The Temple House Hotel in Chengdu, China Lets You Chill with Panda Bears

Chengdu, China is world famous as the ancestral home of the panda bear species. Panda bears have lived in Chengdu and China specifically for well over 4 millennia. Chengdu is also world famous for its intensive and vigorous conservatory, zoo and wildlife programs that are designed to maintain and ensure the continued propagation of the endangered panda. Simply Called ‘The Pandaland’ It's best to check your sources to get verifiable data on current global panda populations. Estimates are known to vary wildly. Most conservative estimates maintain that there are only about 1,600 panda bears left on Earth. More robust or optimistic estimates pertaining to panda bear populations in the wild will only bring that number up to 2,000 or just under 3,000.Bear in mind that those numbers mostly pertain to panda bears in the wild. There are probably only 200 or less than 300 panda bears currently in captivity. You are more likely to see a monkey, or giraffe or walrus at the local zoo than a panda bear, depending on where you live. Panda bears are a very rare species indeed. In fact, if not for sake of the intensive, 3-decade conservation programs that thrive in Chengdu, the panda bear might already be extinct. Where to Live? However, now there is a way to merge the atmospherics of a 5-star lodging with the innate cuteness and lovability of panda bears. (Because, why not?) Animal-loving luxury travelers can seize the day and stay at the 5-star Temple House Hotel in Chengdu. The Temple House Hotel, which is an affiliate of the Swire Hotels’ hospitality chain, has recently entered into a cooperative with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The staff at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding do exactly what their unwieldy name implies. Opening in the late 1980’s with only six panda bears with the operational mandate of studying and saving the panda bear species before they became extinct. The base is now 50-strong in its panda bear population. Chengdu Research Bases places their pandas in re-constructed nature habitats and employs safe interaction protocols that allow visitors to get close-up and safely watch the pandas in safe proximity. The Temple House Hotel When you reserve a room at the Temple House Hotel, you are will be given two complimentary tickets to visit the Chengdu Research Base. The staff will help you to spend a day experiencing the life of a panda bear in close proximity in a recreated habitat. The $300-a-night Temple House Hotel was erected on land that is of immense historical significance to Chinese pride. The hotel grounds were once used in the era of the Qing dynasty. The hotel offers state-of-the-art workout facilities, a luxurious décor, and free daily continental or more Sino-themed breakfast. The aesthetical look of the Temple House Hotel inspires awe as well.  Though the name of the hotel has the word, “temple,” clearly in it, the Temple House Hotel is more of a modern, double building complex of L-shaped luxury towers. The best part of staying at the Temple House Hotel in Chengdu? You will receive a complimentary plush panda bear as a gift upon check-out. Because, why not?    Disclaimer - All Images are subject to accreditations of the Owner unless otherwise indicated so.

The Residence - Etihad Airways Luxury Flight Service Costs $38,000 One-Way

The much coveted and rarified standards for mile-high elegance, pampering, and posh service in luxury air travel, standards which are far out of reach for the average economy traveler, have just been raised to a higher level of excellence. Etihad Airways have been flying its new fleet of the state-of-the-art and mammoth A380-000, which is one of the next-generation superjumbo jets capable of transporting almost 500 passengers, in a new air corridor since late 2015.The U. A. E. based airline company initiated a New York City to Mumbai flight route for its A380-000 fleet. Moreover, the airline has instituted a new luxury hospitality and pampering service called, “The Residence,” which currently holds the distinction of being the world’s most expensive airline ticket. No other airline even comes close. Features of the Etihad Airways Luxury Flight The Residence is a two-person capacity, 3-room cabin suite on the airliner’s New York City to Mumbai route, which also has a stopover in Abu Dhabi. The Residence features head-of-state level amenities and a cost of $38,000 for a one-way ticket. If you would like to experience the Residence on the airline’s London to Mumbai route, then it will cost you about $26,000 one-way. For those of you of the budget-luxe minded persuasion, Etihad Airways also has a Residence cabin suite on its Abu Dhabi to Mumbai route that only costs about $5,000 for a one-way ticket, which relatively speaking is quite the bargain. Price of the Ticket The Residence features a living room with haute-couture designer linens and leather furniture, sofa, dining room furniture and 32-inch flat screen television. The bedroom features a bed that is almost 7 feet long and 27-inch flat screen television. In the bathroom, there is a standing shower. Your $38,000 one-way ticket also entitles you to an in-flight personal butler and private chef, breakfast in bed, access to an exclusive pre-flight and post-flight lounge and a personal chauffeur, among other elegant amenities. The Residence’s New York City to Mumbai route via Abu Dhabi takes about 20 hours to traverse. Of course, if you happen to live for such mile-high indulgence, then why not pay $76,000 for the round-trip experience of the Residence?   Disclaimer - All Images are subject to accreditations of the Owner unless otherwise indicated so.  

