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World Culture

World Culture

We thank-a Sri Lanka

At one point it seemed like the whole world was backpacking and trekking this tropical paradise in South Asia. Never one to miss out, we went to see for ourselves to bring you this guide to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is roughly the same size as Ireland and sits to the south-east of India. The island…

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Y’know, homophobia, Seoul style

People are people.  It feels (to us, anyway) that as the world gets bigger and, at the same time it gets smaller (social media) it doesn't necessarily get any better.  And who would know better than our LGBTQ+ friends?  And their problems can happen anywhere. This article is about how Seoul’s LGBTQ+ district came back…

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Is there a palace in Dallas?

...we're not sure, but we don't think so. But it does actually have a load of museums.  And they give culture-rich places like Austin a run for their money. And is it really that surprising? This city not only has a fascinating history, it’s also a hub for otherworldly pursuits like innovative fashion, some of…

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Warm and fuzzy?

Nuclear power - is there anything that is more confusing and even divisive than that?  On one hand, it has the promise to literally power our homes and factories, and with the possibility of doing it cleanly. But, on the other hand, despite decades of opposition by the people, the threat of nuclear arms still…

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Steam pumped!

In the 1800s, Niagara Falls was considered the be-all and end-all of North America's pure promise and unending resources. Being able to visit was considered the trip of a lifetime. The William Birch Rankine Power Station was Canada's first major power station on the mighty river. Built in 1905 using horse-and-carriage labor, it pumped out…

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Mirrorfield

This Mirrorfield installation was designed within the framework of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial development, which aims to rebuild the memories of the tragic events that happened in the area on September 29-30, 1941, the largest massacre of the Nazi regime. During those days, over 30.000 Jews were murdered by the German forces, while almost…

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How old is old?

There are places in Europe that are well-known:  Rome, Paris, London etc. They're all wonderful, but you really begin to fall in love with the hidden places. One such place is Wales - specifically North Wales, and even more specifically Llangernyw.  Here there is a church that has a tree, and that tree is special.…

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Boo who?

Halloween is just around the corner, which makes the cold heart of any horror fan beat faster. Dressed in spooky costumes, little ghosts go trick-or-treating from house to house, while mature vampires, monsters and ghouls choose to imbibe and dance the night away. Halloween is an American holiday and like many American traditions, was brought…

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Mind, blown

Some things are easier to comprehend.  But, when governments - especially those who may not agree with each other - make decisions, sometimes you just have to scratch your head and go back to bed. May we present two islands in two countries, two miles and twenty-one hours apart. Not much else to add here,…

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Driving through space

You're in the clouds! China has never shied away from big projects, and this is just one.  Visit Shimian County and drive this amazing feat of engineering yourself. Ganhaizi Bridge is located in Shimian County, Ya'an, Sichuan on the Ya (An) Lu (Gu) Expressway. It has a total length of 1811 meters, a bridge width of 24.5…

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Don’t save it for a rainy day

It must be evident now that our planet's climate is changing, and not for the better. Are we culpable for this?  Likely yes, in many ways.  Can we do something about it?  Yes, but it appears that our governments (most of them) are in no hurry to address the problem - with lack of money…

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Make an impact

With almost no exceptions, many of us are able to help others - and so many of us do.  And, there are so many ways to do it. One organisation that we here at Matouring like is Novica.  Ostensibly supported by The National Geographic, Novica started with a dream to create a better world for…

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Luxury for cheapskates

Do you cry when you look at the price of flights, and are forced to take the 2:00am option?  Do you find yourself with a black cloud over your head when you are compelled to stay at a 2-star hotel?  And is sitting on a park bench eating out of a bag enough to make…

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Red sea speed

Egypt’s High Speed Railway Project Takes-off As we often talk about here (until we're blue in the face,) rail travel is the future.  In a world of diminishing resources and rising populations, the solutions that modern rail travel can bring for us all are too good to ignore.  That's why we're happy to see governments…

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2000 islands

You'd better get busy . . . Where more than half the country is forest, saunas have a 4,000-year history, and the world’s largest choral festival happens every five years... Welcome to Estonia. Often underestimated as being a small Baltic country sandwiched between Scandinavia and Russia, Estonia is undoubtedly so much more than that. Read more…

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Misty mountain crop

Peruvians living in one of the world's driest areas may have a solution to their water crisis - "fog catchers" that catch droplets through thick, swirling blankets of mist. It's a beautiful, but tough environment to live in.  But, as always, humans will improvise and improve.  And, in this case it doesn't involve complex technology. …

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Twin Peaks

David Lynch may have been here, but we can't be sure. Many people visit the rather awesome Glacier National Park, but did you know that  Waterton Lakes is right across from Glacier National Park, and this is why you should visit: two for the price of one. Alberta is utterly stunning and the Canadian Rockies…

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