Saturday, 2 April 2022

Booking.com Reveals the Inspiring Destinations Behind the Year's Most Nominated Movies

Hasan Zawaideh Camp
The 94th Academy Awards have announced some of the filmmaking industry’s highest honors. We now know which movies, actors, directors and creatives have received this year’s prestigious awards. 

This year’s films are also an incredible source of travel inspiration. From sleepy villages and bustling urban cityscapes to otherworldly desert locales, these beautiful backdrops will be fueling fans’ wanderlust to visit these stunning places in real life. In fact, according to Booking.com research, almost 4 in 10 travellers (33%)* intend to travel to a destination that was featured in a TV show or movie they like.

If the movies aren’t enough to get you out experiencing the world once again, Booking.com has shared six destinations taking the spotlight in this year's most nominated movies to further celebrate this year’s awards season.

1. Dunedin, New Zealand
One of the favorites to be crowned as this year’s best picture is a Western psychological drama set in the rugged US state of Montana in the 1920s. To authentically evoke the look and feel of the American West from the early 20th century, the film was actually mostly shot across rural Otago in New Zealand. Dunedin, also known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, is Otago’s capital city and is known both for its Scottish and Maori heritage. Movie goers can catch a glimpse of the city in the film as well, with several scenes being shot here.

Where to stay: Larnach Lodge & Stable Stay

2. Belfast, United Kingdom
Following the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital, this semi-autobiographical, black-and-white, movie is nominated for multiple awards this year. While Belfast may have had a troubled past, the city has pulled off a remarkable transformation into a contemporary, lively capital. The city offers a broad selection of restaurants, exciting nightlife, and rich cultural heritage with historic landmarks such as the Belfast Cathedral. Belfast is also the birthplace of the world's most infamous ship, the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912.

Where to stay: The Merchant Hotel

3. Wadi Rum, Jordan
The science fiction epic about a gifted young man who must travel to the most dangerous place in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people, takes place on a desert planet with sandy landscapes and amazing rock formations. The real-life desert of Wadi Rum in Jordan, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, provided the ideal filming location, with rugged otherworldly beauty in spades. To explore its famous red rocks and magnificent landscapes, travellers can go hiking, rock climbing or even ride a camel. They can also join a Wadi Rum Jeep Tour that will bring them to some of the most popular sites in the desert.

Where to stay: Hasan Zawaideh Camp

4. Hiroshima, Japan
The Japanese drama about an aging, widowed actor who gets the opportunity to direct a theatre production in Hiroshima is set and shot in this modern city in the southwest of Japan. While the city was tragically destroyed at the end of the Second World war, Hiroshima has blossomed into a vibrant, modern metropolis, while managing to retain its traditional Japanese spirit and charm. After visiting the city’s museums and monuments to soak up its history and culture, including the famous Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, visitors can indulge in some of the most delicious cuisine Japan has to offer. A treat for the taste buds, the all-inclusive Food and Culture Tour in the Night will give foodies the opportunity to discover the city’s unique culture through its cuisine, including grilled delicacies, fresh seafood and tempura.

Where to stay: The Knot Hiroshima

5. Spetses, Greece
The real-life holiday destination featured in the psychological drama about a professor on holiday who becomes fascinated by a young mother staying nearby is certainly one that will make your travel dreams come true. With the ocean sparkling in the sunlight and lush green trees paving the pathway down to the beach, the movie was filmed on the Greek island of Spetses. Just two hours away by ferry from Athens, the island is all about relaxation and is home to many beautiful beaches. Its picturesque main town, with Venetian mansions scattered throughout, stands out for its architecture and elegance.

Where to stay: Armata Boutique Hotel

6. Barichara, Colombia
The popular animated musical fantasy about an extraordinary family, hidden away in a charmed place in the mountains of Colombia, was inspired by the country’s warm and welcoming beauty. The village from the movie is a mirror-image of Barichara, a perfectly preserved 18th-century hilltown in the Santander province. This picturesque town will make you feel transported back in time, with its cobblestone streets and whitewashed adobe homes with traditional red-tile roofs and wooden doors, not to mention all the historical buildings and churches dotted throughout the city.

