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Do Something Different

Do Something Different

Which way to the Shire?

If you're lucky, you live near trees.  And if you're even more lucky, those trees will be plentiful. But, if you're really lucky, you might be able to find a rare habitat, one that would make Frodo feel at home - a tree tunnel:  high or low canopies of the trees that create a nature-made…

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Controversy

With the benefit of hindsight, we can look back at things that raised the blood pressure of "the people," but can now look back and wonder what all of the fuss was about. An example is Eileen Gray’s modernist villa E-1027, built  in 1929.  It resides on the Cap Moderne site.  (The Cap Moderne Association is…

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Bushcamp in Zambia

Hey tiger, want to explore the bush and find your inner animal? In style, of course.  And a rather special place is the The Bushcamp Company in Zambia.  It's been around for a while, but they've spent a number of months refreshing the place.  The award-winning Mfuwe safari lodge is set in the most prolific…

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A bag tied in the middle

Every so often, a human mass movement comes along that subtly alters the zeitgeist of we humans.  It could have been the art enlightenment in the 1920's.  Or perhaps it was the peace and love Hippies in the 1960's.  But one of these movements has persisted - the Chautauqua Institute. Chautauqua was an adult education…

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A population of one

Deep in the Caucasus mountains of Georgia is a town called Bochorna. The highest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, it has an altitude of 7,694 feet—or six Empire State buildings stacked on top of each other—and a population of one. But to get there, to that man, and to that town, you need to ford…

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FREEDOM!!!!

Whether you want to get out of the USA or into Canada, or the other way around, your time has come. After nearly four years of conceptualizing and construction, the nation’s (USA) longest multi-use state trail is open to the public, reaching from the southern most tip of Manhattan right up to the Canadian border.…

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People, get ready

For years there have been jokes about the "tin foil hats" people:  the doomsayers,  the mountain men, the survivalists, the crazies, the Government Plot believers.  Others would look askance at them, walk to the other side of the street to avoid them. Well, there is no doubt that mother earth is struggling, and we humans may…

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Do you want flies with that?

In 1986, Vancouver hosted the World's Fair.  An event like that is a big deal not only for the hosting city, but also for the brands that sponsor and appear in the fair. McDonald's was no exception:  behold the McBarge. The 57-metre, two-storey glass-and-metal barge was used as a floating McDonald’s restaurant during the world’s…

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Ed reviews the Brussels Autoworld museum

If you're a YouTube fan, and especially a car aficionado,  then have we got a channel for you:  Ed's Auto Reviews Ed (last name unknown) is from the Netherlands and boasts the sense of humour that typically inhabits the people of that most liberal country. Being from the Netherlands, Ed mostly features European automobiles.  But he saves…

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First, there is a tower, then there is no tower, then there is

Ah, governments are silly old things, aren't they?  Their covert missions, surveillance, collusion and hidden agendas. And their dismissal of the intelligence of the people. But here is a story that beggars belief -- the BT Tower in London.  The story of how, for over a quarter of a century, everyone had to pretend the BT…

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I wasn’t really naked. I simply didn’t have any clothes on.

PRUDES:  look away now. Inspiration comes from the most unusual places.  You can never predict what an artist will do to make a statement or grab your attention. Art comes in all styles, from the Romans to the Renaissance the Impressionists and beyond.  And so much of it has been saved for us by museums,…

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Nothing up my sleeve, presto!

Your flight tickets will be $550.  Your suitcase will be another $212. Give this man, Bruno, a medal. Overpacked and no room in my carry on, this is the outcome of that predicament - the travel coat: a couple meters of nylon from the Flea Market in two perfect tones of forest green, 29 carefully…

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From Alto Cedro I go to Marcané

If you're a music fan, then you certainly must know of the Buena Vista Social Club, 1999 documentary film directed by Wim Wenders. The film follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel to Cuba and assemble a group of the country's finest musicians to record an album. But, even if you…

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More sabor

Tripadvisor fans (like us) get around.  They every corner of the globe to discover the newest, the wildest, the most obscure and the, well,  just plain fun. It's almost impossible to travel without eating something.  And if your budget permits, the lure of "best of" restaurants is just too strong to resist.  Here, here to…

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But what if they’re right handed?

You've got questions?  We've got answers - especially to ones that you probably thought you'd never find yourself asking.  Unless you're bored, doing research or are an anorak. This particular peculiarity focuses on the urgent need to understand why airline captains sit on the left-hand side of the plane? You'll find out here, but if…

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Ciao, Alitalia

Who doesn't love Italy?  We bet that only a few will raise their hands.  Italy, for tourists, seems to bring out all that's good in traveling. But, sadly, Italy's official airline, Alitalia has had its troubles in the past and up until now, and, as a result, will be shutting its doors for good. Happily,…

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It wasn’t too long ago…

Sometimes, we don't realise how lucky we are. If you're not familiar with this story, prepare to be amazed.  Kowloon Walled City was an ungoverned and densely populated de jure Chinese enclave within the boundaries of Kowloon City, British Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the walled city became an enclave after the New Territories were…

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Mama Prati

As if Rome isn't fun enough - may we present to you Mama Shelter, Roma.  Created by the owners of Club Med, Mama Shelter goes waaay beyond the normal.  Just a short walk from the Vatican, and just  250m from the Cipro Metro station,  everything is close and the nightlife is not far away. Treat…

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