Great Dates This Year

From the title of this post, I suspect some of you readers are thinking of other things. Now, now ... don't let your imagination run away with you.

I'm referring of course to calendar dates, many of which have been quite interesting and special in this year 2011.

This posting will examine some of these dates ...

First there were the dates containing all 1's

1st Jan 2011 (1.1.11)

11th Jan 2011 (11.1.11)

1st Nov (1.11.11) and

11th Nov (11..11.11) ... this one is seen to be especially auspicious.

Then there were the so-called "binary dates" - binary meaning 1 and 0, as anyone with a bit of computer knowledge knows. So these dates were

10th Jan (10.1.11)

1st Oct (1.10.11)

10th Oct (10.10.11) and

11th Oct (11.10.11)

Then there were what I like to call "double barrel" dates, which mirrors or repeats the numeric sequence in an interesting way, like

11th Feb (11.02.2011) 

and two days ago, it was 20th Nov (20.11.2011)

Dates like 11.1.11, 11.11.11, 11.02.2011 are symmetrical dates, because you can read the digits from left or right. Sentences with the same properties are called palindromes. Some famous ones are "Able was I ere I saw Elba" (supposedly said by Napolean after he was exiled to the Island of Elba) and "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama" (about the  chap, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who developed the Panama Canal) ...

But I'm digressing. We were talking about calendar dates. Dates have been studied by astrologers, historians, numerologists, and feng shui consultants over the ages. I'm not a believer in any special significance of these numbers, but I realise that a proportion of the world's population do, and mass behaviour have a certain way of making things happen. Those of you who dabble in the stock market will know something about this ...

Anyway, whatever the date, have a nice day.

Football Diplomacy

Now THIS is how neighbouring countries should settle their differences .... in a Football Match !

Last Saturday in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, a friendly match was played between government officials from Cambodia and officials from Thailand. The teams were made up of Thai and Cambodian politicians. The Cambodia team was led by premier Hun Sen while the Thai team was led by former Thai premier Somchai Wongsawat. A 50,000 strong crowd assembled to watch and support the match, which was held to showcase the improving ties between the neighbours.


In his pre-match speech, the Cambodian premier Hun Sen said that "the nightmare era" between the nations, who engaged in deadly border clashes earlier this year, was over. "Today is a historic event in Cambodia-Thailand relations," he proclaimed.

PM Hun Sen led his side to a 10-7 victory in the match. Look at the man kick ...

Hun Sen, wearing a red number "9" shirt, smiled broadly as he scored his fourth goal in the final minutes to loud cheers.

The cordial game came just a week after new Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra made her first official trip to Phnom Penh, quickly followed by a visit from her brother Thaksin, a close friend of Hun Sen. Ties between the two nations have warmed significantly since Yingluck's July election win, backed by her sibling.

Under previous Thai leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, the border row, which centres around the ancient Preah Vihear temple complex, twice escalated into heavy fighting this year, prompting Phnom Penh to take the dispute to the United Nation's highest court. In July, the Hague-based International Court of Justice asked both nations to withdraw military personnel from around the temple, which both sides have heeded.

All this reminds me of another sport being used in high-profile diplomacy. Back in the 1970s, the exchange of ping-pong (table tennis) players between the USA and People's Republic of China led to the thawing of diplomatic relations. This so-called Ping Pong Diplomacy paved the way for President Richard Nixon's historic trip to China in 1972 and the much-publicised meeting with Chairman Mao Tse Tung.

Yes, indeed sports should be used more to cement ties between neighbouring nations. I say "Play on"  ....

Asian Superstitions

Growing up in a Chinese family in Malaysia, I can't help being exposed to many Chinese superstitions that some of the (usually) elder folk in the family may believe in and caution us against. I still remember a few of these superstitions and beliefs drummed into me by aunts and uncles ... and I'd invite you to share what you recall from your childhood years.

Anyway here's a dozen that I recall .... some may not be entirely accurate or even correct ... after all it HAS been a long time since I heard them and the old grey cells are getting a little bit rusty. Hehehe ...

