Quick Facts about the 2012 London Olympics

After four years of enthusiastic anticipation (and thousands of air tickets to London sold), the 2012 London Olympics has finally set to light the torch at the Olympic Stadium.


Although some events had already started prior to the opening ceremony, the excitement didn’t die down a bit. So to heighten it up, why not learn some quick facts about the 2012 London Olympics, and the whole sports competition, itself?

• The Olympics is believed to originate from Ancient Greece but the truth is no one knows where it had started. The most popularly accepted legend though was that it was started by Heracles, a Roman and Greek mythology character 



• During ancient times, the Olympics served as the symbol of peace as joining cities would set aside their feuds and wars just so they could compete properly


• The term ‘gymnasium’ was derived from the Greek word ‘gymnos’ which means nude. This was used because the participants in ancient Olympics were required to complete their events with their clothes off


• During the Olympics in 1900, there were only a few spectators who attended the event. (Perhaps, the airfares were too high?)


• At least one of the colors of the Olympic rings is used in every national flag in the world


• During the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, the gold medals were really made out of pure gold

• The tradition of holding opening ceremonies for the Olympics started with the London Olympics in 1908


• London has been host to the Olympics three times already: 1908, 1948, and the present, 2012


• The 2012 London Olympics is also referred to as the Games of XXX Olympiad, and London 2012


• So far, London is the only city in the United Kingdom to have hosted the Olympics


• The oldest torchbearer ran a 12,000-km distance without her cane for the 2012 London Olympics. She is Diana Gould, 100 years old



• Olympic mascots were first used in the summer of 1972 after it was approved by the International Olympic Committee in Munich, Germany


• Almost four billion people were expected to grab air tickets to London to watch the events


• For the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics, the stadium will be transformed into a British countryside – complete with meadows, fields, rivers, and even herds of sheep. The production is entitled The ‘Isles of Wonder’ and is directed by award-winning directors Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry


• There will be a total of 205 nations participating in the 2012 London Olympics

The 2012 London Olympics is a remarkable event for everybody as it is another manifestation of the unity which binds the different nations in the world.

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10 Travellers’ Trivia

Most often, it is curiosity that leads us to travel to other countries. We hear stories about a certain place and the determination to prove the reality of the bits of information shared with us becomes our constant driving force to purchase air tickets that would bring us there.

So for those who are low-spirited about traveling and are just contented with a trip to the bars during the weekend, here are a few trivia to ponder. Maybe, this will lead all of you to find interest in backpacking and traveling:

1.     Mount Everest in Nepal continuously grows. Growing an additional 4mm every year, it seems like it is constantly assuring its title as the tallest peak in the world. At the moment, it measures around 8500 meters tall and it is a very challenging hiking destination for many. 

Photo by Kalle Kortelainen 

2.     If an air ticket to Venice, Italy is unaffordable to you, then perhaps, a trip to Macau will somehow compensate. There is this one famous hotel called The Venetian Macao which allows its guests to enjoy gondola rides like how it is in Venice. It also has a fake ceiling that looks like the real sky and is equipped with lighting facilities to adapt to the time of the day.

Photo by Elina Sitnikova

 

3.     There is this phenomenon called the Midnight Sun, wherein for 24 hours, there will be no darkness as the sun will be visible during the whole time.  It is visible in some part of countries crossed by the Arctic Circle. It is best seen in Norway.

Photo by Nicola Gambetti 

4.     Many people say that seeing Aurora Borealis is one of the must-do before they die. And indeed, it should be because nothing could ever beat the glorious beauty of dancing colors in the night sky. It is best seen in countries in the Arctic region like Alaska and Norway.

Photo by Lightscape

 

5.     Shoppers who can’t get enough of their favorite activity will love Seoul. In this South Korean city, there are over 25,000 shops that are open 24 hours a day.

Photo by Mike Swigunski 

6.     Backpackers who wouldn’t want to pay high rates of accommodation in Japan can enjoy the ‘Capsule Hotel’. It is definitely cheap and was started to cater to the needs of Japanese office workers who missed the train due to overtime.