Where to stay: Tocagua

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travellers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15% at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway 2022” badge, and are valid for stays with check-in from 4 April and check-out on or before 30 September 2022. Bookings must be made before 11:59 pm CET on 30 September 2022. 

Tocagua
In addition, Booking.com is bringing the great value of its Genius program to even more customers by giving all account holders access to the program’s Level 1 benefits, with no minimum number of previous bookings to qualify, including access to exclusive 10% discounts at hundreds of thousands of participating properties around the world. All travellers have to do is download the Booking.com app, log in and look for the Genius logo to identify associated benefits, discounts and perks.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.

Family-fun at Panda Village

Step into Tore Tore Village, dotted with white domes arranged around a network of stone-paved paths, and each dome room makes you feel like you are in a comfortable igloo. 

There is also a family-fun option at Panda Village, where the igloos are painted to look like pandas! 

The villages are part of Tore Tore Park, which is a massive theme park incorporating hot springs and various attractions centred around fresh seafood in the seaside town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture.
https://toretore.com/village/
#relaxation #JNTOSG

Japan National Tourism Organization
Instagram: visitjapansg
Website: japanbyjapan.com
Website: japan.travel/en/sg

West Hollywood the 'cultural and geographical heart of the Los Angeles region'

The Pendry West Hollywood
A place to stay  - 
Pendry West Hollywood 
The Pendry West Hollywood opened in May 2021 on The Sunset Strip. Built on the former site of the House of Blues, the hotel’s California-cool aesthetic features calming pastel tones and sleek furnishings throughout. It has two restaurants by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, a live venue, a spa and rooftop bar and pool with LA skyline views. 

The Design District 
The Design District is an upscale shopping district hosting over 200 global boutiques, furniture stores, galleries and restaurants. www.westhollywooddesigndistrict.com 

Row DTLA 
The car-free Row DTLA is spread across 32 acres and six buildings it is home to a host of well-known shops. www.rowdtla.com 

The Butcher, Baker, Cappuccino Maker 
The Butcher, Baker, Cappuccino Maker (BBCM), is located in the Sunset Plaza shopping area of the Sunset Strip. It offers modern California cuisine with European influences. www.bbcmcafe.com

Employees Only 
Employees Only is A cocktail bar and restaurant, whose fake storefront leads to a deco-inspired, wood-panelled dining room with a large curving bar. It is listed as one of the World's 50 Best Bars. www.employeesonlyla.com 

Lai Chau Tourism - Culture Week to be open on mid of April 2022

Under the theme “Back to the magnificent peaks of Lai Chau", Tourism - Culture Week 2022 will last from April 14 -17 in Lai Chau Province located in the Northwest of Vietnam.

The opening ceremony of Tourism - Culture Week 2022 is expected to take place on April 15 at the People's Square of Lai Chau Province; the closing ceremony will be held on April 17 at the Cultural Convention Center of Lai Chau Province. Many interesting activities of the event will be organised mainly in Lai Chau City, Tam Duong District and Phong Tho District of Lai Chau Province.

Within the framework of event, there will be a famtrip, a seminar on tourism product development with the participation of 100 travel businesses and media reporters.

Exhibition space will be held such as: Space to introduce Tea, enjoy tea with the theme "Scent of Spring Tea"; Space to promote tourism; Space to introduce the culture of ethnic groups in Lai Chau Province; Space to introduce orchids, ornamental plants nationwide; Space to display Macadamia products, typical OCOP products.

Besides, there are a series of activities and events such as: The 3rd International Open Putaleng Paragliding Tournament; Culture and Tourism Week in Tam Duong District, Pavi ancient-stone road running race, Marathon journey to conquer Pusamcap...

Lai Chau Tourism - Culture Week 2022 is a cultural - economic - social event aimed at promoting, stimulating demand and attracting tourists to Lai Chau, contributing to the local tourism development.

Tourism Information Technology Center
Tags: Tourism - Culture Week, Lai Chau,

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
Website: https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/

With a flurry of fireworks, the Phantom has finally emerged!

