divide, especially when it comes to mobile technology.
Android's market approach seems more egalitarian, Apple's more elitist. That's fine. There's room for both approaches. And judging by the sales numbers and forecasts, there is ample consumer demand for both approaches.
That is, unless Google starts coming under more regulatory scrutiny.
Greg Stirling noted in Search Engine Land:
"If IDC's handset sales projections come true, Google will continue to enjoy near-total dominance of browser-based mobile search ad revenue -- which will run into the billions by 2015. (Google also enjoys search dominance on the iPhone as well.) Its ownership of the AdMob ad network may also give it a potentially dominant position in global display advertising on Android devices. ... At this point, Android's success has wildly exceeded Google's most optimistic scenarios. In fact, it's so successful that Android is likely to become a target of regulatory and antitrust scrutiny at some point in the next couple of years."
IDC also predicted that by the end of 2011, Windows Phone 7 will be the No. 2 smartphone platform in the world. That situation would have been unthinkable a year ago -- but Nokia's recent decision to shift its smartphones from the Symbian platform to Windows Phone 7 created an instant, and huge, mobile market for Microsoft, which previously lagged significantly.
This outcome is far from definite, however.
ZDNet notes: "Microsoft and Nokia could break up if things don't work out, Apple may come up with some major change in iOS that gains them some market share, or HP's webOS could even break the 5% market share level."
coment:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
thursday new
India reached the final of the Cricket World Cup for the third time after beating fierce rivals and neighbors Pakistan by 29 runs in Mohali on Wednesday. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team will play fellow co-hosts Sri Lanka in Saturday's final in Mumbai, with both teams seeking to win the 50-over tournament for the second occasion in the first all-Asia title match. The semifinal in Punjab province was Pakistan's first match in India since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks which further strained relations between the two sub-continent nations. Cricket fans in both countries abandoned work to watch the match on television and giant screens in stadiums, while respective prime ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Pakistan's Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the game in a show of diplomacy. When cricket means more than just a match Veteran batsman Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with a fortuitous 85 as India posted a total of 260-9 in their allotted overs, while Wahab Riaz claimed five wickets for Pakistan to give his team a reasonable total to chase. But India took vital wickets at regular intervals, as 1992 champions Pakistan were bowled out for 231 off the penultimate delivery with Misbah-ul-Haq top-scoring on 56. The victory sparked scenes of jubilation among India fans in Mohali, CNN correspondent Mallika Kapur reported. "The main roads are blocked by cars. People are sitting on top of them, beating drums and dancing on the roads. Men have taken their T-shirts off and are screaming and shouting. A really electric atmosphere!" Kapur said. "Some people are hanging out of car windows -- some are standing on top of cars and waving the Indian flag." Pakistan prime minister in India for cricket diplomacy Tendulkar, who scored 98 when India beat Pakistan in the group stages of the 2003 tournament, survived a strong appeal for leg before wicket and was dropped four times before becoming the fifth man to fall with the total at 187. The 37-year-old, the world's highest run-scorer in both limited-overs and Test formats, hit 11 fours from 115 balls faced until he was finally caught by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to be the first of two wickets for Saeed Ajmal. It put him second behind Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan as the tournament's leading scorer, with 464 from eight innings, and earned him the man-of-the-match award. "It's always memorable to play against Pakistan, and to be on the winning side five times against them is a memory I will always cherish," he told AFP. "But it was a brilliant effort in the field and by the bowlers today. When we batted we had to make sure we got a fighting total. I thought 310 or 315 would have been a good par score. Then the ball started stopping and spinning and something closer to 270 was par." Riaz, playing just his 18th one-day international, had taken three of those first five wickets including dangerous big-hitter Yuvraj Singh for a first-ball duck immediately after he dismissed Virat Kohli (9). The 25-year-old left-arm fast bowler was unable to get rid of Dhoni and claim a memorable hat-trick, but he later trapped the India skipper lbw for 25 and finished with career-best figures of 5-46. Riaz also helped to run out tailend batsman Ashish Nehra as India scored only 60 runs in the final 10 overs. Pakistan made a solid start in reply with 44 on the board before Kamran Akmal fell to Zaheer Khan with the final ball of the ninth over, becoming the left-armer's 18th wicket of the tournament. Akmal made a brisk 19 off 21 balls faced, while his fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 43 from 59 before being second man out. At 102-2 the match was still in the balance, but spinner Yuvraj dismissed Asad Shafiq (30) and veteran batsman Younis Khan (13) to turn the tide in India's favor. Umar Akmal tried to get Pakistan's run-rate back to the required level with a quickfire 29 off 24 balls, including two sixes, but when he was bowled by Harbhajan Singh it left his team needing 119 runs from 16.5 overs. Misbah was the last man out, caught in the deep by Kohli off Zaheer, but his runs came off a pedestrian 76 deliveries and he was not able to force the pace until Pakistan's victory bid became almost a lost cause. All the Indian bowlers ended with two wickets each, with Zaheer moving above New Zealand's Tim Southee into second place in the overall standings behind Afridi, who has 21 in total for the tournament. opinion: that is very impressive that india go to the final world cup of cricket because india is bad to others sports and is very good for india that go to the final
Tokyo (CNN) -- Radiation higher than the regulatory limit has been found in beef from Fukushima Prefecture, near Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the nation's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said Thursday.
The ministry said 210 bequerels of Cesium 134 and 300 bequerels of Cesium 137 per kilogram were found in the beef. The total of 510 bequerels per kilogram is higher than the limit of 500 becquerels per kilogram in guidelines set by Japan's Nuclear Safety Commission.
The meat will not be sold and will be retested, the ministry said.
The finding is the first such in beef, although authorities have banned the sale and transport of some vegetables grown in the area after tests detected radiation.
Cesium 134 has a half life of 2.1 years, according to the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Illinois. Cesium 137, experts have said, has a half life of 30 years -- meaning it will lose half of its radiation in three decades.
RELATED TOPICS
Cesium 137 levels have also spiked in ocean waters off the nuclear plant, the nation's nuclear safety agency. A Wednesday afternoon sample showed levels of 527 times the standard.
Because of its long half life, experts have said its presence is worrisome.
