Sansiantai: Dragon Bridge to the Island of the Three Immortals

The eastern coastline of Taiwan is renowned for its natural beauty.  Unspoiled beaches stretch for miles and at one point, Sansiantai, there is a wonderful surprise.    A beautiful arched bridge, meant to resemble a dragon of Chinese legend, stretches from the mainland across to a group of small islands.

Image Credit Flickr User Yufu Lin

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Sansiantai is, as you might imagine, saturated in folklore. The three enormous rocks making up the island's most conspicuous feature long ago gave rise to a native myth that three of China's Eight Immortals once chose the island for a place to rest.  Even the name of the island translates to the Terrace of the Three Immortals.

The Gharial – Good News for the Critically Endangered Indian Crocodile?

Unlike much of what you see on Kuriositas, there was no CGI used in the creation of the photograph above.  This exquisite creature is a gharial and Ark in Space has an interesting feature today about this critically endangered species of crocodile found in India. It is the only living example in its animal family: there is no set figure but it is thought only a few hundred viable breeding pairs exist in the wild. It has had its numbers decreased by a massive 98% since 1950 and likewise its habitat.

Things don’t look very good for the gharial – only recently a hundred specimens (a good percentage of the entire population) were discovered dead, their demise brought about, so it is believed, by metal poisoning. Yet there is some good news on the horizon for the gharial.   Head over to the Ark in Space to find out.

Image Credit Wikimedia

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The Loneliest Tree in the World

Tucked away in a corner of London's Royal Botanic Gardens, the last of an ancient plant grows. Though it resembles a stumpy palm tree, the Encephalartos woodii is incredibly rare. In fact, it may well be the very last of its kind on Earth. How it got to this position is something of legend. Get to know this Jurassic cycad, the loneliest bachelor on Earth, courtesy of Great Big Story.

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Heldenkanzler: The Rise and Fall of Engelbert Dollfuss

Heldenkanzler is an award-winning short film based on the true story of Engelbert Dollfuss, who tried to inforce his fashist dictatorship in Austria in the 1930ies.  I have to confess to knowing nothing about Dolfuss before watching this animated short, written and directed by Benjamin Swiczinsky but this is an enlightening trip in to history as it tells the story of the Austrian dictator who still divides opinion in his homeland to this day.

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Rocket Rider

This just goes to show that exciting CGI footage can be created on a shoestring budget.  The cockpit set was built in the single garage of director Ross Bradley’s parents - out of plywood, the panels created with a laser printer, electric switches and bottle tops.  The result is exhilarating.  An RAF Test Pilot is trapped in a stricken jet descending rapidly to Earth. Will he be able to eject in time? And what was the experiment for?

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The Living Root Bridges of India

India has a population of over a billion and our ideas about the country are often informed by that statistic.  Yet there are places on the sub-continent which are still almost inaccessible.  Meghalaya in the north east of the country is home to mountainous subtropical forests.  In order to get around, local people have come up with an ingenious form of natural engineering – the living root bridge.

Image Credit Flickr User Ashwin Kumar

It always seems to rain here – the rivers are often very dangerous to ford.  This is one of the wettest places on the planet. The steady precipitation combined with the rugged terrain, steep hillsides and thick foliage of the forests would make many parts of the Meghalayan jungles unreachable.  Yet the inventive and resourceful people who live here have found a way – but they had to be very patient, at least to begin with.

The Weird and Wonderful World of Online Poker

It was not that long ago that the only way that you could play poker was to visit a casino with a poker room or get invited in or even organise a home game yourself. However, the poker world was turned on its head in the late 1990’s and the early to mid-2000’s when online poker first appeared, and since then players have had to completely change the way they play.

One of the main differences in regards to playing poker online or via a mobile device is that you will not get to see your opponents, and a large part of playing poker strategically and optimally is being able to look at and then read your fellow players correctly. As you can see from the list published in this top 10 poker websites that there are over 100s of online poker rooms which allows you to play poker online if you are from USA.

