top-10

IT Travelers Go 2011

2011-10-07T03:53:00.000-07:00

IT Travelers Go 2011

I got a gift from Silicon Power.

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=1858704801908

Top 10 Luxurious Gadgets

2009-06-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

1. The Diamond Crypto Smartphone

This phone is tagged as the costliest phone of the world

* Designed by luxury accessories maker Peter AloissonIt
* Features a cover adorned with 50 diamonds, ten of which are the rare blue ones
* Few sections made in rose gold
* Manufactured by the Moscow-based JSC Ancort Company
* High-resolution color TFT display
* Stores up to 4000 numbers in it’s memory.
* Uses powerful encryption technology to provide special security
* Windows CE operating system

Price
$1.3 Million

2. Bugatti Veyron

There are only a few cars out there today that has such technical sophistication like this one. It has a look that’s quite unorthodox, yet strangely appealing.

* massive 8.0-litre, quad turbo engine
* carbon fibre-reinforced chassis and aluminium body panels
* 1001 brake horsepower engine
* all-wheel drive Veyron has more power than the current crop of Formula One cars

Price
$1.3 Million

3. Magnetic Floating Bed

Some may contradict me on the point that it is not a gadget, but everyone should agree with me that this bed is a real luxury. Of course you are not going to find it in your local mattress store.

* Designed by Dutchman Janjaap Ruijssenaars
* Got enough magnets to keep 900 kilograms (1,984 pounds) floating in the air
* To make sure that the bed doesn’t float away, it’s tethered to the walls by four cables

Price
$1.53 million

4. Icon A5 Personal Aircraft

This is a two-seat sport airplane aimed at the masses.

* Designed for ease of piloting
* lightweight personal aircraft
* amphibious with retractable landing gear for flying off land and water alike
* carbon fiber airframe
* 100-hp/120-mph Rotax 912 ULS engine
* runs on both auto and aviation gas
* folding wings that allow it to be stored at home and towed on the highway with a trailer.
* safety features : propeller guard, wing angle of attack indicator, and a huge, built-in parachute that helps the entire plane come down a little easier in an emergency.
* It will be available by 2010

Price
$139,000

5. Luvaglio’s Luxury Notebook

* 17″ widescreen LED backlit screen
* 128GB SSD and a slot loading Blue-Ray drive
* very rare coloured diamond piece of jewellery doubles up as the power button when placed into the laptop and also acts as security identification
* Clients will be able to design their own laptop by visiting Luvaglio’s showrooms at two or three well known upmarket stores, whereby their selection of materials, finishes and accessories will be available to view and a choice selected.

Price
$1 million

6. La Modernista Diamonds fountain pen

2001 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS certified La Modernista Diamonds fountain pen for holding the world record of The most expensive pen.

* Made of rhodium-coated solid silver components
* Rhodium-coated 18-carat gold nib
* Covered with 5072 full-cut Top Wesselton VS diamonds totalling 20 carats
* 96 half-cut rubies (0.32 carats) are arranged on top of the cap, forming the monogram

Price that it was sold
$265,000

7.LG’s 71-inch Plasma

* This is world’s most expensive Plasma display
* 24K gold casing (4 pounds)
* limited production run of just 1000 units
* 1920 x 1080 resolution
* HDMI, SCART, and a 600W home theater system
* Price

$132,000

8. SIM2 HT5000 Projector

You can turn your home into a real Cinema hall using this.

* World class brightness and contrast. Plenty of flexibility
* more cinematic image
* No image scaling required
* 1920×1080 resolution
* three-chip DLP (Digital Light Processing) projection system which delivers a far greater range of colours than a simple single-chip project
* Three chips offers 35 trillion different hues.

Price
$75,000

9. The Infinite Wisdom Grande Speaker System

This is made for environments too large for other systems, including multi-level rooms in the largest homes and palaces, great halls and ballrooms.

* It achieves high sound pressure levels in excess of 120 dB in an effortless manner with unequaled refinement
* At levels below 110 dB, each transducer operates at a fraction of their potential and, consequently, within their lowest distortion range. This contributes to the extraordinary detail, clarity, absence of dynamic compression, natural timbre reproduction.
* This absolutely awesome system offers a unique solution for those discerning music lovers with large-scale environments unsuitable for lesser systems.

Price
$70,000
Source

10. Presidential MP3 Player

This MP3 player will get you membership into an elite club of other people who have got more money than sense. Members will also get to join the DJ community, so you can enjoy a range of benefits which go beyond the mp3 player

* 1GB of flash memory, an OLED display
* video support
* PlayForSure compatibility
* adorned with diamonds in the configuration you choose
* covered in either white or yellow gold and after your Presidential is created they deliver it right to your door
* MP1, MP2, MP3, MPX, JPG, WMA, ASF, WAV, and AV formats

Price
$50,000
Source

TOP COSTLIEST BIKE IN WORLD

2009-06-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

4.The fourth most expensive motorcycle we found is the new MV Agusta F4 CC created by Claudio Castiglioni, the motorcycle company’s director. He wanted to create a spectacular motorcycle that met strategic marketing needs while also being something truly special and unique. The expensive motorcycle bearing his very own initials “CC” has a top speed of 315 kph (195 mph), 1078 cc’s and a 198 hp engine. Each bike will boast a platinum plate located near the top of the steering column showing the model number from 1 to 100, making this motorcycle all the more special to its owners. This Italian dream costs 100,000 Euros ($133,745US).

3.Next on our list is the MTT Turbine Superbike costing $150,000 (111,000 Euros). Not only is this motorcycle expensive, its also extremely fast. The Superbike is the Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Powerful Motorcycle Ever to Enter Series Production”. The turbine engine in this one is made by Rolls Royce and is capable of over 300hp. The motorcycle also boasts carbon fiber fairings, a rear mounted camera with LCD color display, forward-and rear-looking radar detector with laser scrambler, one touch “Smart Start” ignition, and many other cool gadgets. This bike seams to be pretty popular in Hollywood. It starred in the movie “Torque” and even Jay Leno owns one!

2.The Macchia Nera Concept Bike is near the top of the list of most expensive motorcycles at 150,000 Euros ($201,000). Built around a Ducati 998RS engine, its Italian designers and engineers set out to create an extremely high tech and expensive motorcycle that would be thought of as “the ultimate track bike” that is “simply beautiful and beautifully simple”. The Testastretta engine is fitted with lightweight metals and alloys like titanium and aluminum making it very lightweight. The view from the side of the Macchia Nera shows exposed belts and engine components, giving its design a minimalist feel while still being aesthetically pleasing. We should add that this bike is a one of a kind and not in produced for retail at this point, but if you have an extra 150,000 Euros ($201,000) laying around for an expensive toy, your dream might come true.

1.The most expensive motorcycle in production will cost you at least $250,000. The production is limited to a few hundred models, so you better place your order. The Dodge Tomahawk V10 superbike boasts 8.3 liter engine (505 cubic inch), and the 10 cylinders can bring the bike to a maximum speed of almost 400 mph. The 1500lb bike has an independent 4 wheel suspension and can reach 60 mph in around 2.5 seconds.

Top 10 Beaches in the World

2009-02-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

10. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Poipu beach is not only beautiful but the best family oriented beach out there. There are so many activities here that can keep your family entertained for hours such as diving, surfing or even going up on a helicopter ride to see the crescent shaped beaches from above. Poipu is nice and shallow creating a perfect natural wading pool.

9. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janiero, Brazil

The infamous Ipanema Beach in Rio brings in thousands of tourists annually. Although, unlike many other tourist swarmed beach, Ipanema also attracts its locals during the summer months. Keep in mind that Bikinis are taken to a whole new level on Ipanema, less is definitely more here.

8. Clifton Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Going to the beach to tan, play in the sun and seen or bee seen? Then this is where you need to be. The Atlantic waters are so cold you are better off on the sand. Separated by boulders, Clifton Beach is made up of a series of white sand beaches. The area is dotted with interesting cafes and restaurants, all perfect places for people watching.

7. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Birthplace of rock legend Freddie Mercury, Tanzania is also home to Nungwi Beach, one of the most romantic beaches in the world. Bringing your loved one here for long walks amongst the banana palms and coconut trees while staying at a luxury resort overlooking the white sands wins you brownie points for life.

6. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Is., Queensland, Australia

Whitehaven Beach is the most famous beach on Whitsunday Island. The pure white sands on this beach are a product of dead coral that has been ground down over time. The Whitsunday Islands themselves are made from dead coral that came from the Great Barrier Reef. The beach is surrounded by beautiful green forests and creates a stunning view.

5. Matira Point, Bora Bora, Tahiti

Bora Bora boasts many beautiful beaches but the best by far is Matira point. The water is an unbelievable turquoise blue and is very romantic. Bora Bora is known as the romantic island for a reason!

4. Phi Phi Is., Thailand

The beaches on Phi Phi Island are remote and perfect for you to live out your “Stranded on Paradise Island” daydream…to the extent that this daydream involves reggae bars and restaurants that is. Phi Phi Island is actually two islands in southern Thailand, Ko Phi Phi Don, where Long Beach, or Hat Yao in Thai, is located, and Ko Phi Phi Leh which is much smaller and not as ‘developed.”

3. Larvotto Beach, Monaco

One of the most glamorous beaches in the world, Larvotto is renowned the world over for its topless sunbathing amongst the who’s who of the European elite. It is in the center of everything that Monaco is known for.

2. Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Is., Bahamas

The name says it all! Pink Sands Beach’s mile wide pink beach is perfect for those looking for a private and intimate getaway. With a backdrop of a blue sky, “picturesque” is an understatement.

1. Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue, Seychells

Anse Source D’Argent is simply paradise on Earth when it comes to beaches. The soft sand, calm waters and rock formations topped with beautiful greenery creates a stunning beach unlike any other. Coming to the Seychells is one thing, but being on this beach is another world altogether.

Top 10 Most Expensive Pens In The World

2009-02-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

1. The Limited Edition Mystery Masterpiece, a joint creation between Mont blanc and Van Cleef & Arpels, is the most expensive writing pen ever created. Can you imagine, it costs $730,000! This amazing pen is truly a masterpiece of the jeweler's art. Each pen has 840 diamonds and more than 20 carats of gemstones set in a Van Cleef & Arpels patented "Mystery Setting" that conceals the stone settings. A groove is made on the culet, the bottom facet of the stone, which is then slid onto the threads of the lattice design so that the stones can be held in place side by side without any visible support. There are three variations, set either with rubies, sapphires or emeralds, and accented by diamonds. The three variations of these marvelous pens are limited to three releases each for a total of nine. The unique work took over a year and a half to create by skilled artisans.

2.Another most expensive pen in the world is La Modernista Diamonds. It was made by the Swiss company Caran d’Ache in 1999 in homage to Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), the most famous of Modernist architects. This amazing fountain pen was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000, becoming the most expensive pen in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in 2001. La Modernista Diamonds is made of rhodium-coated solid silver components. It boasts of an 18-carat rhodium-coated gold nib and is set with a total of 5,072 Wesselton diamonds weighing in at 20-carats, as well as and 96 rubies totalling 32-carats. The pen was hand-made by master jeweler Robert Perron and it took him six months to complete this true masterpiece of writing instruments.

3.The Visconti brand is known for best quality, style and creativity. One of the most remarkable Visconti pens is Ripple H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain pen. Made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib, it costs $57,000.00. It has double reservoir filling system and is sold in two variations – white gold and black. Another distinguished Visconti pen is the Forbidden City H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain Pen. Made of black resin, 18K gold and diamonds and boasting of Power Filler innovative filling system invented by Visconti, it is sold for $42,200.00.

4.Grayson Tighe Limited Edition fountain and rollerball pens are sold for a fair price of $22,000.00 - $24,000.00. They are 18K Gold Victorian Royalty executive custom made collectors pens. The Gold is meticulously Ornamental Turned. This is a very old practice of decorating lathe-turned objects with complex patterns that, being applied to metal, creates a visual display of life and light manipulation to the surface. The nib of Grayson Tighe fountain pens is custom hand-made in Germany with 18K yellow gold. It’s engraved with a specially designed Acanthus leaf, tipped with Iridium, and two toned with Rhodium. Grayson Tighe rollerball pens have an advanced refill that has a 1 Year cap-off time.