The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour opened to wonderful reviews on Friday night. From the thundering notes of the title song, through to the spectacle of a full chorus singing ‘Masquerade’ on the harbour-top stage and the dramatic finale, you’re in for a dazzling night out.
But don’t just take our word for it:

"This spectacular new production… will take your breath away. ★★★★½ " – Limelight

"Simply glorious: Phantom is a magical escape. ★★★★" – Sydney Morning Herald

"This show is larger then life. ★★★★" – The Guardian

It’s time to call up your companions and plan a fabulous night out. Start with a glass of something sparkling from one of the bars and restaurants on site and revel in the best of Sydney.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: The Phantom of the Opera is on now until 24 April — Don't miss out

What's on in Sydney
View full list of upcoming performances

Opera Australia
PO Box 291, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, Australia
opera.australia@opera.org.au

Nothing Beats Queensland: Resilient Tourism Businesses Bounce Back

In true Queensland spirit, flood-affect tourism businesses across five south east Queensland regions have already bounced back and are open for business, proving that nothing beats Queensland. Show your support and book your Easter break or balmy winter escape to the Sunshine State today.

Brisbane
Brisbane is back on its feet and ready to welcome visitors. The popular city-based adventure centre, Riverlife has flooded three times since opening in 2005, coming back stronger each time. After the banks of the river broke last month, Riverlife staff and community volunteers jumped into action to restore and reopen the activity centre within days. As always, you can make the most of Brisbane’s outdoor lifestyle by abseiling or rock-climbing Kangaroo Point’s 200-million-year-old cliffs, paddle the river in a kayak, or cycle along the South Bank boardwalk.

Other river-based operators have also proved you can’t keep a Queenslander down. Climb aboard River to Bay and choose from a raft of leisurely tours including cocktail cruises along the river, day trips across Moreton Bay and city sightseeing cruises. Alternatively, don the skipper’s cap and hire a private electric boat to enjoy a floating river picnic with Go Boats – no boat license required. Finish the day staring down the Brisbane River at Howard Smith Wharves and Eagle Street Pier - Brisbane’s premier waterfront dining precincts. In good news, both precincts are open and dishing up sunny Brisbane hospitality and entertainment.

Spend a day in South Bank’s cultural precinct at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Don’t miss the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, a celebration of artwork from more than 150 individuals across 30 countries on display until 25 April 2022. And be sure to catch a world class performance at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) – Disney’s Frozen, Roald Dahl’s The Twits and Queensland Ballet’s Giselle are just a few of the headlining acts.

Embark on a ‘totally wild’ day out at the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just a 20-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD. After working hard to ensure all of the animals were kept safe during the wild weather, the riverside wildlife reserve is open and over 70 animal species that call the sanctuary home are excited to welcome families back.

Scenic Rim / Gold Coast
In the Scenic Rim, the Scenic Rim Farm Shop saw some access roads blocked by flood waters, but with the recent sunny weather the roads have dried up and foodies can flock to the farm shop once again - not that the farm’s resident family of ducks minded the rain! The Gold Coast also experienced some super soakings over several days, but after a gallant clean-up effort by sanctuary staff and volunteers, the gates of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have reopened. Not to be missed is the new Extinction Trail which opened in December 2021, giving mini and aspiring palaeontologists the chance to follow in the footsteps of gigantic prehistoric creatures and dig for ancient fossils.

Sunshine Coast and Gympie
North of the Queensland capital, staff and volunteers at the iconic Mary Valley Rattler have worked tirelessly to restore impacted railway lines and get the classic steam train back on track. In a heartwarming display of true community spirit, the team also dug deep to give back locally, with Rusty’s Rail Café paying it forward by providing meals to families and emergency workers during the recovery and transporting emergency service workers to those in need across the Mary Valley Rattler rail bridge.

Following a tough two years navigating the pandemic and now floods, Amaze World (formerly Bellingham Maze) on the Sunshine Coast has unveiled a significant renovation and rebrand, elevating the much-loved family attraction and reopening in March 2022. As one of the largest living hedge mazes in Australia, Amaze World brings a little magic and enchantment to the lives of those who visit – even the ‘big kids at heart’ will revel in getting lost among the hedges.

The team at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World banded together and got straight to work on the clean-up and repairs to reopen the hinterland attraction within a week of the unprecedented weather event. Wander through more than eight acres of magnificent gardens offering spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains and get up close and personal with exotic birds. At Australia Zoo, the main impact to the global icon was nearby road closures which have since reopened, meaning you can still visit the home of the Crocodile Hunter these Easter holidays or join in celebrating Bindi’s daughter’s first birthday on 25 March 2022 with free entry for children under 14 years.

