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Just when you think every destination in the world has been covered by guide book publishers, Lonely Planet comes up with perhaps the coolest of them all - Antarctica. Lonely Planet has just brought out a guide book on the southern continent. As Scott lay dying in this bleak wilderness in his quest to reach the South Pole, he wrote the immortal words: 'It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more . . .' Lonely Planet has now managed to fill more than 370 pages on Antarctica.
Environmentalists are worried about the effects of growing numbers of tourists visiting the continent, but Lonely Planet's army of backpackers are unlikely to march in. It is still a very expensive destination to reach, and you'd freeze to death trying to find a youth hostel.
In an attempt to steer tourists away from fake Aboriginal art, much of which is mass-produced in Asia, a non-profit group representing indigenous Australian artists has introduced a label to help visitors recognise the real thing. The National Indigenous Arts Advocacy Association hopes the labels will generate millions of dollars a year for the artists. More than 300 artists have already registered for their work to be covered by the label.
A neolithic site in the town of Paola in Malta has re-opened after nine years of restoration. The Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum, which dates back around 6,000 years, was discovered in 1902 and is among the largest prehistoric rock-cut chamber tombs in Europe. The entrance is covered to protect the site from humidity. There are more than 30 chambers on three levels, some with elaborate carvings.
What its owners claim to be Asia's first hip hotel has had a soft opening in Singapore. The G@llery Evason is located on Robertson Quay near the nightlife centre at Jalan Mohammad Sultan. The G@llery, which has 223 rooms, with rates between S$250-S$550 (HK$1,120 to HK$2,470) a night, comprises three blocks. A glass-sided fifth-floor pool on one allows guests to look out on to the street from the poolside. There are also offices and restaurants. One block is designed to look like a warehouse. The blocks are connected by bridges. A state-of-the-art spa will soon be opened and there is a women-only executive floor, staffed by females. One of the bedroom features a motion sensor that lights a subtle path to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, the 290-room Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu has had its soft opening. It claims to be the first world-class hotel in Nepal's capital. The hotel has been designed to incorporate traditional Nepalese features. In a city that has always been a Mecca on the hippie trail, the Hyatt Regency offers a confidential secretarial service and interpreters at its business centre. All rooms have satellite and cable TV, voicemail and IDD telephones. An introductory rate for today's up-market backpackers starts at US$120 (HK$930) a night, taxes not included, available until October 31.