"That's the one I am worried about," said Michael Friedlander, a U.S.-based nuclear engineer, explaining cesium might linger much longer in the ecosystem. "Plankton absorbs the cesium, the fish eat the plankton, the bigger fish eat smaller fish -- so every step you go up the food chain, the concentration of cesium gets higher."
U.S. officials, opposition warn Libya could get bloodier
The rebels who were regrouping after several setbacks pinned their hopes on more coalition airpowe which will likely increase as weather improves. they want to do a take back of all the territory that they have lost with the gadafii forces.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Source: CIA operating in Libya, in consultation with opposition
The weather conditions did not allow close combat support by aircraft in the last couple of days. said Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.and it seem that the cia is planing something big.
news
Google snubs city that named itself Google
John D. Sutter
By John D. Sutter, CNN
March 30, 2011 -- Updated 2225 GMT (0625 HKT) | Filed under: Web
A CNN photo illustration welcomes travelers to Topeka, which changed its name to try to attract a Google project.
A CNN photo illustration welcomes travelers to Topeka, which changed its name to try to attract a Google project.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Topeka changes its name to "Google, Kansas" for a month
* Google still chooses a neighboring Kansas City for a high-speed internet project
* Mayor jokes that he's fine with life moving slower anyway
* Mayor also says Topeka might still benefit in long run by being close to Kansas City
(CNN) -- What more could a city do?
In an effort to woo a Google high-speed internet project, the Kansas capital of Topeka last year changed its name to Google, Kansas, for a month.
Like, actually changed it. By a vote of the City Council.
Apparently that wasn't enough. The search giant on Wednesday announced it had chosen Topeka's blandly named neighbor -- Kansas City, Kansas -- as the winner of its contest. That city, just 60 miles to the east of Topeka, soon will get some of the fastest internet connections in the country.
Topeka's mayor could be mad about all of this.
He could be embarrassed that his city -- home of soybean fields, animal research, and, let's not forget, Kansas' capitol dome -- changed its name to that of a giant corporation to court its favor, only to be rejected.
Maybe he feels like he'll lose business to Kansas City, which, by 2012, is expected to have Google-installed internet connections that are 100 times faster than the national average.
Bill Bunten is the mayor of Topeka, Kansas.
Bill Bunten is the mayor of Topeka, Kansas.
Or maybe not. As it turns out, he's really not that upset.
"I've often wondered what difference does it make if it takes you 10 seconds or one second to access information," Topeka's colorful mayor, Bill Bunten, said by phone on Wednesday. "My life goes a little slower than that."
RELATED TOPICS
* Google Inc.
* Internet
* Kansas
* Topeka
Asked whether he planned to go to Kansas City -- which, by his estimation, is only a 50-minute drive away "if you break a couple of laws" -- to try out the new high-speed internet connection, Bunten said "I doubt it."
"I might go over there and see if I can find a store that sells Googles," he said, joking that the online company doesn't do retail.
Bunten is a self-described technophobe who says he uses the internet to read his e-mail -- and that's about it. He still prefers the telephone.
"I'm not completely computer illiterate, but close," he said. "My son works at Washburn University and he's really good and my wife is on the computer all the time, but I'm so old that I still like to talk on the telephone, believe it or not."
He never assumed Topeka's name-changing stunt would win the project. And plenty of other mayors flailed unsuccessfully for Google's attention, too. A mayor in Florida swam with sharks. One in Minnesota jumped in a frigid lake.
"I'm a practical man. I thought we would just love to have been chosen, but I don't think 'disappointed' is the word. We're happy that it's coming to Kansas and we're close enough to Kansas City that, if they expand, why, the possibility that we could be involved in that would probably be enhanced," he said.
A Google spokesman thanked Topeka for its interest.
"These communities sent a clear message: people are hungry for better and faster Internet access," Dan Martin wrote in an e-mail to CNN.
"This was a tough decision and we want everyone to know we carefully considered every application. We'll be looking closely at ways to bring ultra high-speeds to other cities across the country."
Bunten said he doesn't have any regrets about renaming the city as an attempt to get Google's attention. He had a little fun with it.
The move was also good PR for the city, he said. On April Fools' Day 2010, Google joked that it had changed its name to Topeka as a sort of hat tip.
"We usually have about 4,000 hits per week on our websites; we had over 200,000 on that day," Bunten said.
"We got a lot of attention," he added. "Not that we need it. We're a great city. We're the capital of Kansas!"
coment:
This is a very funny news because google has the name of a city and this is very funny and allso outstanding. It is something special and a interesting news.
John D. Sutter
By John D. Sutter, CNN
March 30, 2011 -- Updated 2225 GMT (0625 HKT) | Filed under: Web
A CNN photo illustration welcomes travelers to Topeka, which changed its name to try to attract a Google project.
A CNN photo illustration welcomes travelers to Topeka, which changed its name to try to attract a Google project.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Topeka changes its name to "Google, Kansas" for a month
* Google still chooses a neighboring Kansas City for a high-speed internet project
* Mayor jokes that he's fine with life moving slower anyway
* Mayor also says Topeka might still benefit in long run by being close to Kansas City
(CNN) -- What more could a city do?
In an effort to woo a Google high-speed internet project, the Kansas capital of Topeka last year changed its name to Google, Kansas, for a month.
Like, actually changed it. By a vote of the City Council.
Apparently that wasn't enough. The search giant on Wednesday announced it had chosen Topeka's blandly named neighbor -- Kansas City, Kansas -- as the winner of its contest. That city, just 60 miles to the east of Topeka, soon will get some of the fastest internet connections in the country.
Topeka's mayor could be mad about all of this.
He could be embarrassed that his city -- home of soybean fields, animal research, and, let's not forget, Kansas' capitol dome -- changed its name to that of a giant corporation to court its favor, only to be rejected.
Maybe he feels like he'll lose business to Kansas City, which, by 2012, is expected to have Google-installed internet connections that are 100 times faster than the national average.
Bill Bunten is the mayor of Topeka, Kansas.
Bill Bunten is the mayor of Topeka, Kansas.
Or maybe not. As it turns out, he's really not that upset.
"I've often wondered what difference does it make if it takes you 10 seconds or one second to access information," Topeka's colorful mayor, Bill Bunten, said by phone on Wednesday. "My life goes a little slower than that."
