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Oct. 19, 2023Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam

In the heart of Vietnam, where emerald rice fields stretch to the horizon and a mighty river flows with life-giving waters, flooding becomes an anticipated dance between nature and culture. The Mekong River experiences flooding every year, which turns this river into a photographer"s paradise. Adorned with elegant lilies that are nourished by the floods, farmers in the Long An province, in southeastern Vietnam, dedicate their days to harvesting the bloom of the plants. The annual floods bring in nutrients from upstream, enriching the fields and helping these flowers grow. These lilies also provide a food supply and contribute to the community"s economy since the stems are edible and the plant can be brewed into tea. These long-stemmed flowers pay tribute to nature"s ability to generate moments of amazing beauty that inspire and uplift the human soul.Desktop Version

Urban planning never stops

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Apr. 6, 2024Japan Castle Day

From Strawberry Day to Cat Day and even Vegetable Day, Japan has a list of faux holidays, which are the clever results of "dajare" or word plays. Today"s date, April 6, makes up the Japanese word for castle, "shiro" from "shi" (4) and "ro" (6). Hence, the celebration of castles. What better opportunity than Castle Day, to learn about the country"s largest and most visited castle—Himeji Castle? Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature"s fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. In addition, nearly 700 years of glory, local legends and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?Desktop Version

Jul. 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

Let"s take a trip to a forest of stones: Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA. In the park, named after the Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, lies Sunset Point, seen in today"s image, as a spot to see the hoodoos. These rock formations are created by frost weathering and stream erosion, which shape the stone into an otherworldly landscape. Perched at 2,400 to 2,700 metres, this overlook offers a panoramic view of rocky spires in red, orange and white. The most iconic of them is Thor"s Hammer, a hoodoo that overlooks a part of the park known as the "Silent City."Desktop Version

Alps of the sea

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A scented sea of purple

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Apr. 23, 2024World Book Day

In the heart of Ireland, amidst the storied halls of the Library of Trinity College Dublin, scrolls and tomes whisper tales of long-gone eras. Today, these silent storytellers shine for World Book Day. Established by UNESCO in 1995, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading, publishing and copyright. But why April 23? It marks the shared death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and several other literary greats. From book signing event around Canada, to the distribution of book vouchers to kids in many countries around the world, this day comes alive with the rustle of turning pages. Interestingly, each year, UNESCO crowns one city as the "World Book Capital." The chosen city then carries out activities aimed at promoting reading for the awarded year; this year it is Strasbourg, France. So, have you picked out a book to read yet?Desktop Version

Mar. 10, 2025National Napping Day

Feeling a bit tired? You"re not alone—losing an hour to daylight saving time can leave anyone groggy. That"s why Napping Day exists. Introduced in 1999 by William Anthony, a Boston University professor, and his wife, Camille, this unofficial holiday encourages everyone to take quality naps. Observed on the Monday after clocks spring forward, it"s a reminder that rest is essential for well-being. Research backs it up—short naps boost mood, enhance concentration and sharpen memory. Napping is also linked to lower stress and better heart health. While power naps (20-30 minutes) are ideal for a quick recharge, even a few minutes of shut-eye can help.Desktop Version

The mystery of Stonehenge

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Jul. 12, 2024Mount Rainier National Park

Under the glacial gaze of Mount Rainier in the state of Washington, USA, a carpet of wildflowers bursts into life. Every summer, the meadows around this mountain are coloured with vivid shades of blooming subalpine flowers: purple asters, pink coralroot and yellow tiger lilies are just some of the plants on show here. Also known as Tahoma, at over 4,300 metres, Mount Rainier is the tallest mountain in the state. It is covered by 93 square kilometres of glaciers and permanent snowfields, making it the mountain with the highest glacier cover in the lower 48 states.Desktop Version

Jan. 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia

Picture a sea of shifting sand dunes glowing orange in the sunrise, stretching as far as the eye can see. Welcome to the Namib desert, spanning thousands of kilometres across Namibia. Estimated to be 55 million years old, it is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. It also boasts some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth, including the famous "Big Daddy," which towers roughly 325 metres; Dune 7, the highest dune in Namibia at 383 metres; and Dune 45, which, at roughly 170 metres, is a favourite among photographers.Desktop Version

Jun. 19, 2024Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Giraffes have fascinated travellers from around the world for a long time. These animals were viewed as symbols of status and treasured as pets among royalty. Featured here are reticulated giraffes, found mostly in the Kenyan wild at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where they roam with poise under the vast African sky. Established in 1995, this sanctuary has become a haven for these gentle giants, distinguished by their vividly tessellated coats, and polygonal-shaped spots that extend onto the lower legs, tail and face. Unfortunately, only around 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain in the wild, less than half of the approximately 36,000 recorded in the 1980s. Nevertheless, recent years have observed a promising trend in northern Kenya, where populations are rebounding thanks to places like the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. So, let"s pledge to protect these creatures and their habitats.Desktop Version

Feb. 29, 2024Leap Day

Are you a "leapling?" No, not like this Eurasian red squirrel; rather, that"s the term for anyone born on leap day! A leap year is a calendar oddity that exists because Earth"s orbit and our usual year count are slightly out of sync. Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, to revolve around the sun. To compensate for those extra 5 hours, February gets an extra day—leap day—every four years. The concept, dating back to the ancient Romans, was refined in the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. While the purpose of the day is to keep our year aligned with the solar calendar, it can also serve as an extra day to prepare for spring! Cultures worldwide mark leap days and years with unique customs. In Ireland and Britain, women propose to men, in Greece, marrying during a leap year is said to bring misfortune, and in France, a satirical newspaper is published.Desktop Version

Dec. 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!

