Originally uploaded by let².
Davao 2008, Philippines – Philippine Eagle Center / Macaca fascicularis
The Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles, 18 of which are captive-bred. It also houses 10 other species of birds, 4 species of mammals and 2 species of reptiles. Simulating a tropical rain forest environment, the Center offers the visitor a glimpse into the country’s forest ecosystem. Although the exhibits are used primarily to help educate the Filipino people on conservation, the facility is also considered a major tourist attraction in Davao City.
Manila 2008 – Basilica of San Sebastian
December 9, 2008
Originally uploaded by let².
Manila 2008, Philippines – Basilica of San Sebastian.
An example of the revival of Gothic architecture in the Philippines, it has been recognized by the UNESCO as the only all-steel church or basilica in Asia. It has also been implausibly reputed to be the first prefabricated building in the world, and more plausibly claimed as the only prefabricated steel church in the world. In 2006, San Sebastian Church was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1973.
San Sebastian Church is under the care of The Order of the Augustinian Recollects, who also operate a college adjacent to the basilica. It is located at Plaza del Carmen, at the eastern end of Claro M. Recto Street, in Quiapo, Manila.
UAE / Oman 2008 – Al Dana
December 6, 2008
Originally uploaded by let².
UAE / Oman 2008 – Fujairah / Khor Fakkan/ Coast – View from the plane
The Rotana group and German tour operator TUI will build hotels in the area, while Kuwaiti investors have started work on Al Dana, a project that will house villas and hotels on a reclaimed peninsula jutting out to sea.
Island Mega Project:
The Al Dana Project is situated in Khor Fakkan on the East Coast of the UAE within the Emirate of Fujairah and comprises a mixed use development which incorporates existing and reclaimed land.
The project will consist of two breakwaters that will be divided into the North and South Side Peninsulas. Upon completion, the total plot area of the project will comprise approximately 881,234 m2 which is evenly divided into the two Peninsulas and will offer 492 villas and six extensive hotel plots. The villas are to be situated either side of the peninsulas and will each comprise a total plot area of 1,000 m2. The hotel plots are situated to the existing shoreline and range in size between 32,498 m2 and 74,627 m2.
The design of the development will enable the hotel and villa sites to benefit from extensive views of the Indian Ocean, a central lagoon area created by the peninsulas and the mountain terrain of Fujairah to the rear.
The breakwaters will feature a rocky shoreline to the Indian Ocean frontage for protection, whilst plots facing the central lagoon will feature sandy beaches.
Davao 2008 – Ateneo University
November 29, 2008
Originally uploaded by let².
Davao 2008, Philippines – Ateneo University
The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is a private Catholic university founded administered by the Society of Jesus in Southern Mindanao in the Philippines in 1948 . It is subdivided into five units including the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Governance and College of Nursing. It also runs grade school and high school units. It has two sprawling campuses, the Jacinto Campus (which houses the various schools and colleges of the university, including the Graduate Programs and the College of Law) and the Matina Campus (elementary and high school) – all located in the center of Silicon Gulf, Davao City, the de facto business, trade, commerce and education capital of Mindanao.
Davao 2008- Philippine Eagle
November 8, 2008
Originally uploaded by let².
Davao 2008, Philippines – Philipine Eagle Center / Philippine Eagle
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a giant forest raptor endemic to the Philippines. It is considered one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the world’s rarest and certainly among its most critical endangered vertebrate species. The eagle is known to be geographically restricted to the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
Singapore – Raffles Hotel
May 4, 2008
Originally uploaded by letlet.
Singapore 2006, Singapore – Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Declared a National Monument in 1987, the hotel has grown from strength to strength. With its restoration and reopening in 1991, Raffles Hotel today stands as a jewel in the crown of Singapore’s hospitality industry, renowned and loved for its inimitable style and unsurpassed excellence in service and facilities.
In multicultural Singapore it is not surprising that the visionary founders of Raffles Hotel were a quartet of enterprising Armenian brothers: Martin, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak Sarkies.
Raffles Hotel opened in 1887 in a rather sombre-looking old bungalow known as the Beach House. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Topical suites and sola topis were as much a part of Raffles Hotel’s early style as bentwood tables and rattan chairs. Over the years the hotel has evolved into one of the world’s most beloved grand hotels and welcomed innumerable celebrities, writers and royalty.
