odd and funny stuff

Most expensive Barbie dolls in the world

2012-02-01T01:35:00.000-08:00

Since its debut in 1959, the Barbie doll has kept up with the times and trends. With more than 80 careers, from a teenage fashion model to a presidential candidate to a computer engineer, she has become a cultural icon who has been given honors that are rare in the toy world. She has inspired designers and professionals from around the world to create the fashions of their dreams. Today, we have some of the most expensive Barbie dolls of all time. Hit the jump to see them all…

1) Barbie by Canturi

This year, Mattel commissioned the famous jeweler Stefano Canturi to create the world's most expensive Barbie doll. This one was made to coincide with the launch of the Barbie Basics Collection in Australia. Priced at AUD $600,000 and featuring rare Australian pink diamonds, the Barbie by Canturi has a Canturi neckpiece made up of 3.00 carats of white diamonds around a collectible 1.00ct square.

2) Barbie and the Diamond Castle

Valued at $94,800, this Barbie was a promotional stunt done to promote the movie from the Barbie series, Barbie and the Diamond Castle, which was released back in 2008. This variant adorned 44 round-cut stones including 318 real diamonds on her attire. All of her accessories, including a tiara, slippers, earrings, necklace, bracelet and the ring have been made out of diamonds and white gold.

3) De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie

Designed by De Beers, this diamond Barbie comes clad in a gown flaunting 160 diamonds complemented by white gold miniature jewelry. This Barbie was produced to mark the 40th anniversary in 1999 comes and was priced at $85,000.

4) Barbie No. 1

This is the world's first Barbie doll, in a zebra-print swimming costume and hoop earrings. It was sold for £2,880 ($4,370) to an anonymous collector at Christies in 2006. Currently, you can buy it from eBay for $8,000.

5) Lorraine Schwartz’s Bling Barbie

Starting this year, Mattel paired up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to bring out Barbie Basics Collection that wears little black dresses and come with accessory kits. The dolls went up for auction on January 28. The highlight of the collection was Lorraine Schwartz's diamond-studded Barbie that features $25K worth of diamond accessories. Anyway, it managed to fetch $7,500.

6) Bob Mackie Gold Barbie

Very popular with the collectors, the first Bob Mackie-designed Barbie called the "Gold Barbie" was launched in 1990. A rare personally signed Bob Mackie-designed Gold Barbie is up for grabs at eBay for a cool $1,200.

7) Devi Kroell's Barbie

Devi Kroell, a New York luxury fashion house, created this Barbie doll for the charity auction organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The Devi Kroell one-of-a kind Barbie went for $1,075.

8) Judith Leiber Barbie Doll

Judith Leiber, a known name in couture handbags, designed this dazzling Barbie doll. The doll come with a strapless cocktail dress of taupe lace. The full skirt and fitted corset are adorned with tiny golden sequins. Other embellishments include a golden minaudiere decked out with topaz-colored crystals and a Barbie “B” logo, leaf motif earrings and golden cuff bracelet with set-in crystals. The 2005 Judith Leiber Platinum Barbie is priced at $975 on eBay.

Most buzz-worthy luxury brand collaborations of 2011

2012-01-31T22:58:00.000-08:00

In the year 2011, which has virtually drawn to a close now, saw many designer brands join hands together to create limited edition products towards the targeted elite. Whether it were the cars, watches, electronics, or bar equipment, the designer giants produced master piece collectibles, much to the pride of the owners who have managed to pay the premium prices and have received an increment in their pride. This following list points out to some of these partnerships in various segments of limited edition offerings:

1) Bell & Ross and Harley Davidson

Product: The Nascafe Racing bike

Bell & Ross have long mastered the art of haute horologie creations, with their interest primarily inclined towards aeronautics, especially fighter planes. Harley Davidson on the other hand, is perhaps the most celebrated brand for designer motorcycles, mainly because of the advanced technology, and the cutting edge designs. Together they joined hands for the Nescafe racer bike, which was built on the theme of the classic racing bikes, characterized by their exposed thick tyres. The bike featured extensive metal and leather work on the body, especially the exposed engine which showed the brass coated and polished steel finished pipes. Other additions included the carbon BR 01 timepiece on the central console, with the FXSTB Softail Nightrain, just to name a few.

2) Mobiado & Aston Martin

Product: luxury mobile handset series

When luxury watch maker Mobiado joined hands with British luxury car maker Aston Martin, they created the perfect synergy of style and technology with the new mobile handset series. Using exotic metals like yellow gold and platinum, these handsets were created keeping in mind the styling quotient of the Aston Martin cars, and even used the watch making technology by fitting in 2 mechanical watches in each of the handsets.

3) Johnnie Walker and Porsche Design Studio

Product: Blue label private bar

Produced in a limited edition run of 10 units only, Johnie Walker and Porsche Design studio joined hands to create the Blue private bar, which stands as the blend combo of British luxury lifestyle. Modern yet classic and precise, these bars were made with brushed finished titanium, and leather and were also given their own set of equipment. This included the unique whiskey glasses, ice bowl, water jug, and also the 2 bottles of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whiskey. Using advanced technology just like the Porsche cars, this personal bar set included motion sensors which would allow the bar to open up on the side of the user to reveal its luxurious interiors, and the 3 bottles of Johnie Walker inside, along with the glasses contained inside.

4) Tumi & Mini Cooper

Product: Special edition Mini Cooper car

One of the rare few in the segment, but this time luggage bag manufacturers Tumi and BMW’s Mini-Cooper joined hands to create a limited edition series of Mini Cooper cars, meant for the discerning rich traveler. Featuring a unique paint scheme on the body, the car will be made in a station-wagon design, which shall give travelers the extra space needed to store their baggage during long journeys. Actually this is a combination of the Clubman and Cooper S versions of the car, albeit with Tumi inspired paint job on the car silhouette.

5) Hublot & Ferrari

Product: Big Bang Ferrari Tourbillon watch for China

In collaboration between a luxury watch brand and an equally celebrated automobile brand, a limited edition series of watches were created, the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari tourbillon, targeted at the Chinese buyers. Produced with only 20 pieces worldwide, this watch used the similar grade of fabrics used in Ferrari F1 cars, i.e. carbon fiber, with the unique chequered pattern along the body. Featuring a HUB 6300 mechanical movement, the engine of the watch is known to have 260 components of various sizes, 35 of which are jewels. Even the casing of the watch was done with red tinted sapphire crystal, known for the high corrosion and anti-reflective properties. The occasion for unveiling of this special timepiece, was the 20th anniversary of Ferrari in China.

6) Bianchi & Gucci

Product: Bianchi by Gucci limited edition bicycle

When 2 Italian design masters come on a common platform, nothing short of the extraordinary can be expected. Same was the case with the Bianchi by Gucci limited edition bicycles, which were given 2 different faces for different riders. The white edition featured a single speed design, with Gucci leather work on the handle bar and body frame, along with the customary 3 color stripes in the top bar. The other edition was the 11-speed carbon fiber edition that was meant for real heavy and rough biking, and featured some extensive black leather seating. Accessories included the colored matched helmet, signature kit gloves, and even a water bottle.

7) Global Bright Group & Porsche Design Studio

Product: World largest outdoor LED TV

Using the expertise of the Global Bright Group in consumer electronics, with the designing finesse and premium quality of Porsche Design Studio, was created what is now the world’s largest outdoor LED TV, targeted at that those who wish watch movies in the outdoor space. In an equally captivating way of casting its magic, the TV emerges from within the ground rather silently until it goes to the zenith of its height, and then starts to play video content to a considerable large audience, gauging by its sheer size. The rather interesting and handy fact was it all was waterproof which means that if there is any sudden instance of rain or excess moisture in the air, it wouldn’t be a problem playing it on open venues. The TV went on made-to-order sale from September 2011.

8) Garia & Mansory

Product: Garia Mansory Golf cart

With the Dutch expertise at making golf carts and leisure vehicles through Garia, and customization expertise of brands like Rolls Royce thorough Mansory, came the special edition gold cart which could well be tagged as the most luxurious in the world. Using carbon fiber to carve out a sporty and light weight body, this golf cart used rare teak varieties for lining, in order to bring it a niche products’ look. Even the headlights of this leisure vehicle were made according to the latest trend in the auto industry. It is currently available in a street legal & non-street legal version.

9) Linley & Bentley

Product: Special edition Bentley Continental Flying Spur

In a year which saw the Chinese making themselves felt on the luxury lifestyle market, Bentley wasn’t to stay behind in the race of luxury brands to create special edition cars for them. With the help of customization expertise of British designing firm, Linley, Bentley created a series of 10 Continental Flying Spur models, targeted specially towards Chinese buyers. Since customization is the forte of the brand, Bentley ensured it included extremely rare varieties of fabric like single-pattern polished Oakwood used on the central control panel, side door panels, and even the dashboard of the vehicle. Carefully handcrafted, there were several add-ons such as a cashmere wool blanket, luggage tag, and even a special edition leather bag for the 10 elite customers.

Ten strangest cars at the Barrett-Jackson auction

2012-01-31T22:28:00.000-08:00

From three-wheel electrics to mini-semis, here are the ten most bizarre collector cars selling at this week's Barrett-Jackson auction.

With 1,300 vehicles set to sell at this week’s Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., the managed mania of collectable cars will hit its annual high. Thanks to a growing number of million-dollar models and a penchant for publicity, Barrett-Jackson draws more gawkers than any other such event. Thanks to its open doors for any seller willing to forgo an auction reserve, it also offers a welter of weirdos. Here’s our pick for the most outlandish, starting with a 1998 Corvette with $90,000 invested in a stroked engine, nitrous and a paint job that looks like a fiery rash.

1968 Ultra Motorhome: Any wealthy person can invest in classic Ferraris and Porsches, but it takes real gumption to put your money on a Corvair-based motorhome built with airplane construction techinques and all the brown, durable fabrics the late '60s could muster. It could be the coolest band van ever.

1971 Kelsen Sports Rider EV
Americans laugh from afar at the antics of European three-wheelers like the Reliant Robin, but there's something shameful in our attic: the Kelsen Sports Rider EV. While it looks like a cast-off from the rides of a traveling carnival, the Kelsen was sold to carry living people on public roads, its plain.

There are two ways to get that big rig feeling while driving a pickup: Convert your pickup into a faux Peterbilt, or take a real Peterbilt and cut it down to size with a pickup bed. This example took the latter course, preserving the Caterpillar diesel and 9-speed Eaton transmission of the original. Best of all, you don't need a commercial driver's license.

1969 2-Man Sonar Submarine
This Yellow Submarine comes with...wait for it...a guitar signed by Sir Paul McCartney. Since it's not actually usable as a submersible, you'll just have to sit inside and hum "Blue Jay Way" while imagining the depths of your nearest fish pond.

1952 Chevy Pickup ratrod
This slammed pickup has already sold for $28,600, because real "patina" -- i.e., rust in several shades of rust -- has become the hottest trend among rat rodders. Forget the Mercedes and Packards; this is the best example of why people sell their cars at Barrett-Jackson.

1973 Datsun Custom Roadster
Given the multi-million dollar prices commanded for '60s era Ferrari 250 GT Lussos, the market is clearly calling for increased supply to meet demand. One answer: Recreate the Ferrari body on a Datsun chassis. Impressimo!

1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV #2
Barrett-Jackson often becomes the gateway for show cars of yesteryear from the SEMA conference, like this candy apple-red Oldsmobile Silhouette OSV. Because nothing got people excited for an Oldsmobile minivan like a one-off with custom wheels and floormats.

2008 Devon GTX
Of all the rare cars at auction this week, only one can claim to be the stillborn plans for a 21st century American supercar. The Devon GTX was envisioned by its creators as a way to launch a supercar business using the tooling and parts of the Dodge Viper, which Chrysler attempted to sell before its bankruptcy in 2009. The Devon was a good-looking model, but with Chrysler now reviving the Viper on its own, there's little room for a privateer.

Top 10 hacking scandals of 2011

2012-01-26T05:09:00.000-08:00

As more and more celebrities join the social networking bandwagon, they also become increasingly vulnerable to hacking. From heads of states to Hollywood celebrities, this year saw a series of hacking incidents involving high-profile victims. Check out the top 10 most controversial ones...

Selena Gomez's Twitter and Facebook fans woke up to an uncharacteristic post about her boyfriend Justin Bieber. The venomous post screamed "Oh yeah, JUSTIN BIEBER SUCKS!!!!!!!". The teen singer immediately clarified that it was a case of hacking and she had nothing to do with the post.

Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher, who used to host the celebrity prank show, Punk'd, got a taste of is medicine his Twitter account @aplusk was hacked. A tweet sent to his followers said, "Ashton, you've been Punk'd. This account is not secure. Dude, where's my SSL?"

Kim Kardashian went into a panic mode when her Twitter account was hacked by internet pranksters this year. On discovering fake tweets posted by an imposter, the socialite appealed to bosses of the site to help restore the security on her account.

In one of the biggest data breaches, Sony admitted to an external intrusion which exposed personal information of 77 million PlayStation Network users. The PlayStation maker warned users that the hackers might have access to customers' vital information, including names, birthdates, physical and e-mail addresses, and logins, handles and credit card details.

Hackers defaced a website belonging to Blackberry maker Research in Motion soon after the company revealed its plans to support police investigating the London riots. The hackers posted on the blog: "No Blackberry you will NOT assist the police." Blackberry took off the blog briefly and restored it to its original form.

In one of the most shocking security breach incident, around two lakhs Facebook accounts were hacked in Bangalore. The users' photos and videos were morphed and the sleazy links mailed to friends and families overnight.

A scam on Lady Gaga's Facebook page fooled many fans into clicking the link to win an iPad. The contest rules and registration were presented as a link to a Blogspot page. "Lady Gaga's new iPad comes out in 3 days! So for the next 72 hours we will be hosting a massive giveaway to all the Mother Monster fans. Sign up and receive your special Lady Gaga edition iPad in time for the Holidays!" hackers posted on her Facebook page. The presence of the fake iPad offer didn't go unnoticed, and was taken down within an hour.

Hackers played a cruel joke on French President Nicolas Sarkozy when they posted a fake resignation letter from his Facebook page. The post, which went out to more than 350,000 'friends' of the head of the state read like this: "Dear compatriots, given the exceptional circumstances our country is experiencing, I have decided in my spirit and conscience not to run for office again at the end of my mandate in 2012".

Thailand's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, fell victim to the hacking menace when her Twitter account was hacked. Her followers received tweets criticizing her political experience and incompetence. The tweets also suggested that she was her brother's (former Prime Minister - Thaksin Shinawatra) puppet.

While celebrities and popular figures have been the target of hackers, it was media house Fox News who faced their ire in July this year. In a gruesome joke, the hackers tweeted the death of president Obama. Some of the tweets read like this: @BarackObama has just passed. The President is dead. A sad 4th of July, indeed. President Barack Obama is dead." This was followed by more on the same lines claiming that Obama was shot at a restaurant while campaigning.

10 Gorgeous Women (Who Were Born Male)

2012-01-25T03:36:00.000-08:00

Many people don't realize that transsexual models are popping up in magazines and on runways everywhere. These gorgeous models look and feel like women but were born with male reproductive organs. If we didn't know, we definitely wouldn't be able to tell that they weren't born female! Could you?

Andrej Pejic

Serbian Australian model Andrej Pejic is androgynous and famous for his ability to model both male and female clothing. In January 2011's Paris fashion shows he walked both the men's and women's shows for Jean-Paul Gaultier and the men's shows for Marc Jacobs. He has also ranked #18 on the models.com Top 50 Male Models list while simultaneously being ranked #98 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2011."

Lea T.

Brazilian Lea T. was born Leandro Cerezo in 1981, but that didn't stop her from becoming one of the most famous transsexual fashion models in the industry today. Lea has been called the muse of high fashion design house Givenchy.

Claudia Charriez

Hard to believe that Claudia Charriez was born a man, right? Her transsexuality has not stopped her from becoming an international model. Charriez was kicked off of America's Next Top Model and The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency TV shows in 2008, but went on to win the America's Next Top Transsexual Model contest on The Tyra Banks Show later that year.

Isis King

Born Darrell Walls in 1985, American model Isis King gained notoriety when she became the first transgender contestant ever to appear on the modeling reality show America's Next Top Model. King competed on two seasons of the show.

Florencia De La V

Argentinian Florencia De La V began life in 1976 as Roberto Carlos Trinidad, but she has since gone on to be one of the most recognizable transgendered actresses in the world. De La V has appeared on soap operas, in magazines, in clubs, and was once the editor of a magazine. She is currently married to a man and the mother to twin babies conceived via surrogate.

Sirapassorn Atthayakorn

Thailand's own Sirapassorn (AKA Sammy) Atthayakorn was named Miss International Queen in 2011's pageant.

Chamila Asanka

Sri Lankan model Chamila (AKA Chami) Asanka is an up-and-comer in the world fashion industry. She was also a 2011 contestant in the Miss International Queen pageant. Caroline "Tula" Cossey
Caroline "Tula" Cossey (nee Barry Kenneth Cossey) is an English model who is one of the best-known trans women in the world. Cossey had a small role in the James Bond movie The Living Daylights, posed for Playboy, and wrote an autobiography about her experiences as a transsexual model and actress called "I Am A Woman."

Roberta Close

Brazilian model Roberta Close was the first pre-operative transsexual model to pose for the Brazilian edition of Playboy magazine. After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 1989, Close posed nude for a Brazilian men's magazine called Sexy and was then voted "Most Beautiful Woman in Brazil."

Malika

India's Malika is a trans woman who has undergone four surgeries and countless other medical procedures to become the woman she feels she was meant to be at birth. In 2011 she became the first Indian to be chosen to compete in the annual Miss International Queen competition in Thailand, a beauty pageant for transgendered people.