The winter solstice is here. Today marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, while last night was the longest night of the year. This has been an important event for millennia, with evidence of celebrations going back as far as 10,000 BCE. Some of the world"s most famous Stone Age monuments, including Stonehenge, are aligned with the point that the sun rises or sets on the winter solstice. Traditionally, it was a time for feasting and lighting of fires to symbolise the darkest day of the year. Ancient Germanic tribes celebrated the winter solstice by bringing evergreens into their homes as a symbol of the returning light and the coming spring.Desktop Version

Apr. 14, 2024Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA

Welcome to nature"s bowling alley. Bowling Ball Beach on the Mendocino Coast in California is named after the striking rock formations strewn across the shore. These sandstone balls—a phenomenon known as concretions—formed over millions of years as sedimentary layers built up around a central core of sand and stone held together by mineral cement. Erosion gradually wore away the outer layers to expose the spherical shapes we see today. This created a fascinating spectacle that only appears at low tide. Concretions are rare, and there has been plenty of wild speculation about where they come from, with some believing them to be extraterrestrial debris while others wondering if they are dinosaur fossils. The answer, however, is quite simple: it is the forces of nature at play.Desktop Version

Sep. 6, 2023Rethymno, Crete, Greece

Located in the Old Town of Rethymno, the Venetian Harbour invites you to time travel through the history of Greece. Built on the edge of the harbour, the Egyptian lighthouse stands as proof—in addition to Turkish elements—of different nations leaving their mark on Crete"s old port. Forged in the 14th century under the masterful guidance of the Venetians, this port has long served as a bustling hub for commerce and enterprise. For today"s visitors, an old wooden sailing ship replica offers a full historic adventure. For a nostalgic inland experience, visit the 16th-century built Fortezza, Rethymno"s Venetian fortress. The citadel is visible from every corner of the town and offers a panoramic view of Rethymno for locals and travellers.Desktop Version

Feb. 27, 2024International Polar Bear Day

Bear with us as we head north for International Polar Bear Day, highlighting the challenges faced by the world"s largest bear species. It was set up by Polar Bears International, an organisation dedicated to protecting these mammals and their habitat. The date was chosen to coincide with the time when cubs are in their dens being protected by their mothers, as this is the most vulnerable time in a polar bear"s life.Desktop Version

Jan. 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand

Are you ready to rock the new year? Today is Old Rock Day, a day to celebrate and learn about ancient rocks and fossils. Although rocks are common, few of us take the time to consider how remarkable they are. Forged in volcanoes or moulded by millennia of pressure, these solid masses of minerals hold the key to understanding how our planet formed. Rocks can also contain fossils, the remnants of long-extinct organisms. Canada is home to some jaw-dropping geological wonders. Take Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick, for example. These giant, flowerpot-like formations were carved by the Bay of Fundy"s massive tides, which rise and fall by up to 14 metres daily. Then there"s the Mingan Archipelago in Quebec. This collection of limestone monoliths, shaped by waves and wind, is over 450 million years old.Desktop Version

Dec. 25, 2025Merry Christmas!

Under a crisp Canadian winter sky, it"s the glow of Christmas trees—on city squares, on neighbourhood lawns and in living-room windows—that sets the season alight. From Toronto"s Cavalcade of Lights to Vancouver"s Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden, communities gather around these lit evergreens, sharing warmth during the year"s coldest weeks. Christmas—a celebration of faith, light and togetherness—invites people to bring that brightness indoors. Garlands wind through hallways, candles cast a soft glow across familiar rooms and mistletoe hangs in doorways while wreaths greet guests at the front door.Desktop Version

Happy New Year’s from down under

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Celebrating the tropics

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Feb. 2, 2025Groundhog Day

It"s Groundhog Day… again. Today, while the famous Punxsutawney Phil gets all the attention in the United States, Canada"s own groundhog, Wiarton Willie, is the star of the local Wiarton Willie Festival in Bruce County, Ontario. We rely on the prognostication skills of Willie to determine if winter will hang on. Legend has it that if he emerges from his burrow on February 2 and sees his own shadow, Canadians brace for an extended winter; no shadow means an early spring is on the way. Though it is celebrated mostly in Ontario, other places like Nova Scotia and Quebec also take part in the fun. The tradition has deep roots, first appearing in the early 1800s when European settlers brought similar customs to North America. Historically, Europeans celebrated today as the first day of spring, and Germans originally watched badgers and other small animals for signs of seasonal change important to farmers.Desktop Version

Where the humpback whale sings

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