What on earth: Tourists are trying to book trips to Middle Earth without realising the destination is purely fictional, reports The New Zealand Herald. Places featured in The Lord Of The Rings book trilogy and two films directed by New Zealand's Peter Jackson (right), such as Mordor and Rivendell, have become frequent holiday searches on Internet search site Yahoo Travel. Mordor is the stronghold of the forces of darkness and Rivendell is the elves' picturesque refuge in a deep valley.
What a dive: The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa (below) has invested in a new 39-metre, HK$39 million dive catamaran, from which guests can island-hop around turquoise waters teeming with neon-coloured sea life, seldom seen by locals or tourists. The hotel can even arrange meals on the private shores of remote white sandy beaches. Three-, four- and seven-night cruises are available on the Island Explorer (priced from HK$11,287, HK$14,219 or HK$21,216 per person respectively, based on twin share) and prices include airport and seaplane transfers, all meals and drinks (excluding alcohol), escorted excursions and use of all diving, kayaking, snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and deep-sea fishing equipment, and self-propelled vehicles. In-room massages are also available. As well as two sun decks, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor restaurant, bar, lounge and library, the catamaran features 10 staterooms and one Explorer Suite sleeping a maximum of 22. The entire boat can be chartered for HK$78,000 a day (tel: [960] 444 888;
www.four seasons.com/maldives).