Top 5 Countries to Travel Alone

Costa Rica Costa Rica takes first place on the Happy Planet Index, meaning that people of the country lead long, happy, sustainable lives. Besides being a happy country, Costa Rica is also a great place for adventure — like water sports, the famous Cloud Forest canopy tour, whitewater rafting, zip lining and relaxing at the beach. Bali One of the most popular spa destinations in the world. If you want to take some time off and reward yourself for weeks of hard work, Bali is the place to choose to pamper yourself. There is also famous Sacred Monkey Forest and rice fields if you want to make your fabulous spa experience even more unique. Japan There are plenty of cities in Japan where you will enjoy traveling alone. Major cities in Japan will indulge and entertain you with its unique culture, lifestyle, and fashion. However, if you fan of breathtaking views and nature, you should definitely check out Kyoto, the city of spectacular gardens, colors, and forests. Cambodia The temples of Angkor are considered one of the largest ancient tourist attractions in the world. It has also recently ranked as the number one tourist attraction in the world by Lonely Planet, it is a great place for a little self-reflection. Chile At first solo travel to Chile might sound a little sketchy, especially for the female travelers, however, Chile has a well-deserved reputation as one of the safest countries for solo female travelers in Latin America and the world. Moreover, there are countless activities you can find in Chile, such as wine tasting, hiking, sandboarding in the desert and there is even spiritual Easter Island, where you can also do horse riding and snorkeling.

Rosie O'Donnell Reports Missing Daughter

Rosie O’Donnell’s 17-year-old daughter Chelsea has been missing since last week, the TV star confirmed on her website. The teen and her 6-month-old therapy dog named Bear, a 9-pound brown and black terrier, were last seen Aug. 11 in Nyack. “Chelsea stopped taking her medicine and is in need of medical attention,” says the post, dated Tuesday. Chelsea was last seen wearing a black hoodie, dark ripped jeans, gray Converse sneakers and a black backpack. She has a large tattoo on her right side of a dream catcher with the word “Breathe.” Nyack police have been searching for her in the Rockland County area since Sunday, but O’Donnell said on her Twitter page that her daughter could also be in New York City. The comedienne, who has four other children, tweeted a photo of Chelsea and Bear. O’Donnell adopted Chelsea in 1997, but the girl’s biological mom, Deanna Micoley, told the National Enquirer in March that the actress “stole” her kid. “I may not have been the best mother back then. I did drugs and I have a criminal record because of it,” Micoley told the newspaper. “But I surely didn’t deserve to have my baby stolen from me!” Reps for O’Donnell said her daughter Chelsea suffers from a mental illness, had stopped taking her medication and is in need of medical attention. O’Donnell’s spokeswoman Cindi Berger said,”Chelsea, like millions of people, lives with mental illness. It has been a difficult road for Chelsea and her family and they just want her back safe.”

Uma Thurman Blows Up at Reports at Custody Hearing

“Kill Bill” actress Uma Thurman unleashed her fury at reporters Monday, saying they should be banned from court after a hearing in her child-custody battle with her ex, hedge-fund executive Arpad “Arki” Busson. “The press doesn’t belong in Family Court,” Thurman fumed, although she was actually in Manhattan Supreme Court, three blocks away from Manhattan Family Court. “You should respect people’s privacy,” the Golden Globe nominee added after slipping on a pair of black sunglasses. “Thank you. Goodbye,” she snapped, pointing toward the exit. Busson, 52, hauled Thurman, 45, into court so he could spend more time with their 3-year-old daughter, Luna. The London-based multimillionaire received permission from the judge to call into court on the telephone, while Thurman had to attend in person. Thurman and her two lawyers met privately with Justice Matthew Cooper and Busson’s lawyers for about an hour. They emerged from behind closed doors with a temporary settlement. Cooper praised the two sides for putting their daughter’s well-being ahead of their differences. “I’m very pleased that we were able to resolve the immediate issue of parental access with the child and everybody has acted in a good, cooperative manner and certainly in a way where I’m struck by how concerned both sides were for the best interests of their daughter,” Cooper said from the bench. The judge continued to compliment the “Pulp Fiction” star and her ex, who was on speakerphone. “I commend Ms. Thurman and I commend Mr. Busson for flexibility, for being able to accommodate one another, but most of all being able to take their daughter’s needs first and foremost,” he said. “The immediate issue before me has been resolved. We will meet again to work out an ultimate parenting plan,” he said. The nature of the conflict was not clear, as legal documents involving child custody are sealed, although related court proceedings in both Manhattan Supreme and Manhattan Family courts are public. Busson’s lawyer declined to comment. Outside the courtroom, Thurman’s assistant apologized to the press, telling reporters that her boss is “very sensitive” about “personal matters” involving her children. Thurman, who called off her engagement to Busson in 2014, also has two children with ex-husband Ethan Hawke.