10 Most Bizarre Sex Toys

2012-01-24T00:06:00.000-08:00

From an Artificial Hymen to an Obama dildo, meet some of the craziest sexual toys money can buy. NOTE: This article contains explicit sexual contents

Hyper-realistic Japanese Dolls

Thousands of men in Japan are selling out over $6,500 for these hyper-realistic dolls that meet all their needs, and don't talk back. Created by Orient Industries, you can customize it with a wide selection of faces and hairpieces fully interchangeable. All dolls are waterproof of course...

Artificial Hymen

Sex-toy company Gigimodo created this "artificial hymen" --a plastic bag filled with... oh well, fake blood-- for those of you who either need to lie about being a virgin, or want to re-live losing their maidenly flower. Fake blood in our chocha? No thanks..

Obama Dildo

Just in time to insert some pork into the new stimulus package comes the "official" Obama pleasure toy. For only $34.95 you can get the "Head O State Obama Sex Toy", and you get your choice between "Presidential Gold" and "Democratic Blue".

Hooded Spandex Full Body Binder Sack

The thought of being bagged up like a birthday present isn't my idea of fun, but according to the site, this total body sack is "so comfortable, you could spend an entire night in it".

Eco-Friendly Vibrator

Love yourself and love your planet at the same time with Sola, a small bullet-shaped vibrator powered by the sun. The price of being green? $69.95.

Real Touch

This computer-controlled "stimulation" device uses "specially encoded content" to bring a sort of virtual-reality experience to, um... a certain member. Using a host of technologies, the futuristic-looking computer peripheral simulates motion, adjusts temperature and provides lubrication. The encoding is deciphered by a custom Windows Media Player plugin and it's available for $150.

Cup Nude

At some point everyone has enjoyed a fresh hot cup noodle. While the traditional instant little cup would satisfy your hunger needs, the "Cup Nude" on the other hand, satisfies a completely different need all together. Although similar in design, you will immediately notice upon opening, that this is not your average midnight snack. Complete with a packet of “Gently Acid Lotion”, we are sure you will find some enjoyment out of this loving product, unless of course, there is real acid in that packet… ouch!

Hello Kitty Vibrator

Originally marketed as a neck massager, this was one of the cult Hello Kitty collectibles that could only be acquired in Japan. But a couple of things just didn't seem to fit the whole neck massager model. The first was the size and the shape. The second was the vibrating qualities. So that's everything then. And in even more colours - black being one of them.

Hizamakura's Lap Pillow

Here is something cooky. Normally you would think that resting your head on a lap would be for lovebirds. But not in Japan! They seem to have something of anything and that is exactly what the Hizamakura Lap Pillow is all about. It is shaped like the lap of a woman where you can perhaps sleep better knowing you are in good laps! Only the Japanese could invent something like this. Price? $142.

Gold-plated Vibrator

Meet the world's most expensive vibrator, a 18 karat gold-plated piece that weighs approximately 5 ounces and is 3 inches long. Made in Sweden by Lelo, it has a suggested retail price of $1500, but can be yours for as little as $999.

List of the oldest buildings in the world

2011-11-21T00:04:00.001-08:00

This article attempts to list the oldest extant freestanding buildings constructed in the world, including on each of the continents and within each country.

Megalithic Temples of Malta

The Megalithic Temples of Malta are a series of prehistoric monuments in Malta of which seven are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Archaeologists believe that these megalithic complexes are the result of local innovations in a process of cultural evolution.This led to the building of several temples of the Ġgantija phase (3600-3000 BC), culminating in the large Tarxien temple complex, which remained in use until 2500 BC. After this date, the temple building culture disappeared.

The Ġgantija temples (two sites) were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.In 1992, the UNESCO Committee further extended the existing listing to include five other megalithic temple sites. These are Ħaġar Qim (in Qrendi), Mnajdra (in Qrendi) , Ta' Ħaġrat Temples (in Mġarr), Skorba Temples (in Żebbiegħ) and Tarxien Temples (in Tarxien). Nowadays, the sites are managed by Heritage Malta, while ownership of the surrounding lands varies from site to site. They are the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.

Other sites apart from those included in the UNESCO World Heritage list include Borġ in-Nadur (in Birżebbuġa), Kordin III, Il-Bidni, Xemxija Temple,Hal Ginwi Temples, Tal-Quadi(fr, ru), Ta' Marżiena, Ta' Raddiena, L-Imramma Temple, Buggiba, Santa Verna,Tas-Silġ (in Żejtun) and a complex network of tracks gouged in the rock Misraħ Għar il-Kbir (in Dingli) and other.

Knap of Howar

At Knap of Howar on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland, a Neolithic farmstead may be the oldest preserved stone house in northern Europe. Radiocarbon dating shows that it was occupied from 3700 BC to 2800 BC, earlier than the similar houses in the settlement at Skara Brae on the Orkney Mainland.

The farmstead consists of two adjacent rounded rectangular thick-walled buildings with very low doorways facing the sea. The larger and older structure is linked by a low passageway to the other building, which has been interpreted as a workshop or a second house. They were constructed on an earlier midden, and were surrounded by midden material which has protected them. There are no windows; the structures were presumably lit by fire, with a hole in the roof to let out smoke. Though they now stand close to the shore, they would have originally lay inland. The shore shows how the local stone splits into thin slabs, giving a ready source of construction material.

The walls still stand to an eaves height of 1.6m, and the stone furniture is intact giving a vivid impression of life in the house. Fireplaces, partition screens, beds and storage shelves are almost intact, and post holes were found indicating the roof structure.

Evidence from the middens shows that the inhabitants were keeping cattle, sheep and pigs, cultivating barley and wheat and gathering shellfish as well as fishing for species which have to be line caught using boats.

Finds of finely-made and decorated Unstan ware pottery link the inhabitants to chambered cairn tombs nearby and to sites far afield including Balbridie and Eilean Domhnuill. The name Howar is believed to be derived from Old Norse word haugr meaning mounds or barrows. The site is in the care of Historic Scotland.

Newgrange

Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú) is a prehistoric monument located in County Meath, on the eastern side of Ireland, about one kilometre north of the River Boyne.It was built around 3200 BC during the Neolithic period. There is no agreement about what the site was used for, but it has been speculated that it had some form of religious significance because it is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice, which floods the stone room with light. Newgrange is also older than Stonehenge and the great pyramids of Giza It is in fact just one monument within the Neolithic Brú na Bóinne complex, alongside the similar passage tomb mounds of Knowth and Dowth, and as such is a part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. Newgrange also shares many similarities with other Neolithic constructions around Western Europe, such as Maeshowe tomb in Orkney, Scotland and the Bryn Celli Ddu site in Wales.

After its initial use, the entrance to Newgrange was sealed and it remained closed for several millennia, subsequently gaining several associations in local folklore and mythology. It first began to be studied as a prehistoric monument by antiquarians in the seventeenth century AD, and over subsequent centuries various archaeological excavations took place at the site before it was largely restored to an interpretation of its original Neolithic appearance by conservators in the 1970s. Today, Newgrange is a popular tourist site, and according to the archaeologist Colin Renfrew, is "unhesitatingly regarded by the prehistorian as the great national monument of Ireland" and is also widely recognised as one of the most important megalithic structures in Europe.

Hulbjerg Jættestue

The Hulbjerg passage grave is concealed by a round barrow on the southern tip of the island of Langeland. The walls of the 6.5m by 1.7m chamber consisting of 13 large uprights, tightly compacted with a fine wall of hewn stone tiles. When the Hulbjerg passage grave was excavated, archaeologists found the remains of 40 individuals who had been buried at different periods of the Neolithic Age. One of the skulls showed traces of the world's earliest dentistry work.

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d'Accoddi is an archaeological site in northern Sardinia, between Sassari and Porto Torres.

It is the site of a megalithic structure dated to around 2700=2000 BC[1] and discovered in 1954. The structure has a base of 27 m by 27 m and probably reached a height of 5.5 m. It culminated in a platform of about 12.5 m by 7.2 m, accessible via a ramp. It has been variously described as an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It has been partially reconstructed during the 1980s.

Pyramid of Djoser

The Pyramid of Djoser (Zoser), or step pyramid (kbhw-ntrw in Egyptian) is an archeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the city of Memphis. It was built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier Imhotep, during the 27th century BC. It is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.

This first Egyptian pyramid consisted of six mastabas (of decreasing size) built atop one another in what were clearly revisions and developments of the original plan. The pyramid originally stood 62 metres (203 ft) tall, with a base of 109 × 125 m (358 × 410 ft) and was clad in polished white limestone. The step pyramid (or proto-pyramid) is considered to be the earliest large-scale cut stone construction, although the nearby enclosure known as Gisr el-mudir would seem to predate the complex. The oldest known uncut stone pyramid structure dates to 3000 BC in the city of Caral, Peru.

Caral

Caral was a large settlement in the Supe Valley, near Supe, Barranca province, Peru, some 200 km north of Lima. Caral is the most ancient city of the Americas, and is a well-studied site of the Caral civilization or Norte Chico civilization.

Paul Kosok discovered Caral in 1948, but it received little attention until recently because it appeared to lack many typical artifacts that were sought at archeological sites throughout the Andes at the time. Archaeologist Ruth Shady further explored the 5,000 year-old city of pyramids in the Peruvian desert, with its elaborate complex of temples, an amphitheater and ordinary houses. The urban complex is spread out over 150 acres (607,000 m²) and contains plazas and residential buildings. Caral was a thriving metropolis at roughly the same time that Egypt's great pyramids were being built.

Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza (called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) over an approximately 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (480.6 ft), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, the longest period of time ever held for such a record. Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The so-called Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu (one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile), three smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller "satellite" pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles.

Treasury of Atreus

The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is an impressive "tholos" tomb on the Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae, Greece, constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BCE. The lintel stone above the doorway weighs 120 tons, the largest in the world. The tomb was used for an unknown period of time. Mentioned by Pausanias, it was still visible in 1879 when the German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the shaft graves under the 'agora' in the Acropolis at Mycenae.

The tomb perhaps held the remains of the sovereign who completed the reconstruction of the fortress or one of his successors. The grave is in the style of the other tholoi of the Mycenaean World, of which there are nine in total around the citadel of Mycenae and five more in the Argolid. However, in its monumental shape and grandeur it is one of the most impressive monuments surviving from Mycenaean Greece.

It is formed of a semi-subterranean room of circular plan, with a corbel arch covering that is ogival in section. With an interior height of 13.5m and a diameter of 14.5m, it was the tallest and widest dome in the world for over a thousand years until construction of the Temple of Hermes in Baiae and the Pantheon in Rome. Great care was taken in the positioning of the enormous stones, to guarantee the vault's stability over time in bearing the force of compression from its own weight. This obtained a perfectly smoothed internal surface, onto which could be placed gold, silver and bronze decoration.

The tholos was entered from an inclined uncovered hall or dromos, 36 meters long and with dry-stone walls. A short passage led from the tholos chamber to the actual burial chamber, which was dug out in a nearly cubical shape.

The entrance portal to the tumulus was richly decorated: half-columns in green limestone with zig-zag motifs on the shaft, a frieze with rosettes above the architrave of the door, and spiral decoration in bands of red marble that closed the triangular aperture above an architrave. Segments of the columns and architraves were removed by Lord Elgin in the early nineteenth century and are now held by the British Museum. The capitals are influenced by ancient Egyptian examples, and one is in the Pergamon Museum as part of the Antikensammlung Berlin. Other decorative elements were inlaid with red porphyry and green alabaster, a surprising luxury for the Bronze Age.

Naveta des Tudons

The Naveta des Tudons is the most famous megalithic chamber tomb in Minorca. It was used between 1200 and 750 BC. It is a collective tomb which contained, when it was discovered in 1975 at list 100 men and different objects like bronze bracelets or bone and ceramic buttons.
The most usual shape for navetas is an inverted boat. That gives them their name. They are chronologically prior to talaiotic culture and age. They are still built with big stones - orthostates - that cover their walls and are placed in a vertical position.
Currently it is restored and opened to the public for visits. It is one of the symbols and main tourist attractions of Minorca. It is located in the road Me-1, km. 40, between Ciutadella de Menorca and Ferreries.

The King's Grave

The King's Grave near Kivik (Kungagraven i Kivik, Kiviksgraven) in the southeastern portion of the Swedish province of Skåne is what remains of an unusually grand Nordic Bronze Age double burial c. 1000 BC.

The site is located about 320 metres (1,050 ft) from the shore of the eastern coast of Scania in southernmost Sweden. In spite of the facts that the site has been used as a quarry, with its stones carried off for other uses, and that it was restored carelessly once it was known to be an ancient burial, these two burials are unique.

In both construction and in size—it is a circular site measuring 75 metres (246 ft) in diameter—this tomb differs from most European burials from the Bronze Age. Most importantly, the cists are adorned with petroglyphs. The images carved into the stones depict people, animals (including birds and fish), ships, lurs being played, symbols, and a chariot drawn by two horses and having four-spoked wheels.

Parthenon

The Parthenon (Ancient Greek: Παρθενών) is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron. Its construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC, although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 432 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered the culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially ruined
The Parthenon itself replaced an older temple of Athena, which historians call the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon, that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. The temple is archaeoastronomically aligned to the Pleiades.most Greek temples, the Parthenon was used as a treasury. For a time, it served as the treasury of the Delian League, which later became the Athenian Empire. In the 5th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After the Ottoman Turk conquest, it was turned into a mosque in the early 1460s, and it had a minaret built in it. On 26 September 1687, an Ottoman Turk ammunition dump inside the building was ignited by Venetian bombardment. The resulting explosion severely damaged the Parthenon and its sculptures. In 1806, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin removed some of the surviving sculptures, with the Ottoman Turks' permission. These sculptures, now known as the Elgin Marbles or the Parthenon Marbles, were sold in 1816 to the British Museum in London, where they are now displayed. The Greek government is committed to the return of the sculptures to Greece, so far with no success.

Sanchi Stupa

Sanchi is a small village in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, it is located 46 km north east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in the central part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the location of several Buddhist monuments dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE and is one of the important places of Buddhist pilgrimage. It is a nagar panchayat in Raisen district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Toranas surround the Stupa and they each represent love, peace, trust, and courage.

The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. It has four profusely carved ornamental gateways and a balustrade encircling the whole structure.

Broch of Mousa

Broch of Mousa is the finest preserved example of a broch or round tower in Shetland, Scotland. It is the tallest still standing in the world and amongst the best-preserved prehistoric buildings in Europe. It is thought to have been constructed circa 100 BC, one of 570 brochs built throughout Scotland. The site is managed by Historic Scotland.
It has one of the smallest overall diameters of any broch, as well as one of the thickest wall bases and smallest interiors; this massive construction (as well as its remote location) is likely to be the main explanation for its excellent state of preservation.

Located on the island of Mousa (at grid reference HU457237), it stands some 44 feet (13 m) high and is accessible via a single entrance at ground level. Once inside, a visitor may ascend an internal staircase to an open walkway at the top. It is the only broch which is complete right to the top, including the original intramural stair. It is built of dry stone with no mortar, thus any disturbance could cause a great deal of damage. The characteristic hollow-walled construction is very clear at this site.

The broch went through at least two phases of occupation. In its original condition it doubtless contained a complex wooden roundhouse with at least one raised floor resting on a ledge or scarcement 7 ft (2.1m) above the ground. This floor was probably reached by the stone stair inside the wall. A second scarcement about 13 ft (3.09m) up could have supported a second floor or a roof. The entrance passage was low and lintelled with flat slabs and a water tank was cut in the underlying rock. There was also a large rectangular hearth resting on the rock.

Some time later a low stone bench was added round the base of the inside wall and this extended a short way into the entrance passage. The wooden roundhouse may have been demolished at this point; it was certainly demolished before the small wheelhouse (with three projecting stone piers) was built in the interior.

These Norse occupations are probably reflected in the fact that the original low lintels of the broch entrance have been torn out (their stumps can be seen), and the outer doorway doubled in height (it has now been restored to its original low level). This implies that the interior and the entrance were full of debris so the Norsemen had to raise the roof of the passage to get in.

In the National Museums of Scotland in Edinburgh is a large rim sherd from the broch of Mousa, probably found during the 19th century clearance. It is part of a large Everted Rim jar with a black burnshed outer surface and horizontal fluting along the inner surface of the rim.

In January 2005 it was announced that archaeologists used 3D laser scanning to catalogue the structure in detail for possible repairs. With the scans it is now possible to see how the structure was constructed in detail.

Maison Carrée

The Maison Carrée is an ancient building in Nîmes, southern France; it is one of the best preserved temples to be found anywhere in the territory of the former Roman Empire.
The Maison Carrée is an example of Vitruvian architecture. Raised on a 2.85 m high podium, the temple dominated the forum of the Roman city, forming a rectangle almost twice as long as it is wide, measuring 26.42 m by 13.54 m. The façade is dominated by a deep portico or pronaos almost a third of the building's length. It is a hexastyle design with six Corinthian columns under the Pediment at either end, and pseudoperipteral in that twenty engaged columns are embedded along the walls of the cella. Above the columns, the architrave is divided by two recessed rows of petrified water drips into three levels with ratios of 1:2:3. Egg-and-dart decoration divides the architrave from the frieze. The frieze is decorated with fine ornamental relief carvings of rosettes and acanthus leaves beneath a row of very fine dentils.

A large door (6.87 m high by 3.27 m wide) leads to the surprisingly small and windowless interior, where the shrine was originally housed. This is now used to house a tourist oriented 3-D film on a series of heroes that arose through Nîmes' history. No ancient decoration remains inside the cella.

