Preventing the 88-meter-deep (290 feet) pit from flooding was among the chief challenges for engineers working on the swanky 336-room InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, part of a $288 million development that also includes a theme park. The hotel, which is one of a growing number of bold architectural designs springing up in China, hugs one side of the pit wall, with a waterfall cascading down the opposite face. The subterranean 17-floor hotel is about an hour's drive from the centre of Shanghai, with room charges starting at 3,394 yuan ($490) a night. There is a floor of suites below the water level, but don't expect to gaze directly into the depths of Shenkeng Quarry -- the windows are instead buffered by large fish tanks. "Why do we say there is nothing in the world that compares to the quarry hotel project?" Chen Xiaoxiang, chief engineer with the real estate giant, Shimao Property, said to AFP. "It’s a project that's completely new, a project we have never encountered … [Read more...] about This place is the pits: China opens luxury hotel in quarry
Hundred house hotel
Toll seen rising after Indonesian quake, tsunami kills hundreds
Authorities expected the toll to rise sharply on Sunday as news arrives from remote areas. Dozens of people were reported to be still trapped in the rubble of a hotel in the city of Palu, which was hit by waves as high as six metres (18 feet) following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Hundreds had gathered for a festival on the city's beach when the wall of water smashed onshore at dusk on Friday, sweeping many to their deaths and destroying anything in its path. Indonesian President Joko Widodo was scheduled to visit evacuation centres in the city on Sunday. The Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Willem Rampangilei, told reporters in Sulawesi late on Saturday that the death toll from Palu had reached 420 people, according to news website Kompas. "It's estimated that 10,000 refugees are scattered in 50 points in Palu city," he was quoted by Kompas as saying. "We are having difficulty deploying heavy equipment to find victims under the rubble of buildings because many … [Read more...] about Toll seen rising after Indonesian quake, tsunami kills hundreds
Bamboo houses keep old skills alive
Frame: An eco-house under construction. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News Bamboo, clay and straw were traditionally used as building materials in rural Việt Nam, when cement, brick and steel were not available. As cities expand, homes made of bamboo have gradually disappeared, but one house in central Việt Nam has been preserved. Painter Nguyễn Thượng Hỷ had his house built from bamboo and clay near Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary in 2011. The structure follows a traditional house built in the 17th century. The bamboo-structure frame, clay walls and thatched roof help keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. It is also strong enough to survive the frequent heavy rain and flooding in the central region. Hỷ, 65, said the design of the house was typical among prosperous families from north of Quảng Trị Province to south central Phú Yên province, and some similar houses are still standing … [Read more...] about Bamboo houses keep old skills alive
Indonesia raises Lombok quake death toll to 91
Most of the victims were on the northern side of Lombok, near the epicentre of the 6.9 magnitude quake that hit in the early evening of Sunday. Two people died on the neighbouring island of Bali, agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. He said the death toll was expected to rise further as more data became available. "Data collection continues and (rescue) efforts are still ongoing," Nugroho told a news conference, adding that there were no foreigners among the victims so far. At least 209 people were injured. The earthquake triggered widespread panic as thousands fled their homes for emergency shelters as buildings collapsed. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake, wrote on Facebook that his room shook violently and walls cracked. “It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went … [Read more...] about Indonesia raises Lombok quake death toll to 91
82 dead after 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia’s Lombok island
Hospital staff treat patients outside a hospital after a major earthquake rocked Indonesia's Lombok island, in Mataram on Aug 5, 2018. (Photo: AFP / RITA SISWATI) The 6.9-magnitude tremor, which triggered panic among tourists and locals on Sunday evening, was also felt on the neighbouring island of Bali, one of Southeast Asia's leading tourist destinations. According to an AFP report, the magnitude of the quake was revised from 7.0 to 6.9 by the US Geological Survey. Nugroho said an initial tsunami warning which was later cancelled had sparked terror as residents scrambled to reach safer ground. "People were panicking ... especially because of the early tsunami warning," he said. Memories of the devastating 2004 tsunami which claimed 168,000 lives in Indonesia remain raw in the vast archipelago nation. Most of the victims in the latest disaster died in mountainous northern Lombok, away from the main tourist spots on the south and west of the island. Thousands of people were … [Read more...] about 82 dead after 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia’s Lombok island
