NEMO33-World's Deepest Diving Pool

Welcome to NEMO33 Brussels,The DEEPEST DIVING POOL IN THE WORLD !

A unique place to learn and experience scuba diving !

   " All what a diver needs in the same place ! "

• For meetings :  the friendly clubhouse is rich in images and is animated by beautiful mermaids.

• For relaxation : our scuba diving pool is heated to over 30°C

• Training :  we are not just a diving school, we are a diving academy. Scuba diving can lead to exciting professions.
• Restaurant: try our exceptional quality food
• Entertainment :  the possibility to organize all type of events.
• Services :  our job is to help you, contact us!
• Equipment :  a dive shop will open in 2011
• A travel agency will be operating in 2011  

       

" Do you remember when diving was dangerous and sex was safe "

Do you remember the long training sessions in (not so clean) swimming pools during the late evenings when the pools are even more dirty, finding balls of hair, band aids and snots, and that on top of all you have to stay long periods in those cold waters?

And after you finished your course in confined waters, you had to go and do several dives in a lake or "carriere" where water temperature is 5°C or maybe 10°C ! They used to tell you you were a "real man" because you had no fear of diving under those conditions and lack of visibility!

In 1996, John BEERNAERTS who has been diving for over 20 years, traveled and discovered new waters. At the other end of the world, men learn how to dive in a blue lagoon ... Learning to dive was easy, feeling the pleasure was immediate, and to discover the underwater world did not require suffering, it was possible to enrich youserlf intellectual and emotionally without any risk .

One evening, while waiting for a friend, John drew on a tablemat the first contourns of a unique and deep pool. The objective: recreate the conditions of Bora Bora in Brussels !

Three years of study were needed to define the boundaries of the project.  Twenty-one versions were tested.  It was not only to create conditions that were unknown but also to propose a global concept with different priorities :

• The first priority was the SECURITY.  Still today, is the most important word in NEMO33 in all its aspects! During 6 years it has been demonstrated (nearly 200,000 dives and ZERO accidents!).
• The second is the COMFORT of the users. All the concept, from its architecture, the water's quality (+30°C, transparent, clean, drinkable and without smell of chlorine), the way that things work, and the best diving materials (AQUALUNG) have been thinked to guarantee the confort of our visitors.
• And finally, the project should be sustainable, and profitable, it would be an opportunity to check if the dimension CSR have a meaning. The "SOCIAL ROLE OF BUSINESS" has been integrated with all its components.    

• The respect for the ENVIRONEMENT is also guaranteed with the low energy consumption, (NEMO33 consummes less than the half of a traditional pool and at the same time is warmed 5°C higher!).
• The HUMAN respect and multiculturality.  At NEMO33 there are workers of 12 different nationalities.
• ETHICS and RESPECT for sustainable commerce (NEMO33 favors fair trade products and small-scale producers).

Four long years of work, full of surprises and many technical challenges. Nobody had ever built such a pool. No experience on which to rely.  Then finally the opening day: 1 May 2004.  The date of the entry of Slovenia into the European Union.  Two lovely Slovenians were in the line. A sign of the beginning of an international interest.

Today NEMO33 is an achievement that Belgium can be proud of!
Many tourist-divers choose Brussels as the destination of mini-trip.
In the life of a diver, NEMO33 has became a must!  All serious instructors agree when considering teaching their diver students at NEMO33, where there are no risks for beginners.

On top of all the warm water at NEMO33 has a relaxing effect, breathing deeply and feeling the lack of weight are powerful anti stress . Even some say that NEMO33 is aphrodisiac...

 


Photo: John BEERNAERTS creator of NEMO33.

The history of NEMO33 is full of anecdotes and rumors.  Allright, the arrival of NEMO33 will change some points of view of a discipline that is only around 50 years old. Moving from prehistory to refinement and comfort was surprising or disturbing.  And it is interesting to see that some people spend their energy and time inventing nonsense rumors...

