The famous exhibition of wax figures has a remarkable history. Madame Tussaud was taken, by her mother, to Bern in Switzerland from Strasbourg after the death of her father in the Seven Year War. Here she was employed by Dr Phillippe Curtius, a physician, who was well-known for his anatomical wax models. He moved to Paris and took his young apprentice with him (she was only 6 years old). Her very first wax model was of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1778 and she began showing a remarkable talent.

By the time she was 17 Tussaud became the art tutor to King Louis XVI’s sister, Madame Elizabeth, at the Palace of Versailles.During the French Revolution she was imprisoned for 3 months awaiting execution, but was released due to the intervention of an influential friend. To show her allegiance to the Revolution Madame Tussaud was forced to make death masks of the aristocracy who had been guillotined (which included the King and Marie Antoinette). The masks were put on spikes and placed in the Place de la Concorde for display.After the death of her mentor, who left her all his masks and waxworks, Tussaud decided to start a new life across the waters in England in the early 1800s.

She spent the next 36 years taking her travelling show across the British Isles, seeking fame and glamour. The show gave ordinary folk the opportunity to see famous figures they had only heard about. In 1835 Madame Tussaud & Sons set up a permanent exhibition on Baker Street, called the Baker Street Bazaar. Visitors paid sixpence to see the waxworks, the famous Chamber of Horrors, artefacts from the French Revolution and the guillotine believed to have been the one used to execute Marie Antoinette. In 1884 the exhibition moved to its present location in Marylebone Road.

A panel of senior executives consider requests and current events when deciding on wax models. They then put 30 sculptors and many specialist technicians to work out of the west London workshop. The first sitting for a waxwork lasts at least 4 hours and over 200 hundred photographs are taken from every angle, and every conceivable measurement is taken. Hair samples and false eyes are taken to the sitting to get the colours as close as possible to the real thing. And even an impression of the famous person’s teeth and a plaster mould of their hands are made. The first model of the heads are made of clay and when the okay has been given to start on the actual wax work, translucent wax is used to make it look like human skin and many layers of oil paint is used to get the skin tone, veins and freckles absolutely right. Inserting over 10,000 individual hairs can take over 4 weeks. It’s the detail that makes the difference.

After 4 months of hard work, Madam Tussauds unveiled their 23rd waxwork of the Queen for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at a cost of over £150,000. Her dress is decorated with over 53,000 Swarovski crystals and she is wearing a copy of the state diadem, created in 1820, and copies of jewels which belonged to Queen Victoria.

Politicians, pop stars, actors, sports stars… famous people are still the draw of the museum. With branches across the globe, visitors from Las Vegas, Shanghai and Berlin, to Sydney, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and more, can keep Madame Tussaud’s dream of sensationalism and her dark tourism alive.

In the early eighties, the late country music singer/songwriter John Denver wrote a love song called Shanghai Breezes. Denver wrote the song for his wife Annie during a month long tour through China. The tender lyrics remind us of how we are all connected regardless of where we are on the planet and the many differences that divide us. And the moon and the stars are the same ones you see; it’s the same old sun up in the sky; and your voice in my ear is like heaven to me; like the breezes here in old Shanghai.

With Denver’s lyrics in mind, I am reflecting on the concept of connection as it relates to human life, the planet, and the vast expanse of universe that surrounds us. We are connected through blood, friendship, geography, cultural ties, historical events, the moon and stars above and the air we breathe. We are connected through our similarities and our differences. Yin and Yang, man and woman, good and bad, black and white; diversity is essential for life as we know it.

The study of Cybernetics in nature focuses on separate yet related systems such as organisms, ecologies and even entire societies; these systems are interconnected through a complex feedback loop with multiple layers of heterogeneous, interacting components. Each system has the potential to effect change in another. Even the most subtle act can result in resounding transformation across multiple layers and systems. The teachings of Zen Buddhism maintain that there is a universal path to enlightenment- a meditative state of mindfulness and presence- that connects all living things to each other.

Diversity connects us through rich traditions, distinct cultures and fascinating stories to share. The collective social consciousness tends to neglect the ties that bind us in favor of the differences that tear us apart. Melting pots help us to stay connected while gentrification can foster ignorance. The South Carolina Lowcountry is no exception. Much of what we know and love about the Lowcountry, from the architecture to the plantations, dialect and cuisine, can be traced back to our Caribbean connection, yet for those of us who live and work here the story gets lost amid strip malls, franchises and cookie cutter communities.

Back in 1670 the first group of planters and slaves set sail from Speightstown in Northern Barbados, landing at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River, where the British colony of Charles Towne was settled. With its haunting beautiful coastline, soothing balmy breezes, streets dripping with lush tropical foliage, classic single homes representing all the colors of the rainbow, and the Gullah dialect- a derivative of West Africa- it is impossible to deny that the heart and soul of the Caribbean still runs through Charleston’s veins.

Names like Gibbes, Yeamans, Drayton and Middleton are reminiscent of Charleston’s Caribbean roots, as Charleston was settled in part by English- born Barbadian planters and enslaved Africans. They brought to us the plantation system which became the lifeblood of Charleston’s economy until the end of the Civil War. Thomas Drayton and his wife Ann left Barbados for Charles Towne and established Magnolia Plantation in 1679. The Drayton family owned the property for the next 300 years. At the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775, Magnolia was at the height of rice planting season. Several Drayton sons became involved in the war, with William Henry Drayton taking a leading role. In 1779, the plantation was ransacked by British General Augustine Prevost. John Drayton fled the plantation with his family, but suffered a seizure and died while crossing the Cooper River.