1.  You should not point at the moon ... if you do, you risk your ear getting sliced. Yikes!

2.  You should not pee in a banana grove ... if you do, you may see ghosts and spirits.

3.  No cutting of finger or tow nails at night ... I'm not entirely sure of the repercussions. I think the clippings will either attract spirits or be stolen by spirits

4.  When lying on your stomach (e.g. while reading), you should not raise your legs ... Doing this risks  your parents' deaths. Woah ... serious this one!

5.  Pregnant women should not sit on the edge of a bed and sew ... This risks the backside of the to-be-born baby being sealed. Ouch ... not a good thing!

6.  Pregnant women cannot make use of a hammer and nail ... this risks miscarriage.

7.  A cracked mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.

8.  If you look through a "poon kee", you can see spirits.

9.  When sweeping the floor, the broom must not touch anybody as it will bring bad luck to that person (or is it to the sweeper? I forget ...)

10.  When moving to a new residence, it is advisable to cook a pot of rice and bring this with you to the new house. This ensures you will always have food to eat at the new place. Certainly not a bad thing.

11.  During meals, one should not stack up the empty plates ... Doing this, you will have no end of debts. (Aiya ... like that, how in Japanese sushi restaurants?)

12.  When eating rice, don't leave any uneaten grains on the plate ... if so, will have pock marks on face ("mopeng" is the word, I believe).

Well, these are twelve superstitions I remember being told about. Share what YOU remember. I'm sure there'll be lots more. Over to you ...

The Dark Side of the Mooncake

Today is the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongjiu Jie), also sometimes called the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival. This is a popular harvest festival dating back over 3,000 years to the Chinese Shang Dynasty period. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar, which is sometime in September or October on the Gregorian calendar. It also corresponds with the Autumn Equinox when the moon is supposed to be at its fullest and roundest.

During this Mid-Autumn Festival period, many Chinese and Vietnamese are likely to consume a lot of delicious mooncakes.

These days, the mooncakes come in all sorts of interesting flavours ...

and shapes ...

There is also a story you might have heard about the role of mooncakes in a Chinese uprising against Mongol rulers (during the Yuan Dynasty) in the 14th century. In this tale (which I'm not sure is fully supported by historical facts), the mooncakes were used as an early form of e-mail ... the "e" being "edible" rather than "electronic" .LOL.  Anyway as group gatherings were banned, it was very difficult for the Chinese to make plans for a rebellion. So one bright chap called Liu Bowen (from Zhejiang), who was a confidant of the rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang, suggested timing the rebellion with the Mid-Autumn Festival. He applied for and got permission to distribute thousands of mooncakes to Chinese residents in the city to bless the longevity of the Mongol emperor. Apparently the Mongols did not eat mooncakes, so inside each cake distributed was concealed a piece of paper with the message "Kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the eighth month". And on the night itself, the rebellion was successful and the Mongols were overthrown. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was thus born.


Like everyone else, I like my mooncakes too. My favourites are tau sar, ling yun, single or double yolk and the ones with mixed nuts. Yummmmmmmy ...

However doctors and healthcare professionals have always been cautioning against over-indulging in mooncakes. They say that a small mooncake may contain as any calories as a bowl of rice! As mooncakes are generally made from flour, sugar and butter, one egg-yolk filled mooncake weighing about 60 g can contain up to 270 calories. That would take an averaged sized person about an hour to walk off, says a nutritionist friend of mine.

A health report from Taiwan that I read also noted that aside from moon cakes, many people also celebrate the festival by eating barbequed and processed meat, which are high in calories and sodium. Eating too much of such foods not only led to weight gain, but consuming more sodium than is recommended on a daily basis could also strain the kidneys and the cardiovascular system, the report said. Some health bureaus in China advised people to consume only moderate amounts of moon cakes and where relevant to substitute meat for vegetables such as mushrooms and green onions when having a barbeque. Pomelo, another traditional Mid-Autumn Festival food, is also recommended because of its high vitamin C content. The fruit is also known to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of heart disease.