Colosseum

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started in 72 AD[1] under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96). The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia).

Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.

Pantheon, Rome

The Pantheon (play /ˈpænθiːən/ or US /ˈpænθiːɒn/; Latin: Pantheon,[nb 1] from Greek: Πάνθειον, an adjective meaning "to every god") is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD. The nearly-contemporary writer (2nd–3rd centuries AD), Cassius Dio, speculated that the name comes either from the statues of so many gods placed around this building, or else from the resemblance of the dome to the heavens.[3] Since the French Revolution, when the church of Sainte-Geneviève, Paris, was deconsecrated and turned into a secular monument, the Panthéon of Paris, the generic term pantheon has sometimes been applied to other buildings in which illustrious dead are honored or buried.
The building is circular with a portico of three ranks of huge granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered, concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft). It is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda"; the square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.

Porta Nigra

The Porta Nigra (Latin for black gate) is a large Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. It is today the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps and has been designated a World Heritage Site.

The name Porta Nigra originated in the Middle Ages due to the darkened color of its stone; the original Roman name has not been preserved. Locals commonly refer to the Porta Nigra simply as Porta.
The Porta Nigra was built in grey sandstone between 186 and 200 AD. The original gate consisted of two four-storied towers, projecting as near semicircles on the outer side. A narrow courtyard separated the two gate openings on either side. For unknown reasons, however, the construction of the gate remained unfinished. For example, the stones at the northern (outer) side of the gate were never abraded, and the protruding stones would have made it impossible to install movable gates. Nonetheless, the gate was used for several centuries until the end of the Roman era in Trier.

In Roman times, the Porta Nigra was part of a system of four city gates, one of which stood at each side of the roughly rectangular Roman city. The Porta Nigra guarded the northern entry to the Roman city, while the Porta Alba (White Gate) was built in the east, the Porta Media (Middle Gate) in the south, and the Porta Inclyta (Famous Gate) in the west, next to the Roman bridge across the Moselle River. The gates stood at the ends of the two main streets of the Roman Trier, one of which led north-south and the other east-west. Of these gates, only the Porta Nigra still exists today.

In the early Middle Ages the Roman city gates were no longer used for their original function and their stones were taken and reused for other buildings. Also iron and lead braces were broken out of the walls of the Porta Nigra for reuse. Traces of this destruction are still clearly visible on the north side of the gate.

After 1028, the Greek monk Simeon lived as a hermit in the ruins of the Porta Nigra. After his death (1035) and sanctification, the Simeonstift monastery was built next to the Porta Nigra to honor him. Saving it from further destruction, the Porta Nigra was transformed into a church: The inner court of the gate was roofed and intermediate ceilings were inserted. The two middle storeys of the former gate were converted into church naves: the upper storey being for the monks and the lower storey for the general public. The ground floor with the large gates was sealed, and a large outside staircase was constructed alongside the south side (the town side) of the gate, up to the lower storey of the church. A small staircase led further up to the upper storey. The church rooms were accessible through former windows of the western tower of the Porta Nigra that were enlarged to become entrance doors (still visible today). The top floor of the western tower was used as church tower, the eastern tower was leveled, and an apse added at its east side. An additional gate - the much smaller Simeon Gate - was built adjacent to the East side of the Porta Nigra and served as a city gate in medieval times.

In 1802 Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the church in the Porta Nigra and the monastery beside it, along with the vast majority of Trier's numerous churches and monasteries. On his visit to Trier in 1804, Napoleon ordered that the Porta Nigra be converted back to its Roman form. Only the apse was kept, and the eastern tower not rebuilt to its original height. Local legend has it that Napoleon originally even wanted to completely tear down the church. Allegedly, locals convinced him that the church had actually been a Gallic festival hall before being turned into a church. Another version of the story is simply that they told him about its Roman origins. It is claimed that this prevented the destruction of the building and persuaded Napoleon instead to convert the gate back to its original form.

In 1986 the Porta Nigra was designated a World Heritage Site, along with other Roman monuments in Trier and its surroundings.

Aula Palatina

The Basilica of Constantine (German: Konstantinbasilika), or Aula Palatina, at Trier, Germany is a Roman palace basilica that was built by the emperor Constantine (306–337 AD) at the beginning of the 4th century.
Today it is owned and used as church by a congregation within the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland. The basilica contains the largest extant hall from antiquity (see List of ancient roofs) ranked a World Heritage Site. The room has a length of 67 m, a width of 26.05 m and a height of 33 m.
The Aula Palatina was built around 310 AD as a part of the palace complex. Originally it was not a free standing building, but had other smaller buildings (such as a forehall, an entrance vestibule and some service buildings) attached to it. The Aula Palatina was equipped with a floor and wall heating system (hypocaust).
During the Middle Ages, it was used as the residence for the bishop of Trier. For that, the apse was redesigned into living quarters and pinnacles were added to the top of its walls. In the 17th century, the archbishop Lothar von Metternich constructed his palace just next to the Aula Palatina and incorporating it into his palace some major redesign was done. Later in the 19th century, Frederick William IV of Prussia ordered the building to be restored to its original Roman state, which was done under the supervision of the military architect Carl Schnitzler. In 1856, the Aula Palatina became a Protestant church. In 1944, the building burned due to an air raid of the allied forces during World War II. When it was repaired after the war, the historical inner decorations from the 19th century were not reconstructed, so that the brick walls are visible from the inside as well.

Ancient Pueblo Peoples

Ancient Pueblo People or Ancestral Pueblo peoples were an ancient Native American culture centered on the present-day Four Corners area of the United States, comprising southern Utah, northern Arizona, northwest New Mexico, and southern Colorado. They lived in buildings called pueblos, designed so that they could lift up entry ladders during enemy attacks, which provided security. Archaeologists referred to one of these cultural groups as the Anasazi, although the term is not preferred by contemporary Pueblo peoples. The word Anaasází is Navajo for "Ancient Ones" or "Ancient Enemy".Archaeologists still debate when this distinct culture emerged. The current consensus, based on terminology defined by the Pecos Classification, suggests their emergence around the 12th century BCE, during the archaeologically designated Early Basketmaker II Era. Beginning with the earliest explorations and excavations, researchers postulated that the Ancient Puebloans are ancestors of the modern Pueblo peoples. In general, modern Pueblo people claim these ancient people as their ancestors.
The Ancestral Puebloan People crafted a unique architecture with planned community spaces. The ancient population centers such as Chaco Canyon (outside Crownpoint, NM), Mesa Verde (outside Cortez, CO), and Bandelier (outside Los Alamos, NM) for which the Ancestral Puebloans are renowned, consisted of apartment-like complexes and structures made from stone, adobe mud, and other local material, or were carved into the sides of canyon walls. Each were influenced by themselves and design details from other cultures as far away as modern-day Mexico. In their day, these ancient towns and cities were usually multi-storied and multi-purposed buildings surrounding open plazas and viewsheds and were occupied by hundreds to thousands of Ancestral Puebloan People. These population complexes hosted cultural and civic events and infrastructure that supported a vast outlying region hundreds of miles away linked by transportation roadways.

Constructed well before 1492 CE, these Ancestral Puebloan towns and villages in the Southwestern U.S. were located in various defensive positions, for example, on high steep mesas such as at Mesa Verde or present-day Acoma "Sky City" Pueblo, in New Mexico. Earlier than 900 CE progressing past the 13th century, the population complexes were a major center of culture for the Ancient Pueblo Peoples. In Chaco Canyon, Chacoan developers quarried sandstone blocks and hauled timber from great distances, assembling 15 major complexes which remained the largest buildings in North America until the 19th century. Evidence of archaeoastronomy at Chaco has been proposed, with the Sun Dagger petroglyph at Fajada Butte a popular example. Many Chacoan buildings may have been aligned to capture the solar and lunar cycles, requiring generations of astronomical observations and centuries of skillfully coordinated construction. Climate change is thought to have led to the emigration of Chacoans and the eventual abandonment of the canyon, beginning with a 50-year drought in 1130

Church of Our Lady (Aarhus)

The Church of Our Lady (Danish: Vor Frue Kirke) is one of the largest churches of Århus, Denmark. It is situated in the centre of the city not far from Aarhus Cathedral (Århus Domkirke). The church's crypt contains a stone church dating to 1060 AD.
The crypt church is the oldest extant stone church in Scandinavia. Built in 1060 after the old wooden church had been burned in an assault on the town, the church is situated under the main building of the Church of Our Lady. After its discovery in the 1950s it was restored and reopened on 10 November 1957 and is still used for mass once a week.

During the restoration by the Danish National Museum, two graves were found - one of a child and one of an adult - and 23 coins from the 14th century. Five of these coins were from Lübeck and the rest from Hamburg.

The crypt church was initially built as an attempt to weaken Adalbert, archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, who had considerable influence on Danish clerical matters as the head of the Danish church. Svend Estridsen (1047–1074) divided Denmark into 8 bishoprics, and in 1060 Christian became the first bishop of Aarhus. The crypt church was built the same year.

In approximately 1080 a new and larger church was built named after Saint Nicholas, just like numerous other Danish churches of the time. In 1180 it was mentioned as Aarhus' first cathedral, but was demolished when the Dominicans came to the town.

There is no information regarding the following centuries of the history of the crypt church. At some point the rooms were walled off and used as a storage room until the church itself was forgotten.

Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. The castle was used as a prison since at least 1100, although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.

The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II, a procession would be led from the Tower to Westminster Abbey on the coronation of a monarch. In the absence of the monarch, the Constable of the Tower is in charge of the castle. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. In the late 15th century the castle was the prison of the Princes in the Tower. Under the Tudors, the Tower became used less as a royal residence, and despite attempts to refortify and repair the castle its defences lagged behind developments to deal with artillery.

The peak period of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, popularised by 16th-century religious propagandists and 19th-century writers, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the World Wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. In the latter half of the 19th century, institutions such as the Royal Mint moved out of the castle to other locations, leaving many buildings empty. Anthony Salvin and John Taylor took the opportunity to restore the Tower to what was felt to be its medieval appearance, clearing out many of the vacant post-medieval structures. In the First and Second World Wars, the Tower was again used as a prison, and witnessed the executions of 12 men for espionage. After the Second World War, damage caused during the Blitz was repaired and the castle reopened to the public. Today the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. It is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.

Most Controversial Monuments in The World

2011-11-09T00:50:00.000-08:00

Outgoing president Alan García wanted to leave Peru a surprise and hoped a 120-foot statue of Christ would protect Lima. But not everyone likes surprises—not Lima’s mayor, informed only days before its June 2011 unveiling, and not locals frustrated that construction was outsourced to Brazil.

García’s surprise statue certainly isn’t the first to spark controversy. Some of the world’s most impressive monuments have backstories of bickering, which, in addition to good gossip, give travelers insights into local culture, history, and priorities. Even when a monument’s construction is well publicized, a positive reception isn’t guaranteed, whether because of differing aesthetic tastes, costliness, or partisanship.

Outside Madrid, unhappy locals have railed against a certain site for so many years that the government has formed a commission to recommend modifications. Read on for the inside story on that and more monumental controversies.

Second World War Monument to the Soviet Army, Bulgaria

Soviet-era war memorials honoring Red Army soldiers are often vandalized. But this WWII monument in the capital, Sofia, got an especially colorful makeover in June 2011: fresh paint transformed the soldiers into Superman and other pop-culture figures. Tourists and locals flocked to see the monument, but the Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov was not amused, calling the makeover a “crime.” The soldiers have since been scrubbed to their original state.

Valley of the Fallen, Spain

Dictator Francisco Franco ordered the construction of this monument outside Madrid to honor those who died for his cause during the 1930s Spanish Civil War. And he enlisted political prisoners to carve the massive basilica into a mountainside—infuriating many Spaniards. After years of demonstrations and debate, in May 2011, the government assembled a commission to evaluate its future. Its initial recommendation calls for Franco’s body to be removed from the site.

Crazy Horse Memorial,
South Dakota

The Sioux fought unsuccessfully to block the development of Mount Rushmore on hallowed Native American ground. Out of defeat, they decided to erect their own monument: the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is being carved into Thunderhead Mountain within eight miles of Mount Rushmore. Yet it has sparked its own controversy within the Native American community. Some view its construction as an attack on the landscape and an affront to Crazy Horse’s beliefs.

African Renaissance Monument, Senegal

President Abdoulaye Wade didn’t win any popularity votes when he funneled millions into the construction of a monument to the African Renaissance. A waste of money wasn’t the only reaction to this 160-foot bronze colossus unveiled in April 2010. It depicts a stylized muscular man with a baby in his arms, emerging from a volcano and pulling along a half-naked woman—and has been criticized for both skimpy clothing and sexism.

Christ of the Pacific, Peru

Former President Alan García may have thought he was leaving a gift for his public, but the 120-foot Christ of the Pacific has been nothing but a monumental headache since its surprise construction was revealed in June 2011. Lima’s mayor was angry at not being consulted, while others questioned why it was designed and built in Brazil, not Peru. The one aspect that can’t be debated: Christ of the Pacific is now the world’s tallest Christ statue.

Brown Dog Statue, London

A small dog statue in London’s Battersea Park looks harmless, but it’s a 1985 replacement of a statue with a fraught backstory. The original terrier was erected in 1906 by a group opposed to the use of animals in medical experiments. It displayed a plaque condemning pro-vivisection students at the University College. Outraged and embarrassed, those students destroyed it. The new statue is plainer, sans fountain or plaque, but it is still a terrier, modeled after the pet of sculptor Nicola Hicks.

Che Guevara Statue,
Bolivia

Infamous revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara fought for the rights of the poor, inciting passions along the way. While some condemn his violent methods or philosophy, to the farmworkers in the town of La Higuera, he remains “Saint Ernesto.” There, on the spot where the leader of a guerilla Marxist movement was captured and executed, residents dedicated a bust in his honor in 1997.

Scariest Roller Coasters From Around the World

2011-10-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself for death-defying thrills when you board the world’s scariest roller coasters.
You’re climbing slowly up the roller coaster’s first hill. Tiny cars gleam a few hundred feet below and trees look like broccoli florets. The rickety chain clanks as it thrusts you forward, and there’s nowhere to go but down. As your car teeters at the pinnacle, one thought flashes before you: “I paid to do this?” Crazy as it seems, we are predisposed to pay up for such heart-pounding thrills. A few thundering turns on a roller coaster set off a chemical reaction—the release of adrenaline and dopamine—that makes us feel giddy and intensely alive. As roller coasters continue to push the extremes of acceleration, speed, and corkscrew-like inversions, what does it take to be among the world’s scariest?

The answer turns out to be highly personal; there’s little consensus among even the most discerning riders about the recipe for a good scare. “Some like smooth rides full of floating zero Gs while others want to be thrown around and brutalized so they can live to brag about it,” says Scott Rutherford, a senior writer and editor for Amusement Today who has experienced more than 500 coasters on four continents.

Even so, record-breakers can be counted on to deliver some of the biggest adrenaline rushes. At 45 stories, Kingda Ka is the world’s tallest roller coaster, one of only two Stratacoasters that plummet more than 400 feet. (Call the other, Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster, the scariest and you could be in for a heated debate.)

A memorably scary coaster gets inside your head, employing suspense, the element of surprise, and the illusion of fragility. It’s not only a matter of mind-boggling statistics like accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in—count them—two seconds. Older, wooden coasters bring their own set of thrills, since they actually move. When a train whips around a turn, the coaster sways with it.

The most infamous, The Cyclone, still draws thrill-seekers to Coney Island, NY, where the first roller coaster debuted in 1884. Today, 2,472 are operating around the world, and there’s one for whatever scares you the most, be it speeds of 150 mph or a series of 10 stomach-churning inversions. As Rutherford says, “You have no choice but to let go, to surrender to the ride.”

See if you can stomach the world’s scariest roller coasters, and share your opinions in the comments below.

Steel Dragon 2000, Japan

Where: Nagashima Spa Land in Mie Prefecture.

Scary Stat: Slow climb to a 306-foot drop.
It takes nerves of steel to sit calmly through what feels like the most suspenseful 1:15 minutes of your life as this coaster gradually climbs to the top of the first hill before dropping 306 feet. Built in 2000, the year of the dragon, the world’s longest coaster stretches on for 8,133 feet—an endurance test of marathon-like proportions—and you’ve got no choice but to wait it out for all four minutes.

Kingda Ka, New Jersey

Where: Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.
Scary Stat: 456-foot drop.
At 45 stories, the Kingda Ka is the tallest roller coaster on earth—closer to the sky than any Egyptian pyramid—and among the fastest, reaching 128 mph. It’s also one of only two existing Stratacoasters, rides that plummet more than 400 feet. (The other is Cedar Point’s intimidating Top Thrill Dragster.) Kingda Ka shoots riders around an upside-down U track in just 59 heart-stopping seconds. Except when it doesn’t. Beware of rollbacks, when, occasionally, the coaster doesn’t gather enough momentum to pump itself over the very top and plummets backward, forcing riders to experience the launch all over again.

Bizzaro, Massachusetts

Where: Six Flags, New England in Agawam.
Scary Stat: 221-foot drop into a tunnel.
Named after Superman’s evil twin, this imposing coaster rules Six Flags New England’s skyline. It rises 208 feet only to fall 221 into a dark tunnel brimming with fog. Coaster enthusiasts love it because it packs in a lot of “airtime,” that out-of-control feeling you get when your guts fly up into your chest. The cars themselves contribute to the fear factor because the sides come up only to riders’ ankles, creating a major sense of vulnerability.