RELATED TOPICS
* Google Inc.
* Internet
* Kansas
* Topeka
Asked whether he planned to go to Kansas City -- which, by his estimation, is only a 50-minute drive away "if you break a couple of laws" -- to try out the new high-speed internet connection, Bunten said "I doubt it."
"I might go over there and see if I can find a store that sells Googles," he said, joking that the online company doesn't do retail.
Bunten is a self-described technophobe who says he uses the internet to read his e-mail -- and that's about it. He still prefers the telephone.
"I'm not completely computer illiterate, but close," he said. "My son works at Washburn University and he's really good and my wife is on the computer all the time, but I'm so old that I still like to talk on the telephone, believe it or not."
He never assumed Topeka's name-changing stunt would win the project. And plenty of other mayors flailed unsuccessfully for Google's attention, too. A mayor in Florida swam with sharks. One in Minnesota jumped in a frigid lake.
"I'm a practical man. I thought we would just love to have been chosen, but I don't think 'disappointed' is the word. We're happy that it's coming to Kansas and we're close enough to Kansas City that, if they expand, why, the possibility that we could be involved in that would probably be enhanced," he said.
A Google spokesman thanked Topeka for its interest.
"These communities sent a clear message: people are hungry for better and faster Internet access," Dan Martin wrote in an e-mail to CNN.
"This was a tough decision and we want everyone to know we carefully considered every application. We'll be looking closely at ways to bring ultra high-speeds to other cities across the country."
Bunten said he doesn't have any regrets about renaming the city as an attempt to get Google's attention. He had a little fun with it.
The move was also good PR for the city, he said. On April Fools' Day 2010, Google joked that it had changed its name to Topeka as a sort of hat tip.
"We usually have about 4,000 hits per week on our websites; we had over 200,000 on that day," Bunten said.
"We got a lot of attention," he added. "Not that we need it. We're a great city. We're the capital of Kansas!"
coment:
This is a very funny news because google has the name of a city and this is very funny and allso outstanding. It is something special and a interesting news.
Haiti's presidential election results delayed by fraud
Haitian electoral workers count votes Friday. Final votes for a highly anticipated runoff are not expected until April 16
CNN) -- Fraud has forced Haiti's election council to delay results of a highly anticipated runoff intended to decide the next leader of the troubled Caribbean nation.
Results were supposed to have been announced Thursday. But the Provisional Election Council asked for four more days and will post preliminary results on Monday instead. Final results are not expected until April 16.
The agency said that "a high level of fraud and irregularities of various kinds has been detected in the tabulation of votes."
The election pitted former first lady Mirlande Manigat, 70, against bad-boy musician Michel Martelly, 50. The initial election in November ended in controversy when Jude Celestin, the government-backed candidate, placed second after Manigat.
Charges of massive vote-rigging and other irregularities surfaced, and protests erupted for days on the streets of Port-au-Prince and other cities. In January, a vote review disqualified Celestin and prompted the runoff between Manigat and Martelly. Both candidates have expressed confidence in their showing.
The second round of elections unfolded peacefully for the most part amid concerns that the return of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a polarizing figure in Haiti, would disrupt the vote. Aristide arrived in Haiti two days before the runoff but has kept a low profile so far and did not endorse a candidate.
Haiti's next leader will inherit a job laden with challenges as the impoverished country struggles to rebuild after last year's devastating earthquake and a cholera epidemic.
Opinion: I think that Haiti is trying their best to have a good president, they are trying to make as just as possible, but for it's situation it can be harder to make it.
CNN
(CNN) -- Day 7: Warm smiles at Ice Base
It's not your typical day at the office.
Flying 300 miles north of the second most northern outpost in the Canadian Arctic is not something that happens every day. But finally, it happened to us. After a week of waiting, the weather cleared long enough for us to get out of Resolute Bay.
We spent the morning doing a final run through of the gear because you don't get a second shot if you leave something behind. By 9:30 a.m. we were loading it into the trucks and soon we were off to the airport. Wings up at 11 a.m. and within two hours the faint outline of a dozen orange tents was visible in the distance. A few minutes later we touched down on the ice with a solid thud -- we had arrived at Catlin Ice Base.
A dozen smiling faces greeted us. After weeks on the ice the entire base was eager to see new faces and get fresh supplies.
Within minutes, it was clear the camaraderie that had developed amongst the Catlin Ice Base team. Living in such extreme conditions, in such close quarters, in such an isolated place creates a sense of brotherhood between the hardy scientists and explorers who brave it each year for weeks and months on end.
Life and work at Ice Base
Is Arctic linked to climate change?
Gallery: Journey to the Arctic Circle
As I stepped onto the ice I was reminded of the stark and austere beauty of the place; the white desert that stretches out as far as the eye can see; the deep thick silence that blankets everything.
My last trip to the Arctic was two years earlier on a research vessel in Svalbard north of Norway. Each night we had a warm cabin to sleep in and a hot shower in the morning.
This expedition will be a different story all together: from working, eating, sleeping, and the other, well, facts of life, living on the ice is an extreme adventure that we are all privileged to be a part of and I have no doubt that the next week will be full of surprises.
Days 5-6: Bird's-eye view
It's been a weekend of waiting.
The scenery has changed little over the past few days we have been stuck here in Resolute. Most of the time when we look outside it is hard to distinguish where the earth ends and the sky begins as a thick blanket of white seems to cover everything. With little exception there is no contrast, just white, and as the days get longer we continue to wait.
In fact, it is this very lack of contrast that prevents the plane from being able to take us the final few hundred miles of our journey.
How to survive a polar bear encounter
Gallery: Extreme science in the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
To break the monotony, we decided to hike the nearest and tallest mountain to get a bird's-eye view of Resolute Bay and the surrounding area.
Watch: Climbing the peak Video
It was a spectacular scene and reminded us of the austere beauty of this place. Our hope is that tomorrow we can head north to the Catlin Ice Base to continue our mission.
Day 4: Staying grounded as frustration mounts
Disappointment turned to frustration as soon as we got the news that we would be delayed another day. The weather continues to hammer the northern Canadian Arctic with a low pressure system hundreds of miles wide that is causing zero visibility conditions at Ice Base.