Maryborough
They say lightening never strikes the same place twice. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for rain. Maryborough has experienced two separate flooding events in 2022, just one month apart, but this tough and tight-knit town can’t be beaten. Fun fact: the town happens to be the early home (and arguably the muse) for PL Travers, better known as the creator and author of Mary Poppins – giving families and literary buffs the perfect excuse to visit this Fraser Coast town.

Stop by The Story Bank, the birthplace of PL Travers, and learn about her early life as well as the history of the building or schedule a family holiday in August for a celebration of this world famous nanny at the free Mary Poppins Festival. To tap into the ‘Aussie battler’ spirit that has helped defy the flood events, and visit the Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum or follow the journey of the ANZAC’s on the Gallipoli to Armistice Trail, including Maryborough’s Lieutenant Duncan Chapman, the first ANZAC to land at Gallipoli.

Southern Queensland Country
A region that embodies strength and resilience, tourism operators in the farming pocket of the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, have rallied together to rebound after the rain. The Floating Café in Grantham got its name following the 2011 floods after being swept away. Although water did creep up to the café during the most recent weather event, the building stuck to its foundations and is back offering tantalising home-cooked treats.

While visitors may not be able to sit under the avocado orchard at Awassi Cheesery due to flood impacted roads, foodies can still sample all the cheesy goodness by ordering dairy treats online. Keep an eye on the Awassi Cheesery Facebook page for information regarding the imminent farm reopening. Continue buying direct from the paddock and order fresh produce such as eggs, chicken and fish from 9Dorf Farms in the Lockyer Valley, with delivery available to Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. While exploring the Lockyer Valley, be sure to check out The Barn and Scotty’s Garage, revealing a spectacular display of retro automobile memorabilia, a real vintage diner and a rustic barn-style café on the banks of a beautiful brook.

These resilient and proud tourism operators have once again defied challenging times and are ready to welcome visitors back, demonstrating that nothing beats Queensland. 

Start planning your next Queensland holiday by visiting queensland.com.

HISTORIC ACADEMY AWARDS VENUES

The 94th Academy Awards
were held on Sunday, March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the permanent home of the ceremony since 2002. For the first time since the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011, the ceremony featured multiple hosts: Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall.

The Oscars recognize the previous year’s greatest cinema achievements as determined by some of the world’s most accomplished motion picture artists and professionals. Awards are presented for outstanding individual or collective efforts in 24 categories.

The Power of the Dog leads the field with 12 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (Jane Campion), Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), two nominees for Best Supporting Actor (Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Best Supporting Actress (Kirsten Dunst). Dune received 10 nods including Best Picture, but director Denis Villeneuve was snubbed. Other Best Picture nominees include Belfast and West Side Side Story (7 each); King Richard (6), and with four nods apiece: Don't Look Up, Nightmare Alley, and Drive My Car, the first Japanese film nominated in the category (it's also up for Best International Feature).

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at The Hollywood Roosevelt in 1929, and since then the Oscars have taken place at some of LA’s most famous and historic hotels and theatres.

UNION STATION (2021)
In 2021, the 93rd Academy Awards took place for the first time at Union Station in Downtown LA. Nomadland took home three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best Director for Chloé Zhao, who made history as the first woman of color to win; the first Asian woman nominated for Best Director; and is the most nominated woman in a single year in Oscar history. At age 83, Best Actor winner Anthony Hopkins (The Father) was the oldest performer to ever win a competitive acting Oscar.

Known as “the last of the great train stations,” Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The historic station was designed in a unique blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival and Art Deco styles by the renowned father-son architect team of John and Donald Parkinson.

Opened in May 1939, Union Station is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving 110,000 daily commuters with Amtrak long distance trains, Amtrak California regional trains, Metrolink commuter trains, and several Metro Rail subway and light rail lines. Union Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in November 1980.

A star in its own right, Union Station has appeared in films for decades, including Blade Runner, The Dark Knight Rises, Pearl Harbor, and numerous Film Noirs.

