Giarai (or Jarai) is an ethnic group based primarily in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Sharing a couple of photos of a traditional Giarai Tomb at the Musuem of Ethnology in Hanoi; pretty interesting design lol…
A Japanese man has recently started an online petition to urge the government to legalise marriage with a two-dimensional (i.e. anime and comics) character… more than 2400 netizens have signed the petition so far.
The fella states that he is no longer interested with real three dimensional world, but wants to become an inhabitant of a two-dimensional world. He reckons though, that it’s impossible to achieve his dream with present day technology… thus thinking of the possibility to legalise marriage with a two-dimensional character instead.
He also said that he would like to marry Asahina Mikuru (pic) from popular Japanese anime/manga “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” [via Gaijinheart]
The world’s first blue roses have been unveiled in Japan following nearly two decades of scientific research.
Developed by Suntory Flowers, the roses are genetically modified and implanted with a gene that simulates the synthesis of blue pigment in pansies.
The first blue rose was created in 2004, but further research was required to make them safe to grow in nature.
The Suntory rose made its public debut at the 5th International Flower Expo Tokyo (IFEX) over the weekend; and are expected to go on sale commercially next autumn.
Blue roses have been available in florists in recent years but are created by various dying techniques to stain the petals of naturally white roses. The Suntory roses are believed to be the first genetically-modified blue rose creations [more on Telegraph]
Coffee gets hotter in America. Drive-through coffee stands with bikini clad baristas are making waves in some American cities for the past year or two…
The concept is going to get some backslash for sure. Belfare, Washington, is the first township barring these sexpresso’s stands from business… I guess it’s just a matter of time before other places following their suit.
It’s probably not a problem if one or two coffee stands are getting sexier, but it’s obviously inappropriate when it’s becoming a trend. Imagine having a sexpresso stand at every corner of the streets… that would be like heaven kinda disturbing.
I have to be honest though… if I’m in US, I won’t mind at all to visit one of these coffee stands; and I could become a regular customer if their coffee doesn’t sux. Sex sells… and it almost never failed.
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
The above phrase is the full name of Krung Thep, Thai’s capital city which is more commonly known as Bangkok among foreigners. For this, Bangkok is recognised by Guinness World of Records as the capital city with the longest name.
The translation… “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.” [via Wikipedia]
It took about 12 seconds to pronounce the name (as per this video)… amazed?
A Buddhist temple in Thailand, is holding rituals for devotees to ‘die and reborn’.
Everyday hundreds of people would visit the Wat Prommanee temple in Nakhon Nayok, about 100km northeast of Bangkok, to participate in the ritual. The devotees would lie in coffins for a few minutes while the monks chant some prayers… and then rise from the coffins believing that they are cleansed of their past and ready for a new life [more on IHT]
The temple has been running the ceremony for more than three years, and its popularity seems to be ever growing with up to 700 visitors per day during weekends. The attendees would pay 100-180 bath (~ USD3-5) to partake in the ceremony.
Speaking of superstition.