Weather forecast for region
After our guide John Huston shared the bad news, we decided to head to the airplane hangar and try to determine if there was any additional information we could glean from the pilots or airport personnel.
We learned that a weather station called Eureka is in the same weather system as Ice Base, and while they normally experience 350 days of clear weather a year, the last two weeks has been zero visibility. Things are not looking good.
Disheartened, we turned to look at our plane, a DC-3 sitting patiently on the runway. First designed in the 1930s, the DC-3 is a hardy workhorse and one of the most successful aircraft types ever built. Designed at the request of American Airlines, the DC-3 revolutionized commercial aviation and is largely responsible for the popularity of transcontinental flights in the U.S. (which took 15-17 hours) and soon became the preferred method of transport over trains.
Built just 32 years after the Wright Brothers first took flight at Kitty Hawk, the DC-3 was such an effective design it went on to dominate air travel around the world for decades. It is still one of the only planes that can land on gravel, dirt, snow and ice.
In spite of this traditional hardiness, along with the special Arctic modifications -- including skis attached to the bottom of this particular airplane -- 200 feet of visibility is still required to land her on the ice. Even with highly trained pilots and the latest navigational equipment, zero visibility means she is grounded.
Watch: Arctic conditions too extreme for plane Video
With little to show for our trip to the hangar, we spent the rest of the day practicing safety and emergency protocols and preparing for the unlikely but possible event of a major injury.
There is a whole list of things one must do in an emergency and it is critical to follow the rules.
From diagnosing injury to stabilizing the patient, calling Ice Base or headquarters in London with the satellite phone, relaying GPS coordinates etc., missing any one of these steps can exacerbate the situation considerably.
In the Arctic the name of the game is preparedness, something to keep in mind as we pack our gear and await the airplane transfer to Ice Base.
When flying one should be dressed for the elements, have supplies of water and food and be prepared in an emergency to spend several hours outdoors and be able to care for injured team members in the unlikely event of an emergency or crash landing.
That said, we all feel as prepared as we could hope for and all we can keep doing is wait... and wait... and wait until hopefully tomorrow the weather turns in our favor.
Day 3: Disappointment
The alarm rang as the early morning sun was trickling through the blinds on my window. As the fog of sleep quickly evaporated, I realized that today was the day we head to Ice Base. Finally, after weeks of preparation it was time to head north. Or so I thought.
Mother Nature had a different plan. High winds meant that our early departure was delayed until at least 1:30 p.m. We spent the morning training on the tundra outside of town and by lunch the word came down that we would be delayed until tomorrow, with no guarantee the weather would improve by then.
The disappointment was palpable. Nevertheless, our guide John Huston had us suited up and outside to making the best of the situation. The temperature was holding steady at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit). After a few hours we realized that another day of training with a warm lodge within walking distance was not a bad thing.
There are a lot of variables when trying to film in these conditions. From the hardships the cameraman must endure trying to handle a large, heavy, and complex piece of equipment in such frigid temperatures to the difficulty of organizing the team and delivering simple dialogue to camera, the challenges of making a documentary are multiplied one hundred fold.
Imagine standing with a bare face (so the audience can see who you are) in the wind as your nose and cheeks begin to literally freeze, wearing no goggles so that your eyes start to seal shut each time you blink and an almost unbearable ice cream headache caused by the cold wind whistling around your head all whilst having a casual conversation and speaking calmly and clearly to the camera.
The main exercise was to practice putting up a tent, no mean feat in 54 kilometer-per-hour winds (32 mph). "The key," said John our guide, "is to take your time, go slowly and do it right the first time."
In the cold, everything takes longer and everything is more fragile, metal can shatter and cloth is brittle. What might be considered an inconvenience in warmer climes, puncturing a hole in the tent or breaking the metal rods that keep it aloft, can be potentially disastrous in the Arctic.
By sunset, we had all taken turns setting up and breaking down the tent, practicing what to do in case of a polar bear encounter and learning how to use the various emergency equipment; beacons, satellite phones, GPS etc.
Now all we can do is cross our fingers that tomorrow we'll be able to continue the expedition.
Day 2: The 8 rules of Ice Base
Today was our last full day at Resolute Bay before heading to Ice Base (weather permitting) and we spent it getting the gear ready, trying it on, and venturing outside for an extended hike outside of town. Everything went smoothly but we were all a little shocked by the cold at first and grateful for the training that we had received, which can be summed in the 8 rules of Ice Base:
1: Do not act macho when you are on ice base
This is not a competition about who is tougher or who is smarter, this is a team effort in a VERY dangerous environment and not telling someone you are tired or cold or hungry or thirsty can lead to a life-threatening situation, not only for yourself, but for the other members of the team.
2: DO NOT act macho when you are on ice base
See above
3: Stay warm at all times
What Cousteau's packing for Arctic trip
The Arctic, in essence, is the air conditioning unit of the planet and fulfills this function in two primary ways
--Philippe Cousteau
RELATED TOPICS
* Arctic Circle
* Climatology
* Global Climate Change
As our guide John explained to us, if you see a teammate getting cold, "feed 'em and beat 'em." In other words; if you are cold or see someone else getting cold two easy solutions are to feed them food like chocolate that can be burned by the body to create heat and aggressively engage in some sort of exercise, like jumping jacks. There is no need for the cold to get out of hand. As our guide John said," frostbite is a self-inflicted injury." The key is to not let a small problem get out of control and to communicate early how you are feeling.
4: Stay hydrated and well fed
This may seem obvious but many studies have shown a link between hydration and frostbite. The air is very dry and one has to drink a great deal more water in such a cold, dry climate. One also burns up to twice the amount of calories in this cold as one does under normal conditions.
5: Always keep your eyes on your teammates
This is key, sometimes people won't even realize that they are acting differently, or their nose is starting to turn white. Being observant is critical to staying safe.
6: Never venture out alone
This seems obvious but it happens often with inexperienced people. Storms can descend and grow in intensity quickly in the Arctic and visibility can become so bad that you cannot see from one tent to the other. There is safety and strength in numbers and it is critical to make sure that your team knows where you are at all times.