5.OMAS Limited Edition Pens are sold at the price of $16,500. These extraordinary pens celebrate Greek art. The Corinthian style votive monument erected by Lysicrates is skilfully recreated on the cap and the grandiose Laocoon sculpture dominates the barrel. The clip of the pen is one of the columns of the votive monument, a daring technical solution to give the pen as a whole that purity of line typical of classical art. The cap has a pure diamond set on the end of it, to remind us that rulers of old once wore diamonds as a symbol of their strength, courage and invincibility. The number of these writing is limited to 50 pieces.

6.David Oscarson Pens are another ‘tasty’ item for obsessed pens collectors. They are known for their matchless elegance and artistic mastery. The most expensive of them is Pierrot White Fountain Pen that costs about $4,900. Through Pierrot White Fountain Pen, David Oscarson has introduced a unique collection representing the old world craftsmanship in an awesome range of designer pens. In fact, David Oscarson is the first pen making company to integrate five colors of hard enamel and three levels of Guilloché on each fountain pen, which is efficiently finished in Rhodium vermeil with natural backgrounds.

7.La Dona Menagerie Fountain Pen handcrafted by Cartier Pens belong to the most exquisite designer range of writing instruments. Their price is about $4,000. Cartier La Dona Menagerie is named after the 1940’s, cine star Maria Felix, who was also known as "La Doña- the Mexican Marilyn Monroe." It was on her request, the luxury jewelry designer Cartier customized an extraordinary crocodile necklace in gold. This astonishingly beautiful necklace inspired Cartier to design and develop 888 individually numbered fine pieces of La Doña pens, the second offering in the Menagerie Collection. Made of expensive materials, such as gold, peridot, citrin, Cartier pen has a gold-plated nib, which is carved with a crocodile head.

8.Each of the 1,929 luxurious New York Fifth Avenue rollerball and fountain pens hand-made by S. T. Dupont required around 160 hours of pristine supervision, which resulted in taupe- and brunette-colored lacquer fountain pens worth $2,400. These amazing pens are painstakingly embellished with a gold relief overlay, which features a central globe design. Each of these pens proudly narrates a story of cultural infusion that is truly depicted through these fine writing instruments. You can very well witness the artistic skills exhibited by S.T. Dupont through their art of lacquering and jewelry detailing, which is best visible in New York Fifth Avenue pens.

9.Another very expensive pen in the world is Pen of the Year 2008 manufactured by Graf von Faber-Castel Pens. The core feature of the Graf von Faber-Castell Custom Pens is wood in its noblest and most inspiring variations. And in Pen of the Year 2008 the outer layer of the barrel is made of carefully selected Indian satinwood. No fewer than 84 Satinwood rectangles are individually hand-made for the filigree herringbone pattern. This marvelous pen is crowned by a chessboard-facted citrine gemstone, platinized fittings and an 18-carat bicolour gold nib, carefully run in by hand. It comes in an exclusive wooden case with a beautiful brochure and a certificate for the pen collector. It’s price is $2,000.

10.And the last in the list of top 10 most expensive pens in the world with the price of $1,800 is Conway Stewart Westminster Teal Pen. British pen company Conway Stewart have released the latest version of this popular pen this time in teal enamel. The pen takes its design cues from the palace of Westminster with its Gothic style engraving on the cap and barrel. The small diamond-shaped recesses mimic the detail on the palace and the tiny oak leaves are a symbol of England. The teal color of course doesn't have anything to do with the Gothic style, it just looks cool. The pen is available in an edition of 100 fountain pen or rollerball writing modes.

Top 10 Highest Mountains in World

2009-01-27T07:05:00.000-08:00

1. Everest- Himalayas - Nepal/Tibet - 29,035

2. K2 (Mount Godwin Austen) - Karakoram -Pakistan/China - 28,250

3. Kangchenjunga - Himalayas -India/Nepal - 28,169

4. Lhotse- Himalayas - Nepal/Tibet - 27,940

5. Makalu- Himalayas - Nepal/Tibet- 27,766

6. Cho Oyu - Himalayas - Nepal/Tibet - 26,906

7. Dhaulagiri - Himalayas -Nepal - 26,795

8. Manaslu - Himalayas - Nepal- 26,781

9. Nanga Parbat- Himalayas - Pakistan- 26,660

10. Annapurna - Himalayas - Nepal - 26,545

World's top 10 economies in 2008

2009-01-23T05:27:00.000-08:00

United States

The United Stated with a GDP of $13.8 trillion is the world's No.1. The US economy grew in the first quarter by 1 per cent.

However, the recession has battered the economy. By June 2008, the economy fell into a recession.

In the third quarter of 2008, the GDP shrunk by 0.5 per cent, the biggest fall since 2001. The 6.4 per cent fall in spending during Q3 on non-durable goods, like clothing and food, was the largest since 1950. About 2.6 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008, the worst since the end of World War II.

Japan

Japan is the world's second largest economy with a GDP of $4.37 trillion.

With a huge fall in exports, Japan has moved deeper into recession in the fourth quarter.

Japan's GDP has fallen at an annual rate of 0.4 per cent from July to September 2008, marking the second consecutive quarter of negative growth.

Japan's previous recession was in 2001, after the dot-com bust in the United States

Japanese exports plunged a record 35 percent in December as the recession led to a fall in electronics and automobiles. Bank of Japan said the economy will shrink by 1.8 per cent this financial year.

China

China has steered ahead of Germany as the world's third largest economy after the United States and Japan.

It saw a GDP growth rate of 13 per cent in 2007. China revised the growth rate of its gross domestic product (GDP) for 2007 to 13 per cent from 11.9 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

The pace was the fastest since 1994 when the GDP expanded by 13.1 per cent, according to the NBS data.

Final verification showed the GDP totaled $3.76 trillion.

However, the recession has taken a toll on the economy. The growth in manufacturing has fallen sharply in the fourth quarter.

The GDP growth in the fourth dropped to 6.8 per cent, pulling down the full year growth down to 9 per cent from 13 per cent in 2007.

Germany

Germany has been pushed to the 4th position after being ranked third for many years. Its GDP stands at $3.29 trillion.

Falling exports saw the German economy's GDP fall by half a percent in July, August and September, which was the second straight quarter of decline.

The European economy saw its first recession in 15 years. Europe is facing the worst financial crisis since the great depression.

The GDP in the 15 euro nations contracted by 0.2 per cent during August, September and October 2008.

United Kingdom

The fifth largest economy, United Kingdom fell by 0.5 per cent July and September.

The GDP of the fifth largest economy stood at $2.72 trillion.

The Economist Intelligence Unit in its forecast said the UK economy will "stagnate" during 2009.

It said UK GDP growth will fall from 3.1 per cent in 2007, to one per cent in 2008 and it will contract 0.8 per cent in 2009.

The economy shrank in the third quarter for the first time since 1992.

France

France is the 6th largest economy in the world with a GDP of $2.56 trillion.

The French economy shrank by 0.3 percent in the second quarter of the year. However, the gross domestic product grew by 0.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2008.

The International Monetary Fund has forecast a 0.5 percent fall of the French economy in 2009.

President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a 26-billion-euro stimulus plan in December to fight the crisis.

Italy

Italy with a GDP of $2 trillion, is the 7th largest economy in the world.

The Italian economy fell in the third quarter of 2008 for the second consecutive quarter.

The GDP fell by 0.5 per cent on a quarter-ago basis, after a revised drop of 0.4 per cent in the second quarter.

Spain

The world's 8th largest economy is Spain with a GDP of $1.42 trillion.

Spain has been trapped under a recession for the first time in 15 years. Spain's economy fell for the first time since 1993.

Spain's gross domestic product fell 0.2% in the third quarter from the second quarter, while it grew 0.9% from the third quarter a year earlier.

Canada

Canada is the 9th largest economy in the world with a GDP of $1.32 trillion.

It is expected that Canada will see negative growth in the next two quarters. Canada's unemployment rate is set to hit a high of 7.4 per cent in 2009.

While the growth is 0.6 percent in 2008, there will be no growth this year, according to The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

Brazil

Brazil with a GDP of $1.31 trillion is the 10th largest economy in the world.

Brazil's economy has also been hit by the recession. Brazil's industrial output fell by 6.2 per cent in November. This has been the fall since December 2001.

Brazil's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest point in seven years.

Top—10 world largest shopping Mall

2009-01-23T04:52:00.000-08:00

South China Mall

Dongguan, China,Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet

In the Chinese mall arms race, this facility opened a year after the Golden Resources Mall to displace it as the country's--and the world's--largest. The space includes wind mills and theme parks, plus a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

Golden Resources

Beijing, China,Opened: 2004
Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet

Not sprawling, this is a stacked-up, five-story mall. Approximately 1,000 stores, selling plenty of familiar global brands like Nike and DKNY. A truly ambitious real estate project, with new apartments and offices, surrounds the mall. A tough location outside the heart of the city has resulted in disappointing traffic from foreign tourists.

SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City, Philippines,Opened: 2006
Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet

Includes the first Olympic-sized swimming pool and first IMAX theater in the Philippines. Spread over four buildings, customers can get around on a 20-seat tram

Dubai Mall

Dubai, United Arab Emirates,Opened: 2008
Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet

Shopping is done at 440,000 square foot Fashion Avenue, which houses elite and mid-level fashion names alike. An aquarium, ice rink and five-star hotel are also on hand to accommodate an expected 30 million visitors in the mall's inaugural year.

Cevahir Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey,Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet

Europe's largest shopping mall has a roller coaster, wave pool and several IMAX theaters.

West Edmonton Mall

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,Opened: 1981
Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet

The biggest in North America, the West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores, along with attractions like a water park, skating rink, casino and rides.

SM Megamall

Mandaluyong City, Philippines,Opened: 1991
Gross Leasable Area: 3.6 million square feet

Fun stuff includes bowling, ice skating and a 12-screen movie theater, along with traditional mall fare like arcade games. Customers can also get a haircut or see a doctor at the Manila clinic

Berjaya Times Square

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet

Built with an adjacent hotel and convention center. In addition to over 1,000 retail shops, the mall includes a 12-story-high roller coaster, plus a pool, skating rink and "Cosmo's World," a children's theme park

Beijing Mall

Beijing, China,Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet

The first real suburban mall in China, located about an hour from downtown Beijing, this center has four levels with parking for 8,000 cars, plus a man-made beach. Bootlegged DVDs of American movies are top sellers

SM City N. Edsa

Quezon City, Philippines,Opened: 1985
Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet

The first major "mega mall" built by SM Prime Holdings, which now claims three of the largest 10 in the world. It's a five-story complex that boasts over 100 retail outlets and restaurants, along with 12 cinemas, a bowling alley and skating rink. An IMAX theater could be added soon.

Top-10 Safest Car in 2009

2009-01-23T04:42:00.000-08:00

2009 Mercedes-Benz M Class

Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $45,750

Environmental Protection Agency Combined Fuel Economy: 17 mpg

Safety Features: Dual front and rear side-mounted airbags; front and rear head airbags; driver and passenger head restraints that reduce neck injuries.

2009 Audi Q7

Base MSRP: $43,500

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 16 mpg

Safety Features: Driver and passenger head-restraint whiplash protection; front side airbags for chest and pelvis protection; energy-absorbing padding under the instrument panel to protect feet and legs.

2009 Acura MDX

Base MSRP: $40,790

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 19 mpg

Safety Features: Front, rear and third-row airbags; driver and passenger head restraints that reduce neck injury.

2009 Volvo XC90

Base MSRP: $37,000

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 16 mpg

Safety Features: Front, rear and third-row airbags; driver and passenger head restraints that reduce neck injury.

2009 Acura RDX

Base MSRP: $33,695

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 19 mpg

Safety Features: Front and rear impact-absorbing crumple zones; side-impact door beams; emergency tailgate opener; breakaway inside rearview mirror

2009 Subaru Tribeca

Base MSRP: $29,995

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 18 mpg

Safety Features: Standard curtain side air bags for front and second rows; roll sensor system that detects a potential vehicle rollover and deploys side curtain airbags.