Colossus, England

Where: Thorpe Park in Surrey.
Scary Stat: 10 inversions.
It’s unwise to board the Colossus after lunch. Riders endure a record of 10 disorienting loops in under two minutes, including a vertical loop, a “cobra roll,” and five “heartline twists.” The last one’s also heart-wrenching—it comes right when you think you’re pulling into the station. Coaster fans and reviewers warn that Colossus is rough, so keep your head forward and ride in the last car only if you’re in the mood to be punished.

Formula Rossa, United Arab Emirates

Where: Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi.
Scary Stat: 149 mph.
Constructed above Abu Dhabi’s Formula One racetrack, the world’s fastest coaster aims to re-create the sensation of racing in a red Ferrari. It uses a hydraulic launch system similar to the kind that propels fighter jets off aircraft carriers to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in the first two seconds. The coaster can’t maintain its top speed of 149 mph for long, but front-seat riders still have to wear the same protective glasses used by skydivers.

Phantom’s Revenge, Pennsylvania

Where: Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh.
Scary Stat: 232-foot drop under another coaster.
The Phantom’s Revenge owes its nasty reputation to its infamous second hill, which plunges riders 232 feet into a ravine and underneath the support structure of another coaster, creating the impression that the rider will be, well, decapitated. Most riders have no inkling of the terror that awaits them because it’s impossible to see the bottom of the drop unless you’re already on the ride.

Strangest Circuses in The World

2011-10-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Forget any fear of circus clowns. The strangest shows on earth feature backflipping cats, race-car stuntmen, and burlesque puppeteers.
At London’s Hoxton Hall, acrobats scamper up each other’s shoulders to form a pyramid—although it hardly looks human. The performers are unrecognizable beneath elaborate ant costumes complete with antennae and googly eyes.

Circuses have always been a bit offbeat, but they’ve morphed well beyond the classic three-ring spectacle of clowns and animal tamers. Today’s strangest circuses are small and innovative. Some, like the Insect Circus, push the boundaries by incorporating burlesque or performance art, while others are reviving near-extinct sideshow traditions for a new generation.

“Circuses were once the biggest shows in town,” says Marc Hartzman, author of American Sideshow. “People didn’t have the same mediums of entertainment that we have today.” As audience interest drifted in the 1970s, circuses began adapting, particularly in the U.K., the U.S., France, Canada, and Australia.

A painter by trade, Mark Copeland founded the U.K.-based Insect Circus in 2002, designing fantastical costumes for the acrobatic “ants,” a winged trapeze duo that go by the names of Baron and Baroness Flutterby, and others. He is especially proud of a stag beetle shell worn by three performers. This lumbering six-legged “insect” takes on a matador in an act that resembles a Spanish bullfight.

Still other circuses get their strange factor from sideshow elements like sword-swallowers and actual insects. Adam G. Gertsacov, creator of Acme Miniature Flea Circus, practices a craft that dates back to the late 1800s. After graduating from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, he wandered from circus to circus until he got some career-changing advice. Legendary clown Avner Eisenberg told him to “focus on the fleas,” and Gertsacov hasn’t wavered since. He trains 12 fleas at a time to perform tricks like being shot out of a mini cannon into a Hula-Hoop dubbed “the hoop of death.”

For truly death-defying stunts, look to Delhi, India, where the Diamond Maruti Car Circus has become infamous for performing while hanging out of speeding vehicles. For 25 cents, you can peer over the edge of a pit and watch performers on motorcycles and in cars zoom in circles as they grab hands and stand up on their seats—an unbelievable performance that also qualifies as one of the

Even in an age of entertainment overload, the world’s strangest circuses share the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. Here’s a sneak peek at their shows.

The Mill by Ockham’s Razor, England

This circus is built around one of mankind’s most humble yet revolutionary inventions: the wheel. Suspended from a 23-foot-high rig, performers execute aerial stunts around a large wood and metal wheel. Only five aerialists manage to keep this prop in constant motion throughout the entire performance.

Strange Factor: A high-flying human-scale hamster wheel, suspended from the ceiling by only rope.

Moscow Cat Circus, Moscow

Any owner will admit that cats can be fussy and difficult to train. But with no more than kind words and gentle gestures, veteran circus performer Yuri Kuklachev coaxes his cats into tricks ranging from handstands to aerial acrobatics. It’s a talent his oldest son—now his sidekick—has inherited.Strange Factor: Kuklachev’s cats perform alongside human mimes in variety shows including The Nutcracker and Cats from Outer Space.

Sideshows by the Seashore, Coney Island, New York

Sideshows highlighting freakish abilities used to be everyday entertainment. But now Coney Island amusement park is the only venue in America where you can experience a traditional 10-in-1 circus sideshow. It’s a squeamish throwback that’s been entertaining crowds since 1985 and fits in well with Coney Island’s reputation for the outrageous.
Strange Factor: A snake charmer named Serpentina who performs with a 15-foot albino Burmese python.

Circus Monoxide, Australia

Traditional aerial and juggling acts may be part of the lineup, but each show also comes with an unconventional theme that provokes audience members. (Superb & Broken dramatized the search for passion and meaning in everyday life through three characters, including a neat freak and a father who dreams of donning red sequins.) A live band plays throughout the show, building up the anticipation for stunts like performers being catapulted out of a bus.Strange Factor: A bathtub act during which a female aerialist plunges in and out of the water.

Diamond Maruti Car Circus, Delhi, India

So much for fastening a seat belt—these stuntmen perform tricks while hanging out of speeding vehicles. For the ticket price of 10 rupees (25 cents), you can watch as the cars race around in a pit accompanied by motorcycles. The show promises a view so close that you could give the performers a high five.
Strange Factor: An act called “The Wall of Death,” in which performers race their motorcycles and cars, stand up on their seats, and hold hands with each other.

007, San Francisco

The international man of mystery has run off to join the circus—at least that’s what this troupe would have you believe. With high-flying acts and futuristic dancers, James Bond and his Bond Girls put on a campy show complete with a hero-versus-villain plot that entails aerial stunts and theatrical fights.Strange Factor: Aerial Bond girl dance sequences, accompanied by psychedelic lights, music, and disco ball.

Acme Miniature Flea Circus, New York

Inspired by Hubert’s Flea Circus in Times Square, which closed in 1957, Adam Gertsacov pieced together the tricks of the flea trade from his circus mentors. The Acme Miniature Flea Circus’s bloodsucking insects have tumbled their way through four different countries and 38 states since the mid-1990s. The only thing Gertsacov asks from his audience? No dogs allowed.
Strange Factor: Two fleas race to a finish line while pulling a chariot. Other less fortunate fleas are shot out of a mini cannon into a Hula-Hoop called the “hoop of death.”

La Soirée, London

Filled with bizarre acts, La Soirée is a prime example of a contemporized variety show that borrows from circus, burlesque, and vaudeville traditions. Look for roller skaters doing tricks, rocker stuntmen, and puppeteers whose decidedly adult work has been described as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert meets Moulin Rouge as written by Pedro Almodóvar.Strange Factor: An opera-singing drag queen named Le Gateau Chocolat belts out renditions of everything from pop-rock to opera.

The Insect Circus, England

In 2002, Mark Copeland stumbled upon a book about circuses and began working on paintings that played with scale, eventually creating a series in which insects took over the roles of circus animals. And like that, the idea of a real creepy-crawly circus was born. The 10 circus members wear elaborate insect costumes for classic hat tricks, air stunts, and comedic numbers.
Strange Factor: A wasp tamer performs with two life-size wasps. Each wasp balances on a high wire and jumps through hoops.

World's Strangest Prisons

2011-10-12T03:52:00.000-07:00

Offbeat prisons from Montana to Australia that give travelers a glimpse into an area’s infamous history.
What cage is three stories high, rotates, and was designed for human beings, not rats?

It’s the Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs, IA, and from 1885 to 1969, this prison stacked its inmates in pie-shaped cells that revolved, so jailers could see all the prisoners from a single vantage point. If it sounds like a lazy Susan jail, that’s exactly what it was—and it’s the only one ever built.

Prisons have long been popular tourist destinations; famous spots like San Francisco’s Alcatraz, Cape Town’s Robben Island, and the Clink in London allow travelers a glimpse at their infamous past—sometimes with a tour from former inmates. But other less-famous jails—often a bit more off the beaten path—have strange features or an odd history that equally warrant a detour.

Not every prison has kept its strange features intact. A 90-year-old former Turkish prison in Istanbul, for example, was transformed into the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet in 1996. And Boston’s former Charles Street Jail was opened as the Liberty Hotel in 2007, with features like floor-to-ceiling windows that inmates never enjoyed.

True, these hotels offer a unique opportunity to be surrounded by history. But to taste prison life as it once actually was, head to the Jailhotel in Lucerne, Switzerland. Its “unplugged” cells put guests behind the same heavy wooden doors as the inmates who were incarcerated here from 1862 to 1998. Fancier suites occupy the former prison library—with walls still lined with antique prison books—and there’s a rec room, where inmates once played cards and foosball.

Sometimes, these offbeat prisons aren’t so well-maintained. Goli Otok, a Croatian prison on an island in the northern Adriatic Sea, has buildings crumbling from neglect. Yet it contains odd sights that graphically illustrate its more obscure past. More than 16,000 political prisoners were detained and tortured on Goli Otok by the former Yugoslavian Communist leader Josip Broz Tito. Today it’s a bit surreal wandering the barren landscape, but you can see the prison’s cinema, where inmates once watched propaganda documentaries, and its bowling alley, reserved strictly for wardens’ use.

If offbeat history is your passion, then unchain yourself from your sofa. These strange prisons offer the opportunity to explore—and sometimes spend the night in—truly unique places.

Cascades Female Factory, Tasmania, Australia

Sure, Australia was essentially one big jail cell in the 19th century, but this prison in Tasmania’s capital city, Hobart, was one of the few for females only. In operation from 1828 to 1856, it was home to more than 5,000 female convicts and their children, many of whom died from poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, and back-breaking work.

What You’ll See: Check out the matron’s cottage (the only original building still standing) and the memorial gardens, modeled after formal European gardens that Cascades’ inmates might once have enjoyed in a previous life.

Hostel Celica, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Plenty of old jails are turned into hotels, but how many maintain their original prison bars on the doors and windows? Having to push open the bars to get to your room brings a taste of real prison life to the experience. Inside, though, is a nicer décor than what the inmates had: each of the 20 former prison cells has a unique design, created by a team of more than 50 Slovenian and international artists.

What You’ll See: The hostel’s ground floor contains three cafés that serve everything from booze to hookahs. Also, be sure to check out the two former solitary-confinement cells that remain intact in the basement.

Dartmoor Prison, Devon, England

Sure, American prisoners of war have been held all over the world at various times. But it’s unusual to find a history of American POWs on the turf of such a longtime ally. See how this history played out at the Dartmoor Prison, which housed American POWs during the War of 1812.

What You’ll See: Although Dartmoor is still an active prison, serving mainly as an educational facility for inmate rehabilitation, it has a museum that displays uniforms and hairstyles once required for inmates and prison officers, plus weapons used by officers to keep inmates in line.

Goli Otok, Croatia

The buildings of Goli Otok are spread over an uninhabited Croatian island near the island of Krk. Wandering through the crumbling structures on the barren island is a surreal experience that offers an insight into the reign of Josip Broz Tito, Communist leader of the former Yugoslavia.

What You’ll See: Check out the administration building—affectionately called “the hotel” by inmates—and a combination bowling alley and movie theater.

Jailhotel, Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne’s picturesque city center is home not only to its famous Chapel Bridge and Lion Garden, but also to the Jailhotel, a converted 19th-century prison that offers some of Switzerland’s strangest accommodations. “Unplugged” cells—actually guest rooms—let you experience what living conditions here once were like.

What You’ll See: If they’re not occupied, check out the prison’s former library—now a suite whose walls are lined with antique prison books—and the Barabas suite, a former rec room decorated with an inmate’s mural illustrating life after a jailbreak. Also stop by the hotel’s Knascht Club, one of Lucerne’s weekend hot spots.

Langholmen, Stockholm, Sweden

Who would have thought inmate labor could create Langholmen, one of Stockholm’s prettiest islands? Originally a rocky, barren island occupied by two prisons, it was covered in the 18th century with mud dredged from surrounding waterways by inmates, who created fertile soil where beautiful gardens eventually grew. Today it is a green oasis popular for walks, picnics, and swimming.

What You’ll See: The “From Crime to Chains” museum traces Langholmen’s 250-year prison history. If you want to stay overnight, you can choose between a hotel in the former old jail and a less expensive youth hostel, in the former Crown Remand Prison.

The Old Montana Prison, Deer Lodge, MT

One of the weirdest pieces of prison equipment anywhere resides here: the galloping gallows, a portable gallows built in 1920. Each part of the gallows was designed to be easily dismantled and “galloped,” or moved quickly, to the next hanging site.

What You’ll See: The prison’s grounds—where at least one member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch was incarcerated—have captured Hollywood’s imagination, serving as the set for films like 1985’s Runaway Train, with Jon Voight, and 1992’s Diggstown, starring James Woods and Louis Gossett, Jr.

The Squirrel Cage Jail, Council Bluffs, IA

The Squirrel Cage Jail of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is a one-of-a-kind contraption, the only three-story, revolving squirrel-cage jail—also known as a human rotary or lazy Susan jail—ever built. The jail has three floors of revolving, pie-shaped cells inside a cage.

What You’ll See: The prison cells, which jailers could view from a single vantage point, remain much as they were when the jail closed in 1969; signatures and dates of many prisoners still adorn the walls.

Vieille Prison de Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec

If you can round up a group, try the “Sentenced to One Night” program. After being greeted by Trois-Rivières’ warden, you’ll be booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and issued a prisoner’s T-shirt. You’ll then spend the night in the incarceration wing, which you will be forced to clean the next morning before eating a bare-bones breakfast of porridge and toast.

What You’ll See: If you’re here just for a tour, you’ll get one from former inmates. Open from 1822 to 1986, Trois-Rivières was once Canada’s oldest functioning prison.

Weirdest Animal-Smuggling Incidents

2011-10-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Animal smuggling is big business, and people will try just about anything to sneak creatures through security. Some of them get caught.
If getting a six-ounce perfume bottle through airport security seems impossible, imagine trying to bypass scanners with 18 monkeys strapped to your waist. In July 2010, one smuggler did just that, flying from Lima, Peru, to Mexico City, only to get busted after acting nervous during a random check, according to news reports.

If successful, he could have sold the monkeys for as much as $1,550 each (and turned a profit of more than $25,000), said the news reports. That’s because, for some people, it’s no longer enough to pick up an animal at the local pet shop. Exotic wildlife has become yet another status symbol—and one reason that illegal animal smuggling is on the rise, with one case weirder than the next.

Animal smuggling is a hideous and shadowy business. It’s also widespread—and lucrative: Freeland, an international organization fighting wildlife trafficking, estimates it at $10–$20 billion annually. In 2009, law enforcement officials recovered more than 18,500 live animals with an estimated value of $35 million—and that was just in Southeast Asia.

Thailand remains a key hub for traffickers, who use it as a gateway to China and other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam. Freeland reported that between 2007 and 2008, undercover agents found brothels in Vietnam offering tiger and bear products to clients as sexual enhancers.

Rare animal parts are also coveted for traditional medicine. An 86-year-old Hmong-American woman who considers herself a shaman was convicted for smuggling more than 1,300 pieces of wildlife, including Asian elephant and clouded leopard parts, through Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport in May 2009.

Of course, airports are often the scenes of the crime bust since security tends to be stricter than at car or ferry crossings. But some people still make it through. In one 2007 incident, a mother and daughter couldn’t resist bringing a pet from Thailand home to Washington State. So, according to news reports, they sedated a baby rhesus macaque and hid it under the daughter’s clothes—as if she were pregnant. They cleared security and were arrested only after bringing their “baby” to a Spokane-area mall and boasting about it.

Of course, seized animals are the more fortunate ones. They are typically transferred to zoos or rescue centers such as Monkey World, an English center that coordinates with governments worldwide and currently shelters more than 240 rescued and endangered primates.

Read on for more strange animal-smuggling incidents. And if you’d like to learn more about this crime and how to help combat it, check out organizations such as Monkey World, Freeland, and the World Wildlife Fund.

Norway: Pythons, Geckos

A 22-year-old Norwegian man was arrested in a routine check by customs officials after arriving in Norway by ferry from Denmark in October 2009. He was, shall we say, inappropriately dressed. Pythons had been stuffed into stockings strapped to his chest, and 10 cans were taped to his legs, each with a lizard inside. The officials first got suspicious and called for a full body search after finding a tarantula in his bag.

England: Parrot Eggs

Dried seahorses, alligator lizards, plucked dead pigeons…UK Border Agency officials have seen it all. In one particularly memorable incident in September 2010, they stopped a passenger at London Heathrow Airport who was trying to smuggle 40 parrot eggs—including those of the endangered blue-headed macaw—in a customized vest worn under his shirt. The eggs were seized, put into incubators to hatch, and transferred to zoos.

Brazil: Spiders

A British man was arrested at the Rio de Janeiro airport in November 2009 for trying to sneak various species of venomous and bird-eating spiders out of the country. The spiders were found in his two suitcases when the man was randomly selected for a security check. The man was said to have run a pet shop in the U.K.

Sweden: Snakes

Customs officials at Stockholm airport became suspicious back in 2005 when a woman kept scratching her chest vigorously. When they performed a security check, the reason became immediately clear: she had somehow squished 75 squirmy baby snakes in her bra.

Ireland: Chihuahua

A Bulgarian man traveling to Dublin from Madrid was busted for hiding a tiny chihuahua in his hand luggage. The airport X-ray scanner picked up the outline of the dog, which was in a cage within the luggage. At first, customs officials thought it was a stuffed toy but soon discovered the live dog when they opened up the bag for further inspection. The dog, which had no health certificate or clearance permit, was quarantined by the Department of Agriculture.