7: Respect the polar bear
Respect and understanding, not fear, has allowed northern peoples to co-exist peacefully with the polar bear for thousands of years. While polar bears have been known to attack and kill people it is a rare occurrence especially if you act appropriately and confidently. Bears can outrun us easily so running is never the answer. If the bear is calm, back away slowly keeping your eyes on the bear. If they are aggressive, make yourself look big; shout sternly (don't scream) and if you follow rule # six, group together. If the bear does attack then use whatever deterrents are at hand and remember... don't run.
8: If this is your first time on Ice Base do not confuse your urine bottle for your water bottle
Self-evident, yes. Does it happen? Apparently, yes. At -40 degrees, getting in and out of the tent and the sleeping bags at night is not easy. Everyone keeps a urine bottle in order to go to the bathroom in the tent at night. The challenge is that one has to keep both one's urine bottle and one's water bottle in the sleeping bag with you or they will freeze, so in the dead of night it is easier to mistake the two than you might think.
Day 1: Resolute Bay
There is always a sense of anxious anticipation in the weeks leading up to an expedition; a combination of nervous energy and excitement, but as the lights of Resolute Bay began to peer through the dusk there was a sense of relief.
We had finally made it after days of travel to this remote outpost in the northern Canadian Arctic. This was not the final destination of our journey but would serve as a way station for a day's worth of training before continuing on to Ice Base another 400 miles to the northwest. Finally, the expedition had begun.
Our small crew had gathered in Ottawa only the day before: Darren Bull, an Australian cameraman now living in London; CNN producer Matt Vigil based out of Atlanta; our arctic guide John Huston from Chicago; and myself from Washington DC.
Our destination is the Catlin Arctic Survey Ice Base to join scientists in their third year of spending seven weeks each spring living and working on the ice conducting critical research to monitor and understand the changing face of this inhospitable environment.
Sleeping in unheated tents on the ice and working in temperatures that are regularly -40 degrees Centigrade (-40 Fahrenheit) -- this is truly extreme science.
Each spring the scientists come to explore the changing balance of the Arctic ecosystem because while the Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five major oceanic divisions it is arguably the most important.
While the word Arctic often brings images of highly visible iconic animals such as the polar bear to mind (Arctic comes from the ancient Greek word arktikos, meaning country of the great bear), it is the largely invisible systems at work both above and beneath the ice that should matter to every human being on earth.
The Arctic, in essence, is the air conditioning unit of the planet and fulfills this function in two primary ways. Due to the high reflectivity of the snow and ice along with long periods of little or no sunlight, the Arctic causes a net loss of heat into space.
In addition, the Arctic plays a vital role in regulating the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans by distributing heat from the tropics to the poles, making the Earth overall a much more habitable place. As sea ice melts, causing less reflectivity and disrupting oceanic currents, this crucial function may change with potentially dire global consequences.
As earth's population passes the 7 billion mark and rapidly heads towards 9 billion by the middle of the century, dwindling natural resources are of increasing concern; thus any volatility in the world's climate is of global significance.
Over the next two weeks our team will join the adventure to document the extreme science being conducted by the Catlin Arctic Survey. In the words of the famous Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, "Men go out into the void spaces of the world for various reasons. Some are actuated by love of adventure, some have the keen thirst for scientific knowledge, and others again are drawn away from the trodden path by the lure of little voices, the mysterious fascination of the unknown."
This expedition is a little bit of all three, adventure, science and mystery colliding together in an effort to explore a world about which very little is known but which is crucial to the survival of life as we know it.
I THINK THIS IS AN INTERESTING STORY ABOUT THE ARTIC CIRCLE !
It's not your typical day at the office.
Flying 300 miles north of the second most northern outpost in the Canadian Arctic is not something that happens every day. But finally, it happened to us. After a week of waiting, the weather cleared long enough for us to get out of Resolute Bay.
We spent the morning doing a final run through of the gear because you don't get a second shot if you leave something behind. By 9:30 a.m. we were loading it into the trucks and soon we were off to the airport. Wings up at 11 a.m. and within two hours the faint outline of a dozen orange tents was visible in the distance. A few minutes later we touched down on the ice with a solid thud -- we had arrived at Catlin Ice Base.
A dozen smiling faces greeted us. After weeks on the ice the entire base was eager to see new faces and get fresh supplies.
Within minutes, it was clear the camaraderie that had developed amongst the Catlin Ice Base team. Living in such extreme conditions, in such close quarters, in such an isolated place creates a sense of brotherhood between the hardy scientists and explorers who brave it each year for weeks and months on end.
Life and work at Ice Base
Is Arctic linked to climate change?
Gallery: Journey to the Arctic Circle
As I stepped onto the ice I was reminded of the stark and austere beauty of the place; the white desert that stretches out as far as the eye can see; the deep thick silence that blankets everything.
My last trip to the Arctic was two years earlier on a research vessel in Svalbard north of Norway. Each night we had a warm cabin to sleep in and a hot shower in the morning.
This expedition will be a different story all together: from working, eating, sleeping, and the other, well, facts of life, living on the ice is an extreme adventure that we are all privileged to be a part of and I have no doubt that the next week will be full of surprises.
Days 5-6: Bird's-eye view
It's been a weekend of waiting.
The scenery has changed little over the past few days we have been stuck here in Resolute. Most of the time when we look outside it is hard to distinguish where the earth ends and the sky begins as a thick blanket of white seems to cover everything. With little exception there is no contrast, just white, and as the days get longer we continue to wait.
In fact, it is this very lack of contrast that prevents the plane from being able to take us the final few hundred miles of our journey.
How to survive a polar bear encounter
Gallery: Extreme science in the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
To break the monotony, we decided to hike the nearest and tallest mountain to get a bird's-eye view of Resolute Bay and the surrounding area.
Watch: Climbing the peak Video
It was a spectacular scene and reminded us of the austere beauty of this place. Our hope is that tomorrow we can head north to the Catlin Ice Base to continue our mission.
Day 4: Staying grounded as frustration mounts
Disappointment turned to frustration as soon as we got the news that we would be delayed another day. The weather continues to hammer the northern Canadian Arctic with a low pressure system hundreds of miles wide that is causing zero visibility conditions at Ice Base.
Weather forecast for region
After our guide John Huston shared the bad news, we decided to head to the airplane hangar and try to determine if there was any additional information we could glean from the pilots or airport personnel.
