Bouncing Brit babes help hotels launch free nights offer

by Tom Johansmeyer on

InterContinental Hotels kicked off its biggest free nights promotion with a hell of a bounce. Around the world, the hotel chain invited people to bounce on oversized beds in an attempt to set a world record. In all, more than 20,000 bouncers bounced in Paris, New York, Shanghai and London for 16 hours.

The highlight for most was probably the presence of Olympic gymnasts at each of these locations, but it’s hard for anyone to compete with The Sun‘s famous “Page 3” models, who made an appearance at London’s Covent Garden for a bit of bouncing.

In New York, the crowed gathered in mid-town’s Bryant Park (which I walked by, but didn’t see any Page 3-caliber hotties).

Why all the fuss? InterContinental Hotels was just psyched to dish out 4,000 free room-nights at its hotels. Scoring with a Page 3 girl would have just been a bonus.

To see all the bed-jumping action in one place, click here.

Sleeping Chinese shares hysterical non-action shots

by Mike Barish on

Everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect photograph. For some, it’s a city skyline at the magic hour. For others, it’s a field of flowers stretching towards the horizon. And for one German expat living in Shanghai, it’s candid shots of Chinese citizens sleeping in public.

Sleeping Chinese is the brainchild of a German who simply goes by “Bernd.” While in China, he has snapped photos of Chinese people sleeping on benches, rocks, shopping carts and under trucks. The site has gained such popularity and the gallery has grown so large (700+ photos), that Bernd has invited visitors to the site to submit their own photos of “sleeping Chinese.”

I, for one, am all for silly photo projects like this. When you travel, how many shots of building exteriors and famous statues do you need? You can find those types of photos in books, magazines, websites and postcards. The best pictures capture quirky moments in time that no other person could replicate. Those moments are unique to you. And if your moment happens to include a sleeping Chinese citizen, then here’s to you!

Before you go thinking that sleeping in public is only popular in China, rest assured that you can find it just about anywhere. I happened upon these tuckered out Japanese folks at a Mos burger in Tokyo earlier this year.

Why you’ll still be able to find the new Guns and Roses album in China

by Josh Lew on

Yes, I will put a shamed expression on my face and admit that I felt a bit of excitement when I heard that Guns and Roses was releasing a new album. Come on, I was an awkward, pimple-ridden junior high-schooler when Axl and Slash were still at the top of their game. I thought that they were the shit.

Well, the new album, which was actually made by Axl Rose and a bunch of session musicians, is less than mediocre. But when I heard that Chinese authorities were critisizing it because of its content and about to ban it, I had to laugh. Not because the government was taking a bunch of has-beens so seriously, but because I know that if I walked into a Shenzhen bootleg CD shop right now, I’d have a pretty good chance of finding a copy of the album. The same goes for pirated versions of controversial books and DVDs. I don’t have the official numbers, but I’d wager that over 85% of the music and movies sold in China are bootlegged. So your hip Shanghai record store might not have G&R, but the bootleggers probably will.

Macau Grand Prix Gives Formula 1 a Run for its Money

by Josh Lew on

The eyes of the world’s auto racing fans will be trained on Shanghai this weekend. The Formula 1 race held there is one of the year’s hottest tickets. But it won’t be the only chance to see fast cars in Asia this fall. In fact, it might not be the best racing event in China.

On November 13th, the Macau Grand Prix kicks off for the 55th time. Sure, the top race in the former Portuguese colony will be Formula 3 (kind of a minor league for F1), but the event is one of Asia’s oldest auto races and that counts for quite a lot in terms of atmosphere and prestige. Plus spectators will get to see sports cars and motorcycles have their turn on the course, which is one of the world’s best street courses.

There are more reasons to visit Macau during the race. There is the gambling, of course. But there are also other happenings. The Macau International Food Festival, a gigantic bazaar and seaside firework displays. Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa won’t be behind the wheel there, but the history behind the Macau GP and the other November events on offer make it a good bet for a good time.

[Via Globespotters]

Photo of the Day (08/25/08)

by Abha Malpani on

I’m a total sucker for street performances, especially when I travel, and especially if it’s something cultural – I always stop and watch! This shot has been taken by user jonjanegoin on Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China. Its simplicity makes it so real — and he’s managed to capture a moment with as much precision as possible.

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