Thailand: Leopards, Panthers, Monkeys, Bear

A man from the United Arab Emirates was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, for trying to transport a zoo of sorts to Dubai: two baby leopards, two baby panthers, two baby macaque monkeys, and one baby Asiatic black bear. According to Thai customs officials who had been monitoring the man, the animals had been drugged and were lying in flat cages to limit their movements. Each wildcat could be sold for $5,000 in the Thai black market—and authorities estimated their value was significantly higher in Dubai.

America: Monkey

In November 2007, a mother and daughter on vacation in Thailand bought a baby rhesus macaque to bring home to Washington State as a pet. According to news reports, they sedated the monkey and placed it under the 28-year-old daughter’s clothes—as if she were pregnant—and cleared security. They were arrested only after bringing their “baby” to a mall and boasting about it. The monkey was transferred to a primate rescue facility in Oregon.

Mexico: Monkeys

In July 2010, a Mexican man coming from Lima, Peru, was arrested for trying to get through Mexico City International Airport with 18 endangered six-inch titi monkeys strapped to his body. The smuggler aroused suspicions, say news reports, because he was acting nervous and had a mysterious bulge around his waist where the monkeys were hidden in a girdle. Worse still, when the monkeys were uncovered on his body, two were already dead. The smuggler had bought them in Peru for $30 each and planned to sell them as pets for up to $1,550 each in Mexico.

Yemen: Baboon

About 90 minutes into a flight from Sanaa, Yemen, to Damascus, Syria, a drugged baboon awoke and broke loose—terrifying and waking up any slumbering passengers. Crew members scrambled to catch the hamadryas baboon, just one of many that a smuggler had brought onboard in boxes. Instead of selling the baboons for $3,000 apiece as planned, the smuggler was arrested and the baboons repatriated to Yemen.

10 of the Best – and Worst 9/11 Tattoos

2011-10-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

It’s been a decade since the twin towers fell. Life has changed as nobody would’ve imagined. As the nation begins to pay tribute to the fallen, we take a look at ways in what New Yorkers have done to keep their loved ones’ memories alive.

We start with the more permanent memorials — in loving memory tattoos of those who were affected the most. These are fine folks who simply wanted to express their pain in a more unique way — getting tattoos with loaded meanings to them and something to remind them for a lifetime.

A soldier with a 9/ 11 tattoo stands with other soldiers with U.S. Army Able Company, 3-509 Infantry Battalion inside protective shelter during an afternoon rocket and mortal attack on Combat Outpost (COP) Zerak on Jan. 22, in Zerak, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Spencer Platt.

Most offensive tattoo ever!

Another super hero tattoo.

World's Smallest People

2011-10-07T01:46:00.000-07:00

This list of shortest people includes people who have been described or claimed as "shortest" in their lifetime or profession. Listed here are those in Top 10

Ajay Kumar (World's Smallest Actor)

Indian comedy star Ajay Kumar has been officially recognized as the world's smallest actor. Kumar, who is just 2 feet 6 inches tall has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records after starring in 50 films over 13 years.

Better known by his stage name Unda Pakru, the tiny star has become a household name in his native Kerala. Having earned fame and a small fortune through his acting, Ajay was even considered an eligible bachelor by families keen to find a good husband for their daughters. His marriage in 2005 to wife Gayatri who at 5ft 1in is more than twice her husband's height was broadcast on local television across India's southwestern states.

Chen Guilan & Li Tangyong (World's Shortest Couple) - 2ft 4in and 3ft 7in

Two Chinese newly-weds are hoping to get into the record books as the world's shortest couple Chen Guilan, 2ft 4ins, of Shunde city, China, married Li Tangyong, 3ft 7ins in October 2007.

Edward Nino Hernandez (Previous World's Smallest Man) - 2ft 31⁄2 in

Edward Niño Hernández was officially named as the world's shortest living man on September 4, 2010, by the Guinness World Records. At 24 years of age Hernandez was 0.7 m (2ft3 1⁄2 in) tall and weighed 10 kg (22 lb). Hernandez lives in Bogotá, Colombia, and hasn't grown a millimeter since his 2nd birthday. Why his growth has halted, however, remains a mystery.

Hernandez's reign ended on October 14, 2010 when Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal turned 18. (Photo by Piers Calvert).

Khagendra Thapa Magar (Previous World's Smallest Man) - 2ft 2in

Khagendra Thapa Magar (born October 14, 1992), son of Rup Bahadur and Dhana Maya Thapa Magar, was the shortest man in the world, measuring 0.67 m (2ft 2in).Formerly the shortest teenager in the world, Magar took the title of shortest man from Edward Nino Hernandez when he turned 18 on October 14, 2010. Magar is a primordial dwarf. He lost the title of "World's Shortest Man" on June 12, 2011, to Junrey Balawing of the Philippines.

Jyoti Amge (World's Smallest Girl) - 1ft 11i

15 year old Indian teenager Jyoti Amge is the smallest girl in the world at a weight of 11lbs (around 5kg) and height of 1 ft 11 inch (around 58 cm). She has a form of dwarfism called achodroplasia and will never grow any taller. Instead of being unhappy Jyoti is proud to be small and loves all the attention she is getting. People flock to see her and some even treated her like a goddess. Jyoti hopes that she could one day break into Bollywood as an actress.

Junrey Balawing (Current World's Smallest Man) – 23,5in

A Filipino man who stands less than two feet tall got an 18th birthday gift from Guinness World Records - the official title of world's shortest man. Junrey Balawing, a blacksmith's son from the village of Sindangan in the southern Phillipines, stands just 23.5 inches tall and mysteriously stopped growing when he was two months old, his parents said. Balawing got the title of world's shortest adult man from Guinness officials at a ceremony in his coastal town, where he was fed with roast pigs, cake, balloons and gifts.

Stacey Herald (World's Smallest Mother) - 2ft 4in

The world's smallest mother is about to give birth for the third time - despite warnings she is risking her life.

Stacey Herald, who is just 2ft 4in tall, was told that becoming pregnant could kill her, but bravely defied doctors to have two babies half her height. The 35-year-old from Dry Ridge, Kentucky, in the U.S. suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which causes brittle bones and underdeveloped lungs, and means she failed to grow. Mrs Herald, who uses a wheelchair, and her husband Will, who is 5ft 9in, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their third baby, due in the next four weeks.

Currently as wide as she is tall, she cannot hold her daughter because her belly gets in the way, and has to rely on her husband to do most things around the house. She admits being pregnant is ‘uncomfortable' and leaves her bedridden for weeks on end. By the time the new addition, a boy, is one, he will already tower over his mother. But despite all the obstacles, the mother and father, a trainee priest, say they want even more children. The couple met in 2000 while working for a supermarket in their home town.

Aditya "Romeo" Dev (World's Smallest Bodybuilder) - 2ft 9in

Meet Aditya "Romeo" Dev, who at just 2 ft 9 in. (0.84 m) is the world's smallest bodybuilder. Pint-sized Romeo is well-known in his hometown of Phagwara, India – for his ability to lift 1.5 kg dumbbells – despite his overall 9 kg body weight. Every day, crowds flock to the local gym to see the mini-muscleman in training. While most dwarfs have large heads compared to their bodies, Romeo is perfectly proportioned, and despite his diminutive stature has triceps, biceps, calves and thighs that would make many full-grown man blush. He was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 following three months of intense exercise.

Shannon Bobbitt (World's Shortest Professional Basketball Player) – 5ft 2in

Compared to the other members of this list, Shannon may look like a giant, but in the basketball world where every inch counts, she is known for being the shortest professional player ever. One of eight children and a native of the Bronx, New York, Bobbitt honed her basketball skills on the neighborhood project courts of Harlem. Following a stellar college career in which 5'2" Bobbitt won two Division I national titles at University of Tennessee. She decided to enter the WNBA and began her professional basketball career playing point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Gul Mohammed (Shortest Man Ever Documented) – 1ft 10in

Gul Mohammed (February 15, 1957 – October 1, 1997) of New Delhi, India, according to The Guinness Book of World Records, was the shortest adult human being whose existence and height have been independently verified. On July 19, 1990, he was examined by Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India and he stood 1 foot 10.4 inches (57 cm) tall and weighed 37.5 lbs (17.0 kg). He died on October 1, 1997, from respiratory complications and after a long struggle with asthma and bronchitis, acquired due to heavy smoking.

Best Islands of the Caribbean

2011-10-06T00:36:00.000-07:00

The Caribbean is unlike any other place in the world. It is home to some of the most beautiful islands and waters you will find anywhere. You will see white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters filled with some amazing marine life. The cultures that you will encounter are among the most carefree and relaxing in the world.

1. Anguilla

A sister of the Leeward island chain, Anguilla is truly one of the most romantic places on earth. Tucked away in the middle of the tranquil Caribbean Sea, a magical island lives and breathes a dynamic culture amidst a Garden of Eden of white sandy beaches and scintillating azure waters. As one sways with the ebb and flow of the gentle currents, you become a witness to nature’s perfect functions when left untouched.

2. Antigua

Antigua means ancient or antique in Spanish, and it is the perfect name for that tropical and charming island in the Caribbean. Located in the West Indies, Antigua was colonized by the Spanish in the fifteenth century, and makes the absolute perfect destination of Caribbeans. Antigua is also famous as a best wedding destination in the world. Antigua is historic but not run down, and it has a special charm and beauty that makes it the most desired tourist destination in the Caribbean.

3. British Virgin Islands

The pristine BVI has long attracted yachties and royalty to its turquoise waters, thanks to posh resorts like Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, and Peter Island. The British Virgin Islands are part of the British Territories in the Caribbean. They are located northeast of the US Virgin Islands, on the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea. Their exotic beaches are considered among the best Caribbean Beaches and the Islands are famous for Caribbean fishing, Sailing, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.

4. Curacao

Curacao has historically trailed its sister Caribbean islands of Aruba and Bonaire when it comes to attracting vacationers, largely because oil refining and financial services, rather than tourism, dominate its prosperous economy. Sea Aquarium is a must for any one in Curacao for holiday. You can swim with the dolphins, kiss the sea lions (or get kissed by them actually) and see the beautiful flamingos.

5. Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic is an island with many features and incredible history. Dominican Republic main attractions gets the attention of many tourists with its great historical landmarks and nice people. The country has too many places to see and explore. One of the places located in the capital is the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The Aquarium with lots of beautiful marine life to see is another great attraction. The beaches are something you cannot forget. There is more than a 1000 miles of beaches all around. Punta Cana and Cabarete are worldwide known to have incredibly beautiful beaches. You can also go to a tour that will take you to Saona island and Catalina island for some of the best scuba diving you have ever seen.

6. Grenada

Grenada is a spectacular beautiful island that has golden beaches; crystal water falls, flourishing green mountains and aromatic spice trees, which give this island its nickname as the Isle of Spice. There are 46 sun soaked beaches around the Spice Island of Grenada. One important reason to visit Grenada is its wild and lively carnival held every year in the third quarter. It seems that anyone who visits will not be lacking in things to do and sights to see because of the many beautiful spots and year-round festivities Grenada is known for.

7. Jamaica

Jamaica vacations don’t just mean luxurious resorts with all amenities at your fingertips. Besides its pristine beaches lapped by warm turquoise water, Jamaica boasts a host of natural scenic wonders which are well worth a visit. Well, the most exciting is Dunn’s River Falls, where visitors can climb up the falls as part of a human chain, and enjoy the soothing effect of the massage parlor’s rushing waters as they cascade to the ocean. There are also nature trails through the lush tropical foliage of bamboos, ferns, ginger lilies, orchids, crotons, palms and breadfruit trees. Shoppers will delight in the straw crafts, wood carvings, and other artworks available at the craft park and there is a cafeteria specializing in Jamaican delights such as jerked chicken and curried goat.

8. St. Lucia

St Lucia is one of the smaller more leisurely Islands in the Caribbean, boasting beautiful beaches with a welcoming light breeze, like the popular Anse de Sable beach. As most Caribbean Islands, it has the typical white sands where the calm ocean waves are ideal for water sports, like sailing and para-gliding. The island is a popular stop for both cruise visitors and vacationers coming for a long-term stay at nearly 100 hotels, resorts and inns.

9. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Before St. Vincent served as the setting for “Pirates of the Caribbean”, this remote island and the whole Grenadine chain was primarily known only to sailors and seclusion-seeking rock stars. Indeed, Mick Jagger and David Bowie discreetly frequent the exclusive Grenadine isle of Mustique. These days, however, the even prettier, quiet island of Bequia is on the rise, thanks to buzz about newcomer Firefly Plantation Bequia and the halfway complete Bequia Beach Hotel. Canouan Island already boasts a sprawling, superluxe Raffles resort that evokes the South Pacific. And lush St. Vincent is touching up its popular sights like the panoramic Belmont Lookout and the canopied Vermont Nature Trail.

10. Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques, Puerto Rico is one of the most unspoiled islands of the Caribbean. It is an unforgettable and very affordable destination for any traveler. Since embracing tourism in 2003 after decades as a U.S. naval base, the tiny island of Vieques has been the most accessible “uncharted territory” in the Caribbean. With Vieques harboring more than 40 miles of unspoiled sand and the Caribbean’s largest wildlife refuge, its small hotels and casual restaurants have attracted easygoing, eco-minded tourists.

Hollywood's Top 10 Tech Savvy Stars

2011-09-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

Most of us love gadgets and technology is our friend. From Teeny to Gramps, people can't deny the effect that this modernized civilization offers - not even star or celebrity. Tomio Geron (Forbes Social Markets) shared to us a list of Hollywood tech savvy stars.

Tomio quoted "Celebrities from Hollywood, music or the sports world seem to have a fascination with Silicon Valley and tech start-ups. Whether it’s the inner gadget geek, the urge to start a company, an interest in a quick-flip investment, a hope to be an hip early adopter, or just an interest in schmoozing with the next Ev Williams, celebrities seem to have a strong attraction to tech. Some like to show up at industry conferences, others invest in companies, while others just like to sign up for new web sites to boost their geek cred."

1 - Ashton Kutcher

He is better known for his acting career. But he has invested in tech companies including Skype, Airbnb, Likealittle and Milk. He recently started a tech investing fund called A Grade with Ron Burkle and Gary Oseary. Kutcher recently attended a Demo Day for incubator Y Combinator in Mountain View, Calif., drawing a crowd of wide-eyed entrepreneurs eager to talk to him.

2 - MC Hammer

MC Hammer, a.k.a. rapper Stanley Kirk Burrell has been a frequent guest at tech events in Silicon Valley with the likes of Ron Conway. Hammer also was an advisor to start-up DanceJam.com. Hammer here is seated with Conway in the audience during a town hall meeting with President Barack Obama, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif.

3 - Chamillionaire

He has become a regular at Silicon Valley tech conferences, where he says he wants to learn more about how new technology can affect the music industry. Most recently he attended the July 29 TechCrunch Crunchup at AOL in Palo Alto, Calif. He also has been a judge at a TechCrunch start-up conference.

4 - Tim Ferris

Bestselling author Tim Ferris (The 4-Hour Workweek) has also been an active angel investor in tech start-ups. His investments include Twitter, Reputation.com, DailyBurn and SimpleGeo. He's also an advisor for companies including Evernote, StumbleUpon and Uber.

5 - Kim Kardashian

She is a co-founder of online subscription shoe company ShoeDazzle.com, which has reportedly raised $60 million in total venture financing. The founder of the company is Brian Lee, a serial entrepreneur whose first company, LegalZoom is expected to go public soon.

6 - Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is an investor in companies including Stipple, a photo advertising start-up, and Miso Media, a music education start-up.

7 - Curt Schilling

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is a founder of gaming start-up 38 Studios.

8 - Will.i.am

Will. i.am of the Black Eyed Peas in January was named director of creative innovation at chip giant Intel. (What that means exactly is unclear.) His geek cred was solidified in December 2010 when he wrote and performed a song about cloud computing for Salesforce.com at CEO Marc Benioff's keynote.

9 - Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga invested in Backplane, a social networking start-up, along with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's Tomorrow Ventures.

10 - Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal joined Twitter in November 2008 and helped draw mainstream users to the service. He also used web video service 12seconds.tv, drawing massive traffic to that website. He still records spots regularly on video iPhone app Tout.

Top 10 Lavish Modern Royal Weddings

2011-09-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

Royal weddings are the epitome of opulence and exorbitance. While most modern “Royals” are practically just tourist attractions and paparazzi fodder, they still know how to throw a party for the green-eyed commoner. Here we list 10 of the most lavish modern royal wedding extravaganzas.

1. Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Dubai & Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum (1979)

The king of Dubai’s wedding was more of a national festival than a nuptial. A 20,000 seater stadium was purpose built for the ceremony which featured displays of horse and camel riding and an aerobatics display by the Dubai Air Force. The total cost, when adjusted for inflation, is estimated to be around $100 million. You have to trust the Emiratis to overdo it.

2. Prince Charles of United Kingdom and Diana Spencer (1981)

Perhaps the wedding of the generation, this captivating ceremony was broadcasted live to an audience of 750 million people. Diana’s infamous wedding gown featured a 25 foot train, 8 meter long veil and a $15000 bill. The entire show cost around $50 million.

3. Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (2004)

A wedding that will sadly be remembered for things other than the wedding itself. Crown Prince Felipe’s choice was an award winning news reporter and divorcee who he met when she was covering the sinking of the Prestige oil tanker in 2002. The wedding was held at the Cathedral Nuestra Senora de la Almudena in Madrid, which witnessed a massive one million flower plantation campaign and other excessive decorative sieges. The event was secured by 18,000 policemen and soldiers, since 191 people had been killed by subway bombings in the city only two months ago. This huge security effort pumped the cost of the wedding up to a staggering $29 million. Other highlights included an uninvited retired Colonel managing to sneak in with a gun and a royal Italian fistfight between Prince Vittorio Emanuele and Duke Amedeo.

4. Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly (1956)

The Monacoan prince, who once dumped a girlfriend because she was infertile, was perhaps the most eligible bachelor of his time. He met the Hollywood icon in Cannes and the ball was soon rolling. The real cost of the wedding has been never ascertained but is estimated to be in tens of millions of dollars. Prince Rainer’s father demanded a $2 million dowry and the bride’s father Jack Kelly paid half of that. The prince gifted his bride a 147-foot yacht called “Deo Juvante II” and the couple spent their honeymoon on the same boat, with Kelly being frequently seasick.

5. King Mohammed VI and Lalla Salma Bennani (2002)

This wedding was significant not only for the massive bill but also for being a rather ‘modern’ affair. The King met the 24 year old computer engineer at a party and the couple were soon engaged. In breaking with tradition, the engagement was announced on television and the bride was actually shown with the King, a far cry from the secretive wives and harems Mohammad’s father had kept. Their wedding encompassed a tradition royal function, in which the bride was kept completely covered, and a massive public celebration in Rabat, attended by dignitaries such as Bill and Chelsea Clinton. The entire festival is thought to have cost tens of millions of dollars.

6. Prince Pavlos of Greece and Denmark and Marie-Chantal Miller (1995)

The Greek crown prince-in-exile and prince of Denmark, Prince Pavlos’s wedding to the American heiress saw the biggest gathering of royalty since Queen Elizabeth’s wedding to Prince Philip in 1947. The event was organized by Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth’s cousin who chose the iconic St. Sophia’s Cathedral in London as the venue. The equally ornate reception by Miller, who reportedly carried a $130 million dowry, cost $8 million. Not everyone was happy though and the wedding was billed as “provocative” by the Greek socialist government.

7. Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei and Sarah Saleh (2004)

The Brunei royalty is well known for flaunting its wealth and royal weddings are certainly no exception. The 30 year old crown Prince Billah’s traditional Malay wedding to the 17 year old commoner Saleh was held at the 1788 room royal palace and was laced with the usual gems and gold. The highlights included a 15 minute fireworks display viewed by over 20,000 spectators, a 5 mile 100 limousine royal parade and a $5 million price tag. However, even all this might have been upstaged by Princess Hajah Bulqiah’s wedding 3 years later.

8. Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling (2010)

When Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden announced her intention to marry her personal trainer Daniel Westling, her father King Carl XVI Gustaf was reportedly “shocked”. The sheer opulence of the wedding has been compared with that of Charles and Diana’s nuptials and cost more than $3 million. The ceremony took place in Stockholm Cathedral in front of 15 kings and queens (and Tiger Wood’s mother-in-law) while 250,000 people lined the streets. The event did raise a furor in equality-minded Sweden with 57,000 people joining a Facebook group to protest against the public expense and the King’s public approval ratings plummeting. Rumor has it that the King had advised the Princess to “have a go” at Prince Andrew.

9. Prince Phillipe of Belgium and Countess Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz (1999)

Prince Phillipe’s wedding to the aristrocratic speech therapist was unusual for taking place in the cold winter months. This however did nothing to cool down the expenditures and the ceremony went ahead with the usual royal flair. The guests included Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles. The princess’s wedding gown, designed by Edouard Vermeulen, has been hailed as one of the most stylish royal wedding dresses of the last century. Decorations for the cathedral, where the ceremony was held, alone cost $250,000. Interestingly, Princess Mathilde is the first Belgian-born royal consort in the Monarchy’s history.

10. Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway and Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby (2001)

These days, any wedding taking place in Oslo is going to be an expensive affair, let alone a highly talked about royal wedding. Prince Haakon’s wedding plans kicked up quite a storm in Norway due to the fact the Mette-Marit was a single mother who had been quite a raver in her time and the father of her child had a history of drug related offences. The lavish ceremony went ahead without any glitches though and had distinguished royalty from all over Europe in attendance

11 Things You Won't Believe Governments Have Banned

2011-09-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

Australia: Porn Featuring Small Breasts

Are you an adult woman in Australia with a cup breasts? According to Australia, you don't exist. Do you happen to be a man who likes to watch adult films starring small-breasted women? According to the Australian government, you secretly love child porn. If none of this makes sense to you, then you must not work for the Australian Classification Board who has banned multiple adult films from distribution because, in their opinion, the actress' smaller breasts made them appear to be under 18.

While the law doesn't outright ban porn featuring small breasts, the ABC has the right to ban all adult films that depict a woman as being under 18. While this idea sounds fine in theory, the group has actively rejected some films based solely on the breast size of the actresses involved.

China: Game Consoles

Most game consoles are made in China and Chinese prisoners are often forced to play World of Warcraft so the government can collect their loot and sell it to other players, which is why it seems so utterly bizarre that China doesn't allow the sale of gaming consoles. The ban took place back in 2000, when the government expressed its concern that the country's youth would waste their time playing games instead of working. Even so, gamers are still permitted to buy non-console games, making the ban notably ineffective –which is probably why it is not extensively enforced.

Greece: Video Games

China's not the only country to ban video games. Greece did too, although for a much different reason. In 2002, the government tried to crack down on electric gambling machines, but their legislators wrote the law so broadly that it managed to cover all forms of electronic gaming machines –meaning all video games. Amazingly, someone was even caught and arrested for violating the poorly written law by playing an MMO in an internet café. They were actually forced to serve time in prison for playing games.
Fortunately, after receiving pressure from the EU and video gamers everywhere, the law was found to be unconstitutional by the end of the year.

China: Avatar in 2D

While the army in Avatar is undoubtedly American, the idea of people siding with an indigenous population against an imperialistic force is something that China was not comfortable with. That's why shortly after the release of the movie in China, the authorities decided the movie could only be shown in 3D. Since there are very few 3D theaters in China, the move was effectively a ban on the film

Russia: Emo Clothing

Plenty of people don't like emo fashion, but while it's not that weird for a parent to tell their kids they can't wear that crap outside the house, it's entirely different when the whole government takes such a drastic stand. When the Russian government was trying to stop high suicide rates amongst teens though, they decided emo fashion were to blame.
The government went so far as to dub the style “a threat to national stability” before banning people from wearing emo clothing to public schools or government buildings. Don't worry sullen teens of Russia, you can still listen to all the forlorn emo music you want, you just can't dress like you listen to it.

China: Reincarnation Without Prior Consent

On the face of it, the idea of banning someone from reincarnating without obtaining the state's permission is preposterous and something they absolutely can't control. In reality though, the measure is their way to trying to take control of the Tibetan Buddhists (including the Dali Lama himself) by trying to rule over one of their most sacred beliefs.

Iran: “Western” Hair Cuts

Like many Middle Eastern governments, Iran hates the impending spread of decadent Western culture. In order to better protect their people from the depraved culture of Europe and North America, the government of Iran has banned all hair cuts that are not included in their list of government-approved styles. Banned styles include mullets, ponytails and spikes. Barber shops that fail to follow the law can be shut down and penalized in the years since the law took effect.

Saudi Arabia: Valentine's Day

Similarly, Saudi Arabia finds Valentine's Day to be in violation of Muslim beliefs. In order to ensure residents don't secretly send gifts to their Valentine's, the government orders all florists and gift shops to remove anything red or otherwise considered to be a symbol of romance prior to the holiday. Apparently the ban on the holiday isn't entirely successful and the country now has a thriving Valentine's Day black market where lovers can buy red roses and other tokens of romance at around six times their ordinary prices.

Denmark: Ovaltine and Marmite

In America, it's practically impossible to purchase milk that isn't fortified with vitamin D, but in Denmark, this would be completely illegal. That's because the country has put a ban on all fortified foods, effectively banning fortified breakfast cereals, Ovaltine and Marmite.

Update: According to the Denmark Embassy in England, it's not illegal to sell or possess Marmite, just to advertise it.

Denmark: Most Baby Names

Fortified snacks aren't the only thing Denmark wants to put an end to. The country also has some of the strictest child naming guidelines in the entire world. In fact, citizens of the country can only select names on a list approved by the government or they must seek permission from the government for an exception to the rule. Right now, the officially approved names list contains only around 7,000 names –about 3,000 for boys and 4,000 for girls.

China: Jasmine

After the “Jasmine Revolutions” in Tunisia, Chinese protestors were inspired to spark their own revolution. As a result, authorities cracked down not only on the rebels, but on the flower itself. The plant is now banned in the country, as are songs about the flower and text messages including the word “jasmine.”

Seven Sensational Scenic Drives for Autumn

2011-09-30T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hit the open road this autumn for the ultimate joyride. These seven beautiful routes will lift your spirits with stunning fall color, terrific mountaintop views, and affordable stops and stays along the way.

You can ramble through Ohio's Amish Country, hop the crush party trail in Napa, or choose another route close to home. Grab the camera and fill up the gas tank. It's the most wonderful time of the year for vacation savings.

White Mountain Trail (New Hampshire)

Drive: A perennial leaf-peeping favorite, this loop route in "The Whites" takes you through mountain passes and past fabulous rock formations, waterfalls, and natural pools. Time it right at dusk or dawn and you'll see moose in the bogs along Route 302 (Moose Alley) near Bretton Woods. In September and October males bellow mightily to attract mates.

Stop: Just off the national scenic byway, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) leads easy hikes to incredible views of Crawford Notch. The hikes are free, and so are moose tours if you stay at AMC's Highland Lodge. For more great photo ops, climb aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway or Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.

Stay: At Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Lodge, nightly rates in a bunkroom/shared bath are $92 per adult ($77 for AMC members), including breakfast, dinner, guided hikes, naturalist activities, and L.L. Bean gear loans. Purity Spring Resort, located on a spring-fed lake in East Madison, is an affordable family option that includes breakfast, dinner, and activities for $129 per night, per couple, or $195 per family of four.

West Elk Loop (Colorado)

Drive: On this loop drive you'll circle western Colorado's West Elk Mountains, follow rivers, skirt canyons, and weave through the incredible aspen groves of Gunnison National Forest. Don't miss the north rim of Gunnison National Park's Black Canyon, where you can see the highest sheer cliff in Colorado drop 2,000 feet into the river below.

Stop: Explore the mountain wilderness on a trail ride near Crested Butte with Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures. In Gunnison, Scenic River Tours leads guided fly-fishing trips and whitewater rafting excursions. For $60, you can join one of Colorado Backcountry's half-day mountain bike rides through aspen forests.

Stay: The historic seven-bedroom B&B, Fresh & Wyld Farmhouse Inn, in Paonia has its own gardens and chickens to feed guests. In October rooms rent for $95 (shared bath) or $135 (private bath) per night and include a local, organic breakfast. Even more affordable is Gunnison's Western Motel, a roadside stop popular among bikers.

Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina And Virginia)

Drive: The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile mystical mountain route dubbed "America's Favorite Drive," stretches from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Head to the southwestern segment near Asheville, North Carolina, where leaf season runs long. Room rates are less expensive in late September and early November, but the colors are still beautiful.

Stop: In early fall thousands of migrating monarch butterflies bound for Mexico pass through the mountains 35 minutes south of Asheville. Best view: the parkway's Wagon Road Gap overlook. Nearby, crunch into a fresh-picked apple at Orchard at Altapass or hit the corn maze at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The Biltmore House Architect's Tour takes you to a 360-degree rooftop view of autumn colors.

Stay: Inn on Main Street B&B, just north of Asheville, has a $195 per night Adventure Road Waterfall Tour Package that includes a picnic lunch, a guide to area waterfalls, and a personalized driving itinerary. For families, try Asheville's Brookstone Lodge for $89 to $159 per night, or go for one of the lodge's affordable zip-line or whitewater rafting packages.

Amish Country Byway (Ohio)

Drive: In the rolling hills between Columbus and Cleveland lies the Amish Country Byway, a network of country roads lined with thick forests and scenic farms with bright red barns. The clip-clop rhythm of horses and buggies on rolling hills takes you back to a time when life was less complicated and less expensive, and stores closed on Sundays.

Stop: Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, tour Amish barns and houses, and feed the animals at the Farm at Walnut Creek. Many of Amish Country's cheesemakers, including Heini's Cheese Chalet, welcome visitors to watch the process and sample more than 50 fresh-made varieties. Find out the why behind the simple ways at Behalt Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center.

Stay: Keep it simple with a stay at an Ohio State Park Lodge. In a river valley at the west end of the Amish Country Byway, the Mohican State Park Lodge has newly renovated guest rooms with private balconies. Packages here and at the state's seven other lodges can be as low as $109 per night in October.

Napa Valley/Silverado Trail (California)

Drive: About an hour north of San Francisco, the vineyard-draped hills of Napa Valley are awash in crimsons and golds in the fall. Harvest season's crush parties are in full swing. From the town of Napa, follow the main Highway 29 route north 30 miles past big-name wineries and quaint towns to Calistoga. Then return on the quieter, breathtaking Silverado Trail.

Stop: Buy a $25 wine-tasting card in Napa to access 12 downtown tasting rooms for only 10 cents per taste. Pick up lunch at Napa's Oxbow Market for a roadside picnic en route to a winery. You can browse boutiques and hit the Culinary Institute's flavor bars ($10 to $15) in St. Helena. See a geyser and Petrified Forest near Calistoga.

Stay: Even during the valley's high season, there are still some inns and B&Bs with select rooms available for less than $200 a night. Try the Hennessey House, Napa Inn, or Arbor Guest House in Napa. The California Association of B&B Inns posts specials and last-minute deals on its website.

North Shore Scenic Drive (Minnesota)

Drive: Along Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, Lake Superior competes for your attention on one side while Superior National Forest's pine, aspen, and birch trees keep drawing you back to the other. It's a lovely dilemma. The route slices through eight state parks that preserve beaches, lighthouses, raging rivers, and waterfalls.

Stop: Ride a treetop roller coaster or zip-line for less than $10 at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. Lake kayaking excursions, beach campfires, and naturalist-led hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail are free when you stay at Lutsen Resort. Nearby in Two Harbors, you can tour the 1896 Edna G. Tugboat or the still-operational Two Harbors Light Station for next to nothing.

Stay: In Lutsen rooms go for as low as $150 per night this season at the storied Lutsen Resort. If you book three nights, you pay for only two with the resort's Fall Weekend Special. A standard room at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors runs from $79 to $139 per night in early October.

Cascade Loop (Washington)

Drive: The 440-mile Cascade Loop highway starts 28 miles north of Seattle, tunnels through mountains, twists through desert land, and passes glacier-fed Lake Chelan before returning to the Puget Sound. The elevation change alone is a thrill. And there's something exciting about cruising high-elevation passes that will be closed in winter.

Stop: Raise a stein (Prost!) to Munich in the little Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth. Huge Oktoberfest celebrations spill onto the streets during the first three weekends in October. In the cowboy town of Winthrop, browse Riverside Avenue's boutiques with Western facade storefronts. Stop for apple cider tastings and tours during harvest season in Washington Apple Country.

Stay: True to form, Leavenworth's Bavarian Lodge has the Old World charm you'd expect, and nightly rates start at $129 for midweek stays with breakfast. Bring your sleeping bag and book a heated KOA log cabin in Leavenworth or Winthrop for less than $60 per night in October.

World's Youngest List Collection

2011-09-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

term childhood is non-specific and can imply a varying range of years in human development. Developmentally, it refers to the period between infancy and adulthood. In common terms, childhood is considered to start from birth. Some consider that childhood, as a concept of play and innocence, ends at adolescence. What will you say if at childhood stage, some children do experience the following bizarre list...

1 - Rifca Stanescu, Romania, World's Youngest Granny (25yr)

A 25-year-old Romanian housewife could be getting a grand old honor: She's believed to be the world's youngest grandmother. The British tabloid The Sun reports that Rifca Stanescu had her first child, a daughter named Maria, at the age of 12. Although she urged the girl not to follow her example, Maria got in the family way when she was only 11 and gave birth to a son, Ion. Stanescu was only 23 when she became a grandmother. Ion's now 2, and Stanescu has mixed feelings about being a grandmother at such a young age. “I am happy to be a grandmother but wished more for Maria,' she said.

2 - Shruti Pandey, India, World's Youngest Yoga Teacher (6yr)

At just six, Shruti Pandey is the youngest yoga trainer in the world. The bendy youngster has been teaching adults at an ashram, in northern India, for the last two years. Her trainer, Hari Chetan, 67, set up the ashram 35 years ago and as soon as little Shruti became one of his students, as a tiny four-year old, he spotted her talents. Now she starts her classes at 5.30 am every morning, at Brahmanand Saraswati Dham, in the Jhunsi town, dressed in white leggings and a red t-shirt surrounded by 30 eager pupils ranging from businessmen, teachers, housewives to pensioners. Shruti said: "It feels good when people follow my instructions, I feel like a real teacher."

3 - Kim Petras, Germany, World's Youngest Transsexual to have Surgery (16yr)

German teenager Kim Petras has become the world's youngest operated transsexual after undergoing a surgery at the age of just 16. The procedure – carried out in secret and paid for by the German health service – was authorised after psychologists confirmed that she was "without doubt a girl in a boy's body". It is the world's youngest ever full sex change operation and Kim had been undergoing hormone therapy since the age of 12.

Kim overcame years of taunts and bullying to achieve her dream of becoming a girl and has begun a modelling career and launched a CD.
Kim, who is now studying fashion design, began calling herself a girl when she was just two years old.

