Man nabbed over nude photo on Mount Kinabalu

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian authorities on Monday arrested a European man for allegedly stripping naked and urinating on Mount Kinabalu, reports said, an act that some in the country say angered tribal spirits and caused a deadly earthquake.

The 38-year-old was arrested in Kota Kinabalu, capital of the state of Sabah on Borneo island, on charges of causing a public nuisance, The Star newspaper reported on its website. It cited Sabah's state criminal investigation chief Sallehuddin Abdul Rahman.

According to Malaysian law, the punishment for such an offence is a fine of 400 ringgit ($106).

The report said the man, arrested at the city's airport as he sought to fly to the Philippines, is believed to have been among a group of 10 foreign tourists who had stripped naked and posed for photos on the summit of the peak on May 30.

The pictures were later posted on the Internet.

Mount Kinabalu, a World Heritage Site and popular climbing destination, is considered sacred by Sabah's Kadazan Dusun tribal group, who believe it is a resting place for spirits. The pictures infuriated many in Malaysia.

On Friday a 6.0-magnitude quake struck near the mountain, sending landslides crashing down from its summit just as more than 150 hikers were at the peak enjoying sunrise views.

Sixteen people have been confirmed killed on the mountain and two remain missing.

In the wake of the disaster, Malaysian social media users and some Sabah officials have focused on the nudists, suggesting that their actions angered the spirits and led to the earthquake.

"This will certainly bring misfortune... we can't play with the spirit of the sacred mountain," deputy state chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan had told reporters on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear where the other nine summit nudists were.

Malaysian police spokespersons did not answer calls by AFP seeking details.

Canadian media, citing the country's foreign ministry, had earlier reported that two siblings had been barred from leaving Sabah over the affair.

But Malaysian immigration and police officials have not confirmed this. Officials at the Canadian embassy could not be reached for comment.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Study shows best, worst times to book hotel rooms

MANILA – A recent study revealed the best and worst times to book rooms during the year.

Agoda.com announced on Thursday the results of its latest Travel Smart Study, which is based on data from hundreds of guests who used the hotel booking website in 2013, covering room prices at 25 of the most popular destinations in the world.

It found that those who travel to New York or Rome in January can get rooms that are 40% cheaper than the average room rate, while those who visit Oslo in May could end up paying 50% more.

The study added that hotels in Istanbul are 25% cheaper from December to March, but 50% more expensive in May.

“We know airfares, vacation schedules and the weather are also important factors, but we hope this tool helps our customers save money when they plan their vacations,” Errol Cooke, vice president for Global Hotels at Agoda.com, said in a press release.

Here are the best months to get hotel rooms that are up to 40% lower than average, according to the study:

January – Berlin, Oslo, Stockholm

February – London, Istanbul, Oslo

March – Oslo, Stockholm, London

April – Sydney, London, Dubai

May – Taipei, Dubai, Hong Kong

June – Dubai, Hong Kong, Milan

July – Milan, Dubai, Istanbul

August – Istanbul, Berlin, Riyadh

September – Hanoi, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur

October – Los Angeles, Oslo, Riyadh

November – Rome, Istanbul, Barcelona

December – Barcelona, Stockholm, Istanbul

On the other hand, here are the worst months to book a hotel room as the listed places charge up to 60% more:

January – Dubai, Los Angeles

February – Milan, Vienna

March – Milan, Seoul

April – Amsterdam, Istanbul

May – Stockholm, Istanbul

June – Riyadh, Oslo

July – Los Angeles, Riyadh

August – Hong Kong, Amsterdam

September – Berlin, Istanbul

October – Sydney, New York

November – Sydney, Dubai

December – Dubai, Taipei

Meanwhile, the study noted that the cheapest time to book hotels for many destinations is in January.

The first week of January, in particular, is the least expensive time to travel to Tokyo and Seoul as hotel rooms are a bit less expensive.

June and July are great months to book hotel rooms in Dubai, Milan and Vienna, while hotel rooms are cheaper in Oslo, Stockholm and Riyadh in December.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Patrick Adams, Troian enjoying the sun in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines – Hollywood couple Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisario may have kept their Philippine destination a secret but the actor’s recent posts in one of his social networking accounts revealed where they are currently enjoying the sun.

Speaking before the entertainment press on Wednesday, Adams said he and Troian are going to “take off to some secret location to visit a beach somewhere for a while.”

Saying they just want to keep it quiet so they could relax, the “Suits” and “Pretty Little Liars” stars refused to tell the media where they are off to.

But in his official Instagram account on Thurday, Adams posted a picture of local ladies singing as they arrive in their “secret location.” This is supposedly the standard welcome to guests upon arrival at the El Nido airport.

Adams then posted a picture of a beach resort (seen above) which indicated that they are staying at El Nido Resorts in Lagen Island.

In the picture’s caption, Adams said: “Not leaving. Not ever.”

El Nido Resorts in Palawan is one of the most exclusive destinations in the Philippine province.

Its official website says “the resort offers a magnificent view of Bacuit Bay and the El Nido sunset. The surrounding forest and the breathtaking limestone cliffs are natural attractions that also serve as a sanctuary for a diverse variety of birds and mammals.”

Adams and Troian are currently in the country to promote their own television series, which also air here in the Philippines. The two said they also came to country to “have fun and swim.”

source: abs-cbnnews.com