Without being able to see your opponents as you do when sitting opposite them at a land based poker venue, you are going to have to play off each hand perfectly based on just what cards you are holding, the community cards and the odds of you coming up against another hand.

You do of course find that many players will continue to bluff their way to win the pots when playing poker on a mobile device or online, however there is no way of looking for the slightest of tells in those playing environments as you were once able to do when playing land based poker games.

Fairness also is something that is often left to trust when playing online poker, for you are not going to be bale to know if the other players sat around your table are working as a team, for it is perfectly feasible and possible several of those players could be communicating with each other via apps, software or even on the phone as they are playing against you!


Many poker sites proudly proclaim that their poker software has lots of built in features that eradicates the possibility of any players colluding, which if correct that will increase player’s feelings of confidence that they are getting and always receiving a fair game when they play online.

One final thing you should always be on the lookout if you do fancy playing poker online is whether the software and random number generators used at any site you fancy playing at have been independently tested and certified as being fair and random.

The way you can do that is by looking who designed the software, who licenses the poker site and who approved and who has certified that software and the random number generators at each site as being random and true, any site that doesn’t offer up such information is a site worth avoiding.

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5 Sports Stars Who Make a Difference

Sports stars command a fair amount of influence in the modern world, so it should hardly come as a surprise that a lot of them are using it to make a real difference. Sometimes, they do so by pouring their time, their effort, and their earnings into charitable organisations supporting causes nearest and dearest to them. Other times, they have been known to set up charitable initiatives of their own, which often bear their names. However, they choose to use their influence, said individuals should be lauded for striving to make the world a better place.

Here are 5 sports stars who are making a real difference to the lives of people across the globe:

LeBron James
LeBron James came from humble beginnings but nonetheless managed to set his feet on the path of success, which is why the champion basketball player has been so interested in helping others in similar situations to manage the same. For example, he is known to have donated an amazing $42 million to his hometown of Akron, Ohio in order to send a 1,000 underprivileged children to college, which is something that has catapulted him to the list of the most charitable sports stars ever.

Maria Ho

Maria Ho is a member of the Queen of Hearts, a group of female poker players who have been making a powerful reputation for themselves through poker as well as their support for charitable causes. In her case, she has been known to support the WPT Foundation, which is a non-profit set up by the World Poker Tour for the purpose of encouraging beneficial change on a global scale by supporting deserving charities found in countries all around the world.

Lionel Messi

Football is a popular sport, so much so that it has seen people placing hundreds of thousands of dollars on single bets. As a result, it is no coincidence that football players have so much influence, as shown by their salaries as well as their endorsements. Lionel Messi is a great example of a football player who has chosen to use that influence for the benefits of others, whether by donating half a million dollars to UNICEF or by donating the winnings from a libel case to other charities. In particular, it is interesting to note that Messi is particularly committed to helping charities that help children, which could be because of his strong attachment to his own family.

Cristiano Ronaldo
However, it is important to note that Messi is not the most charitable football player. Instead, that particular honor belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is known to have donated millions and millions to charitable causes over the course of his career so far. In fact, what makes Ronaldo particularly impressive besides his remarkable feats on the football field is the fact that he was acknowledged as the single most charitable sports star of any sport, beating out a number of other great names including some of those included on this very list.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is best known for her amazing number of championship titles on the tennis court, which is something that she shares with her sister. However, she is also well-known for her support for a wide range of charitable causes, including but not limited to fighting cancer, helping children, and encouraging education in developing countries. Something that has seen her earn a number of award and other acknowledgements of her continuing efforts from numerous prestigious non-profit organizations.

Of course, there are also other amazing men and women who have done great things for both sports and charitable causes, with examples ranging from John Cena to Dan Carter. The said individuals encompass every sport at every level of achievement, thus showing that sports stars can indeed change the world for the better.

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The Highway of Florida and All the Beauty Within

The Florida Keys is a series of islands, which runs way back to Cuba. Spectacular bridge road also called as Florida overseas highway connects all islands. In fact, it is so majestic that in 1991 it won the prestigious assessment from All American Road Association.

