Hotel whale shark reported at Dubai Wild-hotel

Hotel whale shark reported at Dubai Wild-hotel

Middle East Dubai whale shark
13 feet (4 meters) long female whale shark in a giant aquarium at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 17 September 2008 with the photo file. Hotel Resort in one of the artificial islands in Dubai Thursday, 18 March 2010, which was freed, the whale shark, criticized the prison from environmentalists.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the middle of the artificial islands in Dubai, announced Thursday issued a whale shark in captivity has been criticized by environmentalists.

Atlantis Hotel in the city-state of the Palm Jumeirah ", said the introduction of 13 feet (4) feet of the female sharks in the Gulf region, but gave no evidence.

Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world as an endangered species.

Atlantic Vice President Steve Kaiser said in a written reply to questions that should be the animal model with a satellite tracking device fitted their views on research record.

He said the shark was healthy when he was released yesterday morning on the east coast of the island in the shape of palm trees, one of several artificial islands off the coast of the city state. Foreigners were not invited to the safety of the sharks, "he said.

"The health and well being is always our highest priority," said Kaiser in response to questions from the press release, the Associated Press. "Seasonal factors, was the water temperature, salinity, and migration honored for improving their survival at sea."

Officials outside the largest aquarium in the house, 65,000 fish, stingrays and other marine animals, said he was instructed not to talk to media about sharks.

The hotel is managed by the Bahamas-based Kerzner International, in connection with the sale of Dubai in the Dubai World conglomerate struggles.

Environmentalists began the liberation of shark has the right shortly after the hotel announced that it has saved the shallow water off the coast of Dubai in 2008.

Big fish in the sea is also a luxury hotel on Aquarium considerable publicity. Souvenirs models sell the brand Atlantis whale shark yesterday afternoon.

The worries, environmentalists to preserve shark young woman can play in an enclosed area and outside their natural environment. Local newspaper Gulf News, described the deal as "terrible" Beyond Belief "and began to fight for the freedom of shark named Sammy. "

Emirates Wildlife Society / World Wildlife Fund spokesman for Lisa Perry said he was pleased that the shark was released, questioned, but the lack of information about their release.

"Chances of survival are better now than it is in nature when they are in captivity," said Perry. "But what worries me the status of animals prior to their release.

Whale sharks as safe for humans, can be old for 100 years and reach 46 feet (14 meters) in length. They are usually found in the Atlantic and Pacific.

Dubai Atlantis is targeted for environmental protection in the past. In 2007, activists protested the sale of dolphins, the 30 hour flight from the Solomon Islands sent to the South Pacific. Dolphins are placed in an artificial lagoon, where swimming with the guests .

The Torpedo Factory

A vibrant art scene is an integral component to any city aspiring to attract the creative movement into their neighborhoods. I have never heard of the Torpedo Factory Art Center before stumbling upon this former torpedo factory located on the the waterfront of Old Town Alexandria. The factory also served as a storage facility for the Federal Government after World War II. This is where the archives of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials and the dinosaur bones from the Smithsonian were stored after the war. 

The City of Alexandria bought the building in 1969 but didn't occupy it until 1974 when Marian Van Landingham, the founder and and first director of the factory, proposed the conversion of the factory into a gallery of workshops for artists in 1974. It was this grassroots efforts by local artists, city officials and patron of the arts that has resulted into one of the most fascinating art centers I've ever seen in the US. The Torpedo Factory houses eighty-two artist studios, six galleries, The Art League School and Gallery and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. 

Like a lot of cities around the world, Grand Rapids could benefit from the establishment of a similar facility. The city should ride the success of ArtPrize and push for a multi-use, year round, creative facility to house as many artists and art programs in the metro downtown area. 

Main arcade

James Steele photography

I was struck by the vibrant colors of this Chinatown photograph by James Steele.

Three floors of artist studios

A display of handbags from one of the studios

A collage of Charles Hamilton Houston, an American lawyer credited for killing the Jim Crow laws in America

Abstract artist, Susan Finsen's studio

Hand sinks in the public space

Exterior of the Torpedo Factory

Animal-mache on the second floor

I got a kick out of this wall painting by the entrance

cape may hotels, New Jersey, a wonderful place to stay a man Blizzard!-hotel

cape may hotels, New Jersey, a wonderful place to stay a man Blizzard!-hotel

Me and me and another couple to a guest at the World of Warcraft in February 2010. Even if we lost electricity and heat, the staff could not have done our stay as pleasant as possible. We arrived cooked to a delicious hot meal on a gas stove, this spirit in great demand by the administrator of Chris and the staff. Hot chocolate with whipped cream never tasted so good. They have a fantastic job. Saturday evening were invited prawns and drink of our choice at the bar. We do not charge for these services. The cleaning staff ensure that all the heat that we need more blankets and keep the rooms of high standard we stayed at the Grand Hotel. When the sun finally came on Sunday morning was an employee for shoveling snow and ice our car. There is absolutely nothing more for the wonderful people of the Grand Hotel can be done in this storm for us. Keep a positive attitude and pleasant, even if their family and personal responsibility separated during the storm. They, like the Grand Class Hotel!.