• RUMOR#1 :   While digging down the basement for the construction of NEMO33, a house fell down and an old lady died !

• REALITY :   It is true that during the construction of the basementes we proceed to a a drawndown of 4mts but any no harmful effect made ​​itself felt in the surroundings.   No homes have suffered the slightest crack  The closest houses are located at a minimum distance of 80m... So there was no little old lady under the rubble.

• RUMOR #2 :    During the digging of the main pit, the work led to such movements in the basement that the rails of the nearby public transports moved and a tram derailed crushing on ... an old lady!  The STIB had to stop working!

• REALITY :    None of this even remotely resembles the reality. There has been no movement in the basement (the method used did not alter the soil's pressure), there was no derailment, and not any old lady crushed.  But what is all about old ladies?

• RUMOR #3 :    The NEMO33 project is in bankruptcy. The works are stopped!

• REALITY:   It is true that the work had a long overdue. The reasons were technical and administrative. Never financial.  At no time the fundings for the project were interrupted.  Not even if the most difficoult times.

• RUMOR #4 :   Someone had died at NEMO33 !

• REALITY :   It is true that a serious accident took place at NEMO33.  A Dutch military has suffered a double puncture of the lungs by not respecting the ascent speed limits.  His condition was worrying.  But thanks to the competence of doctors from the military hospital, he escaped without any consequences! In this particular context, the Dutch army rents the infraestructure of NEMO33 and organize its exercises with its own protocols and security standards. They move even with a hyperbaric chamber on their truck. You  can imagin ethat the type of diving that they do is not "tourist diving" but serious "extreme" diving.  The accident was serious and required the intervention of the Belgian emergency services.  We still thank them for their diligence and competence.

• RUMOR#5 :  The diving Federations have boycotted NEMO33 !

• REALITY :   Instead, very quickly after the opening of NEMO33 the federation LIFRAS recognized NEMO33 as a suitable site for diving exercises. Even before the recognition of PADI and IDEA.  In NEMO33 everyone takes advantage: Beginners who are better trained, instructors can improve their education by devoting more time to their students and overall security is increased. All divers find in NEMO33 comfort and adventure.  NEMO33 is a wonderful tool to learn and practice diving.

• RUMOR #6 :   The certifications obtained at NEMO33 are not valid !

• REALITY:   It is possible to obtain several certifications of different federations at NEMO33.  You can find all the information in the section COURSES.  It is not anymore necesary to learn in dirty pools and freeze in cold waters to obtain a diving certification!

• RUMEUR #7 :   NEMO33 is a french-speaking company.

• REALITY :   It is true that not all our staff is bilingual (french-dutch) but we count with dutch native speakers in key posts.  In the reception in the pool and in the restaurant: Jolanda, ...  Actually, if you are a dutch-speaker who is interested in working with us please look in the section HOME / JOBS.

How to get to NEMO33?

In the TGV, Brussels is 1:20 away from Paris, 1:40 from Rotterdam, 2:33 from Köln (Cologne), 2:36 from London, and 3:40 from Lyon !

By car you can find Nemo33 by taking the exit n°18 on the "Ring Ouest" of Brusseles.

After you take the exit 18, continue 750 m towards "Uccle", and on the 1st  round-point (Menhirs), you will find us !

Address of NEMO33 Plongée :

NEMO 33 - Plongée
Rue de Stalle 333 (Rond-point des Menhirs)
1180 Uccle (Brussels) - Belgium
Telephone : +32-2-332.33.34
Email :  dive (at) nemo33.com
GPS :  4°19'02' Est - 50°47'46' Nord

BY TRAIN…

•  From GARE CENTRALE (Central Station) :

Travel time: 38 min
Take the metro 1b towards ERASME. Stop at "DE BROUCKERE" (2min).
Take the tram 04 towards STALLE.
Descend on the last stop: "Stalle" (26 min).