When my husband and I visited Peaches and Quiet on the Southern tip of Barbados several months ago, the Carolina-Barbados connection was readily apparent. On our departure day, we felt sorry for a family from Toronto as they braced themselves for a return to frigid temperature, while the only icy blast that awaited us was the one inside our own freezer. Perhaps it was the warm breezes drifting off the sea, the tropical flowers and emerald palms scattered like rainbow sprinkles, or the sense of tranquility enveloping my body and soul, that reminded me of Charleston. We owe much of this gift to the early settlers from Barbados and their descendents who fought for so hard for our independence, braving the elements to weave a beautiful new tapestry from the original threads of their lush island home.

Peaches and Quiet is charming and unassuming. British owners Adrian and Margaret Loveridge have created a tropical sanctuary where simple elegance meets natural beauty and their story is one of passion and determination. After 42 years working in the tourism industry, Adrian was in bad need of a holiday. He surprised his wife Margaret with a three week trip to Barbados, where the couple rented a car and explored the island. When they stepped onto the grounds of Peaches of Quiet, a divine spark was ignited. They both knew that despite the dilapidated condition of the hotel, the place held a special kind of magic. Adrian explained how the incredible view and whitewashed Moorish architecture spoke to him, compelling him to return the next day. “I believe that buildings have souls,” Adrian stated. After spending several days inside his tropical oasis where balmy breezes never quit and the turquoise sea crashes against the craggy edges of coral and sandstone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, I understood precisely what he meant.

Within four days after first setting foot on the premises, the couple decided to purchase the hotel. Margaret arranged to sell her home in England while a British bank promised to finance 90% of the purchase, but subsequently pulled out of the deal. Many people would have called it quits right about here. Instead, a couple who never even considered purchasing a hotel, felt so drawn to the place that they could not imagine turning back. Adrian approached 27 different banks pleading for assistance before finding relief in the most unlikely of places- a former business rival turned friend who offered to float him the money. Now twenty years later, they continue to face a multitude of challenges and obstacles, from a scarcity of materials and supplies on the island (Adrian admits he would do anything for a Home Depot) to cultural differences in work ethic.

Peaches and Quiet was built in 1973, when a wealthy Canadian hired English architect Ian Morrison to build the hotel of his dreams. When the original owner fell into severe debt, an old sea captain acquired the place on auction. Legend has it that the hotel housed the first gambling room, where the Prime Minister of Barbados, Tom Adams, enjoyed the camaraderie of gentlemen and a constant supply of beautiful women. By the time Adrian and Margaret acquired the hotel in 1988, the hotel’s 17 buildings spread over 4.5 acres were in horrible disrepair. Every roof had to be replaced, the pool required refurbishing and, according to Margaret, the place was “Overgrown and unloved.” Despite the challenges, the couple shared a joint vision and devoted their lives to turning their vision into a reality.

Margaret and Adrian’s service philosophy is reflected in their honesty bar, where guests help themselves to unlimited rum punch, beer, water and sodas throughout the day while keeping track of their own tab. This is by far the best value on the island, as Adrian and Margaret live by the philosophy of under promise and over deliver. The 22 guest suites are simple, clean and comfortable. The buffet style breakfast is simple and satisfying if you don’t mind sharing with the gorgeous birds and friendly resident cats roaming the premises. The dinners are low key, leisurely and romantic. We dined in the soft glow of candlelight with a blanket of twinkling stars above. Margaret promotes a healthy wine list that will satisfy even the most selective of connoisseurs. The dinner menu changes daily with a choice of meat or seafood. The majority of ingredients are locally grown, the sauces are savory and light, and the fresh baked breads are well worth the extra carbohydrates.

Sitting with Margaret as I listened to her story, I wished we could extend our visit just a little longer. “We put everything we have into this property, and despite the challenges, I still believe in the beauty of this place.” Margaret looked off into the distance, as if reflecting back on the past twenty years of her life, which in many ways were as jagged and unforgiving as the stone cliffs that surrounded the edge of the sea before us. With acres of lemon, lime, and grapefruit trees, multitudes of tropical flowers and sounds of the crashing surf, I could begin to see this place through Margaret’s eyes and connect with her vision. “We are not here to make a lot of money,” Margaret stated. “As long as we have a roof over our head, good food in our tummy and a glass of wine in our hands, we are happy, and we believe the same is true for our guests.”

I thought of my own home back in Charleston and the shared history of the South Carolina Lowcountry and this lush Caribbean island. I guess that is all any of us really need, I thought to myself- delicious food, the ocean breeze and plenty of good wine. We are all connected in more ways than we even realize, and we have so many stories to share. I soaked in the beauty of my surroundings for one final moment and prepared for a long journey back across the sea.

Death in the Yantze River

This glorious river that is over 6300 kilometers long is in danger of dying. Since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam which spans the river near Chongqing, a town of over a million people had to be relocated uphill so as not to be covered in water, the water has become extremely polluted, clouded with silt and several species of animals that lived there have gone or are facing extinction.

One species known to have died out is the Chinese River dolphin that was only found here. The Sturgeon is also at risk and many others are struggling to survive.

The river provides drinking water to the villages, towns and cities along its banks. It is also the receptacle for all the waste, including human excrement. Recent pictures show pockets of rubbish, such as plastic drink containers and plastic bags, floating in pools of stagnant water trapped by other debris.

The potential for plague is anonymous and one has only to look back a hundred or so years to London and the polluted Thames River that served also as the drinking fountain for the people. Along its banks one found rotting corpses, all kinds of waste and the stink was awful. So too is it along parts of the Yangtze.