2009 Honda Pilot

Base MSRP: $27,595

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 19 mpg

Safety Features: Front-seat head restraints designed to reduce neck injuries when impacted from the rear; three-row side curtain airbag with rollover sensor system.

2009 Ford Taurus X

Base MSRP: $27,575

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 19 mpg

Safety Features: Side curtain airbags for all three rows; seat-deployed side air bags for front-seat passengers.

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan

Base MSRP: $23,200

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 21 mpg

Safety Features: Front and rear head airbag protection; rear-side thorax airbag protection; rear head restraints.

2009 Saturn Vue

Base MSRP: $22,075

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 22 mpg

Safety Features: Driver and passenger head restraint whiplash protection system; dual front-seat-mounted airbags; front and rear head airbags

Top-10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars In the world -2009

2009-01-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

Toyota Prius

Base MSRP: $22,000

Gas Mileage: 46 mpg (45 city, 48 highway)

Horsepower: 76 gas, 67 electric

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Base MSRP: $17,340

Gas Mileage: 34 mpg (30 city, 41 highway)

Horsepower: 140

Hyundai Elantra

Base MSRP: $15,120

Gas Mileage: 28 (25 city, 33 highway)

Horsepower: 138

Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec Base MSRP: $55,075

Gas Mileage: 26 mpg (23 city, 32 highway)

Horsepower: 210

Chevrolet HHR LS FWD

MSRP: $18,720

Gas Mileage: 26 mpg (22 city / 32 highway)

Horsepower: 155

Audi TT Coupe (Sports Car)

Base MSRP: $35,200

Gas Mileage: 26 mpg (23 city, 31 highway)

Horsepower: 200

Audi A4

Base MSRP: $30,700

Gas Mileage: 25 mpg

Horsepower: 211

Acura TSX (Upscale Sedan) Base MSRP: $28,960

Gas Mileage: 25 mpg (21 city, 30 highway)

Horsepower: 201

Audi A4 Cabriolet (Convertible)

Base MSRP: $40,750

Gas Mileage: 25 mpg (23 city, 30 highway)

Horsepower: 200

Chevrolet Impala LS (Large Sedan) Base MSRP: $23,790

Gas Mileage: 23 mpg (18 city, 29 highway)

Horsepower: 211

Ten Essential qualities for a person in Life

2009-01-23T02:58:00.000-08:00

Below are the qualities that are essential for a person in his life. Make sure that you follow these qualities in your day to day life

Ten Types of Pen Drive

2009-01-23T02:41:00.000-08:00

1.Philips Swarovski (Platinium):

2. Diamond Heart:

3.Platinum Heart:

4. Philips Swarovski (Platinium):

5. Burger:

6.Drinks:
7. Beer:
8. Penguin:

9. Human Thumbs:

10. Wrist:

Top 10 Famous Musicians in the world

2009-01-23T02:24:00.000-08:00

1. Justin Timberlake The New King of Pop:

Back in 1991, the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson released an album entitled Dangerous, which launched 6 Top20 hits. Flash forward 15 years and Justin Timberlake releases his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, which goes on to launch 6 Top 20 hits. The only difference here is that when Michael Jackson accomplished said feat, he was nearing the end of his musical career - Justin Timberlake is only just beginning. Girls love him, guys want to be him, and parents think he's the perfect boy to have over for Christmas dinner. He inducts Madonna into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he dates respectable women, and he loves getting Punk'd. He sings, he dances, he plays piano and guitar, he beatboxes, and now he acts. It seems the man can do no wrong, and thus he ends up at number 1. The New King of Pop, indeed.

2. Jay-Z The Franchise:

It takes a lot of guts to retire from the music industry, only to come back a few years later, bigger than ever - but that's exactly what Jay-Z did. And it takes a lot of guts to head up a successful record company, only to eventually leave it for an even better deal - but (again) that's exactly what Jay-Z did. In 2004, he was appointed as president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he signed such major newcomers as Ne-Yo and Rihanna, but when Live Nation came a'callin' with a $150 million deal, Jay-Z was quick to take it. With 25 Grammy nominations and 7 wins, he is allowed to take risks - but for Jay-Z, it has all just been a walk in the park.

3. Madonna The Living Legend:

There is a reason Madonna "Madge" Ciccone has been nicknamed Her Madgesty; she truly is the Queen of Pop, ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America as the "Best Selling Female Rock Artist of the Twentieth Century." She has an estimated net worth of over $400 million, her last 4 albums have debuted at number one, her new buddy Justin Timberlake just inducted her into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, and she recently signed a 10-year contract with concert promoters Live Nation for $120 million! Showing no signs of fatigue, 49-year-old Madonna is as fit, healthy and savvy as ever, proving that she'll be around for more than just 4 Minutes.

4. Diddy The Unstoppable Entrepreneur:

P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean Combs, call him whatever you want - the man has proven that he is more than just a name. In a career speckled with controversy (such as being held partly responsible for trampled audience members at a charity concert, charges of assault, and an arrest for weapons violations), there is no denying that the man is a marketing juggernaut. Along with his successful rap career, he has his own extremely lucrative clothing line Sean John, re-invented the Making The Band TV show, and has even appeared on Broadway - but perhaps his biggest contribution to the music industry has been his founding of Bad Boy Records which houses the likes of Yung Joc, Keyshia Cole and Danity Kane. Oh yeah - his butler, Farnsworth Bentley, has even become famous simply for being Diddy's butler. You know when that happens that you're dealing with Hollywood royalty.

5. Hilary Duff The Mini Mogul:

Once upon a time, Hilary Duff was the star of a little Disney TV show called Lizzie McGuire. What followed was a career explosion which included a successful solo career (selling over 13 million albums worldwide), an affordable personal clothing line (Stuff by Hilary Duff), lucrative endorsements (namely with Elizabeth Arden), and now a blossoming film career (War, Inc.), all while avoiding the controversies of sex-tapes and DUIs. This 20-year-old "good girl" reigns supreme; however she better watch out - Miley Cyrus is taking notes and is set on dethroning Queen Duff. Let the war of the Disney Darlings begin...

6. Timbaland The Music Maestro:

Timbaland is the man with the Midas touch. He has produced chart-topping beats for all the musical heavy-hitters and is the man responsible for putting OneRepublic on the map with that little ditty Apologize. You may have heard of it. His latest endeavour was Madonna's Hard Candy which recently debuted at number one in 27 countries, proving once again that Timbaland knows how to spin dance-able gold and that's simply The Way He Are.

7. Beyonce The Bootylicious Businesswoman:

Her body may be Bootylicious, but both Beyonce's vocal talent and business-savvy are what have propelled her to the top of her game. She no longer is the lead singer of some passe girl group, but rather a solo artist/brand who has won 5 Grammy Awards for her chart-topping albums, been nominated for 2 Golden Globe Awards for her hit movie Dreamgirls, has launched a fashion line with her mom called House of Dereon, and is the face of Pepsi and L'Oreal. She's got piles of personality and charm to boot and it also doesn't hurt that she recently married R&B rapper/producer/ultimate-moneymaker Jay-Z. With so much going for her, Beyonce has proven that she truly is Irreplaceable.

8. Kanye West The Loudmouth:

Kanye West is kind of like that little kid at the grocery store who throws a fit when no one buys him that KitKat bar in the check-out aisle. You see, he will complain when he doesn't win the Best Album Grammy and will storm the stage in outrage when he doesn't win the Best Video Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. But in the end, he still manages to sell a shitload of albums, sell-out concert after concert and wrangle fellow powerhouse performers to go on tour with him, such as Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. So no matter how much kicking and screaming he does, the man's got clout and talent - and in the end, he will always get that KitKat bar.

9. Bono The Global Ambassador:

If there is one person who fully demonstrates that activism and celebrity can go hand-in-hand, it is Bono. By day he is merely the lead singer of U2, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, but by night, he is healing the world. To wit: he was the founder of the multinational non-government organization DATA (Debt, Aids, Trade in Africa), was the co-founder of Product Red and the ONE Campaign, was named a Person of the Year by TIME magazine, was an organizer of the Live 8 concerts, was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and was even granted an honorary knighthood by the UK. The only logical next-step: Sainthood.

10. Miley Cyrus The Teen Queen:

At first glance, 15-year-old Miley Cyrus might just look like your typical well-to-do teenager: a bubbly, happy-go-lucky girl, making silly YouTube videos with her best friend, Mandy. But oh yeah - she is also the star of that hugely-popular Hannah Montana TV show; has a Hannah Montana clothing line; toured extensively with those Jonas Brothers, selling-out tickets in record speed; has had a number 1 album and is about to release another one that will most likely shoot to the top; and, according to Forbes magazine, is earning $3.5 million+ per year. She is a Disney dream come true, but a consumer's nightmare since she is the sole reason that mom's everywhere are breaking the bank - and that's pretty damn powerful.

Top-10 The Most Powerful Women in 2008

2009-01-23T02:20:00.000-08:00

1.Angela Merkel

Chancellor Germany

With $3.3 trillion in GDP, Germany is Europe's biggest economy, and Merkel's reforms are sparking a rebound, with unemployment falling (although consumer confidence just hit a five-year low). She pushed through a later retirement age, put more women in senior government posts, and raised payments to new parents. Bulldozes through controversy: hosted the Dalai Lama, chastised Mugabe, and wants to make the euro a bigger player in global financial markets as the dollar wanes. Also trying to make Germany more eco-friendly with steep greenhouse-gas cuts. Europeans voted her their most influential politician. — Tatiana Serafin

2 Sheila C. Bair

Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. U.S.

The head of the embattled FDIC has been trying to reassure an edgy American public that the country's financial institutions are sound—even as six banks have now failed this year. Bair's domain is the last stop for capital-starved banks (and their insured customers) before going under. But the July demise of IndyMac, the largest bankruptcy of a financial institution in the last two decades, has rattled nerves. As banks continue to fail, Bair must continue to show the fortitude that has helped her lead an institution that is suddenly an actor in this global drama. — Heidi Brown

3 Indra K. Nooyi

Chairman, chief executive, PepsiCo U.S.

Nooyi continues to grow PepsiCo, the $39 billion food and beverage giant, through new product offerings and acquisitions. Company subsidiaries Quaker, Gatorade and FritoLay introduced a new line of whole-grain oatmeal and granola bars called Simple Harvest, and G2, a low-calorie "lifestyle beverage" for athletes. Nooyi orchestrated a major expansion into international markets, most notably with a $1.4 billion acquisition of a 75% stake in Russian juice giant Lebedyansky. — Kate Macmillan

4 Angela Braly

Chief executive, president, WellPoint U.S.

Named CEO in June 2007, Braly crashed through health insurance's glass ceiling but still earned $26 million less last year than her male predecessor. The St. Louis attorney helped Missouri's Blue Cross convert from a nonprofit into an investor-owned company in 1994. Made the leap to WellPoint when the company acquired Blue Cross in 2001. The 35-million-member insurer revised its forecasts in March after reporting more claims than expected. Now facing wrath from employees who lost an estimated $100 million from their 401(k)s when company shares swooned 39% in March. — Emily Schmall

5 Cynthia Carroll

Chief executive, Anglo American U.K.

The commodities boom means big money for Carroll. The Skidmore College geology major started her career with Amoco in 1981. Spent 17 years at aluminum company Alcan. In 2006, became the first woman and first non-South African to lead Anglo American, the mining giant founded by Ernest Oppenheimer in 1917. Completed $5.5 billion iron ore deal in Brazil. Recently appointed to the board of BP. — Emily Schmall

6 Irene B. Rosenfeld

Chairman, chief executive, Kraft Foods U.S.

Rosenfeld was tapped in 2006 to helm Kraft. The first two years have been somewhat sticky, but Rosenfeld's three-year turnaround plan is showing some teeth. Last year Kraft delivered its best revenue growth since 2001, up 21% to $10.4 billion. Profits aren't yet up to par, but Rosenfeld, who holds a Ph.D. in marketing, plans to tackle those margins with higher prices, smaller portions and some surprising new gimmicks. The company's reformulation of the Oreo cookie with less sugar and a long, thin shape was a hit in China, raking in over $1 billion in sales last year. — Devon Pendleton

7 Condoleezza Rice

Secretary of state U.S.