Florida Highway is undoubtedly a legendary route in one of the most interesting and beautiful places in the country.

In order to get up quickly and easily reach it or drive through it, you need a car and good thing is that Hotwire currently has ongoing 60% off promotion on most car rentals via coupon site ChameleonJohn.com, so get it now and hit the road right away.

At the beginning of a road – divers’ dream

Key Largo is one of the world's most recognized diving sites. Cozy coastline and colorful reef full of fishes are perfect for snorkeling, and those who want to dive deeper here can rent a boat. In 2002, a marine fleet exhibit called Spiegel Grove was purposely sunk in Key Largo, so divers can now explore it underwater too.
Underwater statue of Christ in the abyss is also attention worthy. While Jule's Undersea Lodge - underwater hotel located here as well can be a perfect place to start your road trip.

Islamorada: a charming village of six islands
Throughout the year Islamorada is waiting for all professional and amateur angling fans. For those who can resist this hobby, there is a whole string of restaurants located in the village, where you can enjoy delicious and fresh seafood dishes.

Another attraction - great History of Diving Museum, which exotic exhibits dates back to the seventeenth century. If you decide to take a rest and relax, dip your feet in the crystal-clear waters of Anna beach and get ready for further adventures waiting for you on the road.

Marathon: a monument for a hard work
Historical sources say that the west part of railway branch, which became a highway, was one of the most difficult to construct for engineers who built it. The job was usually referred as a real marathon, due to its length and strong stamina needed to do it right. And that gave the name of this range.

Just half an hour's drive away from Islamorada achieved Marathon is the best place for breathtaking photos. From here a beautiful seven-mile bridge and azure water duet open up, and it is unquestionably worth taking pictures of it. Moreover, in Marathon, you can find a sea crayfish clinic, where patients have names and don't get bothered by touching. Nearby you can say “hi” to dolphins and sea lions too.

West Point - the dose of history and the inspiration for Hemingway
In 1928-1939 West Point was a home and a workplace for Ernest Hemingway. His house now is turned into a museum featuring all of the writer's furniture brought from Paris. It is worth mentioning that the West Point was also a winter residence of President Harry Truman and writer Tennessee Williams who was catching his muses here as well.

While in Casa Marina resort, you can see the World War II relics and pictures, immortalized the island which back in time was only reachable by trains and ships.

It took some time to make a railway line built in 1912 to become a more impressive motorway. During many years here settlements were created, ships were sinking, recession reigned, the government was changing, and communication got improved. But to traveling throughout this famous highway is not only enjoying the artists painted landscapes and discovering objects that are annually visited by 3 million curious visitors. It is also a place to get inspired and maybe even find the meaning of life.

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Put a Real Casino in your Pocket

We cover all sorts of lifestyle topics and other great features here at Kuriositas, but something that has really piqued our interest recently is just how easy it is to enjoy a bit of fun online with some great casino games. As we are all well aware, the concept of online casino gaming is certainly nothing new and we’re pretty sure that the first of these casinos sprung up back in the late 1990s. However, the big thing that we weren’t all that aware of was the fact that these casinos have often been firmly at the forefront of online technology.

Whether it’s the concept of a membership based site that offers payment facilities, such as something like Facebook nowadays, or an industry that remained at the forefront of online encryption and consumer safety much as all online banks do now, the casino gaming industry was there first.

If you’re anything like us, you probably read more online on your phone than you do at your computer, and will undoubtedly have noticed that virtually every site that still gets updated offers up a mobile version in addition to the full online experience. You can see that in action simply by visiting this very site on your mobile, with the right sidebar dropped and the articles presented in a tidy list when you’re on your iPhone or tablet.

As you may have guessed, what we’re getting at here is that the casino industry was at the forefront of this development too. It makes sense as well, as providing games to players is their bread and butter, and the more accessible you make your games, the more players you’re likely to attract. They first got involved a few years ago when leading games developers such as Microgaming recoded their games to work on the Java platform. That was what early colour screen mobile devices used to do just about anything and while it wasn’t the most practical solution, it gave players the chance to game on the go.