4 - Jaimi Tyrrell, UK, World's Youngest Wall Of Death Motorbike Rider (17yr)

A 17-year-old girl left school to land her first job as the world's youngest female Wall of Death rider - without a motorbike license. Jaimi Tyrrell joined a troupe of stunt riders after completing her GCSEs and now tours the UK and Europe. The daredevil teen hits speeds of up to 45mph on the vertical 20ft high wall as she rides horizontally around the 32ft wide cylinder.

Performing under the name Jaimi Starr, she cannot wear a helmet as this would affect the drag and she must keep a constant speed to beat the gravity that would otherwise pull her down. Jaimi insisted she had no regrets about her career choice and said she was attracted by the 'exciting' lifestyle of a stunt bike rider.The teenager was introduced to the motorbike world by family friend Ken Fox who runs the Ken Fox Troupe stunt riding show.

5 - Sindhuja Rajaraman, World's Youngest CEO (14yr)

Sindhuja Rajaraman, a 14-year old girl has become the world's youngest Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The ninth standard student became the head of Seppan Company, an animation firm, in October 2010, set up by her father.

She was adjudged the fastest 2D and 3D animator by software lobby NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) at the Gaming and Animation Conclave 2010 held in Hyderabad. Rajaraman said: "I am just proud to be an animator. The CEO is just a post given in this company. I am learning animation for this CEO post to make myself worthy for the CEO post. There is no age bar or age limit for animation. Everybody can do animation". "The scope for animation in India is growing every day. There is going to be a big boom in India and all industries are into the animation, they need animation and multimedia. I am enjoying work and I am also getting challenging works" she added.
The company has 160 employees.

6 - Jaylan Amor, Australia, World's Youngest Surfer (2yr)

Jaylan Amor is only two years old, but is already surfing the waves outside of Brisbane, Australia, and has secured multiple endorsements from surf shops. To catch a wave, his dad paddles him out to sea, then the two year old hops and rides the waves back into shore. Mr Amor isn't worried if Jaylan falls, as the tike just swims back to his board and waits for daddy to help him back up.

7 - Ruby Dickinson, World's Youngest Tattoo Artist (4yr)

Ruby Dickinson is only four years old but she is already marking her mark in the world – with tattoos. The ink-credible Welsh toddler may be the world's youngest tattoo artist, according to published reports. At an age when most kids only think about playground swings, Ruby takes tattoo lessons after nursery school. She also practices with a toy kit in her father's tattoo shop.

8 - Akane Niikura, Japan, World's Youngest Sake Expert (10 yr)

A 10-year old-girl has become Japan's youngest expert on Sake, despite being far too young to drink the famous rice wine. Akane Niikura has passed the Sake Service Institute of Japan's test after earning her expertise on the ancient Japanese tradition solely through her sense of smell rather than palate. The fourth-grader can now advise others which type of sake complements certain foods.

9 - Miko Andres, Philippines, World's Youngest Practical Shooter (6 yr)

At the age of six, Miko Andres from the Philippines is thought to be the world's youngest competitive practical shooter. Practical shooting is a sport in which participants shoot rapidly at multiple targets around an obstacle course. His father says:
“As a growing, normal kid, Miko is also into other children's games. He enjoys the company of his schoolmates. He has been taught a lot of discipline and respect. Miko, I and his team coach, constantly talk about the dangers of the sport and we are always reminding him that he is in a ‘big boys' game and that safety is of the utmost importance.”

10 - Marko Calasan, Macedonia, World's Youngest IT Whiz (8yr)

Marko Calasan of Skopje, Macedonia, is the world's youngest certified computer system administrator at the age of eight. He could get a high-paying job, but he hasn't yet completed third grade! Marko learned to read and write at the age of 2 and started working on computers immediately. The news of his extraordinary achievement turned him into a local celebrity and he has even had an audience with the Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, who presented him with an IT lab with 15 computers to practice on.
His parents, who are IT experts and run a computer school for children, are considering sending Marko abroad to a specialized institute of learning for gifted children, as none exists in Macedonia. Marko passed Microsoft's tests for IT professionals. He says he wants to create a new operational system for computers …when he grows up.

10 Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions

2011-09-16T23:32:00.000-07:00

It’s all fun and games… until something you invent ends up killing you. Inventing new products or processes is not easy. It’s challenging and risky and sometimes, just sometimes, lady luck decides to look the other way and in a cruel twist of fate with a tinge of irony, you end up losing your life to the hands of your own creation. Here’s a list of ten brave inventors who, in the process of trying to make the lives of others better, lost their own.

1. Thomas Midgley- Leaded Petrol and Mechanical Bed

Thomas Midgley, an American chemist who developed both leaded petrol and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), was notoriously known as ‘the one human responsible for more deaths than any other in history’. As if it was nature’s idea to get revenge on him he was left disabled in his bed due to lead poisoning and polio at the age of 51. Keeping his inventive juices flowing, he designed a complicated system of strings and pulleys on his bed so that he could lift himself up when needed. This invention was the cause of his death at the age of 55 when he was accidentally entangled in the ropes of his bed and died of strangulation. Talk about double irony.

2. Otto Lilienthal - Hang Glider

‘To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything’ - famous words uttered by Otto Lilienthal who was one of the pioneers of human aviation and invented the first few hang gliders. He made over 2500 successful flights using his own inventions for five straight years starting from 1891 until one fateful day, in the mid of 1896, his glider lost lift and he crashed from a height of 17m (56 feet). The impact broke his spine and a day later, he succumbed to his injuries. His last words are a source of inspiration for all those who face numerous obstacles in life while trying to achieve something big: ‘Small sacrifices must be made!’

3. Franz Reichelt- The Overcoat Parachute

Franz Reichelt an Austrian born tailor of the 1800’s was most famously known for inventing an overcoat which he claimed to act as a parachute and could bring its wearer gently to the ground or even to fly under the right conditions. This inventor, who was also called the ‘The Flying Taylor’, attempted to demonstrate his invention by jumping off the first deck of the Eiffel tower himself instead of using a dummy, in front of a large crowd of spectators and camera crew. The result? The parachute failed to deploy and he crashed into the hard concrete ground at the foot of the tower, the impact immediately killing him.

4. Alexander Bogdanov- Blood Transfusion

A renowned Russian physician, philosopher, economist, science fiction writer, and revolutionary, Alexander Bogdanov developed a sudden interest in the possibility of human rejuvenation through blood transfusions. In hopes of achieving eternal youth and bodily revitalization, he undertook 11 blood transfusions, ultimately reporting an improvement in eyesight and reduction of balding. Great invention, right? Wrong. Bogdanov died in 1928, after he did a transfusion on himself with blood from a student that had tuberculosis and malaria.

5. William Bullock- Rotary Printing press

In the history of bizarre accidents, William Bullock’s story is always cited as an example. Bullo ck was an American inventor whose 1863 invention of the rotary printing press helped revolutionize the printing industry due to its efficiency and ability to print 10,000 units per hour. In April 1867, while he was trying to install a new printer in one of his presses, in a frustrated attempt to make adjustments to the machine, he kicked a driving belt onto a pulley. What followed next tops scenes from even the most gruesome movies like Hostel and Saw. His foot got caught in the merciless contraption, was crushed beyond repair and developed a severe gangrene infection for four days. Bullock died during an operation to amputate his foot. Bizarre Indeed.

6. Cowper Coles Turret Ship

A famous Chinese stateman once said: “Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive one; it is man and not materials that counts” I guess Cowper Coles should have really taken that thought into consideration before inventing the turret ship- an ironclad war vessel, with low sides, on which heavy guns are mounted on a low structure, which may be rotated. The ship was so overly loaded with armored structures that they shifted its centre of gravity and caused it to become unstable resulting in the vessel capsizing on 6th September 1870. Cowper Coles was one of the 500 that died when it sunk. Only 18 of its crew survived.

7. Henry Winstanley Lighthouse

Necessity is the mother of invention. Sure enough, after losing not one but two of his ships on the treacherous Eddystone Reef, Winstanley, a famous English architect and engineer felt it necessary to construct a lighthouse for the protection of his own and other ships. In the early 1700’s he invented the first Eddystone Lighthouse and proudly told the world that he wished he could "be in the light-house during the greatest storm that ever was". Little did he know his prayer would soon be answered on the night of November 26th, 1703, when one of the most destructive hurricanes Great Britain has ever experienced shook the reefs and did incalculable damage. In the morning, when the skies finally cleared, and ships reached Eddystone Rocks, Winstanley's great lighthouse was gone. And he was gone with it.

8. John Godfrey Parry-Thomas

Welsh motor-racing driver and engineer J.G Parry Thomas, with a strong desire to regain his title as land speed record holder, a title snatched away from him by Malcom Campbell, decided to create a special type of vehicle to achieve his dream. His invention was a car he called Babs, which had many modifications, such as exposed chains to connect the engine to the drive wheels and the high engine cover requiring him to drive with his head tilted to only the right side. On trying to reclaim his record from Campbell, in the final race, the right-hand drive chain broke at a speed of 170 mph (270 km/h), flew into his neck, partially decapitating him and causing a head injury. He died instantly.

9. Marie Curie- Radioactive substances

Ever wondered where the word ‘Polonium’ came from? Well, it came from a Polish physicist and chemist and Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie who named her newly discovered chemical after her native country. Ever wondered what happened to this discoverer of Polonium, Radium and Theory of Radioactivity? She died on July 4, 1934, from aplastic anemia, as a result of exposure to radiation after working continuously in a small enclosed shed without any safety measures because radiation’s danger were not well understood at that time.

10. Donald Campbell Speed engine for motorboat

Speed thrills but kills. We all know it yet we all ignore it. It’s human nature to challenge well known facts of life. British car and motorboat racer Donald Campbell was no different. He broke eight world speed records in the 1950s and 60s and to quench his insatiable drive to conquer speed he decided to try for another water speed record in 1966. This time the target was 300 mph. He invented a lighter and more powerful engine for his boat Bluebird K7. Blame it on adrenaline rush or sheer stupidity but instead of refueling and waiting for the wash of his first run to subside, as is usual with speedboat races, Campbell decided to make a return run immediately. The craft's stability began to falter as it travelled over the rough water and it somersaulted at a 45 degree angle plunging back into the lake and disintegrating at a speed of 320mph. Needless to say, the inventor was killed.

Top ten Dream Wedding destinations from around the world

2011-09-16T22:52:00.000-07:00

Wedding is one of the most important days of our lives and all of us want the day to be perfect not only in the photographs but also in our memories. In planning any wedding, the first thing that needs to be finalized is the location. If destination wedding is in your mind, there are numerous breathtakingly beautiful locations to choose from hills, palaces and beaches. Let’s have a look at the ten destinations which would complete anyone’s dream wedding.

Le Château d’Esclimont, France

What could be more romantic and beautiful than to get married in a castle in the most romantic country of the world? Le Château d’Esclimont located near the city of love, Paris is the perfect place for the fairy tale wedding you had always dreamt of. The 150 acres estate was the residence of La Rochefoucauls family and is one of the most beautiful locations to get married in. Your guests get to fish, hike, ride horses and experience the perfect country getaway.

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Mauritius, Indian Ocean

If it’s a beach wedding that you have in mind, Mauritius is the perfect location. This beautiful island nation offers virgin beaches with coral reefs, translucent sea lagoons and romance in the breeze. You could indulge in the numerous activities offer on the beaches or just relax under the sun.

Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg, South Africa

A country style wedding with a mountain view that could make your heart skip a beat is what Cathedral Peak Hotel in Drakensberg offers. Set against a backdrop of the Cathedral Peak mountain range, the hotel offers picturesque view, warm hospitality , beautiful gardens, quaint stone and thatch chapel and memories that would remain for a life time.

Taj Palace, Pichola Lake, Rajasthan, India

Ever dream of a royal wedding amidst the land of Maharajas, palaces and forts? The exuberance of a palace wedding combined with a royal hospitality would not only amuse your guests but add a princely charm to your wedding. Taj palace is an imposing beautiful white marble structure that seems to float in still blue water. The Lake Palace is considered to be one of the most romantic hotels in the world and it offers a wedding location that not many can afford.

Bermuda

The purity that is rarely found in any other part of the world with pink sand beaches set Bermuda apart. Only short flights away from the US but once you arrive in this island, you would experience a culture and a history that still continues to live. Bermuda is a perfect wedding place if you have pink beaches, coral reefs and lush garden to host your wedding.

Maui, Hawai

For many people, a dream wedding is synonymous with Hawaii wedding. To have your skin kissed by the sun, feel the warmth of the Hawaiian warm sand and exchanging wows by the ocean is a dream comes true. There are many beaches to choose from. On the south island, you get to find the quieter beaches while the more picturesque west side gets very crowded.

Central Park, New York

Right in the heart of Manhattan, Central park offers a beautiful wedding in a garden overlooking a lake. If you are not particular about a beach, castle or a palace wedding, Central Park is the first destination that comes to mind. The air in the location is so romantic that it could easily convert your wedding into an unforgettable memory. The park set on 843 acres of land offers various settings for your wedding. You could choose from the front of the Dancing Maidens of the Untermayer Fountain, underneath a pastorally secluded weeping willow near the Pool or above Bow Bridge on beautiful Cherry Hill.

Dalhousie Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

The idea of a wedding in Scotland is romantic enough to set your heart racing. The beauty of the country and a Scottish Castle, could you dream of a more ideal setting? Dalhousie Castle has a chapel where the wedding can take place with accommodation and reception help in the Castle itself. A magnificent medieval Scottish castle as a back drop and accessibility to Edinburgh could easily make a wedding here “Truly, a wedding not to be forgotten”.

Gondola Venice

Looking for a romantic yet unusual location for your wedding? Try the Gondolas in Venice. Gently riding in a magnificent gondola along the fascinating canals of the most romantic city of the world while exchanging the wedding vows, could be the idea of ultimate romantic wedding. With its monuments and charming location, the most beautiful city in the world makes a perfect place for lovers.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali has been the top destination for wedding and honeymooners simply because of its magical charm and exotic beaches. This Hindu Island offers much more than just clear beaches. It cultural heritage, elegant temples make this location truly mystic and a perfect destination for wedding.

Top 10 Diving Places You Dont Want to Miss

2011-09-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nature has always kept within itself a charm and attraction. It could either be the sky, the sun or the moon or the oceans and the rivers which are the perpetual source of figmentation of your imaginations and illusions. People tend to be less resistive about spending time at beaches and bays because they want to take the most out of the sight and splendor which remains craved on the windows of their memories until after a long time.
If you are one of those people who love splattering around the romantic sea shores and islands, you should know the possible places where you can seek the utmost joy.

Your imaginations and expectations are even enriched when you go and visit some of the best creations or you can say the best diving destinations of the world. If you are crazy about swimming, diving and water boarding you should be aware of the ten best places you don’t want to miss carrying that out. If it important for you to know about these ten best places so you can gather as much information and facts about them as possible.

1. The Bahamas, Western Atlantic

Touf with Sharks / Photo from therocketscientist

The Bahamas are an archipelago consisting of 700 islands extending over 100,000 square miles of the Western Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by its formation through the sinking of a plateau resulting in the shallow seas you find in the shore area. The average depth of the sea is of 20 feet except where a deep underwater trench called ‘The Tongue of the Ocean’ cuts through the submerged plateau.

Bahamas – Stuart Cove’s shark feeding / Photo from remainingoceansart

A warm ocean current influences this islands and is responsible for the vivid marine life particularly the extensive coral reefs. You can have endless scopes of adventure in the longest cave and cavern network found on the Grand Bahama Island.

A complete vacation package is very advantageous for you can get diving, accommodation and transportation facilities. There are separate charters for snorkeling, exploring the caves and wrecks and plunging into the Blue Holes. You must not miss the Biminis, Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador and Inagua if you want to make the most of your diving vacation in the Bahamas.

2. Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea

Nakajima Kate / Photo from Murray Cornish

The coastlines of Papua New Guinea are marked by rugged mountainous terrain that is difficult to cross. Papua New Guinea stands at the confluence of three seas namely the Bismarck Sea, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea and hence a rich site for marine flora and fauna.

Pez Escorpion / Photo from Squalo Divers

Triggerfish / Photo from Boogies with Fish

You can get both live-aboard and land-based diving facilities in these islands that you can take up to explore the marine life and World War II wrecks found in the Bismarck Sea. Chartering the neighboring area in local boats leaving from Alotau is also a great way to explore the place. However, if you are bent on a diving spree, you must visit Kimbe Bay, Madang, Rabaul and Kavieng to have an unforgettable diving experience.

3. Galapagos Islands

Whale Shark / Photo from PedroAlberto98

Galapagos Islands archipelago is a real paradise for scuba divers because of its wide array of gorgeous marine life and challenging geographical conditions. You must take the advice of the dive shops to know which areas for diving should suit your level best and get the right diving gears for the varying temperatures. You must know how to tackle the marine creatures, currents, shape and depth of the dive spots to enjoy the experience.

Green Turtle. Chelonia mydas. / Photo from hsacdirk

Wolf island / Photo from hsacdirk

The Pacific water of Galapagos is clear as a glass and as such, there is nothing to impede your vision of the colored fish through 15 to 25 meters depth. In some places, you can find bright rich waters due to the presence of green algae phytoplankton. Most of the islands of the Galapagos group are suitable for drift diving, night diving and deep diving.

If you like, you can take up the offers of dive trips, day trips and shore diving classes.

4. Rangiroa, Polynesia

Rangirora – Green Lagoon / Photo from JulienNarboux

The vast coastline of Rangiroa will tell you that it counts among the largest atolls of the world and definitely the biggest one of the Tahiti Islands. Its intricate network of islets and coral rings are the home to various species of sea animals. Rangiroa consists of two different dive locations located near the lagoon Paio motu, namely Ava Toru and Tiputa pass. Both these spots offer fantastic glimpses of marine wealth of French Polynesia.