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Well, having shared all that, I must say it's only once a year and so long as we don't go overboard with stuffing our faces with mooncake, it should be fine ... tau sar, ling yun, double yolk ... here I come !!!!

HAPPY MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL !!!

Presidential Election in Singapore

On the heels of the exciting General Election in May, Singapore is now having a Presidential Election.

There are four candidates standing for the post.

From left to right, you can see Dr Tan Cheng Bock (a former MP), Mr Tan Jee Say (an Investment Banker and former senior civil servant), Dr Tony Tan (former Deputy Prime Minister) and Mr Tan Kin Lian (former CEO of NTUC).

Yes, by some strange coincidence, it is a battle of the TANs !

Today is polling day, and the polling stations closed jut a few hours ago.

It will be interesting to see how the results unfold ...


THE RESULT

Singapore's 7th President ...

Musical Interlude: Lex Vandyke

I've recently come across the very soothing latin guitar music of Lex Vandyke. The CD that I bought was called "Latin Sound of Shanghai" and it is a collection of Chinese classic tunes from the Shanghai era. Really beautiful stuff.

I also see this album as a reflection of the globalised world we live in. Here we have a Dutch musician playing Latin guitar and reproducing the classic sounds of Shanghai, China ...East meets West indeed.

Anyway, enough words. Turn up the volume of your PC and enjoy this piece called "Night of Shanghai" ...

Do share your thoughts and impressions.

An Inspiring Commencement Speech from 2006

He is currently facing a tough time in politics, but I believe in this man. I think he is smart, sincere and truly has the country's best interests at heart. I think some Americans do themselves a grave injustice by not working with him.

I enjoyed this commencement address he made at Northwestern University to the graduating class of 2006. He was then still Senator Barack Obama.

Have a good day.

Election Fever in Thailand

This is certainly a year of elections ...  I was in Bangkok for work last week and witnessed political campaigning in full swing on the streets of the capital city. The Thais go to the polls on Sunday 3rd July 2011, and I think it'll be another exciting one to watch. We've all heard about the shenanigans of the red shirts and the yellow shirts, the huge protests in the heart of Bangkok, the forced closures of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the tragic crackdown of the protests by the military. One wonders what will happen after the election results are known this time.

The two key parties are the Democratic party, led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, the sitting Prime Minister, who some ladies think is handsome, and the Pheu Thai party, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who some guys think is hot (I'm referring to Yingluck, not Thaksin!)

Anyway, here's a sample of the posters I saw on the streets.

Pheu Thai party's poster with Yingluck Shinawatra on the right

Democratic party, with Abhisit Vejjajiva on the right

 Can't remember the name of this smaller party ... will check later

Sometimes it is quite easy to spot which politician some people don't like ...

Horny politicians take on a different meaning here

Interesting times ...

Asian Milestone in Sports History

June 4th 2011. Roland Garros stadium, France.

More words are not needed ...

Manila - Old and New (Part 1)

I've visited Manila several times over the past six months as part of my work. The country is going through a period of much optimism under the new leadership of the President Benigno "Noy Noy" Aquino III (also called PNoy). PNoy's stated priorities on reducing poverty and fighting corruption have been much welcomed by the people. Admittedly, the process has not been easy or smooth (remember the HK tourist hostage crisis?). However in my dealings with various politicians and senior officials, I've met many smart and committed individuals and I'm hopeful that there will be significant national progress.. Many global companies have also stepped up their exploration of new opportunities arising in the Philippines.

Manila (or more strictly Metro Manila, since it is made up of many different cities, of which Manila is just one) is a culturally rich and vibrant metropolis. There are many interesting places to visit, and also a sharp contrast between different cities.

For today, let me share one place in Metro Manila which is OLD, and another place relatively NEW .

I've been doing some reading up on Philippine history. I believe that a good understanding of what happened on these islands in the past will make my encounters and explorations of various places in and around Metro Manila more meaningful.. Take for instance the walled city called Intramuros ...

