Giant Ads Seen From the Air

by Catherine Bodry on

Companies are always looking for new ways to advertise their products. In Anchorage, I’ve noticed a large truck that just drives around town flashing ads on its sides. I think they’re calling this a “moving billboard.” I’m calling it a waste of gas.

Well, someone came up with another brilliant idea to capture consumers’ attention: giant ads the size of three football fields aimed at plane passengers coming in to land. The UK’s Ad-Air launched this new service last week, offering brands ad space near some of the world’s busiest runways. The company has spent the last 5 years securing space around several major airports, which include Heathrow, Paris, and Los Angeles.

The first giant ad will appear near Dubai’s airport in October.

Japan’s Leaf Peeping Splendor

by Jamie Rhein on

Leaf Peeping in Ohio is probably going to be a big bust this year. It’s been 90 degrees lately, and today’s temperature drop may be a little too late. Basically, we’re looking at a fall of mostly dull yellow and brown. Perhaps, Japan will have more luck.

While I was hunting for links to leaf viewing via vintage trains, I came across details about Japan’s autumn splendor on a Frommer’s Web site. In the Honshu region of the country, colors pop out in the fall. I went to Nara on a day trip from Kyoto in the middle of summer when the maple trees around the temples were thick with green leaves. In October and November, they become brilliant orange and red around Todaiji Temple.

Kyoto, where I became obsessed with going to as many temples as I could for some reason, has ginko trees galore. They were green when I saw them, but, according to Frommers, become an awesome yellow in November. Frommers also recommends Kamakura and Nikko for their leaves. Not just their leaves. The temples–yep, I hit them–are wonderful. Nikko is has the famous one of the see no, hear no, speak no evil monkeys. I went to both towns as day trips out of Tokyo. (I had a free place to stay in Tokyo, so in the seven days I spent in Japan I only stayed overnight elsewhere once. Kyoto was it.)

The Kyoto Tourism Federation also has a section dedicated to leaf viewing. November is also the month with the best colors according to this source. In addition to places to see in Kyoto, several towns are listed, along with what to see when you go there. One suggestion is Nagaokakyo, which is quite close to Kyoto and the site of this lovely photo.

Confucius’s Birthday: Wise Travel

by Jamie Rhein on

Confucius’s birthday, according the events listing calendar of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Web site isn’t until October 7. I thought it was today. The calendar I have marked it as today, but I’ll go with the tourism board. Unless, we go with this other source that says that in the Western calendar, Confucius’s birthday is today. Today is also National Teacher’s Day in China. Since Confucius was a wise teacher and philosopher, I’d say this is a fitting tribute.

Confucius, who lived 551 BCE-479 BCE, is responsible for promoting the ideas still central to Chinese thought. For example, your own well-being comes from respect for parents and family. And that guarding your mind guards your actions. These are pretty simplistic descriptions, I know, but read here for more.

In Beijing, the Temple of Confucius is also the Beijing Capital Museum. This temple is smaller than the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Confucius’s hometown and is the third largest ancient architectural complexes in China. If you go here, expect festivities–which, I bet, includes food.

Here’s a Confucius saying I found that fits travel: Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

The Search for Homosexuals in Iran

by Iva Skoch on

I don’t want to get political or anything, but I just have to say that New York has been fun this week with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cruising the city and enjoying the spotlight.

My gay friends have especially enjoyed his statements about Iran having no homosexuals and, now, they feel committed to go there and test it out. On the contrary, I have heard that gay sex may be quite common in Islamic countries because it is often not considered “real sex.”

Leave it to The Borowitz Report to deal with the issue: “Iran Invites UN Inspectors to Find Homosexuals in Iran, Permits Use of Advanced Gaydar.”

Don’t laugh too hard. This is a serious issue.

China Bans Everything But the Act

by Catherine Bodry on

Pretty soon Chinese citizens won’t even be allowed to have sex, but until then, the Chinese government is banning everything sex-related. “Ooh” and “ahh” are being shushed on Chinese airways in a string of censorship outlawing everything from sexually provocative sounds and tantalizing language to “vulgar” advertisements for breast enhancements and female underwear.

1,466 advertisements worth 2 billion yuan ($246 million) in revenues have been removed from China’s airways since August, the country’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television proudly reports.

SARFT urged the country’s broadcasters to forgo vulgarity in the pursuit of “inspiring” content for the masses imbued with “socialist” values. I’m not sure what that might sound like, but I have a feeling it won’t sell the way sex does.

[via Reuters]