Thursday, March 31, 2011

Jackie Chan Dead? Not So Fast

Jackie Chan wants to set the record straight: Contrary to Internet rumors, he is, in fact, not dead.

"Jackie is alive and well," reads a note on the action star's Facebook page. "He did not suffer a heart attack and die, as was reported on many social networking sites and in online news reports."

Chan, 56, is working hard, however, continues the missive: "Jackie is fine and is busy preparing for the filming of his next movie."

Still not convinced? For those who require proof, Chan posted a photo of himself dated March 29 on his Web site showing him meeting with top Japanese officials.

The caption reads in part, "Jackie met with Yuji Kumamaru, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong to discuss the details of the 'Love Without Borders 3/11 Candelight Gala,' " which will benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Chan is in good company, joining a handful of celebrities – including Charlie Sheen – who have been the victims of online celebrity death hoaxes.

By Sara Hammel
Sources: people.com

'House' star Olivia Wilde files for divorce

Olivia Wilde is done playing "House" and ready to go, well, wild.

The "Tron: Legacy" star has filed for divorce from her Italian prince of a husband, Tao Ruspoli, after eight years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

So where does Ryan Gosling factor in?

The 27-year-old actress and Ruspoli, a Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker and flamenco guitarist who's also the son of an Italian aristocrat, met when Wilde was just 18. After a whirlwind courtship, they eloped in January 2003, tying the knot in an abandoned school bus with only two witnesses.

In recent times, however, the had been living apart and finally announced their split last month. They have no children.

Now that she's royalty-free, Wilde was just spotted getting cozy with Ryan Gosling last week. No word on whether they're really an item or "just friends."

Workwise, Wilde is currently filming "Blackbird," costarring with Erica Bana as a brother and sister on the lam.

Emma Watson Taking a Break From School to Focus on Career

Emma Watson is trading in Brown University for Hogwarts – for now, anyway.

The actress-student, 20, announced on her Web site Monday that she will be dialing back on her schoolwork to focus on her career.

"As you know, I love Brown and I love studying pretty much more than anything," she wrote. "But recently I've had so much to juggle that being a student AND fulfilling my other commitments has become a little impossible."

The Harry Potter star, a sophomore at the Ivy League school, added that she wants more time to focus on the film franchise's last installment.

"I've decided to take a bit of time off to completely finish my work on Harry Potter (the last one comes out this summer) and to focus on my other professional and acting projects," she continued. "I will still be working towards my degree … it's just going to take me a semester or two longer than I thought : )."

She signs off, "Hope you are all well! Thank you for all your continuing support.
Emma xx."

Source: people.com

Green Lantern - Ryan Reynolds



For Ryan Reynolds, the most professionally satisfying moment of 2009 was the first time he saw the Green Lantern costume he'd be rocking for the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the classic DC Comics superhero.

"It was a moment when I was like, 'This is happening, and it's happening in the right way,' " Reynolds told MTV News last fall. "That's a pretty cool, definitive moment for me."

Now the rest of us are getting a chance to see the costume that blew Reynolds' mind. Entertainment Weekly has debuted a first look at the Green Lantern — and his test-pilot alter ego, Hal Jordan — who will be gracing multiplexes in the summer of 2011. The cover image shows Reynolds in familiar Lantern garb, complete with green mask, glowing green suit and iconic power ring, which can bring into existence nearly anything Hal can imagine.

"Will and imagination are his superpowers," said Reynolds, who reportedly injured his shoulder on the "Green Lantern" set earlier this week. "We need a circus of Timothy Learys to think of things Hal would invent with his ring."

Though experienced in the action movie realm, from "Blade: Trinity" to "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Reynolds confessed that nothing could prepare him for the wire-work involved in the "Green Lantern" shoot, which required him to fly through the air at up to 60 feet per second to simulate the illusion of real flight.

"The first time you do it, you're seriously considering an adult diaper," Reynolds said.

Directed by Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") and co-starring Tim Robbins, Blake Lively, Mark Strong and Peter Sarsgaard, the movie is set to hit theaters on June 17, 2011. In MTV News' earlier conversation with Reynolds, he heaped praise on Campbell's vision for the film.

"When you have a guy like Martin Campbell, part of his charm is that he has ba--s of titanium, and the other part is that he's slightly crazy, and you have to be to take on something with the scope of 'Green Lantern,' " he said. "I sat down with him, and I could not even believe what he was saying. When I went to the meeting, I was entirely cynical. I thought, 'What the hell, I'll see what they have to say,' and I left the room with a completely different perspective."

Source: mtv.com

FD5

Isn’t it strange how a series about not being able to escape death has managed to escape death for so long? Final Destination is one of my favourite film franchises and I got what people meant when they criticised the acting, that is until I saw The Final Destination (Final Destination 4). The 3D was great, but the rest of it didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the future of the saga. Yet here it is a fifth instalment of, what is now, the most hypocritical film series ever.

The plot is the same as usual; someone has a vision of a disaster, and then saves themselves and some expendable extras. This time the disaster is a bridge collapsing, which so does not beat the rollercoaster in number 3. Sam Lawton, played by Nicholas D’Agosto, is the lucky character that has a random premonition.

