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Climb every mountain...
Lifestyle / Local Customs
Written by : Lena Gidwani
May 9, 2008
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| Those who aspire to ascend the 29,028-foot peak of Qomolangma (Mt Everest) this month will have to scupper their plans - at least till 10 May. Its temporary "closure" (for obvious reasons) means that adventurers will have to set their sights on something a little less, um, steep, yet closer to home.
For some two thousand years, the grassy peaks of Guangdong have always inspired scholars, scribes, poets and painters. Yet for the rest of us, who want to see havens of beauty undisturbed by pollution and noise, these glorious natural wonders are only a short drive away. Guangzhou leans against the Jiulian Mountains in the north, Luofu Mountain in the west, Qingyun Mountain in the east, and the Jiulian-Nankun Mountain range in the middle, giving the city extraordinary aesthetic mountainous features. Here's our guide to a walk on the high side…
Lotus Mountain
Escape the daily grind with a visit to Lotus Mountain (Lianhua S ... ... |
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Top Secrets (08-05)
Lifestyle / Top Secrets
Written by :
May 9, 2008
Tags :
fun Q&A
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| VITAL STATS
Name: Stephanie Kate Norris
Where I'm from: Bermuda
Where I live: Tianhe, Guangzhou
What I do: English teacher
How long I've been in China: 10 months
What is your favorite bar in Guangzhou and why?
The Loft, because it's the most diverse place in the city.
What do you love most about GZ?
The anarchy of the city planning.
What do you hate most about GZ?
The gweilos.
What do you do to relax on Sunday?
Get vaped in my pants with some DVDs.
What is your favorite Cantonese phrase?
Chat tom pay.
What is the greatest lesson China has taught you?
The importance of an under-wired bra.
Tell us a secret that nobody knows back home. . .
I don't own a shower. I'm serious...
What would you do if tomorrow you woke up Chinese?
Buy some really really skintight jeans and flaunt about in them.
What book changed your life?
The Outsider by Albert Camus, because I finally saw that teenage angst was real and not ju ... ... |
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Beauty of the month
Lifestyle / Beauty & SPA
Written by : Sammi Zhou, photos by Woody and Tim
May 7, 2008
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| Secrets of Thai Herbs
After two days of insomnia, I finally made up my mind to find solace in a spa. After a hot water shower and a scrub, I was told to enter something called a "herb sauna tent", made from a natural ventilating fabric, which allows fresh air in while preventing steam from escaping. Apparently the deep breathing of herbs helps to get rid of nasty pollutants within. With some suspicion, I entered and sat on the rattan chair with the Thai herb waters bubbling below. But I shouldn't have worried – it was relaxing and allowed for easy breathing. Picking the lavender essence as my scent of choice, I was massaged in a "gentle French style", but not the expected three-dimensional Thai style. The legendary herb ball was which was stamped across my back is said to fortify blood circulation. I don't know whether my blood circulated more smoothly or not, but nevertheless, my skin became distinctly moisturized and ... ... |
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How to... cheer for China in Beijing
Lifestyle / Local Customs
Written by : Lena Gidwani
May 7, 2008
Tags :
Olympics
sports
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| China is making no bones about its intentions to break records at this year's Olympics. So it's time to see where we think Team China will dominate on the final medal podium. On your marks. . .
Badminton
Recipient of three golds in Athens 2004, China is expected to swing to another victory in Beijing.
Number of athletes: 172
Number of Gold Medals to be won: 5
Chances of Gold: 4/5
Venue: Beijing University of Technology
Men's Team: Singles- Singles- Li Dan and Bao Chunlai.
Women's Team: Singles - Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang. Doubles - Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen and Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili
WHEN TO WATCH:
Women's Doubles Final: Friday, 15th August, 6.30pm-10pm CCTV-5.
Men's Doubles Final: Saturday, 16th August, 6.30pm-10pm CCTV-5.
Table Tennis
The ultimate "dream sport", China always dominates here, winning 16 of the 20 gold medals at the last five Olympic Games. Phew!
Number of athletes: 172
Number of G ... ... |
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Are you ready to Zumba?
Lifestyle / Fitness
Written by : Sammi Zhou,photos by Tim Huang and Zoe Pan
May 4, 2008
Tags :
Zumba
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| Samba? Rumba? No...it's Zumba! What's that, you may ask. Well, in a sentence, it's the world's hottest exercise dance craze, and one which is blowing away all pretenders in modern China.
Originating from Colombia, Zumba was created by celebrity fitness trainer "Beto" Perez. It was not until 1999 that he brought this strange exercise to the USA, and thus to the attention of the public. Zumba, of course, spread like a rash over to Europe, where fitness freaks embraced its combination of aerobics and Latino dance movements.
'Happy' work-outs are already a very common fitness trend in South China. Classes such as belly dancing, Indian dancing or Rumba are legion across the Pearl River cities. But unlike these classes, Zumba classes seem even more relaxing. When the music starts, the instructor in Guangzhou shook her body rhythmically and then shouted out like a trance-club DJ, calling ... ... |
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A perfect morning brew
Lifestyle / Buy the Way
Written by : Sammi Zhou,photos by Woody, Tim, Zoe
May 4, 2008
Tags :
coffee makers
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| FOR LADIES
The French Press
Starbucks 350RMB/8 cup sizes Tiamo (from Japan) 60RMB
Coffee made in a French press will offer the same depth of coffee flavor that you would normally find in a professional coffee outlet.
How to make
Put 10g of coffee into 180ml of boiled water. Add the grounds and pour in the hot water to about a half inch from the top. Stir and carefully replace the extended plunger assembly on top of the carerafe. Allow to brew for around four ?minutes. The coffee should be 'had' within 20 minutes.
FOR ARTISTS
The Syphon Maker (TCA)
BE (from Taiwan) 290RMB
Coffee prepared in a syphon is often lighter, purer (as it requires less coffee) and much more romantic. Making a fresh brew while reading a book can even give you that lazy 'Bohemian-morning' feeling.
How to make
Okay, so it may look li ... ... |
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Battle of the haircuts!
Lifestyle / PRD Fashion
Written by : Sammi Zhou and Shane Qin,photos by Woody Lai and Zoe Pan
May 4, 2008
Tags :
hair styles
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| Gwyneth Paltrow
A mid-length, classic with wave
Texture: medium, fine
Hair body: medium
Face Shape: broad, round or square-jawed
Stylist: Vince (Senior Designer at MOMO)
Vince has been in the industry for over nine years and won the Schwarzkopf hair coloring championship in 2007.
Tips
"One can easily achieve this style with round brush techniques for a smoother, dressier look. Or, if you have naturally wavy hair, all you need do is apply a medium-holding hair product and let it dry naturally."
MOMO
Cuts: 150+RMB
Color: 500+RMB
Perms: 780+RMB
201, 38 Hua Le Lu, Guangzhou (020-8355 1161)
Kristin Cavallari
Short-to-mid length elegant flashback ... ... |
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Who fancies scuba diving?
Lifestyle / Fitness
Written by : Lena Gidwani
Apr 2, 2008
Tags :
sports
diving
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| Learn to live underwater, right here in the PRD!
First of all, let's mention the elephant in the room: China is not the first place that comes to mind when people think about scuba diving. In fact, it's probably the last place on earth that comes to mind, after the Sahara desert and the African plains. But this could well be wrong. The truth is, scuba diving is very much possible in the mainland, and especially in South China. Honest to goodness.
The industry is still in its infancy and there has been limited efforts spent on educating people about this breathtaking sport (excuse the pun), but learning to dive in China isn't difficult anymore and, if you have always wondered about discovering what lies beneath the surface, then look no further than the Pearl River Delta.
It may surprise many to learn that Guangdong has the country's longest coastline, at 4,300km. It is also dotted with 1,434 islands. And more than 90 percent of ... ... |
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Top Secrets (08-04)
Lifestyle / Top Secrets
Written by :
Apr 2, 2008
Tags :
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| Things about you nobody knows back home. . .
VITAL STATS
Name: (Princess) Anna Trott
Where I'm from: England
Where I live: Tao Jin, Guangzhou
What I do: Recruitment Manager for Study Group
How long I've been in China: About seven years
What is your favorite?restaurant or bar?
Ill Piccolo for their olives and desserts; Wilber's for their Barbara Streisand room.
Describe your ideal Saturday evening.
Lots of wine, lots of fun, lots of friends, and a tactical "visit to the restroom" at some point in the night.
What do you love most about Guangzhou?
I live here.
What do you hate most about Guangzhou?
I'm always away on business trips.
What do you do to relax on Sunday?
Drink to make sure no snippets of memory from Saturday night come back to mind.
What is your favorite Mandarin phrase?
Wo jue de wo men ying gai tan guan yu wo de shi qing.
What is the greatest lesson China has taught you?
To be more hum ... ... |
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How to. . . give gifts
Lifestyle / Local Customs
Written by : Lena Gidwani
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
gift
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| It's time for some Trade Fair 'special' treatment.
Lavish gift-giving has always been an important part of Chinese culture. Today, official policy in business culture forbids giving gifts (the gesture is seen as bribery). Yet the Chinese business community, when all said and done, still possess a relatively collectivist attitude and therefore accepts gifts with a reserved demeanor.
So, with more than 200,000 people expected for this season's Canton Trade Fair, knowing a few tips about gift-giving might lead to lower prices and the elimination of the 30% down payment (we hope!) And, of course, an increase in your guangxi.Discretion, savvy, know-how, and an adherence to the following tips will make you a seasoned Sinophile. . .
*As a sign of courtesy and respect, always use both hands to present or receive a gift.
*When presenting gifts to business partners, always stress you're giving it on behalf of "your company".
&nb ... ... |
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