Under the sun / Photo from Autopsea

The average temperature of the seawaters remains around 70 F in winter and 80 F in summer, and hence Rangiroa is a year-round diving destination. You can take a dive for 45 minutes at a stretch in the clear underwater region. The maximum depth is around 80 feet and you must take a boat dive to look at the dolphins, sharks, manta rays and jack fish floating around.

5. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Cenote – Yucatan, Mexico / Photo from okinal

Photo from macrisbruse

Riviera Mayo or the Mayan Riviera is located beside the Highway 400 running parallel along the Caribbean coastline of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The reef formations of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System along the coasts attract tourists and divers alike. The best way to explore this underground river network is to dive through sinkhole collapses. You can see the wonderful natural phenomenon in the formation of the carbonate caves due to the commingling of fresh and saline waters.

Cavern diving in the Chac Mool cenote in Quintana Roo. / Photo from brad77

In fact, Riviera Maya contains the two longest underwater cave systems in the world called Sac Actun and Ox Bel Ha. These offer rare sights to divers like fresh water creatures swimming atop the saline water floods. If you are a novice in diving, go for snorkeling in the reefs of Playa del Carmen and Tulum. More seasoned divers can enjoy the incomparable experience of cave diving in the sinkholes of Dos Ojos. You can access a range of diving facilities including live-aboard between every resort.

6. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia / Photo from !snednas!

Consisting of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system sprawling over 2,600 kilometers in Coral Sea. This World Heritage Site is the home to several wonderful species of marine creatures and hence, divers are rewarded by the sight of an astounding bio-diversity. You could also enjoy staying at its live-aboard as a tourist or a scuba diver.

Heart of a Giant Clam / Photo from Kälaino’ono’o

While you take the plunge into warm seawaters, you can catch sight of over 400 coral species and other endangered species of sea animals. You must do the necessary paperwork, planning and preparations before undertaking a diving expedition here.

7. Little Cayman, British West Indies

Grand Cayman 9ft Bronze Mermaid / Photo from Sam Cathey

The Little Cayman Islands is a UK dependency situated in the Caribbean Sea just to the south of Cuba. This is an abode for rare species of birds as well as aquatic animals. If you choose Little Cayman Islands as a diving destination, you must make your visit between June and August when the water temperature remains favorable and the calm sea permits maximum visibility. The north part of the island containing a protected marine park is best for diving. You could sail here in boats though anchoring is forbidden.

Silversides Spawning / Photo from courtneyplatt

If you are looking ahead to wall dives, come to the Bloody Bay Wall on the northwestern side of the islands. You can go down to more than 3000 feet underwater and observe the undisturbed oceanic world up to a distance of 100 feet. Jackson’s Bay is another hot diving spot in Little Cayman Islands from where you can wade off to the Big Blue. While exploring the underwater crevices and tunnels, you can encounter a Gray Reef Shark over the wall, Nurse Shark, Sting Rays, Eagle Rays and Turtles adding to the fun of diving.

8. Bonaire

Farewell Bonaire / Photo from Kälaino’ono’o

The geographical location of Bonaire is perfect for the flourish of aquatic flora and fauns. Its perfectly calm waters and natural shelter from trade winds encourages the growth of corals and makes a beautiful location for family vacations. As a diver, you will enjoy exploring its marine parks full of the vivid richness of the Caribbean waters. The spot has been preserved as a virgin diving locale and its crystal clear waters with a visibility up to 150 feet offer a toast to underwater photographers.

Turtle / Photo from edpdiver

9. Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands / Photo from Povilas Redko

Situated amid the Micronesian Islands of the Pacific Ocean, Bikini Atoll is counted as a part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This group of 36 islands is located midway between Australia and Honolulu and one of the best spots for divers to view shipwrecks. Among the most famous wrecks are the former warships like USS Saratoga and the Japanese Nagato. Bikini Atoll has also remained an experimental ground for nuclear tests conducted around the 1950s.

Nagato Battleship / Photo from rjdiver

USS Saratoga Aircraft / Photo from rjdiver

Today Bikini Atoll and lagoon is one of the prospective sites for diving, fishing and other water sports. Though this island is barely inhabited because of the radiation pollution, it is an abode for an amazing variety of fishes. It recently came into the limelight as a diving destination and only a handful of divers have been venturing forth because of the extravagant $5,000 charged for a weeklong diving holiday.

10. British Columbia, Canada

Orca / Photo from pranjal2008

British Columbia is the most amazing diving destination of North America, thanks to its extraordinary variety of sea-life. As a diver, you will be rewarded by the sight of prawns, Dungeness crabs, Orca whales, sea lions, large octopuses, lingcod or any other creature belonging to the 5,000 species of invertebrates or 400 species of colored fish. Its coastline is protected keeping the divers’ safety in mind.

Orca Breeching / Photo from christinamcraft

Although British Columbia is characterized by some of the strongest currents of the world, its mild mid-40 degree water will perfectly suit long diving expeditions. You can start by testing the slack tides near the underwater rock walls and gradually go into deeper waters. As you swim round the myriad straits surrounding Vancouver Island, you can see the beauty of the colorful algae that add to the beauty of the marine world.

World’s Most Awesome Subway Stations

2011-09-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

When you're traveling around the world, it's good to know that there are public transit systems available to help you get where you want to go. Underground subway systems offer the convenience of getting where you want when you want without the hassle of having to flag down a taxi or rent a car. In just about all cases, it's the most cost effective option.

There are some beautiful, modern, and vast rapid transit systems throughout the world. The most popular and diverse international underground transit systems are listed below, but are merely a sample of the quite eye-catching transit systems that exist throughout the world.

Stockholm Tunnelbana (Sweeden)

`Subway stations are usually designed in a clean and modernistic style in order to make people forget they are traveling deep underground. It is different in the Stockholm subway though, in which several of the deep underground stations are cut into solid rock which were left with cave-like ceilings. Oldnature meets nextnature. The fine ‘cave paintings' make the finishing touch.

Munich U-Bahn (Germany)

Munich Public Transport System (MVV) is a splendidly constructed system consisting of dozens of S-Bahn (suburbian trains), U-Bahn (subway), Tram-Bahn / Straßenbahn (streetcar) and bus lines, connecting all parts of the city perfectly. This metro system has been opened in 1972 and has spacious and clean stations. The earlier ones are rather minimalistic in design while the later ones got more interesting architectural features and some works of art.

Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (China)

This has to be one of the most surreal, psychedlic and fun forms of public transport. The Tunnel connects East Nanjin Rd on the Bund, and Pudong near the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, running under the Huangpu river. It's a psychedelic trip in a glass capsule along the 647 metre flashing, strobing tunnel.

Moscow's Komsomolskaya Station (Russia)

The Komsomolskaya station of the Moscow Metro is the most famous of all those on the Koltsevaya Line and of the whole system, and an icon of Moscow itself, partly due to it being located on Moscow's busiest transport hub, Komsomolskaya Square, which serves three railway terminals: Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky and Kazansky. The station's connotation is of a gateway to Moscow and to the rest of Russia, and its theme is of the patriotic history and inspiring future of the nation. It was opened on 30 January, 1952, as part of the second stage of the Ring line.

Frankfurt's Bockenheimer Warte station

A weird subway entrance, looking like a train bursting through the sidewalk from below, is located in Frankfurt. Architect Zbiginiew Peter Pininski reported he felt inspired by surrealist artist René Magritte when creating it.

Metro Bilbao (Basque Country)

Bilbao, a small city in the Basque region, is proud of their subway system, not only because of its speed and efficiency, but also because of its design. Norman Foster, the architect who did the Reichtag in Berlin, the Gherkin in London, and the world's largest airport in Hong Kong, designed Bilbao's metro stations. The stations are well-lit and spacious. Foster uses a simple, yet aesthetically pleasing design, especially with the support beams, staircases, and lights. The entrances are especially unique. Nicknamed “el Fosterito,” the entrances are glass round tubes that emerge to the street level.

New York's City Hall station (US)

While the stations of the subway are now often dirty, ugly, and are marginally welcoming places, this is not always the case. New York City once had the imagination to build stations which were beautiful as well as practical. The City Hall station remains the most impressive subway station in New York, and yet it hasn't been used since 1945.

Chicago's O'Hare Station (US)

The O'Hare terminal station was built in 1984, looking toward the airport terminal from the platforms. The curved sidewalls of glass block, backlit in different colors, illuminate the platforms and absorb sound in the station. The stairs and escalators at the end of the platforms ascend through a gray metal wall that mimics an airplane fuselage to deliver passengers to the fare controls and out into the airport terminal.

Dubai Metro Stations (UAE)

The elevated and at-grade Dubai Metro stations combine both heritage and modern designs. They have been modelled on the shape of seashell, inspired from the diving and pearl-fishing heritage of the UAE, while the interior design depicts the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire. Conceptual design of some stations includes traditional architectural ingredients used in antique Arab buildings such as wind towers, oriels, alleyways or internal arches.

Pyongyang Metro (North Korea)

Built to link secret underground military facilities, the Pyongyang Metro is nevertheless an important part of the transport infrastructure in the capital of North Korea (officially, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK). There is evidence that it includes secret government-only lines, although the extent of these, if they exist, is unknown. Its station architecture is among the most attractive in the world. However, relatively little is known about the Metro outside the country, as few visitors are able to investigate the system.

Most Beautiful Endangered Species

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

1. Snow Leopard
The snow leopard (Uncia uncia or Panthera uncia) is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central Asia. It is estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild

2. Flamingos

Image Courtesy: WikiMedia

Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus and family Phoenicopteridae. There are four flamingo species in the Americas and two species in the Old World.

3. Giant Panda

Image Courtesy: Crikey

Estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild

4. Polar Bear

Image Courtesy: NaturesCrusaders

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a bear native largely within the Arctic circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean. Of the 19 recognized polar bear subpopulations, 8 are declining, 3 are stable, 1 is increasing, and 7 have insufficient data.

5. Arowana

Image Courtesy: DragonFish

Arowanas are freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae, sometimes known as “bonytongues”.

6. Markhor

Image Courtesy: Flicker

The Markhor (Capra falconeri), is the largest member of the goat family and is found in northeastern Afghanistan, northern India (southwest Jammu and Kashmir), northern and central Pakistan. There are less than 2,500 mature individuals which continued to decline by an estimated 20% over 2 generations.

7. Leopard

Image Courtesy: National Geographic

The leopard, Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four “big cats” in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion and jaguar.

8. Bengal Tiger

Image Courtesy: Mikeely

The Bengal tiger, or Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis) is a subspecies of tiger primarily found in India. According to WWF there are about 2,000 Royal Bengal tigers in the wild today, including 1,411 in India, 450 in Bangladesh, 150 in Nepal, 100 in Bhutan, as well as a number in Myanmar and China

9. Hirola

Image Courtesy: RedOrbit

The Hirola (Beatragus hunteri, sometimes Damaliscus hunteri also known as Hunter’s Hartebeest) is an antelope species found in arid grassy plains in a pocket on the border between Kenya and Somalia. Hirola are critically endangered. There are between 500 and 1200 animals in the wild and none currently in captivity.

10. Dhole

Image Courtesy: Eco Future

The Dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog, or Red Dog, is a endangered species of Asian canid, and the only member of the genus Cuon. Their range is severely fragmented and reduced and there are little over 2,000 individuals left in the wild.

11. Red Fox

Image Courtesy: Utah

The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a small canid native to much of North America and Eurasia, as well as northern Africa.

12. Magellanic penguin

The Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil.

13. Namdapha Flying Squirrel

Image Courtesy: FiveRareBlanks

The Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi), the sole species placed in the genus Biswamoyopterus, is an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to India

14. Himalayan Wolf

Image Courtesy: Caninest

The Himalayan Wolf (Canis himalayensis) represent a critically endangered canid species. he Himalayan Wolf only has a small population of 350 animals

15. Narcondam Hornbill

Image Courtesy: Picasa

The Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family. It is endemic to the Indian island of Narcondam in the Andamans.

Highest Paid Musicians

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What does it take to become one of the highest-paid musicians of the 2010s? A career that peaked in the 1980s. Nearly half of the artists that make up this year’s list of the top-earning music acts have been around long enough that they could have appeared on the soundtrack to Back to the Future. Here are top ten earning musicians of 2010.

10. Black Eyed Peas

$48 million

Since crossing over to the mainstream in the early 2000s, the Black Eyed Peas have been everywhere from the Super Bowl pre-game show to discussing politics on CNN. A worldwide tour that took them from Switzerland to Mexico brought in $800,000 a night, while the band’s openness to endorsement deals led them to ink commitments with Target, Honda, Bacardi and Apple.

9. Kenny Chesney

$50 million

Chesney continued his reign atop the country music industry by out-touring everyone else. His 2009 tour grossed $71 million and brought in an average of $1.6 million every night, nearly doubling the box office receipts of his closest competitor, Keith Urban. Prominent sponsorships with companies like Corona and MasterCard keep tour costs down, making the tours even more profitable.

8. Madonna

$58 million

The Material Girl isn’t quite ready to cede her spot in pop music’s hierarchy to Lady Gaga or Britney Spears just yet. The 52-year-old singer had the fourth highest-grossing tour of 2009, bringing in $6 million a night and $138 million overall. An episode of the Fox hit sitcom Glee, which featured cast members singing several of her songs, added to her already high profile and cushioned her significant earnings from publishing royalties.

7. Lady Gaga

$62 million

A newcomer to the Celebrity 100, Lady Gaga broke down the door to fame with outlandish outfits and quirky videos, including one that featured her and Beyonce poisoning an unappreciative boyfriend. With a 106-date tour that grossed $95 million, Lady Gaga is also a marketer’s dream, teaming up with Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable and Viva Glam.

6. Jay-Z

$63 million

Jay-Z likes to say he’s not a businessman; he’s a business, man–and it’s not idle boasting. The rapper-turned-mogul retains his crown as hip-hop’s cash king thanks to a new album and investments in the 40/40 nightclub chain, the Broadway show “Fela!” and the New Jersey Nets basketball team. Jay-Z’s biggest boost comes from his Blueprint 3 tour, which grossed over $1 million per concert this year. He still makes less than wife Beyoncé.

5. Britney Spears

$64 million

Not long ago, most of the entertainment world had written Britney Spears off as a celebrity flameout. But over the last year Spears logged the fifth highest-grossing tour in the world, bringing in $130 million in gross box office receipts by playing 98 dates. High-profile endorsement deals with Elizabeth Arden and Candies’ prove that the public expects Spears to stay in the spotlight for good.

4. Bruce Springsteen

$70 million

The poet laureate of New Jersey continues to connect with fans around the world. Backed by the E Street Band, Springsteen sold more than 2 million tickets on his world tour, which grossed $167 million, enough to make it the third highest-grossing tour in the world. Heavy radio play on classic rock stations and a steady-selling backlist adds to his bottom line.

3. Beyonce Knowles

$87 million

One half of the most famous couple in hip-hop (Jay-Z, No. 6, is the other half), Beyoncé continues to expand her business empire beyond music. Endorsement deals with companies ranging from Nintendo to L’Oreal and her growing House of Dereon fashion line bring in millions of dollars per year on top of the $86 million she grossed from a 93-stop world tour.

2.: AC/DC

$114 million

This Australian heavy metal group has been shaking audiences all night long since 1973 and shows few signs of stopping. Second only to U2 in band tour earnings, AC/DC grossed a staggering $226 million on a worldwide tour that included 99 dates and brought in more than $2 million a night.

1. U2

$130 million

The world’s biggest rock band, U2 launched a massive world tour in 2009 that has brought in more than $311 million in gross box office receipts. Each tour stop brings in $10 million in gross ticket sales. Add in lucrative merchandise sales, heavy radio play and a steady-selling back catalog, and you have the highest-earning band on the planet.

Celebrities with Wierd Fasion Taste

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Celebrities all over the world often appear in beautiful outfits because they are considered as fashion idols for fans to follow. However, there are some superstars, who make their names more notorious when they wear strange and ugly clothes.

Bai Ling

Actress and model Bai Ling is a big star in China and has appeared in many Hollywood movies. She is notorious for her abnormal outfits and listed as the worst-dressed celebrities.

Bai Ling arrived at parties in her strange outfits

The lady tends to wear the outfits that expose her belly and bosom at parties because she enjoys titillating and teasing

Perez Hilton

Perez Hilton is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com, covers gossip items relating to musicians, actors and celebrities and posts tabloid photographs that he has added his own captions.

Perez Hilton appeared on the red carpet with colorful legging

Sometimes, he purposefully wears female outfits.

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson is famous for his wild concerts and grotesque fashion style. His fashion during performances is often androgynous and dark in both casual and formal clothing. He also makes up with white face and black glasses.

Marilyn Manson is commonly known as the shock rocker

People may feel horrific when they met him at the first time (Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese)

Andre Leon Talley

Vogue\'s American editor, André Leon Talley, wore fur, sunglasses and printed robes and sat close his boss Anna Wintour in any great fashion front rows.

Talley sat close his boss, Anna Wintour

Although Andre is a fashion expert, he also makes the public curious about his outrageous outfits. The large coats seem to be his best choice

Lady Gaga

The worst-dressed list will be not full if it does not mention the name of Lady Gaga. The world fashion designers often consider her as “fashion disaster” or “fashion destroyer”. However, she is always royal to her strange and unique fashion trend.

Lady Gaga is best known for her ever changing style particularly costumes

Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen is known for her strange attire, rebellious comments and hardcore attitude although she is only 17 years. The Gossip Girlstar is once again making headlines by opening up about her mood-swings and pyromaniac tendencies.

Taylor Momsen\'s trademark is smoky eyeshadow and choppy hair.