Nowadays, the casinos have kept pace with the latest apps and use all of the latest technologies to create their offerings – to the point that we are confident in saying that you really can now carry a casino in your pocket. We don’t just mean the online variety either, as everything that you could hope to do when heading to your local land based establishment can be achieved just as easily on your phone.

The mobile gaming selections are still somewhat limited compared to their online counterparts as the developers go through the processes of remaking them for the relevant devices, but we’ve reached something of a critical mass now, with some of the biggest names in the world such as NetEnt and IGT creating their games in such a way that they are available online and on mobile from the very first day of release. The most popular games from the back catalogues are already addressed too when it comes to conversion, so whether you’re into classic mobile slots, the latest releases or even mobile versions of video poker, blackjack, roulette and more, you’re in for a treat. There are even mobile versions of the highly popular live dealer casino tables, where a video feed and a set of control buttons will have you playing like never before.

Whether you’re online, on mobile or even on land, one thing to bear in mind when it comes to casino gaming is the quality of the venue. Some are always better than others and we have to admit that we’re not exactly perfectly placed to say where you should play. However, over at App-Casinos.com, you’ll have access to some specialist knowledge. Just as we know a thing or two about Kuriositas, they are staffed by people that have played at just about every mobile casino out there in both their browser based and app forms. You can find a great mobile casino app through their reviews, or even work backwards as they carry detailed reviews on just about every mobile casino slot worth playing right now. When you find one you like, they’ll tell you exactly where to play it and you can head on over safe in the knowledge that you’ll be enjoying the action on one of the best casino apps for phones and tablets in the world!

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How to Pass GCSE English Language Grade 9-1 Course

From June 2017 the English Language GCSE exams are undergoing some major changes.  The old system of 40% controlled assessments has gone out of one window like the proverbial baby and bathwater.

In through the other, like a cold blast of winter air, comes a new system of two exams, which scrutinises the reading and writing skills of students studying towards the qualification. In my other life I am a college lecturer and one of the subjects I teach is… you guessed it.


So, as an IT person, I have started to put together a series of videos to enable two things.  First I want to answer the question “how do I pass GCSE English Language?” the answer to which is more often than not demanded by students the evening before their exam (make that plural now).  I guess the first thing is to allow those doing it an opportunity to understand the new system of grading – hence the first video in this series.  Next it’s on to the exams and the Assessment Objectives (handily known as AOs) which they cover.  Know thine enemy is vital and although I wouldn’t advise rote-learning here it’s hugely important that learners know what’s coming at them in the examinations.

The Red Elephants of Kenya

Yes, these elephants are red. The Ark in Space has their story, together with a great collection of photographs. You may have seen pink elephants on parade before but these red ones are for real. If you have guessed the reason for their rather rubicund appearance you might want to check if you have got it right! Pop over to the Ark in Space to see the red elephants of the Tsavo National Park in Kenya.

Image Credit Flickr User Marius Kucharczyk

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A Walk in Ulyanovsk - Birthplace of Lenin

If you have never heard of Ulyanovsk then know it’s a rather pleasant-looking city on the Volga, just over 500 miles east of Moscow.  Directed by Ruslan Makhmud-Akhunov, this lovely combination of time and hyperlapse allows you to take a walk (ok, a very quick one) through the major landmarks of this historic city.  Although it was originally called Simbirsk it was renamed after its most famous son in 1924 -  Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, also known as Lenin.

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Teddy Bears are for Lovers

Collin is something of a serial Casanova and, just when his girlfriends’ thoughts turn to love he heads off the issue with a gift – a teddy bear.  This has gone on for some time but one evening when Collin is in bed, the teddy bears come back to exact their revenge on him.  Directed by Almog Avidan Antonir, this short film features some of the most murderously cute teddy bears you will see this week.

