Top 10 Cheap Holiday Destinations

1. Sri Lanka

Known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical island near the tip of the Indian sub-continent. The temperature ranges anywhere from warm to hot with no traditional seasons. Due to its size, the island can be explored very easily and there are many cheap tours to take. For a relaxing beach holiday, Sri Lanka cannot be beaten.

2. Nepal

If you have an interest in Buddhism or your spiritual side needs reawakening, Nepal is an excellent destination. Well known for being a great sanctuary for backpackers, the country is cheap and has a wealth of history to explore. The local villagers are generous with what they have and you can learn about the local culture while sampling ethnic dishes.

3. Iceland

Due to the collapse of the Icelandic currency, now is the best time to visit Iceland and see amazing scenery unlike anything else on Earth. Volcanoes, bubbling mud and great nightlife in the capital make for an unforgettable trip; all this just a few hours from home.

4. Mexico

This is where Americans head for their cheap holiday destination and we can make it ours too. With tasty food and even better beaches, which are backed up by great flight deals to encourage tourism in the area, it is certainly worth a look. You can even find cheap flights if you look online.

5. Bulgaria

Cheaper than most of Europe, this country is steeped in history and has some great beaches. Package holidays are a dime a dozen and our currency is still managing to hold up against the local Lev. Bulgaria is still relatively undiscovered, ensuring your stay will be peaceful and quiet.

6. Las Vegas

Believe it or not this once expensive holiday destination has become one of the cheapest and more interesting holidays you can take. With the credit crunch hitting gamblers hard, there are discounts and bargains to be had. Just be careful not to gamble all of your money away.

7. Thailand

This relatively small paradise is still one of the best value for money options in the Far East. The flights may be a little on the long side, but once you get there you have incredible scenery, sandy beaches, warm climate and the notorious Thai nightlife.

8. Budapest

On the banks of the Danube this city has architecture to die for and enough art museums to satisfy anyone’s tastes. This romantic city is special and above all, it is still has cheap food and wine. Great for a weekend break.

9. Mumbai

Just about anywhere in India is going to be cheap, but Mumbai offers something special. From the searing poverty of the slums to the financial centre which has new buildings and some of the best restaurants in the World, you will see all that life has to offer. You can get a sense of perspective in a city like Mumbai.

10. London

The recession has meant that even the most expensive city in the UK has dropped its prices. You can now find special deals in London hotels and restaurants and can even visit a show and stay the night at half the price it used to be. Now is definitely the time to visit the UK capital.

Top 10 Movies You Are Better off Not Watching

1. You’ve Got Mail

Any movie that stars Meg Ryan has to be slightly boring but this one definitely takes the cake. It revolves around two rival bookstore owners who start chatting on the internet without knowing each other’s identities. He finds out and falls in love with her but she hates him. Surprise surprise, she falls in love with him too in the end.

2. Legends of the Fall

Legends of the Fall talks about William Ludlow and his sons Samuel, Alfred and Tristan. It is set in the earlier part of the 20^th century and the plot unfolds to reveal quite a tangled web. Samuel’s fiancée, Susanna falls in love with Tristan while Alfred falls in love with her. The bond that exists between the three brother is obviously ultimately broken.

3. AI- Artificial Intelligence

David is played by Haley Joel Osment, an advanced robot who hopes to develop real emotions in order to gain back the love of his estranged mother. His journey is quite long and will make you fall asleep.

4. Vanilla Sky

Vanilla Sky stars Tom Cruise who plays the character of David Aames. David takes everything for granted- especially his friends, lovers and family members. The movie pulls the audience into the character’s twisted psyche. This may sounds interesting but it honestly is not.

5. The English Patient

The English Patient revolves around a Hungarian mapmaker who is slowly but surely losing his memory. The story is so dull and so boring, that you will want to pull your hair out by the end of it. It also features a troubled nurse and thief of some sort.

6. The Black Dahlia

This movie is set in Los Angeles during the 1940s and follows the journey of two cops, Lee Blanchard and Bucky Bleichart who are trying to figure out the dynamics behind Elizabeth Short’s murder. Bucky finds out that his girlfriend knew Elizabeth and also realizes that the police department is laced with conspiracy and corruption. How shocking.

7. Ripley’s Game

Tom Ripley is cool and murderous and lives in a gigantic villa with his unusual girlfriend. Somebody he used to know contacts him and asks him to kill off a rival. Tom then goes on to frame an innocent farmer. If you watch this movie, you should also watch grass growing and compare the two to see which is more interesting.

8. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Sissy Hankshaw hitchhikes her way to New York and becomes an advertising model. The movie also features some whooping cranes and a cowgirl named Bonanza Jellybean. If this synopsis has not bored you enough, you should go watch the movie.

9. Safe

This movie revolves around Carol who starts complaining about nosebleeds, congestion and has trouble breathing almost every day. Nobody can figure out what’s wrong with her and ultimately it is revealed that she is suffering from “Environmental Illness”. No, this is not a parody- it is a mainstream movie.