Shoring up her legacy before the Bush administration leaves office, Rice continues to try for peace in the Middle East; the U.S. is cautiously engaging North Korea and trying to contain Iran. But her efforts are coming to naught around the world: In Pakistan, U.S. support for anti-al-Qaida ally Pervez Musharraf, who resigned, may have jeopardized ties with his successor; Russia is growing more autocratic; and her State Department has come under fire for its lax oversight of contractor Blackwater. Successes: ties with Japan, China and India have solidified. — Tatiana Serafin

8 Ho Ching

Chief executive, Temasek Holdings Singapore

The wife of the prime minister of Singapore, Ho Ching has been credited with converting Temasek from a Singapore-focused firm to a leading investor in Asia. She earned accolades by making investments in Indian and Chinese telecoms and banks, and as a result, brought the portfolio to roughly $100 billion. Temasek has bought a 15% stake in Merrill Lynch since last December in the wake of the bank's write-downs. Another deal, Temasek's tax-free takeover of Shin Corp., one of Thailand's biggest telecom companies, sparked a wave of protests. The tax-free deal eventually led to the overthrow of Thailand's prime minister. — Megha Bahree

9 Anne Lauvergeon

Chief executive, Areva France

Lauvergeon has seen her leadership tested this year with two leaks of nuclear fuel in France this summer—one of which tainted drinking water in the southeastern town where it occurred. The incidents raised renewed questions about the safety of nuclear power. It's tough timing for Areva—and many hard-pressed governments around the world—as energy prices had spurred a new look at nuclear power. Although she enjoys the public backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Lauvergeon's fate as chief executive may well hinge on her ability to quell fears about the fear of nuclear disaster. — Heidi Brown

10 Anne Mulcahy

Chairman, chief executive, Xerox Corp. U.S.

Mulcahy, credited with pulling iconic copier manufacturer from the brink of financial collapse, is still winning praise for her remarkable turnaround effort. In June she became the first woman to be named by her peers as Chief Executive of the Year, an honor previously bestowed on the likes of Bill Gates and Jack Welch. But don't look for Long Island, N.Y., native Mulcahy to rest on any laurels. To fend off rivals Canon and Hewlett-Packard, she's doubled the software R&D budget to $1.5 billion and focused research efforts on color printing and eco-friendly technologies. — Devon Pendleton

Top-10 World Most Expensive and Powerful Cities

2009-01-23T02:15:00.000-08:00

London, England

Gross domestic product (2005): $452 billion
GDP (2020): $708 billion
Growth rate: 3%
MasterCard Ranking: 1
Population (2007): 8,567,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 92%

By 2020, London is expected to leapfrog Paris and become Europe's richest city as measured by GDP. London's 3% growth rate is high for a major city in the developed world. London is ranked as the No. 1 city on MasterCard's Centers of Commerce index, owing to the vast volume of its financial markets. It's comparable to New York in equities and commodities trading but is larger in bond and derivatives trading. The downside? It's expensive. The purchasing power of the average Londoner is less than their New York peers.

Hong Kong, China

GDP (2005): $244 billion
GDP (2020): $407 billion
Growth rate: 3.5%
MasterCard ranking: 6
Population (2007): 7,206,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 49%

Hong Kong benefits from its physical proximity to the Chinese mainland and its historical connection to Western markets. MasterCard ranks Hong Kong the best business center in the world, based on a composite of its ports, airports, hotels and commercial real estate development.

New York, N.Y.

GDP (2005): $1.13 trillion
GDP (2020): $1.56 trillion
Growth rate: 2.2%
MasterCard ranking: 2
Population (2007): 19,040,000
Purchasing power: 100%

In absolute terms, the economy of New York City is second only to Tokyo. In fact, there are only 14 countries in the world with bigger economies than New York. And though the city has a reputation for a high cost of living, the average New Yorker can buy more than counterparts in London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Tokyo, Japan

GDP (2005): $1.19 trillion
GDP (2020): $1.6 trillion
Growth rate: 2%
MasterCard ranking: 3
Population: 35,676,000
Purchasing power(NYC=100): 96%

Tokyo is the world's most populous city by the U.N.'s reckoning, and it has the largest economy. By PricewaterhouseCoopers' projections, Tokyo will still have the largest economy in 2020, though New York will be getting closer. Tokyo's huge size comes at a price: Of the 151 largest economies, its growth is expected to rank at No. 140.

Chicago, Ill.

GDP (2005): $460 billion
GDP (2020): $645 billion
Growth rate: 2.3%
MasterCard ranking: 5
Population (2007): 8,990,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 115%

America's second city faces stern competition from Los Angeles, which now has a larger population and a bigger economy. But Chicago still outranks Los Angeles on MasterCard's Commerce Index. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade give Chicago a role in the global financial markets that Los Angeles (who still remembers the Pacific Exchange?) lacks.

Seoul, South Korea

GDP (2005): $218 billion
GDP (2020): $349 billion
Growth rate: 3.2%
MasterCard ranking: 9
Population (2007): 9,796,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 56%

Similar to Hong Kong, Seoul benefits from a growing Asia and Western-oriented markets.PricewaterhouseCoopers projects that by 2020, Seoul will surpass Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston and Miami in GDP.

Paris, France

GDP (2005): $460 billion
GDP (2020): $611 billion
Growth rate: 1.9%
MasterCard ranking: 7
Population (2007): 9,904,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 88%

Today the economy of Paris is bigger than London's. But sluggish growth in this old-world capital has it slowly losing ground. By 2020 it will have been passed by London. We'll always have Paris, yes, but by 2020 its economy will be little larger than rapidly-growing Mexico City.

Los Angeles, Calif.

GDP (2005): $639 billion
GDP (2020): $886 billion
Growth rate: 2.2%
MasterCard ranking: 17
Population (2007): 12,500,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 120%

Los Angeles is on course to become the world's third city with a trillion dollar economy. And while that economy will always be smaller than New York's, those in Los Angeles take solace: According to UBS estimates, the average resident of L.A. has 20% more purchasing power than their counterparts in New York

Shanghai, China

GDP (2005): $139 billion
GDP (2020): $360 billion
Growth rate: 6.5%
MasterCard ranking: 24
Population (2007): 14,987,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 36%

With an explosive projected-growth rate of 6.5%, the size of Shanghai's economy would more than double between 2005 and 2020. Shanghai is hardly the only Asian economy with rapid growth--in 15 years this will be a very different list. Indian cities Mumbai and Delhi are projected to grow by around 6%; Jakarta, Indonesia, by 6.5%; Beijing by 6.6%.

Toronto, Canada

GDP (2005): $209 billion
GDP (2020): $327 billion
Growth rate: 3%
MasterCard ranking: 13
Population (2007): 5,213,000
Purchasing power (NYC=100): 113.8%

Toronto only narrowly edged out Madrid, Spain; Philadelphia and Mexico City, Mexico, to hang on at No. 10. Toronto is still the economic heart of one of the world's wealthiest countries, and it's projected to keep humming through 2020. Along with London, Toronto is the fastest growing G7 financial center.

Top 10 Beautiful Bridges in the World

2009-01-23T01:57:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Most Beautiful Bridges in the World:

10. Khaju Bridge

The Khaju Bridge (Pol-e-Khajoo) in Isfahan, Iran, was built in the 17th century by Shah Abbas II. The bridge also serves as a dam, with sluice gates under the archways. When the gates are closed, the water level behind the bridge is raised to irrigate gardens alongside the Zayandeh River.

Khaju Bridge at night

The Khoju Bridge has two stories of arcades, marked by the distinctive intersecting arches decorated with richly colored tiles. At the center of the bridge, there are two large pavilions, called the Prince Parlors, that were originally reserved for the Shah.

9. Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard, an aqueduct spanning the Gard River in southern France, is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. It wasn’t built to transport people (though there is a pedestrian footbridge on it) - instead, it was part of a complex aqueduct system that carried water over 30 miles (about 50 km) to the ancient Roman city of Nemausus (now Nîmes).

The Pont du Gard was built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 - 12 BC), the son-in-law of Caesar Augustus. The bridge’s stones, some of which weigh up to 6 tons, were cut perfectly to fit together without any mortar.

The wedge-shaped stones, known as voussoirs, were arranged in three levels, the top-most being the water conduit. So precise was the engineering that the entire system descends only 56 ft. (17 m) vertically - over 30 miles! - to deliver 5 million gallons (20,00 m3) of water to the city.

8. Bridge of Sighs

In the 19th century, Lord Byron named a Venetian limestone bridge across the Rio di Palazzo connecting the Doge’s prison to the interrogation room in the main palace, the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). Supposedly, the prisoners would sigh when they look out the window - with stone bars no less - to see their last view of beautiful Venice before their imprisonment, torture or execution.

In reality, Doge’s prison held mostly small-time criminals. Also, the bridge was built in 1600 by Antonio Contino, after the days of the inquisitions and summary executions. Legend has it that if lovers kissed on a gondola underneath the Bridge of Sighs at sunset, their love would last for eternity.

7. Iron Bridge
The Iron Bridge, spanning the Severn river in Shropshire, England, isn’t a particularly large or ornate bridge, but it does have something that made it unique: it’s the first bridge made completely out of cast iron.

In the 18th century, Shropshire was rich in iron and coal - indeed, there were more iron factories within two-mile radius of the town than any other city in the world. It was also there that iron was first smelt with coke. So it was only natural that the bridge would be made out of iron, a stronger alternative to wood.

Iron bridge at night. Notice how the bridge and its reflection make a perfect circle.

Architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard proposed a single arch bridge that would let boats pass underneath, but he died before the bridge was built. The construction of the Iron Bridge was carried out by a local master ironworker named Abraham Darby III. About 400 tons (363 tonnes) of cast iron was used, with about 800 separate castings. The Iron Bridge has 5 arch ribs, each cast in two halves. It only took three months to put the parts together (which they did using screws instead of bolts!).

The ease and speed of the Iron Bridge’s construction helped convince engineers of the versatility and strength of iron, and helped usher in the Industrial Revolution era. Darby, however, didn’t fare so well: he severely underestimated the cost to build the bridge, and remained in debt for the rest of his life.

6. Covered Bridges

The West Montrose Covered Bridge on the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. It’s known locally as the Kissing Bridge.

Covered bridges are simply that: bridges that have enclosed sides and roof. Though technically the Bridge of Sigh, Ponte Vecchio, and the Wind and Rain Bridges in this list are covered bridges, this term usually means simple, single-lane bridges in rural settings.

Before they are made famous by the 1995 Clint Eastwood film The Bridges of Madison County, "kissing bridges" or "tunnels of love" have been the pride and joy of many small towns across Europe and especially Northern America where more than ten thousands of such bridges were built.

In the 19th century, timber was plentiful and cheap (or, in many cases, free). So it’s natural that these bridges were made of wood. But why were they covered? Well, lovers aside, the real reason was much more practical: the wooden beams of the bridge lasted longer when protected from the elements.

Unfortunately, due to neglect, theft of lumber, vandalism, and fire, most covered bridges in the United States and Canada have disappeared.

5. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge over the Arno River. Actually, it’s much more than a bridge - it’s a street, a marketplace, and a landmark of Florence, Italy.

The Ponte Vecchio that we know today was built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi after an older span was destroyed in a flood. To finance the bridge, lots along the roadway were rented out to merchants, especially butchers and tanners, to hawk their wares.

In 1565, Duke Cosimo I de Medici ordered an architect named Giorgio Vasari to construct a roofed passageway. Soon after, jewelers, goldsmiths, and merchants of luxury goods pushed out the butchers out of Ponte Vecchio. Centuries of haphazard additions gave the bridge’s distinctive, irregular appearance today.

During World War II, after having survived many floods, the bridge faced its gravest threat: German bombers were blowing up bridges in Florence. It was a direct order from Hitler that spared Ponte Vecchio from certain destruction.

It is said that the word "bankruptcy" came from Ponte Vecchio. When a merchant failed to pay his debt, the table ("banco") he used to sell his wares was broken ("rotto") by soldiers. Not having a table anymore ("bancorotto"), meant the seller was bankrupt.