Powerful quake kills 82 on Indonesia’s Lombok island, thousands flee homes
The earthquake triggered widespread panic as thousands fled their homes for emergency shelters as buildings collapsed. The death toll is expected to rise with hundreds injured and thousands of houses damaged, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said in a statement on Monday. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake, wrote on Facebook that his room shook violently and walls cracked. “It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors,” he wrote. Most of the victims were killed by falling rubble in northern and western parts of Lombok. An initial tsunami warning of waves of up to half a metre was issued following the quake but later withdrawn. Lombok was hit by another powerful 6.4 quake a week earlier on July 29, killing 17 people and … [Read more...] about Powerful quake kills 82 on Indonesia’s Lombok island, thousands flee homes
Strong quake kills 13, injures hundreds, on Indonesia holiday island
The shallow 6.4-magnitude quake jolted the island in the early morning, sending people running outside in panic and triggering landslides on popular mountain hiking routes. Scores of aftershocks sparked fear among survivors. More than 120 were recorded, the biggest with a magnitude of 5.7, Indonesia's meteorology agency said. Local officials have declared a three day state emergency, according to multiple television reports. "Thirteen people have died, hundreds of people were injured and thousands of homes were damaged in the earthquake in East Lombok. We are still collecting data," Indonesian disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement. One Malaysian was killed and six injured, the Malaysian foreign ministry said. "All of them were at the foot of Mount Rinjani when the incident happened," it said. The constant aftershocks sparked terrified shouts among scores of people made homeless in the eastern village of Sembalun, an AFP reporter said. Some 200 … [Read more...] about Strong quake kills 13, injures hundreds, on Indonesia holiday island
Social News
Green trees neglected in Ho Chi Minh CityWhile some of the city’s trees have become common dumping grounds for local garbage, others are suffocating from cement poured over their roots.According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, trees along D2 Street in Binh Thanh District have had their roots buried under a layer of cement, making it difficult for the plants to be taken care of or watered.“They are still growing just fine. I protect these trees from being chopped down,” a resident explained.Several trees on the promenades of Hoa Hao Streets in District 11 have also been subjected to such neglectful treatment.“The concrete surrounding their roots has been damaged, causing soil to be washed into our houses,” a local said.“Since authorities have been unable to deal with the problem, we decided to fix it ourselves,” he continued.Meanwhile, green trees on a section of Dien Bien Phu Street in Binh Thanh District have become … [Read more...] about Social News
Hoi An’s architectural heritage faces usual threats
A conference to discuss a comprehensive project for Hoi An’s preservation and tourism development has been organised. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh, who has helped preserve and research the ancient town since 1982, discusses the progress. After 27 years’ work in Hoi An, could you give a brief summary of the progress? Hoi An is the country’s first urban heritage work undertaken following in-depth research from various angles by different specialists. The work was based on relevant methodology and techniques. In 1982, Polish and Vietnamese specialists started restoring Cham towers and researched Hoi An’s urban heritage. The work was valuable because it was the cornerstone for preserving Hoi An’s heritage. In-depth research was missing at other urban heritage sites. Many agencies and scientific organisations researched the town’s archaeology, architecture and other fields. This helped us understand Hoi An as a resource of culture and architecture. … [Read more...] about Hoi An’s architectural heritage faces usual threats
Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise
Fledglings at the Bac Lieu Birds Reserve which is home to more than 40 bird species (Photo VNA) Bac Lieu (VNA) - Bac Lieu is a Mekong Delta province that has the normal tropical attractions and more, including a bird sanctuary, a monument to ostentatious living, Khmer culture, boat trips, popular places of worship, orchards and flower gardens. Nguyễn Long from HCM City thought one day would be enough to explore the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, but when he arrived, he realised he was wrong. So he booked into a hotel and decided to experience the unique cuisine, beautiful landscapes and the culture of the province. “I had believed that the Mansion of the Bac Lieu ’Playboy’ was the only place to visit and that the sea in the province was muddied by rivers,” said Long. “But the facts proved that I was wrong.” Bac Lieu is located to the south of the Mekong’s main outflow. The province shares borders with Hau Giang … [Read more...] about Bac Lieu shows great tourism promise