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Taking Flight

Taking Flight is a short film by Moonbot Studios inspired by the life and heritage of Antonio Pasin, inventor of the Radio Flyer wagon. In this fictional tribute to Pasin’s legacy, what begins as a small boy’s over-scheduled, over supervised, boring day with Grandpa turns into a larger-than-life journey, narrowly escaping wild monkeys and battling aliens to save the universe.

Through the power of imagination and epic adventure, a boy learns to be a kid, a father learns to be a dad, and a grandfather reminds us all what childhood is about.

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The Doll’s Eyes Plant – The Woods Have Eyes Too

Have you ever taken a stroll through a wood and felt that you were being watched? Yet when you turn around, no-one is there. You carry on with your walk but that feeling of disquiet lingers. Perhaps you were being watched by something almost as disquieting as that galloping, mad axe murderer you were dreading. The Doll’s Eyes Plant could be eyeing you up as you innocently ramble. In North America, not just the hill have eyes.

Image Credit Flickr User Soul Motor

Barcelona’s Abidal Takes a Shot for Beko

If you have always wanted to be a footballer but know that the Champions’ League is probably never going to beckon then I am not sure that this video is going to make you feel much better on that score.  However, if you, like me, love to see a smart shot at the goal I expect you’re going to like this – and the goal isn’t quite what you expect either.

In fact, it’s tiny.  The goal mouth is the tub of the new Beko Washing Machine.  To celebrate their partnership with FC Barcelona (not to mention FC Barcelona’s branded product range at IFA 2016) Eric Abidal was asked to do something a little outside of his usual remit – and that was to take a shot directly in to the washing machine.

If you are a fan of Abidal’s then you will know he has overcome a number of challenges in his life – but will the one involving a Beko washing machine be the one which will prove to be too much for him?

To see whether the defender took to it like a proverbial duck to water, then you had better watch the video above.  Abidal also goes head to head with the general public and a number of football freestylers at the BEKO IFA stand.

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Why Does a Dog Lick Its Nose?

Here is the question du jour – why does a dog lick its nose?  The Ark in Space has the answer (and it may not be the one that you assume) together with a large gallery of dogs being endearing while licking their noses. Just run with it. True, this may seem silly, yet there is a scientific reason behind this behavior. Pop over to the Ark in Space for a real cute fest and some science thrown in for good measure.

Image Credit Flickr User WoofBC

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Bastei: Amazing Bridged Bastion of Saxony

Bastei in German translates as bastion and you can easily see why this name was chosen for this towering rock formation, situated on the River Elbe near Dresden in the German Free State of Saxony.  Towering almost 200 meters over the river below, Bastei was formed by water erosion over a million years ago. In recent times it has become such an object of fascination that a bridge linking a number of the rocks was constructed, and is itself something of a marvel of Victorian age engineering.

Image Credit Flickr User Hawk Eyes

Although the bridge is a destination in its own right, when you are on it you realize just how high it soars above the Elbe.

Can We Colonize Mars?

The history of human migration shows that when we find somewhere we can live, then some people inevitably go there.  The same may probably be true of other planets.  Yet we, as a species, has never gone further than the moon. What of Mars? In this video in the Further series which explores how humanity and science intersects, former NASA Astronaut, Jeffrey Hoffman discusses the mysteries of Mars, and the potential for human colonization.

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Among the Ancients - A California Timelapse

The Eastern Sierra Mountain Range is home to some of the world’s most ancient trees as well as spectacular terrain and stunning views of the night sky. Photographer Michael Shainblum captures the majesty of this part of the world beautifully in this timelapse.  Born and raised in California he feels a special affinity to this particular mountain range – this was obviously made with great love for the place.

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Kernel

In the not to distant future a city lies bereft of intrigue and knowledge under a vast smog of ignorance. One man above the dreary bustle seeks to return the vitality of wisdom with his Cathexis Tree; a botanical marvel designed to absorb the clouds of discarded intellect roaming the rooftops and reproduce it in the form of Kernels.

When haste precedes caution, Leonard discovers the true potential of his creation; that one must sow the seeds of knowledge to fight the rot of ignorance.

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