Photo by Alec Favale 

 

7.     The official name of Bangkok is "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit".

Photo by Evan Krause 

 

8.     The world’s highest man-made waterfall is located in Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. It stands 30 meters tall.

Image from Google Search

9.     The Philippines has a great educational system which is relatively cheap compared to other countries so students may now settle their enrolment in Philippine universities.

Photo by Avel Chuklanov

10.   There is a huge diversity in the language in the Philippines. Aside from the widely spoken Tagalog, there are more than 170 dialects used in the country.

Image from Google Search

There are lots of mysteries to unearth and trivia to discover about this world we are living in. So make life more interesting! Book tickets online now and see for yourself the wonders of this planet.

Best Asian Cities for Food

Photo by Markus Winkler 

There are lots of reasons why travelers from all over the world flock to Asia, and one of them is to taste the unique, mouth-watering cuisine that the continent has to offer. Foodies from the West couldn’t get enough of the various Asian dishes that they sample during their travels, so much so that they look for the same dishes back home or learn how to make the dishes themselves. If you are on a big gastronomic adventure in Asia, here are some of the top cities that you should visit for an eat-all-you-can adventure. 

• Bangkok, Thailand

When traveling in Bangkok, food is everywhere. Not just in restaurants but on food courts and food stalls that crowd the streets. For those who are on a budget and looking for something exotic, try the stalls that serve delicacies such as insects. Clearly, this is not for the squeamish traveler with regular Western tastes. Must-try food items include som tam (papaya salad), curry, and different types of rice. The city also has lots of restaurants for other cuisines, and you can have your fill of Lebanese and Indian food here as well.

 

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If you still don’t know your way around KL, try the dishes at the food court inside the KLCC mall, which is underneath the Petronas Towers. Lots of international dishes are here under one roof, so you can feast on Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Western food here without having to venture elsewhere. Of course, when you set out to explore the city, make sure to head to Chinatown, where you can sample the best Chinese food around the area.

 

• Beijing, China

The list wouldn’t be complete without Beijing, where naturally, Chinese food is at its best. There are thousands of dim sum restaurants where you can feast on every Chinese food imaginable. Make sure to drink lots of tea to make room for more of the dishes. It is too easy to get stuffed when eating Chinese food. Never leave Beijing without tasting the Peking duck, which is regarded as one of the best poultry dishes in the world.

The World’s Best Airports

People often think of airports as huge places crammed with people and luggage, with endless queues and counters. As much as people want to travel, going to the airport is usually a stressful affair, what with all the security checks and the never-ending rush of faces. But there are certain airports in the world where things can get easier for passengers. Believe it or not, some airports provide a great experience for passengers while they are waiting to board their respective flights. 

These airports come with certain perks apart from first-class restaurants. Some even have golf courses and spas. You can even find an airport where you can see giant slides. These airports very much exist and of course, you’re wondering where you can find them.

Here are some of the world’s best airports according to the survey compiled by Skytrax, the world’s largest airline and airport review site. These airports were voted by more than 9 million travelers who answered the questionnaires.

• Auckland International Airport, New Zealand

Photo by Auckland Airport

Auckland is considered the second largest cargo port in New Zealand, and this airport houses more than 20 international airlines. The airport has garnered the Airport Staff Excellence Award for Australia/Pacific. Over 13 million passengers are served by the airport a year.

• Amsterdam Schipol, The Netherlands

The Amsterdam Schipol used to be a military airfield. Now it is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 43 million passengers yearly. Travelers can play games at the casino or get a massage while waiting for their flights. It was given the #2 Best Airport Shopping award.

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

For those looking for a “green” airport, check out the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which keeps a section of the rainforest inside the main terminal. The airport was given the Best Airport Immigration Service (#1) and Airport Staff Excellence South East Asia (#1).

• Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

This ultra-modern airport houses a fitness center, nature trail, and swimming pool. The tallest slide in the country can also be found here. These, in addition to the excellent service, make Changi Airport the first on the list.