Author: Ms. R.

Located off the northwest coast of Lombok in Indonesia are the three Gili Islands: Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. These islands are renowned for their sandy white beaches, swaying palm trees and pristine waters. They are home to a booming green sea turtle population, and in recent years the islands have become the focus for sustainable, eco-friendly tourism attractions both on shore and underwater.  One of the most beautiful attractions is a project called “Nest,” which was……

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On the western shore of the Chao Phraya river, south of the Wat Arun temple, lies Bangkok’s small Siamese-Portuguese enclave, Kudeejeen. Within its maze of narrow alleyways that weave past aging teakwood houses lies a 250-year-history of cultural commingling. In that time, the neighborhood has been home to Siamese-Portuguese, Thai, and Chinese residents of different religions. This diversity can be seen in the local architecture, with the Catholic Santa Cruz Church, the Buddhist Wat Kalayanamit, and the Kudi Khao……

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On the night of August 15, 1952, disaster struck the village of Lynmouth in north Devon. Swollen by days of heavy rainfall, the East and West Lyn rivers burst through their walls, sending a torrential flood hurdling through the seaside town. The fast-moving floodwaters carried hundreds of thousands of pounds of rocks and other debris, which carved a path of destruction through the river valley. Overnight, 34 people were killed, more than 100 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged,……

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To many people around the world, the all-but-certain prospect of a new volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula sounded ominous. But in March 2021, when lava rushed out of a fissure in a valley named Geldingadalur—a comfortable six miles away from the nearest town, Grindavík—those in Iceland were nothing but thrilled. The public was exhilarated to be able to see an eruption up close—one that posed little danger. Drone pilots flew their contraptions over rivers of molten rock like……

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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home of the titular big red desert rock in the middle of Australia, gets about a foot of rain a year. On Sunday, March 22, it got a big chunk of its annual dose in under 24 hours, resulting in spectacular sights around the sandstone behemoth that is Uluru. “While it rains, and for around 30 minutes afterward, waterfalls cascade down the rock face,” says a Parks Australia spokesperson. At 1,142 feet (348 meters), Uluru……

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As the story goes, Dr. John Hall Smith, the founder of Middlesex University was traveling through Ireland and saw Lismore Castle. Smith was so impressed with the castle that he asked to bring it back with him. The owners denied his request. Smith then asked for the blueprints, only to be told no again. Not one to be stopped, he had drawings done of the outside of the castle. The Castle in Waltham was constructed based on these drawings…….

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Most people associate the British parliament with the Palace of Westminster, the iconic home of the green benches and Big Ben. While the palace on the Thames has hosted parliaments since the 12th-century, it’s not an exclusive host. Long before the United Kingdom existed, medieval England was ruled as an absolute monarchy, and parliament was convened at the pleasure of the king in whatever location was convenient. During times of crisis led to parliament being convened in some unusual……

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Open for just 11 years, Maine North High School shuttered permanently in 1981 due to low attendance. However, a few years later, it reopened its doors temporarily to a handful of students who collectively became known as The Breakfast Club.  Because Maine North’s library was too small for filming purposes, John Hughes’s production team built the now-iconic library set in the school’s defunct gymnasium. Principal photography took place between March and May of 1984, utilizing the gymnasium, several hallways,……

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