Discover Union Station

HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL (1929)
The first Academy Awards honored the best films of 1927 and 1928 and were presented at a private dinner on May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Named for President Theodore Roosevelt, the hotel opened in 1927 and was financed by a group that included Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Sid Grauman. The ceremony was held in the hotel’s Blossom Ballroom, where 270 guests each paid $5 per ticket to attend the dinner and watch the presentation. Winners were announced three months before the ceremony, which was not broadcast on radio or television. The event was hosted by Academy president Douglas Fairbanks, who presented all of the golden statuettes in 15 minutes.

BILTMORE HOTEL & AMBASSADOR HOTEL (1930–1943)

Between 1930 and 1943, the Academy Awards alternated between the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown LA, and the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel, where the second Oscar ceremony took place inside the famed Cocoanut Grove nightclub.

At the time of its grand opening in 1923, the Biltmore was the largest hotel west of Chicago. During the Academy's early years, the Biltmore Bowl at the Millennium Biltmore was the site of eight Oscar ceremonies: 1931, 1935–39, and 1941-42. Today the Biltmore Bowl blends period details and the hotel's interior design with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, a pre-function foyer, a curtained stage and a long balcony that’s perfect for lavish buffets.

The Academy was founded in 1927 at a luncheon banquet in the Biltmore’s Crystal Ballroom, where guests such as Louis B. Mayer discussed plans for the new organization, as well as a special event to present film-industry achievement awards, an event that became the Oscars. According to legend, MGM art director Cedric Gibbons, who was also at the luncheon, sketched the design for the Oscar statue on a linen Biltmore napkin. The Crystal Ballroom features a hand-painted 30-foot ceiling, carved columns and Austrian-crystal chandeliers. The second-story balconies that surround the ballroom offer a wonderful vantage point to take in everything that’s happening below.

TCL CHINESE THEATRE (1944–1946)

Chinese Theatre IMAX
Photo: TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX
The 16th Academy Awards took place in 1944 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre (now known as TCL Chinese Theatre) in Hollywood, the first time the ceremony was held in a large public venue. The TCL Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 with a memorable Chinese design and the famous Forecourt to the Stars, which now has nearly 200 celebrity handprints, footprints and autographs immortalized in the concrete. Free passes to the 1944 ceremony were given out to men and women in uniform. For the first time, winners in the Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories were presented with full-size statuettes, instead of smaller-sized awards mounted on a plaque. Casablanca won Best Picture that year, which would be the last time until 2009 that there were 10 nominees in the Best Picture category. The TCL also hosted the Oscars in 1945 and 1946.

LA.'S Best Movie Theatres

SHRINE AUDITORIUM (1947–1948)

Photo courtesy of Shrine Auditorium
The Oscars moved back to Downtown L.A. for the 19th Academy Awards, which took place in 1947 at the Shrine Auditorium. At the time of its opening in 1926, the Shrine featured a unique Moorish Revival design, the largest proscenium stage in North America, a 3,000-seat freestanding balcony and an adjoining expo hall. The Shrine would also host the 20th Oscars ceremony in 1948. Movie fans will recognize the Shrine stage from the 1933 film King Kong, in the classic scene where the captive ape is revealed to the public.

ACADEMY AWARD THEATRE (1949)
In 1949, the Oscars were held for the only time at the Academy Award Theatre. According to the Academy’s website, the ceremony was moved from the Shrine Auditorium to the Academy’s own theater “primarily because the major Hollywood studios had withdrawn their financial support in order to address rumors that they had been trying to influence voters.”

The 21st Academy Awards featured a number of firsts. Hamlet became the first non-Hollywood production to win Best Picture, and Hamlet director and star Laurence Olivier became the first person to direct himself in an Oscar-winning performance. John Huston (Best Director, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) directed two Oscar-winning performances in the same year for two different films: his father Walter Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, and Claire Trevor for Key Largo. Jane Wyman became the first actor since the silent era to win an Oscar for a performance with no lines. It was also the debut of the award for Best Costume Design.

PANTAGES THEATRE (1950-1960)
In 1950, the Academy Awards were held for the first time at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Located at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, the Pantages Theatre was designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca and was the last theater built by vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages. The landmark Art Deco theater opened in 1930 as part of the Pantages Theatre Circuit.

