Jonathan Stein – Page 5 – Ocean Blue WORLD

The Incredible Chinese Skyscraper with a 350-Foot-Tall Waterfall

China Has Another Wonder of the World to Add to the List

Not to be outdone by Dubai and their incredible achievements, China now is home to the largest artificial waterfall. In Guiyang, capital of the Guizhou province, the cascade stands at 350 feet. It was built as part of the Liebian International Building, a skyscraper featuring a luxury hotel, retail stores and offices. The Ludi Industry Group is behind the extravagant design, director Cheng Xiamao said “Guiyang is a city of mountains, and with many trees, just like a forest.” He wanted “to create a feeling of water and greenery, even when you are surrounded by skyscrapers.”

The local government has recently been committed to making the city more ecological and built Guiyang into a garden city with over 45 percent grass and tree coverage. The city is sometimes known as the “world’s summer resort.” Curiously enough the previous largest artificial waterfall was in another lovely, green city, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The cascade is meant as an attraction and to be used for special festivities and events. Last month for example it was running during the International Marathon, which had approximately 25,000 participants. So far though it has only been active between half a dozen to a dozen times with the oft-cited reason being the high cost. Recycled tap water and rainwater is pooled in a four story underground storage and drainage facility. This needs to be brought up hundreds of feet and requires an extensive four-pump system to function. The amount of electricity used per hour costs roughly $120 USD to run the marvel of human engineering.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmejY1igsb4/?taken-by=arqsketch

While some may critique it for the use of energy, others believe it is something unique and the waterfall fits well in the setting. The province is already known for its beautiful natural splendor. Any trip will be well worth it and if you plan a trip around a special event then you will have the best chance at seeing this human made wonder in action.

Courtesy of: Liebian International Building.

The Los Cabos ATP 250

The Los Cabos ATP 250 (Abierto de Tenis Mifel) was another smashing success. In just the third edition of the event, top seed Juan Martin Del Potro, currently 4th in the world, was the favorite and a draw for many fans. The towering Argentine is one of the most popular players on tour due to his powerful game, friendliness and gentle demeanor. 2nd seed Fabio Fognini currently 14th in the world is more enigmatic but also a fan favorite for his incredible natural talent, allowing him to attack on either side or use his touch for drop shots.

Also featured from the top 30 were defending champion Sam Querrey, and last year’s semifinalists Damir Dzumhur and Adrian Mannarino. Many players cite Los Cabos as one of their favorite tournaments due to the beautiful setting, playing their matches at night and the superb organization thanks to Grupo Pegaso.

The main stadium holds several thousand people allowing for lots of excitement and energy from the crowd without having a seat with a bad view for any spectator. The facilities provide space to enjoy food, drinks and souvenir shopping. If you’re lucky you can get autographs or photos with the pros. The side courts have several rows of seating which let you see the players a few feet away. Even for non-tennis players, watching such high level athletes so close is spectacular. For anyone remotely interested in tennis this event is a must see.

The story of the week was a Latin American doubles team taking home the championship. Marcelo Arevalo from El Salvador and Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela from Mexico played a fantastic tournament and captured the hearts of the crowd with their genuine joy and humility at winning. This was the first time since 1995 that a Mexican player has won a title in Mexico and the first ATP title for either player. Their 6-4 6-4 win over the 2nd seeds Kokkinakis and Fritz displayed their maturity and coordination as a team for the win over the highly ranked, big hitting, young stars.

In a tournament full of upsets, the biggest might have been in the final with Fognini defeating Del Potro for his first hard court title. Fognini deserved the win and earned it by being patient and taking his opportunities to put Del Potro under pressure.

As the tournament continues to grow we can look forward to more and more high level players coming down to enjoy Los Cabos. Be sure to mark it off in your calendar for next year! Ocean Blue World looks forward to another year, taking you #BehindTheScenes.

Thanyapura Health and Sports Hotel

Thanyapura Health and Sports Hotel in Phuket

Located in Phuket, just 15 minutes away from the international airport, this hotel is a dream come true for elite athletes! Whether you are recreationally into sports and fitness, or a professional athlete, Thanyapura has what you need.

With an Olympic pool and a semi Olympic pool side by side you can swim for light exercise or train hard, and possibly train alongside world-class athletes as they prepare for their next event. With many swimming and triathlon training programs to choose from, this is a must for serious swimmers.

The gym features top of the line Technogym equipment, there are spin classes, core classes, yoga, aqua exercise and more! 6 Plexicushion tennis courts allow you to play on a top quality surface that is easier on the joints. There are two outdoor courts if you want the tan and heat and there are 4 beautifully covered courts with stadium seating and open sides for fresh airflow.

Wanting to be thorough in their approach to health and fitness Thanyapura also delights its guests with delicious and healthy food. There are several different menus based on your needs such as organic options, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or specific detox plans you can determine with their nutrition specialist.

