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Special Interest

Special Interest

A warm welcome from the Phlegraean Fields

If you yawn because you think you've seen every kind tourist haunt, here's a place that's really smoking! There is nothing remotely Elysian about the Phlegræan Fields; nothing sylvan, nothing green. The Fields, which lie on the north shore of the Bay of Naples in Italy, are part of the caldera of a volcano that is…

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The Out of Order Warriors

A king who offended the all-powerful Emperor, and then rebelled against him, but failed. How do these dramatic events in China's history link to the finding of 4000 buried miniature terracotta warriors discovered in Jiangsu Province, China? The ancient city of Pengcheng was located near today's Xuzhou in Jiangsu province, and the museum displays 190…

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Aussie hotel floats to North Korea

Hope springs eternal, and this idea almost made it.  But the winds of change, and the tides – literally – sealed its fate.  It’s a long and winding tale. The Hotel Haegumgang is a floating hotel that began operations in Queensland, Australia, was moved to Vietnam, and is currently docked at Mount Kumgang on the east coast of North Korea. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it…

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Novica: make an impact

Chances are good that you've heard of the National Geographic Society.  It is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. The operational management is handled by Walt Disney Television.  Their programs are known around the world.…

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A stroke of genius

Having created the artwork for all of Ill Considered’s previous albums, the Dutch artist Vincent de Boer took on a unique project to invert the role of music and images in his collaborations with the London-based improvisational jazz ensemble. First, Boer hand-drew thousands of images to create an abstract animation, with the visuals giving the…

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No falter Malta

The country of Malta has been very successful in its efforts to manage Covid-19.  It is one of the safest places to be right now, and it is cautiously opening up its borders to responsible travelers. But, Malta is still a mystery to many.  And here's your chance to discover all of its wonders.  The…

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A’ glamping we will go

May we introduce to you our new travel affiliate friends Vacanceselect.  Based in Geneva Switzerland, they have been providing luxurious and exceptional European camping experiences for over 35 years. Families, of course, are provided for, but they also have exquisite villas for couples and groups.  There’s nothing like the feeling of booking your next vacation,…

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No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to dine

You may not have heard of him, but there may have actually been a James Bond, of sorts. Bond loves women, style, intrigue, action and women.  And so did Richard Sorge, a German journalist and Soviet military intelligence officer who was active before and during World War II and worked undercover as a German journalist in…

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To 2 2 To 222

Here, our intelligent and inquisitive readers, is a short piece that will not tax your brain.  And, hopefully you'll enjoy it. In January 2021, a video of a particularly amusing flight announcement began circulating. The recording, captured at Munich Airport, has an automated airport voice announcing that passengers on flight LH 2222 to Toulouse should…

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Can you Lamu?

Here is a place that might be new for you - Lamu, Kenya.  Almost forgotten in time, Lamu Island is a port, city, and island just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean approximately 150 miles from Mombasa. It is a part of the East African country of Kenya. Lamu was founded in…

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