It’s never exactly been revealed why they get visions, though it two possibilities have been hinted at. One possibility is that a rival force is trying to help people by given them the visions. The other theory is that death has sent the premonitions as a way to guide them into his plans; this means they never avoided death in the first place. One major whole in the second option is that, if it were true, the second movie would make no sense as death goes backwards through the list to seal up the rift made by the survivors of the first one.

William Bludworth, played by Tony Todd, will finally be making another appearance, having not been seen since Final Destination 2. His character is the, seemingly, all knowing mortician who once told the characters how to save themselves once and for all. They failed. So far there are no survivors. Clear Rivers got pretty far, managing to last almost two movies, but she was ultimately killed proving that blonds can screw up simple tasks like opening doors.

The movie is expected to hit cinemas on the 26th of August. Like its predecessor it will be in 3D. I wonder if Final Destination will ever actually reach its final destination, if sales go well they intend to make Final Destination six and seven. These would be films back to back, which hints that there would be some relevant continuity between them. Let’s hope that they find some way to spice up the fleeting franchise before the completely run it into the ground.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the most-anticipated movie of 2011 among both men and women, according to a Fandango.com poll of over 1,000 people conducted over the Christmas holiday, reports Reuters. The final film in the Harry Potter franchise is due July 15.

Second choice with theatergoers was divided by gender, with women preferring The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, due Nov. 18, and men anticipating the comedy sequel The Hangover Part 2, which lands in theaters on May 26.

Other notables mentioned in the poll are Black Swan's Natalie Portman, who was named by male voters as cinema's sexiest actress, while women cast their vote for bilingual big screen siren Penelope Cruz. Angelina Jolie landed in second place with both sexes.

Jolie's The Tourist co-star Johnny Depp was voted the No. 1 sexiest man in movies among men and women. Following close behind as the male respondents' choice leading man is Ryan Reynolds, while women went with Robert Downey, Jr.

Red Riding Hood Review

Director Catherine Hardwicke has been ousted from the franchise after the first Twilight movie and it seems she is still bitter about it. The weekend edition of Red Riding Hood, with wide-eyed stars Amanda Seyfried and the venerable Gary Oldman is too strong a resemblance to vampires and werewolves film to be ignored. While the franchise Twilight (love or hate it) is committed to the minds and hearts of teenage girls all over the world, Red Riding Hood is not even an epic failure. No, it’s just disappointment. What should have been soaring, ambitious story ends up feeling artificial, rigid and boring.

Red Riding Hood follows pretty Valerie (Seyfried), a resident of medieval village Daggerhorn (we never find out where the village is but it doesn’t really matter), as she strives to decide between two honorable young men, bad boy Peter (Shiloh Fernandez) and wealthy Henry (Max Irons). Unlike Bella Swan, Valerie isn’t just a clumsy girl; she killed a rabbit when she was a little girl, and that makes her hard, you see. A werewolf stalks Daggerhorn by the light of the full moon, accepting sacrificial livestock and terrifying the townspeople. When the wolf murders Valerie’s sister Lucy, town priest, Father Auguste (Lukas Haas), sends for hardened werewolf-killer Father Solomon (Oldman) to best the creature. Commence the whodunit aspect of the film: is the wolf mysterious Grandmother (Julie Christie), or bitter friend Prudence (Kacey Rohl)? It could be anyone—and the movie’s one saving grace is that you probably won’t expect the outcome.

Hardwicke specializes in sweeping shots of beautiful scenery, and the opening sequence of Red Riding Hood emphasizes this. Beyond that we see very little of the setting; the movie is softly lit and halos surround our main characters. Cinematographer Mandy Walker produced some pretty tracking shots, but the dynamic camera is dizzying at times, its constant movement an obvious ploy to keep us involved despite a waning plot. Though production designer Thomas E. Sanders assembled a convincing medieval village, all solid wooden points and wrought iron bars, the film looks manufactured due to patently artificial lighting, brightly colored (and immaculate) costumes, and snow that doesn’t melt upon contact with human skin. All this could serve the fantastical element of the material—Little Red Riding Hood is of course a fairy tale—but it ends up feeling forced.

Screenwriter David Johnson, whose one prior writing credit was the hilariously mind-boggling Orphan (2009), penned a script that’s as stilted as it is ridiculous. Characters are so superficial as to be entirely unbelievable, and modern dialogue just doesn’t fit the setting. Lines like “I must be God, because you’re the Devil!” are just plain trite—and sometimes baffling. The last movie to strive for modern-day depictions of sexuality, utilize contemporary speech patterns, and underscore a medieval celebration with pop music was A Knight’s Tale—and it didn’t turn out so well. (Here’s hoping Your Highness manages this better.)

Hardwicke may be trying to bank on the success of the franchise she began making; according to IMDb, shirtless heartthrob Taylor Lautner was considered for the role of Peter, and Billy Burke, who’s by far the best part of the Twilight flicks, plays Valerie’s father. Further, the first Twilight movie didn’t yet deal with werewolves (or shapeshifters, for you Twi-hards who might be reading), but it introduced a story that would become about a weak, obnoxious female protagonist waffling over two boys who loathe each other but inexplicably love her so very much. All of this material is present in Red Riding Hood, plus some. Max Irons, offspring of silky-voiced Brit Jeremy Irons, has no discernable personality, and Fernandez may be yet another Robert Pattinson—someone Hardwicke fell in love with during auditions because of his blasé attitude. Poor Oldman, who hasn’t taken a good leading role in years, seems to scoop up whatever’s thrown at him these days; the man is undeniably a brilliant actor, but even he phones it in as the ostensibly evil Father Solomon. Finally, Seyfried, who was lovable in Mean Girls and good on “Big Love,” appears bored out of her mind throughout the film.

