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…
World Culture
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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. …
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…
In the pursuit of freedom, mankind has created borders. Okaay. But, in some places (such as San Marino, Monaco, Vatican City, Liechtenstein and Canada etc) there is a level of trust that the surrounding countries are friendly and non-threatening. Surprisingly / not surprisingly, Canada and the USA have an arm's length agreement about borders. You…
English wait staff are tiresomely polite. The French are radically rude. They’re the two stereotypes, anyway. What tourists don’t understand about ‘rude’ French waiters... They’re not being ‘rude’ – they’re being real… Is that the case? Or is it that some patrons are annoying? Or all of the above. How should one handle situations…
A book has got smell. A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. An old book smells like ancient Egypt. Ray Bradbury But a new Egypt is even better, and it is getting better every day, indeed, especially when it comes to new architecture. Contemporary Egyptian architecture draws from a rich history.…
Art is a most wonderful thing, but it also is very subjective. Obviously, there are masters of all strains of art, and there are some are that simply strain. Have you ever seen performance art and just wondered, “Why is this art?!” You’re not alone, and deciphering performance art is not as difficult or mysterious…
If you’ve been to New York, you’ve probably visited Central Park. But there’s a part of its story you won't see. Before Central Park was built, a historically black community was destroyed. It’s a story that goes back to the 1820s, when that part of New York was largely open countryside. Soon it became home…
Here we are again: we love James Bond and we love cars. So, it is with some excitement that we find that the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles is hosting the Bond in Motion exhibit. Be one of the first to experience the largest official James Bond exhibit in the United States. Produced in collaboration…
Environmental neuroscience is an emerging field devoted to studying the impact of social and physical environments on brain processes and behaviour.
From the various opportunities for social interaction to noise levels and access to green spaces, the characteristics of the urban environment have important implications for neural mechanisms and brain functioning, thus influencing our physical state.
Read…
If you can't fix the problem, fix the blame . . . Doctors, scientists, intelligence agents and government officials have all been trying to find out what causes "Havana syndrome" - a mysterious illness that has struck American diplomats and spies. Some call it an act of war, others wonder if it is some new…
Golfers are an intrepid bunch, prepared to play in all sorts of testing conditions. It is sometimes to the story of legend, or the butt of endless jokes. Here's just one. “The average golfer walks about 150 km and drinks four litres of alcohol each year. Which means golfers get about 38 km to the…
It will come as no surprise to anyone who frequents our site that we are HUGE proponents of rail travel, especially in countries where this mode of getting around is the norm. Rail makes so much sense in so many ways.
Climate change and the slow travel trend have rekindled people’s interest in train rides.…