We learned that a weather station called Eureka is in the same weather system as Ice Base, and while they normally experience 350 days of clear weather a year, the last two weeks has been zero visibility. Things are not looking good.
Disheartened, we turned to look at our plane, a DC-3 sitting patiently on the runway. First designed in the 1930s, the DC-3 is a hardy workhorse and one of the most successful aircraft types ever built. Designed at the request of American Airlines, the DC-3 revolutionized commercial aviation and is largely responsible for the popularity of transcontinental flights in the U.S. (which took 15-17 hours) and soon became the preferred method of transport over trains.
Built just 32 years after the Wright Brothers first took flight at Kitty Hawk, the DC-3 was such an effective design it went on to dominate air travel around the world for decades. It is still one of the only planes that can land on gravel, dirt, snow and ice.
In spite of this traditional hardiness, along with the special Arctic modifications -- including skis attached to the bottom of this particular airplane -- 200 feet of visibility is still required to land her on the ice. Even with highly trained pilots and the latest navigational equipment, zero visibility means she is grounded.
Watch: Arctic conditions too extreme for plane Video
With little to show for our trip to the hangar, we spent the rest of the day practicing safety and emergency protocols and preparing for the unlikely but possible event of a major injury.
There is a whole list of things one must do in an emergency and it is critical to follow the rules.
From diagnosing injury to stabilizing the patient, calling Ice Base or headquarters in London with the satellite phone, relaying GPS coordinates etc., missing any one of these steps can exacerbate the situation considerably.
In the Arctic the name of the game is preparedness, something to keep in mind as we pack our gear and await the airplane transfer to Ice Base.
When flying one should be dressed for the elements, have supplies of water and food and be prepared in an emergency to spend several hours outdoors and be able to care for injured team members in the unlikely event of an emergency or crash landing.
That said, we all feel as prepared as we could hope for and all we can keep doing is wait... and wait... and wait until hopefully tomorrow the weather turns in our favor.
Day 3: Disappointment
The alarm rang as the early morning sun was trickling through the blinds on my window. As the fog of sleep quickly evaporated, I realized that today was the day we head to Ice Base. Finally, after weeks of preparation it was time to head north. Or so I thought.
Mother Nature had a different plan. High winds meant that our early departure was delayed until at least 1:30 p.m. We spent the morning training on the tundra outside of town and by lunch the word came down that we would be delayed until tomorrow, with no guarantee the weather would improve by then.
The disappointment was palpable. Nevertheless, our guide John Huston had us suited up and outside to making the best of the situation. The temperature was holding steady at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit). After a few hours we realized that another day of training with a warm lodge within walking distance was not a bad thing.
There are a lot of variables when trying to film in these conditions. From the hardships the cameraman must endure trying to handle a large, heavy, and complex piece of equipment in such frigid temperatures to the difficulty of organizing the team and delivering simple dialogue to camera, the challenges of making a documentary are multiplied one hundred fold.
Imagine standing with a bare face (so the audience can see who you are) in the wind as your nose and cheeks begin to literally freeze, wearing no goggles so that your eyes start to seal shut each time you blink and an almost unbearable ice cream headache caused by the cold wind whistling around your head all whilst having a casual conversation and speaking calmly and clearly to the camera.
The main exercise was to practice putting up a tent, no mean feat in 54 kilometer-per-hour winds (32 mph). "The key," said John our guide, "is to take your time, go slowly and do it right the first time."
In the cold, everything takes longer and everything is more fragile, metal can shatter and cloth is brittle. What might be considered an inconvenience in warmer climes, puncturing a hole in the tent or breaking the metal rods that keep it aloft, can be potentially disastrous in the Arctic.
By sunset, we had all taken turns setting up and breaking down the tent, practicing what to do in case of a polar bear encounter and learning how to use the various emergency equipment; beacons, satellite phones, GPS etc.
Now all we can do is cross our fingers that tomorrow we'll be able to continue the expedition.
Day 2: The 8 rules of Ice Base
Today was our last full day at Resolute Bay before heading to Ice Base (weather permitting) and we spent it getting the gear ready, trying it on, and venturing outside for an extended hike outside of town. Everything went smoothly but we were all a little shocked by the cold at first and grateful for the training that we had received, which can be summed in the 8 rules of Ice Base:
1: Do not act macho when you are on ice base
This is not a competition about who is tougher or who is smarter, this is a team effort in a VERY dangerous environment and not telling someone you are tired or cold or hungry or thirsty can lead to a life-threatening situation, not only for yourself, but for the other members of the team.
2: DO NOT act macho when you are on ice base
See above
3: Stay warm at all times
What Cousteau's packing for Arctic trip
The Arctic, in essence, is the air conditioning unit of the planet and fulfills this function in two primary ways
--Philippe Cousteau
RELATED TOPICS
* Arctic Circle
* Climatology
* Global Climate Change
As our guide John explained to us, if you see a teammate getting cold, "feed 'em and beat 'em." In other words; if you are cold or see someone else getting cold two easy solutions are to feed them food like chocolate that can be burned by the body to create heat and aggressively engage in some sort of exercise, like jumping jacks. There is no need for the cold to get out of hand. As our guide John said," frostbite is a self-inflicted injury." The key is to not let a small problem get out of control and to communicate early how you are feeling.
4: Stay hydrated and well fed
This may seem obvious but many studies have shown a link between hydration and frostbite. The air is very dry and one has to drink a great deal more water in such a cold, dry climate. One also burns up to twice the amount of calories in this cold as one does under normal conditions.
5: Always keep your eyes on your teammates
This is key, sometimes people won't even realize that they are acting differently, or their nose is starting to turn white. Being observant is critical to staying safe.
6: Never venture out alone
This seems obvious but it happens often with inexperienced people. Storms can descend and grow in intensity quickly in the Arctic and visibility can become so bad that you cannot see from one tent to the other. There is safety and strength in numbers and it is critical to make sure that your team knows where you are at all times.
7: Respect the polar bear
Respect and understanding, not fear, has allowed northern peoples to co-exist peacefully with the polar bear for thousands of years. While polar bears have been known to attack and kill people it is a rare occurrence especially if you act appropriately and confidently. Bears can outrun us easily so running is never the answer. If the bear is calm, back away slowly keeping your eyes on the bear. If they are aggressive, make yourself look big; shout sternly (don't scream) and if you follow rule # six, group together. If the bear does attack then use whatever deterrents are at hand and remember... don't run.