Pic 1

Intramuros (which literally means "within the walls") was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. The Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Lagaspi first arrived from Mexico (then under Spain) landing at Cebu in 1564, and at Luzon in 1570. After discovering the rich resources and location of Manila, Legazpi declared the area as the new capital of the Spanish colony in the Philippines in 1571.

One impressive structure in the heart of the Intramuros is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Manila. Originally built in 1591 by the Spaniards, it has undergone destruction by fires, earthquakes and other calamities, but each time it has been rebuilt (see Pic 4).

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Not far away  is the Church of San Agustin. Completed in 1607, this is apparently the oldest church still standing in the Philippines. No other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date St Agustin Church. This building is also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pic 5

Pic 6

At another part of the Intramuros, beside the Pasig River, stands a wall which commemorates the maritime expeditions between Mexico and the Philippines. This place is called Plaza Mexico. This apparently was the actual port of call of the fabled galleons of the past. Indeed the galleon trade which lasted almost three centuries was one of the economic engines driving the Spanish Empire of the day.

Pic 7

Another notable site within Intramuros is Fort Santiago, a 16th century defence structure which has borne testimony to the valor and bravery of the Filipino through the centuries. Originally, what stood on the site of Fort Santiago was a wooden fort of Raja Sulaiman, a Muslim chieftain of the pre-Hispanic Manila. It was destroyed by conquistadors when they arrived in 1570. The Spaniards rebuilt the fort (as well as the rest of the Intramuros) in 1571. Much of the fort was destroyed during the Spanish-Chinese War (1574-75) and rebuilt again. It became the main fort for the spice trade to America and Europe over the next three centuries.

There are various interesting spots within the fort, but the centrepiece must be the Rizal Shrine, dedicated to the national hero Jose Rizal who was executed by the Spaniards on 30th December 1896. Here one can see some of the books written by Rizal as well as the cell he spent his last nights before he was executed.

Pic 8

Pic 9

Pic 10

Next let's move to something relatively NEW in Metro Manila.

The SM Mall of Asia is reputedly the 3rd largest mall in Asia and the 4th largest in the world. It was built in 2006 on 19.5 hectares of reclaimed land and has a gross floor area of some 390,000 sq metres.

Pic 11

Pic 12

Pic 13

Pic 14

Pic 15

Pic 16

Well, that's it for Old and New Manila ... for now anyway. Enjoy and do share any comments.

Quotations on Democracy and Government

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It's one day before the state of Sarawak goes to the polls (for those who don't know, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and where I grew up). Those who have been following this election would have observed the high and growing tension - fiery speeches, huge crowds and all kinds of snipes in the media. It is also rumoured that the Malaysian GE will probably come not too long after this. Other countries in Asia, such as Singapore and Thailand, are also having elections this year.

With all this happening, I felt it might be interesting and useful for us to take a few minutes, still our minds and reflect on a variety of quotations on the subjects of Democracy and Government, since that's really what all this is about. Some of the quotations are wise, some are cynical, some humourous. Think about them in the context what it is you are about to do or not do ...

And if by chance, some aspiring political candidates may be reading this, it might also serve as food for thought on what kind of government leader you will be if indeed you are elected.


No.1
"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time"
(Sir Winston Churchill, former British PM)


No 2
"Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve"
(George Bernard Shaw, author & playwright)


No.3
"It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting"
(Tom Stoppard, author)


No.4
"Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear"
(Alan Coren, British humourist, writer & satirist)


No.5
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb"
(Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the USA)


No.6
"The most important political office is that of the private citizen."
(Louis Brandeis)


No.7
"Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people."
(Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President)


No.8
"When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of."
(Confucius)



Choose well. And have a good day.

Remembering "Thrilla in Manila"

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I've been to the Philippines for work a couple of times over the past year. I usually go to Metro Manila. Recently I got to thinking about one of the most exciting sporting events that happened there back in the 1970s. How many of you remember the spectacle that the media called "Thrilla in Manila"?

