In case you haven’t heard, in addition to gunning for a ninth world title, Kelly Slater is making a 3D film for IMAX Theaters. The premise of the film, which focuses on exploring ocean waves, takes a scientist and Slater around the world doing what Slater does best - Surfing.

With an anticipated release date of Fall 2009, Slater and crew are knee-deep in production. As usual, Slater consulted with Surfline’s Sean Collins before heading to Tahiti. And with a large-scale production team in tow, being at the right place at the right time is all the more imperative.

Sean Collins explains how this particular Teahupoo expedition came to fruition:

We basically had a three-week window to tell them when to ship everyone down there. We went for these last two swells at the end of last week and this weekend. The swells didn’t look all that great during this period but we had to pick the eyes out of it and get a couple medium-sized swells so they could get some footage in the can. Kelly shipped in from Bali, Dorian from Hawaii, and the IMAX crew with millions of dollars of equipment and production people from Canada and the USA.

Source: Surfline

The Burj Dubai Tower, the Tallest Skyscraper in the World, is about to be completed. To celebrate it, David Hobcote has taken a series of amazing high resolution pictures from the air which give an exact impression of the breathtaking, massive scale of this building. Inside, it looks like a set from Blade Runner or the interior of the Death Star. Above, stunning Dubai photography from David Hobcote. This batch includes several photos of the main city, along with some of the progress on The World Islands.

To view more photos click HERE, and to view the video on The Burj click HERE.

“This is going to be the best surf film of ‘08, I can pretty much guarantee that. The Malloy brothers are the chillest free surfer clan on the planet and in Chris’ upcoming film he summarizes the winning mindset that Kelly and Andy can’t leave behind for a second of their lives. So fucking amped! This trailer (BELOW) doesn’t really amp it as much as knowing that Chris is behind the making of it. Be ready.” Grady Winn

One Track Mind is the latest film from the creative film collaborative Woodshed Films, a.k.a. The Moonshine Conspiracy. It explores the technical side and ambitious nature of surfing’s most competitive individuals and their drive to push the limits and succeed.

The movie brings footage from Trestles, Mexico, Indonesia, Micronesia, Australia and includes an impressive list of surfers such as Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Tom Curren, Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson, Dane Reynolds, Jamie O’Brien, Fred Patachia, Sunny Garcia, CJ Hobgood, Jordy Smith among many others.

The DVD will hit the stores on October 7th, 2008. In the meantime check out its TRAILER or go to www.woodshedfilms.com for more info.

If you’re looking for a way to set up camp in the middle of post-apocalyptic New Jersey, check out EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicles ($110,000-$230,000). Available in two models — the Ford F550-based XV-LT or the Jeep Rubicon Unlimited-based XV-JP — these four-wheel-drive powerhouses can get you where you want to go, and utilize solar energy as a primary power source for lights and appliances, removing the need for a noisy generator. The XV-LT is designed for two adults and two children, and offers granite counters, a convection microwave, a king-sized bed, an enclosed shower/bathroom, and more, while the two-person XV-JP offers features like a queen-sized bed, an inside cassette toilet, indoor shower, sink, and cooking facilities, just to name a few. Via: Uncrate.

Tanriverdi Holding presents the Istanbul Underwater Hotel, due to open in 2010. This seven floor underwater hotel will give its guests a new view of the famous city of Istanbul.

The hotel will coincide with its Culture Capital of Europe nomination and lay down a gauntlet as a world capital of tourism. Tanriverdi Holding have set aside a multi-million dollar budget to ensure the project is finished to 7 star standards.

The hotel it will be based in the city center and will go one floor further underwater. The underwater hotel is being built on the ruins of a historical 1930s tobacco factory and will have restaurants, exhibition halls, and rooms all with sea view rooms.

It will be interesting to check-in and check-out the underwater hotel rooms and facilities, as local experts suggest that the underwater visibility of the Istanbul Bosphorus Strait (which is the body of water that links the Black Sea, to the north, with the Sea of Marmara, to the south) is about ten feet.

