The Newest Commercial Aircraft

Airbus A350 A perspective model of a new long range aircraft to replace Airbus A330 and A340. Nowadays is under construction.

Airbus A380 The largest passenger aircraft in the world. First airlines took delivery of these giants in 2007-2008.

Antonov An-148 A regional jet program of Ukraine. The first aircraft delivered to airlines in summer 2009.

AVIC ARJ-21 The first built in China jet aircraft made its first flight in November 2008. It is developed for regional routes.

Boeing 737-900 The last model in Boeing 737 family (the most popular commercial aircraft family numbering near 4 000 units).

Boeing 747-8 The latest version of the famous long range 747 family has made its maiden flight in February 2010.

Boeing 787 A new long range aircraft of Boeing Company to replace popular Boeing 767 model. First plane took to the sky in December 2009.

Bombardier CRJ-1000 The last specimen of CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) made the first flight in September 2008.

Embraer 195 The newest modification of Embraer 170/175/190/195 airplanes, the most perfect regional aircraft at present.

Evektor EV-55 A new generation commuter aircraft is developed by the czech manufacturer Evektor. Maiden flight is expected in 2010.

Sukhoi Superjet-100 A new Russian regional airplane developed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. At the beginning of 2010 the first aircraft is expected to enter scheduled service.

WORLDS TOP TEN MOST EXPENSIVE FOODS Matsutake Mushrooms $1000/pound

The matsutake, or mattake, mushroom is expensive because of its rarity. While its historical prevalence meant it was nearly synonymous with autumn in Japan, the introduction of an insect that kills the trees under which the mushroom grows has caused a dramatic decrease in the number of matsutake mushrooms. A method for farming the matsutake has yet to be developed, which means the lack of trees from which to harvest these mushrooms naturally is a serious problem for the species.

The Worlds Most Expensive Bagel $1000 This bagel, created by Executive Chef Frank Tujague for New Yorks Westin Hotel, is topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves. The bagels price is justified when you consider that white truffles happen to be the second most expensive food by weight, eclipsed only by caviar. The underground fungus grows only under specific oak trees in Alba, Italy. Their pheromone-like odor is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is the reason dogs and female pigs are used to hunt the precious truffle.

The Zillion Dollar Frittata $1000 This absurdly expensive breakfast item consists of a mixture of eggs, lobster and 10 ounces of sevruga caviar (which costs the restaurant $65 per ounce). On the menu next to the expensive omelet there is a challenge that reads, Norma dares you to expense this.

Wagyu Steak $2800 While Wagyu cattle are raised both in and outside Japan, the Kobe varietal which is raised specifically in the Hyogo prefecture is the most elite. Employing the most traditional production methods, Kobe beef comes from cows that are allegedly fed only beer and massaged by hand to ensure a tenderness and marbling beyond compare. These dishes can be out of range for the average restaurateur, carrying an unhealthy load of fat and a price tag to match. For your next after-work social, you might try taking your associates to New York Citys Craftsteak, where a full Wagyu rib eye was served up to a private party for $2800.

Samundari Khazana, the Worlds Most Expensive Curry $3200 To celebrate the DVD release of Slumdog Millionaire, Bombay Brassiere packed this curry platter full of the most expensive ingredients they could find. Devon crab and white truffle and a half tomato filled with Beluga caviar and dressed with gold leaf are just the start of this lavish dish. A Scottish lobster, also coated with gold, four abalone and four shelled and hollowed quails eggs filled with even more caviar

round out the dish. Domenico Crollas Pizza Royale 007 $4200

The 12 inch pizza pie is densely packed with an assortment of some of the worlds most expensive food ingredients, such as lobster marinated in cognac, caviar soaked in champagne, sunblush tomato sauce, Scottish smoked salmon, venison medallions, prosciutto, and vintage balsamic vinegar. In addition to all these fine ingredients, its topped with a significant amount of edible 24-carat gold flakes.

Dansuke Watermelon $6,100 In a country where watermelons are rare game, they can be a costly commodity. Thats how a 17-pound Japanese watermelon became the most expensive watermelon in the world. Densuke watermelons, a type of black watermelon grown only on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, are usually given as gifts due to their extraordinary rarity. There were only sixty-five of the fruits among the first harvest this season. They are harder and crisper than the watermelons we Americans are used to and, according to Tohma Agricultural Cooperatives spokesman, they have a different level of sweetness.

Yubari Melons $22,872

Another type of expensive melon, the worlds most expensive cantaloupes are a pair of Yubari melons and were the first auction of the 2008 season. They had previously been judged the best pair and were purchased by the owner of a nearby seafood lunchbox and souvenir business. It had some competition 100 melons grown by farmers from Yubari were also judged.

Almas Caviar $25,000 Almas caviar comes from Iran making it extremely rare and extremely expensive. The only known outlet is the Caviar House & Prunier in London Englands Picadilly that sells a kilo of the expensive Almas caviar in a 24-karat gold tin for 16,000, or about $25,000. Coincidentally, it is also where you can find the most expensive meal in Britain. The Caviar House also sells a 800 tin for those on a smaller budget.

Italian White Alba Truffle $160,406 Expensive truffles are notoriously pricey because they are difficult to cultivate. This makes them a true delicacy which some have called the king of all fungi. The Associate Press reported that a real estate

investor and his wife from Hong Kong have paid 125,000 ($160,406 USD) for a gigantic Italian White Alba truffle which is reportedly the worlds most expensive ever. The most expensive truffle weighs in 1.51 kilograms (3.3 lbs).

