All men to the oars

Unlike previous competitions, where experienced crews have manned the boats, youngsters were encouraged to enter last week’s competition. Religious associations traditionally offer meals to the monks, light candles to the Buddha image as well as recite sermons as part of the festival. – Eleven Media

 

“Longest Lunch” comes to Hong Kong

Discovery Bay D’Deck, Hong Kong’s renowned oceanfront al fresco dining destination, is to play host to the inaugural “Longest Lunch on the Beach” on November 23 and 24. The gastronomic weekend fiesta will feature a Mediterranean menu by celebrity chef Harlan Goldstein, live entertainment and free-flowing wine and champagne. Tickets are priced at HK$1,988 (Bt8,050). The event is limited to 100 guests each day, with tickets available on a first come, first served basis from next Tuesday at www.TimeOut.com.hk/dbLongestLunch. Part of the ticket sales will be donated to the charity organisation Heifer International.

 

Java juice joys

More people choose coffee over sex for their morning buzz, Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts spills the beans following its survey on global coffee and travel habits. The survey found that coffee surpasses sex as the ideal wake-up call according to more than half (53 per cent ) of global respondents. The study also established that coffee drinkers are addicted to this morning ritual as 54 per cent of respondents make their morning brew right at home. An overwhelming 78 per cent said they would rather give up alcohol, social media or sex with their spouse for a year rather than forfeit coffee – proving that a bean buzz remains the ultimate high. Le Meriden is responding by rolling out Master Baristas at its hotels and resorts worldwide.

 

Early check-in for Sydney

Qantas is testing an early check-in scheme at Sydney Airport that will let passengers arrive for their international flight at any time during the day, rather then be restricted to the current “three hours before departure” window. The arrangement is open to travellers with several bags of checked luggage in addition to those flying with only carry-on bags. The trial applies to all Qantas-operated flights out of Sydney Airport's T1 international terminal. There’s only one caveat: Qantas says that you can’t leave the airport. That means there's no dropping off your checked luggage in the morning for an evening flight, then heading into Sydney for the day.

 

India gets new gateways

India plans to open 100 new low-cost airports before the end of 2014 in an attempt to boost civil aviation and attract more tourists to the country's most remote regions. According to a report in the Times of India, the government has decided to set up 50 new low-cost airports this year with another 50 to follow in 2014. The project is expected to cost in the region of US$120 billion with the regions of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Rajasthan among those set to benefit. – DPA

 

Qatar joins OneWorld

Qatar Airways will join the OneWorld aviation alliance on October 30, making it the first of the three major Gulf region air carriers to enter such a cooperation. For members of Qatar Airways’ frequent flyer programme, the move means they will enjoy the privileges accorded other members in OneWorld, which now includes Air Berlin, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways. Reciprocally, members of those airlines’ frequent-flyer programmes may as of October 30 begin accumulating points and bonuses when flying Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways' entry will add more than 20 new destinations and five countries – Ethiopia, Iran, Rwanda, Serbia and Tanzania – to the OneWorld network. – DPA