Rotorua is situated in central North Island of New Zealand, and is now only 3 hours away for Aussies with direct Air New Zealand flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. From the moment you arrive into Rotorua you know you are somewhere like nowhere else on earth. Imagine scenic walks through spectacular volcanic landscape, a dip in natural hot springs and living Maori culture. Or experience its spirit with the thrills of water rafting, four wheel driving, sky diving, bungee jumping and vast array of adrenalin satisfying activities. Rotorua knows how to pamper its visitors and invites you to soak in the healing waters of a hot spring, unwind with a therapeutic spa or ease aches and pains with a natural mud wrap. • Stay 4 nights at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside from $617 per person: (departing Tuesdays) only minutes from city centre this 4 star resort features an indoor Spa and Fitness centre, Geothermal heated pools, Cafe, Restaurant and Bar, complimentary parking and conference & function facilities for up to 500 people. Guests can enjoy nightly performances at the Maori cultural centre, or make the most of nearby attractions, including water activities on the lake and the famous thermal reserves. Book now and enjoy 30 mins complimentary relaxing soak in a geothermal plunge pool. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and again in 2009, ZUJI® was recognised as Asia Pacific's 'Best Online Travel Agent', as awarded by TTG travel magazines in Asia Pacific. ZUJI was also awarded as the 'Best Online Travel Agency' in 2007 by the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards. 'Condé Nast Traveler' magazine (March 08, US-edition) announced ZUJI as the 'best travel web site for flights in Asia'.

Source: TRAVEL TROLL - Travel News Clearing House: ZUJI's Rotorua- Thrill ...

The image, which is based on population data, shows how many people each political party represents.

Benjamin Hennig, a postgraduate researcher at the University4s Department of Geography, created the map.

Unlike conventional maps or the commonly used constituency maps, it puts human beings as the focus to tell a different story of the election results.

The new map created uses a gridded population cartogram, with each grid cell sized according to the number of people who live there. By reflecting where people live in the country, the map enables to see at a glance the number of people who are now represented by each party after the General Election on May 6, 2010.

Ben said: "We designed this map to provide an additional element to the existing election maps. When analysing the election results, the map provides an alternative angle by showing the real dimension of the people’s vote in this election." (ANI)

Source: Unique map shows UK poll results in new light | Hamara News covers ...

"We are discussing the situation with various supporting parties.

Talks are on to resolve the matter and there are positive signs. I feel that the present political situation is grave and must be resolved soon, to uphold the trust of people who had elected the government for their welfare," said Sudesh Mahato, State Minister and AJSU President.

Due to internal differences, the BJP has been unable to appoint a chief ministerial candidate, even as the party’s central observers, Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar, seek a consensus with supporting factions.

On the other hand, JMM leaders have not taken a clear stand on which candidate they wish to support as the Chief Minister, further complicating matters.

"All views are being discussed in the ongoing talks, and we are hopeful of arriving at a decision soon," said Hemant Soren, son of ex-Chief Minister Shibu Soren and a possible candidate for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, a few other political parties are closely observing the scenario, and are offering ‘formulae’ to the JMM to resolve the crisis.

Babulal Marandi, chief of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVMP) has also joined the fray and has offered support to a coalition of like-minded parties like the JVMP, JMM and the Indian National Congress. Marandi has also asked that the ruling government of the state must be immediately dismissed.

"In my view, no political party will support the JMM in the present scenario. This is because the JMM has not done anything worthwhile for the masses ever since it came to power," claimed Marandi.

The JMM-led government in Jharkhand was reduced to a minority on April 28 after the BJP withdrew its support, as it was reportedly upset withy Soren for voting with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government on the cut motion.

Read more...

Hier soir j'ai fais la bonne teuf a la libano-vietnamiese!!

On a commence par des bierres la BIA HA NOI c'est la bierre local, bien blonde, bien fraiche et pratiquement a moins que $1!! donc je ne vous dit pas combien ils en boivent ici, c'est la boisson nationale... on a ete dans un bar francais "l"ete", bien mange! :) et puis apres c'est parti la soiree a demarre au rythme de la vodka de riz.

En fait on s'est retrouve dans une rue qui s'apelle CHICKEN STREET et biensur qu'est ce qu'on mange dans la rue du poulet... hum tricky right!? DU POULEETTTT.. dans toutes ses formes (TOUTES) et ses saveurs! limite tu deviens poulet le temps d'un repas l..et le restaurant est a meme la rue, les tables sont basses, les petis tabouret en plastiques sur lesquelles on s'assoit ressemble a ceux des garderie. Le Vietnamien est tellement petit de taille et de tout :P que tout est en version micro... ca bouge, ya du bruits pardon.. les gens deambulent partout...

Bon more importantly, in between every bits of chicken (or not if you don't eat), you drink a shot of the local vodka, a rice vodka.. and yeaaaaaah it is good! it's like regular vodka, with a strong taste of medical alcohol, si je me souviens c'est a 29%...shots after shots after shots...

It was a pretty much international table, there were english, french, viets, belge, canadian, bref une taboulet de citoyen du monde avec juste une envie: profitez a fond de Hanoi et de l' excitante vie de nuit!! and they take it very seriously, you literaly drink a shot every minutes, its a matter of minutes before you get completly fucked!

Apres chicken street c'est au FUNKY BOUDDHA qu'on a continue a boire! et a danser. J'ai rencontre un Belge qui rentrait d'une exploration du Nord du Vietnam, en moto :) impressionant!! and basically with every vodka shot, you can say that you create a kind of alcoholik connection :) chacun raconte un peu sa petite histoire, you learn, and you laugh a lot! the funny...

Read more...

It is reported that the BJP legislature party will meet here today over the current political situation.

BJP leader Baidnath Ram said that they have made a request that the new Chief Minister be chosen by the state MLAs.

"We informed our national leaders about our view that the Chief Minister of Jharkhand should be chosen by the state MLAs. The central leadership has accepted our demand. Today, two observers from the national leadership will meet the state MLAs and thereafter the meeting of the legislators, the new Chief Minister will be announced," said Ram.

"You will know in some time. Whatever agreement has been reached between the two parties is right, but BJP is leading the government for sure," he added.

With various leaders taking divergent positions, the Parliamentary Board, which met with BJP President Nitin Gadkari in the chair in New Delhi on Monday, decided to send two observers, senior general secretary Ananth Kumar and the former president Rajnath Singh to Ranchi on Tuesday to assess whom the legislature party wants as Chief Minister.

After the meeting, BJP’s Observer for the Jharkhand Unit, Anant Kumar, said it was decided in the meeting that BJP would lead the government in the state.

He also informed that the BJP leaders would meet in Ranchi on Tuesday to choose the new Chief Minister.

The JMM-led government in Jharkhand was reduced to a minority on April 28 after the BJP withdrew its support, as it was reportedly upset withy Soren for voting with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government on the cut motion.

After the BJP’s pullout, the ruling coalition has been reduced to 28 Members in a House of 81. (ANI)

Source: BJP legislators to decide new Jharkhand CM | Hamara News covers ...