Despite a great supporting cast including Christie, Oldman, Virginia Madsen, and Michael Hogan (known to “Battlestar Galactica” fans as Saul Tighe), the movie falls short by a long shot. Red Riding Hood’s source material is a truly creepy folk tale with which every schoolchild is familiar, its setting apparently lovely and fantastic. It boasts a good cast and a talented director (Hardwicke, remember, gave us the great indie Thirteen). Somehow, the flick that should have been an epic ends up being epically boring. Perhaps this is why Summit decided Hardwicke wasn’t right for Twilight; Hardwicke’s seminal film has a distinctly small-scale feel compared to New Moon and Eclipse. The best part of Red Riding Hood is the trailers—in some theaters you’ll see a brand new (and awesome) trailer for J.J. Abrams’ secretive-til-now Super 8, a new preview for Wes Craven’s Scream 4, and another for the Zack Snyder vehicle Sucker Punch. Hopefully the next few months will bring us out of the springtime doldrums and into some new and satisfying material.

Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides

Walt Disney Pictures have released a new movie trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. This full length trailer certainly adresses some of the criticisms of the first trailer, expanding the scope of the story a bit. We also get mermaids and a peek at Keith Richards, who is reprising his role as Jack Sparrow’s father.

Official Info:
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (In Disney Digital 3D™)

WALT DISNEY PICTURES/JERRY BRUCKHEIMER FILMS

Genre: Comedy-Adventure
Rating: TBD
U.S. Release Date: May 20, 2011
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Kevin R. McNally, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Sam Claflin and Geoffrey Rush
Director: Rob Marshall
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Executive Producers: Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, John DeLuca
Screenplay by: Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Suggested by the novel by: Tim Powers

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).

Born This Way Country Version

Lady Gaga Releases Country Version Of 'Born This Way' New take on hit song, dubbed 'The Country Road Version,' features slide guitar, mandolin and harmonica - By Gil Kaufman

You can take all those Madonna comparisons and throw them out the window of your Ford F-150 truck, because on Thursday night Lady Gaga released a new version of her global smash "Born This Way" that featured a totally unexpected spin.

After tweeting to her Little Monsters that she was preparing to release "Born This Way (The Country Road Version)," Mother Monster dropped the tune at midnight PT on Friday (March 25) via her Twitter account ... and it did not disappoint.

The new rendition of the hit opens with ominous, swirling guitars and then introduces a fuzzed-out slide guitar and harmonica wheeze, with all of the thumping disco beats replaced by restrained brush drumming and a more laid-back vibe. Once it kicks into the first chorus, the song continues to take its time, choogling along on live-sounding, laconic drumming and lots of soulful harmonica.

Just before the three-minute mark, Gaga mixes in some new lyrics, drawling, "If I wanna make it country, baby, then it's OK, cuz I was born, I was born, I was born this way," over picked mandolin. "From London, Paris, Japan back to USA/ I was born on the road, I was born to be brave," she adds, as the song breaks into full-on country-rock mode reminiscent of late-period Bon Jovi in the final minute.

Meanwhile, the original, non-boot-scooting version of "BTW" notched its sixth week in a row at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts this week, which is what Gaga said prompted her to drop the surprise remake on her fans.

Earlier this week, Gaga revealed that she's almost done recording her Born This Way album, telling fans via Twitter, "In Nebraska, finishing up record today ... I'm so proud of the album: I keep dancing+drinking: metal/techno rock journey of a woman on the run."

Plans are now being worked up for the tour in support of Born This Way (due out May 23) and Gaga's first swing at directing, a collaboration with her creative director, Laurieann Gibson, on the video for the album's upcoming second single, "Judas."

Source: mtv.com

Casey Abrams - AI Season 10

'American Idol' Saves Casey Abrams, But Can He Win?
Judges' save only delayed the inevitable for Matt Giraud and Michael Lynche in previous seasons.

First, the good news for Casey Abrams. Even if voters are on the fence about the emotional bass player, the judges clearly love him and were unequivocal in deploying their once-a-season save on Thursday night's "American Idol."

Now, the bad news: It's probably still not enough to carry him to the winner's circle. If "Idol" history is any indication, the save is mostly a postponement of the inevitable. It helped season eight's Matt Giraud (a wild-card pick to begin with) when he faced elimination in the top seven, but did him no good when he was booted just two weeks later in the top five. Fast-forward to last season, when Michael Lynche faced the chopping block in week nine. The judges busted out the save again, which kept Big Mike around for four more weeks, when he went down in the #4 slot.

Which begged the Friday morning quarterback question: Can a saved contestant win "Idol"?