4. The Wind and Rain Bridge

The wind and rain bridges were a type of bridge built by the Dong people (a minority ethnic group) in China. Because they live in the lowlands and the valleys with many rivers, the Dong people are excellent bridge builders. They are called "wind and rain" bridges because the covered bridges not only let people cross the river, but also protect them from the elements.

Chengyang Bridge

The Dong people don’t use nails or rivets to build these bridges - instead, they dovetail all of the wood. The largest and most magnificent is the Chenyang Bridge, spanning the Linxi River near the Dong village of Maan. The bridge is about 100 years old, and like all wind and rain bridges, it was built without a single nail.

3. Brooklyn Bridge

In 1855, engineer John Roebling started to design a bridge that at the time would be the longest suspension bridge in the world, with towers being the tallest structures in the Western Hemisphere: the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Today, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the main crossings of the East River and one of the most heavily trafficked bridges in the world. But in the late 19th century, it took Roebling more than 14 years to convince the city to build the bridge.

After he got approval, Roebling was surveying a site when his foot was crushed by a ferry. Three weeks before the scheduled groundbreaking, he died of tetanus. His son, an engineer named Washington Roebling took over the project.

In 1872, while working on caissons to set the foundation for the towers, Washington fell ill with caisson disease (a decompression sickness commonly known as "the bends") that left him barely able to see, talk, or write. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling, rose to the occasion - she learned engineering on the fly and for nine years went to the job site to deliver her husband’s directions. Washington himself was said to watch the construction from his room through a binocular.

Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise

When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened, Emily was honored with the first ride over the bridge. She held a rooster, a symbol of victory, in her lap. Washington himself rarely visited the bridge till his death in 1926.

One interesting note about the Brooklyn Bridge: it stood fast while other bridges built around the same time had crumbled. Engineers credit Roebling for designing a bridge and truss system six times as strong as he thought it needed to be!

2. Tower Bridge

It’s funny to think about ancient traffic jams, but that was why the Tower Bridge in London, England was built. By the end of the 19th century, the development of the eastern part of London caused such a load on the London Bridge that the city decided to build a new bridge.

Tower Bridge at twilight.

Construction of the Tower Bridge started in 1886, led by architect Sir Horace Jones and engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry. The design was a bascule (draw) bridge with two towers built on piers, so the bridge wouldn’t interfere with the port facilities nearby.

A year after construction was started, Jones died and his replacement, George D. Stevenson along with Barry decided to modify the design a little bit. Instead of the original brick facade design, the Tower Bridge had a more ornate Victorian Gothic style meant to harmonize it with the nearby Tower of London.

When the bridge opened in 1894, the public was aghast. H.Heathcote Statham, Fellow of the Royal Insitute of British Architect, wrote the familiar sentiment as thus: "The Tower Bridge … represents the vice of tawdriness and pretentiousness, and of falsification of the actual facts of the structure."

Tower Bridge at night

But over time, people warmed up to the bridge. Indeed, the Tower Bridge grew to be one of London’s most recognizable landmarks. Even one of its loudest critics, architectural critic Eric de Maré conceded: the British people "have grown fond of the old fraud … and we must admit that it has carried on its task with admirable regularity and efficiency.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is such an iconic symbol of San Francisco (and of suspension bridge in general) that it’s hard to imagine a time when it didn’t exist. But before it was built, most people thought it was an impossible task.

Golden Gate Bridge in HDR as the first big storm of the season hits San Francisco.

In 1916, the idea of a bridge to cross the Golden Gate, a narrow strait that separated San Francisco Peninsula and the Marin Headlands, was conceived. Though it was almost immediately dismissed as the cost was estimated to be $100 million (astronomical for the time), a veteran bridge builder named Joseph Strauss lobbied for more than two decades to have it built.

The Golden Gate Bridge faced tough opposition: the Department of War thought it would interfere with ship traffic and the Southern Pacific Railroad opposed it as competition to its ferry service. At first, even the public didn’t like the bridge … because Strauss’ original design was deemed too ugly! But Strauss finally won, and after 22-years of drumming up support, the bridge was built.

Strauss insisted that the project take worker’s safety seriously. It was the first major bridge project that used hard hats and a safety net. During the course of construction, 19 people were saved by the net to become members of the Halfway to Hell Club.

Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.

The color of the Golden Gate Bridge is actually not red - it’s an orange vermilion called International Orange. The color was chosen specifically because it complements the bridge’s natural surrounding yet enhances its visibility in the fog.

Construction took more than four years, at a cost of $27 million. The Golden Gate Bridge actually came in $1.3 million under budget (though 5 months late). For his work, Strauss got $1 million … and a lifetime bridge pass!

Top 10 Expensive Island

2009-01-23T01:51:00.000-08:00

1.Isla de sa Ferradura [Spain]:

The Isla de sa Ferradura sits in the Bay of San Miguel just off the North coast of Ibiza, Spain. This 14-acre resort island is fully developed with a hacienda, kitchen, pool, bar, and even a wine bodega. With 300 days per year of sunshine, and a view of the bright blue Mediterrannean Sea, this truly is living large. Most people will never be able to experience even a vacation here - the island rents out for about $230,000 US dollars per week. Price:: $39,700,000 USD

2.Cabbage Cay [Bahamas]:

Cabbage Cay is a private, 35 acre, fee-simple island, located in the World Famous Bonefish flats, within the inner bay of North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. A road has been pushed to the island, so whatever you decide to build on it, your access will be guaranteed for years to come. The island carries up to 24′ elevations. Three sandy beaches, lush vegetation, a protected anchorage area, and abundant exotic wildlife are some of the more amazing amenities. Turtles, fish, and birds abound. Did we mention the sailing is nice in the Bahamas? Price: $2,500,000 USD

3.Cerralvo Island [Mexico - Gulf of California]:

Cerralvo Island is 60 square miles of undeveloped terrain. The island is mountainous as it was a former volcano. It is located in the Cerralvo Channel, in the Sea of Cortez, off the coast of Baja Mexico. These waters are prime for big game fishing. This massive private island could contain several enormous mansions and you still would never see your neighbors. This sandy beach island gets plenty of warm Mexican weather and sunshine, and offers plenty of privacy, yet is only about 30 miles away from the mainland. Price: $35,000,000 USD

4.Singer Castle on Dark Island [Canada]:

The island sits in the St. Lawrence river between Ontario, Canada and New York, USA. Dark Island isn’t known for its tropical jungle or white sand beaches. The real gem is the 100 year old castle on the island. It was originally built in 1905 as a hunting lodge family retreat by Fredrick Bourne (Then president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company). With towers and secret passages abounding you could literally be your own King of the Castle. The island would be a great getaway from the hustle and bustle, and is still only a short helicopter ride away from New York or Toronto, but it is currently only available for rent. Price: Available upon request - for rent

5.Necker Island [British Virgin Islands]:

Virgin Record’s super mogul Richard Branson took private islands to a whole new level in the late 1970’s by purchasing Necker Island. Branson built an unparalleled resort, that now rents for approximately $329,000 US dollars per week. The island is in the Caribbean and surrounded by a coral reef with extremely diverse sea life. The island hosts pristine beaches and vibrant plant life. Rock stars party here, Hollywood notables and Google founders get married here, and the closest you’ll ever come is on a Caribbean cruise line. The 360 degree open bedrooms provide one of the best views of the Sunset you’re ever likely to see. Price: $47,000 USD / day

6.Musha Cay [Bahamas]:

Musha Cay is actually 4 private islands owned by renowned magician David Copperfield. The islands are located 85 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, and has its own runway for top secret celeb landings. This private island resort has 5 houses. The resort offers activities such as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, a gym, and walking paths, but you could always choose to sunbathe on one of Musha’s seven gorgeous private beaches. Also, Copperfield reportedly has found the “Fountain of Youth” on the Island… can you really put a price on that? Price: $32,250 USD / day for 12 or fewer people.

7.Tetiaroa [French Polynesia]:

Tetiaroa is located 40 miles north of Tahiti, and is actually an atoll comprised of 12 small islands. The island was made famous by the late Marlon Brando. The island currently has only one full time resident: Teihotu, Brando’s son. The island is mostly undisturbed and boasts a tropical bird sanctuary, but there are currently no accommodations on the island for visitors until the new hotel, aptly named “The Brando“, is completed sometime this year. Price: N/A

8.Ciftlik Island [Turkey]:

Just 250 meters from off the coast line of Turkey in the Aegean Sea sits a gorgeous castle-style house, along with a guest house, and servants quarters. One of the few developed islands in the region with water, electricity and telephone. Although this island isn’t much for beaches, the sunny, warm weather, the proximity to mainland Turkey and Rhodes, and the finished house put this island right up there with the best in the world. Price: Approx. $25,000,000 USD

9.Piedade Island [Brazil]:

Piedad is only 2.5 hours from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is one of 365 islands in the Angra dos Reis archipelago. The Island is fully developed with a resort, full time staff, and four beaches to choose from. What makes Piedade Island unique is the location - this island is one of the rare private tropical islands outside of the Caribbean, and is a perfect addition to trip to Brazil. Price: Available upon request - for rent

10.Nygard Cay [Bahamas]:

Think Robinson Caruso. This Mayan architecture tree house island is an affluent traveler’s perfect getaway. The Cay lies on the tip of Lyford Cay in Nassau, Bahamas. With waterslides, pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and an 85 foot yacht, this is an adult playground in the rain forest. This is the only way to vacation in the Bahamas. Price: $42,000 USD / day

Top 10 deepest lakes in the world

2009-01-23T01:43:00.000-08:00

1. Lake Baikal:

Also known as the “blue eye of Siberia”, lake Baikal is located in Southern Siberia near R near the Russo-Mongolian border. Famous for being the deepest lake in the world with a maximum depth of 5,369 feet it holds a volume of water larger than that of all the great lakes combined.
Lake Baikal is a great eco-system where more than 1,700 species of flora and fauna live; two thirds of them only to be found here. Completely surrounded by steep mountains and dense forests, the lake has an estimated age of 25-30 million years, making it one of the most ancient lakes in geological history.

2. Tanganyika Lake:

Divided between Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (45%), Tanzania (41%) and Zambia, Tanganyika is the deepest fresh water lake in Africa and the second in the world with a maximum depth of 4,823 feet. The lake was “mistakenly” discovered in 1858 by two British explorers, Richard Burton and John Speke, in their quest to find the Nile’s source.
A recent story on National Georgraphic talks about a cold-blooded serial killer on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Called Gustave, it was a 20 feet long crocodile that weighted 2,000 pounds and was responsible for killing hundreds of people.

3. O’Higgins/San Martín Lake:

Located in Patagonia, between the Aysén Region and the Santa Cruz Province, the lake is called O’Higgins in Chile and San Martin in Argentina. It is the deepest lake in the Americas with a maximum depth of 2,742 feet (measured near the O’Higgins Glacier). The lake is very irregular consisting of eight well-defined arms with milky light-blue water coming from the suspended rock flour.
The lake is named after South American heroes José de San Martín of Argentina and Bernardo O’Higgins of Chile, who fought together for the liberation of Chile.

4. Lake Malawi:

Also known as Lake Nyasa, Lake Malawi is the most southern lake in the East African Rift valley system, located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. At 2,316 feet deep, it’s the second deepest lake in Africa and thanks to the tropical waters it has more fish species than any other lake on Earth.
Researchers have studied sediments from core samples of Lake Malawi, which revealed that 100,000 years ago, water levels dropped to about 2,000 feet, turning the land around the lake into semi-desert and arid scrubland habitat. According to some, this may be why early man fled from Africa to colonize other parts of the world.

5. Caspian Sea:

Between the southern areas of the Russian Federation and northern Iran, lies the largest enclosed body of water on Earth. It’s an endorheic lake with salty water (salinity of approximately 1.2%) that was landlocked due to continental drift 5.5 million years ago. An ancient remnant of the Tethys Ocean, (just like the Black Sea or the Mediterranean Sea) it is the third deepest lake in the world going down to 3,363 feet.
Fauna in the Caspian basin is very rich: great numbers of sturgeon (that’s where you get the great caviar), the Caspian seal and some fish endemic to the Caspian Sea like the Kkturn (Caspian white fish), Caspian roach, Caspian bream and an array of rare species of salmon only to be found in that area.
The Caspian Sea is very rich in energy resources like oil and gas deposits, which have been tapped since the 10th century. These days, the oil in the Caspian basin is supposed to be worth $12 trillion.