Yes indeed, this was the World Heavyweight Championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on 1st October 1975. It was fought at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

I went pass Araneta Coliseum on one of my recent visits. It's still looking good and hosting big shows. In fact in February and March, Taylor Swift and Don McLean are performing there. I believe Araneta Coliseum is still one of the largest indoor facilities in South-East Asia.

Anyway, back to the World Heavyweight Championship match ... The bout is often regarded as one of the greatest fights of 20th century boxing. It was the climax to the long-standing rivalry between Ali and Frazier over who was the legitimate Heavyweight Champion.  What happened before was that Ali (or Cassius Clay as he was previously known) had been stripped of the title in 1967 for his refusal to join the Army when drafted during the Vietnam War. Some years later, Frazier petitioned President Nixon to restore Ali's right to box, thereby bringing about a classic Trilogy of Fights between two undisputed heavyweight champions.


Fight #1 (Madison Square Garden, NY, 8 March 1971)




Both men were offered USD 2.5 million each, the biggest payout up to that time in boxing history. Anyone who was anyone was there. Even Frank Sinatra was ringside taking photos.

The bout was very brutal and ended with Frazier winning on points. Both men had to be taken to hospital but Frazier spent a little longer in hospital which allowed Ali to boast bout how much damage he had done, even as the left side of his own face was swollen.



Fight #2 (Madison Square Garden, NY, January 1974)

Although the rematch was a non-title fight, Ali put on one of his best performances and almost stopped Frazier in Round 2, but the referee Tony Perez stepped in thinking the round had ended. Ali won by a unanimous decision, thus earning himself the right to challenge George Foreman (who had beaten Frazier in 1973) to try to regain the Heavyweight title.

Ali did beat Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire in the so-called "Rumble in the Jungle" in Oct 1974. The bout ended in a very convincing 8th round knockout.

Fight #3 (Araneta Coliseum, Metro Manila, 1 October 1975)


This time Ali got USD 4.5 million and Frazier USD 2 million. In his taunting usual way, Ali promised that it would be"a killa and thrilla and a chilla when he got the gorilla in Manila". About 28,000 people packed the area, and 700 million more watched the match on TV worldwide.

Ali started attacking Frazier for the first 3 rounds.  In Round 5, there was a change in momentum when Frazier backed Ali into a corner and began pounding him. Ali rallied in the 11th, 12th and 13th Rounds and Frazier's eyes and cheeks began to puff up.Ali kept up the pressure in Round 14, trying his best to put Frazier away. Both men were exhausted but Frazier was clearly the worse off. His trainer, fearing a fatality as Joe had been taking countless punches in the head, decided not to allow Joe to come out for Round 15. It was all over.

Ali sensing the fight was done stood up to celebrate but almost collapsed in exhaustion. He later said of Joe Frazier, "He's the greatest fighter of all time ... next to me".

Here's a video clip of the last rounds of the fight ... enjoy.

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The Year of the Rabbit

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Next week, millions will celebrate the Lunar New Year. It marks the end of the Year of the Tiger and the start of the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac. As usual, the Lunar New Year celebrations will involve much feasting, merry-making and visiting of family and friends.

I thought it might be interesting to take a cursory look at where the RABBIT features in popular culture around the world. I have recorded whatever I can think of ... I'm certain it isn't complete so please do jump in (no pun intended) with what you think I might have missed.


The Easter Bunny

The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.

Studies suggest the bunny as an Easter symbol originated in Germany, where it was first mentioned in local writings from the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany in the early 1800s.The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s.

In legend, the Easter Bunny brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and even toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The creature will either put the baskets in a designated place of hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning.

Lucky Rabbit's Foot

In some cultures, the foot of a rabbit, carried as an amulet, is believed to bring good luck. This belief is held by individuals in many parts of the world including Europe, China, Africa, and the Americas.