"The save tends to be a sentimental favorite who possibly doesn't have the breadth of talent ... or a favorite with a fatal flaw, like Giraud's range issue, in which he could do one thing well, but could not present the 'whole package' as Steven Tyler [called it]," said National Public Radio music critic Ann Powers. "Casey is a super-underdog that has a following for his story and his personality, but soon enough, that gives way in an 'Idol' season to performance, and he's too out-of-control, performance-wise. He's too similar to Paul McDonald, who is cuter and more polished."

Powers said it's clear Abrams appeals to producers, possibly because he represents the last vestige of what "Idol" used to be: a competition for real amateur singers who have not been preparing their whole lives for a shot at stardom. "He's really not together, very emotional, he messes up a lot and he wears weird clothes," she said of Abrams' offbeat style, which contrasts with the dreaming-of-stardom-since-childhood packages viewers have seen on many of the other finalists over the past few weeks. "All the others this season set a high bar for professionalism, even the teens, so maybe they want him around because he contributes an unpredictability, which is good TV."

In the end, though, Powers said Abrams doesn't really have a shot at winning the whole thing, though he could survive a bit longer if he takes the judges' advice and calms down next week, perhaps taking a seat and singing a sensual ballad that would show off his less flagrant side.

MTV News "Idol" expert Jim Cantiello was actually charmed by nervous-stomached Abrams' near on-air cookie toss after Thursday's news that he would get another chance. And he thought the save was well-placed.

"Third time's a charm for the judges' save," Cantiello suggested. "For the first time, it didn't feel like an arbitrary 'we better use this because it's the last week we can' moment. Unlike Matt Giraud and Michael Lynche, I can see Casey Abrams lasting more than a couple of weeks post-save. It feels less like the judges are delaying the inevitable, even though I can't imagine Casey taking the 'Idol' crown, let alone making the top four, unless his near-elimination instantly shakes the growl out of his voice and the [creepiness] out of his game face."

"Idol" blogger MJ Santilli of MJ's Big Blog doesn't see how a contestant who has been saved can ever win it all. "Amongst the top nine winners of 'Idol,' some, like Fantasia Barrino for instance, hit the bottom three once as a little wakeup call. Others, like Taylor Hicks and David Cook, never hit bottom at all," she noted. "A contestant that is out-and-out eliminated does not have the fanbase and staying power to make it to the very end. I think Casey will be lucky to make it to the top five now. He's got the 'loser' stink on him."

Sources: mtv.com

Chris Brown Nets First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart

As predicted, Chris Brown achieves his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart as "F.A.M.E." bows atop the tally with 270,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"F.A.M.E." is his fourth top 10 album, following his self-titled debut (No. 2, 2005), "Exclusive" (No. 4, 2007) and "Graffiti" (No. 7, 2009). "F.A.M.E.'s" start also marks the singer's second-best sales week -- only "Exclusive's" 294,000 bow was bigger.

Jennifer Hudson's sophomore effort, "I Remember Me," comes in at No. 2 with 165,000, while last week's No. 1, Adele's "21," slips to No. 3 with 96,000 (with a tiny 2% decline). For Hudson, "Me" matches the debut and peak position of her 2008 self-titled bow, which entered at No. 2 with a larger first-week: 217,000.

Brown and J.Hud are just two of the seven new entries in the top 10 -- the most the region has seen since the Dec. 4, 2010 chart, when eight albums entered the top 10.

The Strokes' "Angles" arrives at No. 4 (89,000) -- marking their third straight No. 4 set after 2003's "Room on Fire" and 2006's "First Impressions of Earth" both debuted and peaked there as well. Their "This Is It" debut hit No. 33 in 2002.
After scouting the U.S. to find the most promising unsigned bands, Billboard has chosen the best -- all poised to compete for your ears. Click on a region of the map to check out the groups from each area, and then vote for your favorites. The finalist from each of the six regions will roadtrip to Las Vegas to play head-to-head at our Battle of the Bands gig. The ultimate winner will perform at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22.

These performers were selected based on a variety of factors, including Heat Score, a formula that measures online fan engagement and drives Billboard's Uncharted chart of emerging artists. All competing artists have also been given a free subscription to Billboard Pro, a new website and toolset to help artists advance their careers. So vote now, and send your favorite bands to Vegas!



And The Bands ARE:
  1. GRYNCH
  2. HOTELS
  3. CHAMPAGNE CHAMPAGNE
  4. DUKE JUNIOR AND THE SMOKEY BOOTS
  5. LIGHTNING LOVE
  6. MYMYMY
  7. TRAPHIK
  8. THE DEADLIES  
  9. AJ RAFAEL
  10. BUTCHER BEAR & CHARLIE
  11. DON'T WAKE AISLIN
  12. OTENKI
  13. DECODER
  14. SIDE BY SIDE
  15. ART OFFICIAL
  16. THE CINNAMON FUZZ
  17. GENTLEMEN HALL
  18. APPOMATTOX

Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Rockets To No. 1 On Hot 100

Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" becomes the first album in more than six years to yield four No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, as "E.T.," featuring Kanye West, rises 2-1 with Airplay Gainer honors.

The space-age love song follows "California Gurls," featuring Snoop Dogg, the title cut and "Firework" to the chart's summit, making Perry's second Capitol Records album the first to yield a quartet of Hot 100 No. 1s since Usher's "Confessions" in 2004.

