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One giant leap for mankind

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6 Apr 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

A mile-high island

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A painters palette of natures hues

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An explosive history

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11 Dec 2024International Mountain Day

Today, we celebrate International Mountain Day, an event to honour the towering giants of our planet. Among them are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or the "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," seen on the right in today"s image. A part of the Sexten Dolomites in northeastern Italy, they"re one of the most famous mountain groups in the Alps. These three peaks—Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola—are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates adventurers and nature lovers alike. During World War I, the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary cut through the peaks, leaving the area with many remnants of the conflict, such as fortifications, trenches, tunnels and commemorative plaques.Desktop Version

Passing with flying colours

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Sep 9, 2023Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand

When the sun sets over Thailand, the Wat Chaiwatthanaram Buddhist temple lights up to welcome the night at the Ayutthaya Historical Park. These ruins are evidence of the area"s rich history as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which grew in power between the 14th and 18th centuries to rule Siam, or present-day Thailand. Around 1630, Wat Chaiwatthanaram was built on the orders of the dynasty"s King Prasat Thong, to symbolize the center of the universe and connote his aspiration to become the future Buddha.Desktop Version

Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California

Shark Fin Cove, also known as Shark Tooth Beach, is nestled in a cove in the tiny town of Davenport on California"s Central Coast. The cove is a coastal gem known for its stunning sea stack—a vertical rock formation that resembles a shark"s fin. The fin used to be connected to the mudstone cliff that surrounds the beach. Over time, the relentless crashing waves and strong winds slowly eroded the rock formation. Shark Fin Cove is visible from Highway 1, where travelers can stop and look at the expansive Pacific Ocean views.Desktop Version

Shark Awareness Day

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We’re all smiles for World Hippo Day

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20 Apr 2024Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

If you are ever in Wyoming, USA, you might want to visit Yellowstone National Park, which was the world"s first national park. Established in 1872 after the Protection Act was signed by the then president of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, the park is known for its flora, fauna—including Rocky Mountain wolves, and grizzly and black bears—super volcano and many geothermal features, including the one we see in today"s image. The Grand Prismatic Spring is in the Midway Geyser Basin. Its display of colours is caused by microbial mats, multi-layered sheets of microorganisms, ranging from deep blues and greens to fiery oranges and reds. There is so much waiting to be explored out there, so gather your friends, and get out into the wild.Desktop Version

22 Oct 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome

At the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome, take a left underneath the imposing Catholic church. Down an unassuming side street, there"s a surprise waiting for you: a house of monsters. Welcome to the Palazzo Zuccari, a 16th-century palace where myths seem to come to life on its façade—grotesque faces swallow up its doors and windows. Federico Zuccari, who built the palace, was well-versed in monsters. His painting of the Last Judgement in Florence Cathedral and his illustrations of Dante"s Inferno are replete with mythical beings.Desktop Version

16 Jul 2024Festival of British Archaeology

Archaeology might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of festivals, but the Festival of British Archaeology, July 13-28, is here to change that. Since its inception in 1990, it has evolved into a two-week event. A clever shift from September to July has made it easier for archaeological buffs to explore summer digs and heritage wonders. This year"s theme of "Archaeology and Community" invites enthusiasts across the United Kingdom for an array of in-person and virtual events organised by heritage organisations, local societies and passionate individuals.Desktop Version

Whos in this creepy copse?

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Aug 31, 2023Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona

Massive succulents against a mountainous backdrop, underneath the sun-kissed Arizona sky—it"s prickly perfection. Pictured here are saguaro (pronounced "sah-wah-roh") cacti at the Ironwood Forest National Monument in the Sonoran Desert. Even if you haven"t seen one in person, when you hear the word cactus, you"re probably thinking of saguaro—tall, green, cylindrical, with arms pointing upward. From tattoos to coffee cups, you"ll find this iconic symbol of Arizona on almost everything. Though they are slow growers, these plants have been known to live over 200 years and reach enormous heights, with a 78-footer setting the record. Another cactus, known as "Grandaddy," survived in the sweltering desert for about 300 years, eventually succumbing to old age in the early 1990s. Cacti may not be for everyone, but they tend to grow on you (figuratively, of course)!Desktop Version

25 Jul 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA

Fancy a walk through the Smokies in Tennessee, seen in today"s image? Spanning over 522,000 acres (211,246 hectares) between North Carolina and Tennessee in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity. Home to more than 19,000 documented species, scientists estimate that tens of thousands more remain undiscovered. Miles of hiking trails wind through the dense woodlands, leading adventurers to cascading waterfalls and scenic overlooks. The park also boasts some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States, including Clingmans Dome, which rises to 2,025 metres.Desktop Version

Picture perfect

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Get ready for the blood moon

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9 Jun 2024Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain

Within the scenic landscape of Navarra, northern Spain, the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park is like a surrealist painting come to life! This park is renowned for its desert-like landscapes sculpted by millennia of erosion. Featuring rocky plateaus, canyons and whimsically shaped clay structures called cabezos, the park is a playground of geological wonders.Desktop Version

29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China

Let"s step into a world where mainstream housing is so last season! Fujian Tulou, built between the 12th and 20th centuries, are unique rural dwellings of the Hakka community who live in the mountainous southeastern Fujian region of China. The Hakka are a distinct subgroup of the Han Chinese population. These structures are constructed from clay, sandy soil and grey tiles, with bamboo strips serving as the support. When observed from above, these round dwellings present an image of giant tyres or reels lying on their sides, with light walls, dark roofs and spacious interiors.Desktop Version

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