Because of the largest power station in the world, capacity wise, hundreds of thousands of are taking up residence along the river from Shanghai upwards. This is seeing the group of factories and industrial plants that pour their effluent, including heavy metals, directly into it. There is no will on the part of the authorities to clean it up or to fine companies that pollute.

This once mighty waterway is actually destroyed and authorities say it will be dead within five years. What happens there is affecting the rest of the world as well. The polluted water is washed out to sea and already there are intense floating islands of plastic in the Pacific. It appears that rivers in Asia may be greatly to blame for it.

The people who live there are already suffering disease, birth defects, cancers and other things that can be attributed to the water they drink and their lifestyles. Surely with the economy Rising to the height it is in China the government can do something to stop this before it goes any further. But there are now several dams planned for the water way and who knows what damage they will do.

In the advent of online games mahjong solitaire became one of the most popular. This type of game is different from the traditional mah-jong or solitaire. It is a tile game which involves matching in order to undo the arrangement and reveal imaginary treasures included to serve as the game’s rewards.

This game was first introduced on the universities and colleges as student projects. American companies such as Activision took interest in the game and eventually developed it into an online game. The online game format was first introduced in 1986. It was named “shanghai” and a version was created for a platform for Macintosh.

The game is made up of 144 tiles with different designs such as numbers, flowers, and seasons. The tiles are placed in a grid that is most of the time higher on the portion near portion. In the computer version, the lay-out is randomly created by the computer. The lay-out created by the computer is in different patterns, sizes, and heights.

Given this situation, mahjong solitaire is an easy to understand game and is attractive to most players. This was the reason why the game gained popularity. It is also free of charge and does not involve monthly premiums to maintain the game. The player would just log-on to websites with mahjong solitaire and play the game. The player can play as long as he can without having to worry for whatever payments.

Mahjong solitaire is also an advisable game for all ages. This game cannot be used for gambling purposes. In case players would eventually place bets on this, the amount involved are not that large due to the feature of the game which is not concluded easily. It takes a lot of time and strategy before the game produce a winner or loser.

The winner of a mahjong solitaire is determined through a point system. Each tile has a subsequent point. The character for example earns one point, circles earn two points, and bamboos earn three points. The player who earns the greatest points is considered the winner.

As a whole, mahjong solitaire is one of the best ways for individuals to relax and unwind. It does not involve extra spending and monthly payments. The only requirement for this type of game is a computer and an internet connection. It is offered in different websites and players have the liberty to select what they want from the game offered.

Off the beaten path in Belgium is the capital city of the Hainaut region – Mons. Probably best known for a battle during World War I, now known about only by military history buffs, the city is a short train ride from Brussels.

Known as Bergen in Belgium’s “other” language (Flemish), the city has the usual tourist attractions such as an art museum, a cathedral and even a few parks. By all means stop by the tourist office located in the main square but before you jump back on the train to Brussels do consider the following five recommendations while there.

First of all you should come at the right time of the year, Trinity Sunday weekend, so that you can attend the Ducasse. Known as the “Doudou” by the locals, it’s a festival dating back to the 14th century with the highlight of the whole beer drinking weekend being St. George battling the dragon right there in the main square.

The other highlight is actually the procession of the Car d’Or, or Golden Carriage, which is quite a bizarre but religious carriage decked out with little angels and lots of gold. It’s an interesting looking lump of white and gold on four wheels that carries the relics of the town’s patron Saint Waudru.

To be quite honest with you, you most likely will not be able to see the carriage on the day of the event due to the thousands of drunk and several sober locals and tourists tripping through the town. So for number two on your list should be to go and see this contraption up at Collegiate Church of Saint Waudru. It is parked right inside this cathedral sized church the other 364 days of the year.

Your third mission is to rub the head of the little monkey! Yes, Mons has a little monkey and he is located on the left side of the entrance to the Mons town hall. Brussels has a little boy peeing and Mons has a little brass monkey as it’s mascot. Rubbing the little brass head with your left hand is said to bring good luck. It’s worth a try!

Number four would be to visit the Mundaneum. There is nothing mundane about this place which is on the rue de Nimy, just about 20 yards from the main square. You can actually say that the Mundaneum is a forerunner to the internet. The project was the brain child of a pair of Belgian lawyers who wanted to gather all of the world’s knowledge and have it accessible in one place. Actually the dream of Paul Otlet, one of the lawyers, was that one day all this information could be accessed by everybody from the comfort of their own homes. The project began back in 1910; so the man was truly a visionary. The building also hosts exhibitions and the one currently running is all about Shanghai, China.

And last but by no means least, since you’re in Belgium, you must get yourself a giant portion of the Belgian nations dish – pommes frites, a.ka., French fries. There is an excellent friterie (where frites are sold) right there in the main square adjacent to McDonald’s. Yes, there is a McDonalds in this sleepy city but look the other way and order the frites instead. Of course they wouldn’t taste right without a blob of mayonnaise thrown on them and washed down by a can of Belgian beer.

Sure, Mons is not exactly a tourist hub, but it’s worth the short trip from the capital city. You might even fall in love with the place.

Energy is essential in just about every facet of life and the production of energy is a key factor in ensuring that a nation can thrive and support its self. Traditionally the majority of energy produced is generated through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and natural gases). This became a solution for human culture with the advent of the industrial revolution however as the times have progressed the need for alternative forms of energy is become ever more apparent. Limited resources threaten to drive up costs in non renewable energy supplies while creating competition that could lead to warfare. Additionally an ever increasing carbon imprint is potentially leading to environmental instability with the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.