"Teenage Dream" is just the ninth album to produce four No. 1s in the Hot 100's 52-year history. It's the first by a solo female since Mariah Carey's eponymous debut set in 1990-91.

"I am so thrilled that 'E.T.' has landed at No. 1," Perry tells Billboard.com. "I want to thank all the fans who contributed to this amazing feat and radio, which has been an essential part of my continued existence. I truly appreciate all the support of my creative twists and turns."

"Can't wait to share the video with you tomorrow," Perry adds, teasing the premiere of the "E.T." clip at noon ET tomorrow on MTV.com and VEVO.

On Digital Songs, "E.T." spends a third week at No. 1, logging sales of 254,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The song concurrently reaches the top 10 on Radio Songs (13-10; 74 million audience impressions, up 35%, according to Nielsen BDS).

"E.T." is Perry's fifth Hot 100 No. 1. Prior to her current album, her 2008 release "One of the Boys" generated the seven-week leader "I Kissed a Girl."

"E.T." marks West's fourth No. 1 and first since "Stronger" in 2007.

The song outpaces Rihanna's "S&M" (3-2) and Cee Lo Green's "F**k You (Forget You)," which rebounds 4-3 after peaking at No. 2 for four weeks. Despite its much-heralded airplay odyssey, due largely to its lyrical content, the latter track reaches the Radio Songs apex (2-1, 111 million in audience, up 7%) in its 18th week on the chart.

Perry's new Hot 100 No. 1 pushes Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" from No. 1 to 4 after spending its first six chart weeks in charge. As previously reported, the first single and title cut from Lady Gaga's new album, due May 23, becomes her record-tying seventh No. 1 on the Pop Songs radio airplay chart.

Thailand - Go Dive!

Thailand has so many world class dive sites, it can be difficult deciding which ones to visit. Here's a quick overview to help you make your choice.





I was flicking through Paul Lees' excellent book The Dive Sites Of Thailand recently and marvelling at the literally hundreds of dive sites around Thailand's coastline that are worth visiting. It's a pretty overwhelming selection - and for first time visitors to Thailand, it can be a bit confusing about which areas to make sure you dive, particularly as you have to be here at the right time of the year to go diving in some parts of the country.

Here, then, is my completely subjective, thumbnail guide to the best dive sites in Thailand, in order of priority:

1) Similan Islands (October to May each year)
The Similans are renown as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. Whale sharks, manta rays, reef sharks, leopard sharks, barracuda, octopus, cuttlefish, lionfish, clownfish - you name it, you'll probably find it here. The sheer abundance of life out around these remote, uninhabited islands is breathtaking, as is the visibility - 20 metres viz is the norm. Virtually all liveaboards go beyond the Similan Islands proper and take in Koh Bon, a cleaning station for mantas, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock, a hot spot for whale sharks. [See my previous post on the best dive sites to see whale sharks in Thailand]. The remoteness of the islands means that most liveaboards typically last 4 days. For some people this is too much time to commit to diving, but I'd say it's perfect - 4 days on the boat lets you completely relax and do nothing but eat, dive and sleep, with maybe a little sunbathing too.

I wrote a complete report about diving in the Similan Islands in early 2005. I'm going back there in May this year, for my fourth time. I can't wait to see it again. The Similans really are a magical place to dive.

2) Hin Daeng / Hin Muang and Koh Haa (October to May each year)
Accessible on day trips from Phuket, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi, these two dive sites rival anything the Similans have to offer. Koh Haa is a collection of 5 enormous rocks that forms a natural lagoon in the middle of the ocean - and is also a haven for marine life to gather around. There are so many amazing little critturs around here, which an experienced dive guide can point you towards. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are two pinnacles close to one another and are a manta ray cleaning station. The mantas here are not shy of divers and if you are lucky enough to dive here when they are present, you are in for an unforgettable experience.

I wrote a complete report about diving at Koh Haa, Hin Daeng and also Koh Bida Nok last year. I'm going back there in April, just before the Similans, so am really hoping I might see the manta rays again.

Both the Similans and Hin Daeng are only accessible during October to May each year - the rest of the year is monsoon season when conditions are too rough in the Andaman Sea for safe diving (or boat travel, for that matter).

3) Koh Tao (All year round)
The most popular place to learn to dive in all of Asia Pacific, after Cairns in Australia, Koh Tao has some great dive sites and some great apres-dive action. If you want to dive and party, then this is the place to come. The short travel times from the shore to the dive sites - typically half an hour or less - make diving extremely convenient. While the diving is not quite as spectacular as the Similans, (no manta rays here), there are some amazing encounters with sharks to be had at Chumphon Pinnacle and also, if you're very lucky, whale sharks too.

Because Koh Tao is in the Gulf Of Thailand, it's possible to dive all year round. The weather gets a bit crappy around October/November, but it's pot luck really - last year whale sharks were arriving at Koh Tao during November.

I wrote a comprehensive guide to Koh Tao on Divehappy a few weeks ago that runs through learning to dive and also the various dive sites.