Sliding Liberia is a film that crosses genres. Conceived of by Stanford filmmaker Britton Caillouette and Stanford PhD student Nicholai Lidow, this surf film/social documentary follows a group of young surfers to Liberia in search of more than perfect waves. As they travel through the West African country, devastated by decades of brutal civil war, they record the stories of people they meet along the way – people like Alfred, a young boy who became Liberia’s first surfer after finding a bodyboard while fleeing from rebels. Besides rediscovering a world-class point break that could be the best-kept secret in the surfing world, the surfers find something much more important – a way to travel responsibly in the 21st century. Featuring Surfers: Dan Malloy, Crystal Thornburg, and Chris Del Moro. Cinematography by: Dave Homcy.

DVD In Stores August 1st.

Source: The Cleanest Line

In this video RISD president John Maeda narrates a visit to Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, CT. Maeda shares his impressions and talks about how it relates to his thoughts on simplicity. Meanwhile, we explore the site (there are actually several buildings on the property in addition to the Glass House), shot over a couple picture perfect spring days.

Source: Cool Hunting

The structure, designed by Italian architect David Fisher, has floors that can each rotate independently of one another. Allegedly the building will be powered entirely by wind and solar energy via outer solar panels and wind turbines between the floors. With floors that rotate, buyers will constantly have a different view of the Persian Gulf. Condos are currently going for about $3,000 per square foot. Check the vid BELOW.

Belgian designer Vincent Callebaut, the Lilypad’s creator, describes the city as a “floating ecopolis for climate refugees,” but it looks more like a resort than a shelter. Inspired by nature, it’s designed to house 50,000 people displaced from the effects of global warming and other ecological disasters, and be entirely self-sufficient so it doesn’t contribute to the problem. As a floating city, it can really pick and choose how it gets its energy since wind, solar and hydropower are all easily accessible, and all food and water could be grown or processed. The artificial yet natural landscape won’t have climate refugees feeling like they live on a junker from Waterworld, either.

It’s just about the most fashionable way to weather any ecological nightmare. While the Lilypad may never see the light of day, any zero-emission city design is certainly a step in the right direction. To keep reading and view more pictures click here.

Source: DVICE

Loaded with features like folding wings (so you can keep it in your garage) and seat belt-like parachutes (so you can ease the whole thing down to the ground), ICON Aircraft’s new light sport airplane (LSA), dubbed the A5, might just be the ultimate joyride.

What if you had an aircraft that fit in your driveway and could take off from basically anywhere? The new Icon A5 Aircraft just made flying a lot easier. This sports plane is about the length of two compact cars and has wings that can be folded up for easy storage and transport in a trailer that hitches to your car. But the best part is that it can actually take off from the water, meaning all you need to do is drive it down to the lake and let it fly. The A5 probably won’t be available for a bit, but you can order one now for about $139,000. To see more photos click here. By the way, this thing is real.

The Patagoonies in Palo Alto are got revved up for an extra-special event this past weekend. They were proud to announce that directors, Stanford University students, and friends of Patagonia, Nicholai Lidow and Britt Caillouette, introduced the surf documentary Sliding Liberia at 7 pm on Saturday, June 7, in their shop on Alma Street. The film features the sick surf skills of Crystal Thornburg and Dan Malloy, both Patagonia Surf Ambassadors, as well as Chris Del Moro, an artist whose work is featured on their surf tees, and, most notably, the epic beauty of West African coastal beaches. Central to the message of the film is not the role of surfing in the lives of traveling Americans, but the soul-liberating role the sport can have in the lives of those so greatly affected by civil war in Liberia.

Continue Reading “Sliding Liberia Being Shown & Introduced by the Directors Tomorrow at Patagonia Palo Alto” »

Source: The Cleanest Line

Two new penthouses at 20 Pine, the former headquarters of Chase Manhattan Bank, were just released on the market. With interiors designed by Armani Casa, the units offer a unique opportunity for the baller in search of a pad in Manhattan’s financial district.