6. Issyk Kul Lake:

7. Great Slave Lake:

Also known as the Grand lac des Esclaves after the Slavey North American Indians, it covers 11,000 sq miles in the Northwest Territories of Canada and goes down to 2,015 feet which makes it the deepest lake in North America. Because of the low temperatures in the area, for about eight months of the year, the lake is at least partially frozen, while during winter, the ice is so thick that trailer trucks can pass through.
There is currently no physical evidence to suggest that an unidentified large creature is living in the Great Slave Lake, but many people traveling to the lake have said otherwise. Some talk about a large hump in the water, usually mistaken for a rock until it submerges, or an alligator-like body, with a head like that of a pike.
From his house, a Roman Catholic priest even saw a large dragon-headed creature that rose six to eight feet above the water and moved rapidly on the shores of the lake. The creature was subsequently named Ol’Slavey.

8. Lake Vostok:

Out of the 140 sub-glacial lakes on earth, Vostok is the largest and the deepest, with a maximum depth of 2,950 feet. Beneath Russia’s Vostok Station, 13,000 feet under the surface of the central Antarctic ice sheet, may be the most unspoiled lake on Earth. British and Russian scientists only discovered it in 1996.
The average water temperature is -3 °C and the reason why it is still liquid below freezing is the high pressure from the weight of the ice above it.
Scientists also discovered that the ice core may be 420,000 years old, meaning that the lake could have been sealed for over 500,000 years and the water beneath could be doubly as old.
So far there isn’t any proof of life in LakeVostok. Notwithstanding this, in case there are species living beneath the murky depths, they are most likely to have evolved special features in order to survive the lake’s oxygen-rich environment.

9. Crater Lake:

With a violent volcanic past, the caldera lake in the Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, is a place of immeasurable beauty. Surrounding cliffs of up to two thousand feet high, two small islands and spectacular blue water, make this “outdoor laboratory” the perfect place for photographers.
Crater lake is the deepest lake in the United States with a maximum depth of 1949 feet. It may also have one of the purest water, in North America, (in terms of absence of pollutants) thanks to the generous amounts of winter snow that supplies it with water.
It was created when Mount Mazama (12,000 feet high) collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption, but the legend has more details. The Klamath Indian tribe talks about a raging war between Llao, the spirit of the Below-World who lived in Mount Mazama, and Skell the spirit of the Above-World.
Llao felt in love with Loha, daughter of the Klamath Indian chief, but got rejected and decided to punish humans with the curse of fire. Skell came in to help and after a long battle he managed to defeat Llao, whom he imprisoned deep down into the Under-World, collapsing the top of the Mount Mazama over. At last he wanted peace and decided to cover the pit with magnificent blue water.

10. Lake Matano:

With a tectonic origin and located in South Sulawesi in Indonesia, Lake Matano is an important freshwater resource in the area and the country’s deepest lake, with a maximum depth of 1936 feet. It drains from Patea River and later flows through a waterfall into Lake Mahalona (the Malili Lakes).
Lake Matana is famous for its extremely clear waters and the many endemic fish species which have arisen from a single ancestor diversified over time.

Ten Deepest Caves in the World

2009-01-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

1. Krubera-Voronja Cave:

Also known as the Cave of Kruber, Voronja is the deepest cave in the world with recent measurements extending to a total depth of 7188 feet (2191 m). It was the first cave to be explored to a depth of more than 2 km down.

2. Illuzia-Snezhnaja-Mezhonnogo:

Two times larger than the world’s deepest cave, the Illuzia-Snezhnaja-Mezhonnogo cave is the second deepest in the world. Located on the Bzyb massif in Abkhazia, Georgia, the cave is renowned for being dangerous and very difficult to work in.

3. Gouffre Mirolda:

From 9 to 12 January in 2003, an expedition exploring the Gouffre Mirolda cave in France, found that it was connected with the Lucien Coudlier, breaking the record for the world’s deepest cave . The cave measured 5685 feet (1733m) while the world record at the time was 5610 feet (Voronja cave). It was the first cave to be explored below 1 km. The record however, was beaten within a matter of years.

4. Vogelshacht and Lamprechtsofen:

A Polish Expedition (pdf link) connected the two caves: Vogelshacht and Lamprechtsofen, located in the Leoganger Steinberger area, in Salzburg, Austria. The cave system has so far been proven to be 5354 feet (1632 m) deep. Incredible really, that’s over a mile. Notwithstanding this, explorations continue, so this could be only the tip of the iceberg.

5. Reseau Jean Bernard:

Reseau Jean Bernard Also known as the Gouffre Jean-Bernard or simply Jean Bernard, this is a 5256 feet (1602m) deep cave in the French Alps, in Samoëns. The cave has at least 8 entrances and was first discovered by the Groupe Vulcain back in 1959. Until 1980, it was considered to be the deepest cave in the world. Despite this, professional cavers consider the Jean Bernard not very interesting to climb.

6. Torca del Cerro del Cuevon:

Torca del Cerro del Cuevon also known as T-33 and La Torca de las Saxifragas. Together, these two form the deepest cave in Spain. Located in the Picos de Europa mountains in the northern coast of the country, there are very few entrances to the cave, thus rendering it incredibly difficult to explore, so much so, that is considered to be the most technically difficult in the world. It took explorers 3 days to go to 5213 feet (1589 m) down.

7. Sarma:

The seventh deepest cave in the world is in the Caucuses range, in Abkhazia, Georgia and it goes down up to 5062 feet (1543 m). Speleologists that attended the expeditions from December 18, 2007 to January 12, 2008, mentioned that Sarma has the biggest potential to surpass Voronja and break the world record for being the deepest cave. They are still exploring the interior of this unfathomable enigma.

8. Shakta Vjacheslav Pantjukhina:

As you notice from the next few items on the list, the Bzybsky Massif in Georgia is renowned and very rich in caves. More than 400 are present and just one of them that made it to our list of the deepest caves in the world is the Shakta Vjacheslav Pantjukhina. It’s 4948 feet (1508) m deep.

9. Sima de la Cornisa - Torca Magali:

This is a caving system in the Picos de Europa mountains in Spain. An international team of speleologists including Valencian Silvino Villa and the Belgian Jan Masschelein explored the cave last summer and managed to go down, in what they call a “bottomless pit”, to 4944 feet (1507 m).

10. Cehi 2:

Image via Plamen Stoev Long ago, our ancestors were using caves as shelter from wild animals and the forces of nature. Perhaps, this base necessity however, has always been eclipsed by man’s curiosity and desire to explore the mystical and enigmatic air inside the abyss. In the past, Environmental Graffiti has explored some amazing uses of caves – from discotheques, temples and underground cities to hotels and primary schools. That’s only scratching at the surface however. Today, with all sorts of equipment, caving has turned into something of an extreme sport - it involves climbing, crawling and sometimes even swimming. Looking at the most extreme end then, what about those caves that create the enigma, that fuel the stuff of legends; caves that appear bottomless and that seem to extend to the very center of the earth? What are the ten deepest caves on our planet.

Top10 Roof top Bars

2009-01-23T01:16:00.000-08:00

1. Sirocco

Bangkok, Thailand

No night out in Bangkok is complete without a couple cocktails at Sirocco. Perched on top of The Dome at State Tower, 64th floors above the hectic streets of Bangkok, this sexy rooftop bar boasts 360 degree views of the city with city lights in every direction, as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for a picturesque place to dine, they also serve dinner.

The Dome at Sate Tower 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

2. The Penthouse

Madrid, Spain

The Penthouse is an ultra-chic rooftop bar owned by Rande Gerber, celeb nightlife entrepreneur and husband of Cindy Crwford. It’s located on the roof of Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria, in Plaza Santa Ana, and has a great view of central Madrid. The crowd is dressed to kill, the waitresses are smoking hot the drinks are pricey and the place is often frequented by Spanish celebrities. Best to get here for happy hour, because although it’s open till 3am, the line to get in is insane after midnight.

Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria / Plaza Santa Ana / Princesa, 27 / Madrid Spain 28008 / Tel: (34) 91 5418200

3. Luna Bar

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This super sexy rooftop and poolside bar is a hang out for the twenties and thirties nightlife scene in Kuala Lumpur. It’s got a long indoor bar with a chic design leading you out onto the breezy rooftop for the best views of the lights of KL. For a romantic night out, be sure to get there early to snag a private little enclave up against the glass.

Menara PanGlobal 34th Floor / Jalan Punchak (off Jl P. Ramlee) / Kuala Lumpur / Tel: +60-3-20262211

4. Rooftop Bar

Melbourne, Australia

An ultra cool venue for music, cinema, or just sunny boozing, this bar sits atop the Thai bar and restaurant, Cookie, on a six story 1920’s building in central Melbourne.

Rooftop Bar / Curtin House, Level 3, 252 Swanston Street / Melbourne, Australia

5. Gravity

Dublin, Ireland

Although not an open air bar, Gravity boasts an unobstructed 360 degree view of Dublin. It’s got a swanky style and comfortable seating right up against the glass to sit in while you enjoy the view from the highest bar in Ireland.

Top of The Guinness Storehouse / St James’s Gate / Dublin 8, Ireland / Tel: + 353 1 408 4800

6. Top Floor Bar

London, United Kingdom

Looking for the perfect place to throw a swank party in London? The Top Floor Bar, the final floor of the Gherkin, London’s newest architectural darling, is available for private parties. The ultra modern venue sits under the spectacular glass cone roof and has stunning views of the city.

Top of the Gherkin / 30 St. Mary Axe / London, United Kingdom

7. Moon

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Palms teamed up with the Playboy Club giving revelers in Vegas a sexy place to blow their money on the 53rd floor of the palms Hotel. The sound system here is rockin’ and although it can be tough to get in, it’s a great place to check out on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The Palms Hotel 53rd Floor / 4321 W Flamingo Rd / Las Vegas, NV Tel (702) 940-7246

8. Captain Bar

Shanghai, China

This cool rooftop bar has a wide variety of cocktails and a great view of The Bund and surrounding city lights. It’s usually a cool mix of locals and travelers which makes for a diverse and thirsty crowd.

6/F, 37 Fuzhou Lu / People’s Square / Bund,Metro Line 2 Nanjing Dong Lu Station / Shanghai, China

9. Hudson Sky Terrace

New York, New York

This super chill rooftop bar has great service, amazing sangria and everything else you could want on a hot New York afternoon. From an air conditioned game room to a hammock with a view of the river, the Hudson has you covered, but like many of NY rooftop hot spots, you must be a guest in the hotel to enjoy it.

The Hudson Hotel / 356 W. 58th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves / Tel 212-554-6317

10. Condesa DF Rooftop Bar

Mexico City, Mexico

This is an awesome bar in an all-around cool hotel. The Condesa DF is decked out in extraordinary design, from the table cloths to the couches. This super-chic hotel only has 40 rooms so make sure to get a reservation, and make sure to hit its rooftop paradise for some cocktails as the sun goes down over Mexico

Top 10 Inventions 2008

2009-01-21T00:35:00.000-08:00

1. The Retail DNA Test

Learning and sharing your genetic secrets are at the heart of 23andMe's controversial new service — a $399 saliva test that estimates your predisposition for more than 90 traits and conditions ranging from baldness to blindness. Although 23andMe isn't the only company selling DNA tests to the public, it does the best job of making them accessible and affordable. The 600,000 genetic markers that 23andMe identifies and interprets for each customer are "the digital manifestation of you," says Wojcicki (pronounced Wo-jis-key), 35, who majored in biology and was previously a health-care investor. "It's all this information beyond what you can see in the mirror."
2. The Tesla Roadster

Electric cars were always environmentally friendly, quiet, clean — but definitely not sexy. The Tesla Roadster has changed all that. A battery-powered sports car that sells for $100,000 and has a top speed of 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h), the Roadster has excited the clean-tech crowd since it was announced in 2003.

3. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

It may have been a long time since the U.S. built the world's best cars, but nobody can touch us when it comes to spacecraft. nasa is about to prove that again with the planned launch in February 2009 of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (lro). Our first unmanned moonship in 11 years, the lro will study the things lunar orbiters always study — gravity, temperature — but it will also look for signs of water ice, a vital resource for any future lunar base, and compile detailed 3-D lunar maps, including all six Apollo landing sites. Wingnuts, be warned: yes, we really went there

4. Hulu.com

When cable eventually dies, websites like Hulu will be held responsible. Unlike YouTube and other amateur-video-upload sites, Hulu is a hub for network TV shows and movies: Hulu offers shows from nbc, Fox, pbs and other channels, including free full episodes of SNL, The Daily Show, The Office and other hits the TiVo-less masses often miss, plus films like Ghostbusters, The Fifth Element and Lost in Translation. Created as a network-approved alternative to YouTube's grab bag, Hulu was at first roundly mocked as a ham-fisted corporate knockoff of the grass-roots glory that is YouTube. (It was also mocked for its weird name.) Instead it proved that suits can play in the Internet video space too and that studio content can coexist online with the user-generated kind. In doing so, it delivered the final blow that untethered TV from that box in your living room.

5. The Large Hadron Collider

Large Hadron Collider, the world's biggest particle accelerator, which went online in September, ran for 10 days and then had to shut down at least until next spring because of an overheated wire. The mammoth machine will send protons wheeling in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light, then smash them together at 6,000 times a second to try to answer such deep questions as why mass exists and whether the universe has extra dimensions. If it takes a few extra months to find out, so what?

6. The Global Seed Vault

Superman had it right: if you want to keep something safe, build a mountain fortress above the Arctic Circle. That's the thinking — more or less — behind the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Almost every nation keeps collections of native seeds so local crops can be replanted in case of an agricultural disaster. The Global Seed Vault, opened this year on the far-northern Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, is a backup for the backups. It's badly needed — as many as half the seed banks in developing countries are at risk from natural disasters or general instability. The vault can hold up to 4.5 million samples, which will be kept dry at about 0°F (-18°C). Even if the facility loses power, the Arctic climate should keep the seeds viable for thousands of years. Let's just hope we still like corn then.

7. The Chevy Volt

No-emission electric motors — which began the automobile revolution — are the technology of tomorrow for cars. But today's batteries can't support the typical driving experience. Chevy's Volt is a nice compromise. The sedan has an electric motor with a battery that can provide up to 40 miles (about 65 km) of range on a single charge. A gas engine kicks in to recharge the battery while you're driving. Since nearly 80% of us drive less than 40 miles a day, that means that unlike the Prius, the Volt could get drivers off gas altogether. The best of both worlds lands by the end of 2010.

8. Bullets That Shoot Bullets

Think of the Army's new Active Protection System (APS) as Star Wars for soldiers, designed to protect them from rocket-propelled grenades and other short-range threats. Raytheon's APS will automatically detect an incoming round and then launch a missile to destroy it, all within a split second. If it works, future Army vehicles will be able to head into combat with less armor.

9. The Orbital Internet

In space, no one can hear you scream. But you will be able to send e-mail, thanks to a new protocol being developed for use there. It's hard to maintain a stable connection in orbit, so the interplanetary Internet will have to be especially tolerant of delays and disruptions. In September, a satellite used the new protocol to relay an image of the Cape of Good Hope back to Earth.

10. The World's Fastest Computer

On May 26, at 3:30 in the morning, a $133 million supercomputer nicknamed Roadrunner broke the long-sought-after petaflop barrier: 1 quadrillion calculations per second. Built by IBM for Los Alamos National Laboratory, Roadrunner will be used primarily to simulate the effects of aging on nuclear weapons.

Top-10 Hollywood's Most Earning Couples

2009-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

No. 1: Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter and Beyoncé Knowles

Total: $162 million

Any way you slice it, the chart-topping newlyweds have had a monster year. He banked $82 million by signing a $150 million 10-year recording, touring and merchandising deal with concert promoter Live Nation and releasing his second platinum comeback CD, American Gangster. She raked in $80 million, thanks to an entertainment empire including fashion, film and publishing deals as well as a concert tour that sold $50 million in tickets and endorsement deals with L'Oréal, Direct TV and American Express, among others.

No. 2: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Total: $85 million

Though Jada Pinkett Smith's résumé continues to grow, husband Will Smith maintains his role as the family breadwinner. He pulled down $80 million in the year ending June 2008, thanks to another set of top-performing blockbusters: I Am Legend, The Pursuit of Happyness and this past summer's Hancock. She managed to generate a still impressive $5 million during the same period, thanks to roles as an actress (The Women), producer (The Human Contract) and entrepreneur (she has a stake in beauty line Carol's Daughter).

No. 3: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
Total: $58 million

Conquering fans on both sides of the Atlantic, the power couple pulled down $58 million over the course of the year. Becks' share: $50 million, proving the much-covered move to America has paid off for the British soccer star. Though his Los Angeles Galaxy salary was only $5.5 million, the sum more than doubled when his cut of the team's ticket, merchandise and sponsorship revenues were factored in. He raked in another $35 million from blue-chip endorsement deals with companies like Motorola, Adidas and Coty. His wife, also known as Posh, brought in $8 million, thanks to the $23 million Spice Girls reunion tour and a slew of product lines, including sunglasses, perfume, couture clothing and her DVB jeans line.

No. 4: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Total: $35 million

In addition to the big loot country sweethearts McGraw and Hill made on their Soul-2-Soul concert tour, he earned his $23 million from festivals and a double-platinum album, Let It Go. Hill reached $12 million by recording an album, The Hits, and the NFL Sunday Night Football theme song. Every time NBC plays the catchy tune, Hill sees a check.

No. 5: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Total: $34 million

They may not be Tinseltown's richest couple, but they're arguably its most famous. But the tabloid staple couple did more than grab press mentions this year: Jolie appeared on screen in Beowulf and AMighty Heart, while Pitt spent time both in front of the camera (Oceans 13, The Assassination of Jesse James) and behind it (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, A Mighty Heart and Tree of Life).

No. 6: Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann
Total: $30 million

This joke-slinging duo is laughing all the way to the bank. Mann pulled in an estimated $3 million with a major role in her hubby's blockbuster Knocked Up and the upcoming films I Love You Phillip Morris, 17 Again and Shorts. The triple-hyphenate (writer-producer-director) Apatow raked in $27 million in the same period, thanks to a prolific release schedule that included Superbad, Walk Hard and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

No. 7: Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani
Total: $28 million

As rock music's prettiest couple, Rossdale and Stefani created a valuable family brand. With a fashion line, an endorsement deal with Hewlett-Packard and an international tour to promote her most recent album, The Sweet Escape, Stefani earned $27 million from June '07 to June '08. Rossdale, former front man of post-grunge powerhouse band Bush, returned to his musical roots with his first solo album, Wanderlust, in June.

No. 8: Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman
Total: $25 million

It has been a big year for this county crooner and his Aussie glamazon wife. She gave birth to their first child, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, and banked $13 million on the highly anticipated Australia and endorsement deals with Nintendo and Omega. He won a Grammy for Best Male Country Performance in February and earned $12 million from a combination of album sales and receipts from his tour to promote his most recent studio album, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing.

No. 9: Tony Parker and Eva Longoria
Total: $22.5 million

Point guard Tony Parker and his Hollywood wife Eva Longoria seem to have it all and endorse it all. He made $10.5 million last year playing for the San Antonio Spurs, which he supplemented with endorsement deals with VitaminWater, FedEx, Nike, Electronic Arts and Kelloggs. She earned $9 million from her role on ABC's Desperate Housewives and endorsement deals with L'Oréal, Bebe and Samsung.

No. 10: Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart
Total: $22 million

Despite Flockhart's recurring role on the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters, Ford out-earned her, thanks to a return to the big screen as Indiana Jones. The 66-year-old actor made $18 million from June '07 to June '08. The actress formerly known as Ally McBeal pulled in $4 million in the same period.

Top-10 Most Earning Female Athletes in 2008

2009-01-20T23:46:00.000-08:00

1.Maria Sharapova
Tennis-$26 million

There's nothing like the combination of talent and good looks to woo corporations looking to spend endorsement dollars. Sharapova's Australian Open title this year was her third Grand Slam win, along with 16 other singles titles. She's recently added Sony to an endorsement portfolio that includes Pepsi, Colgate-Palmolive, Nike and Motorola.

2.Serena Williams

Tennis-$14 million

The younger of the storied Williams sisters, Serena has bounced back with a vengeance with three tournament wins this year, matching her combined total from 2005 to 2007. Her endorsement stable includes Hewlett-Packard, Nike and Kraft.

3.Venus Williams

Tennis-$13 million

Big sister Venus defeated Serena at this year's Wimbledon final, showing she's got plenty left in the tank. She's parlayed success on the court into her own fashion line, EleVen, a collection of casual and performance footwear and apparel

4.Justine Henin

Tennis-$12.5 million

After ringing up $5 million in prize money during a white-hot 2007, Henin walked away from the sport this past spring, just before her 26th birthday.

5.Michelle Wie

Golf-$12 million

A limited schedule this year (injuries, college enrollment) didn't hurt Wie's endorsement career. But if the teen sensation wants to extend her deals with Nike and Sony, she'll need to spend more time on the course in 2009.

6.Annika Sorenstam

Golf-$11 million

The Swede has racked up more career prize money than any female golfer in history--some $22 million. The eight-time player of the year has 72 LPGA tournament wins to her credit, including 10 majors. Sorenstam has announced she'll retire from the tour after the ADT Championship in November, just after she turns 38.

7.Lorena Ochoa

Golf-$10 million

Six tournament wins so far this year have netted Ochoa $1.8 million in prize money to go along with major endorsement deals with Audi and Lacoste.

8.Danica Patrick

Auto Racing-$7 million

Patrick's Indy series win in April should set her up for more riches to come, provided she avoids becoming a one-hit wonder.

9.Ana Ivanovic

Tennis-$6.5 million

The 20-year-old Serb has shot up to No. 1 in the world after winning the 2008 French Open. She counts Adidas, Yonex (rackets) and Juice Plus among her major endorsements.

10.Paula Creamer

Golf-$6 million

Cramer's victory in the 2005 Sybase Classic made her, at 18, the youngest LPGA event winner in 53 years. She's signed on with Adidas, NEC and Taylor Made.

Top 10 Highest Paid Actresses in Hollywood

2009-01-07T02:48:00.000-08:00

10. Halle Berry - $10 million per movie

9. Jodie Foster - $10 million-$12 million per movie

8. Drew Barrymore - $10 million-$12 million per movie

7. Julia Roberts - $10 million-$15 million per movie

6. Sandra Bullock - $10 million-$15 million per movie

5. Renee Zellweger - $10 million-$15 million per movie

4. Nicole Kidman - $10 million-$15 million per movie

3. Cameron Diaz - $15+ million per movie

2. Angelina Jolie - $15 million-$20 million per movie

1. Reese Witherspoon - $15 million-$20 million per movie

Top 10 Highest Paid Football Players in the World - 2008

2008-12-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

No.1o) Jhon Terry

Age: 28
Nationality: English
Club: Liverpool
Earnings (m): $14.3 million
A hard-driving muscular center half for club and country, Chelsea’s iconic captain makes our list thanks to billionaire owner Ramon Abramovich’s largesse and a lucrative endorsement deal with kit maker Umbro, even though he is no clothes-hanger. Terry is likely to move up the earnings league next year as his contract is up for renewal.

No. 9)Steven Gerrard

Age: 28
Nationality: English
Club: Liverpool
Total Earning : $14.2 million
While fans fantasize about a takeover of Liverpool from disliked American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's captain and native son is a rallying force keeping the Reds together. Gerrard is on pace to top his personal best of 22 goals in a season and has a contract that runs until 2011.

