Most of our modern-day gadgets are swathed in plastic or other high-tech materials, and why wouldn’t they be? Plastic is both cheap and easy to produce. But English Russia’s display of wooden gadgets shows that sometimes the most elegant items are the simplest.

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Post tags: antique, cell phone, cell phones, clocks, gadgets, Greener Gadgets, russian english, Wood, wood-covered gadgets

AirAsia continues to boost its international connectivity by launching another oriental route between Kuala Lumpur and Taipei, further expanding its already vast network in the region.

This new Kuala Lumpur – Taipei route will begin on 1 July 2009 with five direct flights weekly. Attractive low fares are offered from as low as RM101* (NT$888*) one-way and exclusively available online via AirAsia’s website at www.airasia.com. Booking period is from 24 April 2009 to 3 May 2009 for travel between 1 July 2009 and 31 January 2010. The flights will be operated by AirAsia’s low-cost long haul carrier affiliate, AirAsia X.

AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, “Taipei is the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle to our oriental network strategy and we are extremely excited on the potential of this route. In the past, we have been receiving a lot of requests from our guests and the travel community in Malaysia and Taiwan, thus we are really thrilled that this route is now finally happening. Although shadowed by economic uncertainties, we are confident our ultra low fares will entice the Taiwanese public and Malaysians who reside, work and study in Taiwan to be able to fly home to connect with their families.

“Most importantly, we believe our low fares will help to stimulate and trigger new travel demand, and will help to boost tourism potential on both ends. AirAsia has a strong domestic high frequency network that enables the people of Taiwan to connect to Malaysia and visit beautiful locations like Penang, Langkawi, Sabah, Sarawak and tap on our incredible network using Kuala Lumpur as a gateway to the many points served by AirAsia to destinations such as Bali, Phuket, Australia, London and many more. All with low fares!” concludes Kathleen.

It’s that time of year when we show our appreciation to the women who gave life to us - our moms! And while we here at Inhabitat don’t necessarily believe in buying into all the hype behind this hallmark holiday, we also think that Mother’s Day is an important holiday for women, and a great way to get our favorite ladies into the green spirit. Check out our eco-friendly picks for Mother’s Day gifts that are sure to please both your mom and Mother Earth…

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• Do not leave your valuable item such Video cam, Camera, luggage or any things unattended.
  

• Plan your travel ahead, such where to stay, where to go, how to go before you travel to Kuala Lumpur.This will reduces your changes to get lost or landed at the places you should not be. If you had no idea where to go in Kuala Lumpur, lets the professional such tour agents or private tour guide plan your itinerary.
  

• Get advice from your hotel or nearest local tourist information office or hire a private tour guide.
  

• Use credit cards instead of cash where possible. Plan ahead how much you need to spents such for souvenirs, melas or etc, possible make payment for Hotel or transportations while you at your country.
  

• Do not keep all your money or credit card in one wallet; you should keep some of your money or credit card in different pocket. Maybe you can consider a second wallet as dummy wallet whereby you can keep small domination money. If any things happen just let go the dummy wallet.
  

• Travel in group wherever possible especially if you are women.
  

• Always alert on surrounding area especially the motorcycle rider wearing full face helmet and jacket, snatch thieve among the highest rate in Kuala Lumpur.
  

• Keep your original passport in Hotel safe box, just bring your Photostat passport, don’t worry about Malaysia police, they quiet lenient especially to the tourist. Always have your country Embassy in Kuala Lumpur contact number.
  

• Always bring your hard copy important contact number such family, Banks, Embassy, Hotels. This will use as reference for emergency case.
  

• Had a local contact number, such local tourist police or someone that able to guide and help when you in difficult situation.
  

• If you using public transport such taxi or buses, try to record down the registration number.
  

• Use the main entrance of the hotel when you arrive late at night.
  

• It is advisable to hand in the keys to your room at reception when going out.
  

• Always wearing a simple dress. Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
  

• Do not accept any drink offer from the stranger.
  

• Walk in confident even you are lost. React fast before you lost further.
  

• The most important things be nice and courtesy to everyone,

• Kuala Lumpur is a very high humidity city, humidity level 86% - 95%, you are advise to drink plenty of plain water or you can take isotonic drink as alternative.
  

• Most of Malaysian food are spicy and hot, most probably you will get stomach upset on early stage, always bring medication for stomach upset or diarrhea recommended by your Doctor.
  

• Always consumed fully cooked food only, get more information from you local guide about the food ingredients before you try local food especially is you had an allergic.
  

• If you on medication, bring extra stock for few days. Record down your medicine name and the manufacture in case you misplaces it.
  

• Wash your hand more often or use hand sanitizer as alternative.

Photo by Craig Swanson

Photo and Commentary by Craig Swanson.

The Root Glacier is a short two mile hike from Kennecott, Alaska and one of the most accessible and active glaciers in Alaska. It’s surface is dotted with deep blue pools, canyon-like corridors, and meandering mini-streams that often spill into deep vertical shafts that seem to go straight through the glacier. The towns of McCarthy and Kennecott are fun, quirky little bush towns right in the middle of the largest national park in the US. Activities here range from backpacking and mountaineering, to day hikes, ice-climbing, alpine skiing and even river rafting.

The 2009 Milan Furniture Fair showcased an incredible assortment of furnishings, lighting, and housewares from all over the world, ranging from the well-established designers showcased in the main exhibition halls to the young designers and start-up companies exhibiting at Salone Satellite. Although in visiting the modern and contemporary halls of the fair I was disappointed by the lack of green design, it was encouraging to see that this year the fair is focusing on quality. Although the materials and construction of most of the furniture would not be considered sustainable, the intention is that the pieces will last a lifetime. Many of the designs also allowed for modularity, or reconfiguring over time. Read on for our favorite green design finds from the show!

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Happy birthday my boy.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. I hope your 6th is a hoot and that you are happy and healthy.

I miss you terribly.

Jarrod - 6 today

Just yesterday we had the chance to sit down with John Viera, Ford Motor Company’s Director of Sustainable Business Strategies, to talk about how the Big Three manufacturer is going green. Viera touched on a number of topics, but we were most interested in what he had to say about Ford’s future in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV). Read on for our exclusive interview!

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Earlier this year we introduced you to Chargepoint, a network of electric vehicle charging stations that have been installed cities across the US and Canada. Well, making a great idea even better, Carbon Day Automotive recently announced the installation of a Solar Powered Chargepoint station in the city of Chicago. Solar charged electric vehicles? Fantastic!

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At the Society of Automotive Engineers‘ recent world congress in Detroit, hybrid engine developer Raser Technologies unveiled a whopper — a plug-in, extended-range Hummer powered by Raser’s E-REV power train engine. Yes, you read that right - an electric Hummer H3 that has 268 hp, a 40 mile all-electric range, and a fuel efficiency of over 100 mpg.

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Post tags: 100 miles per gallon, 100mpg hummer, electric hummer, fuel efficient car, fuel efficient vehicles, green cars, hybrd h3 hummer, hybrid hummer, power train engine, raser technologies