8: If this is your first time on Ice Base do not confuse your urine bottle for your water bottle
Self-evident, yes. Does it happen? Apparently, yes. At -40 degrees, getting in and out of the tent and the sleeping bags at night is not easy. Everyone keeps a urine bottle in order to go to the bathroom in the tent at night. The challenge is that one has to keep both one's urine bottle and one's water bottle in the sleeping bag with you or they will freeze, so in the dead of night it is easier to mistake the two than you might think.
Day 1: Resolute Bay
There is always a sense of anxious anticipation in the weeks leading up to an expedition; a combination of nervous energy and excitement, but as the lights of Resolute Bay began to peer through the dusk there was a sense of relief.
We had finally made it after days of travel to this remote outpost in the northern Canadian Arctic. This was not the final destination of our journey but would serve as a way station for a day's worth of training before continuing on to Ice Base another 400 miles to the northwest. Finally, the expedition had begun.
Our small crew had gathered in Ottawa only the day before: Darren Bull, an Australian cameraman now living in London; CNN producer Matt Vigil based out of Atlanta; our arctic guide John Huston from Chicago; and myself from Washington DC.
Our destination is the Catlin Arctic Survey Ice Base to join scientists in their third year of spending seven weeks each spring living and working on the ice conducting critical research to monitor and understand the changing face of this inhospitable environment.
Sleeping in unheated tents on the ice and working in temperatures that are regularly -40 degrees Centigrade (-40 Fahrenheit) -- this is truly extreme science.
Each spring the scientists come to explore the changing balance of the Arctic ecosystem because while the Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five major oceanic divisions it is arguably the most important.
While the word Arctic often brings images of highly visible iconic animals such as the polar bear to mind (Arctic comes from the ancient Greek word arktikos, meaning country of the great bear), it is the largely invisible systems at work both above and beneath the ice that should matter to every human being on earth.
The Arctic, in essence, is the air conditioning unit of the planet and fulfills this function in two primary ways. Due to the high reflectivity of the snow and ice along with long periods of little or no sunlight, the Arctic causes a net loss of heat into space.
In addition, the Arctic plays a vital role in regulating the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans by distributing heat from the tropics to the poles, making the Earth overall a much more habitable place. As sea ice melts, causing less reflectivity and disrupting oceanic currents, this crucial function may change with potentially dire global consequences.
As earth's population passes the 7 billion mark and rapidly heads towards 9 billion by the middle of the century, dwindling natural resources are of increasing concern; thus any volatility in the world's climate is of global significance.
Over the next two weeks our team will join the adventure to document the extreme science being conducted by the Catlin Arctic Survey. In the words of the famous Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, "Men go out into the void spaces of the world for various reasons. Some are actuated by love of adventure, some have the keen thirst for scientific knowledge, and others again are drawn away from the trodden path by the lure of little voices, the mysterious fascination of the unknown."
This expedition is a little bit of all three, adventure, science and mystery colliding together in an effort to explore a world about which very little is known but which is crucial to the survival of life as we know it.
I THINK THIS IS AN INTERESTING STORY ABOUT THE ARTIC CIRCLE !
NASA released an image of the planet Mercury on Tuesday, the first obtained from a spacecraft orbiting the solar system's innermost planet.
The image is the first of many expected to come from the Messenger probe, the first space mission to orbit the planet closest to the sun. The Messenger spacecraft launched on August 3, 2004, and after flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury, started its historic orbit around Mercury on March 17.
The dominant rayed crater in the upper portion of the image is Debussy, according to NASA. The smaller crater, Matabei, with its dark rays, is visible to the west of Debussy. The bottom portion of the full image, which can be seen here, is near Mercury's south pole and includes a region of Mercury's surface not previously seen by spacecraft.
Over the next three days, Messenger will acquire 1,185 more images in support of a phase to review spacecraft and instrument performance. The yearlong primary science phase of the mission will begin on April 4, during which it is expected to acquire more than 75,000 images.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory built and operates the Messenger spacecraft and manages the Discovery-class mission for NASA. Messenger stands for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging.
ineresting becaus its a new planet to explore and i think nasa woul do the impossible for that
The image is the first of many expected to come from the Messenger probe, the first space mission to orbit the planet closest to the sun. The Messenger spacecraft launched on August 3, 2004, and after flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury, started its historic orbit around Mercury on March 17.
The dominant rayed crater in the upper portion of the image is Debussy, according to NASA. The smaller crater, Matabei, with its dark rays, is visible to the west of Debussy. The bottom portion of the full image, which can be seen here, is near Mercury's south pole and includes a region of Mercury's surface not previously seen by spacecraft.
Over the next three days, Messenger will acquire 1,185 more images in support of a phase to review spacecraft and instrument performance. The yearlong primary science phase of the mission will begin on April 4, during which it is expected to acquire more than 75,000 images.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory built and operates the Messenger spacecraft and manages the Discovery-class mission for NASA. Messenger stands for MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging.
ineresting becaus its a new planet to explore and i think nasa woul do the impossible for that
new of wednesday
Australia shocked Germany 2-1 in their friendly international in Moenchengladbach on Tuesday, a result that saw the Socceroos gain some revenge for their 4-0 defeat by the Germans in South Africa 2010. Germany coach Joachim Loew named a weakened side for the match -- and he was punished with the worse defeat in his four-and-a-half years in charge as Australia secured one of their greatest-ever footballing victories. The home side looked to be on course for victory when Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez slotted the ball home from the edge of the area in the 26th minute. But the visitors turned things around after the interval and levelled on the hour mark when David Carney burst through the Germany defense to fire past goalkeeper Tim Wiese. And Australia sealed a famous win just two minutes later when Christian Traesch fouled Harry Kewell in the area and Luke Wilkshire scored from the spot. Meanwhile, a last-gasp Asamoah Gyan goal gave Ghana a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley in an end-to-end encounter. In front of a capacity crowd that included over 20,000 Ghanaians, England took the lead when the most expensive English signing ever, Andy Carroll, fired home his first goal for his country. But Ghana never gave up and levelled in the final minute when Gyan, who plays his club football in England for Sunderland, found space in the area to shoot past goalkeeper Joe Hart. Elsewhere, in-form France were denied a seventh consecutive victory by Croatia as the teams drew 0-0 in their friendly match at the Stade de France. Lille central defender Adil Rami hit the woodwork for the home side in the second period, while Franck Ribery was jeered by the home fans as he made his first appearance on home soil since being banned for his role in France's World Cup training ground strike in South Africa last year. In other friendly matches playeed on Tuesday, World Cup semifinalists Uruguay came away from Dublin with a 3-2 victory over the Republic of Ireland, while Italy were in impressive form as they defeated Ukraine 2-0 in Kiev. Opinion: that is very bad to germany because germany is a good team of soccer and is very good to australia because the win the game.
