Miss República Dominicana 2010 – Eva Carolina Arias Viñas

OF COURSE AFTER MISS JAPAN!!!!

MONICA BELLUCCI, BENICIO DEL TORO, JAVIER BARDEM, STING, JOHNNY DEPP, LADY GAGA

Have you seen the Polaroid segment, inside the telephone music video, when Lady Gaga takes a picture of Beyonce while she drives the car, after bailing out Gaga out-of jail?

Well, Italian renowed photographer Mauricio Galimberti was in Tokyo with Lady Gaga to take pictures of personalities in Japan. He is preparing an art exhibition to be displayed in New York. He took my pictures yesterday, see Lady Gaga herself above! Hiroko Mima as well. Other celebrities include Georges Clooney, Johnny Depp, Taro Akebono, Toyohiko Mikimoto.

Maurizio with beautiful Hiroko and her art photo compilation.

Now my lucky turn with the Maestro!

The shooting is over, we are rushed to the private car taking us to the concert in Yokohama Arena (12,000 people). Here inside the elevator, Andrea top left is snapping again! (Asami Ferguson, her sister my make-up artist Izumi Saito and Hiroko Mima.

BELOW TARO AKEBONO & TOYOHIKO MIKIMOTO

Actress REIKO TAKASHIMA. She is one of the stars to have as a role model for sophistication, intelligence and succes.

- At the age of 13, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome(GBS), an autoimmune disorder affecting 2 to 3 out of  every 100,000 people, and recovered after 3 months of treatment.

- A natural athlete, until she was diagnosed with GBS, she played  basketball from the age of 6, but had to quit due to treatment. After she was  suggested to take up athletics post-treatment, she started  competing in the high jump, going on to participate in 7 national athletics  tournaments.

- When she realized that there is only one life to live after her  father’s unexpected, premature death, when he was hit by a car, Hiroko decided to send her application for the 2008 Miss Universe Japan competition.

- On April 3rd, 2008 she won the competition going on to represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, held on July 14th, 2008, finishing in the Top 15 and Best of Asia.

- She then acted as a trainer for the 2009 Miss Universe Japan contestants, and eventually acted as the MC for the final event.

- Currently, she spends her time working as a model, sports reporter, and talent, while participating in charitable events to support disadvantaged children worldwide.

- Hiroko is exotic, smart, compassionate, determined and terribly beautiful. She was just asked to be represented by one of the top talent agencies worldwide and will soon be heading to Los Angeles and make it her new base. Congratulation Hiroko, you deserve all of it!

Mark Dytham, Emiri, Patrick Newell, (one guest), The Duke of York (who’s Mother is the Queen of England), Hiroko, me and Norico (top-finalist in 1999)

See the report about Dubai on Hiroko’s blog at http://www.mimahiroko.com/blog/

Some pictures from my friend, music producer Nick Wood.

ESCAPE TO NATURE

Well aware that Easter holiday could become a disaster holiday, I had to find a getaway for my 2 wild boys.

Tokyo is not really the place-to-be when my boys are out of school for 2 weeks. My boys have plenty too much energy to waste each day. My friend Bobby called me and said that him and his wife Tina were going to Thailand in these remote islands of Krabi together with an other couple whom I know as well.

When we arrived in Krabi, which lies in the Southern Thailand, the air felt noticeably fresh as I could barely breathe in Tokyo for a week due to the pollen allergy that was burning my nose and my eyes to a point of no return.  Also, there was an other charming point about Krabi. It was not overrun by tourists, and I got glimpses of the “authentic” local life.

After checking into our hotel, we dropped our city-clothes and jumped into our swimsuits and ran to the beach. The shores of Krabi, which front the Andaman Sea, are actually made-up of finely pounded shells and coral, white sandy beaches everywhere. We could find whole shells and corals like a beautiful mosaic-like pattern.
Natural-art at its best!

Island hopping, the way to go…… The next day we rented a speed-boat and went on to discover islands and natural caves. Our driver was going toward where we pointed, stopped and let us swim and play in the water, until we had enough and asked to move to another location. I loved the freedom that we got by doing our own adventure instead of following a tour-group. I am not good at following others, I like to decide where I go and when I come back….

Krabi is known for its limestone cliffs that are formed by geological processes that have been going on for millions of years. Thanks to these wonderful creations we could find our own private idyllic spot away from others and we snorkeled with the boys looking at the wonders that are located under the surface.

Geological formations also gave rise  to the famed Koh Phi Phi Islands, which have been projected on the silver screen most notably in the movie The Beach with Leonardo di Caprio. A paradise or a sand, sun and sea divine experience. Colorful caves were the highlight of my trip, limestone formations have also given way to limestone caves. The mix of colors on the walls of these caves looks like a giant watercolor palette. Again this captures the essence of Krabi’s natural beauty.

Elephant ride in the jungle, it was HOT! terribly hot….Lorraine bought lots of bananas and fed the elephants with Luca and Noa.

Below, we all jumped, it is called the flying eagle. It was very long and exciting to fly above the river.

My friend Bobby, forgot to remove his money from his back pocket of his swimsuit and jumped in the water… we had to dry the bills in the sun, and hold it with stones so the money would not fly with the wind. Evening having a drink at the hotel.


With Luca, playing with a small monkey, it ended up biting me hard!


Fish Spa, having a pedicure…. small fishes come to eat the dead skin on your feet and leave them quite soft at the end. But the first feeling is really weird, you should try it if you go to southern Asia.



ATV driving in the jungle must have been one of my favorite. I hurt my hand at the hand bumping against a tree after loosing control of it in a curve.
Fun but be careful if you try it.


Although there are no large rivers in Krabi, nearby Phang Nga province is a good place to enjoy this eco-friendly adventure sport. Most rafting trips take place on the Khlong Song Phraek stream in the Ton Paritwat Wildlife Sanctuary, not far from Phang Nga Town. This stream is quite narrow with a few boulders. A lot of fun if you do not mind getting wet!

I am staying at the St Regis hotel with my boys for a few days visiting friends. I love Singapore, the city is super-stylish, green, warm, full of activities, happening, multi-cultural and with the best museum of art ever.

I chose to stay at The St Regis Singapore because it is located only a block from Singapore’s popular Orchard Road shopping district and the newest shopping mall called ION. And while located in bustling Singapore, the hotel is surrounded by gardens. Recreational amenities include an indoor tennis court, a landscaped outdoor pool with a sun deck and cabanas, perfect for a late afternoon swim with my boys. And a 24-hour fitness center to stay in shape….

These photos were taken this afternoon (by our butler,each floor has it own butler!)

Tonight

At the Clarke Quay with my friends Bobby and Tina Bhatia eating ice creams made by this very funny Turkish man.

Luca in front of the Merlion.