To combat these issues the task has fallen to scientists and technologists to devise and implement a solution that could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels (although losing the dependency of these energy sources all together is unlikely). Clean energy technology has been in development for decades however the implementation of these alternative solutions has not been accepted in the world community as a viable solution due to a variety of issues.

So what is a renewable resource and how does it differ from a non renewable resource?

Development of renewable energy resources utilizes some of the most basic elements of nature which occur across the planet to collect energy that can be reused for human needs. Currently the major areas of focus are in wind power, solar power, geothermal power, hydro power and biofuels. The sun, wind, earth, water and plants are present in just about every corner of the planet Earth making these viable solutions to generating electricity for almost any nation. Non renewable energy resources are those which cannot be replenished naturally (or in the example of petroleum ones which cannot be regenerated faster than consumption demands).

The struggle to attain an energy resource which is environmentally friendly, cost effective and efficient in energy production is the struggle that many individuals worldwide are trying to resolve and the business of the energy industry is in an ideal spot to take advantage of capital gains in this area. An excellent example of the need for environmentally friendly energy can be seen throughout China who has recently become an industrial powerhouse. The use of coal has driven the urban environment into an almost state of emergency in some major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Air quality levels have plummeted in recent years and health concerns are rising dramatically due to the economic policies emphasized by the Chinese government.

When seeking an alternative energy resource it is essential to take into account the cost of production, efficiency, side effects and economic impact of energy programs. Not all side effects of producing electricity result in environmental catastrophes which can be witnessed in the development of biofuel technologies. While production methods from the wind, sun, water and earth have almost no negative side effects the creation of biofuels exposed an unexpected consequence in the past decade. Government incentives throughout the United States caused many farmers to switch from growing food crops to producing biofuels which led to a shortage of food supplies. Although the shortage did not result in famine or starvation it did drive up the prices of corn temporarily as it was more economically beneficial for farmers to use this in biofuel than for food resources.

The quest to attain the perfect energy resource is one which most likely can only be accomplished by harnessing the ability to gather energy from a multitude of natural renewable sources. Utilizing miniature wind turbines and solar panels on buildings in metropolitan cities is one alternative which looks to be something that may be implemented in large scale programs in the near future.

Smart, chic and refined – the best luxury hotels in London have every opulent amenity guests need, including restaurants. From those established names run by celebrity chefs to up-and-coming stars that are just breaking onto the scene, here’s a rundown of the most creative restaurants which luxury hotels in London have to offer and which will make dedicated foodies swoon.

Best for celeb spotting: The Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair

If eye candy is what you’re looking for in a restaurant, the old favourite Dorchester Hotel has had a recent facelift and is now the chicest place in the city.

There are several dining options – China Tang is the popular celebrity hotspot with a 1920s Shanghai flavour. Enjoy incredible Chinese cuisine in a glam setting amongst the antiques and stylish waitresses. The Grill, meanwhile, has more classic English dishes and is an excellent place for a Sunday lunch where the meat is served up fresh from the whole joint by confident waiters.

For a truly classy setting, however, there is no way to beat the signature menu at The Dorchester which is presided over by the famed Alain Ducasse and provides an unparalleled menu and setting that epitomise French chic.

Best for fusion: St Martins Lane, Covent Garden

The hip and stylish St Martins Lane is a blend of funky retro colour and ultra-cool design by Philippe Starck. And when it comes to food and drink, it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Asia De Cuba restaurant is as buzzy as it is cool – make sure you book a table in advance or London’s cool crowd will fill up all the spots fast. Although the atmosphere is relaxed, a quirky taste suffuses the décor with photographs, crooked lighting and bookshelves, whilst the food is a fun mix of Asian and Latin influences.

Later on, guests move into the talked about Light Bar where the multi-coloured lighting and huge projected images are as off-beat as the cocktails. For something truly unique, you can even order a bespoke creation from the resident mixologists. For a more energetic evening, hotel guests can also choose to explore the usually members-only nightclub next door, Bungalow 8.

Best for afternoon tea: Claridge’s, Mayfair

Claridge’s is an institution in London and beyond, and it’s easy to say why when you’re sitting in the Grand Foyer. Accompanied by violins, a classic Afternoon Tea here offers the kind of elegance and spread which the hotel prides itself on. Surrounded by marble floors and glamorous guests, it’s a place which attracts as many grand-aunts as celebrities and is definitely a hallmark of English traditional dining.

Other options here include the relaxed Reading Room, which serves up contemporary cuisine, and TV star Gordon Ramsey’s flagship eatery for a formal experience. Ramsey’s restaurant is a draw in itself, thanks to modern European flavours which are served up with exciting creativity.

Crazy Dragon is a classic three-reel slot machine with an Oriental flair. Have some wild Shanghai fun from the comfort of your own home and without all the air travel. Crazy Dragon only takes one-dollar coins and you must play three at a time in order to receive bonuses or win the system-wide progressive jackpot. And what a colossal jackpot it is! It starts at $2,000.00 and goes up from there. Watch the progressive grow bigger by the minute –There’s a display just above the reels.

Find parts of the hidden Dragon, because for each one you land on the payline, you receive a free spin. Hit one part of the dragon and get two spins. Hit three Dragon parts and get five. Line up all three parts of the Crazy Dragon and receive twenty free spins! This is a generous Dragon, too– You can win even more free spins while you’re using previous free spins. Pretty cool, because not all slot machines will allow that. Collect just one hundred free spins and guess what: You win the ever-increasing progressive jackpot!