They make sure hard training athletes are taken care of by having on site: a doctor, chiropractor, massage therapists, meditation and mind training, physiotherapy, intravenous infusions, Ayurvedic medicine, and the list goes on.

The accommodation options are the 77 room Thanyapura Sports Hotel (Pool Wing) featuring a 25 meter recreational pool and the 38 room Thanyapura Retreat Hotel (Garden Wing) home to an outdoor terrace and views of the Khao Phra Thaew national park. Both sides have several configurations to suit your needs. This is a big perk for the athletes coming to prepare for the Asian swing of their tour. They can acclimate and train hard in great facilities without spending a fortune. Thanyapura offers more luxurious suites to take care of you and give you that relaxing vacation experience as well.

The spa has many treatments to melt away stress and tension, whether physical or mental. Their approach is a holistic one, “We must nurture our mind, nourish our soul and take care of our bodies.” Highly recommended is the Hot Herbal Compress and Stretch. This treatment has been used for hundreds of years in Thailand to reduce pain and inflammation. A muslin compress containing therapeutic herbs such as: prai, ginger, turmeric, kaffir lime and lemongrass, is steamed and applied to the body with gentle pressure through circular and rolling movements to help improve circulation, stimulate nerves, relax muscles and energize the internal organs.

A Sweet St. Lucia Spa at Sugar Beach

The first things you will notice as you arrive to this tropical spa are the breathtaking surroundings of the Piton mountain. The natural energy is both vibrant yet calming. As if this were not enough, the tree house treatment rooms transport you into a relaxing environment with lush vegetation and the soothing sounds of a nearby stream for your spa experience.

Designed to nourish both the outside as well as the inside of your body, all-natural treatment rituals are chemical free and take advantage of the healing powers of local ingredients and wisdom. Whether it is coconut, banana, aloe vera or cocoa butter, you are sure to be surprised at how good a natural rejuvenation or cleansing can be.

Integrating the native habitat to its fullest, the steamroom is heated by volcanic spring water. The hot stone massage uses local volcanic rocks to melt away tension in the body. There is a relaxation pavillion. Why? One can never have too many beautiful options to relax in.

Highly recommended is the Chocolate Scrub which features Dead Sea salts, essential oils and 100% cocoa. This body polish and massage is a luxurious sensory experience that will leave your skin feeling well hydrated, remineralized and leave you with the sumptious aroma of chocolate following you for hours.

If you like exercise be sure to take advantage of the activities offered such as yoga and Pilates. For the more adventurous there are a whole host of water activities sure to delight you. Windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, hobiecats and pedalos are all available. The Caribbean sun is quite strong so take care to lather up in sunscreen, environmentally friendly sunscreen if possible, as there is a reef nearby to snorkel in.

The Sun Soother wrap will take care of you and your skin after a full day of sun. They use a blend of aloe, oatmeal and lavender in the wrap to reduce the consequences of over-exposure to the sun. The scalp massage included will take you to another world of bliss while your skin is recovering.

See why Sugar Beach was on Conde Naste’s 2017 Reader’s Choice list of Top Resorts in the Caribbean.

Six Senses Duxton

Singapore is now home to Six Senses’ Duxton, the first (and stunning) urban hotel from the luxury resort company previously known for beach properties. The ornate designs of Anouska Hempel in this complete restoration demonstrate their high-class through a color blend of black, gold and yellow. Carefully appointed Chinese screens and calligrafy add exquisite detail.

There are too many incredible characteristics to mention but there are a couple that cannot be overlooked. For a truly unique experience Hempel has designed the hotel so that of the 49 guestrooms no two are exactly the same. Rooted in the history and culture of the area, Six Senses Duxton will have its own medicinal herbal dispensary and a traditional Chinese medicine doctor is available by appointment for readings and herbal therapies for a holistic healing experience you cannot find in other hotels.

The location in the Tanjong Pagar district, famously known for opium and gambling in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, is full of genuine experiences, socializing, nightlife and fine dining. Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses says, “It’s all about community and being part of the rich, local culture of Singapore.” You can get the real experience and a taste of Singapore within a few city blocks. The hotel features it’s own unique ambiance for the in house restaurant Yellow Pot, offering classic fine dining as well as innovative Chinese cuisine. Follow up with a drink in the lobby bar, highly recommended is the signature house cocktail of hot whiskey, brandy and absinth, topped with yellow chrysanthemum.

Although the ecological trend has begun, many hotels still have not joined it yet. The Six Senses Duxton gets bonus points for filtering their own water and providing glass water bottles that can be refilled to minimize plastic use and waste. Bath amenities are also in refillable ceramic containers instead of the traditional small plastic bottles.

If you are looking for a taste of history mixed with a blend of opulence and a dash of herbal healing there is no better place than the Six Senses Duxton. The kind of experiences and attention to detail found here will leave you wondering why Six Senses did not enter the urban hotel scene earlier.