Whale Hunting

The picture (below) was not taken at a construction site where the red earth has been dug up. That red pile is actually whale's red meat which were not fit for consumption and ready to be buried at landfill site. The location: Iceland.

Iceland and Japan are the main culprits in whale huntings. After my generation and the next, the following generations may not get to see any more whales in ocean. This is sad as it's not owing to self extinction through death but due to over doing the huntings. Demand for such whale meat has dropped but the whale hunting industry is still being sustained.

Greenpeace has been organising protest over the whale hunting stating that there in no scientific, economic or environmental justification for it. (source: Greenpeace)

Various protests were held/initiated on whale huntings:-

* Iceland's whale hunting makes waves with critics csmonitor.com

* Iceland breaks whale hunting ban - World Environment - MSNBC.com

* Help Save the Whales, Britain Urges More Nations - Environment News Service

* New Zealand colluding with Japan to illegally slaughter whales - CDNN, New Zealand

Japan has even tried to call for a special meeting amongst members of an international whaling group to help lift a global moratorium on hunting of whales, but several countries opposed to the practice may boycott the assembly. (source: Reuters News via Alaska Report)

Tags: Whale, Whale Hunting, Iceland, Japan, Greenpeace

Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind

I thought I knew a lot about the Seven Wonders but then I found out that there are different types of Seven Wonders. The following are the Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind (meaning: Middle Age time):-

Stonehenge

Colloseum (below)

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Great Wall of China

Porcelain Tower of Nanjing

Hagia Sophia

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Tags: Seven Wonders, Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind, Stonehenge, Colloseum, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Great Wall of China, Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, Hagia Sophia, Leaning Tower of Pisa

Petrol/Diesel Prices

Just when you thought the petrol/diesel prices may be reduced owing to the lower price for crude oil, you'll be surprised. The saying of whatever prices that went up will never come down again still holds till this day.

Malaysia's DPM has stated that the government will review the prices again as it monitors the oil price for the next one year before making any decisions. Goodness me! Such common item is used by the general public and it does affect lots of common citizens who are trying to make ends meet. Not all government staff are highly paid and those at the lower salary scale may not have the mood to work if their needs are not met. Going for second source of income will be the main thing in their mind then.

Singapore Airlines have reacted fast by reducing their fuel surcharges on passengers due to the drop in jet fuel prices so that air tickets could be sold at a much competitive price. As for Malaysia's local airlines, still long way to go if you are hoping for a similar drop as the Transport Ministry will have to submit a proposal to the cabinet before a reduction could be made. Meaning to say, yet to be submitted. But in an about turn, the Minister of Transport mentioned that it's up to the local airlines now to decide. If I'm in the airlines industry, I'll be so confused. Maybe since Malaysia Airlines is so bogged down with their massive losses, earning tiny weeny bit from such fuel surcharges will help a lot too.
Tags: Fuel Surcharge, Jet Fuel, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Minister of Transport, Petrol, Diesel, Second Income

Life Cycle

How does your daily life cycle looks like? Is it like the picture below? If yes, you could be heading for unnecessary stress in life or a total burn out which will happen soon. Go for a good relaxation trip locally or overseas (may be able to suggest some good place for you) OR have some events after finishing a day's work. When I mentioned finishing, some people may be saying "how to finish your work". The work can never be finished unless it's on a project basis. So, go out and have some fun, let your hair down. Enjoy your life while you can.

Tags: Life Cycle, Life, Burn Out, Stress

Horns Rev Wind Farm

In the summer months of 2002, Elsam constructed the world’s largest offshore wind farm at the Danish west coast. The wind farm is sited 14-20 km into the North Sea, west of Blåvands Huk, and represents the first phase of a large-scale Danish effort to produce non-polluting electricity from offshore wind turbines. With the Horns Rev project it will be possible to determine whether or not the Danish Government’s ambitious energy plan is feasible. According to the plan, wind turbines with a total capacity of 4000 MW must be established in Danish waters before 2030. (source: Dong Energy)

Elsam and Eltra, the independent transmission system operator in Jutland and on Funen in Denmark, were ordered to build the offshore demonstration wind farm at Horns Rev in the North Sea. Elsam is the owner and is responsible for the operation of the wind farm. Eltra is responsible for the connection of the wind farm to the national onshore grid.

Hydro has measured wind speeds in the North Sea for more than 30 years. Based on data determining that average wind speeds at sea are higher than on land, Hywind will be exceptionally energy efficient.

(Picture source: Thrilling Wonder)

Tags: Horns Rev, Wind Farm, North Sea, Denmark, Elsam, Eltra, Dong Energy, Hydro, Wind Turbines, Electricity, Jutland, Funen

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I'm sure you have heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World but can you recall all 7 of it. For me, only the first 2 came to my mind.

The following wonders are listed chronologically:-

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Colossus of Rhodes

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Tags: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria

Five Virtues Shiraz

The biggest wine bottle in the world -- 6-foot-5 and 1,300 pounds Australia. Its cork is keeping the equivalent of 387 regular bottles of Shiraz away from thirsty mouths at bay.

The owner of a liquor store in Albany, Australia, had commissioned the glass bottle itself to be crafted in Germany. The cork was cut and hand carved from a tree in Portugal which cost U$3,500. The huge label cost $1,500 to manufacture.

The wine has been christened as Five Virtues Shiraz.

Tags: Five Virtues Shiraz, Australia, Albany, Germany, Portugal, Wine, Liquor