4) Pattaya (All year round)
Pattaya is not somewhere that gets much coverage as a dive destination. Thailand's second biggest city after Bangkok, Pattaya is a sprawling mix of sun, sea and sand. Visibility is pretty poor and a lot of the coral has been damaged on most sites. However, there are two excellent wreck dives, on the Khram and the Hardeep, which definitely make diving in Pattaya worthwhile if you're interested in wreck diving.

I wrote about Peter Walker's new DVD about the Hardeep recently here on Divehappy.

So there we have it - my top four picks for Thailand diving. There are lots more sites in Southern Thailand I have yet to explore - or even know about - and Koh Chang, also in the Gulf Of Thailand, is meant to be nice with some pleasant diving. But these four are the ones I've dived a fair bit myself, and the ones I keep going back to.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Venice

There is no doubt that Venice is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one of the top ten vacation spots in Europe.

Whether you’re visiting Venice on a day trip, a week-long vacation with the family, or a romantic weekend break abroad, one thing is for sure, you’ll fall in love with this unique and romantic place.

There is truly no other place like Venice. From a gondola ride along the Grand Canal to marveling at the beautiful mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica, there are a ton of attractions and things to do in Venice to keep you occupied. Here it is my list of top 5 places to visit in Venice and I hope you have a great time there!

1. San Marco District
San Marco district is certainly one of the top 5 places to visit in Venice, and also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Venice because it’s one of the easiest districts in Venice to navigate. If you’re visiting Venice on a short day trip, San Marco district is the first place to head, not only because of the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica (pictured), but also because of the many attractions surrounding the area such as Palazzo Ducale . St. Mark’s Square, along with the Clocktower, is the focal point of Venice and a also home to many historic buildings and museums such as the Correr Museum where you’ll find interesting paintings of Venetian life. For great views, don't miss the beautiful St. Mark’s Clocktower which offers great vistas of Venice and the Grand Canal..


2. Islands of Venice
Exploring the islands of Venice is without a doubt one of the most popular things to do and places to visit in Venice, especially if you’re interested in purchasing genuine Venetian goods. There are around ten Venetian islands, though the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello are three of the most popular ones, and worth devoting 2-3 days of your vacation. The islands of Murano (pictured) and Burano are two of my top places to visit in Venice to purchase the fabulous Murano glassware and lace. If you’re interested on how glass is made, you can visit Murano’s glass museum and tour one of the Murano glass factories to learn about the glass process and glass making techniques. In Burano, you'll also find a couple of lovely lace museums where you can find great home ware pieces such as Venetian table cloth laces and Burano dress laces.


3. Cannaregio District
Cannaregio is located on the northern shore of Venice and it’s one of the top historic districts in Venice to visit during your Venice vacation. Two of the top attractions in Cannaregio are the:
- Ca’ d’Oro Palace, which houses a small art museum.
- Oratorio Crociferi, which houses beautiful 16th century paintings and interesting artifacts such as the clothing worn by notables of the day.
For me, the Cannaregio district is one of the top 5 places to visit in Venice because of the charming and beautiful streets and the great views you can get walking by Cannaregio Canal (pictured). Cannaregio is also one of the most pleasant places in Venice to enjoy an unspoiled Venetian atmosphere with fewer tourist crowds.


4. Castello District
Castello district is the largest district in Venice and it’s another great place to visit to explore beautiful churches and fine art such as the fine paintings by Vittore Carpaccio at San Giorgio degli Schiavoni. One of the top things to do in Castello has to be visiting the interior of Venetian Arsenale (pictured), which is definitely one of the top 5 places to visit in Venice.

The Arsenale used to be an old shipyard in the 1600’s, and today, you can marvel at interesting art exhibitions and old military machinery and machinery used for building ships. Not far from the Arsenale, you’ll also find the Historic Maritime Museum which is a great place to learn about Venice’s maritime past and check out interesting artifacts like boat cannons, gondolas and a vast collection of model ships.


5. Santa Croce and San Polo
Both Santa Croce and San Polo districts are located in the heart of Venice and are my other two top 5 places to visit in Venice because of their easy location. Santa Croce and San Polo are two of the most enjoyable districts in Venice to explore on a walking tour because of the large open spaces, beautiful small squares and charming narrow streets. There are plenty of outdoor markets on Santa Croce and San Polo where you can admire food stalls, as well as many tourist sights such as the oldest bridge and church in Venice - Rialto Bridge (pictured) and San Giacomo church.

What to Wear in Paris, France






At Paris Escapes, we are frequently asked "How do the Parisian woman dress" and "What should we wear in Paris?"

Paris is a large, cosmopolitan city and you'll see people on the street wearing all ranges of clothing - from men in power suits, women who have mastered the art of walking on cobblestones in short skirts and stilettos.

However, Parisians are renowned for their style and fashion forwardness. After all, this is the city that founded "haute couture" and supports a vibrant designer "knock-off" industry. Parisian chains like Naf Naf and Carroll crank out low-cost versions of the latest designer trends literally overnight. The result is that the average Parisian is usually flawlessly put together for a relatively few euros.

