Author: Ms. R.

Macarons may be distinctly French confections, but they’re far from monolithic. In addition to the famous Parisian macaron, there are several other key regional variants. One particular kind is the macaron d’Amiens, which, as its name suggests, is a specialty from the city of Amiens in the Picardy region. Introduced in the 16th century and said to have been a favorite sweet of Catherine de’ Medici, macarons d’Amiens are traditionally made from raw almonds, apricot marmalade, honey and vanilla…….

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There’s no shortage of British colonial history in Hong Kong, with rule spanning over 150 years, these post boxes serve as a subtle reminder of the British postal services during its time. In 1892, 14 pillar boxes were installed across the city—12 during King George V’s reign and two more during King George VI’s reign. After the British handover, the once-red post boxes were painted green. (However, some have retained their original color due to being retired).  Of the original……

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The story of the Piece of Cheese Cottage began in 1878, when it was built on a small piece of land left over by two brothers, George and Stephen Starr, after they had built nine cottages. The cottage is situated on an awkward plot, and the two brothers made a wager of £5 (equivalent to about £300 in 2024), that a functional building could not be built on such a plot. However, they proved themselves wrong, and England’s only……

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Circus Liquor is a regular San Fernando Valley liquor store that is set apart by the 32-foot-tall clown who watches over the adjacent intersection with a decidedly creepy expression on his face. Perhaps it’s the two crosses he has for eyes or his fixed, maniacal grin, but he seems to be enticing you to buy some booze and get up to no good. Now a Los Angeles landmark, this neon sign dates from the 1960s and has become a……

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A tribe of ferocious, cannibalistic Amazons lurks in the grasslands of southern Uruguay. Ok, they’re not the notorious warrior women of myth: They’re only a few inches long and they can’t fire an arrow. But they are no less wondrous, especially to researcher Mariana Trillo, who discovered this unique population of praying mantises and has studied them ever since. Growing up in the suburbs of Montevideo, Trillo had always wanted to study biology but discovered an unexpected passion late……

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King Richard III had only been on the English throne for two years when he was killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. This ended the War of the Roses, ushering in the Tudor reign, which saw Henry VII take the throne. After Richard’s death, his body was taken to Leicester, where the body was displayed for two days. When Henry left Leicester, Richard was buried under what was then the Grey Friars church. Ten years later, the……

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On a narrow backstreet in old Rawalpindi—Pakistan’s fourth largest city by population—is a small eatery called the Dilbar Hotel. The aging façade, which is illuminated by neon green lights in the evenings, is decorated by an awning that has been covered in a sheet of translucent plastic. There are only two phrases painted on the canvas: “Since 1948,” written in dull gray letters on one side, and the Arabic term, Mashallah, or “God has willed it,” on the other…….

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The coastal city of Ratnagiri is home to beautiful beaches, temples, forts, and many fascinating places of historical and cultural importance. One such place is a grand old palace from a bygone era.  Thiba Palace or Thibaw Palace was constructed in 1910 by the British for the house arrest of King Thibaw of Myanmar (then Burma) and his family. In November 1885 during the third Anglo-Burmese War, the British defeated the king. After, the British exiled him and his……

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Built within the administrative center of the Spanish government, San Agustin church was designed according to the plans approved by the Royal Audencia of Mexico and by a Royal Decree. The church was built by Juan Macias in 1586 and was completed in 1607. It was renovated in 1854. Inside, a guided pulpit was installed and the altar was adorned with native flora and pineapples as decorative motifs. It served several purposes—as the earliest religious center of the Spanish……

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It’s May 1964, and a nervous energy permeates the air on the set of Thunderball, the fourth James Bond film starring Sean Connery. Soon enough, this jittery anticipation won’t be the only thing in the air. Standing on the roofline of a French chateau, stuntman Bill Suitor is about to use a state-of-the-art jetpack to propel himself 20 feet into the sky. Today, this same jetpack, the Bell Rocket Belt, is on display at the Museum of Science and……

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Scott Nicholson is trapped. He’s stuck in a submarine—and it’s sinking. Water is pouring into the room, and he needs to plug the hole before he and his crew drown. Time is ticking, and the water is relentless. Luckily, Nicholson teaches game design. In just a few short moments, he’s able to solve a puzzle that triggers stoppage of the water, saving the crew and winning the game. This is one of 200 escape rooms that Nicholson has played……

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In 2022, Birmingham hosted the quadrennial Commonwealth Games, introducing a massive mechanical bull during the opening ceremony. Standing 33 feet tall and weighing 2.5 tonnes, the gargantuan creature amazed many viewers before seemingly fading into oblivion. That is, until he made a triumphant return to Birmingham in July 2023. Though the bull was to be dismantled after the games, people on social media campaigned for its preservation, helping it find a new permanent home in the city. The “raging……

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