If you enjoy Oriental designs, you’re gonna love Crazy Dragon. Each reel holds all sorts of beautiful Oriental motifs. Especially watch for the Yin-Yang symbols, as they’re WILD and can match any symbol except for that Crazy Dragon.

Crazy Dragon is easy to play, but you still take some time to practice in the demonstration mode. That’s a feature you’re not likely to find in a brick-and-neon Las Vegas casino. Playing the slot machines here at Players City is even better than Vegas– You don’t have to drive out to the desert to get here, for one thing. Take a short vacation any time you like, right from your home computer. No reservations to make, no checking into a hotel. After you win, you’ll be sleeping contently in your very own bed, dreaming of Dragons.

Are you considering migrating to other parts of the world to start a new chapter of your life?

Are you moving so as to look for a job? Or do you yearn to experience a different culture?

If you were looking for a decent job as well as a place where you can live comfortably, then I would recommend you “Singapore”.

In a survey conducted recently, Singapore was picked as the best city in the world for Asian expatriates to live in. Beating Japan, Shanghai and even Hong Kong.

There are many reasons for choosing to work and live in Singapore, but basically there are 7. They are:

Strong Law Enforcements –

You never get to see protests, strikes and riots in the streets of Singapore. This is the result of the strict law enforcement by the police. Anybody caught involved in any of the above events, will be jailed and fined.

Currently, death penalty still exists in Singapore. Anybody caught drug trafficking, or committed murder or kidnap would be sentenced to death.

Another benefit of living in Singapore is it is quite safe to walk alone in the streets. Though crimes do occur, the rates are relative lower than that in other countries.

The locals joke that anybody who committed a crime has nowhere to run but jump into the sea (this is because Singapore is surrounded by sea). Another joke is that before the robber can escape, the police have arrived (Singapore is so small).

Climate –

What makes Singapore so attractive to live in is its peaceful environment. There are no natural disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons, tornadoes and winter coldness. All you have is either rain or shine. But the air-conditioning is extremely powerful. You could say it’s winter indoor.

Networking –

Making use of the geographical location of Singapore, many big and small organisations set up bases here to have access to other parts of Asia and Middle East.

It is being used as a “Gateway”.

Even companies from China are setting up offices here to access markets in U.S.A and Europe. They are doing so partly to gain from the Free Trade Agreements signed between these countries and Singapore.

Even foreign workers are using this small country as a stepping stone to gain work experiences and improve their English so that they can move on to other developed countries such as U.S.A., Europe and Australia.

Since almost everybody is coming here, it has become the place for networking for both businesses and jobseekers.

Lenient Immigration Rules –

Do you know that Singapore is one of the countries that have the least strict immigration rules?

Anybody can come to Singapore as long as he/she obtains the necessary passes or documents.

Transport –

You can travel from one end of Singapore to the other end within an hour!

The transport system here covers the whole country and you don’t have to own a car to travel.

Public transport includes the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains, buses and cabs/taxis.

Even if you own a car, the roads are well connected.

Education –

The education system caters to all students.

There are many schools, colleges, and universities for those who do well academically.

For those good in sports, there is even a sports school to nurture and train them.

Besides these schools, there are also several polytechnics and institutions to equip students with specialised skills.

Even the private schools and institutions in Singapore are of high quality. This is why so many foreign students enrol and study here. When these foreign students have graduated, many chose to continue to stay and work here.

Political Environment –

Singapore is quite unique in terms of its political environment. There are very few opposition parties. The dominant political group is the People’s Action Party (PAP) that governs Singapore since independence day.

As such, there are no coups, resistance, or even clashes.

This is important for companies who invest here and for foreigners who live here. They can be assured of safety and security. You don’t have to worry about loss of investments and jobs due to unstable political environment.

Another reason why the political environment here attracts foreigners is its policy. The Singapore government welcome talents.

You would be surprised to know that in year 2005, about 44% of the jobs available were given to foreigners! (These 44% do not include permanent residents).

In fact, Singapore is so hungry for talented and skilled people. As long as you have the skills, knowledge, experiences or talents, you are definitely welcome here.

Of course there are many other reasons why thousands of foreigners are flocking to Singapore to seek jobs or to live here. But the above are the main reasons behind such move.

If you are tempted to migrate to Singapore by these 7 reasons, be assured you are not alone.

Who knows, you might even settle down and get a citizenship.

“It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily,” purrs Marlene Dietrich in Josef von Sternberg’s film 1932 adaptation of Harry Hervey’s book Shanghai Express. She certainly has her well-manicured talons sunk into more men than she can count in this exotic far-Eastern, chiaroscuro-cinematographic adventure. Among her fellow passengers on the Shanghai Express are her disenchanted former fiance’, unshakable British medical officer Clive Brook; over-zealous missionary Lawrence Grant; dope smuggler Gustav von Seyffertitz; and enigmatic Eurasian businessman Warner Oland. Coincidently, Oland made frequent appearances in other China-themed movies, most notably as Charlie Chan, the benevolent and heroic Chinese detective based in Honolulu as well as a future movie character for this article.

As the train chugs through the more treacherous passages of war-torn China, Oland reveals himself as the leader of a rebel group, who plans to hold the passengers hostage to secure the release of his imprisoned constituents. In Boule de Suif fashion, Dietrich, who portrays a notorious “Chinese coaster” has remained sexually remote throughout the trip, gives herself to Oland to save the life of Brook, the man she truly loves. Directed by Josef von Sternberg at his most orgiastic (check out the long, lingering dissolves!), Shanghai Express is 80% style and 20% substance.

Tickets, please….