Even if you are fashion-oriented, pack your most comfortable clothes from home. However, if you'd like your appearance to not scream " I am an American Tourist", follow these classic five tips listed below:


1. Neutrals are Key - If you're from a climate that sports a lot of florals and bright colors, aim for the subdued approach. You can never go wrong wearing black in Paris - in fact, you'll notice that this is the color scheme that most of the locals live in. You've heard it all before - black is slimming, always in style, and versatile - a flattering black sweater or pants/skirt can be dressed down for daywear and easily spruced up for a night on the town.

As a traveler, black has the added benefit of not showing the "wear and tear" of a trip. And if you can't stand wearing black, try other neutral colors - like beiges, browns, and creams.
2. Leave Leisure Wear at Home - Leave your hoodies and matching sweatpants, white tennis shoes, shorts and bright colored nylon windbreakers at home. The comfortable clothes that suburban American women live-in, are not seen on Parisians outside of their homes.

Elisabeth Fourmont of La Coquette, a Parisian fashion blog, says it best, 'Most countries fetishise styles only young people look good in, whereas in Paris there are interesting women dressing their age. 'That's why designers find Paris so inspiring.' And always, always look neat: 'There's a lot you can't get away with here,' continues Fourmont. 'Wearing a tracksuit and flip-flops to the post office is a form of disrespect.'

Bottom line: Dress your age and dress nicely - you'll be rewarded with better treatment in cafés, shops and restaurants
3. Make a Statement with Accessories and Scarves - Don't over pack with too many outfits. Bring basics that travel well and that you can mix and match. Dress up your outfits with accessories - necklaces, earrings and scarves. Scarves are ubiquitous in Paris - Parisian women know they are a quick and easy way to pull an outfit together.

They also make great souvenirs. You can usually purchase a few silk scarves in the season's hottest colors and patterns (usually, a year ahead of trends in the US) for 5-10 euros at the stands outside the Galleries Lafayette or Printemps. Or, splurge at Hermes for a scarf that will last a lifetime (and at 300+ euros/scarf it should).
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes, Not White Tennis Shoes - Paris is a city made for walking and you'll be on your feet more than you can imagine. You will see the trendy, flat "puma" like tennis shoes on young Parisians, but if you want to blend in, leave at home your white/tennis running shoes. We know that these shoes are comfortable and built for mileage, but white tennis shows are the tell-tale sign of "American Tourist". Truthfully, when we see white shoes in a sea of black, we know that it is a fellow American in Paris. Unfortunately, many unsavory types that prey on tourists also know that this is the case. Don't make yourself an easy mark for pickpockets - leave the white tennis shoes at home.

Invest in shoes designed for walking (Recommended brands are Ecco, Mephisto, or Dansko). One day of climbing steps up monuments and navigating cobblestoned corridors and you'll understand why these sturdy European brands are so popular among Parisians . Or, wear a pair of flats, loafers or short-heeled boots that have been battle-tested at home for walking. (View the trend for shoes for Spring/Summer 2011 here)

Remember: Paris is not the city to "break-in" a new pair of shoes.
5. Jeans are OK - Five years ago, we never saw anyone in Paris wearing jeans except teenagers. Today, denim is a growing Paris trend. Jeans are everywhere - upscale restaurants have even lessened their dress codes to admit designer jean clad customers.

Before you toss your favorite Levi's in a suitcase, remember that we're talking about Paris, and the jeans you see on Parisians contain certain stylistic elements - dark, slim fit "skinny jeans", or slight flare - paired with low-heels or ballet flats for daytime walking and stilettos for going out at night. If your jeans can be described as high-waisted or pleated, you'll feel more comfortable wearing black pants or a skirt - especially for dining in the evening. (View the trend for jeans in Spring/Summer 2011 here).

6. Don't Worry About Your Hair and Make-Up - A bonus about visiting Paris is that you don't need to obsess over your hair and make-up. It seems like a contradiction in terms, but Parisian woman tend to favor the "au natural" look more than their American counterparts. Hairstyles are more unstructured and air dried. You'll see more long hair pulled back into a casual chignon than elaborately straightened and styled like in the US.

Make-up is minimal with an emphasis on glowing skin (visit any French pharmacy and you will be stunned by the amount of products promising "prefect, pore-free, blemish-free radiant" skin). To quote Laura Mercier, the French creator of a line of cosmetics, "French women are not flashy. They must be subtle. The message must not be, 'I'm spending hours on my face to look beautiful."

Parisian cosmetologists caution restraint by choosing one area to highlight - shadowed eyes mean neutral or no lipstick, wear lipstick and keep your eyes untouched, and let your natural skin show by wearing minimal foundation and little blush. For an example, pick up a copy of French Elle and be amazed to see unairbrushed models with minimal make-up. So, "embrace your inner beauty" and spend your time exploring Paris instead of styling your hair and making-up your face.


Top 10 Sights in Budapest, Hungary

Boasting two World Heritage Sites, Budapest is the only capital in the world where nearly one hundred thermal springs and twelve spas can be found, and where Roman ruins, Turkish baths still in use, the heritage of the Gothic and Baroque styles and amazingly rich Art Nouveau architectural masterpieces attract tourists. Become acquainted with the...

1. Buda Castle
1. Buda Castle is the most famous and one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Budapest. The World Heritage Site has many places of interest, museums, streets and squares with a special atmosphere, restaurants and shops. The Royal Palace, where many battles and wars took place, is one of the country’s symbols. Three churches, five museums, and many buildings, memorials, streets and squares of historical interest and a theatre can also be found here. Visitors can enjoy a marvellous view from the Fishermen’s Bastion and from the little path in front of the National Gallery on one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube.

