EASTER ISLAND, Chile (AP) ― From its famed giant stone statues to finding a good, affordable hotel, Easter Island is full of mysteries.There are ancient questions, like how the statues were transported, and why the island lost its trees. And there are modern puzzles, like what $1,600 a night will get you in a hotel and why roads aren’t better marked for visitors touring the island.Perhaps it’s fitting that riddles still exist on the most remote inhabited island on earth: a Chilean territory in t

Travel Oct. 12, 2012

Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf’s first exhibition in Korea features his latest series ‘The Keyhole’ and ‘Dawn & Dusk’Whether through a window or through Facebook, everyone has his share of experiences peeking into others’ lives. Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf captured a boy sitting on a table and peering through a keyhole to portray the urge to peek and the curious state of the mind. The photo is part of his latest “The Keyhole” series completed in 2011. Subjects in the series are all turned away

Performance Oct. 10, 2012

The Seventh Seoul International Media Art Biennale presents media art that is approachable, accessible through social mediaMedia has become a very important part of our lives, but when it comes to art that involves different media forms, it still seems too distant to ordinary people. But at the Seoul International Media Art Biennale, people may be surprised to know how much media art can seep into everyday life and how much it enriches our lives. “People think media art is difficult. But if an a

Performance Oct. 9, 2012

Beauty salons, makeup classes draw foreign residents and travelers who want to try Korean celebrity styleDriven by the popularity of Korean pop music around the world, Korean beauty and style are becoming sought after by young women around the world. They buy Korean cosmetics and follow makeup routines on YouTube to emulate the sophisticated looks of Korean actresses or charismatic style of K-pop singers. An easy way for them to learn Korean beauty secrets is to follow makeup gurus on YouTube wh

Culture Oct. 5, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Some couples celebrate their anniversary with a horse-drawn carriage ride. Others rent a romantic cabin in the woods. A few even jet off to Las Vegas and renew their vows in front of Elvis.Lori Kelly and her husband Gene recently marked their second anniversary by touring the woods of the Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa on a Segway.“It was absolutely fantastic. It is really the ultimately unique experience especially for people my age,” said Kelly, 59. Her husband is 64. “It gi

Travel Oct. 5, 2012

TOKYO (AP) ― Americans may seem obsessed with animals, with daycare for dogs and TV therapists for cats, not to mention the hours we spend looking at photos of cute critters on the Internet. But it’s generally the conventionally adorable ones that get our attention. On a recent trip to Japan I found ample evidence of our two countries’ mutual adoration of pets and pandas. But it was a pleasure to immerse myself in a culture that shares my appreciation for more unusual creatures as well. Here are

Travel Oct. 5, 2012

Street performances, fireworks and music offer rich cultural experiencesSeoul has transformed into a giant stage for dance performances, music and fireworks as the annual Hi Seoul Festival and other festivals begin this week. A total of 62 local and international performance groups are taking over the streets and neighborhoods with various genres of performances from parades, street theater, circus and stunt flying, to dance and a lot more. About 200 dance performances will be seen throughout t

Travel Oct. 3, 2012

About 100,000 Chinese tourists are expected to flock to Korea during the long Chinese holiday this week, Korea’s tourism agency said. Korea has seen a significant surge in the number of Chinese tourists entering the country since last week as the neighboring country began the nine-day “golden week” holiday that started on the lunar full moon day on Sept. 29 and continues through the national holiday from Oct. 1-7. Tourism experts also find that Korea is rising as an alternative travel destinatio

Travel Oct. 2, 2012

Kia’s chief designer Peter Schreyer has revealed his design inspirations through his first solo art exhibition. The renowned auto designer, who brought a design revolution to Kia with the K-series, showed his other artistic side through some 60 pieces that offer glimpses of his sources of inspiration for automobile design and his life. “When you do design, you do it to appeal to the audience. But when you do art, it’s completely different. You don’t have to appeal. I do it just with my feelings

Performance Oct. 2, 2012

The recent surge in the number of foreign tourists to Korea offers unprecedented opportunities for the growth of the hotel industry in the country. Both domestic and international hotel chains plan to open new properties in the country and upgrade their products and services to meet the growing number of foreign tourists and their evolving tastes. Hoyt Harper II, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, also expects the local opening of its sister brand Aloft in Suwon, Gyeonggi Provi

Travel Sept. 28, 2012

HALEIWA, Oahu ― If you’ve vacationed in Hawaii, you know the come-hither scent of flowers, the trade winds cooling the peaks and the warmth of the southern ocean.Now imagine growing up here, where Barack Obama was born, exposed from the first to a culture where the impossible has evolved: a multi-racial society, tolerant of differences and busily pursuing the delights and challenges of daily life.For voters still wondering why Obama stays cool, thinks things through and keeps an eye focused on p

Travel Sept. 28, 2012

Lotte Hotel president and chief executive Song Yong-dok received a top tourism industry award for enhancing the national brand image of Korea by opening the first Korean brand hotel in Moscow.Song was granted the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit at the annual Tourism Day Ceremony on Thursday in Seoul. Song was named the CEO of Lotte Hotel in February in recognition of his achievements in getting Lotte Hotel Moscow in a stable position within a year and a half of its opening. Lotte Ho

People Sept. 27, 2012