10. Gerry

Gerry stars Casey Affleck and Matt Damon and talks about their journey through a desert which starts off as a hike. They soon realize that they were dumb enough to forget to carry food or water. They walk around and make the audience feel that Van Sant took it upon himself to bore them senseless.

Top 10 Comic Book Characters

This is a list which could cover many numbers. Comic book characters have enchanted us and thrilled us through our childhood. They have endured generations, and while we have grown older and our children have begun to read these comic strips, the cast of the comics have remained the same age and have continued their antics and escapades through decades.

Here, in no particular order, are some of the comic book characters who have been a part of the children’s lives for many years:

1. Asterix:

Asterix and his merry Gauls have been fighting the Roman invasion with the help of their magic potion and all the guile of their fellow villagers. The names are lyrical, the stories are delightful and the characters are whimsical. Obelix, a druid named Getafix, and dog named Dogmatix – what more do you need to sit back and relax and smile.

2. Mickey Mouse:

This tiny mouse has become the worldwide symbol of Walt Disney. Formulated in 1928, today he has spawned countless films and comic books and comic strips. The enchantment lies in his realistic stories and his ability to live happily in a world full of human beings.

3. Tarzan:

He may not be so popular now but for many decades he ruled the jungles of Africa and the hearts of comic book readers. Riding on elephants, swinging through the trees and have lions and monkeys as best friends, which child can resist a story like this one.

4. Phantom:

Another hero from Africa, Phantom was the precursor of masked heroes like Superman and Batman. He also lives in Africa, and has a wolf as his constant companion. But in many of his episodes he has visited the urban areas to deal with problems which have cropped up there.

5. Superman:

While we are talking about masked superheroes how can we forget the best of them all – Superman. Clark Kent – aka Superman has been the hero of successful films and comic strips. Superhuman’s strength and the ability to fly through cities marked him as a force to be reckoned with.

6. Archie:

All teenagers love him and hope that they can get girlfriends like Betty and Veronica. The cast of these books never seem to grow up, they still cause trouble for the principal at Riverdale High, they still cause sleepless nights for Veronica’s father and Jughead still spends most of his time eating.

7. Calvin and Hobbes:

Any mention of comic books will be incomplete with the beloved 6 year old Calvin and his imaginary tiger toy, Hobbes. Created by Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes have enraptured imaginations of children and adults alike with their surprisingly deep insights into human behaviour and habits. Calvin looks and criticises very obvious contradictions in the way adults live and teach their children about the world. This often takes a toll on his parents which adds for more interesting humour. A must read for any comic book aficionado!

8. TinTin:

A young and fairly tiny Belgian reporter TinTin accompanied by his faithful dog Snowy , this comic book series became very popular due to their mix of fantasy and reality. Set in contemporary times, our hero shows great intelligence and agility while he tries to solve the world’s problems. From the mountains of Tibet in ‘Tintin in Tibet’ to the ruins of the Incas in South America, this is a classic series which has stood the test of time over and over again.

9. Beetle Bailey:

A bumbling army recruit, Beetle Bailey manages to do everything wrong. His irritated sergeant Sergeant Snorkel, his inept and semi-alcoholic General Halftrack all succeed in making his life quite miserable. Set in an army camp somewhere, they never seem to see combat, but spend an inordinate amount of time training.

10. Hagar the Horrible:

From a comic book series set in modern times let us move to a series set in the Stone Age. Hagar the Horrible lives in a stone home, is a Viking who goes off to fight wars in ships, and has a wife who insists that he help her in the house (somethings have not changed over centuries!).Scruffy, overweight, shaggy he is the antithesis of the modern comic superheroes. But he is still as popular as them!

Top 10 Most Expensive Gift Ideas

1. Wristwatch by Chopard

This wristwatch is about 25 million dollars and is decorated with an array of diamonds and while some are pink, others are white and heart-shaped. Because naturally, when we look at our watches, we want to stroke the diamonds and not just find out what the time is.

2. Blue Diamond Ring by Chopard

The Blue Diamond Ring will cost you a mere 16.26 million dollars. The gorgeous diamond is oval-shaped and the band is made of white gold which is also shockingly, scattered with diamonds. If the price makes sense to you, you should call your psychiatrist and fix up an appointment with him.

3. iPhone 3G Kings Button by Peter Aloisson

This mobile phone is priced at 2.4 million dollars which makes it the most expensive of its kind. The surface of the phone is adorned with gold and diamonds whereas the lining is made of gold and is laced with diamonds as well. This not-so-practical phone will weigh you down if you have plans of walking around with it.

4. The Veyron from Bugatti

This car is for 1.25 million dollars and apart from being stunning to look at, it is also among the fastest in the world. It can reach a speed of about 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and about 252 mph in less than a minute.

5. Mukhesh Ambani’s House

If you have about 2 billion dollars just lying about, you can approach this business tycoon and make an offer for his gigantic mansion. It is over 550 feet high and the garage has enough space for the family’s 168 cars.

6. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck

These bottles of Champagne traveled aimlessly for about 80 years after which they reached their destination. The bottles are priced at 275,000 dollars and are a favorite amongst the guests of the Ritz-Carlton in Moscow. So basically, you are drinking away all that cash- how fulfilling!

7. Imperial Majesty by Clive Christian

The Guinness book of records calls this perfume the most expensive in the world as it costs about 215,000 dollars per piece. The neck is dipped in gold and has a diamond attached to it. If you can afford this perfume, you will smell like nobody else in town because honestly, no one else will be foolish enough to purchase it.

8. The Jubilee Bear

This teddy bear is for 71,500 dollars and was created by Steiff. The fur is stiff because it is made of gold and its eyes are quite startling as they are made of diamonds and sapphires. You can’t exactly hug it, but it is great to look at which is exactly what teddy bears are for, right?

9. Computer Mouse by Pat Says Now

This computer mouse costs about 24,180 dollars and is adorned with over 55 diamonds and white gold. The design is beautiful and the features are as extraordinary. It is available in two designs but happy buyers say that the Scattered Diamond is prettier.

10. The Fantasy Bra by Victoria’s Secret

The design of these bras is considered to be as beautiful and dazzling as an Angel’s wings. It is scattered with about 2,900 diamonds set in gold which collectively weigh about 110 carats.

Most Famous National Costumes in the World

It is normally a dress which we associate with a country and its residents. It is something that they may wear everyday or only on formal occasions, but it is part of their unique identity and is usually symbolic of their culture. Most national costumes have been a part of the heritage of that nation and have been handed down from generation to generation, and are based on the kinds of fabrics available and are suited to the climate of that country.

1. Saree – India:

This is one of the most recognised costumes in the world. The prevalence of sarees as a daily wear is decreasing among the young and the affluent, as they are opting for western wear such as skirts and trousers. However in the smaller urban areas and in villages these are still the preferred outfit. In various parts of India sarees are worn in different manners and styles and the fabrics can range from cotton to silk and synthetic fabrics.

2. Kimono – Japan:

Kimono is a traditional outfit worn by men, women and children in Japan. These are traditionally made with a single bolt of fabric called the tan. Often these are hand-made and had-decorated and the materials commonly used are silk crepes, satin weaves, silk and silk brocade. It is a long, heavily patterned robe, which is held together at the waistline by a broad fabric belt known as the obi.

3. Sweden:

The Swedish national costume is very unique. It consists of a white winged hat, a long skirt with a traditional apron, a white long-sleeved blouse which is covered with a beautifully embroidered vest. Introduced in 1778 it was originally meant for the nobility of the country. Even today for formal occasions, Swedish ladies-in-waiting wear this traditional costume.

4. Deel – Mongolia:

A Deel is the traditional costume worn for centuries by the Mongols and other nomadic tribes of Central Asia. The fabric may be satin or silk or brocade, and the styling is similar to that of a kaftan . Shaped like a long overcoat, it is not buttoned in front of the body but is drawn tightly across the chest and clasped on the side with decorative clasps. A large fabric belt is the tied over the Deel.

5. Salwar Kameez – Pakistan:

The salwar kameez is a traditional outfit worn by both men and women of Punjab in India and Pakistan. The men in Pakistan wear a loose pajama and “kurta ” set often known as the “pathan suit”. The women wear long trousers which are gathered at the waist and are narrow at the bottom. The kameez is accompanied by the “chuni”or the “odhni “which is wrapped across the shoulders.

6. Jellabiya – Egypt:

This is a traditional Arab garment native to the Persian Gulf region, worn by women as a casual dress. For formal occasions they wear more elaborate ones embellished with beautiful embroidery and patterns. For the men a similar outfit is also worn, but it is much simpler in design. One of the world’s oldest national costumes, during weddings the bride wears a heavily embroidered and patterned Jellabiya.

7. Baju Melayu & Naju Kurung – Malaysia:

This is a traditional costume worn by the Malays and has its origins in many centuries of Malaysian history. Worn in different styles through the different regions, it basically consists of a skirt and blouse, worn as a full length dress.

8. Croatian National Costume:

Since most Croatians have adopted Western dresses as their daily wear, the Croatian National Dress is worn only on formal occasions. For the ladies it basically has a plain white dress and a blouse and underskirt, which have other accessories attached to them such as jacket, apron, kerchiefs or shawls. Their hair is interwoven into braids and has white or red ribbons.

9. Kaftan – Senegal:

The Senegalese kaftan is an ankle length garment with long bell sleeves. Worn with a kufi cap, these are the common attire for most men in the Western African region. They can be made of cotton or silk or even of lace and synthetic fabrics.

10. Thai National Costume:

Known as chut Thai phra ratcha niyom, literally translated as Thai dress of royal endorsement, it is of relatively recent origin, since it has only been popularised in the mid twentieth century by the Royal family. Based on traditional and ancient dresses, they have now become very popular.

Large gathering of cartoon classic cars