MOST POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE WORLD

#1 - Times Square
New York City, NY, USA 35 million

#2 National Mall & Memorial Parks

Washington, D.C., USA 25 million

#3 Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 16.6 million

#4 Trafalgar Square
London, England, UK 15 million

#5 Disneyland Park
Anaheim, CA, USA 14.7 million

#6 Niagara Falls
Ontario, Canada & New York State, USA 14 million

15 OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE DRINKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

1. The Jewel of Pangaea Available in Singapore at Pangaea, a club for the rich and famous, the Jewel is a concoction of gold-flecked Hennessey brandy, 1985 vintage Krug champagne and sugar, garnished with a Triple X 1-carat diamond by jeweler Mouawad. Itll only set you back about $26,000.

2. 1787 Chateau Lafite There are three categories of wine drinkers: casual, aficionados and the crazed super-rich. The later category fits the bill for this bottle of wine that was sold at auction for $156,000. Supposedly once owned by Thomas Jefferson (yes, that Thomas Jefferson), controversy rages if the story is true. Still, thats one old bottle of wine. Heres hoping it hasnt gone bad. 3. Platinum Passion Found at the Duvet Lounge in New York, for around $1,500 you can enjoy a cocktail made with cognac, passion fruit syrup, wildflower honey, sugar, wild berries, lemon juice and brown sugar. What makes it so special? Apparently, the cognac by itself is $6,000 per bottle and even Napoleon was said to have liked it in the 1800s.

4. Macallan Fine and Rare 1926 Distilled in 1926 in oak barrels, only 40 bottles of this vintage whiskey were produced at the Macallan Distillery in Scotland. According to Forbes.com, the price of one bottle is $38,000 and they are incredibly hard to find. But you can taste it at the Old Homestead Steakhouse in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City for only $3,300 per dram.

5. Ritz-Paris Sidecar Served in the famous Hemingway Bar at the Ritz Carlton in Ritz-Paris, for about $1,670 you can get a glass of Cointreau orange liqueur, lemon juice and 100-years-or-older cognac. Would Hemingway be able to afford a drink named in the bar after him?

6. Kentucky Derby Mint Julep at Churchill Downs Mint Juleps have been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby for more than 75 years, so its no surprise they offer limited editions in the name of charity. For $1,000, guests can buy a Traditional Cup, a silver and hand-engraved cup with a horse scene; or for $2,000, they can buy a Prestige Cup, a sterling silver cup plated in 24-karat gold plus diamond-studded horseshoe with 43 diamonds.

7. Wray and Nephew Rum Sure, you could buy a bottle ordinarily priced at $30 bucks or so, but then youd be like the all the rest of us unwashed masses. In 2007, the company produced a bottle of rum made from ingredients that dated back to 1915, making it the oldest rum in the world. Cost? A mere $50,000. No word on whether the recipe made a bit of difference in taste.

8. Diva Vodka According it its website, its a super-premium diamond-sand-filtered wheat-based vodka enveloping a sparkling, hand-filling wand of Swarovski crystals. Now thats a mouthful! Produced by Blackwood Distillers, based in Scotland, the bottle costs anywhere from $3,700 to a staggering one million based on the value of the stones inside. Why arent rap artists shilling for this brand? 9. Vielle Bon Secours Ale Said to be the Worlds Most Expensive Beer, Vielle Bon Secours costs about $1,000 per bottle. (Puts to shame such beers as Dogfish Head that sell for about $10 for a four-pack.) Brewed in Belgium, the 12-liter bottle has been stored for 10 years and has been said to have a complex taste with tones of licorice and aniseed. Maybe it tastes likemoney. 10. Tequila Ley 925 In 2010, Tequila Ley produced a bottle of tequila worth $3.5 million dollars. Its not even the liquor that makes it so expensive, but the bottle made of pure platinum with 6,400 diamonds. A previous bottle, a Platinum and White Gold Liquor Bottle, earned a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive bottle ever sold. It sold for $225,000 in July 2006.

11. Bentley Sidecar For only $550 per glass, you can sip a blend of Grand Marnier, Hennessy X.O. Cognac, orange juice and lime juice. Available in New York City at The London NYC, its off the menu, so only those in-the-know can order. Consider yourselves educated!

12. Chocolate Truffle Martini For those who have a sweet tooth, here is the Chocolate Truffle Martini at Donovan Bar, located in Browns Hotel in London. The drink is made with vodka infused with black Alba truffle, combined with chocolate liqueur and paper-thin truffle slices. For once, this wont break the bank at $120. 13. Merchant Hotel Mai Tai Theres nothing like a Mai Tai to evoke the spirit of Hawaii. So its a bit odd to find this drink at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast, Ireland. Made with a blend of lime, culacao liqueur, and a special 17-year old rum (only six bottles were produced), itll set you back about $1,480 per glass. Instead of Aloha! its Top o the morning to ya! 14. Flawless In 2007, the London club Movida created a Christmas cocktail called Flawless that combined Louis XII cognac, Cristal Rose champagne, brown sugar, angostura bitters, a few flakes of 24-carat edible gold leaf and an 11-carat white diamond ring on the bottom. Cost to your wallet? $56,000. Cost to your intelligence? Priceless. 15. Diamonds Are Forever Not to be outdone, in 2010, the Ritz Carlton Tokyo created a Diamonds Are Forever martini that blended chilled Grey Goose vodka with a lime twist, poured over a one-carat diamond for only $18,000. Like James Bond, I like my martinis shaken, not stirred, and without a diamond at the bottom.