This article is about China’s 3 largest and most visible geriatric care developments to date. I warn you in advance, this article is painfully long but the information conveyed is important for those interested in senior living in China. Each of these projects has been in the market for at least 2 years and in one case nearly 5 years. I call them CCRC’s (continuing care retirement communities) because, well, that is what they set out to be and in some part that is what the developers have accomplished…or, better yet, are clearly struggling to accomplish. One of these developments had the benefit of limited foreign assistance, the others did not. The one that did clearly benefited and consequently has the best aged-care program in China today. All are chugging along with common weaknesses and each has their strengths. In sum, it is a mixed bag and to the inexperienced eye (read: China senior living experience, not western senior living experience; I say this as nearly all western geriatric care practitioners who see their first China project immediately conclude that all China senior care is a train wreck) it might seem as if the idea of senior living in China is just on the wrong track. But it is early and the train hasn’t left the station, at least not just yet.

Those who seek to conduct the senior care business in China are well advised to remember a few important rules of the China elder care experience: first, China senior living is where Western geriatric care was in 1950 but gathering steam quickly; second, never judge a project out of context, meaning: comparing a project in Chongqing to a project in Santa Barbara is meaningless as the buyers of the Chongqing project don’t have that choice much less that perspective; third, the higher one stays in the acuity chain, the more leverage one has…which translates into success; and finally, stay in the 1st class coach, period.

Before this train departs, I would like to make one last observation. My thoughts below are a mildly critical analysis bordering on subjective evaluation and at times, some literary lampooning. Lest I be detained by the People’s Senior Living Police at Beijing Nan Zhan (FYI: an enormous train station), I beg merciful consideration that these contemplations be seen not as cruel condemnation, malicious denigration, negative commentary or, heaven forbid, Confucian blasphemy of any CCRC discussed here or China’s senior living potential in general. Quite the contrary, I am no apostate; I see a bright future and if these three communities are indications of what the Chinese can accomplish right out of the box, then the next decade will be outstanding for professionals in the China geriatric care business.

And finally, as the whistle blows, for those readers not entirely familiar with a CCRC, they are usually defined as a campus style residential complex assembling a mix of independent living residences for active but senior adults, assisted living units for older adults needing some support with their daily activities and skilled nursing care for frail or infirm adults requiring frequent assistance or acute medical care. Additionally, there are often a variety of cultural amenities, exercise facilities and commercial support services which offer basic necessities and provisions, such as hair salon, laundry/dry cleaners and variety store.

First stop, General’s Garden…..General’s Garden!

When I first visited General’s Garden nearly two years ago, I thought, “This is it….modern senior living has indeed arrived in China”. But after my fourth trip and some pretty rigorous investigation and analysis, I began to see the cracks in both hardware and software, in a sense, the General’s Garden’s locomotive was running out of steam.

General’s Garden was opened to the public around 2009. It is located in the northeast quadrant of Beijing (off 4th ring road), not far from Beijing Capital International airport and the Museum of Film. The land was Ministry of Transport land and the property’s perimeter remains a testing track for China’s high-speed railway (true). I refer to General’s Garden as a CCRC as it loosely embodies a simple definition of a CCRC, as outlined above. Indeed, General’s Garden offers 51 villas or large townhouse style residences with private gardens, 160 independent/assisted living apartments and 280 skilled nursing units all within a gated compound. This facility also offers a 3-hole golf course (plus driving range), an unusual, man-made forested park, an unfeasibly large and as of yet unfinished 17,000m2 hot-spring clubhouse, an 160 room inn for visitors and a clinic specializing in traditional Chinese medicine.

So what happened? Well, as of January 2012, only 14 of the Villas had sold and less than 10 residents purchased golf course memberships (which by the way, through October of last year, boasted an expensive, resident Australian PGA Pro to give lessons to all those resident members) since the opening 2 years ago. I would get into detail about the amenity membership program but it is way too complicated (ex. Golf course membership is priced on ball usage). The villas ranging in size from 700-800 square meters, carry a price tag of between RMB 45 million and RMB 55 million for unfinished space and the IL/AL units go for RMB 1.5 million plus services on an as needed, menu basis. And while the IL/AL living apartments and the skilled nursing units are fairly well occupied (75%-80%), there are likely a number of reasons for the stalled performance of the villas. As an aside, I have to note that the best thing about General’s Garden is the aged-care program; it was set up by an Australian group and they did a superlative job. Until recently, an Australian also continued to manage this section of the facility; he has a great deal of experience and insight into how Chinese seniors need/want geriatric care. Kudos to this master of the China senior care experience! Our access to General’s Garden’s business plan has allowed us to tabulate much of their rental and sales data which we share with clients.

Unlike the Little Engine That Could, (“I think I can, I think I can…“) the General’s Garden villas have never made it up the hill. I believe this is because:

1) the land on which the facility is built is known as “collective land” which does not convey fee title to the buyer, only a long term lease (approximately 50 years for either a villa or an IL/AL unit). Consequently, potential purchasers are faced with an unappealing opportunity to buy an enormously expensive, depreciating asset which under Chinese law cannot be hypothecated,

2) General’s Garden never seemed to have a comprehensive marketing plan and buyer outreach program other than pursuing the ownership’s network of political contacts for unit sales, and

3) perhaps the least understood aspect of the facility, its capitalization and financial game-plan which seemed, at best, ad-hoc. Beginning early last fall the warning signals were as subtle as a diesel engine’s piercing whistle at 4am: contractors stopped receiving payments and construction stopped on the remaining units and clubhouse, there was a sharp increase in deferred maintenance, a hostile takeover occurred and subsequently, most senior management ceased receiving paychecks.

