Sources

1. Japan. Hokkaido Official Tourism. Basic Information │ Visit Hokkaido! Visit Japan! N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. 

<http://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/abouthokkaido/basicinformation/>.

The page of basic information provides the reader with information about Hokkaido, Japan. The readers were informed about Hokkaido’s geography, climate, traffic rules, public holidays, and sightseeing. The website is the Hokkaido Official Tourism Website. At the “About us” page of this website, there is detailed information. They are part of the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan’s official tourism guide.

I will be able to use this information to develop my blog post to inform my readers the basic information about Hokkaido. The findings on this page are accurate based on my personal experiences in Hokkaido.

2. "Noboribetsu Travel: Jigokudani (Hell Valley)." Noboribetsu Travel: Jigokudani (Hell Valley). N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6751.html>.

3. Weil, Andrew. "Q & A Library." Soaks for Health? N.p., 18 Mar. 14. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326578>.

This page informs the readers about the benefits of mineral baths. It explains that the minerals in hot spring water can improve health. Based on a study in 2001, mineral baths helps relieve the pain of fibromyalgia. This post was published in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Weil. Andrew Weil, M.D. is a physician and a best-selling author. He is a graduate of Harvard Medical School. This page also provided several other medical studies that suggested the benefits of mineral baths.

I will be able to convince my reader why they should visit the hot spring resorts at Noburibetsu, Hokkaido. The general public in Japan believes that hot springs baths are beneficial to health. The findings on this page agree with the general public’s view.  

4."Crab." Crab. Hokkaido Tourism Organization, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
<http://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/food/crab.html>.

5. Keizo. "GO RAMEN!" : Sapporo Ramen Alley (札幌 ラーメン横丁). N.p., 30 May 2009. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.goramen.com/2009/05/sapporo-ramen-alley-chuo-ku-sapporo.html>.

6. "Hokkaido Food Guide." Hokkaido Food Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
 <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5312.html>.

7. "Pair of Japan Melons Fetch $15,700 at Auction." NY Daily News. N.p., 27 May 2013. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/2-japan-melons-fetch-15-700-auction-article-1.1355586>.

This page is a news article that informs the readers that there was a pair of melons sold for $15,700 in Japan. Yubari melons in Japan are considered a status symbol and are often presented as gifts to friends. This article is published in May 2013 on the website of NY Daily News. It is a reliable news source

            I will be able to use this news article to persuade my readers to travel to Japan for good food. I want my readers to have the desire to try Yubari melons when they travel to Hokkaido in the summer.

8. Wingenbach, Gerry. “Asia’s Battle Royale: Singapore Airlines vs. Cathay Pacific.” Flytalk. N.p., 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.flyertalk.com/the-tarmac/asias-battle-royale-singapore-airlines-vs-cathay-pacific.html>.

9. "The world's best airline is ...." CNN Travel. N.p., 23 June 2011. Web. 18 April 2014. <http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/and-worlds-best-airline-889768>.

            The news article on the website of CNN informed the readers the award-winning airlines in 2011. Singapore Airlines won second place while Cathay Pacific came in fourth place for the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards. This article provided a link to the Skytrax Award website. It is published on a credible news website.

            I will be able to use this article to compare and contrast the difference between Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airway. The link to the Skytrax World Airline Awards gave me an update of the award-winning airlines in 2013.

10. Nisha , Fatimah . "Crash of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ006". National Library Board Singapore, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 18 April 2014.
<http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1813_2011-07-13.html>.

            This article provided information of the crash of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ006 on October 31, 2000. It gives detail description of the incident and the aftermath. The aircraft was destroyed and 83 people were killed. The information provided is published on the Singapore government page. There is a reference section at the bottom listing all the sources.

            I will be able to use this article to persuade the readers that Cathay Pacific is better than Singapore Airlines because Cathay Pacific did not have a fatal crash.

11. "WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS | the Passengers Choice Awards." WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS | the Passengers Choice Awards. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 April 2014.
<http://www.worldairlineawards.com/>.

12. "Singapore Airlines - Star Alliance." Singapore Airlines - Star Alliance. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 April 2014.
<http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/singapore_airlines/>.

13. "Fact Sheet." - Cathay Pacific United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 April 2014. <http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/about-us/press-room/fact-sheet.html>.

