Romesh's Blog

In 1970, Bhola cyclone struck Bangladesh and killed about 500,000 people. With winds of up to 230 km/h, the cyclone crashed into the heavily populated coastal area of the Bay of Bengal. The terrible winds produced massive waves, which wiped out many entire villages. Millions of people were left homeless .This was the deadliest tropical cyclone ever recorded, and one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern times.

The worst earthquake damage in modern times was in northeast China in 1976. It was July 28 when a massive quake, measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale, shook the industrial mining city of Tangshan. Officially 255,000 people died, and another 164,000 were severely injured. Some ninety per cent of the buildings were destroyed. It took at least ten years and massive investment to rebuild the city.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, was an undersea earthquake that occurred at December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing more than 225,000 people in eleven countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (100 feet). Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Myanmar were hardest hit.

So why would you use your money to feed a starving country, when you can pay $1,500,000 for a Box of Chocolates, or buy a $1.3 Million Cell Phone. Right?

Pay $1,500,000 for a Box of Chocolates

Le Chocolat features a selection of Lake Forest Confections gourmet chocolates, selected by the confectioners master candy maker, as well as an arrangement of magnificent jewelry from Simon's personal jewelry and gemstone vault. The price tag is $1,500,000. The jewelry that comes along with the box of chocolates includes a "priceless" collection of natural yellow and blue diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires from Simons Jewelers. (How priceless can it be with a price tag?)

Pay $1.3 Million for a Cell Phone

Designed by Peter Aloisson, the Diamond Crypto Smartphone is made out of platinum and rose gold. It has over 80 diamonds on it. There are 50 diamonds going up and down the sides (10 are blue diamonds), the navigation key has 28 diamonds surrounding it and the navigation button is actually a 1/2 carat diamond. The buttons on the sides are suppose to be diamonds too. It costs $1.3 million, so that phone better work!

Pay $163,000 for Hello Kitty

Who doesn't love Hello Kitty? Sanrio came out with a platinum Hello Kitty. Its W3.8xH5.6cm and weighs 590g. The miniature Hello Kitty comes with seven hair ribbons made of gems including diamond, ruby, pink sapphire, amethyst and blue topaz. The figurine comes with a price tag of ¥18,9-million -- ($163,000 US) a record high in Hello Kitty's extensive line-up. Only one set is available, which went on sale on December 2006 at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.

Pay $1,000 for a Pizza

The world's most expensive pizza was made by Nino's Bellissima Pizza (located in New York City). The 12-inch pizza is topped with creme fraiche, chives, eight ounces of four different kinds of Petrossian caviar, four ounces of thinly sliced Maine lobster tail, salmon roe, and a little bit of wasabi to complement all the fish. The pizza is cut into eight... that is a mere $125 for each serving.

Pay $1.63 Million for a Purse

On June 14, 2007, Ginza Tanaka showcased this diamond platinum bag at a fashion show in Tokyo. The handbag is shaped out of pure platinum and studded with 2,182 diamonds totaling 208 carats. The handbag has a brilliant price tag of $1.63 million.

Pay $225,000 for Tequila

Can you imagine spending $225,000 on a beverage? On July 20, 2006, Tequila Ley .925 sold a single Platinum and White Gold tequila bottle for $225,000 to a private collector in Mexico City, Mexico. The liquor was made out of 100% blue Agave liquid and was aged for six years. The company won the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most expensive bottle of liquor sold in the world. For those of us who can't afford the Platinum bottle, the company also sells the Gold and Platinum bottle for $150,000 and the Silver & Gold bottle for $25,000.

Pay $68,000 for a Cricket Ball

This diamond studded cricket ball was presented to the Best Indian and Best International players at the 2007 Cricket World Cup tournament. The diamond cricket ball was created by Gitanjali Gems Limited. Each diamond ball is studded with 5,728 pieces of diamonds with a worth of approximately $68,500.

Pay $130,000 for a TV

Yes, instead of buying a new house, a few cars, or feeding a starving country... buy this TV. The Yalos Diamond LCD TV costs $130,000, but its really worth it. You see, the LCD TV is plated in white gold and encrusted with 20 carats worth of diamonds. A TV encrusted with diamonds... just what the world need it.

Pay $14,000 for a Tea Bag

PG Tips is a British company that makes tea. Boodles jewelers (an exclusive jeweller based in the UK) made a diamond teabag to celebrate PG Tips 75th birthday. The tea bag was hand-crafted using 280 diamonds. The tea bag is valued at around $14,000. I knew the British took their tea seriously, but now I know they're plain crazy about it!

Pay $41,000 for a Toy

Japan's Ginza Tanaka Jewelers and toymaker Bandai Co. unveiled a miniature version of Japan's famous animated robot character - "Gundam." Gundum is one of the longest running Japense animation series. The figurine weighs in at 1,400 grams (45oz) and stands 13cm (5") tall. He is made of pure platinum which explains its name "Gundam Fixed Platinum." At today's prices, melted down, he would go for $41,468!

Romesh

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