The first of the two penthouses is a two-bedroom, two-bath 1,873-square-foot unit priced at $3.2 million. The second is a 1,829-square-foot one-bedroom with 1.5-baths, priced at $3.1 million. In total, 20 Pine contains 409 residences and amenities such as a pool, spa, fitness center, and a terrace lounge.

The 25th floor through the penthouses are serviced by world-renowned concierge service Quintessentially, which offers up your typical luxury hotel amenities, including room service and a daily concierge breakfast. Prices in the building start at $715k, with studio through three bedroom units available. To see more images of 20 Pine Baller Pads, read the rest of this entry BELOW.

Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Baller House

Nurai, a new development off of the coast of Abu Dhabi, is without a doubt the most exciting luxury real estate opportunity we’ve seen so far this year. Developed by Zaya, a new Abu Dhabi-based real estate joint venture, Nurai is a natural island located northeast of Abu Dhabi’s city center that is currently in the process of being transformed into a boutique luxury hotel resort with 60 suites, 31 beachfront estates and 36 water villas. Each of Nurai’s three residential model types, designed by New York based architects Studio Dror, comes with a range of unique luxury amenities like private beaches and gardens, infinity swimming pools, concealed service quarters, and outdoor showers.

Entertainment and recreation facilities on the island of Nurai will include three restaurants, multiple lounges, a private helipad and marina with arrivals lounge, and an ESPA spa and fitness center. Commute time to Abu Dhabi from the island is 25 minutes by boat and 5 minutes by helicopter.

Pre-sales for the development are going on now with prices ranging from about $3 million to over $22 million.

Read the rest of this entry »

Source: Baller House

Ubud is a town on the Indonesian island of Bali. The town is located amongst rice paddies and steep ravines in the island’s central foothills in the Gianyar regency. One of Bali’s major arts and culture centres, it has developed a large tourism industry. The specialty in Ubud is the nasi babi guling (roast suckling pig), which can be found all over the island. This dish is an all-in-one platter of rice with pork meat, fried pork skin, pig intestines, gizzet, and vegetables and apparently the best place to get it is Warung’s Ibu Oka.

Babi Guling at Ibu Oku is considered a Balinese delicacy for locals and tourists. The food stall has stood there for the past 20 years, serving up what many say is some of the best pork in the world. Half a dozen live pigs are housed at the back of the compound, snuffling, eating, sleeping and generally enjoying life before the pre-dawn kill that will have them cleaned, gutted, stuffed and spitted by 4 a.m., ready for the Warung’s 11 a.m. opening.

For those of you who are curious to what Babi Guling actually is, it is a roast suckling pig packed full of Balinese herbs and spices, such as shallots, garlic, chili, ginger, galangal, turmeric and bay leaves, then roasted over an open fire for at least five hours while continulously being lathered with coconut milk. This is five hours of hot, heavy work for the cooks who rotate, non-stop, the wooden spit by hand, regularly dousing the flames with water to maintain the perfect cooking temperature. Getting the temperature right is an art that has been handed down from generation to generation, the suckling pigs slowly developing that warm golden sheen that makes for the best crackling, the inner meat cooking slowly until it is utterly succulent. Prominent chefs like Jamie Oliver and Anthony Bourdain say this is the best pork in the world.

Ibu Oka learned this art — along with the business — from her parents-in-law 25 years ago. She adds that her in-laws had been preparing Babi Guling for 33 years before she took on the business.

“The family has been making Babi Guling for almost 60 years. Two generations of us. Originally, the business started at the market. I ran it there for the first five years after my parents-in-law died, and then moved the warung to Jl. Suweta 20 years ago,” she said of the business that now involves her whole family.

For pork eaters, this is the mother of all pork dishes. The pork meat is nicely marinated and very tender. The fried pork skin is very crispy and delicious. The atmosphere is very casual, everyone sits on the floor, sharing a long low table while Ibu Oka, the owner of the stall I presume, shaves the tender juicy meat off the pig hanging on the kitchen. Ibu Oka is highly recommended just for the experience of a local food stall, and also for the lovely pork dish.