On the other hand the IL/AL units are comparatively speaking a success. And while ownership, meaning title conveyed, of such a unit is no different than that with a villa, they are much less expensive (in fact they are well priced at an average of RMB12,000m2). It is interesting to note that there has been a trend of older adults buying these units for their children to live in…..however odd. Despite its raison d’etre as a CCRC, no writ of Chinese law prevents young people from living there. I guess this is an indication of the facility’s pricing as much as its attractiveness, or more likely, the parents intend to move in at some future date.

In late January 2012, new management at General’s Garden, reeling from the enormity of their poorly analyzed, hostile acquisition, fired 12 persons many of whom were experienced senior managers. The terminal analysis is likely that General’s Garden neglected to fully understand their market, didn’t identify a target buyer and never adequately projected unit absorption against capital requirements to identify a breakeven point; a lethal mistake.

I will say though, in all fairness, this review of General’s Garden must contain praise for the original management whose fundamental concept of this CCRC is a sound, well integrated facility; it is just the execution and some software that jumped the track. I have met the previous General Manager and those in his inner circle and believe he/they are talented people capable of positively impacting the senior living industry in China. His early efforts at the facility are proof of this and had it not been for the hostile take-over, General’s Garden would continue to benefit from his leadership and likely turn the train around. However, without him General’s Garden lacks vision and perspective; it faces a number of critical switches in the track ahead.

A fellow writer recently wrote a piece on this facility using a favorite song of mine to illuminate the bridge over troubled waters that General’s Garden presently crosses and more importantly, its choppy history. I find his story on target and I salute his perspective; he has taken a measured approach to this facility’s analysis. De-accelerating and moving forward less hurried is always a good thing in China.

At this point, I will step away from rock ‘n roll metaphors and, given the time of year, select a more solemn reference as a testament to this facility’s narrative. With its fall from grace, perhaps we can call General’s Garden and its story, “The Prodigal CCRC”, a parable of squandered opportunity; now lost, can and better yet will, General’s Garden atone for its marketing and financial sins and find its way again?

Yanda….next stop……Yanda!

Now this is a facility to behold. While its full name is a mouthful, Yanda Golden Age Health Nursing Center, the facility is frequently referred to as Yanda. One arrives at Yanda entering under an enormous, ceremonial gate and into a Tiananmen Square-like plaza large enough to park 500 tractor trailers. After parking your car, walking around Yanda is, frankly, a little creepy and reminds me of the cities created in the narcotic-induced dreams of Dom Cobb in Christopher Nolan’s Inception,…….beautiful, large, vacant and crumbling.

Yanda’s first impediment is its location, situated a hard hour’s drive from Chaoyang district, Beijing in adjacent Hebei province, it is tough to get too. Second, Yanda simply is overbuilt. So much of what has transpired at this facility is unclear, even the basic facts such as room count and beds are, in typical Chinese fashion, opaque. We are told there are 1,200 units at Yanda, but it feels like more. There is a 3,000 bed hospital and a 200 bed geriatric nursing facility which, management professes is quite busy but there aren’t a lot of cars in the parking lot and not a single ambulance arrived during my 3 hour tour (I arrived at lunch time). But hey, I won’t let my lying eyes fool me, I saw not a single patient in the nursing care center. Wait…there is more: a 250+ room hotel and four places of worship (seriously): Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Jesuit/Catholic all sited next to a bank (presumably for those whose faith favors Mammon). And if that isn’t enough, ownership built a 30 story building that serves as living quarters for the healthcare workers who will, hopefully, arrive someday soon. Whew! What a budget!

Truly statuesque, in the lifeless sense of the word, this project should be renamed the “Colossus of Hebei” as colossal is the only term that adequately defines Yanda (well, maybe “stalled” has relevance here as well but lacks a certain visual “onomatopoeia”). Now, when confronted with the enigmatic and incomprehensible my imagination always runs wild. In fact, Yanda inspired in me a rewrite of those last few dreadful lines from the famous Shelley poem Ozymandias:

“….My name is Yanda, King of CCRC’s: Look on my campus, ye mighty, and despair! Few residents remain. Round the decay of that colossal wreck, budget-less and bare, the congested Chinese conurbation stretches far away”.

In all seriousness, here is the punch line: Yanda is only 20 percent occupied and it could well be less. I take this fact on face value from what we are told by the tour guide. But having been there at lunch, my favorite time to visit a facility as it reveals a lot, there certainly wasn’t too much activity.

This is what we do know about Yanda: unlike General’s Garden, Yanda is a pure rental scheme. Most occupants lease units on a year basis, but management also quotes 2 and 3 year options. Independent and assisted living units (1 and 2 bedrooms) rent for RMB 5,600 to RMB 9,600 per month plus services which can be selected from a menu. The nursing facility offers beds/units beginning at RMB 13,600 to RMB 16,800 per month, also depending on size and acuity. There is also another quirk to the pricing; the sponsor offers a kind of sinking fund whereby if you deposit sufficient monies with them, they will pay a 6% return on your money that is equal to your monthly rent (the number of takers for this generous offer is unknown). The young lady who showed me and my staff around, gave us the above ‘rack rate” pricing (and a sheet with greater detail on it) but was eager to mention that we are very lucky customers and our visit today was auspicious; management has instructed her to offer high status individuals, such as ourselves, a one-time only, VIP discount of 40% on a full year lease for IL/AL units and a whopping 60% discount for nursing units. Days later, subsequent phones calls to verify information were met with the same offer. Ok…..no surprise here.

