6.2m Croc Draws Crowds
A massive 6.2m crocodile, believed to be the largest in captivity in the world, has become a major tourist attraction for the remote Philippine town where it was caught and is now being held. The croc was caught in Bunawan on the southern island of Mindanao in September after a three week hunt, say reports. It draws around 500 visitors a day.
Have a Snooze at Dubai
Passengers with a layover at Dubai International Airport can now hire their own sound-proofed sleeping pod complete with full-sized bed, television and high speed internet access. Dubai is the first in the region to introduce the Kiwi-designed Snooze-Cubes, which are connected to the airport flight information system to ensure passengers don’t miss their flights. They can be hired on an hourly basis started from about NZ$22 an hour for the first four hours. The 10 cubes are located adjacent to Gate 122 at Terminal 1.
London's Big Ben lean now visible
First the Taj Mahal is said to be in danger of collapse, now reports indicate that London’s Big Ben is slowly sinking – and the towers lean is now visible to the naked eye. Surveyors say the clock tower is on a 0.26 degree lean, say widespread reports, with continued construction work going on around the tower to blame. However, they add that unless the lean increases significantly, nothing will need to be done to rectify it. The best place to check out the lean is said to be from Parliament Square looking east towards the Thames.
Taj Mahal May Collapse?
The Taj Mahal’s foundations are rotting and it may collapse in less than 5 years, according to campaigners who are trying to convince the Indian Government to save the ancient tomb. The Daily Mail reports campaigners say the foundation hahve become brittle and are disintegrating. The Indian Government has reportedly set up a body to deal with the Taj Mahal’s preservation.
Canton Ferris Wheel
While the world’s tallest ferris wheel in Las Vegas will tinker around at 168m when completed in 2013, the world highest, in Guangzhou China, has just opened. Teetering at the top of the 450m Canton Tower, the wheels 16 pods circle around the edge of the towers roof at a 15 degree incline. The ride reportedly offers 360 degree views of the city, during “clear” days and will cost around $23 per person
Who’s Tallest Now?
Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal plans to build the new world’s tallest tower, which he says will be over 1000m although the exact height is a secret, Reuters has reported. The tower, which would replace Dubai’s 828m Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest, is to be built in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah and will take just over five years to complete. It will include a hotel and will be the centrepiece of the planned Kingdom City development being built outside Jeddah.
Gatwick Security Castle
London’s Gatwick Airport has reportedly opened and adventure walk through security for kids. Pint sized travellers can now enter security through a ‘castle’ and meet up with their parents on the other side. The airports new 19-lane screening area includes two lanes for families.
Dreamliner Sets Record
Boeing says it’s 787 Dreamliner has established two world records for its weight-class, setting new marks in speed and distance.
The sixth 787 departed Seattle on 06 December and flew 19,835 kms to Dhaka, Bangladesh, breaking the 16,903 km record set by an Airbus A330 in 2002.
After stopping for two hours it return to Seattle, setting a new speed record for an around the world flight for 42 hours, 27 minutes (there was previously no record held in the 787’s weight class).
Virgin Hires Elves for Xmas
Tighter airport security means air travellers should leave Christmas presents unwrapped for security reasons. So Virgin Atlantic is offering a free boarding gate gift wrapping service ‘by specially trained elves’ who will wrap the pressies, complete with bow and gift tag. The service will be open to 50,000 Virgin passengers expected to travel through London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports from 21-23 December. Passengers can give a GBP1.00 donation for charity for the service.
What not to do on a plane!
A passenger on a plane in Vietnam reportedly activated the emergency slide so a woman with a screaming child could exit as quickly as possible. The woman asked the man for help, so he opened the door and triggered the slide. He faces up to USD950 fine, while the slide will cost USD10,000 to replace.