NO.8) Andriy Shevchenko

Age: 31
Nationality: Ukranian
Club: Chelsea
Earnings (m): $17.5, 8.7 pounds, 12.8 euros

Despite signing a club record four-year contract to join Chelsea in the 2006-07 season, Shevy is said to be close to a return to AC Milan, whose president, Silvio Berlusconi, is godfather to his eldest son. There, Shevchenko would be closer to the house of Armani, with whom he opened a boutique in his native Kiev.

No. 7) Fabio Cannavaro

Age: 34
Nationality: Italian
Club: Real Madrid
Total Earning : $14.6 million
Leading Italy to the 2006 World Cup catapulted this Italian defender into the ranks of soccer’s best paid thanks to a move to Real Madrid from scandal- tainted Juventus. In Spain, he is not quite the consistent force he was in Italy, but the 32-year-old is still in fine enough form to strip down to his underwear for Dolce & Gabbana ads.

No. 6) Kaka

Age: 26
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: AC Milan
Earnings (m): $17.7, 8.8 pounds, 12.9 euros

The influential play maker known by his childhood nickname is the reigning best player in the world. After receiving the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award (and similar UEFA Club, World Soccer and Italian Series A awards), Kaka was rewarded by the Rossoneri with a contract extension worth $14 million a year.

No. 5) Cristiano Ronaldo

Age: 23
Nationality: Portuguese
Club: Manchester United
Earnings (m): $18.5, 9.2 pounds, 13.5 euros

After outpacing a Bugatti Veyron in a recent Nike ad, the Portuguese winger beat a club record for most goals (32) in a season held by Old Trafford idol George Best. Man U. is about to match his Beckham-like fame off the pitch by making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League with a new contract worth over $275,000 per week.

No. 4) Ronaldo

Age: 31
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: AC Milan
Earnings (m): $21.2, 10.6 pounds, 15.5 euros

In February 2008, the three-time World Player of the Year and all-time leading World Cup scorer suffered a season-ending knee injury. Since it was the third of such kind, requiring nine months of rehabilitation and his contract expires in June 30, it's likely The Phenomenon's career is in jeopardy, at least in a top-flight league. His hometown team, Rio's Flamengo, beckons.

No. 3) Thierry Henry

Age: 30
Nationality: French
Club: Barcelona
Earnings (m): $25.1, 12.5 pounds, 18.3 euros

Less than a year after Arsenal's career-leading scorer (226 goals) signed a four-year contract with Barcelona worth more than $9 million a year, the French national is up for sale. MLS's Seattle Sounders are in hot pursuit, and Henry said he would love to play in the U.S. Americans are already familiar with him--he's the other famous face in the Gillette ads with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.

No. 2) Ronaldinho

Age: 28
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: Barcelona
Earnings (m): $32.6, 16.3 pounds, 23.8 euros

After starting in only 13 league games this season due to a thigh injury, Ronaldinho is out for the season and stands accused of having "Brazilian superstar disease." AC Milan (Italian Series A), Manchester City (EPL) and Don Garber of MLS all think they have a cure. YouTube is already infected--it contains over 115,000 videos of him, including Nike's "Touch of Gold" viewed by over 22 million people.

No. 1) David Beckham

Age: 33
Nationality: English
Club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Earnings (m): $48.9, 24.4 pounds, 35.7 euros

After appearing in his milestone 100th match for England, Becks marked his second season at the Galaxy's home opener with a win. Off the pitch, Beck's brain trust is making sure he benefits from the jersey and ticket sales incentives in his new contract. His Armani underwear campaign has soccer moms taking notice. His Sharpie deal makes sure he can sign all the No. 23 merchandise their kids bring to the Home Depot Center.

Top 10 Richest Person in the World-2009

2008-12-24T00:54:00.001-08:00

1) Bill Gates

Net Worth:$40.0 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Microsoft
Age:53
Country Of Citizenship:United States
Residence:Medina, Washington
Industry:Software
Education:Harvard University, Drop Out,

2) Warren Buffett

Net Worth:$37.0 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Berkshire Hathaway
Age:78
Country Of Citizenship:United States
Residence:Omaha, Nebraska
Industry:Investments
Education:University of Nebraska Lincoln, Bachelor of Arts / Science, Columbia University, Master of Science

3) Carlos Slim Helu

Net Worth:$35.0 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:telecom
Age:69
Country Of Citizenship:Mexico
Residence:Mexico City
Industry:Telecommunications
Education:NA,

4) Lawrence Ellison

Net Worth:$22.5 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Oracle
Age:64
Country Of Citizenship:United States
Residence:Redwood City, California
Industry:Software
Education:University of Illinois, Drop Out,

5) Ingvar Kamprad

Net Worth:$22.0 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Ikea
Age:83
Country Of Citizenship:Sweden
Residence:Lausanne
Industry:Retail
Education:NA,

6) Karl Albrecht

Net Worth:$21.5 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Aldi
Age:89
Country Of Citizenship:Germany
Residence:Mulheim an der Ruhr
Industry:Retail
Education:NA,

7)Mukesh Ambani

Net Worth:$19.5 bil
Fortune:inherited and growing
Source:petrochemicals
Age:51
Country Of Citizenship:India
Residence:Mumbai
Industry:Manufacturing
Education:University of Bombay, Bachelor of Arts / Science, Stanford University, Drop Out

8)Lakshmi Mittal

Net Worth:$19.3 bil
Fortune:inherited and growing
Source:steel
Age:58
Country Of Citizenship:India
Residence:London
Industry:Steel
Education:St Xavier's College Calcutta, Bachelor of Arts / Science,

9) Theo Albrecht

Net Worth:$18.8 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Aldi, Trader Joe's
Age:87
Country Of Citizenship:Germany
Residence:Foehr
Industry:Retail
Education:NA,

10) Amancio Ortega

Net Worth:$18.3 bil
Fortune:self made
Source:Zara
Age:73
Country Of Citizenship:Spain
Residence:La Coruna
Industry:Retail
Education:NA,

TOP-10 EXPENSIVE MOBILES IN THE WORLD

2008-12-17T06:59:00.000-08:00

1. Goldvish “Le million” = $1,000,000

This is the most most expensive Cell Phone in the history of mankind. It was exhibited at the three-day Millionaire’s Fair in Cannes, France to certify the sale of the Most Expensive Cell Phone in the world. Also nicknamed ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique which was bought by a Russian businessman for his wife for 1 million Euros ($1.2 million)!

2.Vertu Signature Cobra = $310,000

Vertu’s Signature Cobra Cellphone can be yours for only $310,000.Vertu is now taking orders for the Signature Cobra, designed by French jeweler Boucheron, but you had better be quick as only 8 are being made! The Cobra will feature one pear-cut diamond, one round white diamond, two emerald eyes and 439 rubies. Vertu will also be offering a “cheaper” version, ruby free, at $115,000

3.Sony Ericsson Black Diamond = $300,000

The Black Diamond will be available in 2007, not from Sony Ericsson but by a company called VIPN. Initially only 5 unique numered pieces will be available for the unbelievable price of, wait for it… $300,000.

Black Diamond will have Quad-band with Wi-Fi, an Intel 400Mhz processor running windows mobile 5, and a touch sensitive 2″ screen. It will also include internal memory of 128mb and will come with a 2Gb SD card for external storage, plus a respectable 4 Megapixel camera.

4.Vertu Diamond = $88,000

The Diamond is Vertu’s premium range of high-end mobile phones. As the name suggests the handsets in the Diamond range are diamond-encrusted handsets made from platinum. Only 200 of the handsets are being produced, the most expensive believed to be worth an estimated £50,000.

5.Motorola V220 Special Edition = £28,000

Austrian designer Peter Aloisson, has taken a standard Motorola, studded it with 1,200 diamonds and added a keyboard inlaid with 18 carat gold.This phone i think is dedicated for women

6.Gold Edition Nokia 8800 Phone = $2,700

If you have $2,700 to spare, you can now buy the Nokia 8800 in 24K gold. However, be warned, if you think you’ll be getting a better phone for your extra cash, you wont! The features found on the Gold Edition are the standard 8800 features, which are pretty basic. It includes a 0.5 Mega pixel SVGA camera, 64 MB of internal memory, 64 voice polyphonic rigntones, FM Radio, Mp3 Player, video recording and 180 mins talktime. However, the Gold Edition does includes a special edition box and charging dock!

7.Mobiado Professional EM (wood) = $1,900

The Mobiado Professional EM, is a wood-clad upgrade of their earlier Nokia-based phone that includes a 1.3 megapixel camera, music player, FM radio, Bluetooth, and according to Mobiado it’s the first production phone with Titanium buttons. Only 200 are being made and each one has its limited number engraved on the back. At $1,900 however, you’re still paying an awfully high premium for a fairly basic phone encased in wood!

8.Bang & Olufsen (Samsung) Serene = $1,250

Bang & Olufsen hooked up with Samsung to design the sleek but unconventional Serene. Its not a bad looking phone and it even has a built-in motor to assist you in opening and closing the phone. It’s not very practical however, requiring a special screwdriver to access the battery and the SIM card, and its circular keypad will take some getting used to. Also, for some strange reason they have positioned the camera lens on the side of the device, which will make it difficult to align snapshots via the viewfinder on the display

9.Lamborghini 8800 Sirocco from Nokia = $1250

The Lamborghini Nokia 8800 Sirocco is another special edition, like the previously launch Aston Martin branded Sirocco. It will ultimately be a standard 8800 Sirocco but with the addition of the famous Lamborghini logo engraved on the font and the back, plus ball bearings from the auto company to in the slider phone mechanism. The Lamborghini phone will be a limited edition with only 500 being made. It will also feature Lamborghini graphics as wallpapers, screensavers, ringtones, and even has a short documentary video about the Lamborghini.

10.Gresso Luxury Phone= more than 1000$

The Russia based Gresso, is a new entry into the luxury phone market. Their aptly name “Gresso Luxury Phone” is made of gold and African Blackwood. Apparently they will be releasing a collection of five models called the Black Aura collection, and the designer is a “well known” Italian designer. Currently there are two versions of the African Blackwood phone, one with pink gold highlights named the Gresso Blackwood Gold Edition, and one made entirely of African Blackwood.

7 Wonders of the World

2008-12-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

1.The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

2.Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

3.Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

4.The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

5.The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

6.Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7.The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

TOP-10 SUPER CARS

2008-12-14T04:16:00.000-08:00

1. Bugatti Veyron 16.4

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 from Germany is the world's fastest, most expensive, and most powerful car in the world. It can touch speeds of over 407.5 kmph and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds.

The supercar costs about $1.4 million (Rs 6.3 crore).

2.Koenigsegg CCX
he Koenigsegg CCX is a highly expensive and extremely fast car from Sweden. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

The supercar costs about $722,534 (Rs 3.25 crore).

3.Ascari A10
The Ascari A10 is a super automobile developed by the British company Ascari Cars. The car can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

This super car costs about $665,000 (Rs 3 crore).

4.Zonda Roadster F

The Pagani Zonda Roadster F is a supercar produced by Italian car manufacturer Pagani.

This Italian beauty costs about $610,000 (Rs 2.75 crore) and can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.

5.Saleen S7
The Saleen S7 is America's reigning supercar, jointly designed by RML and Saleen Inc.

This spectacular machine costs about $580,000 (Rs 2.61 crire)and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

6.The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is a supercar made by Italy's Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. It is perhaps the world's most recognised and desired car.

This extraordinary supercar can set your bank balance back by about $319,000 (Rs 1.43 crore). It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds flat.

7. Spyker D12
This Dutch supercar costs about $287,500 (Rs 1.3 crore) and can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5 seconds.

8.Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is a magnificent 2-seat machine styled by Pininfarina along with Ferrari's in-house design guru Frank Stephenson.

This Italian supercar is Ferrari's most powerful V-12 production that costs about $255,000 (Rs 1.15 crore) and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds.

9.2007 Mosler MT900S

The Mosler MT900S is made of a carbon-fibre-reinforced steel frame.

This American supercar costs $189,000 (Rs 85 lakh) and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

It is a 2-seater coupe and has a 5.7-litre V-8, 435 bhp engine.

10.Audi R8
The Audi R8 is a sports car from the German automaker Audi.

The R8 supercar from Audi costs about $130,000 (Rs 60 lakh) and can go 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.