Yanda opened up in 2010 and blew its steam before getting out of the station. The ROI has to be hurting by now and somebody is likely to take a loss going forward. It isn’t an ugly project, in fact I found the basic design “ok” by China CCRC standards; but somebody has to take control of the marketing here, drive absorption aggressively and simplify the rental scheme before the buildings fall apart resolving the problem forever. This is the only prospect here: try and compete on price and program in an attempt to overcome Yanda’s real weakness: location. Believe it or not, there is land allocated for a phase II….someday.

Cherish Yearn, last stop…….everybody off!

This facility’s operations are as curious as its name. Located in a distant corner of Pudong, on a former duck farm, Cherish Yearn came to market about five years ago. It was an early arrival to the China senior living space and its organization, facility design and ambience all reflect its vintage. I first visited Cherish Yearn in late 2010 and quite honestly, I thought it was a disaster. From the desert like landscaping to the mold-stained stucco on the buildings it had little ambience, few residents and zero energy.

Cherish Yearn was completed in 2006 and the first residents occupied in 2007. For years it struggled with occupancy and when I returned for a second visit in early 2012, I was pleasantly surprised. Apparently, over the past two years, a new marketing program was implemented and brought census up from a low of 20% to what is reported now as nearly 80%; and after my tour I believe the true figure is not far from this level. Activity rooms are busy with geriatric calligraphers, libraries are full of bespectacled Mandarins gazing over the Central Committee daily and even the computer rooms are full of elderly Chinese pecking away on keyboards. Indeed there is so much activity at Cherish Yearn its resurrection earns it a new name: the “Lazarus of Pudong”…so there is indeed hope for The Prodigal CCRC and the Colossus of Hebei.

Like its sister facilities, Cherish Yearn is large. It offers nearly 800+ units in 15 different mid-rise buildings. Independent living accounts for at least 600 units and there is a 300 bed nursing facility. The independent units have a reported 80% occupancy but it is entirely unclear how many residents are in the nursing facility. Access to the upper floors is prohibited but the first floor, which does indeed have patient rooms, reveals no activity whatsoever and is largely dark.

Cherish Yearn’s business model is founded on a membership scheme with an upfront fee and annual rental payments plus usage charges for the clubhouse and other amenities such as the dining hall. There are 2 basic plans: Plan A essentially confers title to the occupant for an entry fee of RMB 890,000. Once admitted, the resident may choose from 3 basic size units: large units (108m2 or 1150ft2), medium units (70m2 or 740ft2) and small units (58m2 or 625ft2) each of which charges an annual fee according to size. A resident who has purchased a unit under Plan A may sell the unit himself at some future date or offer to the sponsor who will re-purchase it for 90% of the entry fee or market price, whichever is less. Plan B confers a 15 year right of use for an entry fee beginning at RMB 880,000 for a large unit, the smaller units have lower entry fees; there is also a static annual fee of RMB 29,800 across all unit types. Plan B’s entry fee is refundable on a straight declining basis (calculated monthly) over the 15 year lease period.

Plan A seems to be most popular with children who wish to purchase a unit for their parents and Plan B seems to be the choice for elderly who buy for themselves. There are substantially more Plan B buyers than those who avail themselves of Plan A. We have completed a full tabular analysis of Cherish Yearn’s fee structure which, again, is available to clients.

It is fair to mention that in the past, Cherish Yearn experienced some controversy over both its fundamental ability to offer sub-acute care services as well as its adherence to the original land grant use rights. The issues here may have been cleared up but there has been at least one published article in the media discussing the facility’s “land rights” issue the details of which was supported by a credible, well connected source who has since spoken to me directly. In some quiet corners, rumors persist regarding the facility’s legality, but in the end, I can see how this may just be envious chatter over Cherish Yearn’s unprecedented success. Let’s not forget, the truth in China has many layers.

So, in submissive genuflection, I offer faithful congratulations to the Lazarus of Pudong. Despite all, I believe it to be the most successful CCRC project today in China and its program is unique: truly a Chinese sui generis model.

The Terminus

Shanghai Lilly’s assertion regarding the time and effort it took to secure her reputation whistles true and sharp about many endeavors in China; virtues such as patience and fortitude are essential. Likewise, it will take more than just a few attempts at CCRC development to perfect the model in China. CCRC’s are complex undertakings and even in the West, developers with all their access to data and experience often misstep and build mistakes. So it is no surprise that the Chinese incarnation of a CCRC is a wobbly work in waiting. While I see near term success for the smaller, sub-acute facilities currently being built along the east coast of China by both foreign experts and local developers, nothing will dissuade, much less disabuse, the Chinese entrepreneur from pulling the heavy freight of a senior living mega-project. These immense CCRC’s may be the track the industry ultimately takes, but for now were I an investor or owner/operator; my concentration would remain focused on the light at the end of a tunnel: more manageable, higher acuity and, say, narrow-gauge projects; let’s call them the “Shanghai geriatric express”.

In closing, I have taken this article’s theme, meaning Chinese films or films with a China theme, quite far…in fact I have extended it further than I ever thought. And this posting was indeed the longest of all postings to date; I did pile it on you, the reader, with endless literary metaphor on top of a mildly amusing allegory, and for this I have not a single pang of guilt. And while I often wonder about Jiang and her whereabouts, I needed to get back to the mechanics of senior living in China; thus the nuts and bolts of this post. No worries, we will revisit the human side of this business again soon and some! I have two more postings of this ilk remaining which I will publish before the summer. After a break, I will return in September with something new and refreshing, but if you have an idea or are curious about an aspect of this business; as always, I am only too happy to listen.