Is that a Garden?!

No, this is the messanine floor of the world largest cruise ship.
Oasis of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship in the fleet of Royal Caribbean International. The first of her class, she was joined by her sister ship Allure of the Seas in December 2010. Both vessels cruise the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She set a new record of carrying over 6,000 passengers.
The ship surpasses the Freedom-class cruise ships (also owned by Royal Caribbean) as the largest cruise ship in the world.
Some interesting data
Mass of the vessel is 100,000 tons
The ship's power comes from six marine diesel engines, three Wärtsilä 16-cylinder common rail diesels producing 18,860 kilowatts (25,290 hp) each (consuming 1,377 gallons of fuel per hour of operation per engine), and three similar 12-cylinder engines each producing 13,860 kilowatts (18,590 hp), (consuming 1,033 gallons of fuel per hour of operation per engine).

The total output of these prime movers, some 97,020 kilowatts (130,110 hp), is converted to electricity, used in hotel power for operation of the lights, elevators, electronics, galleys, water treatment plant, and all of the other systems used on the operation of the vessel, as well as propulsion.

Propulsion is provided by three 20,000-kilowatt (26,800 hp) "Azipods", ABB's brand of azimuth thrusters. These pods, suspended under the stern, contain electric motors driving 20-foot (6 m) propellers. Because they are rotatable, no rudders are needed to steer the ship. Docking is assisted by four 5,500-kilowatt (7,380 hp) bow thrusters in tunnels.

HK Snob

The Biggest Warship of China and the Philippines

The Philippine Navy’s largest warship was former US Coast Guard cutter; bought second hand from the United States with USD$13.18M, will sail into the West Philippine Sea crossing over from the Pacific in the next couple of weeks, while China's first aircraft carrier is expected to go on sea trials by the end of September. Will they meet somewhere in the middle of the Seas, yes…the West Philippines Sea issue will likely be one of the topics during the state visit of Philippines president Aquino to China next Week. From what I got the official said the Philippines and China had “agree to disagree” on the West Philippines seas issue and would not allow this affect the bilateral relations.
Would one of the 23 Aug 2010 Tour bus issue be one of the other topics!?
Hong Kong Government still issues Black Outbound Travel Alert for Travelling in the Philippines Since 23 Aug 2010.
In the event of a conflict over the Spratlys, where both the Philippines and China have claims, both ships may see action. The Philippine ship is a former US Coast Guard cutter.
The comparison between the two, as well as between the military forces of each country, is of course lopsided, hence the need for the Philippines to be allied with another superpower, the United States.
President of Philippines and he would like to buy more Pilot training aircrafts, Submarine, Radar defective systems… That show a good signs that Philippine had successfully collected some of the Lost Money in the old days from Corruption going into this Military Defense Project., a nice encouragement to ensure political developing for stability, a signal for foreign investor for more aggressive plan to move into Philippines, such as Japan, which selected Philippines is the next best alternative location for their foreign investment.
Hope to see more economic development in the Country of Philippines and looking forward from more fruitful economic joint venture between China and Philippines from the two big guys meeting next week in China.

Manila Snob

Blue Devil

Blue Devil was one of my favourite ships when I was young, it was big and fast, I modified it adding 5 power packs and an huge motor, and it was steaming beautifully when I launched it in Moors and Victoria park in the 60’s.
Story of Melvin II
During the Pacific campaign in World War II, the USS Melvin 680 compiled an impressive battle record. Over a period of two years, this 2100 ton destroyer participated in 11 major sea battles. MELVIN received 10 battle stars for World War II service.
The heroic actions by the Melvin prompted the Commander of the fleet to give it the name of Blue Devil.
CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 10 x 40mm, 7 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; General Electric Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Building Data
Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny NJ. July 6 1943.
Launched October 17 1943 and commissioned November 24 1943.
Decommissioned May 31 1946 and re-commissioned February 2 6 1951.
Decommissioned January 13 1954.
Stricken December 1 1974.
Sold August 14 1975 to Trebor Marine Corp., Camden, NJ at $175,999 for scrap.

HK Snob

Privillege P12S

This is most probabloy the desired floating pleasure Cataramans when I go home to meet my wife In Thailand. Seriously Considering it, once after I got a house in Bangkok, Udornthani, Phuket...
Beam 24 feet

weight 8 tons

2 yanmar 28 hp 2003 2000 hours

1 main sail 2006

1 genoa 1998

1 spinnaker 2006

4 double cabins

2 toilets

auto pilot electronicssolar panels

Vessel Type:
catamaran
Builder: Privilege
Model: P12s
Designer: lefevre
Year: 1990
Length Overall:4O'
Beam:24'
Draft: 4'
Air Draft: 6'
Engine(s): 2 x Diesel
Hull Material:Glass Fibre
Displacement:8 metric tons
Price:
EUR 120,000

HKD 1,35M Hong Kong Dollar Equivalent
Location: Phuket ThailandPhuket Snob

Maga-power-yacht visited HK after Manila

A101 feet long, with 50 feet abeam, 60 tons giant-yacht made its visit to Hong Kong on 12 Aug. after his last visit from Manila. I have seen it when it visited Manila whiles I went there for business trip.
Made in Germany, with an investment of 24 Million dollars, an eco-mega-solar-power yacht, driven by Plant Solar team plans to take this catamaran all the way around the globe using only power from the Sun! A way to demonstrate the green clean energy for seafarer. When the solar panels are extended, it covers 5,382 sq feet, thus to offer 103Kw of power to drive the motor propeller quietly for a speed of 8 knots. At night or when there is no sun, the massive 13 tons lithium-ion battery cell chain will provide reserved power to move the catamarans at a speed of 7 knots for three days before the power bank is drawn exhausted!.
This is a desire design for the survival craft after Dec 21 2012. as there is question how far we need this boa to carry us to the nearest island where we will start our new era for human life….
HK Snob

Previllege Cataramans 45

When you had the greenback for a house, a team of cars, a collections of vintage watches, a cellar of all the top five Red wines, what else you would like to pursue for life… A Privilege Catamarans 45 or 47! When Dec 21 2012 comes, the only possible survival kit fo your family as most of the land on Earth would be submerged in sea water.
Built by Jeantot Marine, a track record of good quality and reliability in this catamarans since Jeantot established the company in 1985. This is a floating luxury, a hoem far away from the noisy traffic at TST, or Central, when you are from the lousy meetings, after work, bring your mistress and take out three dice and make a free wish for the place where you should go in next 14 days…off the handphone, off the Note book and set the courser and go for a pleasure tour… what’s else you would like to have in life!?
This is someone’s causal money for a year, but not for the poor HK snob, it would be one of the dreams. One day… Who knows?

HK Snob

A Respect to dreamer Yet Fu...