• From "GARE du MIDI" Station :

Travel time : 23 min
Take the tram 04 towards "STALLE".
Descend on the last stop: "Stalle" (20 min).

• From "GARE du NORD" Station :

Travel time : 32 min
Take the tram 04 towards STALLE.
Or take the tram 32 towards "Drogenbos-Château".
Descend on the stop "Stalle" (30 min).

Itinéraires en bus (STIB)…

• from "La Bourse" take the bus 48 until the stop "Stalle".
• from "Gare du Midi" take the bus 50, towards Lot, until the stop "Stalle".
• from "CERIA" take the bus 98, CERIA, towards "Héros", until the stop "Stalle".

• For more information on Brussels' Public Transports:  STIB
• Here a map of the "métro de Bruxelles"

BY CAR…

• Take the "Ring Ouest (RO)" of Brussels (From the E19, Mons-Bergen), exit 18 (Drogenbos, Ruisbroek, Ukkel).
• Go towards “Uccle –Ukkel”.
• Pass the first traffic light and continue straight.  You will see the "Carrefour" and "Quick" on the left
• After the 2nd traffic light you will arrive to the round-point (le rond-point des Menhirs).
• The entrance of NEMO33 is on the round point.
• NEMO33 has a FREE and spacious parking lot (more than 100 places available).  In front of NEMO there is as well another free parking lot (250 places).  If you come in "Caravan car, mobil-home or autocar you must park in that parking lot.

http://www.nemo33.com/

World's Biggest Mc Donald's

When the Olympic Games begin in London next month, the capital will play host to the fittest, fastest and strongest athletes in the world. But it will also be home to a rather different superlative – the biggest McDonald’s on the planet, right in the middle of the Olympic park.

So while the competitors stretch themselves to their very limits, hungry spectators will gorge on tens of thousands of burgers and portions of fries.

Bigger Mac: An exterior view of the world's largest McDonald's restaurant, their flagship outlet in the Olympic Park

Cavernous: Staff assemble a banner inside the world's largest McDonald's restaurant, which has seating for 1,500 customers

The vast two-storey restaurant will serve up to 1,200 customers an hour and sell £3million of fast food during the Games. At 3,000 sq ft the building, next to the Olympic Stadium, is bigger than the current largest McDonald’s, in Moscow.

The Russian restaurant will regain its title on September 9, however, when the London branch is bulldozed after the Paralympics closing ceremony. Yesterday McDonald’s gave the media a preview of its flagship store, which includes 20 till points and 1,500 seats. It is one of four branches in the park, including two open to the public, one for the athletes and officials in the Olympic Village and one at the press centre. Altogether they will serve 1.75million meals in 29 days, with Britons accounting for an estimated 85 per cent of customers.

The main restaurant will offer some of the best views across the Olympic Park from its first-floor balcony, which can seat 150 customers. It will be staffed by 500 of its top-performing employees from 85,000 in the UK, with 200 on a shift at any one time.

Wooden: The upper floor of the restaurant, which is mostly made of recycled timber

The fries the limit: Searing inside the expansive restaurant

The global sponsor has been linked to the Olympics since 1968, when the company airlifted hamburgers to US athletes in Grenoble, France, after it was reported they were missing McDonald’s food.

But the chain has been criticised for promoting the consumption of fast food at a time when people should be celebrating sports participation and healthy living. It is estimated one in ten meals eaten at Games venues will be from McDonald’s.

Last week, members of the London Assembly said firms which sold junk food should not be linked to the Olympic Games. Cadbury and Coca-Cola are also sponsors. Jenny Jones, a Green Party assembly member, said: ‘London won the right to host the 2012 Games with the promise to deliver a legacy of more active, healthier children across the world.

‘Yet the same International Olympic Committee that awarded the Games to London persists in maintaining sponsorship deals with the purveyors of high calorie junk that contributes to the threat of an obesity epidemic.

‘The advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar is already restricted on children’s television.