The 25th Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1953 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and the now-demolished NBC International Theatre in New York City. It was the first time the Academy Awards were televised, and it was the first Oscars ceremony that took place in Hollywood and New York City simultaneously. In one of the all-time upsets, the heavily favored High Noon lost the Best Picture award to Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth. With five awards that night, The Bad and the Beautiful earned the most wins ever for a film not nominated for Best Picture.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre: The Story Of An L.A. Icon

SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM (1961–1968)
For the 33rd Academy Awards in 1961, the ceremony moved west to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Built in 1958, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was designed by renowned architect Welton Becket, whose other landmarks include the Music Center, the Capitol Records Building and the Cinerama Dome (now part of Arclight Hollywood). The Apartment was named Best Picture at the 1961 Oscars, the last black and white film to win in that category until 1993, when Schindler's List won.

DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION (1969–1987)
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | Photo: Evelyn Hitchcock
In 1969, the Oscars returned to Downtown LA for the 41st Academy Awards, which were held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Opened in 1964, the Pavilion boasts one of the largest stages in the country and is home to the LA Opera and Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center. The 41st Academy Awards were the first Oscar ceremony to be broadcast worldwide. Oliver! became the first and only G-rated film to win Best Picture, and Stanley Kubrick would win his only Oscar, Best Visual Effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey. That year was the only time there was a tie in the Best Actress category: Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter, and Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl.

L.A. Women's Landmarks

DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION & SHRINE AUDITORIUM (1988–2001)
From 1988 to 2001, the Academy Awards alternated between the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Shrine Auditorium, which hosted the ceremony eight times between 1988 and 2001. The 70th Academy Awards took place at the Shrine Auditorium in 1998, the year that Titanic won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and James Cameron for Best Director. The popularity of Titanic, which was the No. 1 movie in the country when the ceremony took place, helped the 70th Academy Awards become the highest-rated broadcast in Oscars history.

*Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Address: 633 West 5th Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA

Friday, 1 April 2022

Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Garden / Kurayoshi

Food stalls line up during cherry blossom festival and it's visited by many tourists and locals in every year.

The Utsubuki Park offers many kinds of facilities such as City Museum, Japanese Garden, small Zoo and hiking trails.

Utsubuki Park 
Location: Nakanocho, Kurayoshi, Tottori 
Access:10min by bus from Kurayoshi Sta. 
Period:Late March to Early Apr 
Admision: Fee

Check the Sites Below for the Latest Information from Tottori Prefecture
FB (Visit Tottori, Japan) : https://www.facebook.com/tottoritouren/
IG (Tottori Awesome) : https://www.instagram.com/tottoriawesome/
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFYg_iup-m1v52_LB-Eyig
Tottori Prefecture Pictures and Videos Available from Google Drive to Use for PR https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NOUEElf93pDDnsOI_DIkJi3TCHUwuDs?fbclid=IwAR3KwRbrU5m4VFY1VPeISsxiQxKmi351y4qc8mhy4hTb1KLrSMW0vyqlFaA
HP : https://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/(EN, KR, ZHTW, ZHCN, RU, TH)

Did you know that the Toki – or the crested ibis – is a national Japanese icon?

 Toki crested ibis
This beautiful white bird decorated with pink feathers almost went extinct in Japan due to overhunting and habitat loss a few decades ago, but with the efforts of many, including the Sado locals, the birds are once again inhabiting Sado Island just off the coast of Niigata Prefecture. 

The best place to see this endangered species is at the semi-natural enclosure at Toki Forest Park, where you can observe the birds in their natural habitat.

Sneak Peek: Cinderella costumes revealed!

See the Tony Award® winning costumes before Cinderella opens from October 2022

Get a glimpse of Cinderella's stunning Swarovski studded ball gown and sparkling tiara. See how the magic comes together behind the scenes — from sketch designs, the fitting, to the final big reveal!

This lush production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is more than just beautiful costumes. Experience incredible orchestrations, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists!

Starring Shubshri Kandiah as Ella (Cinderella), Ainsley Melham as the charming Prince Topher; Silvie Paladino as the Fairy Godmother, Marie; Tina Bursill as Madame, Ella’s stepmother; and Todd McKenney as Sebastian, Prince Topher’s Lord Chancellor.

Don't miss the Tony Award® winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music when it comes to Sydney Lyric Theatre, from 23 October 2022.

BOOK NOW