5 things Wanderlust learned this week
2nd September 2010
This week we learned about a boat that likes to look down on others and heard a happy ending for a little black bear in Florida
This week we learned about a boat that likes to look down on others and heard a happy ending for a little black bear in Florida.
1. Not all boats are designed for the sea
Those boarding the Sun Cruise Resort in South Korea won’t be stopping off at too many ports: the 65m-long, ten-storey liner is built on the cliff-face at Jeongdongjin.
Beached 60m above sea level, the bizarre resort was opened in 2001 and has its own lake and transplanted coconut trees.
Whilst the idea of this monstrosity dangling over the golden beach below is enough to put us off our tea, with 211 rooms and a revolving sky lounge you can’t argue with the enormity of the project.
2. Bears and rubbish bins don’t mix
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found themselves busy last month. A black bear cub in the Ocala National Forest got its head stuck in an industrial-sized plastic jar left in a rubbish container – and disappeared into the bush.
After 10 days of fruitless searching, rescuers feared the worst for little Jarhead, who was unable to eat or drink. Fortunately the cub popped his plastic-jarred-head up in front of concerned locals, and rescuer Mike Orlando finally saved the day by capturing the troubled cub and freeing him from his plastic enclosure. Apart from a bit of a sore head, bear and family are fine.
3. Don’t panic!
The threat of strike action may have lifted, but BA still have a knack of creating pandemonium amongst passengers.
Hundreds of passengers on a Boeing 747 calmly cruising above the clouds were sent into a frenzy after hearing the following announcement: “This is an emergency. We may shortly need to make an emergency landing on water.”
The warning message had been triggered accidentally on the flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong. Despite the cabin crew quickly reassuring those onboard of the error, BA have publicly apologised for causing any undue distress. Those on board who were hoping to try out their lifejacket, whistle and inflatable slide remain bitterly disappointed, however.
4. Paraguay has America’s biggest cat
Whilst many jaguars can be found in Central America, the largest breed lives in the rainforests of Paraguay in South America.
Paraguay’s jaguars grow up to 1.85m and travellers can spot the beautiful creatures in the Atinguy refuge or in Asuncion’s Jardin Zoologico.
You can find out more Paraguay secrets in the latest issue of Wanderlust – available at WH Smith and other leading newsagents.
5. Teddy bears confuse terrorists
The family seat of the 11th Duke of Rutland - Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire – was targeted by a group of Algerian hackers when they confused its website with that of Belvoir Fortress in Israel.
The hackers replaced images of the stately home in England with a black page displaying the Algerian flag and a tirade against the Jewish state in Arabic.
A spokeswoman for the castle said: "We've nothing to do with the Middle East. I just help to organise the teddy bears' picnic."
She added: “It does make more sense that they meant to target the fortress in Israel rather than the castle in Leicestershire.”
Please let us know of any interesting, fun or just plain bizarre things you have learned this week.