‘These Games will subvert those regulations by providing a glut of sponsored messages for high calorie food and drink that are at odds with the Olympian athletic ideal.’

Service with a mile: Assistant manager Rachel Lucien stands at the long checkouts

Design feat: The restauarnt was constructed so that it could be dismantled after the Games

The restaurant will be McDonald’s first sustainable outlet and 75 per cent of the building and fittings will be recycled or reused. It is part of London 2012’s bid to be ‘the greenest Games ever’. 

While the restaurants serve fast food to the hungry public, McDonald’s executives will be enjoying some of the top events from their corporate seats. Yesterday, the firm admitted that global chief executive Jim Skinner and UK chief executive Jill McDonald, along with dozens of others, will enjoy corporate tickets to events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, athletics and swimming.

The restaurant will start trading on July 28, one day after the opening ceremony.It will not open for the ceremony itself, which many VIP guests and heads of state are expected to attend, for ‘security reasons’.

Expanse: Assistant manager Rachel Lucien walks past the checkouts

Mammoth McDonald's: An exterior view of the world's largest fast food restaurant

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2164517/Worlds-biggest-McDonalds-First-pictures-inside-Olympic-Stadium-fast-food-restaurant.html#ixzz1ywop7qGC

Lakers' Sports Club & Resto

Lakers' Sports Club & Resto located @ Bukit Semarang Baru (BSB) City, Semarang, Central Java.

First-ever $1bn home: Indian tycoon prepares to move into 27-storey sky palace (and it's just for his family of FOUR)

This is the extravagant £630m ($1bn) home built by a billionaire Indian tycoon to house his family-of-four in Mumbai. With 27 storeys, Antilia will be home to Mukesh Ambani and features a health club with a gym and dance studio, a ballroom, at least one swimming pool and a 50-seater cinema. Towering above the Mumbai skyline, the 37,000sq ft property is 570ft high and also boasts three helipads on its roof, space for 160 vehicles on its lower floors and nine lifts.

Glitz and glamour: Crystal chandeliers take up most of the ceiling at this ballroom. There is also a stage for entertainers and a kitchen which can serve hundreds of guests

Mr Ambani, 53, who owns much of oil, retail and bio-technology comglomerate Reliance Industries, paid £44million to build his dream property, but astronomical property values in the Indian city mean it is now worth 15 times that amount. He will employ 600 staff at the property and his family will live in the top floors, where they will enjoy views of the Arabian Sea.

Mr Ambani has surprised many by constructing Antilia - named after a mythical island - as he built his business reputation as a private individual who avoided the flamboyance of India's ultra-rich. Hamish McDonald, author of a history of the family business Ambani and Sons, told The Guardian: 'Perhaps he has been stung by his portrayal in the media as an introvert. 'Maybe he is making the point that he is a tycoon in his own right.'

Numerous powder rooms and reception areas lead off the lobby which has nine elevators. Each floor uses different materials to give a differing look. The vast building is constructed from glass, steel and tiles and also features a four-storey hanging garden which is designed to keep the interior cooler in summer and warmer in the winter.

According to Forbes magazine, Mr Ambani is worth £18billion. He is the richest man in India and the fourth richest in the world. The interior of the property, on Altamount Road, has been designed by a U.S. firm and has been described as 'Asian contemporary'. Mr Ambani will hold a house warming party at his new home later this month.

Among guests is India's prime minister Manmohan Singh, who has previously called on business tycoons to be 'role models of moderation'. Shiny Varghese, deputy editor of Indian magazine Design Today, said: 'It's so obscenely lavish that I'm not sure too many people will go all that way, but we are heading into the sort of culture where money is not a question when setting up a home.' But friends have defended him against charges of excess. One told the newspaper: 'He can't just walk into a cinema and watch a film like you or me.

'It's only a family home, just a big one. It's a question of convenience and requirements.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1320426/Mukesh-Ambani-Indias-richest-man-builds-home-valued-630m.html#ixzz12zGjMgvB