SUPERSIZE ME
Supersize Me” Worksheet
1. What are the three types of doctors he sees?
2. What are his starting blood levels and health levels?
3. What is his starting weight and body fat percentage?
4. How many McDonald’s are in Manhattan?
5. What does his girlfriend do?
6. What WAS his first meal?
7. How DID he feel 10 minutes into his first supersize meal?
8. What is known as a “toxic environment”?
9. In the year 2010, one in five children will develop what? (if their current diet doesn’t change)
10. After five days on the McDonald’s diet, how many calories is he getting?
11. How are chicken McNuggets made?
12. Who did the first graders recognize?
13. What is the “fattest” state? What city?
14. What is a calorie?
15. What is the general health of his liver?
16. Explain what a gastric-bypass is.
17. On day 21, what does his doctors tell him to do?
18. What are the results of his final weigh in?
19. What is the result of the court case?
20. What was the new name that McDonald’s put instead of “supersize”?
Thought Questions:
What can be done about the obesity problem in the US?
How often do you eat fast food? Do you feel you could stop?
Should fast food companies be held responsible for the obesity problem in the
US?
Do you think this school offers a nutritious meal? How would you change it?
What are your thoughts on fast food?
Do you believe that people can have food addictions? Why or why not?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: The world's highest hotel opens Read more: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: The world's highest hotel opens | CNNGo.com http:/
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong opened Tuesday, claiming the title of world's highest hotel.
Located on the top of Hong Kong's tallest building, the 488 meter tall International Commerce Centre, The Ritz-Carlton has an incredible vantage point of possibly the best panoramic views of Hong Kong.
The opening marks a comeback for the hotel, which closed operations in its former location in Central in 2008.
While Hong Kong is saturated with luxury hotels, Ritz-Carlton President and COO Herve Humler has faith in the market.
"Everybody is doing very well," says Humler of the hotel and its peers in Hong Kong. "There is a great demand [for five star hotels]."
Much of that demand is coming from visitors from mainland China who account for an approximate average of 30 percent occupancy rate in luxury hotels in Hong Kong, according to Humler. They are often The Ritz-Carlton's best customers.
"They come to eat in the restaurants, they bring their family and they are eating better than anybody, drinking the best wines," says Humler. "And mainland Chinese customers are very loyal to the brand."
Cautious start
ESPA, the spa at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.
Humler's forecast for The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong's occupancy rate until May 2011 is at 58-62 percent, considerably lower than the more than 80 percent rate of luxury hotels in Hong Kong. He says his cautious numbers are part of a strategy to keep quality high during the launch period.
"That kitchen has only been cooking for the last ten days," says Humler of the hotel's Italian restaurant Tosca in which we were seated. "I can fill up the place, but I'm going to be very careful. You have to look at consistency."
If he can keep the service and food consistently as good as it was during our breakfast meeting, then The Ritz-Carlton is pretty much set on becoming Hong Kong's next hottest dining destination.
Tosca's scrambled eggs and caviar were casual yet decadent and done to a runny perfection. Served with a bit of smoked salmon, a sprig of greens and a toasted bagel half on a simple ungarnished white plate, the whole thing was very homey and easy -- not ostentatious.
The latest Ritz-Carlton has made a conscious departure from its haughty image as a stuffy upper class refuge with strict dresscodes. The pompous tagline may still stand ("We are Ladies and Gentleman Serving Ladies and Gentlemen") but everything else about the hotel feels postmodern, even hip.
Cool ambitions
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong's Italian restaurant Tosca.
Cheeky and insightful touches mark the hotel, from the telescopes in every guest room to the wheels fitted onto the dining chairs to the Chocolate Library, a cacao-themed lounge that serves a chocolate high tea. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is trying hard to cater to every whimsy of its 21st-century guests.
Ambiance starts with unbridled glamor at Ozone, the world's tallest bar, a curved length of a room in an energetic patchwork of gilded wood, leather and marble serving cocktails, Japanese cuisine, and Asian tapas. Then follows the classy swagger of the restaurants Tosca and Teen Lung Heen where 8,580 bottles of wine line the walls, on the last count.
Some of it is almost braggadocio like the Bar and Lounge with its double fireplaces and two-story tall chimneys, or the world's highest swimming pool complete with 144 screens on the ceiling in case swimmers get bored.
But amid all the trendy, contemporary superlatives, some things don't change at The Ritz-Carlton. General Manager Mark DeCocinis assures that his team's signature commitment to good service will continue at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong where 30 percent of previous staff have been retained.
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has 312 rooms and is on floors 102-118 of the International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Rooms start at HK$6,000 a night for a deluxe suite, rack rate. The presidential suite is $100,000 per night. www.ritzcarlton.com
A tour of the Ritz-Carlton, in photos
The Ritz-Carlton's lobby where guests can take the lifts to check-in counters on the 103 floor. The elevator ride is said to be the fastest in Hong Kong, travelling nine meters per second.
The Bar and Lounge's chimneys are awaiting fireplace licensing before they can be used.
Cantonese restaurant Teen Lung Heen. Chef Lau was formerly of the Peninsula's Spring Moon.
The world's highest swimming pool.
The club lounge.
The Ritz-Carlton rooms -- comfy, elegant. And with a view.
Read more: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: The world's highest hotel opens | CNNGo.comhttp://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/visit/ritz-2-017129?hpt=C2#ixzz1I34OFvol
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)