In Western Europe, prior to 600 BC, rabbits were considered to be sacred, as spirits were thought to inhabit the bodies of animals, and since rabbits spent a lot of their time in underground burrows, it was further believed that the rabbits' bodies were inhabited by numina, underground spirits with whom they communicated at very close proximity! The Celts also held the rabbit to be sacred because of their prowess in reproduction. They believed that the numina intended for rabbits should be put upon pedestals and revered as symbols of rapid procreation, health and prosperity.


Since the rabbit itself was considered lucky, it follows that any of its body parts would also be lucky. People selected the rabbit's foot to tote around for good luck, because of its capacity to dry quickly, its small size, and perhaps the fact that it makes a nice key chain!


Note: Just because this blog is reporting on the lucky rabbit's foot does NOT mean that this blogger is supportive of the practice.


Bugs Bunny

This one needs hardly any introduction. Many of us grew up reading comics or watching TV shows featuring the rascally rabbit, whose catch phrase is "Eh ... what's up doc?".


This highly popular cartoon character first appeared in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series by Leon Schlesinger Productions, which became Warner Bros Cartoons in 1944. Mel Blanc voiced the original Bugs Bunny, and continued to do so for 49 years till he passed on. Contrary to popular belief, Mel Blanc's last words, while on his death bed, were not "That's all folks!" .


Other cartoon characters that Bugs Bunny is often seen with are Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.


Watership Down
How many of you remember the book and later movie from the 70s, entitled "Watership Down" ? Written by English author Richard Adams, it was the story of a group of rabbits living in a warren, when one of the younger rabbits named Fiver, who is a seer, receives a frightening vision of the imminent destruction of their precious warren. Fiver and his brother Hazel then try to persuade the chief rabbit of the danger, but are ignored. They then set out on a journey to find a new home, facing various trials and tribulations along the way. 


The movie was an impressive work of animation, and featured the beautiful theme song "Bright Eyes" sung by Art Garfunkel. Here is a videoclip so that you can enjoy the scenes and song.

"Watership Down" was one of my favourite animated movies of the 70s. I believe this seemingly simple story can be appreciated at different levels. At the most basic level, it is simply a story of a bunch of animals and their struggles. However many people have offered different shades of interpretation of this tale, which has elements of exile, survival, bravery, political responsibility and "the making of a hero and a community". Some have even compared it to the epic Greek poem "The Odyssey".


Energizer Bunny
Remember the television ads for Energizer batteries? There was this cute, pink bunny who could go on and on and on and on ..... :-)

White Rabbit sweets
This is a popular brand of candy manufactured in China, that many of us have enjoyed in our younger days (maybe even now!). It is white in colour, has a chewy, sticky texture and is wrapped by an edible rice paper wrapping.

Playboy Bunny
Finally, we have the famous Playboy Bunny, symbol of quality reading for discerning gentlemen over generations ...  LOL .... 'Nuff said.

Well, look at this recent news snippet I found ...


London Playboy casino set for 2011
The iconic brand is due to return to London with a massive club and casino.

Playboy Enterprises Inc. announced plans to open a new Playboy branded club and casino in London in early 2011. The planned venture will sit in the exclusive Mayfair neighbourhood of the capital and feature a restaurant, lounge, table games area and high-limit private casino gaming rooms. It's not the first time Playboy have set up such a casino in the UK, having run venues in London, Manchester and Portsmouth in the 60s.

The iconic brand currently owns only one club and casino, situated in Las Vegas, and the new Mayfair premises will certainly have a touch of the Las Vegas glamour to it. With private gaming rooms and casino table games such as roulette, blackjack and poker, as well as the lounge and restaurant, the club will certainly attract high rollers and casino fans.

The Playboy casino and club in Las Vegas is situated in the Palms complex, which houses ten restaurants and six bars and nightclubs, as well as a 95,000 square foot casino. The Playboy casino itself has nine blackjack tables and one roulette table inside the club.

Certainly well timed for the Year of the Rabbit  ... 


Well, a HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS LUNAR NEW YEAR to all who celebrate it, and for all others HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY.