UNUSUAL HOTEL #6: CAMBODIA’S INCREDIBLE 4- RIVERS FLOATING LODGE

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The 4-Rivers Floating Lodge is a boutique resort in Cambodia, situated in Tatai, next to the Thai border and halfway between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. It is a place of unspoilt virgin forest, rare orchids and fragrant frangipani. The startling colours and calls of birds of paradise, secretive jungle creatures and perfumed air of peace and solitude is as close to Eden as you can get.

Rich in natural beauty, Tatai River is your highway to the wonders of the Cardamoms and Southeast Asia’s largest coastal mangrove. According to the Wildlife Alliance, World Wildlife Fund and other concerned charities, this remarkable rainforest ecoregion is considered to harbour more than 100 mammal species including numerous endangered animals such as the clouded leopard, pileated gibbon and Malaysian sun bear. The lush forested slopes of the Cardamoms are a perfect hiding place for the rare Javan rhinoceros, Indochinese tiger and Asian elephant.

The resort aims to spoil their guests endlessly with so many activities and luxuries. Guests can embark on trekking trips into the jungle and will have many opportunities to explore the untouched tropical rainforests. Kayak trips down the river with experienced guides will lead guests through the mangrove waterways that reach back into the jungle. Guests can also try their hand at fishing. Back at the resort guest can indulge with a hydro massage, go on a romantic sunset cruise, take a dip in the river and lounge at the restaurant, to name a few. 

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POPEYE'S REAL-LIFE VILLAGE

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Tucked away in the small European country of Malta, is a place you’d probably never expect to find in the real world – Popeye’s Village. The village, located in Anchor Bay, also known as Sweethaven village, was the actual set built for the 1980 musical film Popeye, produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions and starring Robin Williams. Today, its open to the public as a theme park and is popular family vacation spot and one of Malta’s major tourist attractions.

The construction of the film set started in June 1979. A construction crew of 165 working over seven months was needed to build the village, which consists of nineteen authentic wooden buildings. Hundreds of logs and several thousand wooden planks were imported from the Netherlands, while wood shingles used in the construction of the roof tops were imported from Canada. Eight tons of nails and two thousand gallons of paint were also used in construction.In addition, a 200–250 foot breakwater was built around Anchor Bay's mouth to protect the set from high seas during the shooting.

Thing you can expect when visiting the village are shows, rides, boat ride and museums, as well as play houses where children can climb and explore the village. Children may also get to meet the main characters from the show such as Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto and Wimpy. Visitors can enjoy a twenty-minute boat trip around Anchor Bay where one can photograph the scenery.
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RUSSIA'S AMAZING CAVE CHURCH

The Spassky Cave Church on the banks of the Don River, in the village of Kostomarovo, is one of many tourist attractions Russia has to offer. A bastion of Russian Christianity, this unique holy place welcomes thousands of pilgrims from all over Russia, every year. It has a rugged exterior that hints at Byzantine influences, but its interior is much more polished, featuring straight walls, rounded arches and Orthodox decorations (via).

It’s believed the first caves were dug into the cretaceous mounts of Kostomarovo before the adoption of Christianity in Russia. Hermit monks would use these austere cell-like spaces to hide from persecution, and it wasn’t until the 12th century that the first rock monastery was carved in the region. Those who have visited Spassky Church speak of a fantastic sense of easiness and divine bliss, and it also has a reputation for healing diseases and wounds, helping people make the right decisions and cleansing sins. In fact, there is even a Cave of Repentance inside the chalk church where condemned sinners were once confined to repent for their sins (via).

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THE WORLD'S FASTEST ELEVATOR

A photo of Japan's Solae, the world's tallest elevator testing tower.

A photo of Japan's Solae at night.


Ever wondered how they test elevators?

Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has opened what it says is the world's tallest elevator testing tower. It's just one gigantic elevator shaft. The 173 m high structure is called Solae and dominates the skyline of Inazawa City.

The tower will be used to conduct research into high-speed elevators to serve the next generation of super-tall buildings. The world's current tallest building, the Taipei 101, will soon be dwarfed by towers in cities such as Dubai, Shanghai, Moscow and Chicago. Even the traditionally low-rise London is going upwards.

At London Bridge Station, developers are pressing ahead with the Shard, which at 310 m will be Europe's tallest skyscraper. The elevators of the Taipei 101, built by Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems; have a top speed of 61 km/h and are recognised as the fastest in the world.

They incorporate a pressure control system that stops customers ears from 'popping' and streamlined cars that reduce the whistling noise that fast elevators makes as they are pulled through the narrow shafts.


The world's current tallest building, the Taipei 101 in China.

See also:
AN ELEVATOR IN A FISH TANK

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