2. The Chain Bridge
2. The capital’s first bridge monument, with decorative lights at night and the Buda Castle in the background, is a fascinating spectacle and has already attracted many tourists to Budapest. The bridge was built upon the request of Count István Széchenyi between 1839 and 1849, with the contribution of the designer, William Tierney Clark and the engineer, Adam Clark. (The two Clarks were only namesakes.) The Danube bridge did not survive the ravages of the world war, so it had to be re-built in 1949, on its 100th anniversary. On the Buda side one can walk onto the top of the tunnel, where an excellent panorama over the Danube and the bridges embracing it can be enjoyed.

3. The Parliament
3. The largest building in the country, which is the permanent location of the national assembly, is situated on the bank of the Danube, and its entrance is faces Kossuth Square. The Neo-Gothic building complex was built between 1884 and 1904 according to the plans of Imre Steindl. The building has 691 rooms, it is 268 m long and the height of its dome is 96 m. Since 2000 visitors can see the Hungarian coronation symbols in the Parliament: St. Stephen’s crown, the sceptre, the orb and the Renaissance sword.

4. Heroes Square
4. The capital’s most spectacular square can be found at the entrance to the City Park. Already from afar, visitors arriving from Andrássy Avenue can see the middle column of the Millennium Memorial, on the top of which archangel Gabriel is holding the Holy Crown and the apostolic double cross. The architectural pieces surrounding Heroes’ Square are amazing: on the right we can find the Hall of Art, and on the left there is the Museum of Fine Arts – both buildings are compelling. The City Park, which is a favourite weekend destination for families, also starts from here and hosts other famous places of interest, such as the Zoo, the Circus of Budapest, the Amusement Park, the world-famous Széchenyi Baths and Vajdahunyad Castle.

5. Stephen's Basilica
5. It is the largest church in Budapest, the dome of which can be seen from all points in the city. It was built between 1851 and 1905. The Classicist basilica houses Hungary’s most sacred relic: the Holy Right, which is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen, after whom the basilica was named. Among the famous masterpieces in the church we can find the statues by Alajos Stróbl and the painting by Gyula Benczúr of St. Stephen offering the country to the Virgin Mary. The dome of the building offers a wonderful, 360° view of the city.

Andrassy Avenue
6. In spite of its clearly separable units, Andrássy Avenue and its neighbourhood are the results of the unique architectural style of the end of the 19th century. The most beautiful buildings in the eclectic style can be seen here, for example the outstandingly beautiful Opera House and many old flats with wonderful and intimate inner courts, statues and fountains. One of the features of Andrássy Avenue can hardly be seen on the surface. Only the descending stairs with wrought iron banisters still warn us that Europe's first shallow subway, the underground railway that is more than 125 years old, is underneath transferring its passengers on a track that is only slightly lengthened since the old times.

7. Matthias Church
7. Matthias Church or the Main Coronation Church in the Buda Castle district, which stands on the Szentháromság (Holy Trinity) Square, is a monument with a long history. Religious tradition has it that the church was founded by St. Stephen in 1015. The royal cathedral, which was officially named as the Church of Our Lady Wicha, was built in several stages. Its present Neo-Gothic form is the result of a large-scale reconstruction in 1896, led by Frigyes Schulek.

8. Margaret Island
8. The history of the thin island between the Margaret Bridge and the Árpád Bridge dates back to the 11th century. The capital’s most beautiful park can be found here and, while walking on the island, visitors can see many buildings with a special atmosphere: the Water Tower, which was declared as a protected building by UNESCO, a music fountain, an open-air stage, St. Michael’s Church and many ruins several centuries old (for example those of the nunnery, where Margaret, the daughter of King Béla IV, lived, and the ruins of two churches of monastic orders). On the island there is a beach, a swimming pool, two hotels, various restaurants and fast-food outlets.

9. Budapest Spas
9. Budapest is the city of spas. The Széchenyi Baths, which have a very prestigious position on the list of Budapest sights that are not to be missed, are not only the largest bath complex in Europe with their 15 pools, but also the most pleasant baths in the capital. The most famous characteristic features of the baths are the groups playing chess, submerged in the steaming water up to their necks, as well as the outdoor pools embraced by the beautiful building. Gellért bath is the most popular bath among tourists arriving in Budapest. The original equipment and furniture, in an Art Nouveau style, has been preserved in most of the baths: artistic mosaics, colourful stained-glass windows and statues decorate the buildings.

10. Gellert Hill
10. Gellért Hill is a popular excursion destination due to its superb panoramas from the viewing terraces. The sights on the hill recall individual periods in history: the statue of Bishop St. Gellért that of pagan times, the Citadel that of Habsburg oppression after the 1848-49 War of Independence, and the Liberty Monument towering over the city the period after the Second World War. The 14-m-high statue was raised in 1947 in memory of the country’s liberation. And even though the post-war period also marked the start of Soviet rule, the statue on Gellért Hill was not removed even after the change of regime since it had become an indelible part of the cityscape. Bus no 27.