I'm Off!

photo credit: Rebecca Lily via Flickr

Bye Bye California! I'm heading off to Texas for a buying trip. Hoping for sunshine and no rain, cause it could get muddy, and my rain boots aren't too comfy. I've never really spent time in Texas, so it should be fun! Hoping to bring home some treasures. Definitely on the agenda... a pair of vintage cowboy boots!

Wishing y'all a great weekend and be back "atcha" next week!!

The Forgotten Heroes of World War II

During the Japanese-American war in the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to September 2, 1945, over one million Filipino lives were lost. In the one month Battle of Manila from February3 to March 3, 1945, perhaps the most devastating battle of World War II, 100,000 Filipino civilians lost their lives to the brutal savagery of the Imperial Japanese Army and the all out bombardment of Manila by the US Armed Forces. Gone were the vast number of university buildings, churches, monasteries, government and other public buildings dating back to the three hundred years of Spanish occupation. In one month, the "Pearl of the Orient," was obliterated to rubbles. The US rebuilding of Manila after the war hardly came as the rebuilding of Japan took precedent due to threats of communism from neighboring China. Japan got its cultural infrastructure back. The Philippines lost her cultural soul forever.

During the course of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, 250,000 Filipino soldiers volunteered to fight side by side with their American counterparts in the great battles of Corregidor, Leyte Gulf, Manila and the infamous Bataan Death March. As a commonwealth of the US during the war, these Filipino soldiers were promised benefits entitled to all veterans for their service and valor. However, President Harry Truman signed into law the Rescission Act of 1946, reneging on that promise, leaving those who served with nothing.

After years of countless efforts to reinstate the benefits owed these Filipino veterans during the Bush and Clinton years, President Obama finally signed the $198 million veterans package in February 23, 2009, finally granting restitution to the remaining 15,000 veterans of war. Veterans who are US citizens received $15,000 each, while non-US citizens received $9,000 each. A very small sum considering the original 250,000 veterans who served, not including benefits such as education and medical.  It is not much, but Filipinos are thankful. 

While admiring the beauty of the National World War II Memorial in the National Mall last week, I discovered a 17-ft. granite memorial pillar dedicated to the Philippines, alongside the 48 US states (1945), District of Columbia, territory of Alaska and the commonwealths of Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In addition, I was pleased to see Philippine battle sites recognized in the memorial (pictured below). I paused, took pictures of each acknowledgment, and cherished my moment of discovery and pride. 

Finally, those Filipino veterans have their rightful place in history. Maraming salamat, po.

Scenes From The Mall

The Washington Monument

Lincoln from a different perspective

Student cadet at the World War II Memorial

Gettysburg Address

I love how this photograph of the reflecting pool turned out

An American flag left behind

Teenagers honoring those who served

Lincoln's eagle

Two boys resting

Lincoln Memorial

The classic tourist photo

Fighting for our freedom (Korean War Veterans Memorial)

The Greatest Speech

Honor those who served

I couldn't think of a more appropriate photograph to honor those who served the country

Three soldiers (Vietnam Veterans Memorial)

Reflecting Pool

Let's never forget...

The Landini Brothers - Old Town Alexandria

Discovering a fabulous restaurant is one of the pure joys of traveling on business. Add a colleague who enjoys the discovery as much as I do makes for a great adventure. After situating ourselves in our rooms at the enormous Gaylord National Hotel in Maryland, my friend Michael De Meyer and I hopped in a cab and took the ten minute cab ride across the channel to Old Town Alexandria. The concierge at Gaylord recommended the Landini Brothers restaurant on King Street. 

Landini Brothers, in some ways, is an Italian restaurant you can expect to see in any major food city. Cozy atmosphere with dark woods, exposed stone walls, white tablecloths, waiters in vests, the aroma of garlic and Frank Sinatra belting It might as well be Spring. I expected to see brothers Franco and Noe in their dark suits and strong Italian-American accents greeting each guests as they enter the cave-like establishment. But to my disappointment, neither was present on this beautiful evening in Alexandria.

Michael and I jumped on the opportunity to sit outside on the front porch - a definite treat for Michiganders in March. As expected, throngs of tourists and St. Patty's revelers filled the sidewalks of King Street, Old Town's main outpost for shops, restaurants and people watching.

We noshed on the risotto with truffles to start our Tuscan evening. While I would normally order an Italian red wine, our server highly suggested the Trefethen cabernet sauvignon - a cab my wife and I used to enjoy during our stint in Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Just as I remembered, the wine is a softer cab with just the right balance of oak, plums and black cherry. It was a perfect match for the cozze alla marinara and my perfectly cooked bistecca di manzo alla aglio. 

A nice cab, good Tuscan food, al fresco dining, seventy degrees and Sinatra...it couldn't have been more perfect.

Risotto with Cream and Truffles

Salad with Vegetables and Italian Vinaigrette

Mussels cooked in Marinara

NY Strip Steak with Garlic Butter

Fettucine with Truffles

2006 Trefethen Cab