14. "Accident History." Airline accident ratings. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 April 2014. <http://www.planecrashinfo.com/accidents.htm>.

15. "MTR." MTR | Hong Kong Tourism Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 April 2014. <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan-your-trip/practicalities/transport/getting-around/mtr.jsp>.

            This page provides basic information about the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system in Hong Kong. This system is efficient and operates in all major districts. It also gives me information on pricing. This page is an informational page on the Hong Kong Tourism Board website. The website provided contact information and is available in many languages.

            I will be able to use this information to provide my readers with transportation options when they are touring in Hong Kong. I suggest my reader to use the MTR system because it is highly efficient and convenient.

16. "Taxi." Taxi | Hong Kong Tourism Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 April 2014. <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan-your-trip/practicalities/transport/getting-around/taxi.jsp>.

17. Nica, Andreea . "The Strongest Storm On Earth This Year Heads Straight For Hong Kong."PolicyMic. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 April 2014. <http://www.policymic.com/articles/64627/typhoon-usagi-storm-tracker-shows-hong-kong-is-right-in-superstorm-s-path>.

This news article provided information on a powerful typhoon named Usagi that affected the weather in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. The typhoon grew to a category 5 hurricane which can lead to destruction of homes, fallen trees and power poles. This article was posted in 2013, relatively recent. It has links to credible sources such as CNN and China Post. There were in-text citations as well.

            I will be able to use this page to inform my readers that it is likely to experience strong typhoons in Hong Kong during the summer. I’ve heard about this typhoon through my family members in Hong Kong. I also experienced a strong typhoon few years ago in Hong Kong.

18. "Hong Kong Weather." Hong Kong Weather: Climate with Weather Forecast, Best Visit Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 April 2014.
<http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/hongkong.htm>.

            This page informed the general information of Hong Kong’s weather. Thunderstorms are common between May and November while typhoons hit mainly in September. This site suggested that the best time to visit Hong Kong is in the late autumn. This website also provides a daily forecast of the weather in Hong Kong. The website is operated by Travel China Guide. It has a Q&A section at the bottom of the page.

            The information on this page can provide my readers with basic information about Hong Kong’s reader. From personal experiences, the information provided on this page is accurate. The weather forecast on this page is useful for my readers who are planning to travel to Hong Kong.

19. Younger, Cole. "Disneyology." : Disney Park and Resort Sizes. N.p., 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 17 May 2014.
<http://disneyology.blogspot.com/2010/03/disney-park-and-resort-sizes.html>.

20. "Ladies' Market." . Hong Kong Tourism Board, n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/ladies-market.jsp>.

21. "A Symphony of Lights." . Hong Kong Tourism Board, n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/harbour-view/a-symphony-of-lights.jsp>.

22. Fitzpatrick , Liam . "Hong Kong: 10 Things to Do — Introduction." Time. Time Inc., n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1850110_1850124,00.html>.

            This page gives useful insights on things to do in Hong Kong. The author suggested that Victoria Peak, Lin Heung Tea House, chart a junk, Intercontinental’s infinity pools, Temple Street night market, Heli-Tour of Hong Kong, Cha Chan Teng, Star Ferry, Chungking Mansions, and the roof of the IFC Mall are the must do things and must go places. This article was published on Times and the author of this article grew up in Hong Kong.

            I agree with most of the things the author listed. In my blog, I recommended places such as Victoria Peak and Lin Heung Tea House. I also included the Cha Chan Teng experience for lunch.

23. "Bali or Hawaii? Bali maybe cheaper. ." Backpack to Buggy , 23 Sept. 2008. Web. 17 May 2014.

<http://www.backpacktobuggy.com/2008/09/bali-or-hawaii-bali-may-be-cheaper/>.

24. Lavanga, Claudio. "Venice sinking five times faster than thought?." NBC News, 26 Mar. 2012. Web. 17 May 2014.
<http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/26/10863037-venice-sinking-five-times-faster-than-thought?lite>.

            The article informed the readers that Venice is sinking fast. It is obvious that Venice is sinking because Venice is flooding very often. Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California show that Venice is sinking two millimeters per year (0.08 inches). This article is posted on the NBC News website in 2012, relatively recent. This article also provided a research conducted by a reputable university.

            I will be able to use this article as a reason to persuade my readers to visit Venice in the near future. If the Italian government doesn’t try to solve the problems, we might end up visiting Venice underwater.